GSMArena [Archive]

GSMArena

18-01-16, 11:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-battery-indicator/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg There seems to be an issue with the battery indicator on the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus, which prevents the battery indicator from reducing proportionately with the actual charge of the battery, thereby suggesting you have more power left than you actually do.Apple is aware of the problem and has suggested a simple fix for it. It seems the issue is caused by the device time settings, so moving between timezones causes the battery meter to malfunction. The fix is to either restart the phone or check if the clock is set to update automatically through the settings.A more permanent fix should be rolled out in the next iOS...

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Dual SIM Galaxy Note5 now available for purchase in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/note5-dualsim-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Inline with the announcement made late last week, the dual SIM variant of Samsung's Galaxy Note5 flagship smartphone is now available for purchase in India. The device is listed on the South Korean company's India eStore.As for the price, the 32GB model - available in Gold, Black, and Silver colors - carries a tag of INR 51,400 (around $760). Although the 64GB model isn't currently listed, it was last week revealed that the device will set you back INR 57,400 (around $850).With the launch of the dual-SIM variant, Samsung has slashed the price of the single SIM version - both 32GB and 64GB models are down INR 6,000 (around $90), available for INR 47,900 (around $705) and INR 53,900 (around $795),...

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Android 5.1-based CyanogenMod 12.1 nightly now available for Galaxy Nexus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxynexus-cm12/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus was launched way back in 2011, and officially got updates till Android 4.3 Jelly Bean before Google abandoned it. However, alternative Android OS developer Cyanogen kept the device alive thereafter, releasing a stable Android 4.4-based CyanogenMod 11 ROM for the device in 2013.Now, the team has released the first Android 5.1-based CM 12.1 nightly build for the Galaxy Nexus, allowing users to enjoy the Android Lollipop experience on the device. The build weighs in at around 250 MB.You can download the nightly by heading to the Source link below. However, before you do that, bewarned that that nightly builds aren't usually stable - you may encounter bugs. Plus, as you might already know, installing a custom ROM can result in a bricked...

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Samsung's upcoming SM-R150 activity tracker leaked in images
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-fitnesstracker-images/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in November last year, there were reports that Samsung is working on an affordable fitness tracker. It was also revealed that the device carries a model number of SM-R150 and an internal codename of Triathlon.Now, some alleged leaked images of the wearable have surfaced online, revealing that it sports a round display as well as a rotating bezel, making it similar in design to the South Korean company's Gear S2 smartwach.The images indicate that the device features a heart-rate sensor, and is also capable of counting exercise repetitions as well as keeping track of water intake.Finally, it will also be possible to attach the SM-R150 fitness tracker to your chest.There's currently no information on the pricing and the availability of the wearable...

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User agent profile reveals new LG phone; possibly the G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g5-useragent-data/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The HTTP user agent profile of a new LG device has surfaced online, revealing the model number it carries and the OS it runs. As you can see in the screenshot below, the model number of this new handset is LG-H830.Given the fact that LG's G4 flagship carried LG-H810, LG-H811, LG-H812, and LG-H815 model numbers, it's safe to assume that the new smartphone in question is the company's upcoming G5 flagship smartphone. In addition, the profile also revealed that the device runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow.The LG G5 has already been the subject of several leaks and rumors until now, revealing its possible design and specs. The device is expected to be made official at LG's pre-MWC press event on February 21, invitations for which have already been sent..Via...

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Samsung Z1 Tizen 2.4 update to roll out in a few days
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/z1-tizen24-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Tizen 2.4 update for the Samsung Z1 smartphone will start rolling out in a few days - around January 22. This was revealed by Jason Dongwon Kwak, Managing Director of the South Korean company's R&D Institute in India.Kwak also revealed that the update will bring along support for "SHAREit and WhatsApp voice call," as well as many other features. These include Ultra Data Saving mode, enhanced messaging, and the ability to hide your personal messages and memo as well as record your voice along with your favorite songs. In addition, it will also feature easy video player controls, memo creation, and setup wizard.For those who aren't already aware, Samsung has already released a couple of Tizen 2.4 beta firmware for the Z1 so far. However, this would be the final OS...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/best-apps-games-39/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg These are the best apps and games that came out this week.SKRWTSometimes when you shoot a picture on your phone, it's hard to get everything right. Later when you view it, you realize it's tilted, or improperly framed, or the perspective is off. Some apps let you do minor adjustments before you upload but nothing is as comprehensive as SKRWT. Previously an iOS exclusive, the app is finally available on Android. With SKRWT you can do the basic things like cropping and tilting but also change the perspective by selectively tilting individual sides of the image till everything looks just right. It can also add or remove vignetting effect and other lens distortions such as fisheye. There's a lot to explore and if you're a fan of precision and symmetry in your photography, you'd definitely appreciate what this app has to offer.Price: $0.99Download: iOS Â• AndroidWildcardWildcard brings content curation to your news app. All the stories are curated by their editors to ensure only the best and most relevant stories from top sources end up on your timeline. The stories appear as cards, which can be skimmed and if you want to find out more, tap to see the full story in an easy to read layout.Price: FreeDownload: iOS Â• AndroidPocket MortysPocket Mortys is a game based on the TV show Rick and Morty. The game is very similar to the Pokemon games on Nintendo consoles, wherein you have to collect Mortys in the game by fighting them with your own Morty. It's a reasonably entertaining affair, especially if you're a fan of the TV show or enjoy this style of gameplay.Price: FreeDownload: iOS Â• AndroidThe Room ThreeWe already talked about The Room Three back when it debuted on iOS. The game is now available on Android and just as good as ever. If you enjoy puzzle games and have been a fan of the first two then there is no reason not to pick this one up.Price: $4.99Download: iOS Â•...

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Week 2 in review: Xiaomi devices, Samsung Galaxy S7 rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi undoubtedly takes the cake this week with a pair of intriguing new devices. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 3 and the Redmi Note 3 are spectacular offers, mainly for their excellent value. With a 5" display, Snapdragon 616 SoC, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP camera among other things, the former is priced at an almost unbelievable RMB 699 (around $105 at current exchange rates). The Redmi Note 3 ups the game quite a bit, providing a 5.5-inch FullHD display, up to 3GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 650 (former 618) chip. The device is not entirely new, but it does come with a more powerful SoC, integrated X8 LTE with Cat 7 speeds and support for VoLTE and also sells for the spectacularly affordable $151 for the base model.To finish off Xiaomi's presence in the news this week, there are a number of new rumors, including images and a full set of specs now available for the company's upcoming flagship - the Xiaomi Mi 5. It is shaping up to be a true high-end offer with a 5.2-inch QHD display, 4GB of RAM and running on Qualcomm's latest beastly chip - the Snapdragon 820. Speaking of major device rumors, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is getting ever closer to a release and people are still busy figuring out all of the versions it will come in and their respective release dates. Last we heard, it's a fifty, fifty affair between having a total of three or four versions.Lenovo also had a strong week in the mobile realm. It announced the Lemon 3 - an interesting mid-ranger with a 5.0-inch FullHD display, Snapdragon 616 SoC, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP main camera, which looks to be directly aimed at the Xiaomi Redmi 3 and even bears the same price tag of RMB 699 (around $105) in China. Then there is the Lenovo A7000, which was launched in India with high hopes to build on the whopping success of its predecessor and the K4 Note, which was spotted at retailers in Saudi Arabia. Speaking of which, new rumors suggest that a K5 Note is already on the way.In other news, thy mystery around the alleged resurrection of a 4" iPhone is slowly unraveling. And the Nokia brand is getting more frequent mentions in the news section as well, this time with a new leak that hints at a flying return to the smartphone realm for the company in 2016..news-item
Xiaomi Redmi 3 announced with Snapdragon 616 SoC, 4,100mAh battery
Priced at RMB 699 (around $105 at current exchange rates), the device will go on sale in China starting tomorrow.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 with Snapdragon 650 announced 1.8GHz hexa-core CPU, Adreno 510 GPU, integrated X8 LTE with Cat 7 speeds and support for LTE.
Lenovo Lemon 3 launched with SD616 SoC, 1080p display
The device carries a price tag of RMB 699 (around $105) in China. Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge and S7 edge+ to launch simultaneously A leaked promo image mentions them in the same breath. No S7+ though. All-metal Nokia smartphone leaks in photo, could be one of three 2016 models This might be our first glimpse of a new wave of Nokia smartphones, said to come this year. Xiaomi Mi 5 shows up on retailer's website, complete with specs The page listed the upcoming flagship's specs, but not the price. Nokia 230 24K-gold-plating costs more than the phone, still worth it Vietnamese luxury specialists Karalux will do the job for you for $67. Xiaomi Mi 5 is said to arrive in two different versions According to a new rumor out of China, the upcoming flagship will get two designs. All 2016 Moto devices will have fingerprint scanners, Lenovo exec...

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Weekend poll: Huawei Nexus 6P, LG V10 or Samsung Galaxy Note5?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/shootout-poll/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg For the trio of 5.7" phablets - Huawei Nexus 6P, LG V10 and Samsung Galaxy Note5 - we asked your unbiased opinion on their camera performance with a blind shootout. We also shared our thoughts of the three flagships.Now it's time to pick the Reader's Favorite. Is it the LG V10 with its excellent camera? The Galaxy Note5 with its screen and battery? Or the Nexus 6P with its premium build and stock Android?Keep in mind the V10 didn't do so hot in the benchmarks and battery tests. And the Note5 camera was behind the LG, its chipset behind the Nexus. The Nexus 6P itself did well all-round, but its screen calibration is off and the camera didn't always deliver.You have until next weekend to make up your mind. By the way, we're working on the next trio of large-screened phones so the choice of best phablet will just get more...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J7 has finally met its match. The long-standing champion has been dethroned by the Lenovo K4 Note, whose rise to the top took only 2 weeks.And for the first time in a long while the Galaxy J7 is the only J-series Samsung on the podium - the J5 has been pushed off by the newly-launched Xiaomi Redmi 3. The Galaxy S6 has kept its 5th spot from last week, but the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is dangerously close, so nothing's guaranteed for next week. The occasional podium finisher Galaxy J2 has slipped yet another spot compared to week 1, and is now in 7th. A similar faith has been shared by the Galaxy Grand Prime, which we find in 8th this week.The Apple iPhone 5s, which we thought was a one-off entry last week, seems to be here to stay, occupying the same 9th position. The Galaxy Note5 is the last to make the chart, with the Galaxy A5 giving it a hard time, but not hard enough..news-item

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Samsung said to launch Gear S2 and Gear VR in India this month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/gear-s2-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch is expected to launch in India this month, according to a new report. The wearable device was unveiled at the end of August 2015 ahead of the year's IFA show, and went on sale in the US a couple of months later.The report, however, contained no information on the exact launch date as well as the official price at which the smartwatch will be available in India. Also not revealed was whether or not all variants of the device will be available for purchase in the country.Along with the Gear S2, the South Korean company will also launch its virtual reality headset - Gear VR - in the Asian country, the report noted. The report comes just a day after Samsung announced that it will launch the dual SIM variant of the Galaxy Note5 smartphone in India on January 17, which is...

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Now the Sony Xperia C5 Ultra is receiving Android 5.1 Lollipop update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xperia-c5-ultra-android-51/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just two days ago Sony surprised us by releasing the update to Android 5.1 Lollipop for the Xperia C4 smartphone. This was unexpected because previously the Japanese company said this device would jump from Android 5.0 straight to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with no 5.1 update planned in between.And today it's time for a new handset to get the exact same treatment. According to Sony, the Xperia C5 Ultra was also supposed to go directly to Marshmallow. Yet an update to Android 5.1 for it is now rolling out nevertheless.In this case the new release is being sent to all the variants of the C5 Ultra, regardless of where they've been sold. When it comes to model numbers, that's the single-SIM E5553 and E5506, as well as the dual-SIM E5533 and E5563.Obviously though, as this is a staged rollout, you could need to wait a few days before it hits every device out there. If you own the single-SIM Xperia C5 Ultra, then after applying the update you will be on build number 29.1.A.0.87, while for the C5 Ultra Dual it's 29.1.B.0.87.Hopefully the release of these Android 5.1 updates won't delay the upcoming rollout of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for these...

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Poll results: Huawei gets best of CES 2016 award
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/poll-results-ces-2016-huawei/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Smartphone manufacturers have gradually started avoiding Las Vegas for high-end announcements, for better or worse. Apparently then whoever brings a flagship to CES, be it one already announced before, gets most of the attention.This has been the case this year, judging by the results in our poll from last weekend. Huawei gathered a total of 44% of votes, all thanks to the Mate 8, which has been official since late November, and the Honor 5X from a month before. Okay, that's not completely true, Huawei did bring to Las Vegas the entirely new MediaPad M2 10.0 tablet.And it was a tablet that surely brought Samsung to the second place in the poll. Despite bearing the Galaxy moniker, the 12-inch TabPro S runs Windows 10, and is a Surface Pro competitor. Whether it's solely responsible for Samsung's 27% result, or the Notebook 9 and Chromebook 3 had their say, we'll never know.Lenovo placed third with 12% of upvotes, but at least it brought a smartphone to the show in addition to all the ThinkPads, the Vibe S1 Lite. Two new smartphones from a just-conceived range meant 11% for LG in our poll, only marginally behind Lenovo, but in fourth...

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New phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/new-phones-jan-15/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg This week we got phones ranging from 4.5" to 5.5", each of them ranking high on feature and low on price. Xiaomi kicked things off with the Redmi 3, a phone that barely crosses the $100 mark, but brings an all-metal body, a 5" display, octa-core chipset and a surprisingly big 4,100mAh battery for its 8.5mm of thickness.A few days later the company launched the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3... no, not this one, this one. The 5.5" phablet aimed at the international market and swaps the Helio chipset for a Snapdragon 650 and upgrades the camera to 16MP along the way.On the other end of the size scale is the Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016), which tiptoed into official status. It has a 4.5" screen (Super AMOLED), a quad-core chipset and a 5MP camera. Its official price tag of $135 is $10-$20 above what can be found with a bit of shopping.The Lenovo Lemon 3 competes with the Redmi 3 with a 5" screen (with a higher resolution, 1080p) and a similar just-over-$100 price tag. It has a 13MP camera and the same Snapdragon 616 chipset.The Asus Live is another 5-incher. It's heading to Brazil where tech gets a hefty markup. The phone features a 720p display, 8MP camera, two SIM slots and a built-in digital TV...

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Samsung Gear S2 gets a $100 discount in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-gear-s2-ios-support/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's Gear S2 smartwatch has received a price cut in the United States, where retailer Adorama is now offering a cumulative discount of $100 off the wearable device's listed price, which is $300.Those purchasing the device will receive a mail-in-rebate of $50. Plus, you can use coupon code 50OFFJAN to get the remaining $50 off, taking the total discount to $100, meaning you'll effectively have to pay $200. For more information on the offer, which ends January 20, head to the Source 2 link below.The Gear S2 is officially being sold for $300 in the US. Other third party retailers like Amazon are also selling the Tizen-powered watch at the same price.Source 1 | Source 2 |...

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GSMArena

18-01-16, 11:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/watch-os-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Rumors so far have suggested that the second generation Apple Watch will be unveiled in the month of March. However, if a new report from TechCrunch is anything to go by, there are no signs indicating that the wearable will be made official any time soon.The report cited Creative Strategies analyst Ben Bajarin, who said that supply chain doesn't seem to be occupied enough to suggest a March unveiling. "With the supply chain cuts from the usual suspects of Apple component providers, the timing does seem suspect for a new product given orders would have taken place in the latter part of 2015 if a new product is shipping first half of 2016," he said."We are observing some interesting new patterns in Apple's supply chain that are making the waters more murky than before. As with the current edition of the Apple Watch, no one really saw that coming via supply chain so it is possible to not see it. However, the Apple supplier warnings of soft revenue ahead do seem to cause one's eyebrow to raise when thinking about a new product supposedly shipping in a few months."In addition, the report noted that there has also not been any major action at the developers' end to suggest that a new Apple Watch is coming in around a couple of months from now.The report comes just a few days after there were rumors that trial production for the Apple Watch 2 will begin by the end of this month, adding weight to the March announcement...

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Report says Microsoft Lumia 650 will be made official early next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-650-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 650, which has been the subject of several rumors and leaks until now, will be made official early next month - February 1 to be precise, according to a new report.The unveiling would likely be a low key affair, with the report stressing that the mid-range device's details - including its pricing and availability - will be announced in a blog post rather than a dedicated media event.In addition, the report notes that the Lumia 750 and 850 have been cancelled, and there isn't much expected from Microsoft at this year's MWC. It also adds that the Lumia 650 will be the first and last Lumia phone for 2016 - the rumored Surface Phone is said to be on track though.As for Lumia 650's price, a recent leak from Europe revealed that the Windows 10 handset will carry a tag of around...

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GSMArena

19-01-16, 11:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/k4-note-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo's recently announced K4 Note smartphone will be available for purchase on Amazon India via flash sale today. The sale, which is for the INR 12,499 ($185) priced Vibe K4 Note VR Bundle that also includes an ANT VR headset, will begin at 2pm IST.The phone will separately be available for purchase 2pm IST tomorrow on Amazon - that'll also be a flash sale. The Chinese company has revealed that it has received a total of 480,566 registrations for today's flash sale, and those who have successfully registered for it will also be eligible for tomorrow's sale. Lenovo, however, didn't reveal the number of units that'll be up for grabs both today and tomorrow.Those who missed out on registering for today's sale can now register for the next week's sale - just head to the Source link below and hit the Register Now button.Source |...

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Saygus V2 with dual microSD card slots will finally start shipping this quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/saygus-v2-shipping-q1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, back in February last year, we told you about the Saygus V2, an Android phone featuring top-of-the-shelf specs as well as dual 128GB microSD card slots. The $549 handset went up for pre-orders that month, and shipments were expected to begin soon.However, that didn't happen and the company kept delaying the shipments last year citing one reason or the other. Now, the company is saying that the device will start shipping this quarter.Details: We hoped to ship in February, but the Chinese New Year eats up a couple of weeks then. Our CES 2016 projection of 'Q1" appears safeÂ— Team Saygus (@Saygus) January 18, 2016Saygus - which is a US-based company located in Salt Lake City - also explained that V2's shipments got delayed due to the company's business differences with one of its manufacturing partners.The Holidays were busy and we apologize for the lack of updates! Our second ODM in 2015 was released for the vast difference in biz policyÂ— Team Saygus (@Saygus) January 18, 2016It has been a great relief not having to count on the words from a partner who may or may not provide us with accurate details or updates.Â— Team Saygus (@Saygus) January 18, 2016Specs-wise, the V2 is powered by a Snapdragon 801 SoC and sports a 5" 1080p screen. It has 3GB RAM and 64GB internal memory, and packs in a 3,100mAh battery. In terms of camera, the handset features a 21MP rear unit and a 13MP front shooter. There's also a fingerprint scanner, and the device is...

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New Asus Zenfone 2 update brings Android for Work support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zenfone2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Asus has started rolling out a new update to its Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML) smartphone that bumps the firmware version number to 2.20.40.164. and brings along support for Android for Work as well as fixes to several issues and stability-related improvements.As per the release notes, the update fixes issues related to video sound, SmartBox, phone hang-up, SDcard, and PosteMobile NFC. Plus, it also fixes the google play stop service, issue of displaying wrong operator name when roaming and searching network as well as an issue with YouTube volume while using miracast.In addition, the update - which weighs in at around 74MB - also brings along improvements to power usage of Email App as well as the stability of ASUS ZenUI Launcher and Cell Broadcast. There's also a new feature - that adds screenshot sound settings - included in the update.Head to your phone's settings to manually check for the update if you haven't received it yet.Source |...

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Motorola's 'shatterproof' Moto X Force landing in India soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/moto-x-force-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Update: A new report, citing sources, says that the device will be launched on February 2. To access the report, head to the Via link at the bottom.Original story follows:The Moto X Force, which Motorola claims is the world's first smartphone to come with a shatterproof display, will be launched in India soon. The company's India Twitter account has posted a new teaser confirming the same.Are you one amongst 40% of people who are deathly scared of dropping their phones? Watch the #Motofaceoff, know more https://t.co/Cx9AqxdpbWÂ— Motorola India (@MotorolaIndia) January 18, 2016The teaser includes a video which shows several flagship phones - from Motorola's competitors like Apple, Sony, and Samsung - ending up with broken screens when dropped. Towards the end, the video features the Moto X Force, which the company advertises as being shatterproof.While Motorola is yet to officially reveal the exact date on which the handset will be launched in the country, the company's India general manager in an interview last month had said that the launch will happen in January.Source |...

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Google now lets you install apps directly from Google Search results
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/install-app-from-search-results/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sometimes, when searching for something on the Google, you might see a suggestion to install an app. Normally, you'd click on the app suggestion which opens a link into the Play Store, and then you'd hit install and go from there.The new feature is: If you click on a suggestion, the app will directly begin installing from the search results. You will get the installation banner that appears before downloading an app, all without having to open the Play Store at all.This feature is a minor one that may be slowly but surely rolling out through Google Play Services. It looks like this will work when using the Google App or the Google Search widget on Android. It doesn't seem like this would work from Chrome or another browser.Android Police has had reports of this feature working dating back to about a month ago. While none of our devices were able to perform this action, let us know if you are able to do this using the Google app.Source |...

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$243 for a 2nd gen. Moto X, also, 2nd gen. Moto G w/dock for $100
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/motox-and-motog-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Best Buy looks like it's trying to get rid of its Moto X inventory. It is offering the 2nd generation Moto X 16GB in Black for $242.99 before sales tax. This price should last until Saturday, as any changes to Best Buy's pricing are usually made overnight for Sunday.Good luck finding any in-store though, as the Â‘store pick up' option is not available through the website. You may be able to find one if you call your local store. Though, you are more likely to not find one.B&H Photography also has the 2nd generation Moto G on its website going for $99.99 before taxes and includes a free Belkin Charger Dock. B&H's website even lets you choose between the worldwide variant and the US variant which only differ in cellular bands.The Moto X 2nd gen. features a 5.2 inch AMOLED 1080p screen with a Snapdragon 801 processor. It has a 2300 mAh battery, 13 MP rear-facing camera, and Motorola's own Moto Display which pulsates notifications on the actual screen.Note that the Moto X does not have a microSD card slot, so you'll be stuck with only 16GB of internal storage. Motorola only decided to include a microSD card on the 3rd generation of its Â‘X' line.The Moto G 2nd gen. features a 5 inch 720p LCD screen and an 8MP rear camera. Motorola's Moto G was among the best performing smartphones in sales numbers around the globe. Motorola made some great hardware and hope that Lenovo has plans to keep it that way.Source 1 (BBY) | Source 2 (B&H) |...

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Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) gets benchmarked, has specs revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-j5-2016-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is working on a successor to the Galaxy J5 from last year. The J5 (2016) has so far been spotted entering India for testing purposes. On that occasion we found out that it sports a 5.2-inch touchscreen.And now we have a list of its most important specs to glance at, courtesy of a benchmark run someone's put a prototype Galaxy J5 (2016) through.The information screen in GFXBench reveals that the handset has 720p resolution, a 12 or 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of built-in storage. It's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 410 chipset, which comes with a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.So this means the next-gen J5 will have a slightly bigger screen and more RAM compared to its predecessor, while the rest of the specs have stayed mostly the same. Like the original J5, the new one should be reasonably priced too.Source |...

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Leaked LG G5 diagram shows new design, volume buttons on the side
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-g5-schematic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG is apparently going to unveil the G5 at MWC next month, ahead of its usual schedule for G-series smartphone launches. The company is said to finally be ready to tackle its Korean competitor Samsung head-on. Samsung will be revealing the Galaxy S7 at MWC, and so LG wants its G5 to directly compete with that.To ensure the G5's success, LG has been rumored to have significantly altered the design when compared to past G-series devices, including the G4 from last year. And now a leaked diagram for the G5 confirms just that.As you can see, the G5 is probably going with a fully metallic build, given the cutouts on the back. It will also have its volume buttons on the side, something that hasn't been seen in the G line since the Optimus G from 2012. On the other hand, the power button stays on the back, underneath the camera, yet this time around it will come with a built-in fingerprint scanner. A single speaker is on the bottom side of the device, while the 3.5 mm headset jack is up top.The G5's dimensions will allegedly be 149.4 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm. These make it taller yet narrower than its predecessor. Past rumors have talked about it featuring a 5.6-inch QHD touchscreen, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC at the helm, a 20 MP rear camera, and an 8 MP selfie snapper.Source 1 (in Hebrew) Â• Source...

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Two HTC Nexus phones coming this year, rumor claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-nexus-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year for the first time ever Google launched two Nexus smartphones at the same time - the LG-made Nexus 5X and the Huawei Nexus 6P. And this manner of going with both a more mainstream size as well as a phablet for the Nexus line might be the new trend - one that Google is said to repeat in 2016.According to a new and unconfirmed rumor out of China, we shall once again see two Nexuses hitting the streets this year. One of them will have a 5-inch screen, while the other will get a 5.5-inch display. If true, this would represent an odd move for the mobile world, where handsets generally get bigger from year to year, not smaller (the Nexus 5X has a 5.2-inch panel, while the 6P has a 5.7" screen). Then again, the original Nexus 6 from Motorola had a 6" display and that was shrinked in its successor, so anything is possible.What might be more shocking is what company is said to be manufacturing both 2016 Nexuses: HTC. The Taiwanese smartphone maker has been in trouble, sales-wise, for many, many months now, and it probably hopes that this move will get it into the spotlight for the right reasons once more.On the other hand, the analyst who is the source of this rumor is of the opinion that the two Nexuses will be too little to help HTC escape all of its problems. The Nexus 9 tablet from 2014 certainly wasn't the success HTC had hoped it would be.Apparently Huawei was also in the running for producing this year's Nexuses, but the Chinese company lost out to HTC in the end. Obviously you should have taken all of this with a huge chunk of salt, because it comes from just one person. If there is any truth to this information, then expect to see it reiterated in the future.Source (in Chinese) |...

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LG Watch Urbane is now going for just $199.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-watch-urbane-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The original LG Watch Urbane can now be yours for a lot less than you might expect given its initial launch price of $349. The smartwatch is normally being sold for around $250-260 these days, but an eBay deal currently going on will let you have one for just $199.99.The device you're buying is brand new, and it comes with US warranty. It ships anywhere in the US, and retail tax is only charged in New Jersey. Two color versions are up for grabs, gold with brown strap and silver with black strap.The Watch Urbane was announced in February of last year, as the more upscale version of the G Watch R. It runs Android Wear, has a round touchscreen, and is IP67 certified for water and dust...

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Samsung Galaxy A3, A5, and A7 (2016) get priced in the UK and Germany as pre-orders start
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-a-2016-pricing-eu/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At the beginning of December, Samsung officially unveiled the 2016 edition of its A series smartphones. So far, the Galaxy A3 (2016), Galaxy A5 (2016), and Galaxy A7 (2016) have all been available only in China, but that's going to change soon.The three handsets are already up for pre-order in the UK at MobileFun. The retailer has thus revealed the SIM-free pricing of the devices for the UK.The new A3 will set you back Â£269, the A5 costs Â£319, and the A7 is priced at Â£399. There are no details yet about when they might start shipping, so it could be a while before the unit you pre-order makes it to your doorstep.Over in Germany, several retailers are giving you the option to place an order for the Galaxy A3 or Galaxy A5 (the A7 doesn't appear to be up for grabs just yet). Pricing starts at Â€306.31 for the A3, and Â€396.17 for the bigger A5.The members of the new 2016 A-series come with a metal frame and glass front and back, emulating the Galaxy S6's design somewhat. The A5 and A7 both have OIS enabled for their rear cameras, as well as a fingerprint sensor, features that the new A3 lacks (but it is the cheapest of the bunch, and it does sport other upgraded specs compared to its...

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HTC to spin off its nascent VR business into a separate company
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-vive-price-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A report from the company's native Taiwan says that HTC is getting ready to spin off its nascent VR business into a new company.According to some unnamed sources in the industry, HTC CEO Cher Wang will soon create a new entity that will only handle VR products such as the upcoming HTC Vive headset. For starters, this new company will be wholly owned by Wang and HTC.The move is meant to separate the hopefully successful VR-related endeavors by HTC from its smartphone division, which hasn't been doing all that well in the past few years. Dealers working on the Taiwan Stock Exchange said investors now have high hopes that "the VR business will help HTC offset the impact resulting from escalating competition in the global smartphone market".HTC shares went up by more than 5% following the news. That said, the company hasn't issued an official statement on the matter, at least not yet.The HTC Vive will be up for pre-order starting on February 29, and it may end up costing around $1,500. It was initially presented at last year's MWC, and it will finally become available in April. It was developed in cooperation with...

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Marshmallow update for HTC One M8 units in UK to begin rolling in next 48 hours; One M9 to follow shortly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-onem8-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has announced that the One M8 units in the UK will start receiving the Android 6.0 update in the next 48 hours. The announcement came in the form of a tweet sent out by the company's official UK twitter account.Great news! We'll be rolling out the Marshmallow update for the HTC One M8 over the next 48 hours. One M9 to follow shortly.Â— HTC UK (@HTC_UK) January 18, 2016In addition, the Taiwanese company also revealed that the update will be rolled out to the One M9 units in the country shortly thereafter, although no specific timeframe was mentioned.While there's currently no official word on it, it'd be safe to assume that the update in question will only be rolled out to unlocked units of these devices, with operator-specific versions getting it later.For those who aren't already aware, the Canadian carrier variants of the One M9 are set to receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update...

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BlackBerry Priv landing in India on January 28
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/priv-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry's debut Android smartphone Priv will be launched in India towards the end of this month - January 28 to be precise. The Canadian company has sent out invitations for the launch event that will be held in the Indian capital of New Delhi.There was, however, no word on the price tag the handset will carry in India. Over in the US, it carries a tag of $699, while in Europe it is officially selling for Â€779.This comes shortly after BlackBerry expanded Priv's availability to France. Just days prior to that, the smartphone landed in some other European markets, including Italy, the Netherlands, and...

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All OnePlus orders above $100 get free shipping
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oneplus-free-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has just announced that it will be offering free standard shipping on all orders $100 and up. The number (and consequently, value) varies by country and is Â€100 or Â£60, for example.In effect, what this means is that every order containing a smartphone (One, 2 or X) will be eligible. If you're only shopping for accessories, though, you'd need to purchase a whole bunch of cases and/or backs, or team up with a similarly inclined friend.Priority shipping will also get a price cut. For a single OnePlus 2, shipped to the US, that means $9.63 instead of the $17.63 it was until now. To the EU, the savings are Â€8 flat, the service now costing Â€16.49, instead of ...

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iPhone 6s Plus vs. Lumia 950 XL vs. Galaxy Note5 vs. LG V10: Blind shootout
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/6splus-950xl-note5-vs/blind/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg The last blind shootout got us in a competitive spirit, so let's do another one. This time we bring in the Apple iPhone 6s Plus and the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and carry over the LG V10 and Samsung Galaxy Note5 from last time.

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Samsung fixes Galaxy Note5, a wrongly inserted S-Pen no longer breaks it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-note5-new-detection/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Galaxy Note5 launch was followed by some peculiar complaints, about the iconic S-Pen. In case you've already forgotten the whole fiasco, we shall give you the quick tour.The S-Pen of the Galaxy Note5 could be inserted backwards in its slot, which may not be something many people will do on purpose, but as it turned out eventually lots of people did. Either by accident, or caught up by the wide media coverage - thousands of people got their S-Pen stuck in the slot backwards. This led Samsung to send some special tools to the service center for safely removing the stuck pens.Unfortunately, those who tried to get it out by themselves, often broke the S-Pen detection mechanism and thus rendered their S-Pen a pointless stick.If you broke your Galaxy Note5, or already own it, we are sorry, but an official Samsung support center is your only solution.But if you are about to buy a Note5 right now, we have some good news. Apparently Samsung has pre-installed a failsafe mechanism, which will allow you to extract the S-Pen safely if inserted backwards.The company has upgraded the mechanism without an official announcement. Previously the company said that this wasn't really an issue and urged customers to read the manual, while denying the device a fix. We are glad to see Samsung has addressed the issue and the new adopters won't be threatened with the possibility of breaking their Note5. As for the earlier buyers - well if your Note5 lasted until now, you are probably safe, but still watch how you insert that...

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GSMArena

19-01-16, 11:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/whatsapp-back-brazil/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has announced that it is doing away with the $0.99 annual subscription fee which was applicable to some of those using the service after their first year. The announcement was made by WhatsApp in an official blog post.WhatsApp admitted that the approach of charging an annual subscription fee hasn't worked well for the company primarily because many of the service's users don't have a debit or credit card, which is required to pay the fee.So, what would be the company's revenue model now? Third party ads? Well, WhatsApp says NO. The company is instead planning to earn money by offering services aimed at connecting businesses with individuals. "Starting this year, we will test tools that allow you to use WhatsApp to communicate with businesses and organizations that you want to hear from," WhatsApp said."That could mean communicating with your bank about whether a recent transaction was fraudulent, or with an airline about a delayed flight. We all get these messages elsewhere today - through text messages and phone calls - so we want to test new tools to make this easier to do on WhatsApp, while still giving you an experience without third-party ads and...

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Sony MWC 2016 press event set for February 22
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/sony-mwc-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony will be holding its Mobile World Congress press event on Monday, February 22. Sadly, there's little info about what the company might be announcing. The invite is quite simple, compared to its previous ones, so we can't really get anything from it.Sony unveiled the Xperia Z5 models at IFA 2015 in September, meaning that it might be a tad early for a refresh. This leaves room for updates in the company's mid-range and wearable line-ups. Whatever it is we'll be on site, covering new announcements for...

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Samsung LED View Cover for Galaxy S7, S7 edge clears FCC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-galaxy-s7-led-view-cover/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The US telecom governing body has certified a pair of accessory cases for what appear to be the Samsung Galaxy S7, and the S7 edge (though we're yet to find out for certain just how many S7's there will be and what kinds specifically).Dubbed LED View Cover, the new cases are the flip cover variety, but what exactly the LED part stands for remains to be seen. What we can deduct from their visiting FCC in the first place (and a brief look at the test report) is that they will communicate via NFC with the smartphones.How they will be different from the Clear View Covers of the current-gen Galaxy S6, and why they weren't part of the earlier accessories leak are another couple of questions that remain unanswered.Good thing then, that there's only about a month before it all gets revealed, when the smartphones go official around February 21.Source 1 Source 2 |...

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GSMArena

20-01-16, 11:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-store-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has filed an application with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of India to open its own chain of retail stores in India, according to the DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant speaking to The Times of India."We have just received Apple's proposal. We are examining it," said Kant. He also confirmed that Apple is seeking the government's approval to sell its products through its own online store.Apple had previously tried to go down this route of selling its products directly in India through online and offline retail stores but back then the Indian Government's FDI policy mandated that any foreign company investing more than 51% should source 30% of its products from within the country and also did not allow foreign single-brand retailers from opening their own online stores. Since November of last year, these restrictions have been relaxed, which means companies like Apple can now finally go ahead with their plans.All this time, Apple has been selling its products through a network of franchisee-owned stores, such as Croma. With the relaxation of the rules, Apple can now apply to open its own retail stores in India, the way they have in several countries worldwide. The current Apple 'stores' in India are designed to mimic the look of official Apple stores everywhere else but aren't quite the same. But if Apple ends up opening its own stores then customers in India will finally get to experience the proper Apple sales and service...

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Deal: Buy a Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2 and get 50% off on second unit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/turbo2maxx2-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you are planning to purchase either the Droid Turbo 2 or the Droid Maxx 2 (both Verizon-exclusives), here is some good news: the carrier is currently running a promotion that allows you to purchase a unit and get 50% off on the second one.Specifically, purchasing a Droid Turbo 2 will get you 50% off a second unit of the device or the Maxx 2. On the other hand, if you purchase the Droid Maxx 2, you can only get the discount on the second unit - no discount on the Turbo 2 in this case.For those who aren't in the know, both Droid Turbo 2 and Maxx 2 were launched in October last year, carrying a price tag of $624 and $384, respectively.Although Verizon hasn't specified when the promotion ends, the deal is apparently aimed at couples, and with Valentines Day just a few weeks away, it should presumably extend till February 14...

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Motorola posts Android 6.0 release notes for Moto G (2nd Gen)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/motog-2014-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Looks like Motorola will soon start rolling out the Marshmallow update to its second-generation Moto G smartphone. The company has posted Android 6.0 update release notes for the device on its India support website.The handset was launched in September 2014 running Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) out-of-the-box. Although it started receiving the Android 5.0 Lollipop update in January 2015, Android 5.1 hasn't hit the device yet. So, turns out the phone will directly jump from Android 5.0 to Marshmallow.This comes just a day after the Motorola Moto G Turbo Edition started receiving the Android 6.0 update in India.Source |...

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Samsung Gear S2 landing in India tomorrow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gears2-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Gear S2 will be launched in India tomorrow - January 21. The South Korean company has sent out invitations for the launch event that will be held in the city of Gurgaon, near the country's capital of New Delhi.Although the invite doesn't mention Gear S2 explicitly, the image it contains speaks for itself. This comes just days after there were reports that the smartwatch will be launched in the country this month.While reports also mentioned that Samsung's virtual reality headset - the Gear VR - will also be launched along with the Gear S2, the invite at-least doesn't contain any such...

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Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 clears the FCC hurdle
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mediapad-m210-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Unveiled at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 has passed through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, suggesting an imminent launch of the tablet in the country.Specs-wise, the device is powered by a Kirin 930 SoC and sports a 10.1-inch (1200 x 1920 pixel resolution) IPS display. It comes in 2GB/3GB RAM options and 16GB/64GB internal memory options, and packs in a 6,660 mAh battery.In terms of camera, the tablet features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Measuring 239.8 x 172.8 x 7.4mm and weighing in at 500g, it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box. The 2GB/16GB model comes in silver color, while the 3GB/64GB variant comes in gold - both are available in WiFi + LTE and WiFi-only versions.Prices begin at $349 and go all the way up to $469.Source |...

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Report says Apple Watch Hermès edition will be available for purchase online starting January 22
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-watch-hermes/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple Watch Hermès edition will go on sale online starting January 22, according a report from fashion news site Fashionista. On sale since October last year, the collection has only been available at select Apple retail stores and Hermes' luxury boutiques until now.For those who aren't in the know, the Hermès Apple Watch edition is a result of Apple's partnership with French fashion house Hermès.It features specially designed leather straps - there are three variants: the Single Tour, Double Tour, and Cuff, costing $1,100, $1,250, and $1,500, respectively. In addition, the wearable also sports an exclusive Hermès watch face.The report says the complete Hermès collection will be available for purchase on Apple.com and Hermes.com beginning this Friday.Via 1...

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Verizon FreeBee Data, a new twist on Net Neutrality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/verizon-freebee/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon is introducing a new way to make money at the potential inconvenience to consumers. It is going to offer sponsored data at the expense of marketers and companies who want to advertise.An ad or link would have a little bee next to it signifying that it is sponsored and has already been paid for, the user can then click the content, view, or consume it in any way.Basically, Company X can post an ad with content like videos or articles which will not be deducted from the subscriber's data bucket upon viewing the content. It will be billed at Company X's own expense. While this isn't really a benefit for the customer, nor an inconvenience, it's just a way for Verizon to make more money off its large subscriber base.Net Neutrality supporters have been bugging T-Mobile about services like Music Freedom and Binge On. The difference with the two is that T-Mobile's services actually provide benefit to the customer while Verizon's FreeBee data only makes Verizon more money.When you think about it, this is much like what T-Mobile is already doing, except it is explicitly charging the companies for flagging content as free data. The way that Verizon wrote the press release sounds like it is taking advantage of its customers to a certain extent. I may be sounding harsh and this might not even be Verizon's intention at all, but this could end up badly for Verizon or its consumers.The only way FreeBee could be successful for Verizon is if these ads are unobtrusive and don't put preference of other content over what the subscriber is actually looking for. It really boils down to what marketers want and what Verizon can offer to them.If Verizon can respect what is obtrusive and annoying to the subscriber, I guess it's not THAT bad. Once Verizon crosses a line, it becomes a slippery slope and customers could become irritated.This program is actually in beta-testing, so the only content providers right now are Hearst Magazines, AOL, and GAMEDAY. These are initial test runs to see how well the program performs before proceeding.Source |...

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Upcoming Sony PlayStation VR headset gets priced in Switzerland
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/playstation-vr-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Not long ago, the official pricing for the Oculus Rift VR headset was revealed. It will cost $599. On the other hand, another highly anticipated entry into the VR space comes from Valve and HTC. This will go up for pre-order on February 29, and it's been rumored to set you back a whopping $1,500.So you may be wondering where Sony's upcoming PlayStation VR headset (codenamed Morpheus) will be in terms of pricing. While we still have nothing official from Sony on that, no less than three different online retailers from Switzerland have listed it already.Oddly though, each of them has a different price for the device. They range from CHF 499 to 552.45. At the current exchange rates, that would be $497 to 550, or Â€455 to 504. If these prices even somewhat reflect Sony's plans (and aren't just random guesses by retailers eager to get some clicks and perhaps some pre-orders), then we assume the PlayStation VR will go for $499 in the States and probably Â€499 in the Eurozone.On the other hand, in a recent report originating in Taiwan about the HTC Vive, the PlayStation VR was said to cost $1,125 - so do take all of this with a pinch of salt. If Sony is close to finally releasing Morpheus into the wild, then hopefully it will reveal pricing details soon.Source | Via 1 Â• Via...

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Huawei Honor 6 Plus, Honor 6, and Honor 4X get beta Marshmallow builds in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor-uk-marshmallow-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Ascend Mate7 isn't the only Huawei device in the process of receiving a beta build of Android 6.0 Marshmallow soon. The Chinese company's Honor sub-brand wants in on that beta action too.So if you're from the UK and own the Honor 6 Plus, Honor 6, or Honor 4X, you can now sign up to become a beta tester for the Marshmallow update for your device. This follows a similar campaign that was outed for the Honor 7 last month. To try your luck at getting selected for this, you have to fill out the form here.You need to supply your handset's IMEI number (dial *#06# to get it), as well as its current firmware version. This has to be a specific one noted in the document linked above, otherwise you won't be able to participate.Of course you should keep in mind that such beta builds can be filled with bugs, and make sure you back up your data before you...

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Microsoft will recall some Surface Pro chargers because of fire hazard
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/surface-cable-recall/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg On Friday, Microsoft will issue a worldwide voluntary recall of the chargers and charging cables shipped with its Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 3 tablets. Affected are the tablets that were sold in the US before March 2015, and in Europe before July 15 of last year.According to the statement which Microsoft will release in a few days, if those power cords are "sharply or repeatedly bent" or "tightly wrapped" they are prone to overheat, which can turn them into a fire hazard.A Microsoft spokesperson had this to say about the matter: "As a result of damage caused by AC power cords being wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time, a very small proportion of Surface Pro customers have reported issues with their AC power cord. We will be releasing details of how customers can obtain a free replacement cable shortly".As of Friday, the company will set up a specialized website where affected owners of the Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 3 tablets can claim their free replacement charger and cable. They will be advised to recycle or dispose of the faulty cables.The recall will not target the Surface Pro 4 or non-Pro Surface tablets.Source 1 Â• Source 2 |...

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Apple is now pushing iOS 9.2.1 to all supported devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/ios-921/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Apple has commenced the rollout of the update to iOS 9.2.1 for all supported iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch units out there. The general release starts today following a beta version of iOS 9.2.1, which went out to eager testers last month. In the meantime, an iOS 9.3 beta has been outed as well for those who are part of Apple's beta testing program.As its version number implies, iOS 9.2.1 is not a big release. It doesn't come with new features, it only focuses on bug fixes, performance improvements, and reliability enhancements.Included is a fix for an issue that could prevent the completion of an app's installation when using an MDM server. For now it's unclear if the battery indicator bug that we've reported on yesterday is also fixed in iOS 9.2.1. Surely though some other unnamed improvements are in...

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Facebook's Android app now has Tor support built-in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/facebook-android-tor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Facebook has been accessible through Tor-enabled browsers since 2014, but starting today the social network is making another step in protecting your privacy. That's because the Facebook app for Android supports Tor now too.To use the app through Tor, you first need to install the Orbot proxy app on your device. After you do that, if you go to Settings inside the Facebook app, you'll see the option highlighted in the screenshot below.Turn that on, and you'll be connected to Facebook via Tor. The feature will apparently be rolling out over the next few days to users of Facebook's Android app, so you may not see it...

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US court bans sales of Samsung devices that aren't on sale anymore
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-sales-ban/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've got a new episode in the seemingly neverending Apple v. Samsung patent spat. This time around there isn't a big sum of money that Samsung has to pay Apple or anything like that.US District Judge Lucy Koh has granted Apple a motion for permanent injunction against Samsung devices found to have patent-infringing technology. Translated from legalese, that essentially means that Samsung is now banned from selling these handsets in the US.That sounds very bad, until you look at the list in question and realize that none of these smartphones have actually been on sale anywhere for quite a while, since they're all very old. We're talking about the Admire, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S2, Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, Galaxy S3, and Stratosphere. The most recent device in there seems to be the Galaxy S3 from 2012.So this ruling does favor Apple in the ongoing patent war with Samsung, but it is in the end completely pointless. The Korean company will suffer absolutely no losses from not being able to sell handsets it hasn't been selling anymore anyway. A Samsung spokesperson said that "while this will not impact American consumers, it is another example of Apple abusing the judicial system to create bad legal precedent which can harm consumer choice for generations to come". Apple representatives have remained mum on the decision.This could be impactful in other ways, however. In the future such sales bans could be decided by judges in an easier manner than before, with this precedent having been set - especially when talking about complex devices such as smartphones, many different aspects of which can be patented.Source |...

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LG's new K7 arrives at Boost Mobile as the Tribute 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-tribute-5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Boost Mobile, one of Sprint's prepaid brands, has added a new cheap smartphone to its roster. It's called LG Tribute 5, but it's actually just the recently announced K7 with a different name. The new K series is supposed to bring decent design and specs to very low price points according to LG.The Tribute 5 comes with a 5-inch 480x854 IPS touchscreen, a couple of 5 MP cameras (one on the front, one on the back), Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 chipset running the show (with a 1.1 GHz quad-core CPU), 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, 4G LTE support, and a 2,125 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop.You can pick one up straight from Boost Mobile for only $99.99, and since this is a prepaid carrier there's no need to sign a long-term contract. You can pair it with a plan that gives you unlimited talk and text as well as at least 2GB of data, starting at $30 per...

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Android Marshmallow beta test starts for the Huawei Ascend Mate7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mate7-marshmallow-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Slowly but surely, Huawei keeps working on updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for its devices. And now it's reached the Ascend Mate7 from 2014.The company is currently looking for eager people to beta test the new software on their Mate7 units. There are some prerequisites before you can apply, though. First off, your Mate7 needs to be either the MT7-L09 model or the MT7-TL10 to qualify. You should also back up all your data before you install the Marshmallow beta, because things can always go wrong in such instances.If you're fine with that and are willing to test the upcoming release, you have until January 22 to send an email to mate7betatest1@huawei.com which has to include your phone's IMEI number (which you can find out by dialing *#06#), as well as your current firmware version (listed in the About phone part of Settings). That's it. If you're lucky you'll be among the chosen ones who will get to play with the Android 6.0 update before it rolls out to everybody.Thanks for the tip, Muhammad Idrees!Source (in German) |...

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BlackBerry Priv lands at T-Mobile on January 26 for $719.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/t-mobile-priv-details/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've known that the BlackBerry Priv would eventually be headed to T-Mobile ever since last month, when a leaked document claimed as much. And today the "un-carrier" has decided to make it official.Yes, T-Mobile is about to join AT&T in offering BlackBerry's first Android-running smartphone. The Priv will become available at the magenta carrier starting on January 26.To grab one, you'll pay nothing upfront (as is customary at T-Mobile), then followed by 24 monthly payments of $30. Another option is to go with an 18-month lease, which will set you back $34 every 30 days (but at the end of this period you must return the handset in working order or pay it off to keep it). The full retail price of the Priv is...

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Is this the new Nokia phone in the company latest video?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/nokia-promo-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nokia is building up towards its long-awaited return to the smartphone stage, following a no-compete period after the Microsoft acquisition of its original smartphone business. Judging by this latest promo video, we're nearly there.The video is mostly filled with inspirational talk, pretty images and brand promotion. It's easy to dismiss then as just another marketing exercise, but you'd be foolish to do so as you'd miss what appear to be the future Nokia devices.Coming in at 1:16, there's a tablet, which looks a lot like the existing N1. Gentle as the model's hands may be, though, the thing appears more than a little larger that the current product. The power button is also closer to the edge, and there's a black spot in the middle of the top plate, which isn't present on the N1. It's then safe to assume we're in for a new tablet.Next comes the smartphone, allegedly named C1, which appears to have a glossy plastic case, contrary to either metal-built leak we've seen so far. Camera placement is off compared to these two, but is more in line with renders that have been circulating.You can check out the entire video below, and look for other visual clues at what to expect from Nokia in 2016.Source |...

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Sony to bring the Xperia M5 to Europe in February
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/08/sony-c5-m5/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Sony announced the Xperia M5 back in the August, 2015, but it's yet to bring it to Europe. Things are about to change, as the company has expressed its plans to launch its latest midranger there next month.The Xperia M5 product page is live on Sony Poland and Sony Netherlands websites. Furthermore, T-Mobile Netherlands is offering the device on-preorder for Â€439.95 SIM-free. Shipping will start on February 2.For the price you get a 5" 1080p IPS display, a MediaTek Helio X10 chipset with a 2GHz octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and a 2,600mAh battery. At the back, there's a 21.5MP camera with an Exmor RS sensor boasting 0.25-second Hybrid Autofocus.Expect more information on pricing and availability in due time as the Xperia M5 becomes widely available.Source Â• Source(2) |...

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GSMArena

20-01-16, 11:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/dell-venue-8-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Dell has updated the Venue 8 Pro tablet bringing its specs more than a notch up. Along with that, the new Venue 8 Pro 5000 Series comes with a price to match, at $449 it's twice as expensive as some versions of the predecessor.On the hardware end, the new tablet features an 8-inch FullHD display, or rather WUXGA, as the 16:10 ratio results in 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. That resolution, however, seems to be optional, judging by the product page, so the old and coarse 1,280 x 800 pixels might still be available.What's definitely new is the processor, which is the Intel Atom x5-Z8500 at this point, but we may be seeing the Z8300 at a later stage. There's 4GB of RAM on board, and 64GB of built-in eMMC storage, no other options so far. There is a microSD slot for expansion, though, so storage shouldn't be an issue. Windows 10 Pro is standard equipment, but you could opt for Home, for $50 less.Either way, you're getting a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front unit. More importantly, however, there's Wi-Fi 802.11ac with 2x2 antennas, and USB 3.0 with Type-C connector. It's ready for cellular connectivity too, thanks to its microSIM slot, but we gather that will be optional as well. The Dell Active Pen is supported, but not part of the package - it typically goes for an additional $50, but Dell will knock $5 off its price if you buy it with the tablet.The Dell Venue 8 Pro can be ordered now, but let's hope you're in no rush as will ship in 11-14 business days.Source |...

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UK-based Bush launches Eluma, a Windows 10 phone on a budget
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/bush-eluma/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg UK-based company Bush has launched a budget smartphone that runs Windows 10 Mobile OS. Dubbed Eluma, the device is powered by a quad-core processor and sports a 5-inch HD IPS display.The handset has 16GB of internal memory (expandable up to 128GB via microSD slot), although the amount of RAM isn't yet known. In terms of camera, the Eluma features an 8MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. No official word on the battery capacity, too, although reports say it's 2,100mAh.The smartphone offers support for 4G as well as dual-SIM functionality. Measuring 142 x 72 x 8.2mm and weighing in at 152g, the handset carries a price tag of £79.95 (SIM free). It is available for purchase in the UK from online retailer Argos, which is selling the black model and is also offering a white-colored back case free with each purchase.Source |...

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GSMArena

21-01-16, 11:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gears2-gearvr-india-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As expected, Samsung has launched the Gear S2 smartwatch in India. Both standard as well as the classic edition will be available for purchase in the country starting today via the company's physical retail channels, with Flipkart being the exclusive online retail partner.As for the price, the Gear S2 carries a tag of INR 24,300 (around $360), while the classic edition will set you back INR 25,800 (around $380). The South Korean company also confirmed that Gear S2 users in country will also be able to access dial faces with Indian themes.Along with the Gear S2, Samsung also launched the Gear VR headset in the country, as was rumored earlier. The device carries a price tag of INR 8,200 (around $120), and like the smartwatch, will be sold through Samsung's physical retail channels and online retailer Flipkart.In addition to the Galaxy Note5, S6 edge+, S6, and S6 edge, the headset also supports the dual SIM Galaxy Note5, which was recently launched in...

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Apple launches new Music Memos app, updates GarageBand
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-music-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple has launched a new app for iOS devices. Called Music Memos, the app helps musicians instantly record their music whenever inspiration strikes.One might think that sounds like the Voice Memos app that already comes pre-installed on iPhones. The difference is that the Music Memos app can intelligently tell the difference between voice and instrument, and which instrument is being played. It can then analyze the tempo and rhythm and automatically adds a suitable drum and bass background to accompany your music. This way the music feels more complete while you are recording it and later when you're playing it back. The app is optimized for acoustic guitar and piano but also works with other instruments. Apple has a few samples for you to listen to on its website.Music Memos also records uncompressed audio, either through the built-in mic or an external microphone and you can build a library and then name, tag, and rate your music. You can also comment and share your recordings and they get backed up on iCloud and synced across your devices.The Music Memos app is available for free for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.Apple also updated the GarageBand app for iOS. The two main new features here are Live Loops and Drummer. Live Loops brings a grid of loops that you can tap to play looping sounds. You can use the existing sounds or create new ones and then drag them around and rearrange them in the track flow to create your own arrangement.Drummer includes nine virtual session drummers with their own individual style. Just like in the Music Memos app, the drummers can listen to the music you are playing and automatically come up with a beat that goes along with what you're playing in an incredibly realistic manner that sounds like you're jamming with a real person. You can control every aspect of the drumming or switch to another one to suit your preference.Lastly, GarageBand for iOS also adds support for the larger, higher resolution display on the iPad Pro, and the 3D Touch on the iPhone...

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Microsoft mistakenly reveals unannounced Lumia Phone X
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-phone-x/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like Microsoft is working on a new Lumia handset. Dubbed Lumia Phone X, the device was mistakenly revealed by the Chinese unit of the Redmond, Washington-based company when they uploaded a video explaining how Continuum works.While the video in question doesn't contain any reference to the yet-to-be announced device, its the description accompanying the video where the Lumia Phone X was mentioned as one of the four devices that currently support Continuum - the other three being Lumia 950/XL and Acer Jade Primo.The description - which has since been edited - read (translated):Homemade Welcome Mobile phone Continuum, this function can convert your phone large screen projector and utilities. Use dock or adapter to connect to a TV or monitor, and then use your application on a larger screen and view your content. You can also make your mouse and keyboard computer phone has the same powerful features, such as production of Office documents, send e-mail, and even type text messages. Upon completion, the file will be saved on your phone, you can continue working. Of course, you can watch videos, view photos, surf the Web and so on. Note: This feature requires a compatible mobile device is intended for use, for example Lumia 950/XL, Lumia Phone X and Acer Jade Primo.And here's the video in question:There's been information (not even rumors) about the Lumia Phone X so far. A recent report suggested that the Lumia 650 will be the first and last Lumia phone for 2016. So perhaps, Microsoft is targeting a 2017 launch for the device. And who knows, this could also be the long-rumored Surface Phone, which is said to release this...

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HTC Desire Eye tipped to receive Marshmallow update later this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/desire-eye-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC Desire Eye smartphone, which was launched back in November 2014, will get the Marshmallow update sometime later this year. This was revealed by the usually reliable leakster @LlabTooFeR, who said the device will be updated to Android 6.0.1.Confirmed. HTC Desire Eye to get Android 6.0.1 with Sense 7.0 later this year.Â— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) January 20, 2016For those who aren't already aware, back in September last year, HTC USA released a list of smartphones that the company said will receive the Marshmallow update. The Desire Eye, however, wasn't mentioned in the list.In addition, @LlabTooFeR also revealed that the Marshmallow update for the handset will also include version 7.0 of the Taiwanese company's Sense UI. The Desire Eye currently runs Android Lollipop with Sense 6.0...

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T-Mobile confirms Marshmallow update for LG V10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/lg-v10-att-t-mobile/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile started selling the LG V10 in the last week of October 2015. Weeks before that, the carrier released a list of devices on its network that it said will receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. Quite understandably, the V10 wasn't in the list at that time.However, being a flagship smartphone that released in October itself, there was never a doubt that it will receive the Android 6.0 update. Just that T-Mobile had to officially confirm it, which the carrier has done now by adding the V10 to the aforementioned list of devices.There's no information when the T-Mobile V10 Marshmallow update will actually roll out. A quick look, however, at the carrier's website reveals that the device is in the first stage of the update process - Manufacturer Development - which is basically a point where the carrier and the device manufacturer agree to support a new software update.For those who aren't already aware, the LG V10 comes with Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) out-of-the-box. Its selling point is a secondary ticker display that is positioned directly above the device's main touchscreen. You can read our review of the device...

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Uber to launch full-fledged food delivery service in 10 US cities in coming weeks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/ubereats-service/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Uber has revealed that it will launch a full-fledged food delivery service in the US in the coming weeks. The revelation was made by the ride-sharing company in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.The service will allow people to order food from local restaurants using a dedicated standalone app dubbed UberEats, and have it delivered by an Uber driver. Users will, however, have to pay a delivery fee of about $5 per order.Already available in Toronto, Canada, UberEats will only be available in select US cities initially, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Austin, Washington DC, San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle and Dallas.It's worth mentioning that Uber already offers a lunchtime service - which promises deliveries under 10 minutes - by the same name in these cities. That service will be renamed to Instant...

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New report confirms Lumia 650's early Feb launch, reveals German pricing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-650-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report out of Germany, the Microsoft Lumia 650 will go on sale in the country early next month. This is inline with recent reports that said the device will be made official on February 1.As per the report, O2 Germany will have the Windows 10-powered handset in stock, although only the black variant will be available for purchase. As for the price, the smartphone will carry a tag of Â€219, which is around $238 at current exchange rates.The new report comes just a few days after it was revealed that the Lumia 650 will be priced at CZK 5,491 (around $222 or Â€203) in the Czech Republic. The device has already been the subject of several rumors and leaks until now.Via...

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iPhone 6s Plus vs. Lumia 950 XL vs. Galaxy Note5 vs: The tri-platform throwdown
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/6splus-950xl-note5-vs/-347x151/gsmarena_004.jpg Google's Android dominates the market in sheer numbers while Apple's iOS fights in the premium market and is winning the profit margin game. And then there's Microsoft's Windows 10 Mobile, trying to find its place under the sun. We've handpicked the best phablets from each of these platforms to put them head to head, focusing on the devices rather than the platforms they represent.

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32GB Moto X (2nd gen) is just £199 in the UK until February 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/moto-x-deal-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola's UK arm is holding another promotion for the second-generation Moto X smartphone. This time the price reduction is even better than what was offered for Black Friday last year.You can purchase a 32GB Moto X (2nd gen) for just £199 until the offer ends on February 1 at 11:59 PM. What's more, you can use MotoMaker to customize your device before you buy it, and you can even choose wood or leather back panels without shelling out anything more than that £199.The Moto X (2nd gen) runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow now, and it comes with a 5.2-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, a 2 MP selfie cam, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 4G LTE, and a 2,300 mAh battery.Source |...

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Skype for Android now lets you schedule calls in Outlook, open Office documents directly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/skype-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Skype has outed a new update for its Android app today, which brings with it two new features.First off, you can now easily schedule Skype calls in Outlook, straight from Skype (see the screenshot on the left below). You just tap on the person you want to schedule the call with, and then through the menu in the upper-right corner choose the adequate option. After you've created the event, you can send an invite to the person you want to talk to. The good news is that this works with other calendar apps too, not just Microsoft's Outlook.Next up, Skype for Android is now integrated with Microsoft's Office apps for Google's platform. So if you have Word, Excel, and PowerPoint installed, when you receive a document through Skype you'll be able to directly open it in the relevant app with one single tap. And if you don't have the Office apps installed already, tapping on such a file will give you instructions on how to get them. So basically this is just a way for Microsoft to push its other apps to users of Skype. And this new feature seems to simply forgo showing you the usual Android app selector when you tap on an Office file.Anyway, the updated version of Skype should be already available in the Google Play Store.Source |...

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Rumor says HTC One M10 won't be unveiled at MWC, but sometime in March
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/one-m10-delay-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we get closer and closer to MWC, we've seen a lot of leaks about the Samsung Galaxy S7 and even the LG G5. Both of these smartphones are expected to become official at MWC, so that makes sense. However, HTC's successor to the One M9 from last year has been completely absent from the rumors.And now we may have found out why. It turns out that the Taiwanese company might not unveil the One M10 at MWC, instead opting to hold a dedicated event for it sometime in March. The phone should become available in April.HTC did reportedly plan to out the M10 at MWC, but was forced to delay the introduction after management returned quite a few prototypes to the design team. With the handset set to receive an entirely new design, its launch had to be postponed, even if not by much.The One M10 is allegedly going to feature a fingerprint scanner, a 23 MP rear camera, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 at the helm, and a 3,000 mAh battery. In a first for HTC, it will also be IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.Unfortunately this is nothing but an unconfirmed rumor at this point, so you really shouldn't take it for granted. Hopefully we'll get some confirmation of these details in the future.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Huawei's women-focused Watch Jewel and Elegant go up for pre-order starting at $414.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/huawei-watch-jewel-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this year's CES Huawei unveiled a couple of women-focused iterations of the Watch. The Huawei Watch Jewel and Huawei Watch Elegant were then said to start at $499, but thankfully they might be cheaper than that.UK-based retailer MobileFun has started taking pre-orders for both models, and its pricing is undercutting the Chinese company's official figures. The Watch Elegant goes for $414.99, while the Watch Jewel costs $497.99.The latter comes with 68 1.5mm Swarovski crystals in its bezel, hence the price differential. Both variants have straps made from Italian leather, and they are both set to become available in March.On the inside, these are identical to the original Huawei Watch, so they offer the same 1.4-inch 400x400 AMOLED touchscreen, Snapdragon 400 chipset, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, 300 mAh battery, heart rate monitor, as well as a six-axis sensor. The software powering things is Android Wear.Source 1 Â• Source 2 |...

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Leica unveils dust, water, and shockproof X-U camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/leica-x-u/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Leica's latest camera is unlike anything you've seen before from the company. That's because the X-U is rugged.So rugged, in fact, that its maker claims you can drop it from up to 1.22m without a worry. Not only that, but it can withstand being submerged in water up to 15m deep for up to 60 minutes. And it even promises to take some amazing photos underwater, thanks to its fast prime lens with an underwater protection filter, as well as an underwater snapshot button. The X-U is also dust sealed.It comes with a 16.5 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, a 3-inch LCD screen, and a 23mm f/1.7 fixed prime lens. It can record 720p and 1080p videos at 30fps (no 4K though), and maximum ISO sensitivity is 12,500.The Leica X-U will become available towards the end of this month for $2,950.Source | Via 1 Â• Via...

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Vodafone Tab speed 6 now available for £125 on Pay as you go
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/vodafone-tab-speed-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In a continued move to show us how much it loves the number 6, Vodafone has introduced a new own-brand Android device today. And this is not a smartphone, like the Smart prime 6, Smart ultra 6, Smart first 6, or Smart speed 6 from last year.The Vodafone Tab speed 6 is a tablet in fact, as its convoluted name implies. It comes with an 8-inch 1,280x800 touchscreen, a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, a 5 MP rear camera, a 2 MP selfie snapper, 4G LTE built-in, and a 4,060 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop.The tablet may not be anywhere close to a high-end offering - on the other hand it is priced at just £125 on Pay as you go. It's already up for grabs on the Vodafone website, and when you pick one up you also get 6GB of data valid for up to 30 days. If you are into signing long-term contracts, then Vodafone will happily oblige and provide you with a free Tab speed 6 if you choose a 3GB data plan that costs £16 per...

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Asus ZenFone Zoom finally goes up for pre-order in the US, shipping on February 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zenfone-zoom-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After more than a year since its initial introduction, the Asus ZenFone Zoom is now actually close to becoming available in the US. The handset has so far been released in Taiwan, and it was recently revealed to be making the jump to the US sometime in February.That hasn't changed, but starting today you can pre-order one if you so wish. It turns out that the phone will be exclusive to B&H stateside. The retailer will let you pre-order one for $399. That price is for an unlocked unit of course. The ZenFone Zoom is set to start shipping on February 1.As a quick reminder, the device sports a 13 MP rear camera with f/2.7-f/4.8 aperture, dual-LED flash, laser autofocus, 3x optical zoom, and optical image stabilization. It also has a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, the Intel Atom Z3590 SoC (with a 2.5 GHz quad-core CPU), 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, 4G LTE support, a 5 MP front-facing camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 hits Antutu, Exynos 8890 and 5.1" display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-s7-antutu-exynos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 is the usual state flagships are a month ahead of announcement - constantly leaked and almost entirely revealed. The case of the Galaxy S7 is a bit more interesting, because it remains unclear in what shapes and screen sizes it will be available, but that aside, we now have another confirmation on key specs.Antutu reports that the SM-G930F has been spotted running the benchmark, and it's the vanilla 5.1-inch version with QHD display resolution (Samsung will reportedly stick to that for 2016 flagships). More importantly, the smartphone is powered by the in-house Exynos 8890 chipset, in this (historically speaking) international F version. That obviously doesn't mean there won't be a Snapdragon 820 version, on the contrary.RAM is quoted at 4GB and internal storage is 64GB, but that second number seems too generous for a base model. Additionally, the benchmark states that the smartphone does indeed pack a 12MP primary camera, so the move to fewer but larger pixels is happening. On the front, Samsung is sticking with 5MP for another generation.And we know you were hoping for a score, but alas, there isn't such a number in Antutu's Weibo post. However, with the smartphone being in a pre-production testing phase, the figures wouldn't have been indicative of final devices anyway. So let's just patiently wait it out until MWC, when the Galaxy S7 is set to become official.Source |...

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Huawei planning to enter the PC market
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/heawei-pc-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The mobile realm is definitely a hard environment to survive in, but despite the fierce competition, the market is still expanding rapidly. The situation is direr on the PC front. Due to a complex combination of trends, mobile devices being a bigger part of the overall mix, shares for the more traditional part of the industry are shrinking and only the strongest, fittest and most versatile are posed to survive.This is why it is particularly strange to see new players trying to make their way into the realm. The latest such rumor however, says that Huawei might be making the unlikely move.While the tech giant is far from a complete stranger to PC tech, its involvement has pertained mostly to network solutions and primarily on the enterprise side. Industry sources now claim that the OEM is planning to try its hand at a consumer PC. Most of the speculation stem from a recently filed trademark claim for the "MateBook" moniker.Not much else is known about the alleged venture, but some have speculated that the device or perhaps even family line may use an Intel processor and employ the 2-in-1 form factor. This would, effectively, pit it up against established competitors, such as the Microsoft Surface. Of course, the name could just as easily be attributed to a standard laptop product, with a less than subtle reference to Apple's legendary MacBook series.Currently, we can't really say how much truth this rumor holds, but it is worth noting that Xiaomi - another major Chinese OEM that has been on the rise lately has been involved in a similar laptop affair for well over a year now and an actual product is yet to materialize. We'll just let you be the judge, so be sure share your opinion in the comment section...

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GSMArena

21-01-16, 11:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/meizu-leaked-invitation/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of images seemingly of media invites for an upcoming Meizu launch event have surfaced online. While the images do not reveal anything about the product being launched, reports say they are for the company's MX6 flagship smartphone.The MX6 has been the subject of little to no rumors or leaks so far. However, its launch is said to be just a few weeks away - sometime around March to be more specific. It is said to feature ultra-thin bezels with metal frame + glass design.The device was spotted on AnTuTu last week, revealing that it is powered by a MediaTek Helio X20 SoC with 10-core CPU and Mali-T880 MP4 GPU, and sports a FHD display. RAM is 3GB, while internal memory is 32GB.In terms of camera, the MX6 is rumored to feature a 20.7MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. Running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the device is also said to pack in a large 4,000mAh battery.Aside from the MX6, we've also been hearing about a mini variant of the company's Pro 5 smartphone. Reports, however, indicate an April launch for the device, i.e, after the MX6. Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed, so take it with a pinch of salt.Via 1...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) specs spotted on GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-galaxy-j7-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's refreshed 2016 "J" series is really shaping up nicely. A few days ago, we saw the Galaxy J1 (2016) quietly go on sale in Dubai and shortly after, the new J5 (2016) made an appearance with a full specs reveal on GFXBench. Naturally, it didn't take too long for the Galaxy J7 (2016) to follow.It made a quick visit to GFXBench as well, so we now have a full rundown of its hardware. The RAM has been doubled and now stands at the respectable 3GB. The screen diagonal has been preserved at 5.5 inches, but the resolution is now FullHD. The chipset looks to be unchanged and is still the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. The same goes for the camera setup, at least on paper that is. The new J7 has a 13MP main shooter and a 5MP selfie one. Onboard storage is reported as 16GB, also consistent with its predecessor.Source |...

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Microsoft lowers requirements for Continuum for phones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/windows-10-continuum-requirements/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Continuum - probably the most coveted Windows 10 feature is now expanding its reach. Currently it is reserved only for the OEM's latest and greatest tech, namely the Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 950, but now the US giant has decided it will lower the hardware requirements just a bit. However, before you get too excited and start asking questions about a myriad of legacy devices, the support is expanded only slightly to include Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 617 chipset.The mid-range silicon utilizes a total of eight ARM Cortex A53 cores, clocked at up to 1.5 GHz. It does lack any of the new high-end A72 chips of many of its higher end siblings, but one thing it does support is video output. This is undoubtedly the definitive requirement for Continuum to function and we are sure that Microsoft would have lowered chipset requirements even further, but neither the Snapdragon 616 nor the 615 can output to an external screen.Taking into consideration this new processor requirement, the minimum specs for any future Windows 10 phone to support Continuum seem to include the aforementioned Snapdragon 617, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and at least 720p resolution. This new guideline does open the door to a lot of potential future offers, but it is hard to say if, when and from whom we might see such devices in the future, considering the current state of the Lumia brand, as well as the anticipated return of Nokia to the smartphone market.Source |...

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GSMArena

22-01-16, 11:13

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia950-in-stock/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you are in the UK and are planning to purchase the Microsoft Lumia 950 flagship smartphone, you'll be glad to know that the Windows 10 device is now available for £390 in the country.Amazon UK is currently selling the handset for that price, which is further £10 less compared to the £400 price it came down to just last week. Other third party retailers like Carphone Warehouse have currently listed the phone for £399.99.However, if you're looking to purchase the flagship directly from Microsoft, you'll have to shell out a bit more as the Redmond company is currently selling the device for £419.99 in the country.Source 1 2...

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Motorola starts soak testing Moto G (2nd Gen) Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/motog-2014-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Motorola has announced that it has begun soak testing the Android 6.0 update for the second-generation Moto G (both LTE and 3G-only variants) in India and Brazil. The announcement was made by the company's senior director of software product management David Schuster on Google+.This comes just days after the company posted Marshmallow update release notes for the device on its India support website, indicating an imminent roll out of the update.For those who aren't already aware, soak test means that only a small subset of users will receive the update, and if everything goes fine - which means if there aren't any critical issues - a full launch will follow shortly, which is likely after a week in this...

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Android-powered Acer Jade Primo apparently in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/acer-jadeprimo-preorders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Windows 10-powered Acer Jade Primo (shown below) isn't available for purchase yet, and looks like the Taiwanese company is already working on an Android variant. A new device - the Acer S58A - was recently spotted on Geekbench benchmarking site, which reports say is the Jade Primo's Android model.If you recall, the current Jade Primo is the Acer S58. So, the Acer S58A definitely points to a variant of the Windows 10 handset. The Geekbench listing reveals that the new device is powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, while other specs including the SD808 chipset and 3GB RAM are same as that of the Windows 10 variant.It is being said that the company is developing the Android variant as a back up plan in case the Windows 10 model flops - the latter has already been hit by delays. The Android Jade Primo is rumored to be made official at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is scheduled for next month - February 22 to February 25.Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed, so take it with a pinch of salt.Source | Via 1 (translated)...

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Google has reportedly made $31 billion in revenue from Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-android-revenue/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We know that Google doesn't reveal the revenue or profit it makes off of its Android mobile-operating system. However, looks like the well-guarded secret has just been revealed by Oracle. The the database maker's attorney in an ongoing lawsuit against Google revealed last week that the latter has made a total of $31 billion in revenue and $22 billion in profit from Android till date.Google said that the figures were derived from its confidential internal financial documents, adding that the "extremely sensitive information" shouldn't have been publicly disclosed as it was meant for "Attorney's Eyes Only.""Google does not publicly allocate revenues or profits to Android separate and apart from Google's general business," the company said in a court filing. "That non-public financial data is highly sensitive, and public disclosure could have significant negative effects on Google's business."The Mountain View, California-based company urged the court to edit related portions of the public transcript of last week's hearing, following which the transcript was removed from electronic court records.Filed way back in 2010, the lawsuit accuses Google of copyright violation saying that the company used Java APIs in its Android OS without permission. While Google argued that APIs can't be copyrighted, a court in 2014 ruled otherwise. Following this, the search giant took the battle to the Supreme Court, which upheld the lower court's ruling.The ongoing arguments are now for the damages that Oracle will receive from Google. "Look at the extraordinary magnitude of commerciality here," Oracle's attorney had said last week while disclosing Android's revenue and...

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Newly-announced Platinum and Rose Gold Gear S2 classic variants now up for pre-order in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Platinum and Rose Gold variants of the Samsung Gear S2 classic smarwatch, which were announced by the company at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, are now available for pre-order in Europe.Netherlands-based Coolblue, which is one of the largest online retailers in the country, is currently taking pre-orders for both the variants. As for the pre-order price, both carry a tag of Â€480, which translates into $520 at current exchange rates.Those pre-ordering the Gear S2 in Platinum or Rose Gold will get their units shipped starting February 24.Source 1 2 |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge spotted at Zauba, screen sizes confirmed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Already been the subject of several rumors and leaks, Samsung's upcoming flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - have now been spotted on Zauba, a website which tracks India's import and export.As you might already know, the SM-G930R4 and SM-G935R4 are rumored model numbers of the S7 and S7 edge, respectively. And their Zauba listing reveals that the former sports a 5.1-inch screen, while the curved screen variant has a 5.5-inch display.If you recall, this is inline with the information we exclusively reported last month. Also, just days ago, the Galaxy S7 (the Exynos variant) was spotted on Antutu, revealing a 5.1" QHD display.Via...

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New rumor claims HTC One M10 will have Snapdragon 820 and MediaTek versions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/new-htc-m10-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Hardly 24 hours ago we told you about a rumor claiming that HTC won't announce its next flagship smartphone at MWC in February, but at a dedicated event in March.And now this has been 'confirmed' by another rumor. Although the source of this has leaked pretty accurate HTC-related information in the past, make sure you don't forget your grain of salt.The One M10 (codenamed Perfume) will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8.0 on top. It's said to come in two hardware versions, with two different chipsets powering it. Over in the US and EU, we'll see the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 at the helm, while in China and South-East Asia the handset should sport a MediaTek SoC (though the exact model isn't mentioned).An unveiling in March (perhaps even towards the end of the month) would explain why we've seen almost no leaks or rumors about the One M10 yet. That said, do expect to hear (much) more about it in the coming...

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Two Asus ZenFone 3 versions may have been benchmarked already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zenfone-benchmark/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year Asus launched many different phones called ZenFone 2, and there's no reason for us to expect anything else in 2016. We assume this time too there will be quite a few handsets going by the ZenFone 3 moniker, and so far the rumors had them launching in May or June.Before that happens, Asus employees could be benchmarking two iterations of the ZenFone 3. Two different yet unofficial Asus smartphones, known just by their model numbers, have been put through the paces of GFXBench, yielding a list of the most important specs for each.First off, the Asus Z010DD comes with a 5.9-inch 720p touchscreen, a 12 or 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie snapper, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core CPU), 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and Android 6.0 on board.Next up, the Asus Z012D has a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 SoC (with a 1.7 GHz hexa-core CPU), and again 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow running things.Obviously we can't yet be sure that these are in fact going to be part of the ZenFone 3 line, but since that's clearly going to be Asus' most well-known series this year we see no reason for them to be called anything else.Source 1 Â• Source 2 |...

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New design for Google Weather on Android launches today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-weather-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of weeks ago we told you about an entirely new design that Google was testing for the weather information you can summon through Google Now on Android. And here's some good news - the test is over, and the new design is now rolling out to every Android device out there.While this seems to be a server-side update, having the latest version of the Google app for Android (5.8.50.19) does apparently help get it faster. So make sure you're up to date. If so and you still don't see the new design, just be patient for a little while longer - Google loves to stage such rollouts.The new weather card is not only prettier than before, but it also packs much more information. You get hourly sky conditions and chance of rain, severe weather alerts, a more detailed ten-day forecast, air quality info, UV index, as well as sunrise and sunset times.The app-like experience is packed into three self-describing tabs (between which you can swipe sideways) - Today, Tomorrow, and 10 days. The update also brings some new functionality. Namely, when you search for a new location after the weather card is already on the screen, you can save that city for later. If you do, it will show up inside the drop-down in search.Finally, you should know that the background colors change according to the time of day and sky conditions, and Google calls the frog-like character that you can see in the app "a new meteorologically inclined friend".Source |...

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Kickstarter finally has an Android app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/kickstarter-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazingly, Kickstarter has not so far had an Android app. Yet starting today that's changed, with the crowdfunding service launching Kickstarter for Android in the Google Play Store. That's almost three whole years after the same happened for iOS.The app is free, as you'd expect, and it lets you browse through projects more easily than the website. Obviously you can pledge to support whatever sounds good to you straight from the app.You also get updates on projects you've already backed, and you can see what your friends are backing - to get some new ideas perhaps. Kickstarter boasts that its users have so far pledged over $2 billion using the platform, and that number will probably keep on...

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vivo X6SPlus gets detailed through TENAA certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/vivo-x6splus-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in November of last year, Chinese smartphone maker vivo outed its latest handsets, the X6 and X6Plus. And now it seems like it's already working on a successor to the latter.That's because the vivo X6SPlus has just been certified for sale in China by TENAA, the country's FCC equivalent. However, unlike in the case of Apple devices sporting "S" in their names, the vivo X6SPlus isn't so different from the non-S model on the inside.Basically there are only two differences between them, at least as revealed by the Chinese regulatory authority. First off, the new phone has a 1.8 GHz octa-core CPU, whereas the X6Plus boasts 100 MHz less. It's not clear what chipset the new model employs though. And finally, the X6SPlus has a 16 MP rear camera, up from the 13 MP unit in its predecessor.Everything else seems to have stayed the same when it comes to internals. So the vivo X6SPlus also has a 5.7-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an 8 MP selfie snapper. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop.As for the outer shell, the X6SPlus looks like it's got an identical design to the non-S iteration. That said, the dimensions have changed ever so slightly. The new handset measures 158.16 x 79.94 x 7.7 mm, and it weighs 190g. That makes it shorter and narrower than the X6Plus, but thicker and heavier. Based on this, we assume there might be a beefier battery inside than the 3,000 mAh cell in last year's model, but TENAA data doesn't list that so nothing's certain just yet.Speaking of which, there's no telling when the X6SPlus will be launched, or if it will ever make its way out of China.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Mysterious all-metal Nokia resurfaces in a new set photos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/all-metal-nokia-new-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg 2016 seems to hold particular promise for Nokia and its return to the smartphone market. If you don't remember, the Microsoft buyout of the Finish's Titan's mobile business involved a non-compete clause that prevented the company from releasing smartphones under the Nokia brand. That expired on December 31, 2015 and eager fans can hardly contain their excitement at the possibility of new Nokia handsets. One possible candidate for a 2016 release surfaced in leaked shots a few weeks ago and now it would appear another round of photos of the same model has made it online as well.If there is one definitive aspect about the design of the handset in question is that it is very boxy, but not necessarily in a bad way, especially considering the all-metal body, disrupted only by a pair of antenna lines on the back. Other controls that can be spotted on the phone are a volume rocker on the left side and below it the power button. On the flip side, we find something that resembles a well isolated cover, possibly for the SIM tray and microSD card slot. This could hint at some IP rating, but we wouldn't get our hopes too high.It is also interesting to note that the newly pictured phone seems to be a different unit, as it lacks the prototype marking of the first one. This does add a bit to the authenticity of the leak and could mean that the device in question is really one of the three new Nokia smartphones, allegedly heading towards a release this year.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Verizon reports solid Q4, adds 1.5 million new postpaid customers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/verizon-q4/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has released its Q4 financial results, revealing slightly higher-than-expected revenue and earnings. The US' largest telecommunications company reported a revenue of $34.25 billion last quarter, up from $33.19 billion it reported in Q4 2014.The Q4 revenue was also slightly up compared to the quarter prior, when the figure stood at $33.2 billion. For the full year, total consolidated revenues came out to be $131.6 billion, up 3.6% compared to 2014.The carrier's Q4 net income stood at $5.5 billion, or $1.32 per share. Adjusted earnings per share stood at 89 cents, up from the 88 cents figure analysts were expecting.Verizon added a total of 1.5 million new postpaid customers last quarter, bringing the company's total postpaid customer count to 106.5 million. Overall wireless customer count stood at 112.1 million."Verizon embraced transformational change in 2015, and in 2016 the company has a huge opportunity to drive a new era of growth in our industry," said CEO Lowell McAdam.Head to the Source link below for the full...

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Exynos 8890 and Kirin 950 duke it out in Geekbench 3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/exynos-kirin-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A Canadian version of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S7 (one with Exynos 8890) was tested on Geekbench 3. A Kirin 950-powered Huawei Mate 8 also put in a score.The Galaxy S7 score wasn't in "crazy high" territory, but both the hardware and the software are under development so expect the final score to go up.The Kirin 950 chipset, on the other hand, shows a massive improvement over the Kirin 935 and pulls ahead of the Exynos by a hair..jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 146px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GeekBench 3Higher is better Huawei Mate 8 (Kirin 950) 6088 Samsung Galaxy S7 (Exynos 8890) 5946 Samsung Galaxy S6 (Exynos 7420) 5215 Huawei Nexus 6P (Snapdragon 810) 4539 Huawei Mate S (Kirin 935) 3475Source 1 2 |...

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Foxconn allegedly wants to buy Sharp
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/sharp-foxconn/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sharp has been struggling for years and now chatter from Japan indicates that there's a bidding war going on for the ailing company.Interestingly, Foxconn is said to have made a $5.1 billion bid. Sharp is one of Apple's main display suppliers and, of course, Foxconn is Apple's one of primary manufacturers. Foxconn chairman Terry Gou bought 38% of Sharp's LCD business back in 2012.The Chinese company isn't alone though, the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (a state-controlled fund) has also made an offer.The dollar amount isn't clear and it may turn out not to matter - the INCJ is interested in keeping Sharp ownership inside Japan (Sharp lenders allegedly want the same thing). The fund has already invested in Japan Display Inc - a joint operation of former Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi businesses.Speaking of, INCJ may also be interested in buying the electric appliances division of Toshiba. This could be part of a larger plan to pull another JDI and combine the electric appliances of Sharp and Toshiba.Back in 2013 Samsung made a $111 million investment in Sharp (buying 3%) as it too sources parts from the Japanese company but so far Samsung's name isn't mentioned in the bidding...

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ZUK Z1 gets its first taste of Marshmallow with CM 13 nightlies
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zuk-z1-cm-13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The ZUK Z1 definitely stands out from the ever-growing crowd of Chinese devices for a few good reasons. First, unlike many of its competitors, it has a strong brand backing by non-other that Lenovo, but perhaps more importantly, the handset struck an official partnership with Cyanogen from the very beginning. In an essence, the OEM tried to pick up where OnePlus left off with the OnePlus One, before the OS scandal and the strategy seems to be generating results.The ZUK Z1 was posed to receive a Cyanogen 13 build sooner or later, given this arrangement, but we were a little surprised to see working ROMs before the end of January. Now, there is a catch, the Android 6.0 builds in question are nightlies (read not retail-ready) and come from the development branch. This means that they are prone to bugs in this early stage, as evident by the fact that two packages cm-13.0-20160120-NIGHTLY and cm-13.0-20160121-NIGHTLY were published only a few hours apart. Plus, they are marked as Cyanogen Mod and not Cyanogen OS, like the official release will be.An official build is imminent and once it becomes available, it will start seeding to devices as a stable OTA. If you rely heavily on the ZUK Z1 and want it to function properly, we would advise you to wait on the official update, but eager developers and tinkerers can head over to the download page in the source link and manually flash the firmware today.Source |...

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Android 6.0 coming to Xiaomi Mi Note as soon as Friday
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xiaomi-mi-note-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Testing over folks, the Xiaomi Mi Note is getting the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update soon - should be tomorrow!The Developer Edition already received the update and it's firmware version MRA58K. The MIUI interface is at version 7, no surprises here.A screenshot of the updated About screenKeep in mind that this is for the Xiaomi Mi Note, not the Note Pro.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Asus unveils the Pegasus 5000 in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/asus-pegasus-500-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Asus enriched its model lineup, or at least its Chinese section with a new mid-range handset today. Dubbed the Pegasus 5000, it comes as the latest addition to the Pegasus line, after the We initially caught a glimpse of the Pegasus 5000 a few weeks ago in a certification, so the mid-ranger has little to surprise with in terms of hardware. It is powered by an octa-core processor 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6753 SoC and has a 5.5" FullHD display. The main camera is a 13MP shooter with an LED flash and there is a 5MP selfie one on the front. The Pegasus 5000 is 4G enabled with Cat.4 LTE and has dual-SIM functionality. Local connectivity includes Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. A 4850 mAh battery runs the show.As for memory options, there is a base model with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage, like the aforementioned certification described. But, there is also a 3GB one, again with 16GB of space. Both versions will be available from China Telecom for CNY 1,299 (about $198) and CNY 1,799 (about $273), respectively.Source (in Japanese) | Via (in...

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GSMArena

22-01-16, 11:13

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/lg-g3-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like Verizon has started rolling out the Android 6.0 update to LG G3 devices on its network. A Reddit user by the name of Jrdnram_98 is claiming to have received the OTA notification on their handset just a few hours ago, and also shared the following screenshot:As you can see, the update carries the build number MRA58K and bumps the software version to VS98546A. It also includes Google's security patch for January. Going by those who have commented on the Reddit thread so far, no one else seemed to have received the update yet.Late last month, the LG G3 units in Poland started getting the Android 6.0 update. As you might already know, the small European country has over the time become a sort of test bed for the South Korean company's software updates. Once the roll out is successful there, the update starts hitting devices in other regions worldwide.Via |...

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GSMArena

23-01-16, 11:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/win10-mobile-feb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in October last year, Microsoft said that Windows 10 Mobile rollout for older Windows Phone device will begin in December. That obviously didn't happen. Then the Redmond, Washington-based company said the rollout will begin early 2016. The software giant has been mum since then, although there have been a couple of reports of Windows Phone handsets receiving the update, as well as a French carrier first announcing that the update will rollout this month and then saying it's delayed until late next month. Now, according to a new report, Microsoft has confirmed to its partners that the update has indeed been delayed. Not only this, the monthly service update for its Lumia 950 and 950 XL flagship smartphones has also been pushed back. Both updates will now be rolled out in the "early to mid February" timeframe. Let's hope there are no further...

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Leader of Apple's 'Titan' car project is leaving the company
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-car-leader-stepdown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The leader of Apple's rumored 'Titan' car project is leaving the company, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. Steve Zadesky, who also helped the company create the iPod and iPhone, has been leading the Cupertino-based company's car efforts for the last couple of years. The reason(s) behind Zadesky's decision are said to be personal, meaning his stepping down has nothing to do with his performance in his current role. The report, however, notes that he is still at Apple for now. The news comes nearly an year after the WSJ reported that the iPhone-maker is secretly working on an an electric vehicle that apparently looks like a minivan in its current form. While initially it was said that it would take several years to complete the project, the publication later reported that the company has sped up the work, and is now eyeing a 2019 shipment...

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HTC One A9 (unlocked) getting January security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/pink-one-a9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has announced that it has started rolling out the latest Android security update to unlocked One A9 units in the US. The announcement came in the form of a tweet from the company's US VP of Product Management Mo Versi. HTC One (A9) unlocked owners! The Jan security updates and bug fixes is being updated via OTA this morning! Thanks.Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 22, 2016 Aside from the January security fixes, the update also includes some general bug fixes, Versi revealed. If you haven't received the OTA notification yet, you can manually check for the update by heading to your device's settings. For those who aren't already aware, HTC had said last year that the One A9 will receive every Android update within 15 (business) days of the Nexus line having received it. And true to its promise, the Taiwanese company rolled out the November and December updates on...

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Best Buy: Free Gear VR with qualifying purchase of Samsung Galaxy smartphone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gearvr-galaxy-deal-bestbuy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Offer Valid: January 22-23 2016 Best Buy wants to move Gear VR and Galaxy smartphone units out of its inventory at the very beginning of US tax season. It is offering a free Gear VR with a qualifying purchase of either the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, or Note5. Best Buy says "When you add a qualifying Galaxy smartphone to your cart, a free Samsung Gear VR will be added automatically as well.", though it isn't explicitly stated if the promotion is only valid online. It wouldn't hurt to call your local store and ask to speak to a Mobile or Samsung associate, though, you might have better luck talking to a Samsung Associate. The Gear VR is one of best ways to get into VR since it's made specifically for your Galaxy smartphone and straps to your head. No need to hold it up to your face. The Samsung Gear VR retails at Best Buy for $99.99. You can ask any of the Samsung reps at Best Buy's Samsung counter if you want to test drive the VR goodness. Source |...

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Latest WhatsApp build reveals Facebook linking option
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/facebook-whatsapp-integration/-184x111/gsmareana_001.jpg Ever since Facebook acquired WhatsApp back in 2014, not much has changed to the popular messaging platform beside the addition of voice calls between users. It and Facebook have stayed separate entities up until now. New leaks reveal that WhatsApp is also planning to allow cross communication between Facebook and WhatApp accounts. When messing with root commands, version 4.12.413 of WhatsApp shows the option of linking a WhatsApp account with a Facebook account to "improve Facebook experiences". We aren't quite sure what the possible benefit of this is. Perhaps there will be shortcuts to post on a WhatsApp contact's timeline, though this is entirely my own speculation. Coincidentally, in the same week, WhatsApp dropped its subscription fees in pursuit of gaining even more users. Maybe Facebook can use WhatsApp features that are exclusive to Facebook users as incentive for them to create a Facebook profile as this is where the company makes revenue. Only time will tell, but WhatsApp is definitely up to something big. Source |...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 has been delayed until mid-February, rumor claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-650-delay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The oft-rumored and much-leaked Microsoft Lumia 650 was expected to become official on February 1, as per a report from a few days ago. That date has even been corroborated by a second source, though now a new rumor claims something different. Apparently the Lumia 650's introduction has been delayed until mid-February. An actual unveiling date hasn't been mentioned this time around. Some unnamed software issues are reportedly to blame for this delay, according to "sources close to the matter". The Lumia 650 wasn't expected to get its own launch event or anything like that, rather it was going to be made official through a blog post by Microsoft. That could still be the case, only we'll now have a bit more waiting to do for it. Since the announcement itself has been postponed, we assume the Lumia 650 will become available very quickly after it. Along with this information comes word that the metal edge of the phone is laser cut, which means it's going to be matte on the sides but shinier on the edges. The 650 is also said to be the only new Lumia-branded smartphone launching this year. And it's unclear what will happen to the brand from 2017 onwards. On the other hand, a Surface phone may be unveiled towards the end of this...

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CDMA version of the Nextbit Robin to ship in April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/nextbit-robin-cdma/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Nextbit Robin "cloud phone" is finally going to start shipping on February 16, after many months since its initial introduction. However, that date is only valid for the GSM version of the crowdfunded device. The situation is completely different for the CDMA model. The people behind Nextbit have explained today that the CDMA Robin will probably start shipping in April, although an exact date can't be given yet. More information should become available as we get closer to that month. The delay of the CDMA model compared to the GSM one has to do with the fact that development of the former only started after Nextbit saw people's response on Kickstarter. The team now admits they "got a little carried away in the excitement of the campaign" when they estimated they would be able to deliver the CDMA Robin in February...

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Sony Xperia M5 is now up for pre-order in the UK, ships by February 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xperia-m5-pre-order-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few days ago we learned that Sony is finally getting ready to bring the Xperia M5 to Europe. Back then the only confirmed countries to get it were Poland and the Netherlands, but from today you can add the UK to the list as well. That's because Carphone Warehouse has started taking pre-orders for the Xperia M5, with delivery expected to happen by February 8. What's more, this retailer says it has an exclusive on the gold color of this smartphone. So you won't be able to buy the handset in gold anywhere else in the UK. At the moment you can't pre-order an Xperia M5 in SIM-free form or on Pay as you go - you have to pick a contract with an operator. If you do that, the M5 is free with plans starting at £22 per month. That cheapest option is at Vodafone and will bring you 500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 500MB of 4G data each month. If you need more, you can pick different plans of course, all the way up to one that nets you unlimited talk and text as well as 10GB of data. This is £36 per month at Vodafone, £39 at O2, and £44.99 at EE. The Sony Xperia M5 has a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 13 MP front-facing camera, MediaTek's Helio X10 chipset (with a 2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G, and a 2,600 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0 Lollipop. Source |...

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Moto X (2nd gen) is only $249.99 until January 26
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/moto-x-deal-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is certainly into promotions for the second-generation Moto X these days. Following a deal for the UK, which we told you about earlier this week, the company has decided to shave something off the price of the device in the US too. So you can now buy a brand new Moto X (2nd gen) for just $249.99. That's $50 less than before. The caveat here is that the offer expires on January 26 at 10:59 am CT. So if you're interested, make sure you act fast and purchase the handset this weekend (or on Monday). Obviously, $249.99 is just the new starting price. You can use the MotoMaker service to customize your handset how you wish, and certain options do cost extra. Oh, and one more thing to note - we're talking about unlocked units here, so there's no requirement for you to sign a long-term contract with a carrier. Source |...

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16GB OnePlus 2 is no longer offered in North America and Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oneplus-2-no-more-16gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has decided to stop selling the 16GB version of its latest flagship smartphone in the US, UK, and continental Europe, according to a new report. The Chinese company has confirmed the move, a spokesperson basically saying that people in these regions simply haven't been interested in the 16GB iteration of the OnePlus 2. The model has been removed from the OnePlus online store in the US and Europe at the beginning of this week. The 16GB variant will however still be offered in other markets such as India, where customers have been much more interested in it. The 16GB version of the OnePlus 2 was being sold for $329 or £239 and it was the cheapest of two options, the other being the one with 64GB of storage. Now this is the only one on sale in the US and Europe, and it costs $389 or...

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1TB Core i7 Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book now on sale along with gold Surface Pen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/1tb-surface-gold-pen/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Microsoft has started selling a new version of both its Surface Pro 4 tablet and the Surface Book (pictured below). In both cases, the company has paired a 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. You can already purchase the models in the US and Canada. In this configuration, a Surface Pro 4 costs $2,699, while the Surface Book is priced at $3,199. Finally, Microsoft is bringing a gold-colored Surface Pen to Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the US. Obviously in this case there aren't any internal changes, just a different hue being introduced. As such, the price for the gold Surface Pen is the same as for the black, blue, or silver models, namely $59.99. Source | Via 1 Â• Via...

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OnePlus One gets an official OxygenOS 2.1.4 ROM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oxygen-os-oneplus-one/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you remember how OnePlus earned itself a spot in the mobile realm, then you surely remember the legendary OnePlus One. It was the "flagship killer", which promised cutting - edge specs at an affordable price. Without digging too deep into the viral marketing aspect and the whole invitation sales policy, we will simply stick to the positive and reiterate that the OnePlus One is still a legendary device and one that has been a de facto standard and choice for a large part of the Android modding and developer community. Whether it is the original Cyanogen OS or any of the hundreds of other custom ROMs, OnePlus One users are spoiled for choice when it comes to software. To reaffirm its love for their original product, the OnePlus team has made the extra effort to enrich the ROM pool with one more addition - a new version of OxygenOS. It powers the OEM's new line of devices, namely the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X and it makes a lot of sense to offer original fans a taste of the homebrewed experience as well. Today, this came in the form of an official OxygenOS 2.1.4 build for the device. There are, however, a few notable catches. First of all, the ROM comes in a complete end-to-end package, including a bootloader, recovery and the Android image itself. This naturally entails that the software won't be made available as an OTA and has to be flashed manually onto the device. One obvious and unpleasant consequence is that the device storage is wiped while doing so. A lot of users have also expressed their concerns whether the stock recovery, provided by OnePlus can be replaced with a custom one after the flash, let's say TWRP, a valid question for any modding and root access enthusiast. If the aforementioned points don't constitute drawbacks for you, you can go ahead and flash the ROM. OnePlus has even provided an extensive guide for the whole process, although we are fairly confident that most interested users are already pretty familiar with the matter. However, be advised that the experience on offer isn't quite identical to that on the OnePlus 2 or OnePlus X. The OEM has had to strip away MaxxAudio's proprietary sound technology and apps. Manual camera mode and RAW capture are also absent from the build. Also, a few final notes. Going through the OnePlus forum thread and XDA, we came across quite a few people trying to side-load the ROM through TWRP. That could potentially work, but the official instructions strictly advise against it as it could lead to a malfunctioning radio. Be sure to lurk around the threads for a possible status update and resolution on the matter before you go and brick your unit. There have also been reports of an inability to charge the phone under OxygenOS 2.1.4, which is something to look out for as...

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Xiaomi co-founder confirms February 24 launch for Mi 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mi5-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg We already knew it was coming next month, but didn't have the exact date. Well, that was until now, as it has now been confirmed that Xiaomi's much anticipated Mi 5 flagship smartphone will be made official on February 24, which is around 1.5 years after its predecessor Mi 4 was launched. The confirmation came in the form of a Weibo post today from the Chinese company's co-founder and Senior VP Liwan Jiang. He said that the handset will be unveiled at the company's Spring Conference, which is scheduled for Feb 24. More details about the event will be announced next Tuesday - January 26. Meanwhile, a leaked Xiaomi presentation slide is doing rounds online (head to the Via 1 link below), revealing that the main launch event will be two hours long (2pm to 4pm). This has led to speculations that multiple devices may be announced during the event, although there's currently no information (not even rumors) of any other device launching alongside the Mi 5. Via 1...

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Microsoft updates Office apps for iOS with support for 3D Touch gestures and Apple Pencil
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/microsoft-office-touch-update-ios/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has updated its Office suite on iOS to make good use of Apple's latest input methods. 3D touch, for example, is now integrated inside the apps to offer Quick actions (peek and pop). This allows apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint to quickly open up recent documents on launch, among other things. The other big upgrade to the software is the addition of a new Draw tab within said apps. Its title is pretty self-explanatory - you can use your finger or a stylus to write, draw and annotate text. There is also support for the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro for a very precise writing experience. Another notable feature in the update office apps is the integration with iOS 9's spotlight search. Documents can now pop up in search results on the fly. Word, Excel and PowerPoint can be downloaded from the App Store for free, but some of their features do require a subscription to Office 365. Source |...

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Xiaomi Mi 4 starts getting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mi4-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Shortly after it was the rollout for the Xiaomi Mi Note, the Marshmallow update has also started seeding to the company's Mi 4 flagship smartphone. As you can see in the screenshot above, the device is directly being updated to Android Marshmallow version 6.0.1, compared to the Mi Note which is supposed to get Android 6.0. The update, which bumps the build number to MMB29M, reportedly weighs in at around 100 MB. In case you aren't already aware, the phone was launched back in 2014 running Android 4.4.3 (KitKat) out-of-the-box. It received Android 5.1.1-based MIUI 7 update last October and the MIUI 7.1 update this month. A Xiaomi executive confirmed last month that the device, along with the Mi Note, will get the Marshmallow update...

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Motorola starts soak testing Moto G (2nd Gen) Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/motog-2014-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Motorola has announced that it has begun soak testing the Android 6.0 update for the second-generation Moto G (both LTE and 3G-only variants) in India and Brazil. The announcement was made by the company's senior director of software product management David Schuster on Google+. This comes just days after the company posted Marshmallow update release notes for the device on its India support website, indicating an imminent roll out of the update. For those who aren't already aware, soak test means that only a small subset of users will receive the update, and if everything goes fine - which means if there aren't any critical issues - a full launch will follow shortly, which is likely after a week in this...

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Android-powered Acer Jade Primo apparently in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/acer-jadeprimo-preorders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Windows 10-powered Acer Jade Primo (shown below) isn't available for purchase yet, and looks like the Taiwanese company is already working on an Android variant. A new device - the Acer S58A - was recently spotted on Geekbench benchmarking site, which reports say is the Jade Primo's Android model. If you recall, the current Jade Primo is the Acer S58. So, the Acer S58A definitely points to a variant of the Windows 10 handset. The Geekbench listing reveals that the new device is powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, while other specs including the SD808 chipset and 3GB RAM are same as that of the Windows 10 variant. It is being said that the company is developing the Android variant as a back up plan in case the Windows 10 model flops - the latter has already been hit by delays. The Android Jade Primo is rumored to be made official at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is scheduled for next month - February 22 to February 25. Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed, so take it with a pinch of salt. Source | Via 1 (translated)...

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GSMArena

23-01-16, 11:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-android-revenue/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We know that Google doesn't reveal the revenue or profit it makes off of its Android mobile-operating system. However, looks like the well-guarded secret has just been revealed by Oracle. The the database maker's attorney in an ongoing lawsuit against Google revealed last week that the latter has made a total of $31 billion in revenue and $22 billion in profit from Android till date. Google said that the figures were derived from its confidential internal financial documents, adding that the "extremely sensitive information" shouldn't have been publicly disclosed as it was meant for "Attorney's Eyes Only." "Google does not publicly allocate revenues or profits to Android separate and apart from Google's general business," the company said in a court filing. "That non-public financial data is highly sensitive, and public disclosure could have significant negative effects on Google's business." The Mountain View, California-based company urged the court to edit related portions of the public transcript of last week's hearing, following which the transcript was removed from electronic court records. Filed way back in 2010, the lawsuit accuses Google of copyright violation saying that the company used Java APIs in its Android OS without permission. While Google argued that APIs can't be copyrighted, a court in 2014 ruled otherwise. Following this, the search giant took the battle to the Supreme Court, which upheld the lower court's ruling. The ongoing arguments are now for the damages that Oracle will receive from Google. "Look at the extraordinary magnitude of commerciality here," Oracle's attorney had said last week while disclosing Android's revenue and...

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Newly-announced Platinum and Rose Gold Gear S2 classic variants now up for pre-order in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Platinum and Rose Gold variants of the Samsung Gear S2 classic smarwatch, which were announced by the company at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, are now available for pre-order in Europe. Netherlands-based Coolblue, which is one of the largest online retailers in the country, is currently taking pre-orders for both the variants. As for the pre-order price, both carry a tag of Â€480, which translates into $520 at current exchange rates. Those pre-ordering the Gear S2 in Platinum or Rose Gold will get their units shipped starting February 24. Source 1 2 |...

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GSMArena

24-01-16, 11:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As it turns out, the Lenovo K4 Note is fully capable of defending its top position from last week in our Top 10 trending phones chart. The long-standing champion Samsung Galaxy J7 couldn't reclaim its title, not this week at least, and places second in terms of interest. The Galaxy J5, on the other hand makes it back to the podium, after briefly dropping to number 4 last week.The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is slowly climbing back up the chart, after it was in third spot a few weeks ago, but then almost fell off the chart in Week 1. Right after it, we find its smaller sibling, the Redmi 3.From there on, it's mostly Samsung, with the Galaxy J2 in sixth and the Galaxy Grand Prime in seventh. The flagships stand further down - the Galaxy Note5 is in eight, two spots up from last week, while the Galaxy S6 drops four positions to this week's ninth. And the iPhone 5s is still going strong, participating in all three editions of chart this year.

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11 thoughts on the Huawei Mate 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mate8-editorial/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Huawei Mate 8 is already at the office and while we are already busy preparing its full review, we thought you might appreciate a bunch of early impressions we got. An all-aluminum design like the one of the Huawei Mate 8 is no rarity these days, particularly in the high-end, but the lack of ugly plastic inlays of different color really makes it stand out. Plastic is still there as it's required for the bunch of antennas inside to work, but it's been painted over and matches the rest of the back, looking like accents rather than defects. We especially like the Space gray version, though ladies might prefer the Mocha Brown one.Having said that, at 157.1x80.6x7.9 mm, the Mate 8 is unlikely to attract a lot of female attention. Given the 6" screen, however, Huawei actually did a very impressive job with the bezels - the new phablet is just as large as a 5.7" Galaxy Note - if you can handle one, you'll do just fine with the other.The 6" screen sticks to 1080p resolution, as Huawei believes that anything higher is merely a waste of battery and computing power. Its sharpness does suffer a bit if you make direct side-by-side comparisons, but the overall image quality seems pretty good. We detect a slight purplish tint, but contrast seems great and the screen is easily visible when outside.Another thing to justify the ample size is the enormous 4,000mAh battery - we don't have the exact numbers just yet, but even at this early stage it's clear that it's going to be one of our battery champions.As with other devices hailing from the East, the Mate 8 launcher (based on Android 6.0) exhibits a flat style - that is, no app drawer (every shortcut goes on the homescreen, mixed in with the widgets). You get a rich app package out of the box and certain quirks (e.g. the RAM cleaning button that's more placebo than useful).The automatic battery manager feature that detects apps running in the background and consuming too much power and prompts you to disable them. Mind you, it's not preventing the app from running altogether - it just doesn't allow it to stay in the background when you are done with it.The first smartphone to pack the new ultra-powerful Cortex-A72 cores, the Mate8 delivers blazing fast performance. Our particular unit has 3GB of RAM as opposed to 4GB on the 64GB versions, but it still breezes through its UI with no traces of lag.The 16 MP camera seems like a large step forward over the Mate7- it comes complete with OIS and a larger 1/2.8" sensor and a dual-LED flash. Selfie lovers will also appreciate the 8MP front snapper, which is among the highest resolution ones on the market.The photos have nice colors although detail isn't as impressive as we hoped. We suspect that might be due to some issues with the AF missing that we can't quite get our fingers on just yet. We hope it's a software issue that Huawei will address by the time the Mate 8 hits international markets, but we'll investigate just to be on the safe side. Huawei Mate 8 camera samples: Good and low-lightLack of 4K video is a disappointment for a flagship in this day and age. Likely stemming from the limitations of the Kirin 950 chipset, this relegates the Mate 8 to a lower tier, compared to its direct rivals. Smooth 1080p at 60fps and slo-mo 720p@120fps are available and they look decent although far from making up for the lack of detail that a good 4K-capable camcorder delivers.The fingerprint sensor implementation is still arguably the best on the market - located on the back as befitting a phablet and always on, the sensor lets you go from a locked screen to homescren before you have completed taking the phone out of your pocket. We had our reservations about Huawei switching to a circular sensor, but as it turned out it doesn't make any difference to the...

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Play Store had twice the downloads of iOS App Store in 2015, earned less cash
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mate8-editorial/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg A new App Annie's report for 2015 takes a detailed look at quite a few statistics from major app stores and a few observations from the report instantly stand out.For one, it appears that in 2015, Google's Play Store has registered twice as many downloads as the Apple's App Store. The difference stood at around 60% in 2014, which means that Google's mobile software ecosystem I truly growing at a phenomenal rate so as to outpace iOS. However, we shouldn't fail to mention the enormous difference in market share between the two platforms and the sheer number of Android users definitely help justify the doubled app download counter. The biggest growth spurts in 2015 came from emerging markets, such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Mexico.Volume is one thing, but what does that equate to from a business perspective? The trend here is plainly clear as well - even though Apple users are downloading less apps, they are spending a lot more than their Android friends, about 75% more to be exact. In 2014, Apple's App store also out-earned its rival by 70%, so the trend is only solidifying. Cupertino clients seem to be inclined to spend more, which has been a well-known fact for some time now and it is natural for app developers to take advantage of that with increasing efficiency.As a final interesting observation from the report - that games still constitute around 90% of downloads and revenue on the Google Play Store, whereas for Apple that number is closer to 75%. Source |...

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Google pays £130m in back taxes in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/android-marshmallow-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google and the UK tax watchdog Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have come to an agreement following a six-year open audit of the US company's books. According to it, Google will be paying £130 million for a period dating back to 2005.Google, among others, has been accused of avoiding taxes in the UK, thanks to its multinational tax structure, with EU headquarters in Ireland, where corporate taxes are lower than the UK, and also holding offices in corporate tax heaven Bermuda. This has lead to the company paying just £20.4 million in taxes on sales valued at £3.8 billion in 2013. The tech giant has agreed that, going forward, a larger portion of its sales activity will be registered in the UK.Another change from now on will see Google paying taxes based on sales, rather than profit, which has been the case so far. Matt Brittin, president of Google's EMEA business and operations branch, has insisted, that the company always followed the rules as they were at the time, and will continue to do so.Source |...

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Live images of the Samsung Galaxy S7 front camera and display surface
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-galaxy-s7-camera-display/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 is now less than a month away, with a rumored announcement due for February 21. And right on schedule, after we're almost entirely familiar with the specs and looks of the upcoming flagship, we're now being treated to a couple of photos straight from its production line.One shows an array of front camera modules, with the SM-G930F model name (which we already know is the Galaxy S7's internal designation, plus the F at the end for regional version) clearly stamped on the board. If that means anything, it's probably revision number 5 of the module, judging by the R05 marking.Compared to the one inside the existing Galaxy S6, this new camera has its connector offset to one side, while the old one was centered, teardowns revealed.The second photo depicts the entire smartphone, though in developer attire, making its design nearly recognizable. You're getting the purpose of the rig - to have a functioning device for testing, without revealing the looks.Despite the sticker on top of the brand name though, the home button and capacitive key markings clearly state Samsung. Which makes it all the more ironic that the shot is taken with what is almost certainly an HTC One, the first one.Special thanks to Hiep Thong for the...

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Apple's next 4-incher now tipped to be named iPhone 5se, iPhone 6/6s hardware inside
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-5se/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A possible new 4-inch smartphone from Apple has been entertaining the mobile world pretty much ever since the company moved to larger diagonals with the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus generation. Some have called it the iPhone 7c, others insist on iPhone 6c, and iPhone 5e was also mentioned.Well, apparently, the latter is closest to reality, if this new report is to be believed. According to sources close to 9to5Mac, Apple's return to 4 inches will be named iPhone 5se and will be a blend of the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.So the alleged iPhone 5se will drop the chamfered edges in favor of gently curved glass on the front, like the iPhone 6. It's been said to come with the 8MP/1.2MP camera duo from the iPhone 6, which was in turn borrowed from the 5s. The iPhone 6s will lend its Live Photos to the new model too.Apple iPhone 5sWhat will come straight from the iPhone 6 is the A8 chipset, but it is said to be complemented by some iPhone 6s hardware, namely the Bluetooth 4.2, VoLTE and Wi-Fi 802.11ac chips. The iPhone 5se will also come with NFC support, so it could hop on the Apple Pay train.The intel seems pretty detailed and thus perhaps believable. However, until we hear the announcement from Apple, we're not betting on any of the above, and neither should...

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Apple Watch Hermes now available online, prepare $1,250 for the Double Tour
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-watch-hermes-online/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far only available in select physical stores, the Apple Watch Hermes collection has been released to the masses. If the masses are willing to accept the $1,100 to $1,500 price tags, that is.Listed on the Apple's online store, 7 out of the 10 available models are based on the 38mm Apple Watch. The Double Tour models, which have dominated promotional material for the range, and counsequently are the ones to get, come in four colors and 38mm size only. Price is $1,250/Â€1,450/Â£1,150.Single Tour models (which is basically your regular leather strap) go for $1,100/Â€1,300/Â£1,000 for the 38mm case and 50 more of either currency for the larger version. The most expensive option is the Apple Watch Hermes Cuff, only available in 42mm size and listed for $1,500/Â€1,750/Â£1,350.Source |...

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January security update hits Huawei Honor 5X ahead of its US launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor5x-jan-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a week after we reported that the Honor 5X smartphone - which is set to launch in the US on January 31 - will get regular android security patches, the January update has hit the device.As you can see in the screenshot above, the 'Android security patch level' field has a value of 'January 1 2016' after the update. The size of the update is 111 MB.This means that those purchasing the handset in the US will have the latest security patch pre-installed on their device. The $200 handset is currently up for pre-order in the country, available from Amazon, Newegg, and...

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 with Windows 10 launches on January 26
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xiaomi-mi-pad-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has announced that it will be offering the Windows 10 version of the Mi Pad 2 tablet starting on January 26. The company had promised back in November last year that such a Mi Pad 2 would exist, but it's only now that it will actually be available for purchase.The Mi Pad 2 features a 7.9-inch display with 2,048 x 1,536 pixels resolution and is powered by an Intel Atom X5-Z8500 chipset with a quad-core 2.24GHx processor. There's 2GB of RAM on board, and internal storage for the Windows 10 model is 64GB, while you can alternatively get 16GB if you go Android. Neither model has a storage expansion slot, though.The tablet has you well covered and future-proofed on all other fronts with Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USB Type-C connector, and an 8MP/5MP camera combo. The battery inside packs 6,190mAh worth of juice and it all comes in a nicely finished metal body.The Windows 10 Mi Pad 2 will retail for CNY 1,299 ($200 minus change), which is the same price as the 64GB Android version.Source |...

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Leakster reveals Samsung Galaxy S7's US launch date
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S7 smartphone has been the subject of endless rumors and leaks until now, revealing its design, variants, specs, and even accessories. As for its availability, an MWC 2016 unveiling has been rumored.However, what we haven't heard yet is when it will go on sale, especially in the US. Well, looks like now we have an answer to that, too. According to the usually reliable leakster ‏@evleaks, the flagship will be available for purchase in the US on March 11.Starting to look like a Friday, March 11th Galaxy release in the U.S.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 22, 2016To refresh, the S7's predecessor - the Galaxy S6 - was unveiled at last year's Mobile World Congress and went on sale in the US and several other countries on April 10.Needless to say it's still just a rumor despite coming from a leakster of repute, and as we all know, rumors aren't always correct. So, take it with a pinch of...

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Report says new Apple Watch bands and WatchOS 2.2 coming this March, Watch 2 in September
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/watch-os-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report, Apple will release new Watch band color options in March this year. In addition to partnering with fashion firms, the Cupertino-based company is also developing bands made out of new materials.The report also noted that the WatchOS 2.2 update will also be released in the month of March. If you recall, the the watchOS 2.2 beta was made available to developers last week.The new version features the ability to pair multiple Apple Watches with one iPhone, as well as a new Nearby menu (in the Glances section of the Maps app) with sub-categories like Food, Drinks, Shopping, Travel, and Health to choose from.Finally, the report says that the next generation Apple Watch will be made official in the month of September, adding weight to recent reports that the new iteration won't be unveiled in...

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Asus Zenfone Zoom with 13MP camera and 3x optical zoom launched in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zenfone-zoom-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As scheduled, Asus has launched its Zenfone Zoom smartphone in India. The device, which is claimed to be the "thinnest phone with 3x optical zoom," has only been available in the company's home country of Taiwan until now.The handset carries a price tag of INR 37,999 in India (around $560), and is available for purchase from online retailer Flipkart, which has both black and white variants in stock. Asus Exclusive stores in the country will start carrying the device starting next month.The company is also offering a bundle consisting of the phone, Zenflash, and Tripod. The bundle costs INR 39,999 (around $590) - apparently, it isn't available on Flipkart yet. Announced way back at last year's CES, the smartphone is currently up for pre-orders in the US, and will start shipping there in February.Source |...

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Leader of Apple's 'Titan' car project is leaving the company
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-car-leader-stepdown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The leader of Apple's rumored 'Titan' car project is leaving the company, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. Steve Zadesky, who also helped the company create the iPod and iPhone, has been leading the Cupertino-based company's car efforts for the last couple of years.The reason(s) behind Zadesky's decision are said to be personal, meaning his stepping down has nothing to do with his performance in his current role. The report, however, notes that he is still at Apple for now.The news comes nearly an year after the WSJ reported that the iPhone-maker is secretly working on an an electric vehicle that apparently looks like a minivan in its current form. While initially it was said that it would take several years to complete the project, the publication later reported that the company has sped up the work, and is now eyeing a 2019 shipment...

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HTC One A9 (unlocked) getting January security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/pink-one-a9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has announced that it has started rolling out the latest Android security update to unlocked One A9 units in the US. The announcement came in the form of a tweet from the company's US VP of Product Management Mo Versi.HTC One (A9) unlocked owners! The Jan security updates and bug fixes is being updated via OTA this morning! Thanks.Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 22, 2016Aside from the January security fixes, the update also includes some general bug fixes, Versi revealed. If you haven't received the OTA notification yet, you can manually check for the update by heading to your device's settings.For those who aren't already aware, HTC had said last year that the One A9 will receive every Android update within 15 (business) days of the Nexus line having received it. And true to its promise, the Taiwanese company rolled out the November and December updates on...

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GSMArena

24-01-16, 11:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gearvr-galaxy-deal-bestbuy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Offer Valid: January 22-23 2016Best Buy wants to move Gear VR and Galaxy smartphone units out of its inventory at the very beginning of US tax season.It is offering a free Gear VR with a qualifying purchase of either the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, or Note5.Best Buy says "When you add a qualifying Galaxy smartphone to your cart, a free Samsung Gear VR will be added automatically as well.", though it isn't explicitly stated if the promotion is only valid online.It wouldn't hurt to call your local store and ask to speak to a Mobile or Samsung associate, though, you might have better luck talking to a Samsung Associate.The Gear VR is one of best ways to get into VR since it's made specifically for your Galaxy smartphone and straps to your head. No need to hold it up to your face.The Samsung Gear VR retails at Best Buy for $99.99. You can ask any of the Samsung reps at Best Buy's Samsung counter if you want to test drive the VR goodness.Source |...

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Latest WhatsApp build reveals Facebook linking option
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/facebook-whatsapp-integration/-184x111/gsmareana_001.jpg Ever since Facebook acquired WhatsApp back in 2014, not much has changed to the popular messaging platform beside the addition of voice calls between users. It and Facebook have stayed separate entities up until now.New leaks reveal that WhatsApp is also planning to allow cross communication between Facebook and WhatApp accounts.When messing with root commands, version 4.12.413 of WhatsApp shows the option of linking a WhatsApp account with a Facebook account to "improve Facebook experiences".We aren't quite sure what the possible benefit of this is. Perhaps there will be shortcuts to post on a WhatsApp contact's timeline, though this is entirely my own speculation.Coincidentally, in the same week, WhatsApp dropped its subscription fees in pursuit of gaining even more users.Maybe Facebook can use WhatsApp features that are exclusive to Facebook users as incentive for them to create a Facebook profile as this is where the company makes revenue.Only time will tell, but WhatsApp is definitely up to something big.Source |...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 has been delayed until mid-February, rumor claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-650-delay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The oft-rumored and much-leaked Microsoft Lumia 650 was expected to become official on February 1, as per a report from a few days ago. That date has even been corroborated by a second source, though now a new rumor claims something different.Apparently the Lumia 650's introduction has been delayed until mid-February. An actual unveiling date hasn't been mentioned this time around. Some unnamed software issues are reportedly to blame for this delay, according to "sources close to the matter".The Lumia 650 wasn't expected to get its own launch event or anything like that, rather it was going to be made official through a blog post by Microsoft. That could still be the case, only we'll now have a bit more waiting to do for it. Since the announcement itself has been postponed, we assume the Lumia 650 will become available very quickly after it.Along with this information comes word that the metal edge of the phone is laser cut, which means it's going to be matte on the sides but shinier on the edges. The 650 is also said to be the only new Lumia-branded smartphone launching this year. And it's unclear what will happen to the brand from 2017 onwards. On the other hand, a Surface phone may be unveiled towards the end of this...

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CDMA version of the Nextbit Robin to ship in April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/nextbit-robin-cdma/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Nextbit Robin "cloud phone" is finally going to start shipping on February 16, after many months since its initial introduction. However, that date is only valid for the GSM version of the crowdfunded device. The situation is completely different for the CDMA model.The people behind Nextbit have explained today that the CDMA Robin will probably start shipping in April, although an exact date can't be given yet. More information should become available as we get closer to that month.The delay of the CDMA model compared to the GSM one has to do with the fact that development of the former only started after Nextbit saw people's response on Kickstarter. The team now admits they "got a little carried away in the excitement of the campaign" when they estimated they would be able to deliver the CDMA Robin in February...

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Sony Xperia M5 is now up for pre-order in the UK, ships by February 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xperia-m5-pre-order-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few days ago we learned that Sony is finally getting ready to bring the Xperia M5 to Europe. Back then the only confirmed countries to get it were Poland and the Netherlands, but from today you can add the UK to the list as well.That's because Carphone Warehouse has started taking pre-orders for the Xperia M5, with delivery expected to happen by February 8. What's more, this retailer says it has an exclusive on the gold color of this smartphone. So you won't be able to buy the handset in gold anywhere else in the UK.At the moment you can't pre-order an Xperia M5 in SIM-free form or on Pay as you go - you have to pick a contract with an operator. If you do that, the M5 is free with plans starting at £22 per month.That cheapest option is at Vodafone and will bring you 500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 500MB of 4G data each month. If you need more, you can pick different plans of course, all the way up to one that nets you unlimited talk and text as well as 10GB of data. This is £36 per month at Vodafone, £39 at O2, and £44.99 at EE.The Sony Xperia M5 has a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 13 MP front-facing camera, MediaTek's Helio X10 chipset (with a 2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G, and a 2,600 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0 Lollipop.Source |...

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GSMArena

25-01-16, 11:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/googe-cst-internet/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Google had previously announced its plans to bring free internet service to the railway stations of India. As part of that project, the first free Wi-Fi hotspot has been setup at Mumbai's Mumbai Central railway station, one of the country's oldest and busiest railway stations, in collaboration with Indian Railways and RailTel. Initially, the internet service will be free, but Google plans to monetize it in future to make it self sustainable and expand it to other areas. Google plans to bring this service to 100 stations across the country by the end of this year. The key here is that it is a high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing not just browsing but also streaming of content. To prevent abusing the service, the high-speed will only be available for the first hour, after which the speed drops down for the user. The setup process is based on the simple SMS login code system that is commonly used. The service will be available in Allahabad, Jaipur, Patna, and Ranchi...

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Lenovo K5 Note launched with Helio P10 SoC, all metal body
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/k5note-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Well, that was quick. Just a few weeks after unveiling the K4 Note, Lenovo has made official its successor - the K5 Note. The device comes with an all-metal body and is powered by a Mediatek Helio P10 SoC with 64-bit octa-core processor and Mali-T860 GPU. The handset sports a 5.5-inch Full HD LTPS display, and has 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory. In terms of camera, there's a 13MP unit at the back and an 8MP shooter at the front. It packs in a 3,500mAh battery that supports fast charging, and runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with Vibe UI on top. Measuring 152 x 75.7 x 8.49mm, The K5 Note offers support for dual-SIM, 4G LTE, as well as VoLTE. It also comes with a fingerprint sensor at the back, which can also be used for making payments as well as capturing images. In addition, the smartphone features 1.5W speaker on the rear with Dolby Atmos surround sound effect. As for the price, it carries a tag of RMB 1,099 (around $167) in China, where it will be sold through flash sale model, with first sale to held this week. Color options include gold and silver. Head to the Source link below for more details. Source (translated) |...

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Another Samsung Galaxy S5 receives Android 6.0.1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/att-galaxy-s5-android-511/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Late last month, Samsung - which is currently testing the the Marshmallow beta for its Galaxy S6/S6 edge smartphones - surprised everyone by rolling out the Android 6.0.1 update to a Galaxy S5 device. While that was said to have happened accidentally, the update has hit another Galaxy S5 now. Someone in France, this time, has received the Android 6.0.1 update OTA on their Galaxy S5 phone, which carries a model number of SM-G900F. The screenshots shared by the user reveal that the update includes Android security patch for the month of January. The fact that the Galaxy S5 is getting the Marshmallow update is interesting given that the handset is from 2014, while the South Korean company's latest flagships haven't started getting the final update yet. However, what it does indicate is that aside from the Galaxy S6/S6 egde, Samsung is close to rolling out the Marshmallow update to some of its other devices,...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro variant said to be in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/galaxy-a9-price-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung is working on a Pro variant of the recently-launched Galaxy A9 smartphone, according to a new report. The variant carries a model number of SM-A9100, and is aimed at the Chinese market. Samsung Galaxy A9 The report also notes that development for the device's firmware is currently in progress. As for the specs, there's no word yet, although it'd be safe to assume that it'll have at-least some bumped up specs compared to the regular model. Sporting a 6-inch screen and packing in a 4,000mAh battery, the A9 was made official last month. It went on sale in China earlier this month, carrying a price tag of around...

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Several top Twitter executives are leaving the company
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/twitter-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Several top executives at Twitter, including global media VP Katie Jacobs Stanton, senior engineering VP Alex Roetter, product VP Kevin Weil, as well as VP of Human Resources Brian Schipper have chosen to leave the company. This was confirmed by CEO Jack Dorsey after there were reports suggesting that they've been asked to leave. Was really hoping to talk to Twitter employees about this later this week, but want to set the record straight now: pic.twitter.com/PcpRyTzOlWÂ— Jack (@jack) January 25, 2016 While not explicitly mentioned by Dorsey in his tweet above, Jason Toff - who heads the company's Vine video streaming service - has also confirmed his departure, revealing that he's joining Google to work on virtual reality. Personal update! I'm joining Google to work on VR. So much exciting potential there.Â— Jason Toff (@jasontoff) January 25, 2016 If you recall, co-founder Dorsey returned as the company's new CEO back in October last year, a few months after former CEO Dick Costolo stepped down. Shortly after Dorsey assumed the new role, Twitter announced that it will cut up to 336 jobs, or 8% of the company's total workforce. Earlier this month, the company's stock hit an all time low - below $20 a share for the first...

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HTC Desire T7 tablet with 6.9-inch display spotted on GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-desire-t7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Rumors of HTC working on an entry-level tablet aren't new. While reports about an H7 tablet cropped up back in May last year, a Zauba listing (shown below) from June 2015 reveals a 7-inch Desire T7 tablet with dual-core processor, costing around $170. Now, a device named HTC IV5001-A has been spotted on GFXBench. Like the Desire T7 tablet mentioned above, this new device also has a 7-inch screen (6.9-inch to be precise) and is also powered by a quad-core CPU (Spreadtrum SC8830 SoC). RAM is 1GB, while internal memory should be 16GB. As for the camera department, both front and back shooters are 5MP. The listing also reveals that the tablet runs Android 5.0 out-of-the-box, and includes connectivity options such as Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and WiFi. Reports say the device could be announced at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is scheduled for next...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/best-apps-games-40/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week. Music Memos Apple released a new app for its iOS devices. Called Music Memos, the app is essentially a recorder app to record your voice or instruments. The app can differentiate between the two, and when it detects instruments it can also detect the instrument and the tempo and then provide a suitable drum and bass background that goes with what and how you're playing. The app is designed for musicians to quickly record their ideas wherever inspiration strikes in high quality uncompressed files that can be organized and shared with others or backed up and synced on iCloud. Price: Free Download: iOS Adobe Voice Another recorder app, this time from Adobe. Adobe Voice was previously iPad exclusive but v2.0 now also brings it to the iPhone. Adobe Voice lets you record your voice and then adds images and a suitable background track to it to create a quick animated video in very few steps. This can then be used in a presentation, whether it's in an office meeting or a classroom. Price: Free Download: iOS CornerTube CornerTube is a picture-in-picture YouTube app for the iPad. It allows you to play a YouTube video anywhere in a floating window. The app scans your clipboard for any YouTube video links. Any copied links immediately appear in the app widget in Notification Center. Tapping it instantly opens the video in a floating window. It also adds an option in the share sheet, so if you find a YouTube link somewhere, just share it to the app to open it in a window. The app works with older iPads, such as iPad Air, and iPad mini 2, so you don't need the latest model to use picture-in-picture. Price: $1.99 Download: iOS Kickstarter Kickstarter finally has an Android app. Now you can find and back all those crazy, weird ideas without having to use the mobile site on your Android device. Price: Free Download: iOS Â• Android I Have no Mouth, And I Must Scream I Have no Mouth, And I Must Scream is a point and click adventure game that released on the PC back in 1995. Based on a novel of the same name, the game takes place in a post apocalyptic world 109 after a supercomputer named AM wiped out humanity. The last five survivors are immortal, who are being tortured by AM for eternity. Not exactly a fun, light hearted story but the game is known for its puzzles, story, and atmosphere. It's a bit long in the tooth visually but otherwise worth a shot. Price: $3.99 Download: iOS Â•...

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Poll: Galaxy Note5 vs iPhone 6s Plus vs Lumia 950 XL
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/poll-tri-platform/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The droids battled it out last week, now it's time for the clash of the platforms. And it's as if we anticipated your vote on the previous poll and picked just the right droid to pit against the iPhone 6s Plus and the Lumia 950 XL - the Galaxy Note5. The trio represents the best the three OS's have to offer, and in a way makes for the ultimate shootout - the winner is to be crowned the best smartphone, period. Okay, such absolutes are obviously flawed, as no one phone can work for everyone, we know that. But we now set on to find out which of the three you like the most. Is it the iPhone with its rich ecosystem, high-performance chipset and 3D touch? Alternatively, you can pick the Lumia 950 XL on the grounds of Continuum, a high-res camera and near color-perfect display? Or will the Galaxy Note5 snatch this one thanks to a balanced all-round performance, plus an S-Pen? A week of voting starts now, go ahead and hit the thumbs-up on your favorite of the...

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Week 3 in review: Lumia, LG G5 and HTC rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we send off the third week of 2016, let's look back and see what excitement the news section had to offer. The Nokia brand has been one constantly reoccurring theme these past few days and the promise of a glorious return to the smartphone realm with a new batch of devices now seems more plausible than ever. Mysterious handsets with the legendary Finnish logo have been popping up all over the place in photos, online listings and videos. Samsung made the headlines quite a few times during the week. Galaxy S7 rumors are constantly intensifying, but it finally feels like we are getting closer to uncovering the full story about all the variants and their screen sizes. As of today, that includes a 5.1-inch basic S7 and a 5.5-inch S7 edge. The Korean giant has also been keeping busy updating its "J" family. Consequently, the Galaxy J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) have been popping up in leaks all over the place. The same goes for the refreshed "A" family as well. In other news, HTC also has big plans for 2016, with two new Nexus phones, allegedly lined up, as well as the eagerly-anticipated release of the M10. LG is also generating a lot of hype around the G5 flagship, due out this year. It might be a radical departure from its predecessors with volume and power buttons moved away from the back to help in crafting a thinner profile. The idea of a detachable bottom part to grant access to the battery has also been tossed around. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Motorola's 'shatterproof' Moto X Force landing in India soon The company's India Twitter account has posted a new teaser confirming the same. Lenovo K4 Note up for grabs in first flash sale today The sale, which is for the INR 12,499 ($185) priced Vibe K4 Note VR Bundle that also includes an ANT VR headset, will begin at 2pm IST LeEco announces Le Max and Le 1s in India Priced at $485 and $161, respectively. Xiaomi is now locking the bootloaders on Redmi Note 3, Mi 4c, and Mi Note Pro Xiaomi has locked the Redmi Note 3 bootloader, Mi 4c and Mi Note Pro are next. New Xiaomi Mi 5 image leaks, shows white variant This comes just over a week after the black variant leaked online. Microsoft mistakenly reveals unannounced Lumia Phone X Is it the long-rumored Surface Phone? Mysterious all-metal Nokia resurfaces in a new set photos The boxy device is said to be a budget-friendly offer, possibly coming this year. Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) gets benchmarked, has specs revealed Previously, the upcoming handset was spotted entering India for testing purposes. Samsung LED View Cover for Galaxy S7, S7 edge clears FCC he US telecom governing body has certified a pair of accessory cases for what appear to be the Samsung Galaxy S7, and the S7 edge. Leaked LG G5 diagram shows new design, volume buttons on the side LG is looking ready to fully give up on the design language it's been using for the G series up until now. Two HTC Nexus phones coming this year, rumor claims They will allegedly have 5" and 5.5" touchscreens, respectively. Is this the new Nokia phone in the company latest video? A large tablet shows up briefly, too. Apple is now pushing iOS 9.2.1 to all supported devices The new version of the company's mobile operating system is focused primarily on fixing bugs. Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) specs spotted...

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Poll results: Note5 wins our first 5.7" three-way fight
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/poll-results-note5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We concluded last week's three-way shootout with a question which one of the smartphones you liked best, and the results are in. The Nexus 6P, LG V10 and Samsung Galaxy Note5 put up quite a fight, much like they did in the shootout itself, but Samsung's phablet emerged victorious. Gathering 42% of readers' votes, the Note5 had a comfortable advantage over the other two. For all the V10's strong points, not limited to its camera and build, and the Nexus 6P stock Android appeal, the Note5 is arguably the most well rounded of the bunch, hence the overall win. The battle for the silver was a much closer one. Only 2% split the V10 and the 6P and for a while there it could have gone either way. Eventually though, LG's phablet edged ahead. The Note5 returns this week for the tri-platform throwdown, and we'll be offering you the chance to have your say on the matter, so stay...

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11 thoughts on the Huawei Mate 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mate8-editorial/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Huawei Mate 8 is already at the office and while we are already busy preparing its full review, we thought you might appreciate a bunch of early impressions we got. An all-aluminum design like the one of the Huawei Mate 8 is no rarity these days, particularly in the high-end, but the lack of ugly plastic inlays of different color really makes it stand out. Plastic is still there as it's required for the bunch of antennas inside to work, but it's been painted over and matches the rest of the back, looking like accents rather than defects. We especially like the Space gray version, though ladies might prefer the Mocha Brown one. Having said that, at 157.1x80.6x7.9 mm, the Mate 8 is unlikely to attract a lot of female attention. Given the 6" screen, however, Huawei actually did a very impressive job with the bezels - the new phablet is just as large as a 5.7" Galaxy Note - if you can handle one, you'll do just fine with the other. The 6" screen sticks to 1080p resolution, as Huawei believes that anything higher is merely a waste of battery and computing power. Its sharpness does suffer a bit if you make direct side-by-side comparisons, but the overall image quality seems pretty good. We detect a slight purplish tint, but contrast seems great and the screen is easily visible when outside. Another thing to justify the ample size is the enormous 4,000mAh battery - we don't have the exact numbers just yet, but even at this early stage it's clear that it's going to be one of our battery champions. As with other devices hailing from the East, the Mate 8 launcher (based on Android 6.0) exhibits a flat style - that is, no app drawer (every shortcut goes on the homescreen, mixed in with the widgets). You get a rich app package out of the box and certain quirks (e.g. the RAM cleaning button that's more placebo than useful). The automatic battery manager feature that detects apps running in the background and consuming too much power and prompts you to disable them. Mind you, it's not preventing the app from running altogether - it just doesn't allow it to stay in the background when you are done with it. The first smartphone to pack the new ultra-powerful Cortex-A72 cores, the Mate8 delivers blazing fast performance. Our particular unit has 3GB of RAM as opposed to 4GB on the 64GB versions, but it still breezes through its UI with no traces of lag. The 16 MP camera seems like a large step forward over the Mate7- it comes complete with OIS and a larger 1/2.8" sensor and a dual-LED flash. Selfie lovers will also appreciate the 8MP front snapper, which is among the highest resolution ones on the market. The photos have nice colors although detail isn't as impressive as we hoped. We suspect that might be due to some issues with the AF missing that we can't quite get our fingers on just yet. We hope it's a software issue that Huawei will address by the time the Mate 8 hits international markets, but we'll investigate just to be on the safe side. Huawei Mate 8 camera samples: Good and low-light Lack of 4K video is a disappointment for a flagship in this day and age. Likely stemming from the limitations of the Kirin 950 chipset, this relegates the Mate 8 to a lower tier, compared to its direct rivals. Smooth 1080p at 60fps and slo-mo 720p@120fps are available and they look decent although far from making up for the lack of detail that a good 4K-capable camcorder delivers. The fingerprint sensor implementation is still arguably the best on the market - located on the back as befitting a phablet and always on, the sensor lets you go from a locked screen to homescren before you have completed taking the phone out of your pocket. We had our reservations about Huawei switching to a circular sensor, but as it turned out it doesn't make any difference to the...

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Play Store had twice the downloads of iOS App Store in 2015, earned less cash
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mate8-editorial/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg A new App Annie's report for 2015 takes a detailed look at quite a few statistics from major app stores and a few observations from the report instantly stand out. For one, it appears that in 2015, Google's Play Store has registered twice as many downloads as the Apple's App Store. The difference stood at around 60% in 2014, which means that Google's mobile software ecosystem I truly growing at a phenomenal rate so as to outpace iOS. However, we shouldn't fail to mention the enormous difference in market share between the two platforms and the sheer number of Android users definitely help justify the doubled app download counter. The biggest growth spurts in 2015 came from emerging markets, such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Mexico. Volume is one thing, but what does that equate to from a business perspective? The trend here is plainly clear as well - even though Apple users are downloading less apps, they are spending a lot more than their Android friends, about 75% more to be exact. In 2014, Apple's App store also out-earned its rival by 70%, so the trend is only solidifying. Cupertino clients seem to be inclined to spend more, which has been a well-known fact for some time now and it is natural for app developers to take advantage of that with increasing efficiency. As a final interesting observation from the report - that games still constitute around 90% of downloads and revenue on the Google Play Store, whereas for Apple that number is closer to 75%. Source |...

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Google pays £130m in back taxes in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/android-marshmallow-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google and the UK tax watchdog Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have come to an agreement following a six-year open audit of the US company's books. According to it, Google will be paying £130 million for a period dating back to 2005. Google, among others, has been accused of avoiding taxes in the UK, thanks to its multinational tax structure, with EU headquarters in Ireland, where corporate taxes are lower than the UK, and also holding offices in corporate tax heaven Bermuda. This has lead to the company paying just £20.4 million in taxes on sales valued at £3.8 billion in 2013. The tech giant has agreed that, going forward, a larger portion of its sales activity will be registered in the UK. Another change from now on will see Google paying taxes based on sales, rather than profit, which has been the case so far. Matt Brittin, president of Google's EMEA business and operations branch, has insisted, that the company always followed the rules as they were at the time, and will continue to do so. Source |...

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GSMArena

25-01-16, 11:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-galaxy-s7-camera-display/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 is now less than a month away, with a rumored announcement due for February 21. And right on schedule, after we're almost entirely familiar with the specs and looks of the upcoming flagship, we're now being treated to a couple of photos straight from its production line. One shows an array of front camera modules, with the SM-G930F model name (which we already know is the Galaxy S7's internal designation, plus the F at the end for regional version) clearly stamped on the board. If that means anything, it's probably revision number 5 of the module, judging by the R05 marking. Compared to the one inside the existing Galaxy S6, this new camera has its connector offset to one side, while the old one was centered, teardowns revealed. The second photo depicts the entire smartphone, though in developer attire, making its design nearly recognizable. You're getting the purpose of the rig - to have a functioning device for testing, without revealing the looks. Despite the sticker on top of the brand name though, the home button and capacitive key markings clearly state Samsung. Which makes it all the more ironic that the shot is taken with what is almost certainly an HTC One, the first one. Special thanks to Hiep Thong for the...

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Apple's next 4-incher now tipped to be named iPhone 5se, iPhone 6/6s hardware inside
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-5se/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A possible new 4-inch smartphone from Apple has been entertaining the mobile world pretty much ever since the company moved to larger diagonals with the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus generation. Some have called it the iPhone 7c, others insist on iPhone 6c, and iPhone 5e was also mentioned. Well, apparently, the latter is closest to reality, if this new report is to be believed. According to sources close to 9to5Mac, Apple's return to 4 inches will be named iPhone 5se and will be a blend of the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. So the alleged iPhone 5se will drop the chamfered edges in favor of gently curved glass on the front, like the iPhone 6. It's been said to come with the 8MP/1.2MP camera duo from the iPhone 6, which was in turn borrowed from the 5s. The iPhone 6s will lend its Live Photos to the new model too. Apple iPhone 5s What will come straight from the iPhone 6 is the A8 chipset, but it is said to be complemented by some iPhone 6s hardware, namely the Bluetooth 4.2, VoLTE and Wi-Fi 802.11ac chips. The iPhone 5se will also come with NFC support, so it could hop on the Apple Pay train. The intel seems pretty detailed and thus perhaps believable. However, until we hear the announcement from Apple, we're not betting on any of the above, and neither should...

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Apple Watch Hermes now available online, prepare $1,250 for the Double Tour
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-watch-hermes-online/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far only available in select physical stores, the Apple Watch Hermes collection has been released to the masses. If the masses are willing to accept the $1,100 to $1,500 price tags, that is. Listed on the Apple's online store, 7 out of the 10 available models are based on the 38mm Apple Watch. The Double Tour models, which have dominated promotional material for the range, and counsequently are the ones to get, come in four colors and 38mm size only. Price is $1,250/Â€1,450/Â£1,150. Single Tour models (which is basically your regular leather strap) go for $1,100/Â€1,300/Â£1,000 for the 38mm case and 50 more of either currency for the larger version. The most expensive option is the Apple Watch Hermes Cuff, only available in 42mm size and listed for $1,500/Â€1,750/Â£1,350. Source |...

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January security update hits Huawei Honor 5X ahead of its US launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor5x-jan-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a week after we reported that the Honor 5X smartphone - which is set to launch in the US on January 31 - will get regular android security patches, the January update has hit the device. As you can see in the screenshot above, the 'Android security patch level' field has a value of 'January 1 2016' after the update. The size of the update is 111 MB. This means that those purchasing the handset in the US will have the latest security patch pre-installed on their device. The $200 handset is currently up for pre-order in the country, available from Amazon, Newegg, and...

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 with Windows 10 launches on January 26
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xiaomi-mi-pad-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has announced that it will be offering the Windows 10 version of the Mi Pad 2 tablet starting on January 26. The company had promised back in November last year that such a Mi Pad 2 would exist, but it's only now that it will actually be available for purchase. The Mi Pad 2 features a 7.9-inch display with 2,048 x 1,536 pixels resolution and is powered by an Intel Atom X5-Z8500 chipset with a quad-core 2.24GHx processor. There's 2GB of RAM on board, and internal storage for the Windows 10 model is 64GB, while you can alternatively get 16GB if you go Android. Neither model has a storage expansion slot, though. The tablet has you well covered and future-proofed on all other fronts with Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USB Type-C connector, and an 8MP/5MP camera combo. The battery inside packs 6,190mAh worth of juice and it all comes in a nicely finished metal body. The Windows 10 Mi Pad 2 will retail for CNY 1,299 ($200 minus change), which is the same price as the 64GB Android version. Source |...

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Leakster reveals Samsung Galaxy S7's US launch date
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S7 smartphone has been the subject of endless rumors and leaks until now, revealing its design, variants, specs, and even accessories. As for its availability, an MWC 2016 unveiling has been rumored. However, what we haven't heard yet is when it will go on sale, especially in the US. Well, looks like now we have an answer to that, too. According to the usually reliable leakster ‏@evleaks, the flagship will be available for purchase in the US on March 11. Starting to look like a Friday, March 11th Galaxy release in the U.S.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 22, 2016 To refresh, the S7's predecessor - the Galaxy S6 - was unveiled at last year's Mobile World Congress and went on sale in the US and several other countries on April 10. Needless to say it's still just a rumor despite coming from a leakster of repute, and as we all know, rumors aren't always correct. So, take it with a pinch of...

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GSMArena

26-01-16, 11:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/lg-v10-att-t-mobile/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg LG Electronics has released its Q4 2015 financial results, revealing that the company sold 15.3 million smartphones in the October-December period. For the full year, the South Korean company sold 59.7 million units, slightly up from the 59.1 million number it achieved in 2014. Of the 15.3 million units that LG sold last quarter, nearly 11 million were LTE models, making this the first time that the quarterly sales of LG's LTE-powered smartphones have crossed the 10 million mark. The company's mobile division reported a revenue of 3.78 trillion KRW ($3.26 billion) in Q4. Although the figure was down 0.4% year-on-year, it was up 12% compared to Q3 2015 thanks to improved smartphone sales in the North American market, led by the V10 flagship. The division's operating loss also improved compared to the third-quarter. Talking about LG Electronics as a whole, the Q4 net loss stood at 140.4 billion KRW ($117 million), down from the 205.6 billion deficit the company reported in the same quarter of 2014. Over all, for 2015, the net income was 249.1 billion KRW, which is down 50.3% compared to...

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Dropbox's Android app crosses half a billion installs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/dropbox-500million-Android/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Android app of popular cloud storage service Dropbox now boasts of over 500 million installs. The app has hit the milestone less than six years after it was launched. Although Dropbox for Android is still halfway when compared to competitor Google Drive (which crossed the 1 billion milestone in October last year), the achievement is no less impressive considering the app doesn't comes pre-installed on most Android devices like the Google's offering. Back in June last year, Dropbox announced it has more than 400 million registered users worldwide, although it didn't reveal how many of them are monthly active...

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Microsoft releases new Lumia 550 firmware update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/lumia-550-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A new update for the Windows 10-powered Lumia 550 smartphone has been quietly released by Microsoft. The update bumps the firmware version of the handset from 15461.48007 to 15503.21007, while the OS version remains the same. What's worth mentioning here is that the update is reportedly only available through the Windows Device Recovery Tool, meaning it isn't currently rolling over-the-air (OTA). Keep in mind that if you use the the Windows Device Recovery Tool to update your device, you'll lose all your data. There's currently no official information on what the update includes, although given that it's already available via the recovery tool, an official announcement (followed by an OTA roll-out) shouldn't be far...

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Samsung starts rolling out January security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-jan-security-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Inline with its August 2015 commitment of providing monthly security updates, Samsung has now announced the roll-out of this month's Android security patch. As always, the company said the update is for "major flagship models," but didn't list any specific handsets. FYI, previous months' updates rolled out to the Galaxy Note5 as well as the Galaxy S6 family, among others. The update includes patches - including those for several critical issues - from both Google as well as the South Korean company. While Samsung provided details on several publicly known issues, it didn't disclose any information on some, presumably citing security...

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Entry-level LG K4 spotted listed on company's Russian website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-k4-russia/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG unveiled the K7 and K10 smartphones at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this month. A week after that the company revealed plans for the entire K-Series, which also includes the K8, K7, K5, and K4. Now, the K4 has been spotted listed on LG's Russia website. The listing reveals that the device is powered by a MediaTek MT6735M SoC and sports a 4.5-inch (480 x 854 pixel resolution) IPS display. RAM is 1GB, while internal memory is 8GB, although expandable. The device packs in a 1,940mAh battery. In terms of camera, the K4 features a 5MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. Offering dual-SIM functionality and 4G LTE support, the handset runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box. It measures 131.9 x 66.7 x 8.9mm and weighs in at 120g. Source (Russian) | Via...

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Buy Nexus 5X for just $299 in US and get $20 Visa gift card as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/nexus-5x-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the US, and are planning to purchase the LG-made Google Nexus 5X, here is a deal for you: BuyDig (via eBay) is offering the 16GB model for just $299 and the 32GB model for $349. And that's not it. Those purchasing either of the models will also get a $20 Visa gift card, which will arrive in 6-8 weeks. The models on offer are North American variants, meaning they'll work with all major US carriers. Close to 200 units of each have been sold at the time of writing, and the seller says the models are available in limited quantities. So, make sure you act fast if you want to purchase the handset. Officially, the 16GB model is being sold for $349, while the 32GB iteration will set you back $399. Source 1...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab E 7.0 leaked, specs revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-tabe-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a week after the Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0 with 4G LTE support launched in Taiwan, there are reports that the South Korean company is also working on a 7-inch variant, which carries a model number of SM-T280. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab E 7.0 WiFi, 8.0GB, Black (SM-T280NZKA) 1.3GHz, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB Flash Â• 7.0" (18cm), 1280x800 Pixel. 4G model is (SM-T285)Â— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) January 25, 2016 Specs-wise, from what has been leaked, the variant will be powered by a 1.3GHz processor, and have a 7-inch display with 1280Ã—800 pixel resolution. There will be 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable internal memory. The device will also have a model (SM-T285) offering 4G connectivity. In addition, reports say that a Lite variant (SM-T113) of the Galaxy Tab E as well as its Kids version are also in the works. Via 1...

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Microsoft's keyboard for iOS to be released to testers soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/microsoft-keyboard-for-ios/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft still has the keyboard in early stages and will release it to Beta-testers soon. The Verge was able to get its hands on the Windows Keyboard ahead of the Beta release. Peculiarly, the one-handed mode does not compact to one side like on other Windows phones, rather, it fans out from either corner. Word Flow on iPhones will be quite similar to its original counterpart on Windows Phone. The official version is expected to come to the App Store in the next few months while an Android version will be expected later in the year. The iOS keyboard works well and I've always found myself going back to it, even when switching to Swiftkey. The iOS keyboard can register keystrokes really fast and I didn't find Swiftkey as able to keep up as the stock iOS keyboard. Though, Swiftkey remains one of our favorite keyboards on Android. Is anyone on iOS using an aftermarket keyboard they like? Let us know in the comments! Via |...

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JetBlue to convert in-flight entertainment systems to run Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/jetblue-android-entertainment/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When you hop on a plane, you never know if you're getting a newer plane with an updated entertainment system or if you're getting an older plane with no entertainment system and TVs that drop down from above. Jet Blue has been pretty good about always having a proper entertainment system working in-flight with Fly-Fi, which is JetBlue's Wi-Fi service available in flight within the United States. Most airlines in the US have or have had a Linux-based operating system. JetBlue promises to offer a "Fully Connected In-Seat Experience from Gate to Gate". This means the airline won't shut off its Wi-Fi services during takeoff and landing. JetBlue says it will become the first domestic airline to launch an inflight system that can communicate with the plane's own Wi-Fi connection. Up until now, customers have had to use their own devices to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot in the sky. JetBlue's Fly-Fi service is free for customers to use with 12 to 20 Mbps speeds to each connected device. Let's see if JetBlue can deliver that particular promise. The airline also says to be providing an outlet and USB port for every seat on the plane, though, this isn't very new as American Airlines has been doing this in a few aircrafts for a couple of years now. JetBlue goes on to say that the new entertainment system will call for a seat reconfiguration, meaning they will remove some seats and spread them out a little but more, so everyone has a tiny bit more room. JetBlue has the best legroom of any domestic airline. The new Cabin reconfigurations are set to start later this year with completion aimed at 2019. Source |...

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Galaxy Note 5 vs. iPhone 6s Plus vs. LG V10: The snow camera field test
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/snow-shootout/-347x151/thumb4.jpg When you are pinned in the city, winter hardly feels like a pleasant season. But once you step outside of the city's boundaries, the sweeping vistas of the snowy slopes make for some of the best photo opportunities...

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First alleged image of the 4-inch iPhone 5se surfaces
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-5se-picture/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While there doesn't seem to be a consensus in the rumors about what it will be called, by now it seems pretty clear that Apple is in fact working on a new 4-inch smartphone. There have been many leaks about it lately, and this one could be the biggest yet. The image you can see below allegedly depicts this device (on the right) standing next to an iPhone 5 (on the left). The new 4-inch handset might be called iPhone 5se, as per the latest rumor on the matter. However, in the past we've also heard that it would go by iPhone 7c, iPhone 6c, as well as iPhone 5e. If this leaked picture is actually showing the next 4-incher from Apple, then it's easy to observe that it will come with a TouchID fingerprint scanner embedded in its Home button, the power button on the side, and a FaceTime camera placed to the left of the earpiece. As for dimensions, they seem to be more or less identical to those of the iPhone 5. Hardware-wise, the latest mumblings have the iPhone 5se sporting the A8 chipset, Apple Pay support, VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, an 8 MP rear camera, and a 1.2 MP front snapper. It's due to be outed (and released) in March. Thanks for the tip, dexterouz! Source (in Dutch) |...

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Huawei Honor 5X launches in Europe on February 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor-5x-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei's Honor 5X is headed to the US before the end of January, as you may know. But the affordable handset announced in November is also on its way to the UK and Continental Europe as it turns out. The Chinese company has already listed the device on Vmall, its European online store. No pricing information has been revealed so far, but a countdown timer that's attached to the listing does reveal the launch date for the Honor 5X in Europe: February 4. If you enter your email on that page, Huawei will give you a promo code taking Â£20, Â€20, or CHF 20 (depending on your location) off the handset's price - and if you do grab an Honor 5X then you'll also get another promo code shaving Â£10, Â€10, or CHF 10 off your next order. Huawei's online store is currently available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. So if you live in one of these countries you'll soon be able to order one straight from its maker. The Honor 5X comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, a 5 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 615 chipset (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core CPU), 2 or 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, but an update to Marshmallow has been promised for the future. Thanks for the tip,...

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LG G5 dual camera design confirmed by another case leak
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-g5-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The LG G5 is taking the spotlight from the Galaxy S7 for a change and stars in another story today, this time courtesy of a case maker. Accessory manufacturers are given the phones' drawings well in advance and have become a reliable source of intel on upcoming product designs. So in this particular instance, we're talking about a range of rugged G5 cases, which are just as good at providing protection, as they are at revealing certain design choices on LG's part. For one, the dual camera on the back gets yet another confirmation, after today's boxed prototype and an older diagram. LG G5 case renders The circular fingerprint reader on the back is all but a certainty by now, but the volume buttons will be a thing of the past, for the G-series at least. Even though a couple of the case renders still feature remnants of those buttons, the volume rocker on the left side clearly states otherwise. The question must be asked then, where's the power button, and by the looks of it the fingerprint sensor may actually be inside one, like on the V10. The rest of the details are very much in line with the previous leak - a Type-C USB connector and speaker on the bottom, and the 3.5mm headphone jack on top. There's a mic on either end of the smartphone, and we'd venture a guess that the second cutout on the top is for an IR blaster. The one thing that we can't seem to get a confirmation on is the slide-out...

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Spotify's video streaming service launching on Android this week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/spotify-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in May last year, it was reported that popular music-streaming company Spotify is planning to launch a video service. And now, the company has confirmed that the service will be available on Spotify for Android this week, followed by the iOS app by the end of next week. The service will initially launch in the US, UK, Germany, and Sweden, and will feature content - mostly consisting of short clips - provided by firms like ESPN, Comedy Central, the BBC, Vice Media and Maker Studios. Videos would be available in packages like "News of the Week" or "Laughs at Lunch," the company said. As for the revenue model, the company isn't relying on advertising, at-least not initially - the aim is to expand the user base and get existing users spend more time with the...

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Oppo's sold 50 million smartphones in 2015
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oppo-2015-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese smartphone manufacturer Oppo announced that it sold 50 million smartphones last year. This is inline with what handset supply chains in Taiwan and China were expecting towards the end of 2014. In addition, it was revealed that around 15 million of those were either R7, R7s or R7 Plus units. The company also said that devices priced in the RMB 2,000 - RMB 3,000 range were its best sellers. Other prominent Chinese smartphone vendor Xiaomi sold 70 million smartphones last year, while the figure for Meizu and LeTV (now LeEco) stood at 20 million and 4 million, respectively. Leading the pack, however, was Huawei, which sold over 100 million smartphone sales in...

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Samsung Gear app updated with battery indicator
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-app-update/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Samsung launched the new edition of the Gear S2 Classic smartwatch and it also updated the app used to manage all of its smart wearables. The Samsung Gear app is now at version 2.2.16011842. The big addition is that the app now displays the battery charge of the smartwatch. Next to the indicator are three simple tips on how to improve battery life, including using a black watch face (so that the OLED display uses less energy). The updated Samsung Gear app The update weighs in at about 32MB and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Apps. Note that the update is still rolling out across app store...

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OxygenOS 2.2.0 for the OnePlus X is rolling out today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oneplus-x-oxygen-os-2.2.0/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus team definitely took its time with updating the OnePlus X to OxygenOS 2.2.0, but today, well over a month after its sibling, the OnePlus 2 received it, the rollout has finally started. Granted, the two models do have a pretty distinct and different set of problems to address and the OnePlus X did, already receive a 2.1.3x hot patch for a lot of its aches a while back. Still, it is nice to see that the OEM is actively supporting its products. As per the concise changelog, the OxygenOS 2.2.0 OTA includes: Manual mode for Camera App Save to SD card option in Camera App USSD bug fix for India Added dual SIM preferences back in system settings OTA App upgrade Security patches General bug fixes and optimizations The USSD bug in particular was a major problem within the community, seeing how it prevented users in India from reviewing their call info after ending a conversation - quite basic functionality. The rollout is incremental, as expected, so if you have the aforementioned problem or any of the other listed issues on the OnePlus 2, be sure to check the update option frequently in the next few days. As for the eagerly-anticipated Marshmallow update for the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X, there is no official word yet, but the dominant opinion throughout the community seems to be that it is still a couple of months...

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Samsung Gear S2 Classic Rose Gold and Platinum global rollout starts with China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The new edition Samsung Gear S2 Classic smartwatch (first unveiled at CES earlier this month) has been launched in stores. The premium Rose Gold and Platinum finish watches can now be purchased in China and will gradually expand across the globe. The Rose Gold version of the watch features 18K gold plating and an Ivory Genuine Leather band. The Platinum version has a Black Genuine Leather band instead. Both come preloaded with bespoke watch faces featuring Peanuts characters. Samsung Gear S2: Rose Gold Â• Platinum Also, Samsung has worked with its partners to bring CNN and Bloomberg apps to the Gear S2 (which have their own watch face features). Additional apps include ones from eBay, ESPN, Uber and...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 photographed again, check out the rounded metal unibody
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/meizu-mi-5-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 5 launch is a month away, but production should already be underway. The metallic frame of a Mi 5 has been photographed (well, allegedly). It shows a design much like that of an iPhone 6 or an HTC One A9 - a metal shell with rounded sides and visible lines near the top and bottom edge. Interestingly, there's an angle that shows a regular microUSB, even though Xiaomi has already ventured into Type-C with the Mi 4c. Alleged photos of the Xiaomi Mi 5 metal shell Anyway, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to come in two versions - the basic one with a flat screen and one with a curved screen, both options coming with a choice of two storage capacities. The price will range from $335 to $470 based on screen and storage. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Does the Microsoft Lumia 950 screen have clipping issues?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-950-clipping/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg AMOLED displays are loved for their ability to render pitch black, but sometimes they go overboard. The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL may clip black levels, same as the Galaxy Note did years ago. Cristian from the Windows Central forums has a detailed post and a test image to try on your phone. He even shot multiple images at different brightness settings. The numbers indicate a gray RGB value (e.g. "12" is RGB 12-12-12). Most people report that anything below 3 is pure black and the 3 often has a tint (which can change depending on the screen mode). This issues affects all dark pixels, not just dark grey ones. Lumia 950 screen clipping issues: Test image Â• 100% brightness, auto on Â• 100% brightness, auto off In some of these photos you can just barely see a faint 2 and the issue doesn't seem connected to the Auto brightness feature. The effect is more noticeable when you bring the brightness slider below 100% though. You can load this image on your Lumia 950 (or another AMOLED-packing phone) and go in a dark room. The ambient light sensor doesn't affect the result, but the dark room will allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness and see the faint portions of the image. Thanks for the detailed investigation,...

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GSMArena

27-01-16, 11:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/marathon-m5-mini/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After announcing the Marathon M5 lite last month, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Gionee has unveiled a mini variant of its Marathon M5 smartphone. The device is powered by a Mediatek MT6580 SoC and sports a 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixel resolution) IPS display.It has 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a large 4,000 mAh battery. In terms of camera, the M5 mini features an 8MP rear and a 5MP front shooter. Measuring 143.5 x 71 x 9.6mm, the handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with Amigo UI 3.1 on top. Connectivity options include 3G, GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Commenting on the launch, the company's Nigeria Marketing Director Somoye Habeeb said, "Gionee focuses on innovation, efficiency and affordability in ways that other brands don't. Having received a warm reception from the Nigerian market when we introduced the Gionee M5 a few months ago, Gionee is following up with the M5 Mini.""The Gionee M5 Mini as the name implies, is a compact version of the M5. It is just as effective and stylish, but more affordable. It can be considered a sequel to the highly durable M5, and is the latest phone to be released in Nigeria," he added.There was, however, no word on the M5 mini's price.Via 1...

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Lenovo Vibe X3 launched in India for $293
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/vibe-x3-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has launched its Vibe X3 smartphone in India, which will be the company's flagship device in the market. The phone will be available through Amazon for INR 19,999 ($293).The Vibe X3 puts a lot of focus on the audio quality aspect. The phone has powerful stereo speakers up front. The headphone output is handled by a premium 32-bit ESS Sabre 9018C2M DAC with 3x op-amp for music and Cirrus Logic Wolfson WM8281 for phone calls. The phone also offers Dolby Atmos effect over headphones and speakers.Otherwise, the specs are fairly run of the mill. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with microSD support, dual SIM, LTE, IR, 21 megapixel rear camera with PDAF and 4K, fingerprint sensor, 3600mAh battery, and Android 5.1 with Vibe UI.Lenovo stresses the focus is more on the experience than the specs. The phone has a metal frame with a curved back for a comfortable grip. The display has 100% NTSC color gamut coverage. The Vibe UI has been scaled back a bit and is closer to stock Android in some places. The phone also supports Lenovo's TheaterMax feature that works with the optional ANTVR headset for a bigscreen experience for your movies or games.The phone goes on sale tomorrow, January 28, on Amazon at 2PM...

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New Hangouts update lets you reply directly from message notifications
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/hangouts-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has started pushing a new update to its Hangouts for Android app that bumps the version to 7.0 and brings along new features like quick replies and conversation shortcuts on home screen, as well as some design tweaks.With the new update, the Hangouts app now lets you reply directly from within message notifications without opening the app itself, saving you time in case you need to quickly compose and send replies.Next up, the update also includes the ability to create shortcuts to conversations on the home screen. The new Save to home screen option added to the overflow menu does this trick for you.Finally, the updated app also features some design changes, replacing checkboxes with toggles and giving the sharing dialog box a more Material look. The update is currently rolling out, so it may take some time before it hits your device.Source |...

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Xiaomi Mi 4 Windows 10 variant receiving new update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mi4-win10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Windows 10 Mobile variant of Xiaomi's Mi 4 smartphone has started receiving a new firmware update, which majorly includes bug fixes as well as some improvements and enhancements.As per the change log, the update fixes various issues such as those related to alarm clock, Outlook e-mail syncing, and freezing screen. In addition, it improves the camera quality for pictures taken at close range, as well as brings along a new vibration switch button (Settings -> Extras -> vibration settings) and some battery-related optimizations.For those who aren't already aware, back in March last year, Microsoft and Xiaomi entered into an agreement to provide Windows 10 Technical Preview support on the Mi 4, following which the ROM was released last...

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Samsung Gear S2 Classic Rose Gold and Platinum now on sale in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a couple of days ago, Samsung announced the global launch of the Gear S2 Classic New Edition, with China becoming the first country where the device was released. Now, the premium Rose Gold and Platinum finish watches are on sale in the US, although not officially.Both the variants are currently listed on Amazon US, which is selling them for $450. If you compare, this is $100 more than what the regular Classic model officially costs in the US - Amazon is currently selling it for $319 though.However, what's worth mentioning here is that you won't get these new variants anytime soon as the retailer has mentioned a shipping time-frame of 1 to 2 months. A quick look at Samsung's official US website reveals that the company will officially start selling Rose Gold and Platinum models in the country sometime next month.Source 1 2...

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Samsung's Apple-like phone leasing program to reportedly launch alongside Galaxy S7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in September last year, there were reports that Samsung is planning to launch an Apple-like phone leasing program for its Galaxy smartphones. And now, a new report from the company's home country of South Korea is suggesting that the program will be launched alongside the Galaxy S7 flagship.This means that those purchasing the Galaxy S7 family of smartphones (which are expected to be unveiled at MWC next month) from Samsung will be able to pay in monthly installments. In addition, they will also be able to upgrade their device every year.For those who aren't aware, Apple announced the iPhone Upgrade Program at the iPhone 6s/6s Plus unveiling event last year. It requires you to sign a two-year financing agreement and pay a little over $32 a month. In return, you get a new, unlocked iPhone every year directly from the company. The program also includes Apple...

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$299 price for Nexus 5X in US now permanent, Google confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/nexus-5x-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Update: The gold color variant of the Huawei-made Google Nexus 6P has also received a $50 official price cut.Just a couple of weeks after Google slashed the price of its LG-made Nexus 5X smartphone in the US by $30, the device has received another official price cut in the country, bringing the total discount to $50.For those doing the math, the handset can now be purchased for $299 - that's the price for the 16GB model, obviously. Similarly, those looking to buy the 32GB variant will now have to shell out $349.Meanwhile, there's another deal going on for the Nexus 5X (we already told you about it yesterday), allowing you to purchase the phone at the same rate as it is being officially sold now, plus you also get a $20 Visa gift card with each purchase.Source 1...

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T-Mobile begins selling BlackBerry Priv
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-netherlands-spain-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As scheduled, the BlackBerry Priv is now available for purchase from T-Mobile in the United States. The Android-powered device is in stock at the magenta carrier's online as well as physical stores.As for the price, you can purchase it on the carrier's standard leasing program, paying $0 down followed by $30 each month for two years. Alternatively, you can also opt for T-Mobile's JUMP! On Demand program, where-in you'll have to pay $34 a month for 18 months.Purchasing the Priv outright from T-Mobile will set you back $719.99. However, before you go ahead with this option, keep in mind that BlackBerry is officially selling the unlocked unit for $699 in the...

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Lyft partners with Waze as new default app for driver directions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lyft-partner-waze/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg A new Transport SDK will bring integration for partners to use Waze's maps. Even though Waze is owned by Google, the map experience is completely different on either navigation app. This new SDK for Waze will let app-developers access maps with helpful crowd-sourced traffic information.The new SDK will provide more optimized routes for delivering packages or picking up passengers. Waze lists benefits for partners, users, and other Waze users. Partners can benefit by being able to get better routes to reach more customers in the same time.Users can wait less time for a ride, and enjoy a quicker route while the Waze community benefits from more drivers actively using the app. Waze is crowd-sourced so it relies on its regular users for its latest information on accidents, weather, road closures, and police traps.Waze believes its SDK is capable of supporting a business or company in any country where Waze has a presence, just as long as Waze finds it feasible to partner up with it.Lyft states that riders can expect the shorter wait times, quicker routes and more efficient carpool rides in the next coming weeks. Both iOS and Android Lyft apps will be updated for drivers to take advantage of the new integration, including a button that seamlessly returns from navigating maps back to Lyft to pick up another customer.Source (Waze) | Source (Lyft)|...

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G4 bootloops are caused by hardware issue, LG vows to repair affected units
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-g4-bootloop/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Many owners of the LG G4 have complained about a bootloop issue, but so far without receiving any assistance whatsoever from the Korean smartphone maker. Well, that's finally changed.LG has now acknowledged the bootloop issue, and after a thorough investigation has concluded that a hardware problem is to blame. Specifically, the bootloops are caused by a "loose contact between components".The company has vowed to fix the problem for affected devices, with no additional cost for its customers of course. It turns out that the G4 units experiencing this are not from one particular retail partner - they can be among those sold by carriers, or third-parties.LG advises people who own handsets affected by the issue to contact the carrier they purchased it from (if that's the case) or a nearby LG service center to make the necessary arrangements for repair. It's also apologized for having previously wrongly diagnosed this issue for certain...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 goes up for pre-order even though it's not official yet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-650-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last we heard anything about it, the upcoming Microsoft Lumia 650 was supposedly delayed until mid-February (from its initial launch time frame of early next month). Now though, as you wait for it to finally become official after a huge number of leaks, you can already pre-order one if you so wish.It turns out that UK-based online retailer MobileFun has the yet-unannounced handset up for pre-order. It's priced at £199, SIM-free and unlocked of course.Unfortunately the company doesn't mention a shipping date for the Lumia 650, but we assume it can't happen much later than the aforementioned mid-February time frame.The listing comes with a full spec list as you'd expect, so the phone's innards have been confirmed yet again. It has a 5-inch 720p IPS touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 1.1 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Windows 10 Mobile, naturally. It weighs...

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Apple Watch (2016) to enter mass production in Q2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-watch-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The second-generation Apple Watch is planned to enter mass production in the second quarter of the year. The information comes from sources in the upstream supply chain, cited by DigiTimes. According to the sources, Quanta Computer is going to be the sole manufacturer of the smartwatch.Originally, Apple considered splitting some of the production efforts to Foxconn Electronics but decided to keep all of the orders with Quanta. The reason is that Apple doesn't anticipate high enough sales volumes for the second-generation Apple Watch.Reportedly, the company has reduced its shipment forecast twice - once in the fourth quarter in 2015 and now, in 2016. Nevertheless, the company still hold over 50% of the smartwatch market at the end of...

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MediaTek to bring LTE to everyone with three ultra-affordable new chipsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mediatek-new-affordable-lte-chips/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The mobile market has definitely changed a lot in the past few years and while many big-name players might not appreciate the influx of new brands and increasingly more affordable offers, there seems to be no end in sight for the ongoing smartphone revolution. Nowadays, you really don't have to break the bank to get solid smartphone experience and you can buy a perfectly usable device for as little as $100.We largely have MediaTek to thank for enabling most of these amazingly priced offers with its affordable solutions and judging from the latest addition to its silicon lineup, the next wave of low-end handsets might be more impressive than ever, now with LTE support for as little as $50!The MT6738 is the cheapest of the new trio. It uses four ARM Cortex-A53 chips, clocked at 1.5 GHz and a Mali T860 MP1 GPU. Screen resolution support is capped at 720P, but there is support for up to 4GB of RAM and a 13MP camera, Of course, the biggest upgrade is the Cat.6 LTE support. The MT6750 ramps things up with a total of eight Cortex-A53 cores, four running at 1.5 GHz and the other at 1.0 GHz. The GPU is the more powerful Mali T860 MP2, but resolution is still capped at regular HD. The camera support, however, is bumped up to 16MP.Last, but not least, is the MT6750T. Its specs look practically identical to the none "T" model, except that maximum resolution is set at FullHD. Considering the GPU should be the same Mali T860 MP2, we can only assume it will be working at a higher clock-rate. The aforementioned trio of chips will be in production after the Chinese New Year, so if things move along as planned, they should start appearing in ultra-budget LTE handsets this summer.Source (in Chinese) |...

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HTC offers up to 30% off its products in the US for one day only
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-us-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has brought back its Holiday discount program, just for a day (ends on January 26 at 11:59 PT time). And yes, it is US-only again.Here's the spread: 30% off for purchases over $650 20% off over $500 10% off over $150There's a cap of $2,000 on your purchase (before shipping and taxes). It's more or less the same discount as before except the 20% and 10% thresholds have shifted.Note: the UA HealthBox is not part of this promotion. Also, while the A9 technically costs $499.99 it's counted as "over $500" for the purposes of the promotion (you see the discount in the cart).Still, an HTC One A9 goes down to $400 (from $500), the One M9 to $455 (from $650). The Nexus 9 isn't a great deal - only the 32GB Wi-Fi version is in stock (and then only the white one) and you only qualify for 10% off (last time HTC did this promo, the 20% threshold was at $400 instead).Source |...

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HTC One M10 to follow A9 design trend
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-one-m10-alive/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With MWC 2016 around the corner, the rumor mill is already exploding with info on the next wave of flagship offers, like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5. We are quite confident that the aforementioned pair will make a debut appearance soon, but there are still quite a few major flagships to wait on, one notable example being HTC.Last we heard, the Taiwanese OEM was the center of attention with its the One X9. That is all fine and dandy, but what about the flagship "M" family? Well, to cite Evan Blass, who has proven himself a worthy source of mobile info in the past, the HTC One M10, codename "Perfume" is still alive!It's ALIVE pic.twitter.com/J8zLLKh6zoÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 25, 2016The only other piece of information @evleaks shared on Twitter is a rather cryptic side note that One A9 fans should find the One M10 appealing as well. This, most likely means that the new flagship will have a similar design to its slim, metal unibody sibling. It could also suggest a similar stripped-down approach to the OEM's own Sense UI.If you like the A9, you'll love the M10.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 26, 2016From the looks of things, it appears the HTC One M10 definitely won't make it in time for MWC, so we will just have to wait on it after the event. Another rumor talks of a March release, so the wait shouldn't be too long. The One M10 is allegedly going to feature a fingerprint scanner, a 23 MP rear camera, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 at the helm, and a 3,000 mAh battery. In a first for HTC, it will also be IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. Evan Blass has also promised more info on the handset in the future, so we will be sure to keep an eye on his Twitter feed.Source 1 | Source...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 will be unveiled on February 24, Hugo Barra confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xiaomi-february-24/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's officially official folks, Xiaomi's second launch for 2016 will be the Xiaomi Mi 5 and that's happening on February 24. This has been confirmed by a Xiaomi co-founder and now by Global VP Hugo Barra and India Head Manu Kumar Jain.Both of them are promising "everything you imagined, and more," but don't give out any details on the phone itself. Leaked slides point to a 2-hour long presentation, so we will hear plenty about it, come February 24.For now, we have rumors to go on - four versions total (half with curved screen, half with flat), a Snapdragon 820 chipset, 16MP camera and other goodies.Source 1 2 |...

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Dixons Carphone to close down 11% of UK stores, merge the remainder
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/dixons-carphone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In late 2014 the UK lost Phones 4U, a well-known phone retailer. Now Dixons Carphone (a merger between Dixons and Carphone Warehouse from 2014) will close 11% of its UK stores, totaling 134 stores.That's not bad news though. The company says it has been doing this on a small scale for a while now and that experience makes it confident that the impact on sales and employee numbers will either be positive or at worst neutral.Here's the plan - PC World and Currys will merge into a single store, which will have a Carphone Warehouse section inside.Dixons Carphone will have to spend around £50 million on refitting the stores, plus £70 million on exit costs. It does expect £20 million in recurring cost savings.Source |...

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Asus Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition with Intel Z3590 chip goes official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/asus-zenfone-2-deluxe-special-intel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Asus has revealed yet another Zenfone 2 variant, this time boasting an updated Intel chipset. The refreshed Asus Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition packs an Intel Z3590 chip with quad-core CPU running at 2.5GHz. There's 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 256GB of internal storage, further expandable via the microSD card slot.The rest of the specifications remain virtually unchanged. The camera setup consists of a 13MP Pixelmaster camera on the back and a 5MP shooter on the front. A non-removable 3000mAh keeps the show running. At the front, there's a 5.5" 1080p display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection.The Asus Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition will be offered in Silver Polygon and Carbon Night, but so far we have neither a release date nor a...

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GSMArena

27-01-16, 11:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/sony-playstation-division-merge/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is no secret that Sony has been struggling on the mobile market for quite some time. But thankfully for the Japanese giant, its business extends far beyond the mobile realm and there are a lot of other company branches that are actually doing quite well. Sony's gaming business is definitely one of the leading divisions when it comes to turning a profit and it is only natural for the company to try and nurture it as best it can.In a move to strengthen the PlayStation business as a whole, Sony has decided to merge Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) - responsible for creating the console hardware and Sony Network Entertainment, which runs the PlayStation Store and Network as well as the PlayStation Vue streaming service. The new business unit is entitled Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and will begin operating on April 1. Interestingly enough, it won't inherit SCE's headquarters in Tokyo, but will rather operate out of San Mateo, California. It will be headed by president and global CEO Andrew House. He commented on the merge, saying:By integrating the strengths of PlayStation's hardware, software, content and network operations, SIE will become an even stronger entity, with a clear objective to further accelerate the growth of the PlayStation business. Along with our business partners, SIE will develop pioneering services and products that will continue to inspire consumers' imaginations and lead the market.The merger constitutes a strong effort to ensure the future of the PlayStation business and to also get one step closer to the US consumer market and understand fan needs better. Initially, PlayStation users shouldn't notice any change to the services they are using. However, it is likely that in the long run, the new Sony Interactive Entertainment division will be a lot more active than its predecessors in creating and delivering interesting new experiences.Source |...

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Alleged vivo Xplay5S benchmark listing reveals 5.5-inch QHD display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/vivo-xplay5s-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The vivo Xplay5S, which is said to be the successor to the Chinese company's Xplay3S smartphone, will be powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 820 chipset and will have 4GB of RAM. This was revealed in an Antutu listing of the device.If you recall, this is not the first time that SD820 SoC and 4GB RAM have been rumored for the Xplay5S. However, what's new here is the 5.5-inch QHD display as well as the 16MP rear and 8MP front shooters, which is a downgrade from the 6.0-inch 4K display and 21MP/12MP camera combo rumored earlier.Meanwhile, Chinese analyst Jan Jiutang says that the handset will ship with a whopping 6GB RAM, juts like the Huawei P9. It's unclear what that assumption is based on, but we'll have to wait a while longer to find out who's...

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GSMArena

28-01-16, 11:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/att-galaxy-s5-android-511/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's flagship from 2014 - the Galaxy S5 - is now available for just $260 (unlocked) in the United States. Daily Steals is selling the device at that price, with color options including white, black, and gold.The discount is on the G900A version of the handset, which is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile - those on Verizon and Sprint are out of luck. A quick look at the Daily Steals' listing for the device reveals that the deal ends in 3 days.That's a nice discount, given that third party retailers like Amazon and NewEgg are selling the same model at way higher prices - the former is selling it for around $350, while the latter has it listed starting at $300.Source | Amazon |...

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Huawei Honor Holly 2 Plus unveiled with 13MP camera, 4,000mAh battery
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor-holly2-plus-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As expected, Huawei has unveiled the Honor Holly 2 Plus, which is the successor to the Chinese company's Honor Holly from 2014. The Holly 2 Plus is powered by a 64-bit MediaTek MT6735P SoC with quad-core CPU and Mali 720 GPU, and sports a 5-inch HD IPS display.It has 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, which can be expanded up to 128GB via microSD slot. In terms of camera, the handset features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. There's a 4,000mAh battery to keep the lights on.Featuring textured design on its back and a polycarbonate body, the Holly 2 Plus offers dual-SIM functionality. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS/GLONASS, and MicroUSB. The device also supports CDMA network.Those purchasing the device will get 15 months manufacturer warranty and 30 days of display replacement for free.The phone was unveiled today at an ongoing event in the Indian capital of New Delhi. There's currently no information on its price (said to be under INR 10,000 or $145) and availability, but we'll update this post as soon as we hear something. Alongside the Holly 2 Plus, Huawei also launched the Honor 5X in...

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IDC: Samsung retains leadership in smartphone shipments for both Q4 and 2015
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/idc-q4-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung was the top smartphone vendor worldwide last quarter, capturing 21.4% of the market, up from 20% it claimed last year, according to latest data revealed by market research firm IDC.The South Korean company shipped a total of 85.6 million smartphones in Q4 2015, up from the 75.1 million figure it reported in the same quarter the year prior. On the other hand Apple, which retained its second spot, shipped 74.8 million iPhones last quarter, claiming 18.7% of the market. Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi rounded up the top five with 8.1%, 5.1%, and 4.6% share, respectively.Talking about 2015 as a whole, there wasn't any change in the rankings - Samsung was still at the top with around 325 million smartphone units shipped, followed by Apple, Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi, shipping 231.5, 106.6, 74.0, and 70.8 million units, respectively.Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei reported the strongest year-on-year growth in the top five. "Usually the conversation in the smartphone market revolves around Samsung and Apple, but Huawei's strong showing for both the quarter and the year speak to how much it has grown as an international brand," said Melissa Chau, Senior Research Manager with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker."While there is a lot of uncertainty around the economic slowdown in China, Huawei is one of the few brands from China that has successfully diversified worldwide, with almost half of its shipments going outside of China. Huawei is poised to be in a good position to hold onto a strong number 3 over the next year."Total global smartphone shipments in 2015 stood at over 1.4 billion, up 10.1% compared to...

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Gionee Elife S8 to be launched at MWC next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gionee-elifes8-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Gionee has announced that its upcoming Elife S8 flagship will be launched at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is scheduled for next month (Feb 22 - Feb 25). The handset has been the subject of little to no rumours or leaks lately.As clear from the image above, the launch event is set for the first day of MWC 2016 - February 22. The Chinese manufacturer says the device will offer "hassle-free photo-shooting features" as well as "pressure-sensitive display."In the company's words, "A new era of mobile photography has arrived and we welcome our consumers to explore this era together with joy in their hearts. We believe technology is part of our lives and we enjoy the convenience and creativity it brings. At MWC 2016, GIONEE will introduce a new member to its S series - the Elife S8, an innovative mobile device that comes with hassle-free photo-shooting features and a pressure-sensitive display."The handset's predecessor - the Elife S7 - was unveiled in March at last year's MWC. At 5.5mm, it's among the thinnest dual-SIM...

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Google Sheets, Slides, and Docs gain mobile commenting feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-apps-mobile-commenting/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has announced that the real-time collaborative commenting feature in its Sheets, Slides, and Docs productivity apps is now also available on mobile. You can now instantly add a comment using the comment bubble present on the right side of a doc.To add a new team-mate to an ongoing conversation, you just have to type their name in the comment. If the person in question doesn't have the access to the document, you'll be prompted to give them the access, following which they'll be notified about their inclusion in the conversation.The rich commenting feature is now available to users of both iOS and Android mobile operating...

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LG announces global rollout of its K10 and K4 smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lgk4k10-global-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG has announced that its newly-unveiled K10 and K4 smartphones will be launched globally this week. While the K10 is already available for purchase in the company's home country of South Korea, the K4 was recently spotted listed on LG's Russian website.LG says both handsets will be available in Europe as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region starting this week, and will be launched in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia in the weeks to come.There was, however, no word on the K7, which was unveiled alongside the K10 at this year CES and is currently available for purchase in the US from Boost Mobile as the Tribute 5."Affordable mass-tier phones with advanced features are becoming more and more important," said Juno Cho, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Our newest K Series is designed for our consumers to experience LG's premium design philosophy and optimized mobile experience across disparate smartphone...

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Samsung will update Kids Mode for a new tablet this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-kids-app-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's kids mode has been found in the past few iterations of Samsung flagship tablets and smartphones designed to let kids play with notes, voice recordings, games, and a special camera app, all without letting kids wander around your smartphone's sensitive information.According to a source, there will be a new major Kids Mode update coming to Samsung Devices later this year. Along with this information, there was a rumor of a new Kids Tab E that will be quietly launched.The Tab E Kids is rumored to come with a 1.3GHz processor, 1 and a half GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, a 7 inch screen with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution.The specs aren't out of this world, really. But the selling point of these tablets will be the software with parental controls for kids.Source |...

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T-Mobile increases its prepaid data allotments without price hikes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/tmobile-prepaid-data-increase/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg T-Mobile has been the one to disrupt the mobile industry in the US these past few years. The prepaid market space in the US, while still a great value, T-Mobile strives to provide an even greater value with its newest data hikes.T-Mobile is raising its data allotments for $40, $50, and $60 prepaid plans from 1GB, 3GB and 5GB to 3GB, 5GB and 10GB respectively.These plans also include T-Mobile's Music freedom and its new video optimizer which lowers video content's resolution to 480p in order to save data and watch up to 3 times more video with the same amount of data.If you stream a lot of music, you'll want to look into getting a prepaid plan from T-Mobile. Raising data without raising prices is another reason T-Mobile wants to give more to its customers and wants customers to love their carrier. Keep it up T-Mobile!Source |...

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Huawei Mate 8 review: Checkmate
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-mate-8/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei Mate 8 has dropped the Ascend badge, but it offers all the key pros of the Ascend Mate7 and then some. Coming a year after the Mate7, it was only expected that the Mate 8 will show maturity and address its predecessor's shortcomings, most notably the poor graphics performance and the less than stellar camera output.

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T-Mobile offering 'buy one, get one half off' deal on select Apple, Samsung, and LG phones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/tmo-bogo-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile is currently running a promotion that lets you purchase a qualified Apple, Samsung, or LG smartphone and get 50% off the second device. Appropriately dubbed Buy One Smartphone, Get One Half-Off, the promo can only be availed by making a call or heading to a local T-Mobile store.Eligible devices include the Apple iPhone 6 and above, the Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, as well as the LG G4 and V10. An important thing worth mentioning here is that the second device being purchased should be of equal or lesser value and from the same manufacturer as the first one.The Magenta carrier notes that it's a limited time offer, although it doesn't exactly specify when the promotion ends. Also, the deal is subject to the availability of...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 with S820 benchmarked, here's how it compares with the Exynos 8890 version
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/s7-att-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You've probably heard by now (how could you not) that the Samsung Galaxy S7 chipset strategy will be split again - some get the Exynos 8890, some the Snapdragon 820.Last week we saw the 8890 take a swing at the Kirin 950 (Huawei's latest and greatest), but now the AT&T version of the Galaxy S7 has passed through Geekbench 3 too, giving us an opportunity to compare both versions of the phone..jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 166px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GeekBench 3Higher is better Huawei Mate 8 (Kirin 950) 6088 Samsung Galaxy S7 (Exynos 8890) 5946 Samsung Galaxy S6 (Exynos 7420) 5215 Galaxy S7 (Snapdragon 820) 4979 Huawei Nexus 6P (Snapdragon 810) 4539 Huawei Mate S (Kirin 935) 3475The S820 chipset loses on multi-core performance (it's a quad-core), but it does win the single-core fight - 2,282 for the S820 and 1,873 for the 8890 chipsets.Keep in mind that the software is not final yet and the scores might change. The current Snapdragon 820 result is behind the old Exynos 7420 chipset and earlier benchmarks (Geekbench 3 again) showed the S820 had a small lead.The Galaxy S7 is expected to launch in the US on March 11.Source |...

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iPhone 7 Plus again tipped to come with a dual-camera setup
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-7-plus-dual-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg September is still a long way off, but rumors regarding Cupertino's next iPhone are already coming in hard. Apple analysts from KGI, like Ming-Chi Kuo have definitely proven a trustworthy source of information in the past and although they mostly deal with analytical results and speculations, predictions have often turned out true in the past. In a new memo to investors, Kuo talks of a dual rear camera setup for the iPhone 7 Plus, or at least a certain version of it.Considering Apple's track record for the past couple of years, we have every reason to believe that the company will release two variants of its handset, most-likely a 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and a 5.5-inch 7 Plus one. The rumor for a dual rear iSight camera setup concerns the bigger iPhone 7 Plus model. According to Kuo, the handset will be available with an two CIS setup, most-likely powered by LinX - a company specializing in creating ultra-compact camera sensors for slim smartphones, acquired by Apple back in 2015. The alleged setup will include two 12 MP sensors, one with optical image stabilization and a wider field of view and the other, a 2-3x telephoto lens. OIS is definitely not a novelty, but optical zoom is a whole new uncharted territory for the iPhone.The dual camera setup will surely allow for some pretty neat new features like variable focus and bokeh effects.Ming-Chi Kuo also speculates that not all the iPhone 7 Plus models will have the dual-camera setup. The option will allegedly be offered at a premium which should help reduce the production strain for the new technology - a rather common occurrence with new Apple tech. He expects that about 25% to 35% of shipped iPhone 7 Plus units will have the extra feature. To be honest that seems very hard to believe as manufacturing two different Plus versions doesn't sound like Apple at all and it will mostly likely be a case of all or none of the units get the feature....

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Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X get Â€80-Â€100 price cuts in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/nexus-eu-price-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you've been looking at the Nexus price cuts across the pond with some envy, you'll be pleased to hear Google brought them to Europe too.The Huawei Nexus 6P is now Â€100 off, putting the base 32GB version at Â€550 (down from the salty Â€650), while the top-specced 128GB version is Â€700.The LG Nexus 5X gets a Â€80 discount, so that the base 16GB version is Â€350 and the 32GB option is Â€400.This is a limited-time promotion, not a permanent discount. It ends February 12, so you still have a couple of weeks to mull it over.Note that the UK is getting a different deal - the Nexus 5X comes with a Â£20 Play Store credit and a free Chromecast. The 6P just gets 90 days of Play Music,Source 1 Â• Source...

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Huawei Mate 8 battery life endurance test [VIDEO]
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/huawei-mate-8-battery-video/-184x111/thumb.jpg Huawei Mate 8 is surely one of the hottest flagships this season and lots of people are looking forward to its performance. It has a massive 6-inch 1080p display and runs on the company's latest Kirin 950 chip. There is also a 4,000 mAh battery inside while Android Marshmallow is in charge, skinned with Emotion 4.0 UI.Our in-depth review is already in the works, and while you are waiting for it to go live on our website, we decided to give you a teaser of what's coming.The battery life test has been one of the most important chapters in our reviews and most of the people are used to checking them first hand. We've compiled a short video for the Mate 8's battery life endurance - it will shed some light on the Mate 8 features, performance and power options, battery life and how it stacks against the competitors.Enjoy!Our Huawei Mate 8 review is almost ready for publishing, so stay...

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Apple posts record quarterly figures for first quarter of 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-figures/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple announced its first quarter financial results for the financial year of 2016, which ended on December 26, 2015.The company posted record quarterly revenue of $75.9 billion and record quarterly net income or profit of $18.4 billion, the highest in the company's history. In comparison, Apple earned $74.6 billion revenue and $18 billion net income in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 66% of the quarter's revenue.In his statement, CEO Tim Cook attributed the record quarter to the strong sales of iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. He also said the growth of Apple's Service business accelerated and the company's install base crossed one billion active devices, roughly 1/7th the Earth's population.However, despite the impressive numbers, Apple's stock fell after hours, as although the company exceeded the $18.22 billion net income projected figure by analysts, it fell short of the $76.67 projected revenue...

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Lenovo Vibe X3 launched in India for $293
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/vibe-x3-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has launched its Vibe X3 smartphone in India, which will be the company's flagship device in the market. The phone will be available through Amazon for INR 19,999 ($293).The Vibe X3 puts a lot of focus on the audio quality aspect. The phone has powerful stereo speakers up front. The headphone output is handled by a premium 32-bit ESS Sabre 9018C2M DAC with 3x op-amp for music and Cirrus Logic Wolfson WM8281 for phone calls. The phone also offers Dolby Atmos effect over headphones and speakers.Otherwise, the specs are fairly run of the mill. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with microSD support, dual SIM, LTE, IR, 21 megapixel rear camera with PDAF and 4K, fingerprint sensor, 3600mAh battery, and Android 5.1 with Vibe UI.Lenovo stresses the focus is more on the experience than the specs. The phone has a metal frame with a curved back for a comfortable grip. The display has 100% NTSC color gamut coverage. The Vibe UI has been scaled back a bit and is closer to stock Android in some places. The phone also supports Lenovo's TheaterMax feature that works with the optional ANTVR headset for a bigscreen experience for your movies or games.The phone goes on sale tomorrow, January 28, on Amazon at 2PM...

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New Hangouts update lets you reply directly from message notifications
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/hangouts-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has started pushing a new update to its Hangouts for Android app that bumps the version to 7.0 and brings along new features like quick replies and conversation shortcuts on home screen, as well as some design tweaks.With the new update, the Hangouts app now lets you reply directly from within message notifications without opening the app itself, saving you time in case you need to quickly compose and send replies.Next up, the update also includes the ability to create shortcuts to conversations on the home screen. The new Save to home screen option added to the overflow menu does this trick for you.Finally, the updated app also features some design changes, replacing checkboxes with toggles and giving the sharing dialog box a more Material look. The update is currently rolling out, so it may take some time before it hits your device.Source |...

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Xiaomi Mi 4 Windows 10 variant receiving new update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mi4-win10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Windows 10 Mobile variant of Xiaomi's Mi 4 smartphone has started receiving a new firmware update, which majorly includes bug fixes as well as some improvements and enhancements.As per the change log, the update fixes various issues such as those related to alarm clock, Outlook e-mail syncing, and freezing screen. In addition, it improves the camera quality for pictures taken at close range, as well as brings along a new vibration switch button (Settings -> Extras -> vibration settings) and some battery-related optimizations.For those who aren't already aware, back in March last year, Microsoft and Xiaomi entered into an agreement to provide Windows 10 Technical Preview support on the Mi 4, following which the ROM was released last...

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Samsung Gear S2 Classic Rose Gold and Platinum now on sale in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a couple of days ago, Samsung announced the global launch of the Gear S2 Classic New Edition, with China becoming the first country where the device was released. Now, the premium Rose Gold and Platinum finish watches are on sale in the US, although not officially.Both the variants are currently listed on Amazon US, which is selling them for $450. If you compare, this is $100 more than what the regular Classic model officially costs in the US - Amazon is currently selling it for $319 though.However, what's worth mentioning here is that you won't get these new variants anytime soon as the retailer has mentioned a shipping time-frame of 1 to 2 months. A quick look at Samsung's official US website reveals that the company will officially start selling Rose Gold and Platinum models in the country sometime next month.Source 1 2...

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GSMArena

29-01-16, 11:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/swiftkey-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Popular Android keyboard SwiftKey has been updated for Android 6.0 Marshmallow.One of the major changes, something users may have been looking forward to, is the inclusion of new emoji, that were added to Android in the latest 6.0.1 update. Of course, the new emoji will only be available to those on the latest version of Android, and updating SwiftKey won't magically add them to your Lollipop or even 6.0 devices.Other changes include support for inputting currency for Russia, Argentina, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Germany, Canada & Australia, bug fixes, and performance updates.The update is now available on the Play...

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Microsoft sold only 4.5 million Lumia phones last quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/kantar-wp-august/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Only 4.5 million Lumia phones were sold by Microsoft in the last quarter of 2015, according to the company's just released Q2 fiscal 2016 earnings report. That's down from the 10.5 million figure reported in the same quarter the year prior.This translates into a drop of around 50% compared to the last quarter of 2014. Considering the latest IDC report which said that a total of around 400 million smartphones were shipped in Q4 2015, Microsoft's share comes out to be just over 1% for the quarter.Well, what to say? The numbers speak for themselves. Hopefully Q1 which will be the first where the new Lumia trio - 550, 950 and 950XL is available for the full three months will help turn things...

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Huawei sends out MWC 2016 invites
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/huawei-100million/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has sent out invites for its Mobile World Congress press conference. The event will be held at Barcelona's Montjuïc Exhibition Centre on February 21, which is a day before this year's MWC formally begins."We invite you to join Richard Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group, and other Huawei executives, for the global unveiling of Huawei's newest device at Mobile World Congress 2016," the Chinese company said in the invite. "Come see how Huawei continues to meet the demands of the next generation of mobile innovation."Sadly, no teasers were included in the invite, making it difficult to speculate about the star of the event. The company's flagship smartphone - the Mate 8 - was showcased at CES this month, and multiple reports have suggested that the upcoming P9 will be unveiled weeks after MWC.Last year's event saw Huawei unveiling the Watch. We would have placed our bet on its successor, but given the fact that the company just unveiled two new variants of the wearable at CES 2016, a second-gen Huawei Watch also seems...

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Google paid over $2 million to security researchers last year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-bugbounty-stats/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Google has released some interesting statistics related to its Vulnerability Reward Program for the year 2015. The company revealed that it paid more than $2 million to security researchers as part of the program last year.The program was launched way back in 2010, and Google has paid a total of over $6 million to researchers till now. Last year, Android joined the program in June, and by the end of 2015, researchers were paid over $200,000 for finding vulnerabilities in the mobile OS. This included the largest single payment of $37,500 to an Android security researcher.Google gave more than 750 individual rewards last year, and those were received by over 300 security researchers. For more information and statistics, head to the Source link...

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LG fixes vulnerability that affected millions of G3 devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g3-vulnerability/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has fixed a vulnerability in its G3 smartphone that researchers said could potentially allow an attacker to remotely steal sensitive data saved on the device's SD Card. An estimated 10 million G3 units are said to be vulnerable.The vulnerability is in an app called Smart Notice, which comes pre-installed on new LG G3 devices, and can be thought of as a scaled down version of Google Now, delivering you relevant information before you need it.The problem is that the app doesn't validate the data it handles, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code by manipulating the information it ferries to the user."Using the vulnerability, an attacker can easily open the user device to data theft attack, extracting private information saved on the SD Card including WhatsApp data and private images; put the user in danger of phishing attack by misleading the end-user; and enable the installation of a malicious program on the device," researchers revealed in a blog post."We informed LG, which responded quickly to notice of the vulnerability and we encourage users to immediately upgrade their application to new Smart Notice release, which contains a patch."Source (registration required) |...

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Samsung Gear S2 Classic New Edition goes up for pre-orders in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a week after it started rolling out globally, the new edition Samsung Gear S2 Classic smartwatch - which was unveiled at CES earlier this month - is now available for pre-order in the UK.Local online retailer Mobile Fun has both Rose Gold and Platinum finish variants listed on its website, offering them at a pre-order price of $570.99, which translates into around £400 at current exchange rates. No exact shipping date was specified though.Over in the US, the new models were recently spotted listed on Amazon carrying a $319 price tag and shipping time-frame of 1 to 2 months. However, the listings seem to have been taken down now.Source 1 2 |...

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Lenovo to launch a 'more innovative, more attractive' phone in US in Q3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lenovo-us-flagship/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has plans to launch what it is calling a "more innovative, more attractive" smartphone in the United Sates later this year. This was revealed Chief Executive Yuanqing Yang in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.© ChinaFotoPressThe said device will be from the Chinese company's Motorola division, Yang revealed. If you recall, Lenovo recently said that going forward, its high-end smartphones will use the Moto branding while budget devices will carry the Vibe brand.So, given the brands' popularity in the US, it'd be fair to assume that the device - which Yang said will be launched in the month of July - will be from the Moto line-up. Sadly, nothing else was revealed about the handset.Interestingly, Yang also took a jab at Apple in the interview, saying that iOS has no more room to grow in the US. "Apple already has more than 50% share in the U.S. Can you expect more? I don't think so," he said. "I think Android will take more...

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BlackBerry offering free accessories worth $99 with Priv
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/priv-free-accesories/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you are planning to purchase BlackBerry's debut Android-powered smartphone Priv, here is some good news: for a limited time, the Canadian company is offering free accessories worth $99 with the handset.The accessory bundle includes a Leather Smart Flip Case in black and Sync Pod with 1.2m USB cable. "Think of it as our way of saying 'thank you' for remaining loyal members of #TeamBlackBerry through the years," BlackBerry said in a blog post.As already mentioned, it's a limited time offer, which ends February 24 (11.59pm PST). In addition, the company is also offering deals on its Passport smartphone - head to the Source link below to learn...

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Facebook brings live video streaming to every iPhone user
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/facebook-live-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In August of 2015 Facebook unveiled its answer to Periscope and other similar apps focused on live video streaming. But up until now the social network's live video feature has been exclusive to verified celebrities.That's changing, though. From today the ability to stream live video is being rolled out to every iPhone user in the US, with an international expansion coming in the following weeks. This should also make its way to Facebook's Android app soon.You'll know you have the new feature because a new icon will show up for you in the Update Status box. And that Live Video icon is the one you need to tap to get things going. You can add a short description too, and choose who to share with before you go live.While you're broadcasting you get to see the number of live viewers, the names of friends who are watching, as well as a real-time stream of comments. When you end your live session, the recording will be available in your Timeline like any other video you've manually uploaded. Of course you'll be able to delete it if you so wish.As a viewer, you'll see such live videos in your News Feed, and while you're watching one you can hit Subscribe to get notified the next time that person does a...

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LG Pay's White Card leaks out, will be required to use the service
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-pay-card/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've known since October that LG is working on a payments service of its own, which should launch this year. However, unlike the payment solutions from Apple, Google, or Samsung, LG's entry into this field will not work through smartphones. In an odd twist, LG Pay will require a special "White Card" in order to be used.This card can be seen in the leaked shot below. Size-wise, it's very similar to a normal credit card, and it isn't much thicker either. It is different, though, as you can see. The White Card will essentially hold information from multiple actual credit cards on it - so in this regard it's not that dissimilar from Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.Marked with 1 above is a small built-in display that will show you the card you're currently using. The arrow buttons marked 2 will let you quickly switch between cards, while the pins seen at No.3 in the image will be used for charging the card. That is needed because this is after all an electronic device.LG apparently thinks older people will be more likely to use its solution rather than go with one of its competitors' smartphone-based options, especially since one can use its White Card at ATMs as well as in stores. The payment service is set to be officially unveiled at MWC next month, and for now it looks like it's only going to launch in the company's native South Korea, at least initially.LG has already pre-ordered 50,000 of these cards, and it's in active discussions with one provider for mass production of even more. Quite a few financial institutions and retailers from Korea will be involved with LG Pay, it's been revealed. And according to an unnamed representative for one of these partners, by next month most card companies in the country will have joined LG's effort.Source |...

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HTC One M10 (Perfume) has its specs outed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-m10-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of days ago famed leakster @evleaks brought us news that the upcoming HTC One M10 flagship (codenamed Perfume) would sport looks that are similar to those of the already launched One A9. And today he's at it again, but this time with a pretty complete list of the phone's most important specs. Let's dive in then.The One M10 is said to have a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen. It shall be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset as you'd expect, which will be aided by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (of which around 23GB will be user-accessible). A microSD card slot will be available too.The handset's rear camera is apparently a 12 MP UltraPixel unit, coming with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. Interestingly, the front camera is going to have OIS too. Unlike past offerings in the One line, the M10 will not have front-facing stereo speakers. However, a fingerprint scanner will be embedded in the Home button placed below the display.The One M10 will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8 on top. As previously rumored, it won't be revealed in February at MWC. Instead, HTC will schedule a dedicated event just for it at a later...

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iPad Pro can update the firmware of accessories through Smart Connector in latest iOS 9.3 beta
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/ios-93-accessory-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple sent out the second public beta of iOS 9.3 to interested testers yesterday, and already a new feature has surfaced in this release.It turns out that the iPad Pro can now update the firmware of your accessories, using the Smart Connector. Two different sources have confirmed that this already works for the Logitech Create iPad Keyboard, when attached to the iPad Pro through the tablet's Smart Connector. The update has thankfully fixed issues having to do with keyboard lag as well as missed keystrokes.The message you can see in the image above shows up, and then if you hit Update, a few minutes later the process will be complete. While it's happening, you'll see an indication of what percentage has been already achieved. Hopefully the incredibly generic update prompt captured by the screenshot above will be changed to something more specific (which will include the name of the accessory in question) before iOS 9.3 is finalized. One important thing to note is that while your accessory is being updated in this manner, you won't be able to use it at all.Source 1 Â• Source...

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Oppo has big plans for MWC, teaser reveals
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oppo-mwc-tease/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With Mobile World Congress now being less than one month away, the companies that are going to participate are starting their respective teaser campaigns for their events in Barcelona. Case in point - Oppo. The Chinese smartphone maker has not only talked about a new F1 Plus model at the launch of the F1 in India, but it's also released its first teaser for MWC.You can see that image to the left, but even more important is the PR text that accompanied it. Oppo says we should expect it to unveil a couple of big things at MWC.First off, a "groundbreaking power solution" is mentioned, obviously without any additional details that could help us discern what this might be - it is, after all, just a teaser.What's also coming in February from Oppo is "an unprecedented smartphone camera innovation". Here too the wording is vague enough that it could mean anything - software, hardware, or even a mix of the two.Clearly though the company thinks you should get excited about these innovations it plans to bring forth. Together, these are said to "offer tomorrow's consumers a reinvigorated user experience". Perhaps Oppo will elaborate on these things somewhat in subsequent teasers in the coming...

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Apple issues voluntary recall of device chargers shipped from 2003 to 2015
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/apple-charger-recall/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following in the footsteps of Microsoft, today Apple has issued its very own voluntary recall of AC wall adapters. However, in this case there seem to be a lot more units involved, because we're talking about chargers having been packed with certain Macs, iOS devices, and also as part of the company's World Travel Adapter Kit.Apple says device chargers that it's shipped with its products from 2003 to 2015 "may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched", but only "in very rare cases". There's some good news here, in that not all types of chargers are affected. The issue can manifest itself in those units designed for use in Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina, and Brazil. Not affected are the chargers shipped with Apple products sold in the US, UK, China, and Japan.The image above neatly sums up which exact models can suffer from this. And if you have such a charger, with two prong wall plug (one of the variations depicted above), then you can easily spot if yours needs replacing or not by whether it has 4 or 5 characters or no characters on the inside slot where it attaches to an Apple power adapter. The redesigned (and safe) models all have a three-letter regional code in there (EUR, KOR, AUS, ARG, or BRA depending on location).If you have one of the bad chargers, Apple will replace it with a good one for free. The procedure you need to follow for this to happen is outlined at the Source link below. You will need the serial number of your Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod in order to participate. When you have that ready, you can choose to perform the exchange at your local Apple store or online.Source |...

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Case listings confirm the existence of a new 4-inch iPhone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-6c-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It has been just a little bit over four month since Apple unveiled the iPhone 6s line, but it seems its bubble has already burst, with fans already getting excited and anxious about Cupertino's 2016 releases. September is still some time away, but rumors about the iPhone 7 have been spreading like wildfire for some time now and understandably so - it is a major update this time around, not an "S" model.There is, however, yet another rumor that has been a frequent presence in our news section, namely the possibility for a resurrection of the 4-inch form factor. The alleged device has really been shrouded in mystery, even by Apple standards, with initial rumors suggesting internals, based on the iPhone 5s platform and more recent ones talking of a more powerful iPhone 6 or 6s specs hardware. The iPhone 5se moniker has also been cited on several occasions, but today finally brings some tangible evidence of the existence of a new 4-inch iPhone. It comes in the form of a couple of case listings on MobileFun.co.uk for what is referred to as the iPhone 6C. The accessories are already available for pre-order.It might not be a lot to go by, but the name does strike up instant association with the 2013 iPhone 5c, which was indeed, one of Apple's last phones with a 4-inch display. Of course, even if we assume that the listings prove the existence on a new compact iPhone, there is still a sea of mysteries to solve, like whether or not Cupertino will go for a similar plastic design and what hardware the unit will be based on. Hopefully more info will become available in the following...

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OnePlus X will no longer require invites to purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/one-plus-x-free/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei announced on the company's official forum today that the OnePlus X will be available for purchase without invites from now on. Previously, potential customers only had "invite-free Tuesday" to get the phone.Currently, the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X are sold wihtout invites. For the OnePlus One the company needed one year to do so, while the OnePlus 2 took about four months from its launch. The OnePlux S is the quickest of the three to go invite-free in just three months. Here's what Carl Pei had to say about the milestone.We're extremely excited to be making the OnePlus X invite-free more quickly this time around. With every device we release, we grow more mature and more adept at handling the demands and expectations of our community. We largely owe our success to your unrelenting support, so we hope that this development will make the process of purchasing your very own OnePlus X as smooth and effortless as it can possibly be.As a reminder, the phone has a 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, an 8 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 801 chipset running things aided by 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,525 mAh battery. The software version employed is Android 5.1.1...

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BlackBerry Priv launched in India at a steep $923
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry finally launched the Priv in the Indian market. However, if you have been looking forward to buying this phone then you will have to come to terms with the rather steep pricing. The phone is priced at INR 62,990, which is around $923. In comparison, the phone is priced at $699 in the US, which was already considered expensive by many.BlackBerry's reasoning is that the phone comes packed with high-end specifications and that there is a market for high-end devices such as the Priv and consumers who are willing to pay a premium for premium devices. Unfortunately, even with BlackBerry's relative popularity in India, the high-end market is pretty much dominated by the iPhones, with most consumers choosing to go with Apple if they are spending over a certain amount, and Android largely being the second preference for those with less deep pockets.It remains to be seen how the combination of high price, high-end specs, Android, and BlackBerry brand work in favor of the...

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GSMArena

29-01-16, 11:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-s6-128gb-399gbp/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung Galaxy S6 has been offered in three storage flavors since its inception - 32, 64, and 128GB. Naturally, this means the bigger the memory, the higher the price. Most of the users usually opt for the 32GB, but the Galaxy S6 omits a memory expansion option, which should make you think twice before buying.Anyway, if you've considered getting a Galaxy S6 but you are still exploring your options here is new one for you. Now you can get the 128GB model of the Galaxy S6 on eBay for just Â£399.99 or Â€525. That's pretty much the base price for the 32GB model. Hit the source link for more info.The quantity available from the seller is limited, so if you like the offer you should grab one sooner rather than later.The Galaxy S7, among other next-gen top phones, should be introduced in three weeks at the MWC though, so it may be wise to postpone any flagship smartphone purchases right...

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Alleged Xiaomi Mi 5 screenshot reveals dual-SIM functionality, NFC support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mi5-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi's upcoming Mi 5 flagship smartphone will come with dual-SIM functionality as well as support for NFC. This was revealed in a screenshot - shared by chairman Lei Jun - alleged to be of the device's home screen.This isn't the first time we're hearing rumors of the Mi 5 supporting these features. If you recall, last month we reported on a document from China UnionPay that revealed the NFC functionality for the flagship. And recently, the handset was spotted listed on GearBest's website revealing support for dual-SIM.However, those were regular rumors. Given that the information this time has come directly from Xiaomi's chairman, it's all but official that the Mi 5 will include these features. And the good thing is that we won't have to wait long for these to become official, as the smartphone will be officially unveiled in just a few weeks from now.For those who aren't already aware, the Mi 5 will also be available for media preview at this year's...

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Oppo teases F1 Plus with 5.5" screen, 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oppo-f1-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After just releasing the first entry in its new "F" line, the Oppo F1, today the OEM announced that it plans to out an upgraded F1 Plus version soon. The handset should arrive this April and is said to offer a bigger 5.5" display with FullHD resolution and 4GB of RAM, compared to the smaller 5" HD panel and 3GB of memory on the F1.The announcement took place at the company's Mumbai launch event for the Oppo F1 today. The provided teaser also mentions an improved selfie experience for the Plus model. The basic F1 is already marketed as a selfie expert phone and packs an 8MP f/2.0 front snapper with a 1/4" sensor, so the Plus could potentially upgrade the front camera even further, or at least, improve the software side.Other than that, we can only assume that the F1 Plus will share the rest of the specs with its sibling, as well as most of the Oppo R7 line. This includes the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 SoC, a 13MP main shooter with f/2.2 aperture, also LTE connectivity and Dual-SIM support. Design-wise, we expect little change as well, meaning that overall the F1 Plus could be somewhat of a mirror image of the R7s, just like the F1 is to the R7 in a lot of respects.As already mentioned, the new device should go on sale in India this April for INR 26,990 or around $395, which is quite a big of a markup from the INR 15,990 (around $235) the F1 is going for.Image...

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GSMArena

30-01-16, 12:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zenwatch-pricecut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The first-generation ZenWatch from Asus has received an official price cut in the US. A quick look at the Taiwanese company's online store in the country reveals that the wearable device is now available for just $99.The model on offer is the silver/rose gold variant featuring a tan strap. Third party retailer Best Buy is also selling the same model for $99, but it's currently on back-order, with no specific shipping date mentioned.Other third party retailers are currently selling the smartwatch at much higher price - for example, Amazon US has the same model listed for $130.Source | Best Buy |...

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MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mediatek-bug/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MediaTek has officially confirmed the existence of a software bug that has put several Android devices running the company's chipsets at risk. The chip-maker says the issue in question only affects Android 4.4 KitKat devices.First reported by security researcher Justin Case earlier this month, the bug could potentially allow an attacker to enable root access on a vulnerable device. "Root user could do many things, such as access data normally protected from the user/ other apps, or brick the phone, or spy on the user, monitor communications etc," Case said.For its part, MediaTek explained that the vulnerability stems from a debug feature that the chip-maker said smartphone manufacturers should have disabled before shipping the devices."We are aware of this issue and it has been reviewed by MediaTek's security team. It was mainly found in devices running Android 4.4 KitKat, due to a de-bug feature created for telecommunication inter-operability testing in China," a MediaTek spokesperson said."After testing, phone manufacturers should disable the de-bug feature before shipping smartphones. However, after investigation, we found that a few phone manufacturers didn't disable the feature, resulting in this potential security issue."MediaTek, however, didn't provide anymore details, just saying that the issue affects "a portion of devices" from "certain manufacturers," and adding that it has alerted all manufacturers about the feature.Source |...

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BLU Vivo XL now available for purchase; company offers limited-time $50 rebate
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blu-vivoxl-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Announced earlier this month during this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the BLU Vivo XL is now available for purchase in the US. "Celebrating the availability" of the device, BLU is offering an immediate $50 rebate to those purchasing the handset.This means that the Vivo XL will set you back $99, down from its regular price of $149. The phone is available exclusively at Best Buy (online as well as physical stores), which has both gold and blue variants in stock.The offer is only available for the first 3 days of the device's availability, meaning it ends Sunday, January 31.Source | Best...

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New Google Calendar update brings smart suggestions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-cal-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has pushed out a new update to its Calendar app. The update brings along a new 'smart suggestions' feature that the company claims lets you quickly create events."When you begin typing an event title, you'll see matching suggestions―choose one or keep typing," Google explained in a blog post. Tapping "at..." lets you add a location to your event and later get directions.Similarly, tapping "with..." allows you to add people to your event - you can call or message them from the event, but can't send them an invite. Finally, tapping "on." lets you specify the date, time and duration of the event.The update - which also brings support for 30 new languages - is available on both Android and...

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Sprint HTC One M8 Marshmallow update imminent
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-onem8-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are on Sprint and own an HTC One M8 or its special Harman Kardon edition, here is some good news: the carrier has announced the roll-out of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the handset, and it should begin anytime now.Sprint HTC One M8 / M8 HK Owners! Great news, we have received technical approval on the Marshmallow OS update! OTA will start tonight! Thx!Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 29, 2016As usual, the announcement was made by HTC's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter. He said that they have received technical approval for the update and the OTA roll-out will begin tonight (US time).This comes around a couple of months after the Taiwanese company started rolling out the Android 6.0 update to unlocked M8 units in the US. At that time, it was said that the carrier versions will get the update "as soon as possible."If you aren't already aware, Sprint's HTC One A9 has just started receiving the Android 6.0.1...

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LG hints its G5 will have a removable battery while poking fun at Samsung
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-tweets-at-samsung/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Many users were upset when Samsung decided to discontinue a removable battery design and we hope LG does not go the same direction as Samsung as LG is one of the few phone makers that still design its smartphones with hot-swappable batteries.Samsung posted a picture of a Galaxy S6 edge+ with a caption stating that it can charge from 0-to-full in 90 minutes. Then LG USA replied with "Go from zero to full instantly with a removable battery" LG also includes a link to its LG V10 product page.@SamsungMobile Go from zero to full instantly with a removable battery: https://t.co/xBcf65TGno #LGV10Â— LG USA Mobile (@LGUSAMobile) January 27, 2016This jab at Samsung could indicate that LG still plans to keep designing phones with a removable battery. Specifically, the LG G5 could feature a removable battery.It's funny to think just a couple short years ago, Samsung used to boast its removable battery when a film crew took the Galaxy S5 on a trip from the East Coast to the West Coast.The battery lasted all the way across the country with a combination of texts, phone calls, photos and lots of time in Ultra Power Save Mode. Once the battery died, a crew member swapped the battery and had a full charge all over again.The LG G5 is rumored to have a 16MP and 8MP camera on the rear and front, respectively, a USB Type-C port, a 5.6 inch QHD display, and a Snapdragon 820 chipset.The LG G5 is expected to be announced on February 21 at Mobile World Congress in Spain this year.Source |...

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Xiaomi Redmi 3 review: Precious little one
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-redmi-3/-347x151/thumb.jpg Xiaomi Redmi 3 is not your usual budget smartphone. The word budget is hardly a good match for an aluminum unibody, a 5" IPS display, a powerful octa-core processor, a 13MP camera, and a beefy 4,100 mAh battery. And yet, here we are. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 may be cheap in price but it does not skimp on features...

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Sprint's HTC One A9 is now getting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/sprint-htc-a9-android-601/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC clearly wants to set a good example in the way it's dealing with software updates for the One A9. Perhaps the company got "inspired" by Apple in more ways than just the handset's looks.The update to Android 6.0.1 is already out for the A9 units that have been sold unlocked, and now it's time for the same software to roll out to devices bought from Sprint.The carrier has announced the release of software version 1.57.651.1 for the One A9. This brings with it the 6.0.1 iteration of Android (which includes many new emojis), but also battery life improvements, enhanced camera features, the addition of Wi-Fi calling functionality, as well as some "system enhancements".The over-the-air update should already be on its way, but if your phone hasn't yet notified you about it, just be patient as these things are generally staged and can take a few days to make it to all devices out there. If you're impatient, you can head to the Source link below and download the 1.86GB RUU file which will load the software on your handset through your PC (if you have HTC Sync Manager installed).Source |...

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ZTE Grand X 3 is now available in the US from Cricket
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zte-grand-x-3-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At CES this year ZTE took the wraps off the Grand X 3, an entry level smartphone, and now this is already available to purchase in the US.You'll have to get it from Cricket, though, as that's the only carrier currently offering it. The Grand X 3 is priced at just $79.99 if you bring your number from another carrier, or $129.99 if you don't. Keep in mind however that this is a prepaid carrier, so these prices don't come with a two-year contract attached or anything like that. The phone is already up for grabs on Cricket's website.The ZTE Grand X 3 comes with a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2 MP Selfie cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 chipset (with a 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G, and a 3,080 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 tipped to land in Europe on March 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy S7 smartphone will begin rolling out in Europe on March 11. This was revealed by leakster @ShaiMizrachi, who has provided some credible information in the past.Mark your calendar: the first European rollout for #GalaxyS7 family starts on 11/3 pic.twitter.com/TdhtJIJ2dDÂ— Shai Mizrachi (@ShaiMizrachi) January 29, 2016If the date turns out to be correct, it'd be a simultaneous global roll-out for the flagship given that just last week reliable leakster ‏@evleaks revealed the same date for the device's US launch, and not to mention that leaked China Mobile slide from last month that revealed March launch for the Asian country.For those who aren't already aware, the handset - which has already been the subject of a bucket load of rumors and leaks until now - is expected to be unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is set for next month (February 22 - February 25).Source |...

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Galaxy S7 to last for 17 hours of video playback at full brightness
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-s7-17-hours-video/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin has been the source of quite a few notorious leaks in the past, and most of his posts used to be ranked with high credibility. After Nokia's demise though his reports became controversial at best.Still, a good rumor is always worth reporting, so here is a new hot one concerning the upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship. According to the Russian blogger the Samsung Galaxy S7 will be capable of playing videos at maximum brightness for more than 17 hours. If true, this will surely rank the Galaxy S7 among the best in its class.The Galaxy S7 is rumored to run on the Samsung's latest in-house chipset - the Exynos 8890 with 4GB RAM. The new SoC is going to be company's first to use custom CPU cores instead of regular Cortexes. According to a recent infographic by Samsung, the new processor will provide 30% faster performance and 10% better energy efficiency compared to the one used within the Exynos 7420 (Galaxy S6 series).The Galaxy S7 is expected to premiere this February at the MWC expo in Barcelona. It may come in two models - one with the Snapdragon 820 beast and one with Samsung's Exynos 8890 chip. We'll get more details soon...

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Oppo F1 Plus image shows it differs in scale, not design
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/oppo-f1-plus-image/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg We have an image of the Oppo F1 Plus, but you'll have to trust us on this. Mostly because the phone looks exactly like the smaller F1.That's no surprise, the same design has also been used for the A53 and R7/R7s/R7 lite (but not the R7 Plus).In case you've missed it, the Oppo F1 Plus will be a bigger version of the camera-focused F1. The screen will grow from 5" to 5.5" (with resolution getting a bump to 1080p). You get an extra gig of RAM too.Oppo F1 PlusThe F1 Plus is expected to launch in India this April for INR 27,000 ($395), a massive jump over the INR 16,000 price of the regular F1. And you still get a 13MP camera and Snapdragon 616 chipset.Oppo has so far only teased the F1 Plus so maybe it has an ace up its sleeve. An INR 11,000...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) specs confirmed from kernel source code
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-galaxy-j7-kernel-sources/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After updating its "A" line for 2016, Samsung appears to be moving on to its budget "J" family. The Galaxy J1 (2016) is already here, well, at least in Dubai, while the J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) are expected shortly. The latter's existence now looks to be proven even further by some kernel sources, unearthed by one of our readers. The code was spotted alongside recently published kernel sources for the Galaxy A9 and talks of a device, codenamed "j7xlte".Conveniently enough, the code also holds clues to most of the phone's specs. The Galaxy J7 (2016) will be equipped with a FullHD panel, probably a 5.5-inch one, judging by a previous GFXBench leak. Super AMOLED is naturally expected, but if you want, you can try and find more details for yourself using the model number - ss_dsi_panel_S6E3FA3_AMS549JR01_FHD. The new J7 will be powered by a Snapdragon 650 SoC (previously known as the SD 618). There is no mention of memory in the code, but we expect 3GB of RAM. The main camera looks to be a 13MP model with the Samsung S5K3L2XX sensor. The front shooter is reported as a 5MP one with a Samsung S5K5E3YX sensor, 1.1µm pixels, paired with a 23mm f/2.2 lens.Interestingly enough, there are hints of a fingerprint reader on the Galaxy J7 (2016), which would definitely be a wonderful upgrade to the budget line. The rest of the known specs include a microSD card slot and a 4,300 mAh battery.Thanks for the tip Louis...

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Isaac Mizrahi-designed HP smartwatch has classic looks, hidden OLED display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/hp-isaac-mizrahi-smartwatch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HP has added another name to its revolving door of fashion designers who add the looks to the company's smartwatch brains. This one is done by Isaac Mizrahi. And sorry, guys, this one is ladies only.The watch is all form over function - a classic analog movement hides a small OLED display, normally invisible under the mirrored watch face. This isn't an Android Wear timepiece, you get a more limited set of text notifications and fitness tracking functions.HP Isaac Mizrahi smartwatchThe watch features a 42mm gold-plated or stainless steel case with Swarovski crystals around its bezel. Mineral glass and 3atm water resistance make this much tougher than most smartwatches. The watch bands are easily exchanged to customize the look.Also, the watch movement is independent from the smart features, which have 5 days of battery life. You can connect to an Android phone (4.4+) or an iPhone (iOS 8+) over Bluetooth.You can snag one for $250 (both color options cost the same). Additional leather watch bands will cost $40 (not available yet).Source |...

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Microsoft sold only 4.5 million Lumia phones last quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/kantar-wp-august/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Only 4.5 million Lumia phones were sold by Microsoft in the last quarter of 2015, according to the company's just released Q2 fiscal 2016 earnings report. That's down from the 10.5 million figure reported in the same quarter the year prior.This translates into a drop of around 50% compared to the last quarter of 2014. Considering the latest IDC report which said that a total of around 400 million smartphones were shipped in Q4 2015, Microsoft's share comes out to be just over 1% for the quarter.Well, what to say? The numbers speak for themselves. Hopefully Q1 which will be the first where the new Lumia trio - 550, 950 and 950XL is available for the full three months will help turn things...

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Huawei sends out MWC 2016 invites
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/huawei-100million/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has sent out invites for its Mobile World Congress press conference. The event will be held at Barcelona's Montjuïc Exhibition Centre on February 21, which is a day before this year's MWC formally begins."We invite you to join Richard Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group, and other Huawei executives, for the global unveiling of Huawei's newest device at Mobile World Congress 2016," the Chinese company said in the invite. "Come see how Huawei continues to meet the demands of the next generation of mobile innovation."Sadly, no teasers were included in the invite, making it difficult to speculate about the star of the event. The company's flagship smartphone - the Mate 8 - was showcased at CES this month, and multiple reports have suggested that the upcoming P9 will be unveiled weeks after MWC.Last year's event saw Huawei unveiling the Watch. We would have placed our bet on its successor, but given the fact that the company just unveiled two new variants of the wearable at CES 2016, a second-gen Huawei Watch also seems...

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Google paid over $2 million to security researchers last year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-bugbounty-stats/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Google has released some interesting statistics related to its Vulnerability Reward Program for the year 2015. The company revealed that it paid more than $2 million to security researchers as part of the program last year.The program was launched way back in 2010, and Google has paid a total of over $6 million to researchers till now. Last year, Android joined the program in June, and by the end of 2015, researchers were paid over $200,000 for finding vulnerabilities in the mobile OS. This included the largest single payment of $37,500 to an Android security researcher.Google gave more than 750 individual rewards last year, and those were received by over 300 security researchers. For more information and statistics, head to the Source link...

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LG fixes vulnerability that affected millions of G3 devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g3-vulnerability/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has fixed a vulnerability in its G3 smartphone that researchers said could potentially allow an attacker to remotely steal sensitive data saved on the device's SD Card. An estimated 10 million G3 units are said to be vulnerable.The vulnerability is in an app called Smart Notice, which comes pre-installed on new LG G3 devices, and can be thought of as a scaled down version of Google Now, delivering you relevant information before you need it.The problem is that the app doesn't validate the data it handles, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code by manipulating the information it ferries to the user."Using the vulnerability, an attacker can easily open the user device to data theft attack, extracting private information saved on the SD Card including WhatsApp data and private images; put the user in danger of phishing attack by misleading the end-user; and enable the installation of a malicious program on the device," researchers revealed in a blog post."We informed LG, which responded quickly to notice of the vulnerability and we encourage users to immediately upgrade their application to new Smart Notice release, which contains a patch."Source (registration required) |...

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Samsung Gear S2 Classic New Edition goes up for pre-orders in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gear-s2-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a week after it started rolling out globally, the new edition Samsung Gear S2 Classic smartwatch - which was unveiled at CES earlier this month - is now available for pre-order in the UK.Local online retailer Mobile Fun has both Rose Gold and Platinum finish variants listed on its website, offering them at a pre-order price of $570.99, which translates into around £400 at current exchange rates. No exact shipping date was specified though.Over in the US, the new models were recently spotted listed on Amazon carrying a $319 price tag and shipping time-frame of 1 to 2 months. However, the listings seem to have been taken down now.Source 1 2 |...

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GSMArena

31-01-16, 12:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/poll-results-tri-platform/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A winner among droids, and now a winner among platforms - we give you the Galaxy Note5. Samsung's latest in a line that started the whole phablet trend captivated the most of our readers in yet another poll this week. This time around the Note5 gathered more than half of the total votes for an uncontested 51% win.In a more curious turn of events, the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL came in second, 5 points ahead of the iPhone 6s Plus. Persisting anti-Windows rants about lack of apps and the OS being bug-infested don't seem to have affected the Lumia's image in the eyes of loyal fans.The iPhone 6s Plus has to settle for third place in our poll, which in all likelihood will mean zero to the company. After all, the most recent financial report out of Cupertino cited quarterly records in both revenue and profit, which isn't something Microsoft's smartphone division can brag...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple's iPhone 6s returns to our weekly Top 10 trending chart after being absent for more than a month, leaving it to the iPhone 5s to defend the company's honor. Defend it it did, and is also present this week, the two-generations-old model in 8th, while the current one is in 10th.In between them is the Samsung Galaxy Note5, a spot down from last week. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 has dropped 3 places, and we're finding it in 7th, but the smaller non-Note Redmi 3 has dropped off the Top 10 altogether.Climbing up the chart, it's a Samsung Galaxy fest, with the Grand Prime in 6th, one up compared to week 3. The J2 is in 5th, while the S6 is the one that's made the most progress - from 9th to 4th.The Galaxy J5 is in third and the J7 is this week's runner-up - we're used to seeing the two together, but the J7 used to hold the crown for a long time, only not since week 2. The Lenovo K4 Note showed up and pushed the J's off the top and seems to set on staying there for a while..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }#review-body .news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom;}.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;}.flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important;}.flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7;}.flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important;}.flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47;}.flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important;}.n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100;}.n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px;}.circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent;}.arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent;} Lenovo Vibe K4 Note RANK: 1WAS: 1 specs gallery Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 2WAS: 2 specs review Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 3WAS: 3 specs review Samsung Galaxy S6 RANK: 4WAS: 9 specs review Samsung Galaxy J2 RANK: 5WAS: 6 specs review Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime RANK: 6WAS: 7 specs review Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek) RANK: 7WAS: 4 specs review Apple iPhone 5s RANK: 8WAS: 10 specs review Samsung Galaxy Note5 RANK: 9WAS: 8 specs review Apple iPhone 6s RANK: 10NEW IN specs...

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Microsoft promises it will address the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 power issues ASAP
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/microsoft-surface-pro-4-book-sleep-issues/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft is still under a lot of heat concerning the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4. This time around, users are justifiably complaining about an improper sleep function on the devices, along with a few other battery management issues that ultimately lead to poor power performance. Sadly, this is far from the first issues that was found to plague the high-end hybrid devices and similar topics have been exploding on the support forum ever since the pair was announced in October 2015.If you don't recall, at a Microsoft even on October 8 2015, the Surface Pro 4 was unveiled as the bigger brother to the Surface Pro 3 and the US giant also endeavored to take things to the next level with its powerful 13-inch tablet-pc crossover device, dubbed the Surface Book. At the time, both seemed like really amazing products with lots of potential, which even managed to justify the eye-watering price tags for some users.Since then, however, many of the early adopters have been dreading the purchase, or at least that is what a quick browse through the support forum led us to believe. It appears both models might have been outed a little prematurely, with a few notable issues reaching end users. Both exhibited a rather annoying flickering issue and a lot of power problems, one of which has become known as the infamous sleep issue we already mentioned. Yesterday, Microsoft outed a new update which is said to offer: .refinements to improve battery charging and thermal tuning, wireless and Bluetooth performance, and to the detach-reattach experience on Surface Book.However, the elephant in the room was still not addressed. It is at least reassuring that the bug was acknowledged, but currently disgruntle users have only a promise to hang on to: We know some of you are still experiencing issues, including issues related to power management, and we are working to address those as quickly as possible. We'll publish additional updates as soon as they are ready. Interestingly enough, there are also rumors circulating that the issue lies within the Intel Skylake processor, which could mean that other non-Surface devices are prone to the bug as well. We will be sure to keep a close eye on the matter in hopes that a speedy resolution will be found and that this will be the last unfortunate set of bugs the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book experience.Source |...

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S6 and S6 edge get Marshmallow update in South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/s6-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update for the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge in South Korea.The final version comes out after a brief beta test where users had to sign up to receive the beta build.Looking at screenshots by SamMobile, the update brings some minor UI changes, such as the updated notification menu and power menu, along with the usual under the hood changes, such as enabling the fingerprint sensor to work in third party apps.The update should eventually make its way outside of South Korea, and also to other Samsung...

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The Bluboo Xfire 2 comes with a metal body and fingerprint reader for $60
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/bluboo-xfire-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As with any other great tech advancement in history, smartphones have developed rapidly from luxury to a necessity and as such are constantly becoming more and more affordable. OEMs, especially those operation out of China are always pushing the envelope on what is possible on a shoestring budget and it is an undeniable fact that you can now get a decent mid-range Android device from a major brand for around $200 and enjoy a modern Android experience.But what if you want to go cheaper still? A quick search online revels that you could opt for a no-brand device or a very outdated one for as little as $40. Blueboo's latest model, the Xfire 2 definitely goes one step beyond. We don't typically dip our foot into the vast sear of obscure Chinese brands, but this one is definitely an eye-catcher, at least on paper that is. For $59.99, the handset offers a metal unibody design, with a nice-looking arc and even complete with a 2.5D glass and a back-mounted fingerprint reader.That is definitely great value. The rest of the specs sheet is also decent with a 5-inch HD panel and powered by an MTK6580 quad-core processor and Mali 400 GPU. Memory is set at 1GB for RAM and 8GB for internal storage, but there is also a microSD card slot for up to 32GB more. The camera setup includes a 5MP main shooter with AF and a single LED flash and on the front there is a 2MP unit, which it also has an LED flash of its own. Powering the show is a 2150 mAh battery and the Xfire 2 boots Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, so you are really getting an up-to-date experience for your buck.The only real, obvious, downside of the Bluboo Xfire 2 specs-wise is the Lack of 4G LTE, but perhaps such handsets will also become reality in the sub $100 price range soon, thanks to MediaTek's latest line of ultra-affordable chips. According to the manufacturer's website, the Bluboo Xfire 2 is currently in pre-sale for the special price, which will later be raised to $69.99, still an amazing value. Both GearBest and Geekbuying currently have the dual-SIM variant listed for $73.86 and $79.99, respectively and shipments are expected to begin in February.Source |...

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Google adds a Watch Later button to YouTube notifications on Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/youtube-android-watch-later-notification/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is a well-known fact that the best technology is the one that goes unnoticed, in other words, things that simply work and you feel like they are just the most natural thing ever and have always been. Amidst all the largescale and revolutionary work Google is doing in most every perceivable field of technology, the online giant still puts a lot of value in supporting its products with tiny details that polish them to perfection over time.Now, don't get us wrong, even Google isn't without error and there are plenty of blunders to go around, but it definitely makes us smile when we learn about the little things the team made time to introduce to the user experience. The Calendar app on both Android and iOS, just got an update with real-time text suggestions and now, the YouTube app for Android also has a new feature.It also fits into the hard to spot category perfectly, so much so, that you either have to be involved with YouTube's Android team on be really, really diligent in sifting through your notifications to spot it. The feature is a new "Watch Later" button, added to YouTube notifications for new video uploads. If you don't recall, back in the summer of 2015, YouTube added the convenient feature that allows users to subscribe for new upload notifications per channel. It is a pretty good idea, but up until recently, you could only tap on the notification to watch the video instantly or swipe it away and probably forget about it.The new style of actionable notification was noticed by fans and it appears is not tied to any app update, but is rather a server-side deal. The other action slot is filled with a quick link to potentially unsubscribe from the feed for the particular channel - also convenient. If you haven't started getting the new style of notifications yet, you will probably notice the change when the next one comes along, now that you know what to look...

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Sony Xperia M5 and M5 Dual getting Android 5.1 update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xperiam5-lollipop-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony has started rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to both Xperia M5 and M5 Dual smartphones. The update also includes Android security patch for the month of January.Weighing in at around 600MB, the new update bumps the M5's build number to 30.1.A.1.33, and that of the dual-sim variant to 30.1.B.1.33. It brings along the ability to take pictures from the camera using the SmartWatch 3, as well as improvements related to volume and silent mode control.For those who aren't already aware, the M5 will land in Europe in February - it's currently up for pre-order in the UK, with shipments beginning February...

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Snapchat is aiming for sports fans with live score overlays for NBA games
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/snapchat-live-score-filters/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Snapchat is one of those odd social app experiments that often confuse their very own user base, let alone newcomers. What started out as a fairly clever "no traces left behind" picture chat, has since exploded into a wild mess of often puzzling user content, specially crafted multimedia experiences within the Discover feature, as well as, more recently, a sprawling video sharing community. Amidst all this, there seems to be only one unifying trend - striving for revenue and lots of it. Be it from paid ad content, or sponsored video "lenses" or even paid replays of snaps, Snapchat has been doing everything in its power to back up estimates for the company's enormous market value.Now, it seems, the playful white ghost has shifted its priorities towards sports fans and is striving to become the de facto social platform for sharing sports events and experiences. The newest effort to this end is a special score filter made available to users attending certain NBA contests. The overlay provides live scores for the game you are currently at. The feature is available at every NBA arena and some other matches.It might sound like an incredibly silly concept, but, oddly enough, it appears to be working. Just last week, Live Score geofilters saw 20 million views, gathered on content from 51 NBA games. At this point, we can't decide if the Snapchat team is just incredibly lucky, or full of brilliant social experts, as this new feature could very well open the way to a whole new stream or ad revenue.And Basketball is not the only sport Snapchat is going after. It has been working with NFL to produce Live Story compilations for major games, as well as to offer fans the aforementioned Live Score filters. And with the US Super Bowl coming up, it is anybody's guess just how far Snapchat will manage to take its new...

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Huawei officially announces January 31 launch for Honor 5X in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor5x-us-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier this month, Huawei announced that the Honor 5X will be launched in the US at the end of this month. So, we were already expecting it to go on sale around January 31. Now, the company has officially announced the launch date.Yes, the device will be available for purchase in the US starting January 31. You'll be able to grab it online at HiHonor, Amazon.com and Newegg.com. As already announced, it will carry a price tag of $200, and will be available in gold, silver, and grey color options.For those in Europe waiting for the Honor 5X, the phone is expected to land there next week - on February...

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MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mediatek-bug/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MediaTek has officially confirmed the existence of a software bug that has put several Android devices running the company's chipsets at risk. The chip-maker says the issue in question only affects Android 4.4 KitKat devices.First reported by security researcher Justin Case earlier this month, the bug could potentially allow an attacker to enable root access on a vulnerable device. "Root user could do many things, such as access data normally protected from the user/ other apps, or brick the phone, or spy on the user, monitor communications etc," Case said.For its part, MediaTek explained that the vulnerability stems from a debug feature that the chip-maker said smartphone manufacturers should have disabled before shipping the devices."We are aware of this issue and it has been reviewed by MediaTek's security team. It was mainly found in devices running Android 4.4 KitKat, due to a de-bug feature created for telecommunication inter-operability testing in China," a MediaTek spokesperson said."After testing, phone manufacturers should disable the de-bug feature before shipping smartphones. However, after investigation, we found that a few phone manufacturers didn't disable the feature, resulting in this potential security issue."MediaTek, however, didn't provide anymore details, just saying that the issue affects "a portion of devices" from "certain manufacturers," and adding that it has alerted all manufacturers about the feature.Source |...

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BLU Vivo XL now available for purchase; company offers limited-time $50 rebate
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blu-vivoxl-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Announced earlier this month during this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the BLU Vivo XL is now available for purchase in the US. "Celebrating the availability" of the device, BLU is offering an immediate $50 rebate to those purchasing the handset.This means that the Vivo XL will set you back $99, down from its regular price of $149. The phone is available exclusively at Best Buy (online as well as physical stores), which has both gold and blue variants in stock.The offer is only available for the first 3 days of the device's availability, meaning it ends Sunday, January 31.Source | Best...

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New Google Calendar update brings smart suggestions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/google-cal-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has pushed out a new update to its Calendar app. The update brings along a new 'smart suggestions' feature that the company claims lets you quickly create events."When you begin typing an event title, you'll see matching suggestions―choose one or keep typing," Google explained in a blog post. Tapping "at..." lets you add a location to your event and later get directions.Similarly, tapping "with..." allows you to add people to your event - you can call or message them from the event, but can't send them an invite. Finally, tapping "on." lets you specify the date, time and duration of the event.The update - which also brings support for 30 new languages - is available on both Android and...

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Sprint HTC One M8 Marshmallow update imminent
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-onem8-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are on Sprint and own an HTC One M8 or its special Harman Kardon edition, here is some good news: the carrier has announced the roll-out of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the handset, and it should begin anytime now.Sprint HTC One M8 / M8 HK Owners! Great news, we have received technical approval on the Marshmallow OS update! OTA will start tonight! Thx!Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 29, 2016As usual, the announcement was made by HTC's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter. He said that they have received technical approval for the update and the OTA roll-out will begin tonight (US time).This comes around a couple of months after the Taiwanese company started rolling out the Android 6.0 update to unlocked M8 units in the US. At that time, it was said that the carrier versions will get the update "as soon as possible."If you aren't already aware, Sprint's HTC One A9 has just started receiving the Android 6.0.1...

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LG hints its G5 will have a removable battery while poking fun at Samsung
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-tweets-at-samsung/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Many users were upset when Samsung decided to discontinue a removable battery design and we hope LG does not go the same direction as Samsung as LG is one of the few phone makers that still design its smartphones with hot-swappable batteries.Samsung posted a picture of a Galaxy S6 edge+ with a caption stating that it can charge from 0-to-full in 90 minutes. Then LG USA replied with "Go from zero to full instantly with a removable battery" LG also includes a link to its LG V10 product page.@SamsungMobile Go from zero to full instantly with a removable battery: https://t.co/xBcf65TGno #LGV10Â— LG USA Mobile (@LGUSAMobile) January 27, 2016This jab at Samsung could indicate that LG still plans to keep designing phones with a removable battery. Specifically, the LG G5 could feature a removable battery.It's funny to think just a couple short years ago, Samsung used to boast its removable battery when a film crew took the Galaxy S5 on a trip from the East Coast to the West Coast.The battery lasted all the way across the country with a combination of texts, phone calls, photos and lots of time in Ultra Power Save Mode. Once the battery died, a crew member swapped the battery and had a full charge all over again.The LG G5 is rumored to have a 16MP and 8MP camera on the rear and front, respectively, a USB Type-C port, a 5.6 inch QHD display, and a Snapdragon 820 chipset.The LG G5 is expected to be announced on February 21 at Mobile World Congress in Spain this year.Source |...

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GSMArena

31-01-16, 12:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-redmi-3/-347x151/thumb.jpg Xiaomi Redmi 3 is not your usual budget smartphone. The word budget is hardly a good match for an aluminum unibody, a 5" IPS display, a powerful octa-core processor, a 13MP camera, and a beefy 4,100 mAh battery. And yet, here we are. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 may be cheap in price but it does not skimp on features...

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Sprint's HTC One A9 is now getting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/sprint-htc-a9-android-601/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC clearly wants to set a good example in the way it's dealing with software updates for the One A9. Perhaps the company got "inspired" by Apple in more ways than just the handset's looks.The update to Android 6.0.1 is already out for the A9 units that have been sold unlocked, and now it's time for the same software to roll out to devices bought from Sprint.The carrier has announced the release of software version 1.57.651.1 for the One A9. This brings with it the 6.0.1 iteration of Android (which includes many new emojis), but also battery life improvements, enhanced camera features, the addition of Wi-Fi calling functionality, as well as some "system enhancements".The over-the-air update should already be on its way, but if your phone hasn't yet notified you about it, just be patient as these things are generally staged and can take a few days to make it to all devices out there. If you're impatient, you can head to the Source link below and download the 1.86GB RUU file which will load the software on your handset through your PC (if you have HTC Sync Manager installed).Source |...

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ZTE Grand X 3 is now available in the US from Cricket
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zte-grand-x-3-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At CES this year ZTE took the wraps off the Grand X 3, an entry level smartphone, and now this is already available to purchase in the US.You'll have to get it from Cricket, though, as that's the only carrier currently offering it. The Grand X 3 is priced at just $79.99 if you bring your number from another carrier, or $129.99 if you don't. Keep in mind however that this is a prepaid carrier, so these prices don't come with a two-year contract attached or anything like that. The phone is already up for grabs on Cricket's website.The ZTE Grand X 3 comes with a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2 MP Selfie cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 chipset (with a 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G, and a 3,080 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 tipped to land in Europe on March 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy S7 smartphone will begin rolling out in Europe on March 11. This was revealed by leakster @ShaiMizrachi, who has provided some credible information in the past.Mark your calendar: the first European rollout for #GalaxyS7 family starts on 11/3 pic.twitter.com/TdhtJIJ2dDÂ— Shai Mizrachi (@ShaiMizrachi) January 29, 2016If the date turns out to be correct, it'd be a simultaneous global roll-out for the flagship given that just last week reliable leakster ‏@evleaks revealed the same date for the device's US launch, and not to mention that leaked China Mobile slide from last month that revealed March launch for the Asian country.For those who aren't already aware, the handset - which has already been the subject of a bucket load of rumors and leaks until now - is expected to be unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is set for next month (February 22 - February 25).Source |...

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Galaxy S7 to last for 17 hours of video playback at full brightness
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-s7-17-hours-video/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin has been the source of quite a few notorious leaks in the past, and most of his posts used to be ranked with high credibility. After Nokia's demise though his reports became controversial at best.Still, a good rumor is always worth reporting, so here is a new hot one concerning the upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship. According to the Russian blogger the Samsung Galaxy S7 will be capable of playing videos at maximum brightness for more than 17 hours. If true, this will surely rank the Galaxy S7 among the best in its class.The Galaxy S7 is rumored to run on the Samsung's latest in-house chipset - the Exynos 8890 with 4GB RAM. The new SoC is going to be company's first to use custom CPU cores instead of regular Cortexes. According to a recent infographic by Samsung, the new processor will provide 30% faster performance and 10% better energy efficiency compared to the one used within the Exynos 7420 (Galaxy S6 series).The Galaxy S7 is expected to premiere this February at the MWC expo in Barcelona. It may come in two models - one with the Snapdragon 820 beast and one with Samsung's Exynos 8890 chip. We'll get more details soon...

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GSMArena

01-02-16, 12:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/galaxy-s7-february/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Although there have already been reports that Samsung's Galaxy S7 flagship smartphone will land in China sometime in March, we're yet to hear any confirmation on this. Now we have some sort of unofficial data pointing that way as three variants of the device have recently cleared China Compulsory Certification (3C).The said variants carry model numbers of SM-G9308, SM-G9300, and SM-G9350 - while the first two are Galaxy S7 models, the third one is Galaxy S7 edge. All three feature support for fast charging at 9V 1.67A and 5V 2A.Sadly, as is the case usually, nothing else was revealed by the 3C listings. However, we're hopeful that detailed specs will be revealed when the models pass through China's TENAA agency.In case you missed it, Samsung just officially confirmed that the flagship device will be unveiled on February...

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Despite missed sales target, Xiaomi was still at top in China last year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/xiaomi-sales-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Despite falling short of its 2015 sales target, Xiaomi was still the top smartphone manufacturer in China for the year, according to a new Wall Street Journal report which cited "early figures" from market research firms Canalys and Strategy Analytics.According to Canalys, Xiaomi claimed 15.2% of the market in China. Huawei came in second with 14.7%, while Apple was third with 12.5% share.The report cited Chinese analysts as saying that brisk sales of the company's Redmi Note 3 smartphone - which they said comes with "competitive pricing and trendy features" - along with the end-of-year sales season were some of the main reasons that helped Xiaomi claim the spot.They also predicted that in 2016, Xiaomi will have to face a tough fight from competitors like Huawei, which shipped over 100 million smartphones in 2015 - Xiaomi, for comparison, shipped only 70 million.For those who aren't already aware, Xiaomi's next flagship smartphone - the Mi 5 - will be unveiled on February...

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Possible next-gen Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablets spotted on Zauba
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/new-samsung-tablets/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Two new tablets from Samsung have been spotted listed on Zauba, a website which tracks India's import and export. The listings for these devices reveal that they carry model numbers of SM-T719 and SM-T813, respectively.Another crucial information that the listings reveal is the display sizes. While the SM-T719 sports an 8-inch screen, the SM-T813 has a 9.7 inch display.Given that the Galaxy Tab S2 series from last year has 8-inch and 9.7-inch variants (with model numbers SM-T710/SM-T715 and SM-T810/ SM-T815), these new devices could very well be the next generation tablets in the series.Aside from the specs, the Zauba listings also gives an idea about the price tag the new tablets will carry - the SM-T719 is listed at INR 13,817 (around $215), while the SM-T813 is priced at INR 17,271 (around $255). Keep in mind, however, that pricing information on Zauba is not always precise.Via...

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It's official: Samsung to unveil Galaxy S7 on February 21
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-unpacked2016/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were correct. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship smartphone will be unveiled on Sunday, February 21 (19:00 CET) in Barcelona, just a day before MWC 2016 officially kicks off.The South Korean company has also posted a teaser video on YouTube (embedded below) that confirms the same. The video, however, doesn't reveal much - it just shows a man wearing the company's Gear VR headset."Get ready to rethink what a phone can do," Samsung said in the text accompanying the video. "#TheNextGalaxy will be revealed at Unpacked on February 21." The Galaxy S7 has already been the subject of endless rumors and leaks. It is expected to be launched in the US and Europe on March...

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New update to Samsung's Android browser brings support for ad blocking
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-android-adblocker/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has pushed out a new update to its Web browser on Android that adds a new API using which developers will be able to build ad blocking extensions for the browser. The update will only be available to Samsung devices running Android 5.0 or up.Once you update your Samsung Internet browser, you'll be able to block ads by installing a content blocking software that takes advantage of the new API. One such tool is Adblock Fast, which is claiming to be the first free open-source ad blocker for the browser.The team behind Adblock Fast for Android claims the extension allows webpages to load an average of 51% faster. The ad blocker is also available for Chrome and Opera on desktops and laptops.Source |...

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Motorola's 'shatterproof' Moto X Force set for India launch today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/motox-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Motorola Moto X Force, which is claimed to be the first smartphone in the world to come with a shatterproof display, will be launched in India on February 1 - today. The announcement was made by the company in a tweet yesterday.Are we there yet? Almost! #1DayToXForce, launching on 1st Feb at 3 PM https://t.co/q6VpVxSNrr pic.twitter.com/nPyufpRhv5Â— Motorola India (@MotorolaIndia) January 31, 2016The event is set for 3PM (IST) today, and you can catch the device's live unveiling by heading to the YouTube link at the end of this story.The launch comes nearly a couple of weeks after Motorola India started teasing the phone on Twitter, and a couple of days after it was spotted listed as 'coming soon' on Amazon India. There is currently no official information on its India price though - in the US, where it is sold as the Droid Turbo 2, it carries a price tag of $624 for the base model.Source |...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/best-apps-games-41/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg These are the best apps and games that came out this week.Guides by Lonely PlanetGuides by Lonely Planet is exactly what it sounds like. The app has guides for popular locations, which tell you more about the place, what to see, where to shop, what to do, etc. It also has offline maps for the locations, along with useful tips. and bookmarking for locations. The app currently includes maps for Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kyoto, London, Madrid, MontrÃ©al, Moscow, New Orleans, New York City, Paris, Prague, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, St. Petersburg, Sydney, Tokyo, Vancouver, Venice, Vienna, Washington, DC, and more will be added later.iOS Â• AndroidChrooma KeyboardChrooma is a simple, resizable keyboard for Android that automatically changes color to match the color of the app. There's also a night mode that changes color according to the time of the day.AndroidMimicker AlarmMimicker is an alarm app by Microsoft. The app makes you do certain tasks after the alarm rings, such as snap a selfie or speak a phrase. If you fail to do that the alarm keeps ringing. If you have trouble getting up in the morning then you could give this a try.AndroidTwofoldTwofold is a color matching game, where you have to move around squares and match their colors. You have to match a certain number of colored squares to get to the next level. Use up all your moves and it's game over. Twofold is made by the developers of rymdkapsel and has the same level of polish and finesse in gameplay and presentation.iOS Â• AndroidDownwellDownwell is a fast-paced action game, which is now also available on Android. You fall down a well, shoot enemies with your Gunboots, and collect red gems. There is not much else to know nor should you need to.iOS Â•...

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Weekly poll: Huawei Mate 8 - hot or not
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/poll-huawei-mate-8-hot-not/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg We kicked off our review year with the Huawei Mate 8 and set the bar pretty high for the ones to come. And while we were certainly impressed with the smartphone, it's also hard to overlook its flaws, which we made sure to point out.And now that you're familiar with our findings (perhaps some of you also have first-hand experience with the Mate 8), we're determined to find out what you think of Huawei's top-tier phablet. Our classic hot-or-not formulation sums up the question whether the good outweighs the bad.Are supreme build, powerful chipset, fine 6-inch display, and record-braking battery life enough for you to turn a blind eye on a camera that doesn't quite measure up to the standards of the segment and an Android overlay that's polarizing, to say the least? Additionally, other smaller pros and cons could tip the scales either way depending on who you are and which particular bit of a smartphone's performance is higher on your list of priorities.And since we can't really speak for everyone, we're asking you to speak for yourselves and tell us what you think on the matter at hand - is the Huawei Mate 8 hot or...

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Week 4 in review: Flagship rumors intensify
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As MWC 2016 inches ever closer, it seems that our news section is overrun by rumors and not much else. After witnessing a sea of specs leaks and rumors about the Galaxy S7 line in the past few weeks, now we are finally starting to catch glimpses of the device as well, or at least parts of it.Apple has also been popping up frequently in the news section.Cupertino is set to unveil a brand new generation of iPhones this year - the iPhone 7, which is definitely more exciting that an "S" upgrade. But there is also another reason why the US giant has caught fan attention so early in the year, prior to its typical fall announcement session. Everything seems to suggest that 2016 will see the resurrection of the 4-ich iPhone form factor. Information on the matter is still scarce at best, but the very prospect seems to have everybody excited.LG and HTC also appear to be hard at work on their next flagship offer. The LG G5 is shaping up to be quite interesting and a definite departure from the OEM's signature design and approach for the past few flagship iterations. HTC only recently appeared back on the radar with a fresh batch of flagship rumors and despite the tardiness, it is hopefully still in the game. An upgrade to its signature "M" series is apparently on the way, but this time it might come with an entirely new look, one borrowed largely from the company's recent One A9 model.Lastly, we take a look towards Asia, where Xiaomi has been teasing its own crown jewel for some time now. The Xiaomi Mi 5 definitely shouldn't be underestimated, as it could, very well play a key role in shaping the flagship scene this yearLive images of the Samsung Galaxy S7 front camera and display surface Originating from a manufacturing facility, the photos confirm that the smartphone's production is well under way. Samsung Galaxy S7 with S820 benchmarked, here's how it compares with the Exynos 8890 version This is the AT&T version, while the other result comes from a Canadian model. Lenovo K5 Note launched with Helio P10 SoC, all metal body It carries a price tag of RMB 1,099 in China (around $167). Apple's next 4-incher now tipped to be named iPhone 5se, iPhone 6/6s hardware inside Sources say it will be powered by the A8 chip and come with the 8MP/1.2MP camera combo. Xiaomi Mi 5 to have four versions, pricing revealed Previous rumors had suggested that the flagship will arrive in two different versions. First alleged image of the 4-inch iPhone 5se surfaces The next small smartphone from Apple has reportedly been captured next to an iPhone 5. iPhone 7 Plus again tipped to come with a dual-camera setup A KGI analyst believes that a version of the iPhone 7 Plus will be offered with a dual iSight camera setup. Asus Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition with Intel Z3590 chip goes official The rest of the specs remain unchanged, including the 256GB of internal storage and 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM. Lenovo Vibe X3 launched in India for $293 Going on sale on Amazon starting tomorrow. LG G5 dual camera design confirmed by another case leak Farewell to the rear-mounted volume controls, alas. Xiaomi Mi 5 photographed again, check out the rounded metal unibody The comparisons with an iPhone 6 or an HTC One A9 are unavoidable. HTC One M10 to follow A9 design trend The handset is apparently still in development and heading to...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple's iPhone 6s returns to our weekly Top 10 trending chart after being absent for more than a month, leaving it to the iPhone 5s to defend the company's honor. Defend it it did, and is also present this week, the two-generations-old model in 8th, while the current one is in 10th.In between them is the Samsung Galaxy Note5, a spot down from last week. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 has dropped 3 places, and we're finding it in 7th, but the smaller non-Note Redmi 3 has dropped off the Top 10 altogether.Climbing up the chart, it's a Samsung Galaxy fest, with the Grand Prime in 6th, one up compared to week 3. The J2 is in 5th, while the S6 is the one that's made the most progress - from 9th to 4th.The Galaxy J5 is in third and the J7 is this week's runner-up - we're used to seeing the two together, but the J7 used to hold the crown for a long time, only not since week 2. The Lenovo K4 Note showed up and pushed the J's off the top and seems to set on staying there for a while.

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Microsoft promises it will address the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 power issues ASAP
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/microsoft-surface-pro-4-book-sleep-issues/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft is still under a lot of heat concerning the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4. This time around, users are justifiably complaining about an improper sleep function on the devices, along with a few other battery management issues that ultimately lead to poor power performance. Sadly, this is far from the first issues that was found to plague the high-end hybrid devices and similar topics have been exploding on the support forum ever since the pair was announced in October 2015.If you don't recall, at a Microsoft even on October 8 2015, the Surface Pro 4 was unveiled as the bigger brother to the Surface Pro 3 and the US giant also endeavored to take things to the next level with its powerful 13-inch tablet-pc crossover device, dubbed the Surface Book. At the time, both seemed like really amazing products with lots of potential, which even managed to justify the eye-watering price tags for some users.Since then, however, many of the early adopters have been dreading the purchase, or at least that is what a quick browse through the support forum led us to believe. It appears both models might have been outed a little prematurely, with a few notable issues reaching end users. Both exhibited a rather annoying flickering issue and a lot of power problems, one of which has become known as the infamous sleep issue we already mentioned. Yesterday, Microsoft outed a new update which is said to offer: .refinements to improve battery charging and thermal tuning, wireless and Bluetooth performance, and to the detach-reattach experience on Surface Book.However, the elephant in the room was still not addressed. It is at least reassuring that the bug was acknowledged, but currently disgruntle users have only a promise to hang on to: We know some of you are still experiencing issues, including issues related to power management, and we are working to address those as quickly as possible. We'll publish additional updates as soon as they are ready. Interestingly enough, there are also rumors circulating that the issue lies within the Intel Skylake processor, which could mean that other non-Surface devices are prone to the bug as well. We will be sure to keep a close eye on the matter in hopes that a speedy resolution will be found and that this will be the last unfortunate set of bugs the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book experience.Source |...

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S6 and S6 edge get Marshmallow update in South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/s6-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update for the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge in South Korea.The final version comes out after a brief beta test where users had to sign up to receive the beta build.Looking at screenshots by SamMobile, the update brings some minor UI changes, such as the updated notification menu and power menu, along with the usual under the hood changes, such as enabling the fingerprint sensor to work in third party apps.The update should eventually make its way outside of South Korea, and also to other Samsung...

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GSMArena

01-02-16, 12:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/bluboo-xfire-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As with any other great tech advancement in history, smartphones have developed rapidly from luxury to a necessity and as such are constantly becoming more and more affordable. OEMs, especially those operation out of China are always pushing the envelope on what is possible on a shoestring budget and it is an undeniable fact that you can now get a decent mid-range Android device from a major brand for around $200 and enjoy a modern Android experience.But what if you want to go cheaper still? A quick search online revels that you could opt for a no-brand device or a very outdated one for as little as $40. Blueboo's latest model, the Xfire 2 definitely goes one step beyond. We don't typically dip our foot into the vast sear of obscure Chinese brands, but this one is definitely an eye-catcher, at least on paper that is. For $59.99, the handset offers a metal unibody design, with a nice-looking arc and even complete with a 2.5D glass and a back-mounted fingerprint reader.That is definitely great value. The rest of the specs sheet is also decent with a 5-inch HD panel and powered by an MTK6580 quad-core processor and Mali 400 GPU. Memory is set at 1GB for RAM and 8GB for internal storage, but there is also a microSD card slot for up to 32GB more. The camera setup includes a 5MP main shooter with AF and a single LED flash and on the front there is a 2MP unit, which it also has an LED flash of its own. Powering the show is a 2150 mAh battery and the Xfire 2 boots Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, so you are really getting an up-to-date experience for your buck.The only real, obvious, downside of the Bluboo Xfire 2 specs-wise is the Lack of 4G LTE, but perhaps such handsets will also become reality in the sub $100 price range soon, thanks to MediaTek's latest line of ultra-affordable chips. According to the manufacturer's website, the Bluboo Xfire 2 is currently in pre-sale for the special price, which will later be raised to $69.99, still an amazing value. Both GearBest and Geekbuying currently have the dual-SIM variant listed for $73.86 and $79.99, respectively and shipments are expected to begin in February.Source |...

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Google adds a Watch Later button to YouTube notifications on Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/youtube-android-watch-later-notification/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is a well-known fact that the best technology is the one that goes unnoticed, in other words, things that simply work and you feel like they are just the most natural thing ever and have always been. Amidst all the largescale and revolutionary work Google is doing in most every perceivable field of technology, the online giant still puts a lot of value in supporting its products with tiny details that polish them to perfection over time.Now, don't get us wrong, even Google isn't without error and there are plenty of blunders to go around, but it definitely makes us smile when we learn about the little things the team made time to introduce to the user experience. The Calendar app on both Android and iOS, just got an update with real-time text suggestions and now, the YouTube app for Android also has a new feature.It also fits into the hard to spot category perfectly, so much so, that you either have to be involved with YouTube's Android team on be really, really diligent in sifting through your notifications to spot it. The feature is a new "Watch Later" button, added to YouTube notifications for new video uploads. If you don't recall, back in the summer of 2015, YouTube added the convenient feature that allows users to subscribe for new upload notifications per channel. It is a pretty good idea, but up until recently, you could only tap on the notification to watch the video instantly or swipe it away and probably forget about it.The new style of actionable notification was noticed by fans and it appears is not tied to any app update, but is rather a server-side deal. The other action slot is filled with a quick link to potentially unsubscribe from the feed for the particular channel - also convenient. If you haven't started getting the new style of notifications yet, you will probably notice the change when the next one comes along, now that you know what to look...

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Sony Xperia M5 and M5 Dual getting Android 5.1 update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xperiam5-lollipop-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony has started rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to both Xperia M5 and M5 Dual smartphones. The update also includes Android security patch for the month of January.Weighing in at around 600MB, the new update bumps the M5's build number to 30.1.A.1.33, and that of the dual-sim variant to 30.1.B.1.33. It brings along the ability to take pictures from the camera using the SmartWatch 3, as well as improvements related to volume and silent mode control.For those who aren't already aware, the M5 will land in Europe in February - it's currently up for pre-order in the UK, with shipments beginning February...

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Snapchat is aiming for sports fans with live score overlays for NBA games
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/snapchat-live-score-filters/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Snapchat is one of those odd social app experiments that often confuse their very own user base, let alone newcomers. What started out as a fairly clever "no traces left behind" picture chat, has since exploded into a wild mess of often puzzling user content, specially crafted multimedia experiences within the Discover feature, as well as, more recently, a sprawling video sharing community. Amidst all this, there seems to be only one unifying trend - striving for revenue and lots of it. Be it from paid ad content, or sponsored video "lenses" or even paid replays of snaps, Snapchat has been doing everything in its power to back up estimates for the company's enormous market value.Now, it seems, the playful white ghost has shifted its priorities towards sports fans and is striving to become the de facto social platform for sharing sports events and experiences. The newest effort to this end is a special score filter made available to users attending certain NBA contests. The overlay provides live scores for the game you are currently at. The feature is available at every NBA arena and some other matches.It might sound like an incredibly silly concept, but, oddly enough, it appears to be working. Just last week, Live Score geofilters saw 20 million views, gathered on content from 51 NBA games. At this point, we can't decide if the Snapchat team is just incredibly lucky, or full of brilliant social experts, as this new feature could very well open the way to a whole new stream or ad revenue.And Basketball is not the only sport Snapchat is going after. It has been working with NFL to produce Live Story compilations for major games, as well as to offer fans the aforementioned Live Score filters. And with the US Super Bowl coming up, it is anybody's guess just how far Snapchat will manage to take its new...

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Huawei officially announces January 31 launch for Honor 5X in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/honor5x-us-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier this month, Huawei announced that the Honor 5X will be launched in the US at the end of this month. So, we were already expecting it to go on sale around January 31. Now, the company has officially announced the launch date.Yes, the device will be available for purchase in the US starting January 31. You'll be able to grab it online at HiHonor, Amazon.com and Newegg.com. As already announced, it will carry a price tag of $200, and will be available in gold, silver, and grey color options.For those in Europe waiting for the Honor 5X, the phone is expected to land there next week - on February...

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MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mediatek-bug/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MediaTek has officially confirmed the existence of a software bug that has put several Android devices running the company's chipsets at risk. The chip-maker says the issue in question only affects Android 4.4 KitKat devices.First reported by security researcher Justin Case earlier this month, the bug could potentially allow an attacker to enable root access on a vulnerable device. "Root user could do many things, such as access data normally protected from the user/ other apps, or brick the phone, or spy on the user, monitor communications etc," Case said.For its part, MediaTek explained that the vulnerability stems from a debug feature that the chip-maker said smartphone manufacturers should have disabled before shipping the devices."We are aware of this issue and it has been reviewed by MediaTek's security team. It was mainly found in devices running Android 4.4 KitKat, due to a de-bug feature created for telecommunication inter-operability testing in China," a MediaTek spokesperson said."After testing, phone manufacturers should disable the de-bug feature before shipping smartphones. However, after investigation, we found that a few phone manufacturers didn't disable the feature, resulting in this potential security issue."MediaTek, however, didn't provide anymore details, just saying that the issue affects "a portion of devices" from "certain manufacturers," and adding that it has alerted all manufacturers about the feature.Source |...

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GSMArena

02-02-16, 12:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-950-uk-discount-again/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg January 12: Lumia 950 is £410 January 14: never mind, £400 now January 22: Did we say £400? We meant £390 February 2: Fine! £380 and it's yoursIt sounds like UK retailers are haggling with themselves and drop the price of the Microsoft Lumia 950 every few days.The latest offer comes from Expansys, which has both the Black and White models for £380. Amazon is close behind with £386.There are other shops that carry the 5.2" Windows 10 flagship, but they will charge you a few pounds more (gasp!). You can look at a few other Lumia models too, many of them get weekly discounts too.Unfortunately for Microsoft, price isn't the only thing about Lumia phones that is falling - sales plummeted 50% to just 4.5 million in the last...

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New Microsoft Band 2 update brings weight tracking capability on Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/band2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_01.jpg If you are a Microsoft Band 2 owner who pairs the wearable with their Android phone, here is some good news: now you'll also be able to track you weight as well share your workout with your friends. This is all thanks to a new update that Microsoft has rolled out to the wearable.The update bumps the Microsoft Health companion app to version 1.3.20128.2, and in addition to the features mentioned above, it also brings along the ability to show sports scores and news headlines, an option to extend the fitness tracker's battery life, as well as activity reminders.The updated Microsoft Health app can now be downloaded from Google's Play Store - head to the Source link...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0 as well as rumored Tab E 7.0, Tab E Lite, and Tab E Lite Kids are all coming to US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/galaxy-tabe-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month, Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab E 8.0 with 4G LTE support in Taiwan. A week after that, there were reports that the company is also working on a 7-inch variant as well as Tab E Lite and Tab E Lite Kids.Now, looks like all of these four tablets are coming to the United States as they've been spotted listed on the website of US-based retailer United Office.As you can see in the screenshot above, the listings do not contain any information related to the devices' pricing and availability, but the fact that they've been listed is a strong enough indication that they'll be available in the US sometime this year. From what we've heard about the Galaxy Tab E 7.0, it's powered by a 1.3GHz processor and has a 7-inch display with 1280×800 pixel resolution. RAM is 1.5GB, while internal memory is 8GB, although expandable. It's also said to have a 4G-capable model.Source |...

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Asus Zenfone Zoom with 13MP camera and 3x optical zoom now available for purchase in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/zenfone-zoom-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Asus Zenfone Zoom, which is claimed to be the "thinnest phone with 3x optical zoom," is now available for purchase in the United States. The device was up for pre-order in the country since January 20.Retailer B&H Photo was taking pre-orders for the device, and has already started the shipments. The phone is now also available for purchase to new users. As for the price, the black-colored unlocked unit will set you back $399.Announced way back at last year's CES, the Zenfone Zoom finally went on sale in December 2015, with Taiwan becoming the first country where it was available for purchase. Asus also recently launched the device in...

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Nexus devices are now getting Android's February security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-feb-security/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has announced that it has started rolling out this month's Android security update to Nexus devices. The update includes fixes to five critical issues, four high-priority issues, and a moderate bug.The Nexus 6P, 5X, 6, 5 and 7 (2013) are all getting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow-based MMB29Q build. The February patch is also rolling out to the Pixel C, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player, with build numbers MXB48T, MMB29R and MMB29U, respectively. In addition, the Nexus 10 - which is now over three years old - is also getting the update with Android 5.1.1-based LMY49G build.If you haven't received the OTA notification yet, and are feeling impatient, you can head over to the Source 2 link below and download the factory images. But before you do that, keep in mind that installing a factory image will restore your handset to factory settings, meaning you'll lose all your personal data.Source 1 | Source...

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W5.5 Pro is a Windows 10 phone with 5.5-inch display and 13MP camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/funker-w55pro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Spanish smartphone manufacturer Funker has launched a new Windows 10-powered smartphone. Dubbed W5.5 Pro, the device is powered by a Snapdragon 410 chipset with quad-core 1.2GHz processor, and sports a 5.5-inch (1270Ã—720 pixel resolution) display.It has 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,600mAh battery. In terms of camera, the W5.5 Pro features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It measures 154.8 x 78.6 x 6.9mm and weighs in at 135g.The handset apparently only comes in black color option, which the company is selling for Â€239 - around $260 at current exchange rates.Source (translated) |...

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Gmail crosses 1 billion monthly active users milestone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gmail-1billion/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has revealed that its email service Gmail now has over a billion monthly active users. The revelation was made by the Mountain View, California-based company's CEO Sundar Pichai while announcing last quarter's earnings.At the company's annual I/O developers conference in May last year, Pichai - who was Google's senior vice president of products then - had revealed 900 million monthly active users figure for Gmail. This means that the service gained 100 million users in the past 7 months.Other Google services/apps that have already crossed the 1 billion active users mark include Search, Android, Google Play, Chrome, Maps, and YouTube.During the earnings call, Pichai also revealed that Gmail's Smart Reply feature, which suggests responses based on the emails you get, is used in 10% of all replies made through the service's mobile...

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LG G4 Marshmallow update now rolling out in Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/sprint-g4-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Over a month after it started rolling out in the US, the Android 6.0 update for LG's last year's flagship smartphone G4 has started rolling out in Canada, too. Local carrier Telus started pushing out the update on February 1.Among other major Canadian carriers, Rogers has updated its OS upgrade schedule to reflect that the update will be rolled out to G4 devices on its network starting February 3. There's, however, currently no information on when Bell will start pushing the update.The rollout of LG G4 Marshmallow update started as a soak test in Poland. Then came a staged rollout in the company's home market of South Korea, which was followed by a European rollout.Source 1 2 |...

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WhatsApp has 1 billion users since dropping subscription fees
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/whatsapp-1-billion/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Not too long ago, WhatsApp decided to drop the $1 a year subscription fee. And since WhatsApp has promised to never show ads for the sake of their own users, it only leaves us wondering how the messaging platform is planning to make money.Well, just around the time that WhatsApp dropped its subscriber fee, it had reported that it had over 900 million subscribers.Thanks to making the messaging platform free to use, WhatsApp now has passed 1 billion users according to a post that WhatsApp made today.WhatsApp now joins Facebook and more recently Gmail in the 1 billion+ club. Way to go WhatsApp!Source |...

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World's most valuable company is no longer Apple
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-surpasses-apple-worldwide/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Alphabet just released its Q4 2015 earnings today which shot the stock prices of both Stock A and Stock C up to about $750-$780. Alphabet is now the most valuable company in the world, surpassing Apple's position in the ranks.With Apple's earning beginning to show plateauing over earnings from the year before, Google stole the show, showing great numbers of growth. Investors are going crazy buying more stock which drove the price up this afternoon.Alphabet's Year-over-Year revenues are increasing, which means its growth is actually growing exponentially. Revenues went up 24% from the 12% the year before.The majority of Google's revenue is from ads, and while the number of ad clicks have gone up 31%, the cost per click has gone down 13 percent. Don't be fooled. This means the company still made more money on ads!During the sales call, the company also announced that it has more than 1 billion active monthly Gmail users. Google now joins Facebook and What's App who also have more than 1 billion active monthly users worldwide.Source |...

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Exynos version of the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) gets benchmarked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-j7-2016-exynos-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The upcoming 2016 refresh of Samsung's Galaxy J7 has been caught in a benchmark's database once before, and now it's happened again. This time around however, we're treated to the details of the Exynos version of the device, and from two different benchmarks no less - Geekbench and GFXBench.Yes, it seems that like for its predecessor, the original J7, Samsung will once again release two models - one running its own Exynos chip, and another with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 on board.Interestingly though, the Exynos SoC inside the J7 (2016) will be a new one, namely the Exynos 7870. This is probably going to be a successor of sorts to the Exynos 7580 found in the previous J7. It's got an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at up to 1.7 GHz, at least in these two tests.This iteration of the new J7 only has 2GB of RAM, and a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen (the Snapdragon model apparently sports 3GB and 1080p resolution). The built-in storage is 16GB, and the main camera has 13 MP resolution while the selfie snapper is a 5 MP unit. The Exynos-powered Galaxy J7 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow in the benchmarks, so there's a chance it will actually launch with this version on board.Source 1 Â• Source 2 | Via 1 Â• Via...

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Google apparently wants to exert more control over the Nexus program
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-nexus-control/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new and as of yet unconfirmed rumor, Google wants to change what the Nexus program is about. If up until now Nexus devices have been developed in partnership by the search giant and Android device makers, the report says that will change going forward.Google apparently wants to exert Apple-like control over upcoming Nexus releases. That means the company is going to have the only say in all matters, including the hardware (which has been a cooperative effort so far). This is allegedly because "Google doesn't want its revenue-generating services for high-end smartphones to be at the mercy of Apple like they are now".So if this is true then you should expect the Nexus line to become akin to the Pixel series of devices - designed 100% by Google, yet obviously manufactured by other companies (since Google doesn't have hardware-making factories of its own). It's probably safe to assume this will mean the end of co-branding as well, so a Nexus will only bear that moniker and that alone (it won't be joined by the name of the company producing it like before).This is said to have been "signaled to colleagues and outsiders" by Google CEO Sundar Pichai himself, as well as his lieutenants. It's unclear why well-known handset makers would want to be part of the Nexus program if this change gets implemented, since they won't even have the benefit of getting their brands in front of consumers. And it's been rumored countless times that even as things stand today Google doesn't let partners profit a lot from the Nexus line, so clearly such a tie-up wouldn't be about the money-making opportunities.Despite all this, HTC (or at least part of its management) reportedly still wants to make this year's Nexus smartphone (or smartphones), though it's unclear if these will be the last ones of the old type Nexuses or the first ones of the new...

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Leaked iPad Air 3 drawing reveals quad speakers, Smart Connector, LED flash
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ipad-air-3-drawing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As previous rumors have hinted, in designing the upcoming iPad Air 3 Apple has taken a lot of inspiration from the unique features it introduced with the bigger iPad Pro. And today a new leaked drawing which purportedly shows the iPad Air 3's dimensions and various cutouts seems to confirm just that. While anyone can create such a rendering, this is said to originate at a reliable source for what it's worth.The iPad Air 3 is thus going to feature a quad speaker setup akin to the iPad Pro. Furthermore, it will borrow its bigger sibling's Smart Connector, so we assume there will be a Smart Keyboard accessory for it available at launch too. The main camera will get a LED flash for whatever reason.The cost of all these new features will be seen in the dimensions of the device. It will be slightly thicker and wider than its predecessor, with the full measurements coming in at 240 x 169.6 x 6.15 mm. However, the differences are .1 and .05 mm, respectively, so you're unlikely to notice them in real-world use.The iPad Air 3 will supposedly launch in mid-March alongside the new affordable 4-inch smartphone from Apple (which may end up being called iPhone...

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Original Nvidia Shield Tablet gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/shield-tablet-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in December Nvidia released the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for its Shield Tablet K1. And today the company is doing the same for the original Shield Tablet from 2014.As you'd expect, the new software brings with it all the goodies that Google's included into Marshmallow, such as Now On Tap, support for adoptable storage, the new app permission system, standby power drain improvements (with Doze mode), app optimization, as well as better power efficiency when using Bluetooth Low Energy. Memory usage is monitored for each app, and the security patch for January 2016 is in too.Nvidia has also added a few things of its own, like a camera app with material design, improved burst functionality and new real-time HD effects, new wallpapers for the home and lock screens, improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity, and "optimized preloaded apps".As the rollout is occurring over-the-air, it may be a few days before all original Shield tablets receive the notification. Of course if you're impatient you can always manually check for the availability of the new release by going to Settings > About tablet.Source |...

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Xiaomi and Meizu land on US soil through US Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-meizu-us-cellular/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi and Meizu are now being sold officially in the US through a carrier and that carrier is US Mobile. The MVNO, which uses T-Mobile's network, is now offering select models by the two companies, though the orders are in fact fulfilled by a third party.The m2 note is the only Meizu smartphone that you can get at this point, priced at $149 if paid in full, or $9 a month for 18 months. The Xiaomi options include the affordable Redmi 2 at $119, the aging Mi 3 at $139, and the Snapdragon 615 midranger Mi 4i at $219. All of these can of course be purchased in monthly installments as well.Xiaomi Mi 4iThe catch is that while three of the smartphones (Mi 3 excluded) do support LTE, none of them has radios for T-Mobile's 1700MHz band. So you'll be stuck at 3G speeds, which may or may not be a problem depending on where you stand. US Mobile CEO, however, states that in the future devices may come with proper LTE support. Not exactly a promise, but it's something.Source |...

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Microsoft Band 2 is just £169.99 until February 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/microsoft-band-2-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've seen quite a few deals for the first generation Microsoft Band wearable, especially in the UK where you could purchase it for just Â£50 as recently as last month. That's perhaps understandable since Microsoft's got a newer smart band on the market.Now though this too has been discounted in the UK, following a similar move in the US in December. The Microsoft Band 2 can currently be snagged for just Â£169.99, which is Â£30 less than its recommended retail price.The new pricing is already in effect both at Microsoft's own online store as well as at Amazon. This is a limited time deal, only being available until February 5 (which is this Friday). So if you want one of these wearables, perhaps you should act fast.Via 1 Â• Via...

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Leaked Samsung Galaxy S7 photo shows the back design
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxys7-back/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg @evleaks has just outed a photo showing the backs of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. As per the photo, Samsung intends to keep the glass design on its upcoming batch of flagships. In our eyes, it looks like the Galaxy S7 and its variants will have a similar back to the Galaxy Note5, which is slightly curved towards the edges.Previous leaks have suggested the phone will have four versions: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Plus, Galaxy S7 edge, and Galaxy S7 edge Plus. In terms of specifications, expect a choice between the Exynos 8890 and Snapdragon 820 chipsets. Other rumors point a brand new 12MP 1/2.0" sensor.Samsung today officially announced it will reveal the Galaxy S7 on Sunday, February 21 in Barcelona. That's just a day before MWC 2016 officially kicks...

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Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) review: Standing tall
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-a5-2016/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg The A-Team is back and we start with the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016). It pairs a premium build with premium features, a true S6 lookalike.

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BlackBerry Priv's February security update rolling out already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/priv-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, that was quick. It's February 1 today, and BlackBerry's Android-powered Priv smartphone has already started receiving the Android security update for the month. That's less than a month after January's patch begun rolling out.There's currently no information whatsoever on exactly what fixes are included in the update given that even Google is yet to disclose the details about Android's February security patch.As for the devices receiving the update, it'd be fair to assume that only unlocked Priv units purchased directly from BlackBerry will be getting it for now as carriers usually take some time before rolling out any update to variants bought from them.Via 1...

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Jolla tablet is officially dead, backers to get full refund
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/jolla-tablet-dead/-184x111/thumb.jpg Jolla finally gave up on the Jolla Tablet and it's officially pronounced dead. All efforts of bringing the slate to live are being abandoned, and company's next concern will be refunding its Indiegogo backers.The Jolla slate was crowdfunded via Indiegogo at the end of 2014, and it was backed by more than 21,000 people with north of $2.5 million. The Jolla Tablet was demoed at the MWC in 2015, but later it faced numerous difficulties.Previously Jolla had to lay off half of its staff, and the slate's fate was on the bubble. While eventually Jolla managed to secure funding for the slate, the financial troubles had inflicted irreparable damages on the supply chain.Jolla's executives have tried their best to push the tablet into the market, but apparently it isn't possible.With the Tablet confirmed as not happening, Jolla's efforts will be focused on refunding its fans and on the Sailfish OS future. Only 540 units of the Tablet were manufactured, and those will be shipped to the first backers.The first refunds will happen by the end of Q1 this year, while the rest should be completed by the end of 2016, depending on Jolla's financial situation.Currently Jolla is trying to make money from licensing the Sailfish OS to manufacturers and it should be its primary source of money. According to the statement, there are lots of licensing negotiations with different players happening at the moment.Fairphone 2 with Sailfish OS 2.0 is one of those projects, and its pre-orders are open.Source Â•...

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GSMArena

03-02-16, 12:12

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mediatek-helio-x20-overheat-not/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MediaTek entered the news yesterday for the wrong reason, with rumors of the Helio X20 chipset suffering from overheating issues, Snapdragon 810 style. Sources claimed that industry heavyweights Xiaomi, Lenovo and HTC were put off by the SoC's thermal behavior and weren't using it for future smartphones. The Chinese chipmaker was quick to respond, and has now insisted on Weibo that the Helio X20 is in mass production, no heating issues are observed, and it's business as usual with its partners. And while that was to be expected, the truly interesting bit is how the chip actually handles the high temperatures. Apparently, when the pair of Cortex-A72 cores inside the CPU reach a certain threshold, they are shut down and the processor turns into an octa-core Cortex-A53 affair. MediaTek has been using the True octa-core concept in previous designs, meaning that all cores can run at the same time, as opposed the big.LITTLE architecture, where two separate clusters handle tasks depending on performance requirements. So in effect, the 10-core CPU is such for a limited amount of time and then turns into your regular octa-core Cortex-A53 familiar from current designs, like the Helio X10. It will be interesting how that translates into repeated benchmark runs and, more importantly, continuous real-world use. Source |...

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Marshmallow-based CM13 nightly builds now available for Sony Xperia M
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-m-cm13/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Sony Xperia M was launched back in 2013 and the device received official Android updates till version 4.3 (Jelly Bean). Does that mean it'll be stuck there forever? Well, no. The good news is that now you can experience Android Marshmallow on the device. This is all thanks to alternative Android OS developer Cyanogen, which has released the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow-based CyanogenMod 13 nightly for the handset. Before you go ahead with the install, make sure that your Xperia M device is running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware. The official nightly build is currently only available for Xperia M, meaning M Dual users are currently out of luck, although not completely as there are some patches available on XDA (head to the Source 2 link below) that'll help you experience Marshmallow on your device. Source 1 | Source...

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Upcoming BLU phones to come with Truecaller as default dialer app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/tc-blu-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Swedish company Truecaller has partnered with US-based BLU to bring its popular smart dialer/caller ID app to the latter's upcoming range of smartphones this year. Truecaller will be the default dialer app on some 15 million BLU devices, replacing the stock Android dialer app. As you might already know, Truecaller offers smart caller ID capability that allows users to see the caller's name on their device's screen. The app also offers spam detection and reporting, as well as search functionality. The company - which boasts of around 200 million users worldwide - recently entered into a similar partnership with Indian smartphone manufacturer...

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Counterpoint: India becomes world's second-largest smartphone market, surpasses US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/india-no2-smartphone-market/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg India has surpassed the United States to becomes the second largest smartphone market in the world, according to a new report from market research firm Counterpoint. India's smartphone user base increased to 220 million by the end of last year. Smartphone shipments grew 15% year-on-year in Q4, 2015. Overall, for the complete year, smartphone shipments crossed the 100 million mark, which represents an year-on-year growth of 23%. Nearly 50% of the mobile phones sold in India last year were 'Made in India', and nearly 40% of the total shipped units were smartphones. Online retailers seem to have caught the customer's imagination in the country, with almost one in three smartphones sold through Internet. As for phone vendors, Samsung topped the charts both in smartphone as well as feature phone segments, with local company Micromax coming in second. The remaining three spots were claimed by India's Intex and Lava, and China's...

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Microsoft Lumia 550 selling for just Â€98.70 in Germany
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/lumia-550-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Looks like the Microsoft Lumia 550 has received yet another price cut in Europe. The Windows 10-powered device is now available for just Â€98.70 in Germany, where retailer MindFactory is selling the budget handset for that price. A quick look at Amazon's Germany website reveals that the retailer currently has the phone listed for Â€118. This means that those purchase the Lumia 550 from MindFactory are saving at-least Â€19. The device has already been the subject of multiple price cuts in the UK. Meanwhile, If you are in the UK, and are planning to purchase the Lumia 950 flagship instead, you'll be glad to know that it's now available for just Â£380 in the country. Source |...

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Alcatel OneTouch Idol 4 and 4S leak; complete specs revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/idol4-4s-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_01.jpg Two unannounced Alcatel smartphones - the Idol 4 and Idol 4S - have been leaked. Both devices were spotted listed on the company's own support site, revealing almost all of their specs. The listings, however, have now been taken down it seems. The Idol 4S is powered by a 1.8GHz + 1.4GHz octa-core CPU (SD652 SoC) and sports a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display. It comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 3,000mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. The handset runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and also supports VoLTE. Coming to the Idol 4, it's powered by a 1.7GHz + 1.2GHz octa-core CPU (SD617 SoC) and sports a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display. It has 2GB/3GB RAM options, while internal memory is 16GB, although expandable. The device's camera department is handled by a 13MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. It packs in a 2,610mAh battery, and like the Idol 4S, runs Android 6.0. There's currently no information on their pricing and availability, although Alcatel is said to be eyeing an MWC launch for them. Via 1...

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US Mobile defends itself in wake of Xiaomi's 'not an authorized seller ' remark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/usmobile-xiaomi/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier this week, US Mobile started offering select Xiaomi and Meizu smartphones in the United States, with orders being fulfilled by a third-party. As the news spread, Xiaomi issued a statement saying that the carrier and its partners are not authorized sellers of any of the company's products. Now, US Mobile has defended its decision in an official blog post. "This is nothing new. Amazon, Ebay and other US marketplaces offer Xiaomi, Meizu and countless other brands," US Mobile said. "The challenge with such marketplaces however is that you don't always know whom you're dealing with. The concern is that if something goes wrong with your phone or if you have any service related questions, you are stuck without a warranty to back the device." "Here's where we created a better experience for our customers. By partnering with third party distributors who sell and ship the devices, US Mobile is able to offer our customers warranty and support on the devices locally in the US. Very simply, customers can call US Mobile's 24/7 Customer Support team with any service related issue or send the phone back to US Mobile for repairs." The carrier also said that it never claimed to be an official distributor, stressing that even product listings on its webshop specifically noted that the devices are "sold and fulfilled" by its third party partners. The listings, however, have since been removed, something the carrier said has been done because the devices in question are currently undergoing "testing and certification" with its "enabling...

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Microsoft acquiring mobile keyboard maker SwiftKey for $250 million
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/microsoft-buys-swiftkey/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Microsoft has agreed to buy mobile keyboard maker SwiftKey for around $250 million, according to a new Financial Times report. While both companies are currently tight-lipped about the deal, report says an announcement in this regard will be made later this week. For those who aren't aware, SwiftKey is a popular keyboard app currently available for both Android and iOS and installed on around 300 million devices. It was first launched for Android back in 2010, and came to iOS in 2014. Initially a paid app, SwiftKey became free a couple of years ago, but started offering in-app purchases. Given that Microsoft already offers a keyboard app, dubbed Word Flow (although only for Windows Phone devices at the moment), it may seem rather strange that the company is purchasing another Keyboard app. However, the report notes that the Redmond, Washington-based company is actually eyeing UK-based firm's artificial intelligence technology that's used in its keyboard. The technology can be used by Microsoft in several other products in addition to mobile...

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iPhone 7 reportedly won't have camera hump, antenna bands on the back
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-7-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With all the talk about the 4-inch iPhone 5se lately, you may have forgotten about the fact that Apple will launch a more important phone this year - yes, the iPhone 7. Yet a new rumor is now here to talk about it too. The iPhone 7 will reportedly feature a very similar design to its predecessor, but there will be some notable differences. First off, its rear camera will be flush with the back, so the camera hump from the iPhone 6s will be gone. Second, the iPhone 7 will get rid of those pesky antenna bands that run across the previous model's back. However, the iPhone 7 will still have antenna bands, as seen in the mockup image above. It's just that they'll be confined to the handset's sides, top, and bottom edges. This will clearly make for a more loved design, though we hope Apple will find a way to paint the remaining bands in the same color as the metal body of the device. This information allegedly comes from a source that's been reliable in the past, so perhaps that's happening again this time. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are expected to be unveiled sometime in September. The smaller model will get a traditional camera on the back, while the bigger version has recently been rumored to receive a dual-lens arrangement. At this point it's unclear if the design changes will influence the dimensions of the iPhone 7 compared to the...

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Marshmallow finally jumps past 1% in Android distribution chart
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/state-of-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As a new month begins, Google has updated its Android distribution chart. And in this State of Android report, Marshmallow finally manages to jump past the 1% market share hurdle. To be specific, it now stands at 1.2%. That's obviously not impressive, given how many months have already passed since its official release (almost four, actually). Still, this is a milestone of sorts. And with updates to Android 6.0 now being out (or coming soon) to incredibly well selling devices such as Samsung's Galaxy S6 series (and the Note5), we assume this iteration of the OS will pick up the pace and reach a better position in the chart in the future. Lollipop sits at 34.1% of the pie at the moment, up from 32.6% last month and 29.5% in December. In fact it's close to catching KitKat, which has now dropped to 35.5%. The three versions called Jelly Bean are collectively at 23.9%, Ice Cream Sandwich has 2.5%, Gingerbread is at 2.7%, while Froyo still commends 0.1% of the market (though it's obviously on the way out and may not show its face in next month's report). Source |...

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Apple to unveil the iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 on March 15, rumor says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-event-march-15/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's already been rumored that Apple is going to hold an event sometime in March during which it will unveil the new 4-inch iPhone and an update to the Apple Watch. Meanwhile in the rumors, the iPad Air 3 has joined those two and should be outed at the same event. If you've been wondering exactly when to expect this big thing to happen, well, wonder no more. The latest rumor on the matter has a precise date in mind: March 15. That is allegedly the day on which the iPhone 5se and the iPad Air 3 are set to become official. Unless, of course, something changes from now and until the point when Apple announces the date. As for the Apple Watch, the latest speculation says we shouldn't expect new hardware so early, instead the second generation of the wearable is apparently due in September. There will be Apple Watch news on March 15, however, but smaller. The existing smartwatch is going to receive some new band options and refreshed software. We'll see multiple new hues for the Sport bands, new Hermes models, a 'space black' Milanese Loop, and a new band line made from a material that isn't yet used in Apple's lineup. The iPhone 5se will allegedly look almost identical to the iPhone 5s, save for the possible addition of some extra curves at its edges, and an overall "less shiny" look. It will start at $450 (unlocked), and you'll be able to buy it with either 16 or 64GB of storage. It will sport the A9 chip, support for Live Photos and Apple Pay, and improved cameras compared to the 5s. The iPad Air 3 was revealed to borrow some of the iPad Pro's unique features, such as the quad speakers and Smart Connector. It's also apparently going to be the first iPad to have a LED flash on the...

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A new update for the offline map data on Windows 10 available now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/here-offline-update/-184x111/thumb.jpg One of the things many people love about Windows 10 is the option for voice-guided offline navigation around the world. Microsoft has licensed HERE maps as part of the deal with Nokia and has been using them on its devices ever since. The Maps app on Windows offers you offline mode, and you can download country maps for free and use them abroad free of roaming data. Microsoft seeds occasional updates for the offline maps. Such update is available now, and the Windows 10 users can find it Settings>System>Offline Maps. If you want to use the latest maps with the most recent updates, you should go and update yours. The update can be found on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. We can't confirm it on Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 though. Feel free to share your experience in our comments...

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Samsung confirms Galaxy S7 edge, wide and narrow edge features will be supported
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-edge-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Either a genuine mistake, or part of the pre-launch teasing process (our money is on the latter), a Samsung website now lists the Galaxy S7 Edge in a table detailing the different uses of the curved screen. Keeping the Galaxy S6 edge and S6 edge+ company, the yet-to-be-released model (announcement confirmed for February 21) will be able to do the exact same stuff as its older brethren. With the screen on, the trio can display either the narrow type strips available since the S6 edge's inception, or the wide one-third of the screen type introduced with the Marshmallow update. With the screen off it's the usual clock and notifications feed. And if we were hoping to get something else out of the slip-up, like the name for example, tough luck - it's a bit of a naming mess. The existing Galaxy S6 edge is officially spelled with a small 'e', and the S6 edge+ formally gets a symbol instead of a 'Plus'. So that remains to be settled, for those that care. Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab E 7.0 gets FCC approval
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-tab-e-7.0-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today, a slew of new tablet offers was spotted on a US-based retailer website, suggesting they are heading toward a release. The devices in question include the Galaxy Tab E 7.0, Tab E 8.0, Tab E Lite and Tab E Lite Kids. After the 8-inch one already obtained an FCC certificate, now it is the smaller Tab E 7.0's turn. According to the document, the tablet will have a 7-inch display, which in case the name wasn't clear about it. The actual model number listed for the device is either SM-T280 or its alternative version SM-T285 and its exact dimensions are 186mm x 117mm x 180mm with a non-removable battery. Other info, shared with FCC is scarce and only includes mentions of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, both quite expected. Luckily, another recent leak provides some more insight on the hardware of the Galaxy Tab 7.0, or at least the SM-T285, said to be the network-enabled one with 4G. It will be powered by a 1.3GHz Spreadtrum SC8830 chipset with a Mali-400 MP2 GPU, and have a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. There will be 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable internal memory. It will have two cameras - a 5MP main one and a 0.3MP one on the front. Source |...

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MediaTek Helio X20 allegedly plagued by overheating issues
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/mediatek-helio-x20-overheating-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Snapdragon 810? If you do, chances are that you associate it with the infamous overheating issues. That reputation has plagued the chip almost constantly throughout its lifecycle and it was the major reason behind Samsung's decision to skip using the SoC on its Galaxy S6 line. Now, in an unfortunate twist of faith, industry sources have begun accusing the upcoming MediaTek Helio X20 of the same kind of thermomanagement issues. Naturally this is yet to be confirmed by any official source, so don't take this too seriously. That being said, the report claims that the issues with the Helio X20 is present and was enough to deter Xiaomi, HTC and Lenovo and make them cancel their Helio X20 smartphones. If you don't remember the Helio X20 and what is so special about it, it is officially the first 10-core mobile SoC. It uses an innovative tri-cluster design, which is a first in the smartphone realm as well. For MediaTek's sake, we sincerely hope the rumors get debunked and soon, before we have a repeat of the unfortunate Snapdragon 810. Source (In Chinese) |...

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Motorola offering freebies with Moto 360 and Moto G, discounted X Pure too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/motorola-offers/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In time for Valentine's day shopping, or just this month's shopping if you're the forever alone type, Motorola is offering some deals on popular products. In the US, the most obvious monetary benefit comes with the Moto X Pure Edition, more specifically the Limited edition, designed by Jonathan Adler. Usually retailing at $475, the fancy designs are now available for $400. If the Moto X Pure sits too high in the company's lineup for you needs, you can get a Moto G (3rd gen) and grab two additional rear shells. And if you've got your mind set on the Moto 360 smartwatch, you can now get a free leather strap with the purchase of a watch with a stainless steel bracelet. In Europe, at least the UK and Germany, the company is offering a discount on the Moto G and Moto 360 bundle. In the UK we're talking Â£80, while Germans are getting Â€130 off. The US deals are active now until February 16, so they're good for last-minute shoppers. Europeans only have a small window until February 5, so it takes some more careful planning this side of the Atlantic. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 |...

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GSMArena

03-02-16, 12:12

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/idc-tablet-data/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple retained its position as the world's No.1 tablet vendor for the last quarter, although year-on-year sales saw a 24.8% decline, according to latest data from market research firm IDC. The Cupertino-based company shipped a total of 16.1 million tablets in Q4 2015, down from 21.4 million units shipped in the same quarter of 2014. Samsung came in second with 9 million units shipped, down from 11 million units the company shipped in Q4 2014, which is an 18.1% decline. The South Korean company's market share stood at 13.7%, compared to 24.5% share of the market Apple claimed. Amazon, Lenovo, and Huawei rounded up the top five with 7.9%, 4.8%, and 3.4% market shares, respectively. What's worth noticing here is the Amazon's annual growth of 175.7%, something the report attributed to the company's latest Kindle iteration, which it said was a runaway hit this holiday season. Talking about 2015 as a whole, while Apple and Samsung retained the top two spots with 24% and 16.2% market share, respectively, Lenovo climbed to the third spot with 5.4% share. Asus and Huawei rounded up the top five 3.4% and 3.1% of the market, respectively. Overall, the worldwide tablet market - which includes slate tablets as well as detachable tablets - continued to decline, with a negative year-on-year growth of 13.7%. However, separately, the market for detachable tablets was up, with shipments reaching an all-time high of 8.1 million devices. "This quarter was unique as we had new detachables in the market from all three of the major platform players," said IDC's Senior Research Analyst Jitesh Ubrani. "Despite lukewarm reviews, the iPad Pro was the clear winner this season as it was the top selling detachable, surpassing notable entries from Microsoft and other PC vendors." "It's also important to note that the transition towards detachable tablets has presented positive opportunities for both Apple and Microsoft. However, Google's recent foray into this space has been rather lackluster as the Android platform will require a lot more refinement to achieve any measurable success." "One of the biggest reasons why detachables are growing so fast is because end users are seeing those devices as PC replacements," said Jean Philippe Bouchard, Research Director, Tablets at IDC. "We believe Apple sold just over two million iPad Pros while Microsoft sold around 1.6 million Surface devices, a majority of which were Surface Pro and not the more affordable Surface 3. With these results, it's clear that price is not the most important feature considered when acquiring a detachable - performance...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 camera to protrude just 0.8mm
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/galaxy-note5-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Seasoned leakster OnLeaks has outed a couple of schemanics, which show that Samsung has made subtle changes to the back design of the Galaxy S7 compared to the Galaxy Note5. Both phones have slightly curved backs, but whereas the Galaxy Note5 sports curves only on the left and right sides, the Galaxy S7 will sport them from each side on every edge of the back. Additionally, another schematics snapshot shows that the Galaxy S7 will have a camera bump, but not the same as the Galaxy S6. Samsung has tried to reduce the bump on the back and for the Galaxy S7 it's believed to be 0.8mm compared to the 1.7mm of the Galaxy S6's camera. Yesterday, @evleaks leaked an alleged press photo of the Galaxy S7's back. Previous leaks have suggested the phone will have four versions: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Plus, Galaxy S7 edge, and Galaxy S7 edge Plus. In terms of specifications, expect a choice between the Exynos 8890 and Snapdragon 820 chipsets. Other rumors point a brand new 12MP 1/2.0" sensor. Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S7 on Sunday, February 21 in Barcelona. That's just a day before MWC 2016 officially kicks off. Source Â• Source (2) |...

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Canon launches flagship EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/canon-1dx/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Canon has launched its newest flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X Mark II, meant for professional photographers. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II The camera uses Canon's newest 20.2 megapixel full frame sensor. Backed by a new dual DIGIC 6+ image processor, the camera is capable of taking shooting in RAW at 14fps up 170 consecutive shots (or as many JPEGs as your memory card can hold). There's also internal 4K 60fps and 1080p 120fps video recording options built-in. ISO range is now 100 to 51200, expandable to 409600. The Mark II also boasts of a new 61-point Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 41 cross type sensors, with an improved AI Servo III+ predictive algorithm for better accuracy. The camera has built-in GPS but for Wi-Fi you will need to get the WFT-E8 optional accessory that supports 802.11ac for file transfers to computers or smartphones. It is compatible with both CF and CFast memory cards. All of this packed in a weather sealed magnesium alloy body. The EOS-1D X Mark II is priced at $5999 body-only or bundled with a 64GB CFast card and reader for $6299. It will be available in...

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Microsoft Lumia 850 photographed in the wild, looks just like the renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-850-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 850 starred in a few 3D renders late last year, but now there are photos of the actual device. There was a lot of uncertainty about the screen size, but the latest info points to 5.4" in size. Above it is a front-facing flash and what is probably an iris scanner for Windows Hello. Microsoft Lumia 850 (allegedly) Interestingly, the microUSB 2.0 port (and it does look like 2.0 rather than the new Type-C) is on top, while the 3.5mm audio jack is on the bottom. Things usually go the other way around. Anyway, the Microsoft Lumia 850 is expected to have a Snapdragon 617 chipset, like the HTC One A9 and the Samsung Galaxy A5 (that one actually uses S615, but close enough). Source (in Chinese) |...

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GSMArena

04-02-16, 12:16

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a5-a7-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has announced the 2016 models of the Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 for India.The A5 and A7 are company's mid-range smartphones with premium design and build quality. Both phones have a 1080p Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 615, 16GB storage, 13 megapixel camera at the back, 5 megapixel camera on the front, and Android Lollipop, all in a metal and glass body. Only differences are the bigger 5.5-inch display on the A7 compared to 5.2-inch on the A5, 3GB RAM vs. 2GB, and larger 3300mAh battery vs. 2900mAh.The Galaxy A5 is priced at INR 29,400 ($433) and the Galaxy A7 at INR 33,400 ($492). They will be available starting February 15,...

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VAIO announces Windows 10-powered Phone Biz with 5.5-inch display, 3GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vaio-phone-biz/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nearly a year after foraying into the smartphone market, erstwhile Sony brand VAIO has unveiled its second smartphone. Dubbed Phone Biz, the device is powered by Windows 10 Mobile, and is apparently aimed at business users.Specs-wise, the handset is powered by a Snapdragon 617 SoC with octa-core processor, and sports a 5.5-inch Full HD display. It comes with 3GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, which can be expanded via microSD slot.In terms of camera, the Phone Biz features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. A 2,800mAh battery is there to keep the lights on.The mid-range smartphone is launching next month in Japan carrying a price tag of around $430. There's currently no information on if and when it'll be landing outside the Asian country.Source (Japanese) | Via 1...

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Google will now also warn you about deceptive embedded content on websites
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-deceptive-ads/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has announced that it will now also start warning users about deceptive embedded content on websites they visit. In a blog post published yesterday, the company said that it's expanding Safe Browsing capabilities to protect users from things like "a deceptive download button, or an image ad that falsely claims your system is out of date."The Mountain View, California-based company said an embedded content on a web page will be deemed social engineering if it pretends to act, or look and feel, like a trusted entity (like your own device or browser, or the website itself), or tries to trick you into doing something you'd only do for a trusted entity Â— like sharing a password or calling tech support.The search giant also shared some examples of what will now be considered as deceptive content. Head to the Source link below to take a look at...

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LG confirms February 21 unveiling for the G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-feb21/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Aside from Samsung's much-anticipated Galaxy S7 smartphone, LG's upcoming G5 is another flagship device that has been the subject of several rumors and leaks until now. While were sure that the G5 is coming this MWC, LG has now officially confirmed its unveiling date.(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Time for some play! With new friend comes new fun.Excitement begins at Barcelona on February 21st.#LG #LGG5 #G5Posted by LG Mobile on_Wednesday, February 3, 2016The South Korean company has confirmed through its social media channels that the successor to last year's G4 will be unveiled on February 21, i.e, a day before this year's Mobile World Congress officially kicks off.Interestingly, the Galaxy S7 is also set be unveiled on the same day. Just in case you missed, an LG executive said in an interview last month that the company "is ready to take on Samsung" this...

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Google offering $10 Play Store credit to Chromecast/Chromecast Audio buyers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-chromecast-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the US or Canada, and are planning to purchase a Google Chromecast or Chromecast Audio, here is some good news: Google has announced that those who buy either device will be getting $10 Play Store credit.#Chromecast & #ChromecastAudio are the perfect pair. Get $10 @GooglePlay credit with either: https://t.co/MYO5FfBDbM pic.twitter.com/HtpvKovNQYÂ— Google Store (@GoogleStore) February 3, 2016The offer started yesterday, and runs through February 24. Another point worth mentioning here is that the deal is only valid for purchases made through the Google Store. The $10 credit needs to be applied by May 31, and redeemed by the end of this year.Aside from Google, third party retailer Best Buy is also currently offering a $10 gift card with each purchase of Chromecast or Chromecast Audio.Source | Best...

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Motorola Moto 360 (1st gen) and Sony SmartWatch 3 no longer available from Google Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto360-smartwatch3-discountinued/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Google Store has stopped selling two smartwatches. These are the first-generation Moto 360 from Motorola and the SmartWatch 3 from Sony. Listings for both wearable devices now clearly say they are "no longer available for purchase."The news shouldn't come as a surprise given that the original Moto 360 watch was launched back in September 2014, while the SmartWatch 3 was released a month later. While Motorola has already launched the second-generation iteration for the Moto 360, Sony hasn't yet outed a SmartWatch 4.Those planning to purchase either of the smartwatch aren't completely out of luck though, given that third-party retailers like Amazon are still selling them.Source 1...

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Galaxy S7 and S7 edge roll through the FCC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-edge-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have made an appearance through the FCC. Although the phone will not be announced until February 21, Samsung is getting a head start and preparing the logistics before launch.The model numbers for the S7 sand S7 edge are SM-G930A and SM-G935A, respectively. While these documents don't contain images of the alleged devices, they do contain the many variant model numbers for either model of the device.As usual, the FCC docs also list the various bands, connectivity options, and certifications like Bluetooth, Dual-band Wi-Fi, and NFC.The S7 and S7 Edge will feature either a 5.2 inch screen or a larger 5.7 inch screen if you opt for the edge display. It's powered by either an Exynos 8890 or a Snapdragon 820 as suggested.Source |...

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Apple Music for Android lets you save music to an SD card
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-music-android-sdcard/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple Music app has been updated to allow users to store offline music onto an external storage option. This is a surprising move on Apple's side seeing as there has never been an iPhone with an expandable memory option.This change to the Android app is to the benefit of Apple. Some Android users have low end phones that might not have more than 8 GB of internal storage and could easily choose to subscribe to another music service that also lets users save offline music to a microSD card.Apple Music is downloadable from the Play Store for free and comes with a 3 month trial. $10 a month gets you an all-access subscription for music and Beats 1 online radio station.Source |...

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Podcasts section starts showing up in Google Play Music for some
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-play-music-podcasts/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year it was revealed that Google Play Music would get a Podcasts section in 2016, and now we can report that it's already live. For some lucky souls, at least.The feature will apparently become available for all before the end of this month. Until then, Google seems to be doing some A/B testing on this, but the new functionality is enabled server-side so it isn't part of an update to the Google Play Music app unfortunately.As you'd expect, a Podcasts entry shows up in the app's side menu, under Music library and above Browse stations. Once you tap on that you're taken to the new section, that comes with two tabs - Featured and Your podcasts. A search bar is at the top, naturally.When you decide to subscribe to a podcast, you're asked if you want to download the latest five episodes and get notified when new ones get released. The Now playing screen for podcasts is similar to the one used for music, save for one difference - the thumbs up and down buttons have been replaced with ones that let you skip 30 seconds forward and backward,...

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Latest Pebble firmware update brings custom messages, third party access to the step and sleep tracker
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/pebble-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest firmware update for Pebble's various wearables is going out today. To install version 3.9 on your smartwatch, your Pebble app for iOS or Android needs to be up to date first (the required iterations are 3.6 for iPhone and 3.9 for Android).The newest firmware brings with it an API for the Pebble Health step and sleep tracker, which means developers are now able to use those stats for apps and watch faces. Health-enabled watch faces will show up in the Pebble appstore soon. Speaking of Pebble Health, this now allows you to show step distance in kilometers and not miles. It's also more accurate overall.If you use an iPhone, you can send custom responses to received messages through your Pebble smartwatch. As shown above, you set up your canned messages using the Pebble app for iOS first, then you'll be able to choose from those options once your wearable notifies you of a new message.If your handset runs Android, you can reply to incoming calls with a text message. Instead of answering a call, you send a voice note, emoji, or a custom message. And with the Send Text app for Android you can even start conversations from your Pebble. MMS notifications have descriptive icons from this point on, and they show any text that's included.Finally, the Watch-Only Mode which kicks in when your Pebble's battery is low now has a new look and gives you more time to find your smartwatch's...

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Alcatel OneTouch Pop 4 lineup leaks ahead of MWC - meet the Pop 4S, Pop 4 Plus, and Pop 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/alcatel-ot-pop4-leak/-184x111/thumb.jpg TCL, the owner of the Alcatel OneTouch brand, is going to unveil a new Pop 4 lineup of smartphones at the MWC later this month. All of those leaked Pop 4 devices should be priced attractively low.Alcatel OneTouch Pop 4S is the flagship smartphone of the Pop 4 series with a 5.5" 1080p IPS display and Helio X10 chipset. The X10 SoC has been around for a while, and it turned out to be a favorite for the mid-range class. The particular chip in the Pop 4S will be offering an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor (4x 1.8GHz and 4x 1.0GHz), Mali-T860 GPU, and 2GB of RAM.The rest of the specs include 16/32GB expandable storage, a 13MP main camera with phase-detection and dual-LED flash, and a 5/8MP selfie snapper. Finally, the Pop 4S is LTE-enabled (Cat.4/Cat.6), utilizes a 2,960 mAh battery, and runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.Alcatel OneTouch Pop 4 Plus also has a 5.5" IPS display, but with a lower 720p resolution. It is powered by the Snapdragon 210 chip with a quad-core 1.1GHz Cortex-A7, Adreno 304 GPU, and 1.5GB RAM.The Pop 4 Plus will offer 16GB expandable storage, LTE Cat.4 connectivity, an 8 or 13MP main camera with an LED flash, a 5 or 8MP selfie shooter, and a 2,500 mAh battery. Android Marshmallow is in charge of operations, too.Finally, the Alcatel OneTouch Pop 4 is an entry-level offer with a 5" 720p display and the same Snapdragon 210 chipset as the Pop 4 Plus. The Pop 4 will be available with 1GB or 1.5GB RAM, depending on the market. Also depending on the market are the main camera - 8 or 13 MP, as well as the selfie snapper - 5 or 8 MP.The fixed specs available for all modes are the LTE Cat.4 connectivity, the 2,500 mAh battery, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.All these three droids will premiere at the MWC in Barcelona later this month. And if they are indeed at the MWC floors, we'll deliver some shots and first-hand impressions to...

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Fitbit intros Alta, its latest fitness tracker
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/fitbit-alta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Fitbit has announced its latest fitness tracker, the Alta. It's already up for pre-order on its maker's website, priced at $129.95 in the US and Â€139.95 in the EU. It will start shipping in March in the US, and in April elsewhere.It comes with a "satin finish" and a stainless steel body. It has interchangeable bands, and it automatically tracks your activity, exercise, and sleep. It will also nudge you to move throughout the day. Its OLED display shows your progress towards reaching your goals as well as notifications from your smartphone.The Alta is positioned by Fitbit as its most fashionable device yet. Its body will be available at launch in silver, but a gold iteration is coming in the future. Band material options include leather.Its battery life is rated at up to five days on a charge, and it's said to be compatible with more than 200 devices running Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.Source |...

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Oppo F1 review: Elegance on a budget
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/oppo-f1/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg The Oppo F1 is the ambassador for a whole new potential line of handsets within the manufacturer's portfolio and as such, it definitely deserves some attention.

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HTC reports Q4 2015 financial results - upward trend, but still in the red
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-q4-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has released its financial report for Q4 2015, which in the case of the Taiwanese company is the quarter ending on December 31, 2015 (in the US that same period would be Q1, 2016). The consolidated results show a continuation of a positive trend for HTC, though it's still far from breaking even.The company reports a TWD 3.4 billion net loss after taxes, or roughly $101 million. That number was $139 million in Q3 and $252 million for the previous three months, so the upward trend is clearly visible. Revenue is quoted at TWD 25.7 billion ($766 million), which puts a halt on the free fall the company had been experiencing for the past year.This quarter's growth is attributed partially to the warm reception of the HTC One A9 in Asia, the US and Europe, and also the Desire series selling well during the holiday season. The UA HealthBox also got a mention in the report, though being announced in January, it can't really account for any cash brought in during the reported period, if ever.Source |...

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XOXO and LOVE get you a free case/cover with OnePlus smartphone purchases
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplus-freebies/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is offering its take on Valentine's day specials and is now bundling a free Rosewood case with OnePlus X purchases. What you need to do is enter the XOXO promo code upon checkout.Alternatively, if you're after the OnePlus 2, you can get a Black Apricot StyleSwap Cover free of charge. The promo code for this one is LOVE.A couple of caveats though. Only these two specific styles are part of the offer, one for each smartphone. If you've chosen a different case/cover, entering the promo code will add the correct one, deduct its price, but still keep the one you originally selected, so make sure you delete it.Additionally, if for some reason you've decided that now's the time to get both the OnePlus X and OnePlus 2, you can't claim both promo codes in the same order. Also, the fine print contains the magic words "while supplies last", so make sure you act...

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Leaked Microsoft Lumia 650 press photo surfaces
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-shot/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new press shot of the upcoming Microsoft Lumia 650 is now out of the leak factory, courtesy of @evleaks. The photo shows the front of the device, which is rumored to sport a 5" 720p display and either a Snapdragon 210 or Snapdragon 212 chipset.Visually, the phone will look just like the Lumia 550, save for a metal frame, which add some extra polish. This isn't the first time we see a press shot of the phone, as it leaked in white and the phone even went on pre-order by mistake last week.Back then, the listing revealed the full spec list showing an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 1.1 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Windows 10 Mobile, naturally, and weighs 150g.Expect the phone to cost about $199 unlocked in the US, while in the Eurozone its price could be something like Â€199. Most probably, the phone will go official at MWC 2016 at the end of the month.Source |...

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Lenovo returns to profitability, almost breaks even on Motorola
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lenovo-results/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo just did what Google could not - it broke even on Moto phones. The Mobile Business Group (which combines Lenovo and Motorola phones and tablets, plus smart TVs) posted quarterly sales of $3.2 billion (down 4% YoY).Motorola contributed $2 billion to that and saw shipments rise 25% quarter on quarter. Lenovo didn't quite break even though, it posted $30 million in pre-tax loss.As for phones bearing the Lenovo brand, they saw a huge rise in India and Indonesia (doubling and tripling sales) with 83% of sales coming from outside of China.It's not all good news, though, total smartphone volume fell 18% to 20.2 million units sold. In case you haven't heard, Lenovo will merge its smartphone brands and Motorola will soon become Lenovo Moto, joining the Lenovo Vibe brand.The company as a whole returned to profitability with $300 million net income on a revenue of $12.9 billion (down 8% YoY, 2% in constant currency).Source |...

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Accessory-maker ZAGG acquires battery case maker Mophie
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/zagg-mophie/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZAGG, makers of InvisibleShield screen protectors, tablet keyboards and more, will acquire battery case maker Mophie. The deal is expected to close at the beginning of April, subject to regulatory approvals.The merger will create a leader in market share for the two companies' respective fields. It will also improve product development and expand distribution.This will come from strengthened manufacturing in China and will leverage established distribution in the US, Europe and Asia. With combined engineerings and branding efforts, ZAGG believes it can bring better product development and increase brand recognition.ZAGG will pay $100 million, plus a bonus based on whether Mophie sales surpass $100 million for the year following April 1 2016. Mophie CEO and COO will keep their current positions, but will now answer to ZAGG CEO, Randy Hales.Source |...

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Android 6.0 Marshmallow beta seeding to selected Galaxy Note5 units in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/note5-beta-update-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung has been seeking beta testers for its latest Android 6 Marshmallow updates in various markets such as South Korea, UK, and the US. If chosen, the users were able to install the beta version of Marshmallow on some of the Galaxy S6 smartphones.Samsung seems to be readying the Marshmallow update for Galaxy Note5 as the company has begun selection users in the US to receive the test build. About 200 people from the AT&T networks with Note5 devices have been chosen and if they followed the instructions correctly, the update should be already available.The Marshmallow firmware looks the same as on the Galaxy S6 series and utilizes the latest security improvements, too.The beta firmware update weights about 1356MB and has a build date of February 2.If you own a Galaxy Note5 from AT&T (the SM-N920A model), and you've signed up for beta updates, maybe you should check your email to see if you were chosen to be a beta tester.Anyway, this beta Marshmallow update means the firmware is almost finalized and the regular users should be getting it in a few...

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GSMArena

04-02-16, 12:16

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-850-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday offered us a set of hands-on photos of the Microsoft Lumia 850 and today, samples from the same batch have resurfaced from yet another source adding quite a bit to the authenticity of the leak. Joining them we have a few fan-made renders that lets us get a better idea of the smartphone's looks.This is the latest in a long line of news and various info on the handset, reaffirming that the mid-range Windows 10 phablet will be outed this year. Without diving too much into the shots themselves, we will just note that even though the Lumia 850 is expected to come with a plastic body, like many of its siblings, there clearly looks to be some extra detail on the frame, maybe perhaps some metal.Other obvious changes include a repositioned microUSB 2.0 connector - now on the top and a 3.5mm jack on the bottom. As for specs, we currently believe that the Lumia 850 will be powered by a Snapdragon 617 chip - one of Qualcomm's new mid-range offers that just happens to be Microsoft's last addition to the Continuum requirements sheet, which naturally suggests support for the new phablet. The display is said to be a 5.7-inch one with a FullHD resolution, but there is still no info on memory.Source (in Chinese) |...

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GSMArena

05-02-16, 12:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-galaxy-j7-kernel-sources/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and the Galaxy J5 (2016) are now one step closer to market launch, as they successfully passed Bluetooth SIG certification. The predecessors of the two phones came out in June 2015, but the 2016 editions might be a little early. According to leaked benchmark results, the Galaxy J7 (2016) will have two versions - one with an Exynos 7870 chip, and another with a Snapdragon 615. The two versions will have different screen resolutions on the 5.5" display and RAM. The Exynos one will tout a 720p screen and 2GB of RAM, while the Snapdragon model will come with 3GB of RAM and 1080p display. The chipset of the Galaxy J5 (2016) has also been revealed through a leaked benchmark, and it's going to be a Snapdragon 410 one with a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU. The other known specs so far include a 12 or 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of built-in storage. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced. While MWC 2016 is a good opportunity for Samsung to officially reveal the phones, the company is unlikely to risk drawing any attention away from the Galaxy S7 lineup so those will probably come at a different point. Source Â• Source (2) |...

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Apple starts iPhone screen protector installation program in Japan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-screen-protector/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has started iPhone screen protector installation program in Japan, along with Belkin. Apple customers in Japan will be able to hop down to their local Apple Store and get the Belkin screen protector professionally installed on their iPhone using an installation machine. The device allows placing the screen protector in place with the phone aligned on top and then when the protective film is pulled out the screen protector is precisely applied on top of the phone without any air bubbles. Still, if you're not satisfied, they will reapply another one for no additional cost. The application costs somewhere between $19 and $37 according to 9to5Mac. The program will be rolling out to other regions in...

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Gionee S6 with 3GB RAM and 13MP camera lands in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gionee-s6-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a few months after it was launched, the Gionee S6 is now available for purchase in India, making it the first country outside of China where the device is now officially available. In India, the device is exclusively being sold by online retailer Flipkart, which currently has Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold color options in stock. As for the price, the handset carries a tag of INR 19,999, which translates into around $295 at current exchange rates. Specs-wise, the Gionee S6 is powered by a MediaTek MT6753 SoC with 1.3GHz octa-core CPU and Mali T-720 GPU, and sports a 5.5-inch 720p AMOLED display. It has 3GB RAM and 32GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 3,150mAh battery. In terms of camera, the phone features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It is just 6.9mm thick, and runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with the company's AMIGO OS 3.1 on...

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Windows Store visits hit 3 billion mark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/windows-store-trends-feb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has released this month's report on Windows Store trends, revealing that the store has received a total of over 3 billion visits since Windows 10 was launched. The figure stood at around 2.5 billion in last month's report. The Redmond, Washington-based company also shared details on category-wise downloads for the Oct-Dec 2015 period. The data revealed that Games was the most popular category with over 30% downloads, while Utilities & Tools and Photo & Video rounded up the top three with 15% and 8% share, respectively. In terms of downloads by language, English - unsurprisingly - was at the top, followed by Spanish, Brazilian Portugese, Russian, and Hindi. The company also revealed several other interesting stats - head to the Source link below to take a...

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New Microsoft Lumia 650 renders surface; European price leaks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia650-renders-price-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The upcoming Microsoft Lumia 650 will cost around Â€220 in Central Europe, according to a new report. The device will be available from carrier Orange in France, the report notes, adding that Cricket Wireless will carry it in the US. In addition to the price, some new renders of the Windows 10-powered handset - which is said to be aimed at business users - have also leaked, showing it from the side this time. The phone has been the subject of several leaks and rumors until now. It was earlier rumored to be unveiled in the first week of February, but subsequent reports have suggested that it has been delayed until the mid of this month. Via 1 2...

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WhatsApp Web is now officially compatible with Microsoft Edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/whatsapp-web-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg WhatsApp's Web extension now officially supports Microsoft's Edge Web browser. This was first noticed by users on Reddit. Until now, the functionality was officially only available on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari. It was not that users of Microsoft's Web browser were completely out of luck until now - there was a way out using which they could access WhatsApp Web on the browser. But it's always good to see official support arriving for the software you use. A quick look at the Reddit thread reveals that not every Microsoft Edge user is currently able to access WhatsApp Web. If that's the case for you, too, probably you need to wait a bit more given the possibility that the support is being currently rolled-out. Via |...

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Apple asks Supreme Court not to take up Samsung's appeal
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/samsung-apple-supremecourt/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a couple of months after Samsung took its patent battle with Apple to the US Supreme Court, Apple has requested the country's highest court not to take up the South Korean company's appeal. For those who aren't in the know, Samsung moved the Supreme Court after agreeing to pay Apple $548 million to settle their yearslong patent legal case. The company is seeking a re-examination of the decisions made in the case so far, arguing that the jury isn't given all the details on how to understand the patents when dealing with design patent-related cases, as well as questioning the way damages are calculated in these cases. In its arguments filed yesterday, Apple said it sees no reason for the court to review Samsung's verdict. "Samsung had its day in court Â— many days, in fact Â— and the properly instructed jury was well-justified in finding that Samsung copied Apple's designs and should pay the damages that the statute expressly authorizes," the iPhone maker said. "While this litigation may be high-profile, it is legally unexceptional, and Samsung has shown no reason for this Court to prolong it." In its response to Apple's filing, Samsung said, "If the legal precedent in this case stands, innovation could be diminished, competition could be stifled, and opportunistic lawsuits could have negative effects throughout the U.S....

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More Apple apps could land on Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-music-android-sdcard/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last November, the Apple Music app landed on Google Play, making it the first Apple app to be available on Android. Now, it looks like the Cupertino-based company is planning to bring some of its other popular apps to Google's mobile OS as well. CEO Tim Cook dropped hints about this at the company's recent "Town Hall" event for Apple employees. He said that Apple Music for Android was a sort of "testing the waters" to see if the company could further expand its services on Android. So does that mean Android users will soon be able to access Apple's iCloud and iMessage services, and not to mention Apple Pay? Well, only time will tell. We're hoping that Apple will divulge more details on this in the near future, probably at its annual developer conference this...

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Huawei officially starts selling GX8 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/huawei-gx8-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this year's Consumer Electronics Show last month, Huawei announced that the GX8 will land in the US sometime this quarter. Inline with the announcement, the device is now available for purchase in the country. Amazon US currently has the device in stock (though only 14 units are left as of writing) and is selling it for $350. The phone is also listed on the Chinese company's official online store GetHuawei for the same price, but is currently out of stock. For those who aren't already aware, the GX8 is a version of the G8 smartphone which is already available in other markets. It is the second Huawei smartphone - after the Honor 5X - to be officially available in the US. Source |...

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T-Mobile LG G4 seems to be receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/t-mobile-g4-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It looks like T-Mobile's version of the LG G4 (model number H811) is finally in the process of receiving the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This has already made it to many other variations of the smartphone, so it's nice to see it landing on one more carrier version. Neither LG nor T-Mobile have officially announced the rollout yet, but it is happening, according to multiple people reporting as much on Reddit. Most of those who managed to install it have done so through the LG Bridge software for PCs and Macs, but there is one mention of an over-the-air update too. This means you should probably expect the OTA rollout to pick up some steam in the next few days, and hopefully reach all of TMo's G4 units out there soon. After you apply this update, you'll be on software version H81120I, by the way. There's no changelog to speak of just yet, but obviously all the new things Google has packed into Marshmallow are in - including Now On Tap, the battery-saving Doze function, the revamped permissions system, and much...

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Bing for Android update brings it on par with iOS app, new design and features are in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/bing-for-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has updated its Bing app for Android today, finally bringing it on par with the iOS version. This means the Android app has received a big redesign (which you can see in the screenshots below), as well as many new features. You can scan barcodes for products, and you'll get prices and customer reviews from big online retailers. If you search for "gas" or go to the Near Me section and select the Gas bubble you'll get fresh gas prices for your area. Then you can easily navigate to the station you're interested in. The redesigned home page requires just one tap to get to lists of restaurants, movies, images, videos, maps, deals, and attractions near you. Swiping up from the bottom lets you check out the current weather conditions and stay up to date with the major news stories of the day. The new Bing for Android is already available in the Google Play Store. Source |...

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Huawei's Honor 5X is now available in Europe from Â£169.99 or Â€209.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-5x-out-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's February 4, so Huawei's countdown timer is gone from the page listing the Honor 5X in its European online store. Yes, the company's latest affordable smartphone is now available to buy if you're in Europe. Thankfully this means we now know how much it costs. The normal price is Â£189.99, Â€229.99, or CHF 229.90, depending on where you are. However, by just entering your email address in a form that can be found on the same page, you'll instantly receive a discount code which you can use to take that price down by Â£20, Â€20, or CHF 20. So essentially you'll be paying Â£169.99, Â€209.99, or CHF 209.90 for the device - while this promo code offer is still available. There's no telling how long it will last, though. Currently both the silver and grey versions of the Honor 5X are in stock and ready to be delivered to you, while for the gold model you will have to wait a few days (the exact number of which varies based on the country you order from). The Honor 5X can be purchased direct from Huawei if you are in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The phone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 615 chipset (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G support, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop underneath Huawei's EMUI...

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The new Doom game launches on May 13 on PC, Xbox One, and PS4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/doom-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's official, ladies and gentlemen, the new Doom game will become available on May 13. This has been years in the making, and it will be the fourth installment in the wildly popular series. The original Doom 3 was launched back in 2004, so it's certainly been a long wait for fans of the well-known first-person shooter. On May 13, the new game will be released for PC, Xbox One, as well as PlayStation 4, thus covering all the big platforms. It's already up for pre-order at the moment, with prices starting at $60 for a Standard Edition, while the Collector's Edition is double that. The Standard iteration includes the full game (with solo campaign mode as well as multiplayer support). The Collector's Edition adds a 12-inch LED-lit statue of a Revenant demon. Source |...

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New Android Wear update brings support for speakers, new gestures
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-wear-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has just announced the latest update to the Android Wear platform. The new software is going to be rolled out to all smartwatches running Android Wear. It's expected to reach all the devices within the next few weeks. Here's what to expect when that update notification finally hits your watch. The new version of Android Wear brings with it support for built-in speakers for wearables (and the Huawei Watch already has one, for example, along with the 49mm Asus ZenWatch 2). This means you'll be able to take and make calls from your watch. It's also possible to listen to audio or video messages through certain apps. New gestures have been incorporated into this release too. You can expand a card, bring up your apps, or return to your watch face with a push, lift, or shake. These gestures arrive in addition to the already available ones that let you scroll up and down your card stream by simply flicking your wrist. Finally, support for sending messages with your voice has been expanded to include popular third party apps. So with this update you're able to say something like "OK Google, send a WhatsApp message to George: I'll be right there". And, of course, that will result in George receiving a WhatsApp message containing those exact words. The other apps supported for this functionality are Hangouts, Nextplus, Telegram, Viber, and...

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LG G Flex2 now $199.99 unlocked for a limited time
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g-flex2-200usd-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The first smartphone from a major brand to run on the Snapdragon 810 chipset, the LG G Flex2 was announced at last year's CES and during most of its lifetime was the most affordable high-end device, often costing half of what competitors charged. But if even that was too much for you, you can now pick up one at $199.99 unlocked, in the US at least. There are a few more caveats, as with most such deals. For one, you can only order the Black color option (or as LG calls it - Platinum Silver), and not the flashier Flamenco Red we had for review. It's also an AT&T-branded version, previously locked and subsequently unlocked by carrier. You can expect to find AT&T bloatware installed, and potential updates will be dependent on AT&T's blessing. On the other hand, you'd be getting the better specced version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (there's a lesser 2GB/16GB variant). The self-healing back cover and eye-popping curved body are also carrier-independent features. You have some time to weigh the pros and cons, but don't overthink it - the deal expires in 5 days. Source |...

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Huawei Honor 7 Premium Edition to launch in Europe soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-7-premium-europe/-184x111/thumb.jpg Today was the official launch of the Huawei Honor 5X for Europe, and it can be purchased via the official online store in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. In the wake of the launch, Huawei teased another device it will be launching very soon in Europe - the Premium Edition of the Honor 7. While there wasn't any official specs sheet in this edition, Huawei detailed its storage - 32GB, and the retail box will be coming with a 9V/2A fast charger. Most of the specs will be the same as on the regular Honor 7 - a metal body with a 5.2" 1080p display, Kirin 935 chip with 3GB of RAM, a 20MP main camera, an 8MP selfie snapper, and a 3,100 mAh battery. You can find even more specs in our Honor 7 database listing. The Premium Edition of Honor 7 for Europe will be available in Gold and Mystery Grey colors. The pricing and exact date are yet to be...

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Apple Pay is now available at 2 million locations in four markets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-pay-2-million/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple Pay was launched in 2014 with the iPhone 6 series and is currently supported by the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and the Apple Watch. The iPad Pro, Air 2, mini 3, and mini 4 can also use Apple Pay but within apps only. Apple had a target of physical 1.5 million locations for the 2015, and it managed to surpass this milestone by a lot. Today Apple Pay is available at more than 2 million locations globally and is continuing its expansion. That's still far from a wide-spread service, but its future sure looks more promising now. The next wave of supported merchants is going to include Chick-Fil-A, Crate & Barrel, and Au Bon Pain. Popular food chains like KFC, Dominos, Chili's, and Cinnabon will be adding Apple Pay later on. Apple Pay will also expand its reach to China later this year. Currently, it is available in four markets - USA, Hong Kong, Spain, and Singapore. Finally, Apple Pay got an enormous increase in in-app payments, a feature not widely advertised but often used nevertheless. Source |...

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Gionee Elife S8 spotted on Geekbench running the Helio P10 SoC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gionee-elife-s8-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month it became clear that Gionee will follow-up MWC 2015 launch of the Elife S7 with at least one new device lined up for the event this year. By all accounts, that is going to be the Gionee Elife S8, which prior to the February 22 announcement made a quick stop at Geekbench (we are fairly certain GN9011 refers to it). The listing reveals a MediaTek MT6755 SoC, also known as the eight core Helio P10. This falls in line with the legacy of the Elife line, which typically employs MediaTek chips. The benchmark also reported 4GB of RAM on the handset, as well as an Android 6.0 platform. The cited scores are also not bad at 4511 points on multi-core and 1079 on single, courtesy of the ARM Cortex-A53 cores. Sadly, the leak doesn't offer any other information, but Gionee was kind enough to share some more insight on the Elife S8, a while back: At MWC 2016, GIONEE will introduce a new member to its S series - the Elife S8, an innovative mobile device that comes with hassle-free photo-shooting features and a pressure-sensitive display. While a pressure sensitive display is nothing really new, here's to hoping Gionee manages to introduce even more exciting uses for the technology and possibly more compatible and optimized software to make it worthwhile. Source |...

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GSMArena

05-02-16, 12:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/adreno-530-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Everyone is eager to forget the Snapdragon 810 issues and move on to the 820. Early processor benchmarks didn't wipe out the competition, but maybe the new Adreno 530 GPU could impress. Qualcomm promised a 40% performance improvement on top of a 40% power reduction over the Adreno 420 used in the S810. Early GFXBench tests show the difference can be even bigger than expected. Only the iPhone 6s Plus GPU, the PowerVR GT7600 (6-core), comes close and even that one doesn't quite catch up. Even the Google Pixel C (a large tablet with a Nvidia Tegra X1 chipset ) barely wins out. .jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 146px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GFX 3.0 Manhattan (1080p offscreen) Higher is better ??? (Adreno 530) 48 Google Pixel C (Nvidia Maxwell) 48 iPhone 6s Plus (PowerVR GT7600) 39.5 Huawei Nexus 6P (Adreno 430) 25 Galaxy Note5 (Mali-T760MP8) 21 Huawei Mate 8 (Mali-T880 MP4) 17 GFX 3.1 Manhattan (1080p offscreen) Higher is better Google Pixel C (Nvidia Maxwell) 35.5 ??? (Adreno 530) 31.5 Huawei Nexus 6P (Adreno 430) 17 Galaxy Note5 (Mali-T760MP8) 15 Huawei Mate 8 (Mali-T880 MP4) 9.9 This is, of course, assuming the benchmark score is legit. And it says nothing of the promised battery savings. Thanks to madstunt for the...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro shows up on Zauba
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/galaxy-a9-price-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Early last week, there were reports that Samsung is working on a Pro variant of its Galaxy A9 smartphone. The variant was said to carry a model number of SM-A9100. Now, the device has been spotted on India's import-export tracking website Zauba. As is the case usually, the Zauba listing of the handset doesn't reveal much, except that it sports a large 6-inch display and carries a price tag of INR 24,179 (around $360). Keep in mind, however, that pricing information on Zauba is not always precise, and that seems to be true in this case given that the standard Galaxy A9 costs $490. As for availability, previous reports have suggested that the Galaxy A9 Pro is aimed at the Chinese market. The standard model - which was launched around Christmas last year - is also currently only available in...

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GSMArena

06-02-16, 12:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/blackberry-layoff/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry has just parted with "approximately 200 employees" total in both Waterloo, Ontario, and Sunrise, Florida. The company hasn't disclosed which branches of its operations the cuts are focused on, but earlier reports pointed at the BlackBerry 10 and Devices departments.The news comes a month after CEO John Chen asserted that the company's OS is "far from dead", a statement which was needed to clear the air after the previous day it was announced that BlackBerry will be switching entirely to Android for future smartphones. And while continuing support for existing devices certainly means that the OS is "far from dead", the lack of future BB10 devices does warrant cuts in the workforce.The layoffs are part of the struggling company's turnaround plan, which seems to be on the right track, given the last financial reports from December last year. At $15 million in the red, the company's loss was 4.5 times less than analysts had predicted, and the Priv seems to be doing nothing but good for BlackBerry.Source |...

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Apple now sells the View-Master VR through its own stores
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-viewmaster/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple is now officially selling the View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack through its own stores, both physical and online. The VR/AR rig, similar to Google's Cardboard, but with View-Master's signature reels added on top, has already been available for both Android and Apple devices, but it's only now that the Cupertino company has made it available in its own retail chain.You can order it online, but it'll take a lengthy 3-4 weeks to ship. If you want one today, you can pick up a View-Master in Apple's physical stores, just check online if the one near you has it. The more prudent among you will certainly prefer Amazon, though, where the headset is available for $17.74 right now.Additionally, Apple stores are carrying the Experience packs (the reels, plus a card), each priced at $14.95. You need the card to unlock the experience in the app on your phone and to enjoy the augmented reality features. Source |...

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Galaxy S7 wireless charging pad listed on UK retailer's website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-wireless-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung introduced built-in wireless (or rather inductive) charging capability with the Galaxy S6 a year ago, and made strides into making it nearly as quick as true wired charging by launching the fast wireless charger when the Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ came out last fall.Well, the Galaxy S7 range won't be missing the feature either, judging by a listing on a UK retailer's website. Clove's brief description of the accessory mentions that it's optimized for the upcoming Galaxy S7/S7 edge but will also be compatible with other smartphones complying to the Qi standard.And it's all fine and dandy, but the pictures show the existing Wireless Charging Pad mini, which has been available for a while now. The listing is clearly just a placeholder at the time, and it also doesn't seem too likely that Clove will give you a pound to pick up a charging pad, as the -£1.00 price suggests.The good bit is that Samsung isn't abandoning useful features (like microSD slot and removable battery) this time around. Wireless charging, coupled with the alleged 2-day endurance and 17 hours of video playback make a compelling case for the Galaxy S7, if they prove to be true.Thanks for the tip,...

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Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact officially available in the US: February 7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-z5-available-in-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will finally be available in the US starting this Sunday, February 7. The first retailers selling the latest Sony flagship phone will be: Best Buy, B&H, and Amazon.com.The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact feature a 5.2 inch 1080p or 4.6 inch 720p Triluminous display, a Snapdragon 810 paired with 2 or 3GB of RAM, a 2700 or 2900mAh battery, and an immersion rating of IP68 with capless USB port.Remember, though, Sony is not including the fingerprint sensor on its Z5 line of devices for the US for some reason, most likely due to logistics.The Xperia Z5 will be available unlocked for $599.99 while the Z5 Compact will go on sale for...

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Deal: Nexus 5X going for $280 unlocked on eBay
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-5x-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This is not the first, second, or third time that we've seen the Nexus 5X go on sale since its release this past fall. This time around, you can get a 16GB Nexus 5X for a full $100 less than the launch retail price of $380 from eBay.The listing only has the Quartz and Carbon colors available and ship from Nashua, New Hampshire. They even come with the Google Play Music promo card inside the box.So if you haven't jumped to the Nexus 5X yet, this is a great deal. Though, you might want to hold off for a 32GB model. Still, the Nexus 5X embodies everything the Nexus branding stands for while maintaining a low cost and receiving the latest updates directly from Google.The Nexus 5X features a 5.2 inch 1080p LCD IPS screen, a 2700mAh battery, Marshmallow 6.0 out of the box, a quick Snapdragon 808 hexa-core chipset paired with 2GB of RAM, all enclosed in great looking hardware crafted by LG.Source (eBay) |...

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Galaxy Note 6 to land in the UK from the beginning, S7 edge+ not at all
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/note-6-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year Samsung managed to anger many Note series fans in Europe by not officially launching the Galaxy Note5 on the continent in 2015. For some reason, Samsung decided that only the Galaxy S6 edge+ was to be sold in Europe, at least at first. While the Note5 did eventually become available too, many early adopters didn't like how they were forced to pick the phablet with the curved screen even if they wanted the one with the S Pen.Amazingly, Samsung seems to have learned something from that ordeal. If a new report is to be believed, the Korean company will not repeat that story. What's more, its strategy for this year's flagship phablets seems to be exactly the opposite, at least for the UK. Namely, it's said that Samsung will bring the Note 6 to the UK from the beginning, while the Galaxy S7 edge+ will not see an official launch in the country. Ever.It's probably safe to assume that the same thing will happen in Continental Europe. The information allegedly comes from a "source high up at one of the UK's major networks". The reason for the change in strategy has to do with a "backlash from loyal Note fans" over what happened last year. And sales of the S6 edge+ (pictured above) in the UK were quite disappointing, which is possibly why that market won't see its successor.The Galaxy Note 6 is due for release in August. The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and the 5.5-inch S7 edge are going to be unveiled on February 21 at MWC in Barcelona, and they are to go on sale in early March according to the same source.Hopefully you have taken all of this with a grain of salt, since we're still many months away from the Note 6's announcement - hence, even if these plans are true right now, there's still time for them to...

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HTC unveils new Desire 626 version in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/new-desire-626-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In the hopes of selling some more units undoubtedly, HTC has today unveiled a new version of its Desire 626 smartphone in India. This is an ever so slightly revamped iteration of the original 626 from last year, packing in the dual-SIM support of the Desire 626G+, but pairing it with 4G LTE capabilities as well.The new Desire 626 has a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie shooter, the MediaTek MT6752 SoC at the helm (with a 1.7 GHz octa-core CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,000 mAh battery.Most of those things have been seen before in the 626 range, but what's definitely new is the software. The revamped Desire handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, with HTC Sense on top. That's in stark contrast to the original 626 shipping with Android 4.4 KitKat on board.The new device will become available in the subcontinent soon, priced at INR 14,990 - which means about $220 or Â€198 at the current exchange rates. The color versions are going to be called Blue Lagoon and White Birch. It's still unclear if it will ever launch elsewhere.Source 1 Â• Source...

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Check out our Honor 5X video review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-5x-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Honor 5X is surely a widely talked about phone. Especially with the company's first US-bound smartphone hitting the virtual shelves at the end of last month. The Honor 5X is a #NoNonsense smartphone with flagship-level features, all for $200 unlocked.The Honor 5X has a 5.5 inch 1080p LCD IPS display, a fast fingerprint scanner, a hefty 3000mAh battery, a 13MP camera, and Huawei's own feature-rich EM UI layered on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, upgradable to Marshmallow and powered by a Snapdragon 615 chipset.We are currently working on the full length written review, so we wanted to give you a teaser of what to expect with the Honor 5X. We've compiled a video showing off the well-roundedness of the Honor 5X and what you really get for $200.Stay tuned for our in-depth written review of the Honor 5X as...

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Samsung Z1 Tizen 2.4 update starts rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/z1-tizen24-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has finally started rolling out the Tizen 2.4 update (Z130HDDU0CPB1) to its Z1 smartphone. The update weighs in at around 262MB (~17MB for Tizen 2.4 Beta users), and is currently only available to users in India.Several new features are included in the update, such as WhatsApp Calling, Ultra Data Saving Mode, as well as the ability to create password-protected memos. In addition, many of the existing apps - including Camera, Message, Music Player, Smart Manager, Video Recorder, and Settings - have also received some changes.The OTA update is currently rolling out, so it may take a while before it hits your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can head to your device's Settings and check for it manually. Other countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are expected to get the update next week.Via 1...

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Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) review: Stride across
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-a7-2016/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung reinvented itself last year and that gave the A-series a chance for a coup. It took the great new design from the S-phones and parred it down to a mid-range price.

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HTC One M10 leaks in full frontal live image
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-image/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to recent reports, HTC has chosen to unveil its next flagship smartphone, the One M10, at a dedicated event and not at MWC in Barcelona at the end of this month. That may be wise, seeing has how both the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 are set to become official at MWC.Recently we've seen a list of specs for the One M10 getting leaked, and today we are treated to what is alleged to be the first live image of the device.As you can see, the HTC logo is nowhere to be found on the front of the M10, and neither is the much-dreaded black bar that housed it in past One M series handsets. Under the screen we do however see a fingerprint scanner, which could double as a Home button.The power and volume buttons are on the right side of the phone, with the former being nicely ridged so you'll easily be able to tell which is which even if you're not looking. Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a second front-facing speaker underneath the display, so perhaps the much-loved BoomSound speakers aren't going to be making a comeback in this model.The One M10 seems to employ a full metal construction, like its predecessors. Previously rumored specs had it coming with a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 12 MP UltraPixel rear camera with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. It shall run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8...

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Apple Watch is now cheaper by £50 to £120 in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-watch-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're in the UK and want to buy an Apple Watch, now's probably the time to do it. And make sure you choose either Currys or PC World as your supplier for Apple's first smartwatch.Why? Because both of those retailers are now offering the Apple Watch models with discounts ranging from £50 to £120. Those are quite the savings, especially for an Apple-made device.Let's exemplify. The 38mm Apple Watch Sport with a black or white strap is normally priced at £299, but it can now be yours for just £249. The 42mm stainless steel Apple Watch with the milanese loop band has a recommended retail price of £559, but is now offered for a mere £439.There are many more options to pick from, of course, with all iterations receiving a discount in the aforementioned range. It's unclear how long the new, reduced pricing will last, so make sure you act fast if you want to pick up a cheaper Apple...

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The Apple Watch accounted for two-thirds of smartwatch shipments in 2015
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/canalys-smartwatch-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is hardly surprising that Apple cashed-in big last holiday season, but it is interesting to note that according to Canalys, the company's smartwatch did particularly well, shipping 12 million units. Canalys estimates that this constitutes around two-thirds of all shipments - impressive volume indeed. In this chart, Cupertino is followed closely by Samsung with the Gear S2, which returned to the runner-up spot after releasing its improved designs. Pebble occupies the third spot and Huawei is forth. The latter is quite an impressive achievement form the Chinese OEM, which managed to top the likes of LG, despite having only one smartwatch to date.But statistics get even more interesting in the realm of bands, which would also include wearables without an OS and third-party app support. Here the Fitbit reigns supreme, followed closely by Xiaomi's Mi Bands, which sold just as well as the Apple watch at 13 million units during 2015. What this means is that the Fitbit actually outsold the Apple Watch in pure volume, possibly hinting that users still tend to go for more fitness-oriented wearables and let's not forget - cheaper ones.Analyst Daniel Matte commented on the matter saying: Software increasingly belongs on the wrist, and this is the direction the market is going . As the next step along this path, the Fitbit Blaze is the right product for the company to develop. It is competitively priced and is still being squarely focused on fitness.Canalyst's numbers also estimate that Fitbit, Apple and Garmin together contributed to an astounding growth of over 60% sequentially to the entire wearable device...

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Verizon offer nets you a half off Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2 if you buy two
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/droid-turbo-2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, most retailers and carriers are starting to make their special offers for the occasion known. Such is Verizon's case today, for example.The carrier is offering you the following arrangement: if you buy a Motorola Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2, you can get a second unit for 50% off. You can in fact 'mix and match' the two models, so you can purchase two of the same, or one of each if you so desire. If you choose one Turbo 2 and one Maxx 2, then the cheaper of the two will be the one receiving the 50% discount. New device payment activation is required for both phones.This deal will remain available until February 25, so there's still plenty of time to take advantage of it if you want to.Source |...

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Nearly 33% of all active iPhones are models with 4" displays
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-4-inch-33/-184x111/thumb.jpg There are numerous reports Apple will be unveiling a new iPhone model this March, together with the new iPad lineup and MacBook refresh. There are quite a few unbelievers there, but this recent report may help many understand why the possibility is more than real.According to Mixpanel's report on the iPhone models about 19% of all iPhone owners are still holding on to their beloved iPhone 5s. The iPhone 5 accounts for about 8% of the users while the iPhone 5c and iPhone 4s are 5.4% and 4.2% of all active iPhones.These numbers confirm that one-third of the active iPhones users are loving their 4" display and aren't exchanging it for a bigger one. If you add the iPhone 4s and older 3.5" models, we get a number close to 40% of users not using larger model iPhone.Sure, there are lots of reasons for people not upgrading their iPhones, but one of the most common explanations is because of the new bigger screen size. Many people are seeking an upgrade, Apple just isn't presenting them the device they want.These numbers can be easily translated into a demand for a smaller iPhone and then those rumors about an upcoming smaller iPhone 5se begin to make sense. We are sure Apple also acknowledges these shares and what's a better way to make those people upgrade if not an iPhone 5s spiritual successor - like an enhanced edition such as the iPhone 5se is rumored to be?Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 for T-Mobile benchmarked, Snapdragon 820 delivers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-galaxy-s7-t-mobile-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy S7 is just around the corner (February 21 announcement confirmed) and it's fair to say that Samsung will have little to surprise us with on the keynote. Specs and looks have been leaked time and time again to the tiniest detail, and the smartphone just can't come soon enough for us to actually put it through its paces.In the meantime, reports keep coming in on the S7's performance and it's hard not to be impressed with its alleged 2-day battery life. And now we're being treated to some GeekBench scores of what is likely a near final unit bound for US carrier T-Mobile.The Galaxy S7 in question is powered by the Snapdragon 820 (Exynos 8890 versions should also supposedly exist) and posts some pretty high numbers. The single-core result in particular is mightily impressive at around 2,300 points, while the Huawei Mate 8 we reviewed recently only managed about 1,600 with one of its Cortex-72 cores. Mind you, today's numbers are much higher than initial reports suggested, meaning Samsung and Qualcomm held back on performance in early designs. Today's figures are virtually the same as what Qualcomm's reference units were able to put out, which leads us to believe this is the Snapdragon 820 in its final form. That said, a single one of the Kryo cores inside Qualcomm's top chip is still behind (if only slightly) one of Apple's Twister cores in the A9 SoC found in the latest iPhone 6s.All four cores in the S820, on the other hand, easily top Apple's CPU, which only has a pair of Twisters. That said, T-Mobile's Galaxy S7 is still no match for the Mate 8 in the multi-core test. We'll be anticipating the Exynos 8890 to see how all of this year's flagship chips measure up.And if you believe none of this is actually relevant in the real life anymore, when high-end chips have surpassed the average user's needs, you may be half-right. But there are those that will take any performance improvement they can get - even better if paired with excellent battery life.Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S II tastes Marshmallow thanks to Cyanogen nightlies
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s2-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung dropped the support for Galaxy S II a long time ago and officially the phone is stuck on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (up from 2.3 Gingerbread) forever.But the Galaxy S II is one of the most popular Samsung smartphones ever, and it has been seeing various third-party ROMs throughout the years. Cyanogen, the most popular ROM maker out there, has granted the Galaxy S II support for KitKat and Lollipop.As of yesterday, the Cyanogen team released the first nightly build of CyanogenMod 13 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Being a nightly ROM means there will be bugs and the OS is probably not stable enough for everyday usage.We are sure the fans still keeping their Galaxy S II units will be happy with the Marshmallow news. If you are interested in updating your Galaxy S II beyond Jelly Bean, Cyanogen is your best option right now.Source |...

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GSMArena

06-02-16, 12:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-2day-battery/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy S7 is coming and with February 21 already marked on the calendar, eager fans simply can't get enough of rumors, leaks and hints about Samsung's upcoming flagship offers. When it comes to next-get, the Korean giant won't simply limit itself to improved performance, battery life is in for a solid improvement as well. By all accounts, it is going to be a major one, as evident by the recently cited 17 hours of video playback at full brightness.A newly leaked pair of screenshots from what the dual-SIM variant of the Galaxy S7 show two days of uptime on a single charge. According to the post, courtesy of Eldar Murtazin, who has been the source of other S7 insights in the past, the score was achieved with an average usage pattern, which includes display brightness at 75% and LTE always on. We can't really be certain if improvement on such a scale is to be expected, but it does fall in line with a lot of the other improvements the handset will bring to the Samsung table. For one, there is the previously suggested...

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Android 6.0 Marshmallow now seeding on Sony Xperia Z5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-z5-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg Sony plans to update quite a few with the latest available Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS. It has been working on those updates for the entire Xperia Z5 series for quite some time, and they have been recently finalized.It was in just a matter of days for Sony to begin seeding those Marshmallow treats and the Xperia Z5 users are now receiving the new firmware over the air. Xperia Z5 Compact and Z5 Premium will be getting the same update any moment now, if not already.The first country to get the Marshmallow upgrade is Turkey, but we expect more markets to follow suit any time now.Yesterday Sony confirmed yet another smartphone to receive a Marshmallow update - the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua. Concept Marshmallow builds have been available for the Xperia Z3 series, which means the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact final updates should be upon us, too.Thank you, Ahmet Nuh, for the...

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Canonical tries bringing the full PC Ubuntu experience in a tablet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ubuntu-aquaris-m10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Ubuntu Edge? It was Canonical's quite ambitious endeavor to bring a full desktop-grade Ubuntu experience in a dockable mobile phone. It all started and sadly failed in crowdfunding all the way back in 2013, way before Microsoft was even close to its strikingly similar Windows 10 Continuum experience. Now, well over two years later, the project appears to be still alive and kicking and more relevant than ever, as evident by Canonical's announcement of a brand new tablet that offers the PC dock experience.The concept is relatively simple - make a mobile OS that utilizes the same core as its desktop counterpart, or at least a subset of it, like Window's Universal apps or a common Linux kernel with specialized scalable UI elements, as provided by Ubuntu. Then you can simply run the same apps across all your devices just with slightly different interfaces - no need for porting and costly additional development.The newly announced Canonical tablet is a modification of the Aquaris M10 from Spanish manufacturer BQ. It is equipped with a 10.1 display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Under the hood is a Mediatek MT8163B SoC with quad-core CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. It is definitely not a powerhouse, but the key features are the onboard HDMI and USB Host that allow you to dock the device to a monitor plus keyboard, mouse combo. Also, the 7,280 mAh battery is a definite plus.Just like Microsoft's Continuum, the experience is still in its infancy, but Canonical is confident that it already has a library of supported apps to cover most basic use cases. If nothing else, most browsers scale nicely and so do LibreOffice apps, so Ubuntu Convergence is usable even in this early state. Canonical also feels confident that Ubuntu's technically skilled fans will find a way to load the OS onto other devices, as the Convergence feature is now basically a part of the latest version of the Ubuntu mobile OS.Source |...

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GSMArena

07-02-16, 12:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/poll-results-huawei-mate-8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Mate 8 has been enjoying very warm welcome, even helping Huawei win our Best of CES poll. Now on its own it's doing equally well, securing a formidable 78% of upvotes in the latest iteration of our Hot or not poll. The result beats the LG V10's 76% from a few months ago, but doesn't quite make it to the nearly unanimous approval of the Lumia 950 XL, at 88%. Judging by the comments, if there's something that made readers hit the thumbs-down side of the poll, was the camera, and that coincides with our own findings. Others focused their complaints on the GPU, and price was often mentioned as a drawback as well. For all its shortcomings though, the Mate 8 excels in plenty of other areas, and the numbers indicate that the pros more than make up for the...

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Week 5 in review: iPhone 7 design and Galaxy S7 battery
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another week and it looks like the Samsung Galaxy S7 stole the show yet again. This is definitely justifiable after the Korean giant finally set an official date for the MWC announcement - February 21, fueling fan interest even further. A pair of new models - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge made their way through FCC, proving that at least one flat and one edged variant will be available in the US. We also managed to catch a glimpse of what is said to be the back design of the handset, which will apparently be disrupted only by a 0.8mm camera hump, much smaller than the one on the S6. Speaking of camera humps, Apple has apparently taken the outcry of its fans to heart, as reports claim that the iPhone 7 will have a flat back. And while we are on the topic of Apple, the Cupertino giant will offer a wave of March 15 announcements, prior to the new iPhone 7 in September. The event should see the unveiling of the iPad Air 3 and a new 4-inch phone - the iPhone 5se. The Xiaomi Mi 5 has also been a major topic of conversation throughout the week. The latest wave of leaks showcased the device in a GFXBench listing and offered a glimpse of its glass back panel. Windows fans can also rejoice, as the Xiaomi flagship will apparently have a Windows 10 variant as well. In other news, the LG G5 camera setup was revealed in detail thanks to a case leak. Also, the Microsoft Lumia 850 has been featured in a few leaks and so has the Lumia 650. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } iPhone 7 reportedly won't have camera hump, antenna bands on the back The next flagship smartphone from Apple will launch later this year, having a design that will be mostly similar to its predecessor's. Leaked Samsung Galaxy S7 photo shows the back design As per the photo, Samsung intends to keep the glass design of its upcoming batch of flagships. LG G5 case shows camera setup in detail A dual-LED flash and likely a laser autofocus window peek from in between the two lenses. Galaxy S7 and S7 edge roll through the FCC As per usual, the FCC reveals some physical evidence of a phone's legal entry into the US. The Galaxy S7 is to be revealed on February 21 at MWC. The Bluboo Xfire 2 comes with a metal body and fingerprint reader for $60 The latest addition to the little known OEM's lineup offers impressive value with a dual-SIM variant also available. Samsung confirms Galaxy S7 edge, wide and narrow edge features will be supported Functionality detailed on a company website, we're yet to see if the Koreans will go for a capital 'E' this time. Xiaomi Mi 5 to get a Windows 10 variant as well Aside from the OS, the Win 10 variant is said to be identical to its Android cousin. Samsung Galaxy S7 camera to protrude just 0.8mm The latest batch of leaks suggests Samsung made a lot of subtle changes to the back design of its upcoming flagship. World's most valuable company is no longer Apple Alphabet, the parent company that owns Google, has surpassed Apple as the most valuable company in the world. It's official: Samsung to unveil Galaxy S7 on February 21 The event is scheduled to begin at 19:00 CET in Barcelona, just a day before MWC 2016 officially kicks off. S6 and S6 edge get Marshmallow update in South Korea Comes with slight UI tweaks along with under the hood improvements. MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets The chip-maker says the...

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Apple iPhone 5se to come in Pink, in addition to Silver and Space Gray
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-5se-pink/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 4-inch iPhone is apparently happening, judging by the mounting rumors on the subject. Things have escalated to the point where we're now talking of a March 15 unveiling, alongside an iPad Air 3. There was significant debate on the naming, with sources pointing in different directions, but so far it's settled on iPhone 5se. So this iPhone 5se will come in at least three color options, Silver and Space Gray the more orthodox, but also Pink. And by pink this time we mean pink and not rose gold as on the current iPhone 6s/6s Plus (the 5.5-incher pictured above). A report from Japan cites exhibitors at the recent 81st Tokyo International Gift Show, who have compared the color to the one of the 6th-gen iPod touch and the 7th-gen iPod nano. It's unclear whether there will be a Gold color option, but Rose Gold seems to be reserved for the proper iPhone 6s. iPod touch In a way, the current iPod touch is already the iPhone 5se, minus the cellular radios. Specs of the 5se have been rumored to include a 4-inch display (duh...), A8 chipset, and 8MP/1.2MP camera combo - all of these are already aboard the iPod touch. The Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and NFC chips from the iPhone 6s just need to be bolted on, plus a larger battery, and it's good to go. Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro spotted on GFXBench with 4GB of RAM and a 16MP camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a9-pro-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of weeks ago a Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was said to be under development, though it wasn't clear how it would differ from the regular Galaxy A9 (2016). The other day customs data revealed that the SM-A9100 model had entered India for testing, again leaving the specs a mystery. A new entry in the GFXBench database finally sheds some light on the matter. Starting off with what doesn't seem too believable, the listing states that the smartphone's display size is 5.5 inches. The plain Galaxy A9 (2016) is 6 inches in diagonal, the A7 (2016) is at 5.5 inches and whether there will be a 5.7-inch Galaxy A8 (2016) or not, a 5.5-inch A9 Pro just doesn't make sense. The rest, however, looks pretty good. An octa-core CPU with Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.8GHz inside a Qualcomm chip all sounds like the Snapdragon 652. One of the notable spec bumps is the 4GB of RAM versus the 3GB in the non-Pro A9. The other is the primary camera, which the benchmark reports at 15MP. The 4,608 x 3,456 pixel resolution makes for 15.92MP and we're inclined to call that 16MP, but GFXBench seems to count only a complete million pixels as a megapixel, hence the 3,264 x 2,448 pixel front camera (7.99MP) is reported as 7MP. Anyway, the Galaxy A9 (2016) has a 13MP primary camera, while the Galaxy A9 Pro will allegedly have a 16MP one. The specific pixel dimensions of the image hint at the Sony IMX298 sensor, used in the Huawei Mate 8, but we have no way of verifying this for the time being. Samsung has used Sony sensors in the past, including on the current Galaxy S6 flagship, so it won't be a first, that's for sure. That's all there is to know so far on the Galaxy A9 Pro (with a 2016 model year thrown in there somewhere, possibly), but by the looks of things, the smartphone is headed for official announcement in the coming weeks, and we'll keep you...

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Motorola Moto X Force now £300 in the UK, £180 off
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-force-carphone-300/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The shatterproof Motorola Moto X Force has had its price slashed over at Carphone Warehouse in the UK. The retailer is now selling it for £299.99, or £180 off its regular price. We're talking about an unlocked SIM-free device. Meanwhile, on Motorola's UK site the Moto X Force goes for £499 (though you do get Motomaker in this case), Expansys currently sells it for £500 minus a penny, and you can find it on Amazon.co.uk for as low as £503.54. Makes it sound like a solid deal over at Carphone Warehouse, and you have close to 5 days left to make up your mind - the offer expires on February 11 at 8am. Thanks for the tip, Daniel! Source 1 2 3...

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Live images of an alleged Microsoft Lumia 650 XL raise all sorts of questions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-xl/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Okay, we're officially confused. The Lumia 650 was supposed to be the absolute midranger, while the Lumia 850 was meant to sit higher up the Microsoft smartphone lineup, and rock a front-facing flash, and the general consesus was that both will be 5-inchers. These latest live images that have just surfaced, coming out of China, seem to paint a different picture. The source states that the smartphone in the photos is the Microsoft Lumia 650 XL, with a 5.4-inch 720p display. Judging by the side-by-side shot with a Lumia 1520, the alleged 650 does indeed look like a 5.4-inch device. There's nothing inherently wrong about that, the previous generation Lumia 600-series had the 640 and 640 XL at 5" and 5.7", respectively, so even if one diagonal is smaller, two differently-sized versions are sort of the norm with Microsoft (you're not forgetting the Lumia 950 and 950 XL either, are you). Scrolling down the Baidu post, we see that the 650 XL is powered by the Snapdragon 210/212 (only difference being CPU clock rate, both go by the MSM8909 internal designation at Qualcomm). Rumors so far had settled on this chip for the 650, so it looks entirely plausible that this 650 XL packs the same silicon. But here's where the puzzle falls apart - this supposed Lumia 650 XL looks just like the Lumia 850 from previous leaks, pretty detailed as of late too. Single speaker cutout towards the top of the front glass panel, instead of the 650's slits at the edges, a metal-looking frame, and most importantly - a front-facing LED flash. Alleged Lumia 650 XL/Lumia 850? So it's the 850 XL then, you say, or simply the Lumia 850, and it just comes in a single display size at 5.4 inches, instead of the rumored 5 inches. Well, alright then, by how can the 850 be powered by the lowly Snapdragon 200-series, what's going to happen to Microsoft's upper midrange? After all, there's not much space between the 850 and 950 for yet another device with, say, a Snapdragon 617, which was so far the rumored 850 chipset. Hopefully, some of these questions will be answered soon, if the Microsoft Lumia 650 does indeed get unveiled later this month. Source |...

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Apple now sells the View-Master VR through its own stores
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-viewmaster/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple is now officially selling the View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack through its own stores, both physical and online. The VR/AR rig, similar to Google's Cardboard, but with View-Master's signature reels added on top, has already been available for both Android and Apple devices, but it's only now that the Cupertino company has made it available in its own retail chain. You can order it online, but it'll take a lengthy 3-4 weeks to ship. If you want one today, you can pick up a View-Master in Apple's physical stores, just check online if the one near you has it. The more prudent among you will certainly prefer Amazon, though, where the headset is available for $17.74 right now. Additionally, Apple stores are carrying the Experience packs (the reels, plus a card), each priced at $14.95. You need the card to unlock the experience in the app on your phone and to enjoy the augmented reality features. Source |...

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Galaxy S7 wireless charging pad listed on UK retailer's website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-wireless-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung introduced built-in wireless (or rather inductive) charging capability with the Galaxy S6 a year ago, and made strides into making it nearly as quick as true wired charging by launching the fast wireless charger when the Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ came out last fall. Well, the Galaxy S7 range won't be missing the feature either, judging by a listing on a UK retailer's website. Clove's brief description of the accessory mentions that it's optimized for the upcoming Galaxy S7/S7 edge but will also be compatible with other smartphones complying to the Qi standard. And it's all fine and dandy, but the pictures show the existing Wireless Charging Pad mini, which has been available for a while now. The listing is clearly just a placeholder at the time, and it also doesn't seem too likely that Clove will give you a pound to pick up a charging pad, as the -£1.00 price suggests. The good bit is that Samsung isn't abandoning useful features (like the microSD slot and removable battery it scrapped with the Galaxy S6 generation) this time around. Wireless charging, coupled with the alleged 2-day endurance and 17 hours of video playback make a compelling case for the Galaxy S7, if they prove to be true. Thanks for the tip,...

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Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact officially available in the US starting February 7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-z5-available-in-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will finally be available in the US starting this Sunday, February 7. The first retailers selling the latest Sony flagship phone will be: Best Buy, B&H, and Amazon.com. The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact feature a 5.2 inch 1080p or 4.6 inch 720p Triluminous display, a Snapdragon 810 paired with 2 or 3GB of RAM, a 2700 or 2900mAh battery, and an immersion rating of IP68 with capless USB port. Remember, though, Sony is not including the fingerprint sensor on its Z5 line of devices for the US for some reason, most likely due to logistics. The Xperia Z5 will be available unlocked for $599.99 while the Z5 Compact will go on sale for...

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Deal: Nexus 5X going for $280 unlocked on eBay
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-5x-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This is not the first, second, or third time that we've seen the Nexus 5X go on sale since its release this past fall. This time around, you can get a 16GB Nexus 5X for a full $100 less than the launch retail price of $380 from eBay. The listing only has the Quartz and Carbon colors available and ship from Nashua, New Hampshire. They even come with the Google Play Music promo card inside the box. So if you haven't jumped to the Nexus 5X yet, this is a great deal. Though, you might want to hold off for a 32GB model. Still, the Nexus 5X embodies everything the Nexus branding stands for while maintaining a low cost and receiving the latest updates directly from Google. The Nexus 5X features a 5.2 inch 1080p LCD IPS screen, a 2700mAh battery, Marshmallow 6.0 out of the box, a quick Snapdragon 808 hexa-core chipset paired with 2GB of RAM, all enclosed in great looking hardware crafted by LG. Source (eBay) |...

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Galaxy Note 6 to land in the UK from the beginning, S7 edge+ not at all
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/note-6-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year Samsung managed to anger many Note series fans in Europe by not officially launching the Galaxy Note5 on the continent in 2015. For some reason, Samsung decided that only the Galaxy S6 edge+ was to be sold in Europe, at least at first. While the Note5 did eventually become available too, many early adopters didn't like how they were forced to pick the phablet with the curved screen even if they wanted the one with the S Pen. Amazingly, Samsung seems to have learned something from that ordeal. If a new report is to be believed, the Korean company will not repeat that story. What's more, its strategy for this year's flagship phablets seems to be exactly the opposite, at least for the UK. Namely, it's said that Samsung will bring the Note 6 to the UK from the beginning, while the Galaxy S7 edge+ will not see an official launch in the country. Ever. It's probably safe to assume that the same thing will happen in Continental Europe. The information allegedly comes from a "source high up at one of the UK's major networks". The reason for the change in strategy has to do with a "backlash from loyal Note fans" over what happened last year. And sales of the S6 edge+ (pictured above) in the UK were quite disappointing, which is possibly why that market won't see its successor. The Galaxy Note 6 is due for release in August. The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and the 5.5-inch S7 edge are going to be unveiled on February 21 at MWC in Barcelona, and they are to go on sale in early March according to the same source. Hopefully you have taken all of this with a grain of salt, since we're still many months away from the Note 6's announcement - hence, even if these plans are true right now, there's still time for them to...

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HTC unveils new Desire 626 version in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/new-desire-626-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In the hopes of selling some more units undoubtedly, HTC has today unveiled a new version of its Desire 626 smartphone in India. This is an ever so slightly revamped iteration of the original 626 from last year, packing in the dual-SIM support of the Desire 626G+, but pairing it with 4G LTE capabilities as well. The new Desire 626 has a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie shooter, the MediaTek MT6752 SoC at the helm (with a 1.7 GHz octa-core CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,000 mAh battery. Most of those things have been seen before in the 626 range, but what's definitely new is the software. The revamped Desire handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, with HTC Sense on top. That's in stark contrast to the original 626 shipping with Android 4.4 KitKat on board. The new device will become available in the subcontinent soon, priced at INR 14,990 - which means about $220 or Â€198 at the current exchange rates. The color versions are going to be called Blue Lagoon and White Birch. It's still unclear if it will ever launch elsewhere. Source 1 Â• Source...

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Check out our Honor 5X video review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-5x-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Honor 5X is surely a widely talked about phone. Especially with the company's first US-bound smartphone hitting the virtual shelves at the end of last month. The Honor 5X is a #NoNonsense smartphone with flagship-level features, all for $200 unlocked. The Honor 5X has a 5.5 inch 1080p LCD IPS display, a fast fingerprint scanner, a hefty 3000mAh battery, a 13MP camera, and Huawei's own feature-rich EM UI layered on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, upgradable to Marshmallow and powered by a Snapdragon 615 chipset. We are currently working on the full length written review, so we wanted to give you a teaser of what to expect with the Honor 5X. We've compiled a video showing off the well-roundedness of the Honor 5X and what you really get for $200. Stay tuned for our in-depth written review of the Honor 5X as...

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Samsung Z1 Tizen 2.4 update starts rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/z1-tizen24-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has finally started rolling out the Tizen 2.4 update (Z130HDDU0CPB1) to its Z1 smartphone. The update weighs in at around 262MB (~17MB for Tizen 2.4 Beta users), and is currently only available to users in India. Several new features are included in the update, such as WhatsApp Calling, Ultra Data Saving Mode, as well as the ability to create password-protected memos. In addition, many of the existing apps - including Camera, Message, Music Player, Smart Manager, Video Recorder, and Settings - have also received some changes. The OTA update is currently rolling out, so it may take a while before it hits your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can head to your device's Settings and check for it manually. Other countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are expected to get the update next week. Via 1...

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Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) review: Stride across
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-a7-2016/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung reinvented itself last year and that gave the A-series a chance for a coup. It took the great new design from the S-phones and parred it down to a mid-range price.

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GSMArena

07-02-16, 12:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-image/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to recent reports, HTC has chosen to unveil its next flagship smartphone, the One M10, at a dedicated event and not at MWC in Barcelona at the end of this month. That may be wise, seeing has how both the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 are set to become official at MWC. Recently we've seen a list of specs for the One M10 getting leaked, and today we are treated to what is alleged to be the first live image of the device. As you can see, the HTC logo is nowhere to be found on the front of the M10, and neither is the much-dreaded black bar that housed it in past One M series handsets. Under the screen we do however see a fingerprint scanner, which could double as a Home button. The power and volume buttons are on the right side of the phone, with the former being nicely ridged so you'll easily be able to tell which is which even if you're not looking. Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a second front-facing speaker underneath the display, so perhaps the much-loved BoomSound speakers aren't going to be making a comeback in this model. The One M10 seems to employ a full metal construction, like its predecessors. Previously rumored specs had it coming with a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 12 MP UltraPixel rear camera with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. It shall run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8...

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Apple Watch is now cheaper by £50 to £120 in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-watch-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're in the UK and want to buy an Apple Watch, now's probably the time to do it. And make sure you choose either Currys or PC World as your supplier for Apple's first smartwatch. Why? Because both of those retailers are now offering the Apple Watch models with discounts ranging from £50 to £120. Those are quite the savings, especially for an Apple-made device. Let's exemplify. The 38mm Apple Watch Sport with a black or white strap is normally priced at £299, but it can now be yours for just £249. The 42mm stainless steel Apple Watch with the milanese loop band has a recommended retail price of £559, but is now offered for a mere £439. There are many more options to pick from, of course, with all iterations receiving a discount in the aforementioned range. It's unclear how long the new, reduced pricing will last, so make sure you act fast if you want to pick up a cheaper Apple...

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The Apple Watch accounted for two-thirds of smartwatch shipments in 2015
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/canalys-smartwatch-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is hardly surprising that Apple cashed-in big last holiday season, but it is interesting to note that according to Canalys, the company's smartwatch did particularly well, shipping 12 million units. Canalys estimates that this constitutes around two-thirds of all shipments - impressive volume indeed. In this chart, Cupertino is followed closely by Samsung with the Gear S2, which returned to the runner-up spot after releasing its improved designs. Pebble occupies the third spot and Huawei is forth. The latter is quite an impressive achievement form the Chinese OEM, which managed to top the likes of LG, despite having only one smartwatch to date. But statistics get even more interesting in the realm of bands, which would also include wearables without an OS and third-party app support. Here the Fitbit reigns supreme, followed closely by Xiaomi's Mi Bands, which sold just as well as the Apple watch at 13 million units during 2015. What this means is that the Fitbit actually outsold the Apple Watch in pure volume, possibly hinting that users still tend to go for more fitness-oriented wearables and let's not forget - cheaper ones. Analyst Daniel Matte commented on the matter saying: Software increasingly belongs on the wrist, and this is the direction the market is going . As the next step along this path, the Fitbit Blaze is the right product for the company to develop. It is competitively priced and is still being squarely focused on fitness. Canalyst's numbers also estimate that Fitbit, Apple and Garmin together contributed to an astounding growth of over 60% sequentially to the entire wearable device...

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Verizon offer nets you a half off Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2 if you buy two
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/droid-turbo-2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, most retailers and carriers are starting to make their special offers for the occasion known. Such is Verizon's case today, for example. The carrier is offering you the following arrangement: if you buy a Motorola Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2, you can get a second unit for 50% off. You can in fact 'mix and match' the two models, so you can purchase two of the same, or one of each if you so desire. If you choose one Turbo 2 and one Maxx 2, then the cheaper of the two will be the one receiving the 50% discount. New device payment activation is required for both phones. This deal will remain available until February 25, so there's still plenty of time to take advantage of it if you want to. Source |...

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GSMArena

08-02-16, 12:41

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/2016-moto-x-moto-g-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After yet another popular generation of Moto X and Moto G , Lenovo seems to have every intention to keep the lineups going for even better financial results and possibly even substantial profits in 2016. This is evident by a fresh set of photos that depict early prototypes of some of the company's future devices and judging by the design language, they are most definitely from the Moto family.Despite some easy to spot similarities, the alleged Moto X and Moto G for 2016 look quite different from their current generations. This goes especially for the former, which according to the report will now have a slimmer metal body. The shots appear to confirm this, although it is difficult to get a clear view of the device.Still, one thing is unmistakably present - the signature "M" logo on the back. Seeing it is rather encouraging in light of the recent confusion that arouse from Lenovo's announcement that it will be phasing out the Motorola brand on smartphones. Luckily, the issues was later cleared up and it appears Lenovo will go through with its much more sensible plan to simply shift focus towards the more "contemporary" Moto brand. Back to the shots at hand. The second batch of more colorful units are said to be the new Moto G and the resemblance to the current gen is a lot more apparent this time around. The signature camera module with the Moto dimple is there and so are the curves on the top and bottom of the device. Also, the swatch of back panels in a variety of colors falls in line with the customizability you would expect from the G series. One small new detail to note is that it would appear the Lenovo logo is now present on the bottom of the back plate as was to be expected.Source |...

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Save $50 on Microsoft Band 2, $100 on Surface Pro 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/band2-surfacepro4-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the US and are planning to purchase either the Microsoft Band 2 or the Surface Pro 4, you'll be glad to know that the Redmond, Washington-based company is currently offering discounts on both devices.The new Microsoft fitness wearable - the Band 2 - has received a $50 price cut, meaning it's now available for $200. Announced yesterday, the promotion runs through February 20.Limited time only. Get the new #MicrosoftBand for $199.99, a savings of $50. Ends 2/20/16. https://t.co/GLARgSL76W pic.twitter.com/4bqlufr0g7Â— Microsoft Band (@microsoftband) February 7, 2016In addition to the Band 2, the Surface Pro 4 is also currently selling at discounted rates in the US. A quick look at the Microsoft Store listings of the device's variants reveal that it has received a $100 price cut. Also announced yesterday, the deal ends February 27.Save $100 on select Surface Pro 4 devices, until 2/27/16. While supplies last. https://t.co/RfaJBhtpmS pic.twitter.com/8leY8fqNP8Â— Surface (@surface) February 7, 2016Source 1...

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Wait, what? A hidden chess game in Facebook Messenger?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/facebook-messenger-800-million-users/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a chess lover who also happens to be a user of Facebook's Messenger app (which crossed the 800 million active users milestone last month), here's some thing of your interest - aside from chatting, the mobile messaging app also allows you to play the game with your friends.The feature was discovered by a Reddit user. While we don't know when it was first introduced in the app, it has been there for at-least over a month now given that the Reddit thread itself is that much old.As per the information shared on the thread, you can start playing chess with someone by typing @fbchess play and end it by typing @fbchess resign - head to the Reddit link below for other instructions on how to play the game.Via |...

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New Verizon Galaxy Note 4 update brings performance optimizations and latest security fixes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/verizon-note-4-android-511/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 units on its network. It bumps the software version to LMY47X.N910VVRU2BPA1, and brings along performance-related optimizations as well as latest security patches.The update, however, doesn't bump the device's Android version, which stays at 5.1.1 (Lollipop) - the Android 5.1.1 update for Verizon's Galaxy Note 4 variants was released only last month, despite being first rolled out by Samsung back in August last year.Coming back to the new update, like always, you'll see a notification when the OTA update hits your Galaxy Note 4. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can also head to your handset's settings menu and manually check for the...

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New update brings Marshmallow goodies to Moto 360 (2nd gen)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/moto-360-amazon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola has started pushing a new update to its second-generation Moto 360 smartwatch. The update brings along the usual Android Marshmallow goodies like Doze and new permissions model.In addition, it also includes support for six new languages, including Mandarin (Taiwan), Cantonese (Hong Kong), Indonesian (Indonesia), Polish (Poland), Dutch (Netherlands), and Thai (Thailand).Of course, other features - like new wrist gestures - that are there in the latest Android Wear update announced by Google last week are also included, but don't expect support for built-in speakers given that the wearable device doesn't pack any.The update is rolling out in phases, and will hit all Moto 360 (2015) units "over the next few days," the company says.Source, as well as some performance and stability-related improvements are also included in the...

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Marshmallow update for Sprint HTC One M9 now rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/cm-nightlies-onem9/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Sprint has started rolling out the Android 6.0 update for HTC's One M9 smartphone. Although the process commenced last Friday, not all One M9 units are expected to get the update at the same time given that it may be a staged roll out as the carrier notes on its website.The update bumps the firmware version to 3.41.651.3 and brings along the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions.This comes less than a month after the Canadian carrier variants of the handset started receiving the Marshmallow update. Unlocked One M9 units in the US started getting the update back in December last year.Over in the UK, the update started hitting unlocked units as well as select carrier variants late last...

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Google Chromecast 2 and Chromecast Audio said to be landing in Australia later this month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/chromecast2-audio-australia/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Chromecast 2 and Chromecast Audio, which were announced by Google back in September last year and are currently available only in select countries, will soon be available in Australia.According to a report by Ausdroid, both devices are now listed in the Australian appliance and media retailer JB Hifi's inventory system, and are expected to launch in a couple of weeks from now. As for the price, the devices will carry a tag of $59 each."The SKU's are in the system, with JB using 937278for the Chromecast 2 and 937282 for Chromecast Audio - both of which unfortunately do not show up in a search on their site," the report said.Both Chromecast 2 and Chromecast Audio are also being offered by Kogan Australia, the report notes, adding that the retailer has currently listed the devices as Coming Soon, with 1-2 weeks shipping time-frame for the black version of Chromecast. While the price tag for both devices remains the same ($59), Kogan will also charge you a delivery...

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Now RM-1154 (Lumia 650 DS) clears the FCC hurdle
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia650-renders-price-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg We already know that the Microsoft Lumia 650 will come in both single- as well as dual-SIM variants, carrying model number RM-1152 and RM-1154, respectively. We also know that the former has passed through the FCC. And now. it has come to light that the latter has also cleared the regulatory hurdle, and has been approved for sale.The mid-range device - which has already been the subject of several leaks and rumors until now - is expected to be made official sometime next week. As for the price, it is expected to carry a tag of Â€220 in Europe, and around $200 in the US.For those who aren't already aware, rumors - along with alleged live images - of an XL variant of the Lumia 650 sporting a 5.4-inch 720p display also surfaced this past weekend. If true, the variant should also get unveiled along with the standard single and dual-SIM models.Source |...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/best-apps-games-42/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week.Day One 2The original Day One was a journaling app for iOS. The new one still does that, but with a few new features, such multiple photos per entry, multiple journals with unique names and colors, custom reminders, entry management, timeline filters, timezone support, 3D touch support, map view, Day One Sync 2.0, and more.iOSRemember The MilkRemember The Milk is a to-do app that just got a massive update. New features include subtasks that breaks down your tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks, drag and drop reordering, colored tags, organized sidebar navigation, custom sorting and grouping, list sharing, ability to give tasks to your contacts to complete, and a lot more, including a brand new interface. The app is available on iOS, Android, Mac, and the web.iOS Â• AndroidAirmailAirmail is a popular email client for OS X, and it is now on the iPhone. Airmail on the iPhone is a powerful and highly customizable email app, with everything you'd want in an email client, and more, including support for 3D Touch on the new iPhones and iCloud sync with the desktop client. Recommended for those who are looking for an alternative for the default Mail app.iOSCastBoxCastBox is a free podcast app for Android. You can listen to hundreds of free podcasts and radio stations and subscribe to them so new episodes are downloaded as they are available.AndroidSplash CarsSplash Cars is a top down driving game where you race around literally painting the town red, or any other color. While you do that, you also have to avoid the cops, and get other people to join in your crusade to color your surroundings. It's more fun than it sounds.iOS Â• AndroidAdventures of ManaAdventures of Mana is a remaster of the Game Boy classic Final Fantasy Adventure. It's a classic action RPG and should be right up the alley for Final Fantasy fans. It's also worth a shot if you haven't played FF or RPG games before but want to give the genre a try.iOS Â•...

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Weekly poll: Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) and A7 (2016), hot or not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a5-a7-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung's alphabet goes like this: E, J, A, S. That is if you want to arrange its series from "budget" to "premium," but this doesn't tell the whole story - the new A-series is closer to the S-series than it is to the Js.So far we've examined the middle of the pack - the 5.2" Galaxy A5 (2016) and the 5.5" Galaxy A7 (2016). There are also the 4.7" A3 and 6" A9 (plus a rumored 5.7" A8) too, but it's the A5 and A7 in the spotlight today.The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) is a knock-out - a phone with a premium design and a premium build. We even think it's slightly better than the Galaxy S6 flagship, but there's a catch.The price. It costs almost as much as the S6 right now and that's not easy to justify. Both have fingerprint readers and Samsung Pay and we don't miss the QHD resolution too much (the A5 has a 1080p screen). The camera just isn't as good, though - not for photos, not for video.We like having a microSD slot again (even if we have to give it up to use the second SIM slot). What do you think?The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) is built on the same platform, the key difference is screen size - 5.5" (with 1080p resolution). In terms of pricing, it's positioned much better, a good deal cheaper than the Galaxy S6 edge+, for example.Like the A5 (2016), the 13MP camera on the A7 has a bright f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization.The Galaxy A7 (2016) has its own problems, though. It's not a big upgrade over the original A7, which also has a metal frame, a 5.5" 1080p Super AMOLED and a Snapdragon 615 chipset.Are the fingerprint reader and camera improvements enough?You have a week - and two reviews - to make up your mind before you cast your...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note's reign in our Top 10 trending chart has come to an end after a three-week stretch in the number 1 spot. The Samsung Galaxy J7 and J5 pair returns to the top with the larger model reclaiming the gold.And that's pretty much everything notable that's happened this week. There are no new entries to speak of and only the occasional shuffling in the lower parts of the chart.We find the Galaxy S6 in 4th, same as last week, and the J2 has remained stationary too, in 5th. The Grand Prime hasn't moved an inch either, and stays in 6th. The iPhone 5s and 6s have kept their spots, 8th and 10th, respectively. It's the Galaxy Note5 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 that have swapped places. Samsung's phablet has climbed two spots up to 7th, while the Redmi Note 3 is between the two iPhones in 9th..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }#review-body .news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom;}.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;}.flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important;}.flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7;}.flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important;}.flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47;}.flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important;}.n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100;}.n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px;}.circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent;}.arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent;} Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 1WAS: 2 specs review Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 2WAS: 3 specs review Lenovo Vibe K4 Note RANK: 3WAS: 1 specs gallery Samsung Galaxy S6 RANK: 4WAS: 4 specs review Samsung Galaxy J2 RANK: 5WAS: 5 specs review Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime RANK: 6WAS: 6 specs review Samsung Galaxy Note5 RANK: 7WAS: 9 specs review Apple iPhone 5s RANK: 8WAS: 8 specs review Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek) RANK: 9WAS: 7 specs review Apple iPhone 6s RANK: 10WAS: 10 specs...

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Week 5 in review: iPhone 7 design and Galaxy S7 battery
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another week and it looks like the Samsung Galaxy S7 stole the show yet again. This is definitely justifiable after the Korean giant finally set an official date for the MWC announcement - February 21, fueling fan interest even further. A pair of new models - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge made their way through FCC, proving that at least one flat and one edged variant will be available in the US. We also managed to catch a glimpse of what is said to be the back design of the handset, which will apparently be disrupted only by a 0.8mm camera hump, much smaller than the one on the S6.Speaking of camera humps, Apple has apparently taken the outcry of its fans to heart, as reports claim that the iPhone 7 will have a flat back. And while we are on the topic of Apple, the Cupertino giant will offer a wave of March 15 announcements, prior to the new iPhone 7 in September. The event should see the unveiling of the iPad Air 3 and a new 4-inch phone - the iPhone 5se. The Xiaomi Mi 5 has also been a major topic of conversation throughout the week. The latest wave of leaks showcased the device in a GFXBench listing and offered a glimpse of its glass back panel. Windows fans can also rejoice, as the Xiaomi flagship will apparently have a Windows 10 variant as well.In other news, the LG G5 camera setup was revealed in detail thanks to a case leak. Also, the Microsoft Lumia 850 has been featured in a few leaks and so has the Lumia 650..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }.news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;} iPhone 7 reportedly won't have camera hump, antenna bands on the back The next flagship smartphone from Apple will launch later this year, having a design that will be mostly similar to its predecessor's. Leaked Samsung Galaxy S7 photo shows the back design As per the photo, Samsung intends to keep the glass design of its upcoming batch of flagships. LG G5 case shows camera setup in detail A dual-LED flash and likely a laser autofocus window peek from in between the two lenses. Galaxy S7 and S7 edge roll through the FCC As per usual, the FCC reveals some physical evidence of a phone's legal entry into the US. The Galaxy S7 is to be revealed on February 21 at MWC. The Bluboo Xfire 2 comes with a metal body and fingerprint reader for $60 The latest addition to the little known OEM's lineup offers impressive value with a dual-SIM variant also available. Samsung confirms Galaxy S7 edge, wide and narrow edge features will be supported Functionality detailed on a company website, we're yet to see if the Koreans will go for a capital 'E' this time. Xiaomi Mi 5 to get a Windows 10 variant as well Aside from the OS, the Win 10 variant is said to be identical to its Android cousin. Samsung Galaxy S7 camera to protrude just 0.8mm The latest batch of leaks suggests Samsung made a lot of subtle changes to the back design of its upcoming flagship. World's most valuable company is no longer Apple Alphabet, the parent company that owns Google, has surpassed Apple as the most valuable company in the world. It's official: Samsung to unveil Galaxy S7 on February 21 The event is scheduled to begin at 19:00 CET in Barcelona, just a day before MWC 2016 officially kicks off. S6 and S6 edge get Marshmallow update in South Korea Comes with slight UI tweaks along with under the hood improvements. MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets The chip-maker says the...

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Apple iPhone 5se to come in Pink, in addition to Silver and Space Gray
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-5se-pink/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 4-inch iPhone is apparently happening, judging by the mounting rumors on the subject. Things have escalated to the point where we're now talking of a March 15 unveiling, alongside an iPad Air 3.There was significant debate on the naming, with sources pointing in different directions, but so far it's settled on iPhone 5se. So this iPhone 5se will come in at least three color options, Silver and Space Gray the more orthodox, but also Pink.And by pink this time we mean pink and not rose gold as on the current iPhone 6s/6s Plus (the 5.5-incher pictured above). A report from Japan cites exhibitors at the recent 81st Tokyo International Gift Show, who have compared the color to the one of the 6th-gen iPod touch and the 7th-gen iPod nano. It's unclear whether there will be a Gold color option, but Rose Gold seems to be reserved for the proper iPhone 6s.iPod touchIn a way, the current iPod touch is already the iPhone 5se, minus the cellular radios. Specs of the 5se have been rumored to include a 4-inch display (duh...), A8 chipset, and 8MP/1.2MP camera combo - all of these are already aboard the iPod touch. The Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and NFC chips from the iPhone 6s just need to be bolted on, plus a larger battery, and it's good to go.Source |...

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GSMArena

08-02-16, 12:41

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a9-pro-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of weeks ago a Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was said to be under development, though it wasn't clear how it would differ from the regular Galaxy A9 (2016). The other day customs data revealed that the SM-A9100 model had entered India for testing, again leaving the specs a mystery.A new entry in the GFXBench database finally sheds some light on the matter. Starting off with what doesn't seem too believable, the listing states that the smartphone's display size is 5.5 inches. The plain Galaxy A9 (2016) is 6 inches in diagonal, the A7 (2016) is at 5.5 inches and whether there will be a 5.7-inch Galaxy A8 (2016) or not, a 5.5-inch A9 Pro just doesn't make sense.The rest, however, looks pretty good. An octa-core CPU with Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.8GHz inside a Qualcomm chip all sounds like the Snapdragon 652. One of the notable spec bumps is the 4GB of RAM versus the 3GB in the non-Pro A9.The other is the primary camera, which the benchmark reports at 15MP. The 4,608 x 3,456 pixel resolution makes for 15.92MP and we're inclined to call that 16MP, but GFXBench seems to count only a complete million pixels as a megapixel, hence the 3,264 x 2,448 pixel front camera (7.99MP) is reported as 7MP.Anyway, the Galaxy A9 (2016) has a 13MP primary camera, while the Galaxy A9 Pro will allegedly have a 16MP one. The specific pixel dimensions of the image hint at the Sony IMX298 sensor, used in the Huawei Mate 8, but we have no way of verifying this for the time being. Samsung has used Sony sensors in the past, including on the current Galaxy S6 flagship, so it won't be a first, that's for sure.That's all there is to know so far on the Galaxy A9 Pro (with a 2016 model year thrown in there somewhere, possibly), but by the looks of things, the smartphone is headed for official announcement in the coming weeks, and we'll keep you...

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Motorola Moto X Force now £300 in the UK, £180 off
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-force-carphone-300/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The shatterproof Motorola Moto X Force has had its price slashed over at Carphone Warehouse in the UK. The retailer is now selling it for £299.99, or £180 off its regular price. We're talking about an unlocked SIM-free device.Meanwhile, on Motorola's UK site the Moto X Force goes for £499 (though you do get Motomaker in this case), Expansys currently sells it for £500 minus a penny, and you can find it on Amazon.co.uk for as low as £503.54. Makes it sound like a solid deal over at Carphone Warehouse, and you have close to 5 days left to make up your mind - the offer expires on February 11 at 8am.Thanks for the tip, Daniel!Source 1 2 3...

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Live images of an alleged Microsoft Lumia 650 XL raise all sorts of questions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-xl/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Okay, we're officially confused. The Lumia 650 was supposed to be the absolute midranger, while the Lumia 850 was meant to sit higher up the Microsoft smartphone lineup, and rock a front-facing flash, and the general consesus was that both will be 5-inchers.These latest live images that have just surfaced, coming out of China, seem to paint a different picture. The source states that the smartphone in the photos is the Microsoft Lumia 650 XL, with a 5.4-inch 720p display. Judging by the side-by-side shot with a Lumia 1520, the alleged 650 does indeed look like a 5.4-inch device.There's nothing inherently wrong about that, the previous generation Lumia 600-series had the 640 and 640 XL at 5" and 5.7", respectively, so even if one diagonal is smaller, two differently-sized versions are sort of the norm with Microsoft (you're not forgetting the Lumia 950 and 950 XL either, are you).Scrolling down the Baidu post, we see that the 650 XL is powered by the Snapdragon 210/212 (only difference being CPU clock rate, both go by the MSM8909 internal designation at Qualcomm). Rumors so far had settled on this chip for the 650, so it looks entirely plausible that this 650 XL packs the same silicon.But here's where the puzzle falls apart - this supposed Lumia 650 XL looks just like the Lumia 850 from previous leaks, pretty detailed as of late too. Single speaker cutout towards the top of the front glass panel, instead of the 650's slits at the edges, a metal-looking frame, and most importantly - a front-facing LED flash.Alleged Lumia 650 XL/Lumia 850?So it's the 850 XL then, you say, or simply the Lumia 850, and it just comes in a single display size at 5.4 inches, instead of the rumored 5 inches. Well, alright then, by how can the 850 be powered by the lowly Snapdragon 200-series, what's going to happen to Microsoft's upper midrange? After all, there's not much space between the 850 and 950 for yet another device with, say, a Snapdragon 617, which was so far the rumored 850 chipset.Hopefully, some of these questions will be answered soon, if the Microsoft Lumia 650 does indeed get unveiled later this month.Source |...

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Apple now sells the View-Master VR through its own stores
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-viewmaster/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple is now officially selling the View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack through its own stores, both physical and online. The VR/AR rig, similar to Google's Cardboard, but with View-Master's signature reels added on top, has already been available for both Android and Apple devices, but it's only now that the Cupertino company has made it available in its own retail chain.You can order it online, but it'll take a lengthy 3-4 weeks to ship. If you want one today, you can pick up a View-Master in Apple's physical stores, just check online if the one near you has it. The more prudent among you will certainly prefer Amazon, though, where the headset is available for $17.74 right now.Additionally, Apple stores are carrying the Experience packs (the reels, plus a card), each priced at $14.95. You need the card to unlock the experience in the app on your phone and to enjoy the augmented reality features. Source |...

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Galaxy S7 wireless charging pad listed on UK retailer's website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-wireless-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung introduced built-in wireless (or rather inductive) charging capability with the Galaxy S6 a year ago, and made strides into making it nearly as quick as true wired charging by launching the fast wireless charger when the Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ came out last fall.Well, the Galaxy S7 range won't be missing the feature either, judging by a listing on a UK retailer's website. Clove's brief description of the accessory mentions that it's optimized for the upcoming Galaxy S7/S7 edge but will also be compatible with other smartphones complying to the Qi standard.And it's all fine and dandy, but the pictures show the existing Wireless Charging Pad mini, which has been available for a while now. The listing is clearly just a placeholder at the time, and it also doesn't seem too likely that Clove will give you a pound to pick up a charging pad, as the -£1.00 price suggests.The good bit is that Samsung isn't abandoning useful features (like the microSD slot and removable battery it scrapped with the Galaxy S6 generation) this time around. Wireless charging, coupled with the alleged 2-day endurance and 17 hours of video playback make a compelling case for the Galaxy S7, if they prove to be true.Thanks for the tip,...

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GSMArena

09-02-16, 12:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-flood-alerts/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Google has just announced that it's introducing its flood alerts feature in India. The feature will be available through Google Public Alerts, which is basically a platform that the company uses for disseminating emergency messages. Clicking on an alert will display related details such as a map, expected timeline, as well as tips on how to stay safe. "Using data provided by the Central Water Commission (CWC), users can now find flood alerts with river level information for more than 170 areas in which the CWC has active observation stations," the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post. Accessible through both Desktop and mobile, these alerts will be available on the company's web search, Google Maps, Google Now cards in the Google app, as well as on the Public Alerts...

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Microsoft Lumia 640 drops to $49 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-640-windows-10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 640 has received an official price cut in the United States. The device is now listed on the Redmond, Washington-based company's US online store for $49 off contract, down from its usual price of $60. The $11 discount is available until the beginning of the next week - February 15 to be precise (seems like a Valentine's Day offer). An important thing worth mentioning here is that the handset on offer is locked to AT&T. This comes just over a month after the XL variant of the Lumia 640 received a $50 official price cut in the country. That deal, however, has expired...

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Alleged Meizu MX6 gets radio certification in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mx6-china-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new Meizu phone has received radio certification in China. The device's listing reveals that it carries a model number of M681Q, and offers support for GSM / TD-SCDMA / WCDMA / CDMA2000 / TD-LTE / FDD-LTE networks. Reports say that the handset is the Meizu MX6. The MX6 has been the subject of very few rumors so far. From what all has been rumored until now, it is powered by a MediaTek Helio X20 SoC with 10-core CPU and Mali-T880 MP4 GPU, and sports a FHD display. It has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory. Packing in a large 4,000mAh battery and featuring a 21MP/8MP camera combo, the MX5 successor is said to be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Previous reports have tipped an April launch for the...

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Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6 now available for $450 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxys6-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's last year's flagship smartphone - the Galaxy S6 - has received a price cut in the US, where online retailer Amazon is now selling the 32GB model for as low as $450. The price goes up to $470 depending on the color option you choose. Compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile, the Black Sapphire variant costs $451, while the Gold and White variants are listed for $457 and $460, respectively. The Blue Topaz variant is the costliest, carrying a $470 price tag. Samsung is selling the 32GB unlocked unit for $600, while Best Buy has it listed for $530. The price drop shouldn't come as a surprise given that the phone is fast approaching its first birthday, and not to mention that its successor - the Galaxy S7 - is all set to be unveiled in less than a couple of weeks from now. Source | Samsung |...

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Google is offering 2GB of free Drive storage to those who take an account security checkup
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-security-checkup/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today is Safer Internet Day - a day aimed at promoting the safe, responsible, and positive use of digital technology. And just like last year, Google is celebrating the day by offering free Drive storage to those who perform a security audit of their Google account. In case you didn't take it last year, the Google Security Checkup lets you quickly review and manage your Google Account's security settings. These include recovery options, connected devices, account permissions, and 2-step verification settings. Those who complete the audit - a process which takes just a few minutes - will be entitled to 2GB of free Drive storage. Keep in mind that the free storage might not show up immediately. Last year, Google gave a week's window to complete the security checkup - it isn't yet clear how much time do we have this year, so act fast if you want that extra Drive storage. Via | Google Security...

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Google Store's $50 discount on Nexus 5X ends this week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/nexus-5x-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Late last month, we told you about Google's $50 discount on the Nexus 5X in the US, which came just a couple of weeks after it received a $30 price cut. Given that Google initially didn't mention any end date for the promo, we thought the price cut was permanent. However, turns out that's not the case. The Mountain View, California-based company has now revealed that the deal ends this week - February 12 to be precise. This means those who want to take advantage of the price cut now only have a few days to act. With the discount, the 16GB model of the LG-made handset will cost you $299, while the 32GB variant will set you back...

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Huawei GX8 now available from company's official US online store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/huawei-gx8-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When Huawei officially started selling its GX8 smartphone in the United States last week, it was only available for purchase through Amazon. Although the device was listed on the company's official online store, it wasn't in stock. That, however, was until now. A quick look at the GX8's listing on GetHuawei.com now reveals that the handset is in stock. Available in Mystic Champagne, Space Grey, and Horizon Gold color options, it carries a price tag of $350. Aside from GetHuawei, the GX8 is now also listed on BestBuy's website at the same price. It will also be available from the retailer's physical stores as well as Newegg starting today. For those who aren't already aware, the GX8 is a version of the G8 smartphone which is already available in other markets Source |...

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Alcatel Fierce XL with Windows 10 to land at T-Mobile this Wednesday for $139
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/t-mobile-fierce-xl-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last December word got out that T-Mobile would sell Alcatel's first Windows 10 smartphone, the OneTouch Fierce XL. And in January at CES, Alcatel finally made the handset official, yet without saying anything about availability or pricing. Now a new report claims to shed some light on both of those matters. First off, apparently the Alcatel Fierce XL with Windows 10 is due to land at T-Mobile this Wednesday, on February 10 - so in just a couple of days. Next up, it's said to cost a mere $139 all-in. This being the magenta carrier though, we assume you'll be able to purchase it using an installment plan, in which case that sum will be spread across many months. If all of this is true, expect TMo to say something official very soon. The Windows-running Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL comes with a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 SoC (with a 1.1 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, an 8 MP rear snapper, a 2 MP front-facing shooter, 4G LTE, and a 2,500 mAh battery. Source |...

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Instagram makes multiple account support official for all
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/instagram-multiple-accounts/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram has been experimenting with adding support for multiple accounts to its Android and iOS apps for months now - the first reported instance of people seeing this was in November. But that was all testing, and the feature has not so far been available to all users of its apps. This week, however, that will change. The Facebook-owned photo sharing service has officially announced that multiple account support is coming to everyone. This will be part of version 7.15 of the Instagram app for iOS and Android, which will make it to the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store in the next few days. Once you get the new app, you can head on over to your profile settings and easily add another account. After that, if you tap on your username at the top of your profile you'll be able to switch between accounts. And once you have multiple accounts added, you'll see your profile picture in various places throughout the app, so you aren't confused as to which particular account you're currently...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge shows up in a live image too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/s7-edge-image/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's been only a few hours since the first purported live image showcasing the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S7 got outed. And now it's time for the Galaxy S7 edge to get the exact same treatment. The difference is that in this case, we're shown the curvy front of the handset, whereas with the 'vanilla' S7 all we saw was its back. The Galaxy S7 edge comes with a curved screen, as you'd expect, and the picture shows the results of putting it through the paces of the AnTuTu benchmark. This benchmark run is available in AnTuTu's database, which sort of confirms the authenticity of this leak. That said, many people do have Photoshop skills, do keep in mind. Anyway, if this is real then the S7 edge's model number is confirmed too, as being SM-G935 (followed by another number or a letter depending on which area it's going to be sold in). According to past leaks, the Galaxy S7 edge will have a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, the Samsung Exynos 8890 chipset or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (depending on market), 4GB of RAM, a 12 MP rear camera with f/1.7 aperture, a 5 or 8 MP selfie camera, 32 or 64GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 3,600 mAh battery. It should run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with Samsung's TouchWiz UI on top. One of its differentiating features (also to be seen on the plain S7) could be Always On Display. Source (in French) |...

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Goldgenie's new 24k iPhone 6s Elite celebrates the Year of the Monkey
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/goldgenie-year-of-monkey/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The gold-plating experts at Goldgenie are back again, with a new limited edition offering no less. We're talking about an iPhone 6s plated with 24k gold and a special engraving on the back that celebrates the Chinese Year of the Monkey (which we've just entered). The full name of the new product seems to be Year of the Monkey 24k Gold iPhone 6S Elite. Aside from all the gold, what sets this one apart from the other Goldgenie models is the laser engraved monkey symbol that takes a good chunk of the back side of the phone, as you can see. Oh, and there's also the fact that only 99 of these units will ever be made, and each one will feature its own unique number engraved right underneath the monkey symbol. This is apparently going to turn it into a very valuable collector's item. As with any Goldgenie product, this one isn't cheap either. You need to shell out at least Â£2,497 (that's approximately $3,599 or Â€3,221 at the current exchange rates) to get one. You can pick from 16, 64, or 128GB of storage, and the phone will be delivered to you in a "luxury cherry oak display...

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Xiaomi Redmi 3 battery life endurance test [VIDEO]
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-redmi-3-battery-video/-184x111/thumb.jpg Xiaomi Redmi 3 turned out a real surprise and it easily ended up being one of the strongest recommendations we've made this season. The affordable fella is made of metal, packs a 5" 720p IPS display, and runs on the Snapdragon 616 chipset. But the biggest highlight of its specs sheet is the beefy 4,100 mAh battery. The Redmi 3 has been enhanced with the latest MIUI 7 running on top of an Android 5.1.1 Lollipop core. This version of the launcher promises significant battery life optimizations. In fact, we found out Xiaomi has dropped the Performance/Balanced/Battery Saving modes, and now you can toggle only the battery saver mode. Before we continue with the battery life test video, we want to remind you about the change in our battery testing routine. Starting with the Xiaomi Redmi 3, we will be testing all devices on a fixed level of brightness of 200nits instead of merely positioning the slider at 50%. You can read more about what brought along this change in our dedicated Redmi 3 review chapter. Enjoy the video! You can find our full-blown review of Xiaomi Redmi 3 right here. Special thanks to HonorBuy.com for providing the review...

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Galaxy S7 will have Always On Display, trademark filing implies
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-always-on-display/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It now seems like new information, leaks, and rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S7 arrive multiple times each day, as we get closer and closer to the February 21 unveiling date for the handset. A very short while ago the first alleged hands-on image of the Galaxy S7 got outed, and now we have new details about one of its features. Among many other things that were leaked in a report in January was the fact that both the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge would sport a feature called Always On Display. And now this has been pretty much confirmed by a trademark application that the company filed in the US. As you can see, Samsung wants to own the trademark for the term Always On Display, and in the domain of mobile phones and tablets no less. Always On Display does sound a bit vague, so it's unclear if it will be granted to Samsung as a trademark, but the filing itself tells us that the company is working on such a feature. This is expected to function in a similar fashion to what we've first seen from Nokia Windows Phones a few years ago. Since the Samsung flagships have AMOLED screens, and these only light up the pixels that are actively showing something, you don't waste a lot of power by displaying things like a clock and perhaps notifications on a black background on a small portion of the screen. Of course there's no mention in the USPTO filing of the Galaxy S7 itself (or the edge model), so there is a slim chance that Samsung only wants to use Always On Display for other upcoming phones, perhaps the Note 6. But the February 2 filing date does seem to strongly imply that this is in fact all about the S7 family. Source | Via (in...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 leaks in its first live shot
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-live-shot/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's not long now before MWC 2016 kicks off, which also means that Samsung's February 21 unveiling of the Galaxy S7 is closing in fast as well. The sea of rumors about the eagerly-anticipated flagship has been abundant to say the least, but as the deadline inches nearer, it was only natural for the first live shots of the phone to start popping up online. The leaks comes from Vietnam and looks very believable. The unit has a curved back, as well as an almost non-existent camera bump, just like previous rumors have suggested. It is hard to say weather the material on the back panel is actually glass, but even if it is not, it could be due to the unit's prototype nature. The shiny metal frame is also easy to spot and the description accompanying the shot mentions it is now a magnesium metal frame, rather than an aluminum one. Speaking of the additional info, it confirms a lot of the previously suggested aspects of the Galaxy S7. First, there is the performance gap between the Snapdragon 820 version and the Exynos 8890 one, with the latter said to be about 15% more powerful both in CPU and GPU tests. There are also mentions of waterproofing and awesome battery performance with zero to eighty percent charging within 30 minutes. However, the leak doesn't explicitly prove or disprove the two day battery life rumor we have been hearing. The leakster goes on to describe the Britecell rear camera as having a resolution of 12MP and an aperture of f/1.7. To top things off, a couple of prices are also mentioned - 16.49 million dong (roughly $740) for the Galaxy S7 and 19.9 million dong (roughly $890) for the S7 edge. Finally, following the MWC unveiling, the source claims the devices will be introduced to Vietnam on March 3 and go on sale March 18 or about a week later than the alleged March 11 date in...

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Amazon Kindle discounts: 7" Fire for $40, Paperwhite for $100
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/kindle-discounts/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Amazon has aggressively slashed prices of its Kindle products. The cheap 7" Kindle Fire drops $10 to just $40. If you buy popcorn at the movie theater, you'll probably spend more. Other promotions include $50 off the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (now $430), $50 off the Kindle Fire HD 10 (now $180) and $20 off the Kindle for Kids tablet (now $80). These price cuts will end on February 14, except the HDX 8.9 one, which runs until April 1. Amazon's Kindle e-readers are discounted too - $20 off the Kindle Paperwhite (now $100), $30 off the 3G-enabled version (previous generation, though, 6th), $20 off the basic Kindle (now $60). These also end February 14, except for the Paperwhite 3G. There is a number of Essentials Bundles that are also discounted, including $25 off the Kindle Voyage Essentials Bundle (now $255, ends April 1). These promos are US-only and I couldn't find anything similar in Europe (par for the course, really). Source |...

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Lenovo Vibe X3 hands-on: First look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lenovo-vibe-x3/hands-on/-347x151/thumb.jpg A couple of years ago, Lenovo hardly had any phone presence outside of China. But in the meantime, the company has made some serious strides, particularly in price-sensitive markets where multiple well-priced models follow one after the other.

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Samsung patent reveals plan to turn S Pen into a transforming kickstand
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-stylus-kickstand/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The touchscreen killed the stylus, but the Samsung Galaxy Note made it popular again. Patent filings reveal Samsung has a new function for its S Pen - a kickstand. The schematics show a stylus that has a hinge at its middle. The idea is you pull out the S Pen half way and bend it to shape a kickstand. This locks the stylus into place. Straightening the stylus unlocks it so it can be put back in or pulled out completely. The patent was filed in the third quarter of 2015, too late for the Note5, but perhaps the Galaxy Note6 will bring the design to life. Source | Via (in...

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Huawei P8lite shipments reach 10 million in 9 months
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/huawei-p8lite-shipments/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has announced that it has shipped over 10 million units of its P8lite smartphone since its launch in spring last year. The firm also noted that the device - which is expected to get the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update soon - is the first Huawei smartphone which has been relatively more successful in global markets than in China. The press release also revealed that global sales of all devices in the P8 series - which consists of P8, P8lite, and P8max - has crossed the 16 million mark. It also provided some details on Huawei's this year's monthly shipments, saying the company managed to ship over 12 million smartphones last month, which is an year-on-year increase of 93%. Finally, it was also revealed that Huawei has been shipping more than 10 million smartphone units every month since October 2015. As you might already know, the company shipped a total of over 100 million smartphones last...

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Jeweler Damiani crafts Gold and Diamonds covers for Lumia 950
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-950-damiani-cover/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Current luxury phones typically run Android, but Italian jeweler Damiani and Microsoft have partnered up in order to change that. The solution is a replacement cover for the Microsoft Lumia 950. The cover comes in Black or White leather and features two concentric rings of White or Rose gold respectively. Ten brilliant cut diamonds are studded between those rings. Only 99 covers will be made - each numbered sequentially. Be prepared to pay Â€1,950 (Â£1,500/$2,135) in a Damiani store boutique in Rome or Milan for the diamond-studded covers(soon to be in other stores too). And while diamonds are forever, smartphones age quickly. When you decide to retire your 950, Damiani will turn the gold and diamonds into a pendant for you. Source |...

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GSMArena

09-02-16, 12:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplis-2-349/-184x111/thumb.jpg OnePlus made some significant changes recently - the OnePlus X went on sale invite-free while all orders above $100 are shipping worldwide free of charge. But apparently the company had more treats in the pipeline. As of today, the OnePlus 2 gets a permanent price cut - its new price is $349 (or Â€345 in EU), down from $389. This is the price for the 64GB model, as the 16GB one has been discontinued. But this isn't all. If you purchased a OnePlus 2 in the past 15 days, you'd be getting $40 refund (or the equivalent of currency you chose to pay with). You can learn more about the new price cut here. OnePlus says the price will stay this low forever, so maybe we won't be seeing another price cut in the...

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GSMArena

10-02-16, 13:03

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/opera-apps-club/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Opera, once known mostly for its browser, has been diversifying its activities. Its latest venture is Opera Apps Club, a Netflix-like, all you can eat subscription service.Basically, you sign up for the Club and can download any app from the 150 global and local publishers and developers. Payment is done through the carrier, so no need for credit cards (great in emerging markets where plastic money is rare).Ads are removed from ad-supported apps and you get credit for in-app purchases. 34 carriers are supported currently and Opera can customize the experience for each carrier.The app is based on Bemobi (which Opera acquired in 2015) and promises to reach 500 million customers, giving publishers and developers a new way to monetize their content.One key piece of info is missing though - how much is it?Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge flaunts its curves in a new render
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-edge-render-silver/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is mere days away from official status (February 21, alongside its simpler non-edge brother Galaxy S7), and for all the leaks on the matter, official renders are hard to come by. Well, here's one.Trusted leakster @evleaks is giving us a glimpse of the S7 edge's curved left side, showing minor refinements to the design. The announcement date is displayed on the screen too, in typical fashion.Just a reminder, we already saw the Galaxy S7 edge in the flesh, boasting a 134K Antutu 6 score. As with all pre-release live images though, that one is poorly lit and blurry, so this render is welcome,...

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Google completely drops Flash ad support in favor of HTML5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-adwords/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Google has announced that it will be switching to HTML5 100% for its ad networks, dropping the existing Flash format. This will enable the ads to be playable on a vast majority of the devices, such as on mobile, where Flash is not supported.Starting June 30, 2016, ads built in Flash can no longer be uploaded to AdWords and DoubleClick Digital Marketing and starting January 2, 2017, ads in the Flash formats can no longer run on the Google Display Network or through DoubleClick.Google has advised advertisers to update their ads to...

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Apple Music to be available on Sonos starting today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/applemusic-sonos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Speaker company Sonos has announced that its connected systems will begin supporting Apple Music starting February 10 at 9 am ET. The company has been beta testing testing the support for around a couple of months now."The feedback from Apple Music members on Sonos during the beta period has been great," said Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue. "Sonos plus Apple Music provides an amazing listening experience at home - and we're excited to offer it to all Sonos customers starting tomorrow."To use the service, Apple Music subscribers simply need to head to the Sonos controller app and select Add Music Services; then scroll down to the Apple Music icon, and...

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New update to WhatsApp's BB10 app brings Web link previews
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/whatsapp-bb10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg WhatsApp for BlackBerry 10 has received a new update, bumping the version to 2.12.340.2 and bringing along several improvements and fixes. As per the change log, the update adds support for Web link previews for outgoing messages.In addition, the updated app now also supports additional web client features, including Message info and recent emoji sync, as well as includes better organization of phone numbers on the Contact Info screen.Message history backup process should now cause fewer problems with normal app functionality, while issues encountered when connecting via proxy servers have also been fixed. The update is said to be live now, and can be downloaded from BlackBerry World.Via | BlackBerry...

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Motorola starts rolling out Moto G (2nd Gen) Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/motog-2014-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the second-generation Motorola Moto G has started rolling out. The update is currently hitting both 3G and LTE-enabled variants in India.The roll-out comes over a couple of weeks after the company started soak testing the update in India. The soak-test was also launched in Brazil at the same time, but we're yet to hear about the public roll-out there, although that shouldn't take long if it hasn't started already.The update brings along the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions. For those who aren't yet aware, Motorola has already posted Marshmallow update release notes for the Moto G 2014 on its India support website - head to the Source link below to to take a...

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VAIO says no plans to launch Phone Biz in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vaio-phone-biz/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg VAIO has revealed that it currently has no plans to launch to its newly-announced Phone Biz smartphone in the United States. The revelation was made by the US subsidiary of the erstwhile Sony brand in a tweet.@KeefWhiteJR @StuffDudesLike1 At this time there are no plans to bring VAIO Phone Biz to the US.Â— VAIO (@VAIO_US) February 6, 2016The Windows-10 powered device, which is apparently aimed at business users, was unveiled by the company earlier this month in Japan. Carrying a $430 price tag, the mid-range phone will go on sale in the Asian country in April.Specs-wise, the Phone Biz powered by a Snapdragon 617 SoC, and sports a 5.5-inch Full HD display. RAM is 3GB, while internal memory is 16GB, although expandable. It packs in a 2,800mAh battery and features a 13MP/5MP camera combo.Source |...

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LG-made Google Nexus 5 now available for just $140 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus5-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The LG-made Google Nexus 5 smartphone, which was launched way back in 2013, can now be purchased for just $140 in the US. Ebay seller mobilepros1 is currently offering the refurbished variant for that price.Aside from the United States, the device can also be shipped to "many other countries," although keep in mind the extra shipping cost that'll be applicable if you're ordering the phone from a non-US location.As is the case usually, the seller says that the device is available in limited quantities (with around 140 units sold at the time of writing), so act fast if you want to take advantage of the...

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LG confirms Always ON feature for LG G5, still teasing us
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-always-on/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG took to Facebook to tease a new feature found on the highly-anticipated LG G5 which will be announced at Mobile World Congress on February 21. LG posted a GIF on the site showing only a rough outline of the LG G5 showing off its Always ON screen.The caption says "Never go asleep while others do. LG G5, Always ON."It's not clear whether this screen would be literally Always ON. However, if LG feels it must mention it, then perhaps it would be different than other phone makers' implementations of a screen that displays notifications while on stand-by.Other phones like the Moto X, and newer Nexus devices have their own solutions for peeking at notifications while the phone is asleep. It's only peeking though, these screens do not stay on permanently, they might only pulsate briefly and then go back to sleep.LG could be implying that the LG G5's screen would never turn off. While this might be a new feature that we haven't seen before. It's way too minor a detail to convince the market to buy the LG G5.We'll have to wait and see what LG brings to the table at Mobile World Congress later this month.Source |...

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Valentine's Day bundles for the Honor 5X and Honor 7 will be out in the UK on February 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-bundles-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, more and more smartphone makers are outing their special deals for the occasion. This time around it's Huawei we're talking about, and some special bundles it will make available for the UK through its online store.On February 11, from 9:30 am to 10:59 pm GMT, you'll be able to buy either the Honor 5X or the Honor 7 from Huawei's online store for the UK and get some free stuff in the process. If you're interested, make sure you visit the Source links below on Thursday.The Â£189.99 Honor 5X will be offered alongside the Honor Bluetooth AM08 wireless speaker as well as two Â£40 Gameloft vouchers, all for no additional cost. Huawei says you're looking at Â£100 in savings here.Moving on, the Honor 7 will get the wireless speaker and two vouchers too, but also the Â£13.99 smart flip cover - once again, for no additional cost (aside from the Â£249.99 you pay for the device itself).Source 1 Â• Source 2 |...

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AdBlock Fast for Samsung's Android browser is now back in the Play Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/adblock-fast-restored/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At the beginning of this month Samsung released a new version of its Internet browser for Android 5.0 and up. This adds a new API which developers can use to create ad-blocking extensions. Just a few days later, one of the first such extensions, AdBlock Fast, landed in the Play Store - only to be pulled by Google soon after.There's a happy end to this story, however. The developers behind AdBlock Fast appealed Google's decision to pull their app out of the Play Store, and today the search giant has reversed its stance on the matter. Hence, the plugin is once again available to download from the de facto Android app store.What's more, the developers have updated AdBlock Fast and it now works with Samsung devices running Android 4.0 and higher (previously your handset had to be at least on Lollipop).Source |...

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AT&T LG G4 is now receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/g4-marshmallow-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far, we've seen the LG G4 getting updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow in South Korea, Europe, and Canada. Additionally, units sold by Sprint, US Cellular, and T-Mobile have already received their taste of Google's latest treat. And now it's time for the G4 sold by AT&T to be in the exact same position.The over-the-air rollout is apparently under way as you read this, so if you have a G4 purchased from AT&T you might receive that coveted update notification at any time. If this hasn't happened yet but you're impatient, you can always manually check by using the appropriate menu in Settings. It's a 971 MB download, though, so maybe use Wi-Fi to grab it.After having updated your G4, it will be on software version H81020n. Aside from everything that Google's packed into Android 6.0 (features such as Doze mode, Now On Tap, and the new permissions system for example), this release also comes with support for video calling, AT&T notes.Source |...

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HTC Nexus 9 is 40% cheaper for Valentine's Day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-9-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC's Hot Deals portal is now celebrating Valentine's Day for tablet lovers. Thus, you can get the Nexus 9 for 40% less than usual. What's more, if you're among the first 200 people to order the 32GB LTE-capable model, you'll even receive a free Logitech keyboard for the tablet. This offer expires at 11:59pm PT today, so make sure you act fast if you're interested.As usual in these cases, you have to use HTC's official online store to take advantage of the deal. Right now the $239.40 16GB Wi-Fi-only model isn't in stock, so you'll have to go with the 32GB versions. In Wi-Fi-only form the tablet goes for $287.40, while the LTE iteration is now priced at $359.40.HTC is also offering 40% off all accessories sold through its official online store for the US. Oh, and in case you were wondering, all of this is only valid for "purchases to a valid shipping address in the 50 United States and the District of...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 will cost Â€199.99 in Ireland, its specs get confirmed again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-price-ireland/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After many, many months of leaks about it, Microsoft is finally about to make the Lumia 650 official around the middle of this month (with in-store availability following closely). Before that happens, however, we've got another bit of leaked info regarding the mid-ranger.This time around the news comes from Ireland, where the device will allegedly be sold for Â€199.99 sans contract. That pretty much fits with previous pricing information we've seen, be it from the Czech Republic or the UK.Aside from this tidbit, we also get to peek at the alleged store card you can see above, which neatly lists the Lumia 650's main features - thus confirming them yet again.So, the handset should have a 4.97" touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie snapper, a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 16GB of built-in storage, HD voice support, and Glance Screen. It will obviously run Windows 10 Mobile. The metal construction gets a mention...

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Twitter's First View lets advertisers reserve a top spot in your timeline for 24 hours
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/twitter-first-view/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter's a great place for keeping up with online trends and consequently, a great medium for setting them - a fact that Twitter's advertising clients know too well. With First View, the social giant aims to open up a whole new area of possibilities for social marketing. The idea is simple - give an advertiser the exclusive rights to the very top advertising spot in the timeline.This theoretically means that every time you open the app, or log in on the website, you will be greeted by said sponsored content. This is quite a powerful outlet, so we can only imagine it won't sell cheap at all. Also, most likely to prevent user annoyance, Twitter will be limiting each advertising deal to 24 hours, after which it will be substituted for another one, which will get absolute rights to the spot for another 24 hours and so forth. The ad itself will have text and also a promoted video, which, by the looks of it, will autoplay - an even better attention-drawer.The new First View feature won't be available to everyone at launch. Instead Twitter intends to test it out with a circle of its "managed users" in the US, or in other words, major advertisers. A global rollout is scheduled for the coming months.Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge to have 3,600mAh battery, say FCC docs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-edge-fcc-battery/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Curious eyes have staked out regulatory organs around the world, looking for Galaxy S7 findings (water resistance, Always On display). The latest comes from the FCC, where Samsung disclosed the battery capacity and connectivity features of the S7 and S7 edge.The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge will have a 3,600mAh battery, a solid bump over the 3,000mAh battery of the S6 edge+. The phone has LTE, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth and NFC. This filing was for the South Korean version, which will come in SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ flavors.The Samsung Galaxy S7 will have the same connectivity options. This too was a Korean model, which will hit the three major carriers in its home country. Battery capacity is not specified, it should be lower though (smaller size and...

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First Xiaomi Mi 5 camera samples surface online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With MWC 2016 almost upon us, it is understandable to be waiting on the Samsung Galaxy S7, or the HTC One M10, but we definitely wouldn't blame you, if you have your eyes set a little bit more to the East at Xiaomi's upcoming flagship offer. The eagerly-anticipated Xiaomi Mi 5 is shaping up to be quite a powerful device and a true flagship in every aspect.Leaks of the phone are already abundant and so are specs details, but camera samples are definitely a novelty. The pair of shots come courtesy of Xiaomi's President, Lin Bin and were shared on Weibo, along with a note that they are, in fact, taken with the new Xiaomi Mi 5.The whole uploading process has definitely led to some compression, but the samples are still quite impressive. They show a lot of detail and nice colors. But perhaps most impressive is the fact that the primary subject in both shots is a bird mid-flight. Capturing that requires some fast and accurate autofocus. This falls in line perfectly with the previously suggested camera hardware for the Mi 5 featuring a 16MP sensor with optical image stabilization, laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash.As for the rest of the specs on the Mi 5, they are still somewhat open for debate, but according to a recent GFXBench listing, the phone will have a 5.7-inch, 1080p display and will be powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 820 SoC. Memory will be set at 3GB for RAM and 64GB for storage. We have also heard rumors of another 4GB version, as well as 16GB, 32GB and 128GB storage versions. Xiaomi Mi 5 (leaked images from GearBest)The Mi 5 flagship is on its way, debuting on February 24 and it is definitely shaping up as an exciting...

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Marshmallow coming soon to Galaxy S6/S6 edge in Poland
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/marshmallow-s6-poland/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Android Marshmallow started seeding on the Galaxy S6/S6 edge in South Korea less than two weeks ago, and by the looks of things it's coming to Europe. Poland's T-Mobile has tweeted that the update to Google's latest OS version is on the way, but hasn't specified how close it actually is.Poland has traditionally been the place, where updates happen first, of course not counting Samsung's homeland. Lollipop pioneered on the Galaxy S5 there back in December 2014, and the Galaxy Note 4 made the jump straight to Android 5.1.1 last August.Android #marshmallow jest już w drodze na nasze Samsungi #s6 i #s6Edge Gwiazdka przyjdzie wcześniej w tym roku? ;)@SamsungPolskaÂ— T-Mobile Polska (@TMobilePolska) February 8, 2016Mind you, the tweet mentions the update for the Galaxy S6 edge as well, but our Polish is a little rusty and we're finding it hard to interpret the Google-translated "earlier this year". It's likely going to come later this year, logic dictates, as it actually needs to bring a few more edge features on top of the new OS release.Source |...

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Imagination holds Terminator-inspired hardware competition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/imagination-terminator-competition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Time-travelling robot assassins may not have brought about the apocalypse (yet!), but they sure are entertaining to watch. Imagination (in collaboration with Hackster.io) is running a Terminator-themed hardware competition.The goal is to create some Terminator-inspired, Creator Ci20-powered device. The Ci20 is Imagination's Raspberry Pi alternative - powered by their MIPS CPU cores and PowerVR GPUs. The top price includes a Creator Ci40, the new board that's currently being Kickstarted.Here are the prizes:1st place (worth $400)A bag of Imagination-powered goodies, including a Meizu MX5 smartphone, the upcoming Creator Ci40 dev board and other cool accessories and add-on boards from MikroEletronika (£100)2nd place (worth $200)A Securifi Almond router and a Creator Ci40 dev board3rd place (worth $150)A chipKIT Wi-FIRE dev board and a Creator Ci40 dev boardFor inspiration, here's the entry from Alex Eastabrook. You can read his blog post for more...

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GSMArena

10-02-16, 13:03

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-g-amazon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazon has announced that it will now be selling the Moto G smartphones in India.Previously, Flipkart had exclusive rights over the Motorola devices. Eventually, Amazon started selling the Moto E and the Moto 360 devices in India. With today's announcement, the company will now be selling both, the standard Moto G as well as the Moto G Turbo Edition, in India.The pricing for all the models is identical to Flipkart, that is, INR 9999 ($147) for the 8GB Moto G, INR 10,999 ($162) for the 16GB Moto G, and INR 12,499 ($184) for the Moto G Turbo...

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GSMArena

11-02-16, 13:09

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s6-free-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A great time to get a nice deal on the outgoing Samsung Galaxy S6 flagship, now that the Galaxy S7 is right around the corner. An unlocked Galaxy S6 is now going for $450 in the US, but if you're on AT&T and looking for a contract, you can can get one for free.Of course, that's the marketing talk, and the reality is somewhat different. First off, you need to buy one of the current Samsung top-shelf models (the Galaxy S6 itself, S6 edge, S6 edge+, S6 active or Note5), and then also activate a second line.The primary line must be on an AT&T Next plan $70 or up, while the new one gets an AT&T Next 24 subscription (effectively a 30-month commitment). Three bill payments into the subscription AT&T will start waiving the monthly installments for the second smartphone up to $30/month for a total of $595, rendering it "free".Reading the tiny text also reveals that the offer applies not only to the Galaxy S6, but also to the S6 active, and other select Samsung models. It's then your best bet to contact AT&T directly if you want to get a different combo. The offer expires in March 31, and is void in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Miami-Dade.Source |...

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Marshmallow update for Android Wear promises battery boost
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-wear-marshmallow-battery-boost/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With a little over 1% penetration, Android 6.0 Marshmallow is still very much a rarity within the mobile realm and an illusive update most users are still waiting on. But it appears you handset won't be the only device to benefit from the update, Android Wear units will eventually get a taste of Marshmallow goodness as well and with potential major benefits.One of the main expected consequences of the new OS is improved battery life for the wearables. As most of you surely remember, Doze is a key feature of Android 6.0 and it appears it will be carried over to the wearable version as well. We can't really say how much this will extend average battery life, which currently sits at around two days, depending on usage, as well as how it will play with always on mode enabled. Still, there is bound to be at least some improvement, so we'll take it.As for availability, we understand that last generation Moto 360 watches already ship with the new Wear 1.4 OS. As for other devices, it appears a rollout has been in progress for a few days now, but no official update schedule has been provided. It is also worth noting that the new update brings support for speakers and making calls (currently limited to the Huawei Watch and the 49mm Asus ZenWatch 2, which have a built-in speaker), as well as a number of new gestures and voice...

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Microsoft cutting more jobs from its struggling mobile division
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/microsoft-fresh-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in July last year, Microsoft announced that up to 7,800 employees will be laid off globally, with majority of those working in the company's phone business. Now, there are reports that the software giant is cutting "dozens" of more jobs from its mobile division.While the exact number isn't yet known, it has been confirmed that this new round of layoffs is not part of the move announced in July. Also, those being laid off now are said to be part of the marketing team working with the company's mobile subsidiary in Finland.The news comes nearly a couple of weeks after the Redmond, Washington-based company released its Q2 fiscal 2016 earnings report, revealing that only 4.5 million Lumia phones were sold in the last quarter of 2015, down from the 10.5 million reported in Q4,...

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HTC One M10 tipped to go on sale in US in May
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/onem10-us-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already know that HTC's upcoming flagship smartphone will be unveiled in London on April 11, there has been no word on its US launch. That, however, was until now, as the usually reliable tipster @evleaks has revealed that the phone will go on sale in the US in the second week of May.HTC M10: Hitting US retail the week of May 9thÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 11, 2016As you might already know, the name One M10 is also not final, with latest rumors suggesting that the 'M10' will be ditched in favor of some other (yet unknown) moniker. The 'One' brand, however, isn't going anywhere.Its rumored specs include SD820/unspecified Mediatek SoC (depending on the region), 5.1" QHD AMOLED screen, 4GB RAM, and 12MP UltraPixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and laser-assisted AF. In terms of OS, it is said to run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense...

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Unlocked LG G4 down to $350 in the US, again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-g4-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, US retailer B&H Photo was offering the LG G4 for around $350 last month. That promo, however, was only for a day. For those who missed that deal, here is some good news: the retailer is selling the device at the same price, again.Shelling out $349.95 will net you an unlocked LG G4 unit which is fully compatible with GSM carriers in the US. The model comes with a black leather back cover. Other third party retailers like Amazon are currently selling the device at much higher rates.This latest price cut comes just over a week before the South Korean company is set to unveil the G4's successor - the...

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Lenovo K4 Note to go on open sale starting next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/k4note-opensale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has announced that its K4 Note smartphone - which was unveiled early last month in India and went on sale in the country a couple of weeks later - will be available for purchase without registrations.1.1 M Regs and 180,000 phones sold! Announcing an open sale from 15thFeb + a new color, Pearl White! Stocks Limited pic.twitter.com/gkDcxa395oÂ— Lenovo India (@Lenovo_in) February 10, 2016An Amazon exclusive, the device was being sold through flash sales until now. The Chinese company claims to have received 1.1 million registrations for the handset, with 180,000 units sold so far. The open sale begins next week - February 15 to be precise.In addition, Lenovo has announced that the K4 Note will now also be available in Pearl White color option. The phone was only available in black until...

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GFXBench listing reveals 4GB RAM, 16MP camera for Gionee Elife S8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gionee-elife-s8-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After Geekbench, the Gionee Elife S8 (with model number GN9011) has now been spotted listed on GFXBench. The chipset (MediaTek MT6755), RAM (4GB), and Android OS (v6.0 Marshmallow) information revealed by the GFXBench listing is inline with the device's Geekbench listing.In addition, the listing also gives an idea about the handset's camera combo - a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter - as well as internal memory (should be 64GB). Although it also says the device sports a 4.6-inch FULL HD display, keep in mind that benchmarks have got this wrong quite a few times in the past.Gionee has already announced that its upcoming device will be launched at this year's MWC, which starts just over a week from now. There's little doubt that we'll see the Elife S8 getting unveiled at the event, especially given that fact that the Elife S7 made its debut at the same event last year.Source |...

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Android Runtime for BB10 updated to fix app uninstallation issue
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/bb10-androidruntime-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry has pushed a new update to Android Runtime for BB10 that is aimed at fixing an issue that was introduced after installing the OS 10.3.2.2876 update that rolled out last month.The issue in question is related to the un-installation of Android apps on BB10 devices. BlackBerry explains the issue as, "Upon uninstalling an Android application, the application icon is removed from the home screen, however, the application is still installed on the BlackBerry 10 smartphone."To install the update, head to the Source 2 link below from the browser of your BlackBerry 10 smartphone. Once the update process completes, just restart your device, and the Android Runtime (and hence the app removal) should work properly.Source 1 | Source...

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Microsoft apps to come preinstalled on Acer's Android phones and tablets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/microsoft-acer-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Acer that will see Taiwan-based company installing the former's apps and services on some of its Android smartphones and tablets starting H2 2016.As for what all will come preinstalled, Microsoft did reveal a few names, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype. There was, however, no word on exactly which of the Acer's upcoming phones and tablets will be affected."We're excited to partner with Microsoft to provide enhanced mobile productivity to our products," said ST Liew, president of Acer Smart Products Business Group. "By integrating the Microsoft software suite, Acer customers will enjoy productivity on-the-go along with the familiar computing experience on their smartphones and tablets."Commenting on the partnership, Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing, said, "We're pleased that we have been able to enhance the already strong partnership that exists between Microsoft and Acer. Mutually beneficial and collaborative agreements such as this one promote innovation and lead to better products and experiences for consumers."If you aren't already aware, Microsoft signed a similar deal with Samsung last year. The Redmond, Washington-based company also revealed that globally nearly 74 hardware manufacturers are currently pre-installing its apps and services on their Android devices.Source 1...

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LG officially reveals Quick Cover case for unofficial LG G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-quick-cover-g5/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG is at is again, after teasing the LG G5's newest Always ON display, the company has introduced its Quick Cover case for the LG G5 which now has a mesh design that allows touch gestures through to the screen.This reminds us of the HTC One M8's dot-case that allowed certain functions of the phone with the cover still on.The mesh design takes after the K10's quick case and allows the user to answer calls, dismiss alarms, check notifications, and check the time on "the Always-ON Display of the yet unseen LG G5 even with the cover closed.It looks to us like LG wants some attention, especially after fully rendered images of the Galaxy S7 were leaked.Anyway, LG's Quick Cover will be on display at Mobile World Congress along with the LG G5. We can't wait to see what LG has to offer this...

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Archos announces the 50d Oxygen coming in May for £129
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/archos-50d-oxygen/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The next member in Archos' Oxygen line of smartphones has been unveiled today. It's called Archos 50d Oxygen, and we assume that means it's supposed to act as the successor to the 50c Oxygen from two years ago.The 50d keeps the 5-inch screen size from its predecessor, but ups the resolution to 1080p. It's powered by MediaTek's MT6753 chipset, featuring a 1.3 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU, aided by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. 4G LTE support is built-in, as well as dual-SIM functionality.The main camera is a 13 MP unit with a LED flash, while selfies will be taken care of by the front-facing 5 MP snapper. The phone has all the usual connectivity options (except NFC), and a removable 2,100 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 141.4 x 70.8 x 8.2 mm, and it weighs 140g.It will become available at some point in May, for a recommended retail price of £129 (SIM-free and unlocked, of...

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32GB Moto X Pure Edition (2015) is now $75 off at $374.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-pure-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Moto X Pure Edition (2015) is the equivalent of the Moto X Style for North America, and the brand's current flagship offering for the region. And now it's cheaper than before in three variations.If you don't necessarily want to use MotoMaker to customize the hardware of your Pure Edition, but do want to save a cool $75, then make sure you buy from Amazon. Oh, and you need to get the model with 32GB of storage, but that's an easy pick since it's now actually cheaper than the one with half that.While the 16GB Moto X Pure goes for $399, you can pick up the 32GB iteration for just $374.99 (it normally sells for $450). You can choose from black or white hues at this price. If you want the bamboo back (with white front), then you need to shell out $25 more - that's the price of that particular material...

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Alcatel Fierce XL with Windows 10 is now available at T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/t-mobile-fierce-xl-out/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Exactly as rumored, T-Mobile has made the Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL with Windows available for purchase today. The phone didn't even get an announcement press release, but if you're interested in picking one up you can already do so from the magenta carrier's website.This version of the Fierce XL runs Windows 10 Mobile, being indeed the first Alcatel device to do so. It can be yours for $139.99 upfront. Or you can go with T-Mobile's famous installment plan, in which case you shell out $0 initially, then followed by 24 monthly payments of $5.84.You obviously don't get high-end specs for that amount of cash. The Fierce XL boasts a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP main camera with LED flash, a 2 MP secondary snapper, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 SoC (with a 1.1 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE, and a 2,500 mAh battery.The phone appears to only be available in the color version you can see above, with a black front and a bright blue...

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Twitter intros algorithmic 'best tweets first' timeline option
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/twitter-best-tweets/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever since it launched many years ago, the timeline you see on Twitter has been all about the reverse chronological order - you get the newest tweets at the top. This is set to change, however, following many rumors on the matter.In the past Twitter brought you the "While you were away..." section, which was the first thing to ignore the reverse chronological order of tweets. And now the social network is taking that to the next level with the "show me the best tweets first" option.This is rolling out "in the coming weeks". You'll be able to toggle it on and off through a dedicated item in Settings. When it's on, you'll see "the Tweets you're most likely to care about" at the top of your timeline after you've been away for a while. These will be "recent" and in reverse chronological order themselves - they just won't be the latest tweets. To get to those, you scroll down past the "best tweets" section, or just pull-to-refresh at any time.Twitter says the new feature should create more and livelier conversations, as well as generally more tweets and retweets. When this becomes available for you, Twitter will put a notification in your...

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LG G5 visits Geekbench packing Snapdragon 820 and 4GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-benchmark/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG is all set to announce the G5 at a special event at MWC on February 21. And while we wait for that to happen, the Korean company is teasing us about the handset's features. Behind the scenes, however, LG is also extensively testing its newest creation, as you'd imagine.In fact, someone with a G5 prototype has run Geekbench on the thing, and that has resulted in a couple of its specs getting confirmed, along with the fact that it runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The information gathered by the benchmark says the G5 sports Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset along with 4GB of RAM.None of those are surprising, of course, as the presence of both should be par for the course in a flagship Android device in 2016. The phone that was tested here is the LG F700S. That "S" means it's meant for SK Telecom, one of the three carriers in South Korea.The model number, F700, strongly implies this is the G5 we're seeing here. That's because for its home market LG has used F600 to describe the V10, while the G4 had the model number F500. So by that logic, the next high-end smartphone from LG is the F700. Which will be known commercially as the G5.The LG G5 may arrive with a modular design of sorts, its volume buttons on one side (not the back), a 20 MP rear camera, an 8 MP selfie shooter, and a 5.6-inch QHD touchscreen, previous leaks have said.Source | Via (in...

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Apple Pay down for some, can't add Visa cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-pay-down/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Users of Apple Pay (who have more than 2 million locations to use the service now) have been experiencing issues with it for a few hours. The single yellow blemish in the otherwise perfectly green dashboard for Apple system status has been there since a little past 4AM ET.More specifically, users have been unable to add Visa debit and credit cards, and Apple is, obviously aware. On the positive note, cards already in the system have been working just fine.Source |...

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T-Mobile now selling the LG K7 for $140
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/t-mobile-selling-lg-k7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile listed the LG K7 today for $139.99. The handset was unveiled at CES 2016, back in January, along with its higher-end sibling, the K10, which is yet to be spotted in a listing. Both set the tone for the Korean giant's new "K" line of budget-friendly handsets and at $140, the K7 does sound pretty affordable.It's specs, however, are rather underwhelming, especially by 2016 standards. It comes with a 5-inch 854x480 touchscreen, a 2,125 mAh battery, a 5 MP selfie shooter, and Android 5.1 Lollipop. All the other specs vary depending on whether you get the 3G or the LTE version. Luckilly, T-Mobile is offering the latter, which does run on a Snapdragon 210 SoC with 1.1 GHz, quad-core CPU and 1.5 GB of RAM. Storage is set at 8GB with up to 32GB extra via microSD and the main shooter is 5MP as well, while other versions are said to feature an 8MP one.Both K series devices have LG's new "glossy pebble" design language, which employs a "curved, modern finish aimed at a younger audience". They both have 2.5D curved glass on top of their displays and the body of the LTE K7 up on offer at T-Mobile is in a "Titan" hue.For a more in-depth overview of the K7 as well as the K10, you can check our hands-on review.Source |...

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HTC One M10 to launch on April 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/one-m10-delay-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've been hearing about HTC One M10, codenamed Perfume, for quite some time now. It is touted to be HTC's big return on the market, following the controversial One A9 expensive mid-ranger and the company's premium model for Asia - One X9.HTC One M10 was supposed to be announced at the MWC in a few days, but some recent reports push its announcement for somewhere in March. Its One M9 predecessor also launched in March so that wasn't be such a surprise.But today a new rumor sheds some light on the official launch date. The announcement event, which was previously reported to take place in London will take place on April 11.The One M10 is also rumored to lose the M10 for another moniker, but the One brand will stay, of course. .The One M10 is rumored to follow the One A9 design language and come with a 5.1" QHD AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 820 (EU/US) or unspecified MediaTek chip (Asia), 4GB RAM, and a 12MP UltraPixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and laser-assisted AF. It will runAndroid 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense...

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Gold Nexus 6P now $50 off at BestBuy
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-6p-50-off-bestbuy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei-made Nexus 6P is now $50 off at BestBuy, following Google's identical price cut in its own store. The offer is valid for the Gold color option, and applies to both the 32GB and 64GB versions.The base model now costs $449.99, while double the storage comes at $499.99. If you want the top model with 128GB, however, you're stuck with one of the other color options, and neither Graphite nor Aluminum gets the discount, so you'd be paying the full $649.99.If you do decide to take advantage of the offer and get a Gold Nexus 6P, BestBuy will also throw in a $25 gift card. It's worth mentioning that while $50 off is a nice deal, the Nexuses often get similar discounts, so if you miss this promo, there may very well be another one down the road.Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S6 edge review: Double down
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/vv/reviewsimg/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge/thumb1_.jpg How big of an impact can a small change have? The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge has only the extra screen curves compared to the vanilla Galaxy S6, but these two phones couldn't feel any more different - a difference that you can readily feel when you...

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GSMArena

12-02-16, 13:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-tab-s3-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of weeks ago two Samsung tablets were imported into India for testing - the SM-T718 and the SM-T813. Those have now passed through GFX Bench and confirmed suspicions that they are the successors to the AMOLED-packing Tab S2.The SM-T819, the 9.7" Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, will have a Super AMOLED screen with 2,048 x 1,536px resolution (same as the iPad and the Tab S2).Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 specs, according to GFX Bench It will come with a new chipset, though, the Snapdragon 652. It sounds like a mid-ranger, but actually, it has four Cortex-A72 cores and four A53s. Compare that to the four A57s and four A53s of the S810. There are two issues - first, the 28nm build (limits clockspeed and power efficiency) and the Adreno 510 GPU. Still, early benchmarks suggest some improvement over the Exynos 5433 used in the Tab S2 generation..jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 146px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GeekBench 3 (multi-core)Higher is better Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 4275 Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 8.0 4122GeekBench 3 (single-core)Higher is better Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 8.0 1312 Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 1225Moving on, little else seems to have changed. The Galaxy Tab S3 will launch with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It will have 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 8MP/1080p main camera and 2MP/1080p selfie. 150Mbps LTE will be an option.The SM-T719, the 8" Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, will be virtually the same - same resolution as the bigger S3, same chipset, same camera. The only differences will be screen size and battery backup.Source (in German) |...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 camera sample by Hugo Barra himself packs plenty of detail
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 5 is bound to become official in a couple of weeks, and as befitting a Xiaomi flagship (or any flagship, for that matter) it has been the star of numerous leaks. The company's president posted a shot captured with the Mi 5's camera a few days ago and now VP Hugo Barra has taken it to Facebook to share a sample of his own.The single shot of what looks like a Cycas Revoluta (we know our plants, also have access to the internet) presents plenty of detail even in its undoubtedly altered for social media state. Colors are nice, and the Mi 5 has done well with exposing the scene.(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Spent the holidays hanging out with my folks..aaaaand playing around with the insanely AMAZING #Mi5 camera. I didn't...Posted by Hugo Barra on_Thursday, February 11, 2016Naturally, Facebook posts aren't the best place to evaluate a camera, but they do the job to give us a hint at what to expect from Xiaomi's future smartphone. And is that the Mi 5 itself in the bottom right corner casting its shadow?Source |...

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Facebook testing multiple account management and SMS integration on Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/facebook-messenger-sms-integration-multiple-accounts/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Some Facebook Messenger users over on Android Police have reported that their Facebook Messenger app has been looking different for a couple of weeks now.On top of all the changes already made, Facebook is testing a few new features for a future app release.The most unusual of which is SMS integration for Android. A few years ago, Facebook Messenger featured a way to set Messenger as your default SMS app. This was a way for users to quickly message people both on Facebook and SMS quickly without leaving the app. The problem was that it wasn't adopted as much as the Facebook Team had hoped.Just like the Facebook message color is blue, the SMS color is purple to differentiate it from a Facebook message.The feature has been pulled back in 2014 but Facebook's new business strategy for the year involves being able to look up people to talk to by name, not even using a phone number.There are some new Material Design elements found like the blue action bar and the blue status bar. Facebook is testing several different layouts and hasn't seemed to finalize on one yet.Also new, is multiple Facebook account support. The ability to add more than one account to Facebook Messenger account on a single device.This would be especially useful for business users who manage multiple business accounts with high volume customer interaction.Source |...

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Rose gold and platinum Samsung Gear S2 Classic will be out in the US tomorrow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gear-s2-platinum-us-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month, the two new Gear S2 Classic models Samsung unveiled at CES began their global rollout. And now this is about to take them to the US.Both the rose gold and the platinum Gear S2 will become available stateside tomorrow, for a recommended retail price of $449.99. You'll find them at Samsung's own online store, as well as at Best Buy, Amazon, Macy's, and other outlets in the country.Both smartwatches are only plated with the metal that's mentioned in their names, and not actually made out of a solid piece of it - hence the rather affordable pricing. You get an Ivory genuine leather band with the rose gold model, and a black genuine leather band with the platinum one. Spec-wise nothing has changed from the original Gear S2 Classic, so these models also have the same exact innards.We're talking about a 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED touchscreen with 360x360 resolution, a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, a bunch of sensors (including a heart rate monitor), and a 250 mAh battery with support for wireless...

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Instagram will show how many times videos are watched
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/instagram-video-views/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few days ago, Instagram revealed that all its users would get to use multiple accounts inside its apps starting later this week. And today the Facebook-owned photography-focused social network is at it again, with yet another new feature being announced.It's something much simpler this time around, but should prove very useful for the content creators using Instagram. "Over the next few weeks", view counts for videos will be shown underneath them, as portrayed in the screenshots below. A view is registered once a video has been watched for at least three seconds.This introduction comes as apparently "views are the most widely expected form of feedback on video". The information about how many times a video was viewed will replace that about how many likes it's received. To get to the number of likes, you'll need to tap on the word "views".Instagram promises that this is only the first of many ways in which it plans to improve its handling of video content this year.Source |...

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HTC One M10 camera specs leak
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg By all accounts, HTC's next flagship will skip MWC 2016 and possibly come out a bit later, on April 11, but the delay hasn't deterred eager fans and leaksters from gathering info on the handset.An new source now claims to have the inside scoop on the camera info of the handset, codenamed "Perfume". According to the info, the phone is going to have a 12 MP Sony IMX 377 sensor on the back with a pixel size of 1.55 um. It will be supported by laser autofocus as well as phase detection autofocus. As for the front camera, HTC is apparently referring to it as an UltraPixel one. However, its sensor is said to be a 5MP Samsung s5k4e6 one, which has 1.34Âµm pixel size - much smaller than the 2Âµm of the original UltraPixel cameras. OIS was previously said to appear in both the front and back shooter.HTC Perfume "UltraPixels":Main Camera - Sony IMX377 12MP 1.55um + Laser Autofocus + PDAFFront Camera - Samsung s5k4e6 5MP UltraPixelÂ— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) February 11, 2016As far as we currently know, other specs on the One M10 include a QHD AMOLED display, with a diagonal of either 5.1 or 5.2 inches. The smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, which will be aided by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (of which around 23GB will be user-accessible). A microSD card slot will be available too. A fingerprint scanner is also suggested, most-likely in the home button below the screen. In terms of OS, it will most-likely boot Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8 on...

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Marshmallow update is now rolling out for the original Moto 360 too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-360-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A few days ago Google announced the latest version of Android Wear, 1.4, which is based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, along with the new features this will bring to a smartwatch near you. Then, shortly after that, we saw the rollout of the update commence for the second-generation Moto 360.While that's still not reached all units, Motorola has also started pushing out the update to its first smartwatch, the original 360 from 2014. The image below confirms that at least some people have already received and installed it.The new software has support for more languages, screen dimming, new wrist gestures, Doze mode (which should improve battery life), manual settings for date and time, audio improvements for Bluetooth headsets, and the ability to send messages with your voice through popular third-party apps.As with all staged rollouts, it could still be a few days until every Moto 360 device out there pops up the coveted notification, so all that's required now is a bit of...

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Samsung Pay launching in the UK and Spain "very soon"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-pay-uk-spain/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Samsung Pay is expected to launch in the UK and Spain early this year. The head of Samsung Pay Europe revealed that the launch will be "very soon," but said the exact date and other details will be revealed at the MWC.The Samsung Galaxy S7, the start of Samsung's MWC show, will be unveiled on February 21 and we'll most likely see Pay piggyback on its media attention (the MWC is held in Spain, after all).Also in the first wave of expansion for this year is China, with Australia, Singapore and Brazil following later. It's not just the S7 that supports Samsung Pay, the new Galaxy A (2016) series does...

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A free Samsung VR headset to come with each Galaxy S7 pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/galaxy-s6-marshmallow-beta-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung Galaxy S7 is going to premiere at a special UNPACKED event at the MWC next week. It has been in Rumorland for quite some time and the speculations have gone wild throughout the past few days.Samsung is also keen on getting a piece of the growing VR market, and as suggested by Rory O'Neill, Vice President Brand & Product Manager of Samsung Electronics, most of the VR content will be in fact produced by the consumers. That's why Samsung will be offering a free Gear VR headset with each Galaxy S7 smartphone or at least in the Netherlands.As per some reports Samsung Netherlands will be throwing a free Gear VR headset with each Galaxy S7 pre-order placed between February 21 and March 10. The Galaxy S7 is going to be unveiled on February 21, which means it will go on pre-order in Europe on the very same day.It's unclear whether this promotion will expand to other markets, but if Samsung wants some nice share of the VR universe, the logic says yes.In just a few days the Galaxy S7 will say Â‘hi' from Barcelona for the first time. Naturally, we'll be there to cover the event for you as it unfolds.Source 1 Â• Source 2 Â• Source...

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Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC unveiled, LG already working on smartwatches
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/qualcom-wear-2100/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Qualcomm's on fire today. Not only has the US chipmaker announced 3 smartphone SoC's, but it's also followed up with a brand new platform for wearables, dubbed the Snapdragon Wear. The sole chip in the new range at this point is the Snapdragon Wear 2100, bringing significant improvements over the so far default smartwatch choice, the Snapdragon 400.The dedicated solution for smart devices you'll be strapping to you wrist or chest this year is 30% smaller in physical size than the S400, enabling more compact designs and thinner wearables. It also boasts 25% better power efficiency than the old model.The Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset packs a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at up to 1.2GHz, and its Adreno 304 GPU (featured in some of the 200-series chips) can feed displays up to 640x480 pixels at up to 60Hz. Two versions of the chip will be available, one tethered (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi only), the other - connected, with full 2G/3G/LTE cellular connectivity. The chip also supports NFC and GPS, and comes with Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities.LG was also keen to point out the collaboration between the two companies in the field. Wearables branch vice president David Yoon indicated that the Korean giant is already working on smartwatches, but also other wearables, to be launched later this year.Source 1 Source 2 Source...

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Qualcomm announces new Snapdragon 625, 435 and 425 chipsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/snapdragon-625-435-425/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's the mid-range chipset from Qualcomm that we've been waiting for, the Snapdragon 625. The company also brought faster LTE connectivity to the 400-series with the 425 and 435.Snapdragon 625Despite its low model number, the S625 is the first 600-series chipset to be built on a power-efficient 14nm process. This allows its eight Cortex-A53 cores to be clocked at over 2GHz.This is also the third 600-class chip (after the 650, 652) to record 4K video (with both AVC and HEVC codecs); it also supports up to 24MP cameras with its dual ISP.It's paired with an X9 modem for Cat. 7 LTE - up to 300Mbps downloads and 150Mbps uploads. The chipset also supports Wi-Fi ac. Other goodies include an Adreno 506 GPU and Quick Charge 3.0.The only limiting factor is the display support - the Snapdragon 625 tops out at 1,900 x 1,200 at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps. So, we won't see it in QHD flagships, but premium mid-rangers are about to get better. You can expect new devices with the 625 in the second half of this year. Finally, Qualcomm mentioned that the 625 uses up to 35% less power than its Snapdragon 617 predecessor, so all the goodies won't cost you anything in terms of battery life. Snapdragon 435This one is built on the old 28nm process, so its eight Cortex-A53 cores top out at 1.4GHz. Also, it comes with Adreno 505 GPU and supports displays up to 1080p at 60fps.It's still a solid offering with an X8 modem (Cat. 7 for 300Mbps down, 100Mbps up), Wi-Fi ac and Quick Charge 3.0. This is the first 400-series chipset with Cat. 7 LTE.The S435 chipset supports 1080p video recording (AVC and HEVC) from 21MP cameras.Snapdragon 425A small difference in model number, a huge difference in hardware. The Snapdragon 425 chipset has a quad-core processor, Cortex-A53 up to 1.4GHz (28nm build), and an old Adreno 308 (which means no OpenGL ES 3.1 support).Display support is capped at 1,280 x 800 at 60fps. At least you get to keep the 1080p video capture (max camera resolution is 16MP, though).The Snapdragon 425 uses an older X6 modem, which puts its maximum speeds at Cat. 4 levels - 150Mbps down, 75Mbps up. You still get Wi-Fi ac. Quick Charge version 2.0 is supported.Both the Snapdragon 435 and the 425 are pin-compatible with last year's S430, so phone-makers have an easy upgrade path to the new chipsets.X16 modemYou may have glossed over the modem designations, but to compare it quickly to the high end, the upcoming Snapdragon 820 chipset has an X12 chipset. It boasts download speeds of up to 600Mbps.Today Qualcomm also announced the X16 - the first modem to reach 1Gbps (that's 1,000Mbps) download speeds. It's also the first modem to be built on a 14nm process (the X12 is at 20nm). This modem won't arrive in consumer devices until 2017 though. Anyway, the X16 modem also supports LTE-U, aka LTE-Unlicensed, which operates in the 5GHz spectrum, sharing room with household...

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Right to be forgotten to expand over all Google domains
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-right-to-be-forgotten/-184x111/thumb.jpg Google offers the Â‘right to be forgotten' option for all EU citizens, by EU regulations. If a person asks Google to remove all information about him, Google is obliged to remove any references and information from its search engine.As this rule applies to EU citizens and for the EU only, Google scrubs such information only from its .fr, .co.uk, .bg, .de, and similar EU Google Search domains. This allowed for an easy workaround - just open Google.com or any other non-EU Google Search website and repeat the search string.This is about to change in just a few days, though. Google is going to address this workaround, and the Â‘right to be forgotten' rule will apply to all Google domains when used within the EU (detected by IP address). Soon, the only way to see results under the Â‘right to be forgotten' rule will require you to be out of the EU or use a proxy server.According to BBC, Google will apply the new rules in mid-February and if some information is under the Â‘right to be forgotten' rule it won't be accessed by any Google Search engine invoked within the EU borders.Source Â•...

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HTC One M10 render shows its hybrid One M9 and A9 looks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/one-m10-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As expected, the HTC One M10 will break away from the old M-design and inherit that of the One A9. We had a peek at a murky photo a week ago, but now we can gawk at smooth 3D renders.The M10 does look quite a bit like the A9 with its flat back with beveled sides. One noticeable change is that the camera is below the top antenna line, just like it was on the previous M models. You can see the laser focus element below the flash. The big camera on the front will reportedly be quite impressive too.One disappointing feature of the A9 was also brought over to the One M10 - no stereo speakers, not on the front, not on the back. On the plus side, the HTC logo below the screen, the one that needlessly took up vertical space, is gone. Now the M10 is expected to be the same size as the A9, despite the slightly bigger screen.HTC One M10 (leak) Â• HTC One A9 Â• HTC One M9The phone is expected to have a 5.1" QHD AMOLED screen, a Snapdragon 820 chipset and a 12MP UltraPixel camera. The updated Sense UI is expected to be much closer to stock Android. The HTC One M10 may not show up at the MWC, but it should launch on April 11.Source |...

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Put the Alcatel Idol 4s back in the package for a VR experience
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/alcatel-idol-4s-vr-hreadset/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 4s was recently accidentally listed on the company's website, revealing all specs ahead of the alleged MWC announcement. What it didn't tell was that the upcoming smartphone will come bundled with a VR headset.Or rather, inside one. The retail packaging of the Idol 4s will double as a Google Cardboard-style rig, only made of plastic. Having in mind that Samsung sells one of these (the Gear VR) for $99 or $199, depending on generation, the inclusion of a VR headset with the smartphone is a nice touch, especially considering its alleged sub-$400 price point.The Idol 4s will also have the hardware to facilitate its VR use - a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 652 and 3GB of RAM. There will also be a 16MP/8MP camera combo, each with a flash, and the reversible design of the Idol 3 will be taken to the next level. Source |...

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TSMC allegedly to be the sole manufacturer of iPhone 7 processor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-tsmc-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a report by South Korea's The Electronic Times, TSMC is to become the sole supplier for the next generation AX processor in the upcoming iPhone 7.According to the report, TSMC won the contract with Apple over Samsung due to its more efficient 10nm manufacturing process, and is expected to go in full production in June.Both TSMC and Samsung are the suppliers for the A9 processor in the iPhone 6s. Unfortunately for Samsung, users noticed differences in heating and battery life between the chipsets from the two companies, with the TSMC one coming out the better of the two.This wouldn't be the first time Apple went with just TSMC. After a long time of relying on Samsung to supply its chips, Apple switched to TSMC for the A8 and A8X, and even the A9 would have been made entirely by TSMC had Samsung not stolen TSMC's trade secrets, which is said to have helped the company get the contract with Apple. With the A10, TSMC is likely to be the sole supplier for Apple, assuming it can keep up with the demand.Source Â•...

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GSMArena

12-02-16, 13:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-catching-up-to-apple-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Parks Associates's latest report on the sate of the US mobile market reveals a few interesting facts. Perhaps most intriguing is the reduced gap between the two titans in the realm - Apple and Samsung. The former currently controls 40% of the local mobile market, but the Korean giant is quickly catching up with 31%. Samsung's US expansion is definitely impressive, but other foreign OEM's are exhibiting the same trend, although on a much smaller scale. Third place on the list goes to LG, with 10% market share and other major brand names, like Motorola and HTC have about 5% reach, combined.On a global scale, Samsung still led the race in 2015, with a total of 324.8 million units shipped, leaving Cupertino at second place with about 231.5 million sales.Another interesting trend, unearthed in the Parks Associates's research concerns smartphone upgrade cycles. The numbers show that about a third of iOS users still own a handset that is more than two years old, while only 30% of Samsung users are on a device as dated. This could be interpreted as a testament to the futureproofing of Apple handsets, but it might also have to do with carrier efforts to shorten hardware upgrade cycles as much as possible and encourage more frequent sales.Operators are pulling out all the tricks to encourage phone upgrades... The once-familiar two-year contract, which tied consumers to a two-year phone upgrade cycle, is gradually fading. U.S. carriers started to do away with two-year contracts in 2012, and by the third quarter of 2015, only 51% of mobile consumers had a contract, down from almost 70% at the end 2011. A few other curious statistic from the report state that:More than 70% of smartphone users now watch short streaming video clips, and more than 40% watch long streaming videos on their device.Almost 40% of smartphone users use the voice recognition function; among iPhone users, more than half have used Siri.36% use Wi-Fi calling35% stream music from the phone to speakers26% use a payment app for purchases at a retail location24% stream video from the phone to a second screen (e.g., TV, PC, etc.)Source |...

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Marshmallow update for Android Wear promises battery boost
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-wear-marshmallow-battery-boost/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With a little over 1% penetration, Android 6.0 Marshmallow is still very much a rarity within the mobile realm and an illusive update most users are still waiting on. But it appears you handset won't be the only device to benefit from the update, Android Wear units will eventually get a taste of Marshmallow goodness as well and with potential major benefits.One of the main expected consequences of the new OS is improved battery life for the wearables. As most of you surely remember, Doze is a key feature of Android 6.0 and it appears it will be carried over to the wearable version as well. We can't really say how much this will extend average battery life, which currently sits at around two days, depending on usage, as well as how it will play with always on mode enabled. Still, there is bound to be at least some improvement, so we'll take it.As for availability, we understand that last generation Moto 360 watches already ship with the new Wear 1.4 OS. As for other devices, it appears a rollout has been in progress for a few days now, but no official update schedule has been provided. It is also worth noting that the new update brings support for speakers and making calls (currently limited to the Huawei Watch and the 49mm Asus ZenWatch 2, which have a built-in speaker), as well as a number of new gestures and voice...

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Microsoft cutting more jobs from its struggling mobile division
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/microsoft-fresh-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in July last year, Microsoft announced that up to 7,800 employees will be laid off globally, with majority of those working in the company's phone business. Now, there are reports that the software giant is cutting "dozens" of more jobs from its mobile division.While the exact number isn't yet known, it has been confirmed that this new round of layoffs is not part of the move announced in July. Also, those being laid off now are said to be part of the marketing team working with the company's mobile subsidiary in Finland.The news comes nearly a couple of weeks after the Redmond, Washington-based company released its Q2 fiscal 2016 earnings report, revealing that only 4.5 million Lumia phones were sold in the last quarter of 2015, down from the 10.5 million reported in Q4,...

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HTC One M10 tipped to go on sale in US in May
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/onem10-us-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already know that HTC's upcoming flagship smartphone will be unveiled in London on April 11, there has been no word on its US launch. That, however, was until now, as the usually reliable tipster @evleaks has revealed that the phone will go on sale in the US in the second week of May.HTC M10: Hitting US retail the week of May 9thÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 11, 2016As you might already know, the name One M10 is also not final, with latest rumors suggesting that the 'M10' will be ditched in favor of some other (yet unknown) moniker. The 'One' brand, however, isn't going anywhere.Its rumored specs include SD820/unspecified Mediatek SoC (depending on the region), 5.1" QHD AMOLED screen, 4GB RAM, and 12MP UltraPixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and laser-assisted AF. In terms of OS, it is said to run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense...

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GSMArena

13-02-16, 13:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/blackberry-canon-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg BlackBerry has announced that it has entered into a patent licensing agreement with Canon for what the company describes as "certain power charging technology used by Canon products." "Our agreement with Canon substantiates the value companies place on BlackBerry's innovative and foundational power charging patents for mobile and consumer electronic devices," BlackBerry said in a press release. "With the agreement in place, Canon can continue to incorporate convenient charging solutions in its exciting new products." While specific terms remain confidential, the Canadian company did reveal that the deal was signed in the month of November last...

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Another price cut for Samsung's 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablet; now available for $449
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/samsung-galaxy-view-available-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's humongous Galaxy View tablet has received another price cut in the US. The 18.4-inch device now costs just $449, which is $50 down from the price tag it has been carrying for the past few months now. The discount is available on Amazon, but it shows up when the device is added to cart. Other third party retailers including Best Buy and B&H Photo are also selling the over-sized tablet for $449. The latest discount comes a few months after the Galaxy View received a $100 price cut in the country, something which happened just a couple of weeks after the tablet was launched in the US. Source 1 2...

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Apple Music now boasts over 11 million paid subscribers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/apple-music-autorenewal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has revealed that its Apple Music service now has more than 11 million paid subscribers. The revelation was made by company executives Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi in a recent interview. That number was at around 10 million last month, meaning the Cupertino-based company added a million new Apple Music paid subscribers in the past one month. Aside from Apple Music, stats on various other Apple Internet services were revealed. For example, iCloud has 782 million users; the company processes a whopping 200,000 iMessages per second; and 750 million worth of iTunes and the App Store purchases per...

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Apple wants judge to settle the iPhone unlocking case soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-unlocking-case/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you recall, for the past few months, Apple and the US Justice Department are battling it out in court over whether the government can force the company to unlock the iPhones the latter is capable of. Now, the Cupertino-based firm wants the judge to settle the case soon. If you aren't already aware, the current case involves Justice Department's request to force Apple to extract data from a locked iPhone that the government agency wants to investigate. The device in question is an iOS 7-powered iPhone 5s, meaning Apple is capable of what the agency wants, but is reluctant fearing that doing so will tarnish the trust between the company and its customers. In a newly submitted letter, Apple has argued that the government is planning to make similar requests in future, so it's important for both parties to know what the court thinks, and that too without any further delay - the case has been dragging on for nearly 3 months now. "Apple takes no position on whether and to what extent information from the Apple device in the government's possession is relevant to any ongoing investigation, or necessary for the criminal defendant's sentencing. But Apple has received additional requests similar to the one underlying the case before this Court. Apple has also been advised that the government intends to continue to invoke the All Writs Act in this and other districts in an attempt to require Apple to assist in bypassing the security of other Apple devices in the government's possession," the company said in its...

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HTC One smartwatch now said to be launching in April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-smartwatch-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another HTC smartwatch rumor, and guess what... another delay. Just when we thought that the Taiwanese company would launch the long-rumored (in fact very long-rumored) device this Mobile World Congress, a new rumor is claiming otherwise. Back in December last year, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks said the wearable would be launched in February. But now, he is claiming that would happen in April. Small consolation, HTC fans: you'll be able to pick up the watch before the end of April.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 11, 2016 Meanwhile, there has been no word whatsoever on the device or its release time frame from HTC. FYI, rumors that HTC is developing a smartwatch first cropped up in 2013. So far, from what we've heard, it's an Android Wear-powered device with 360x360px display, and is codenamed...

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LG H840 with 5.3-inch display and 3GB RAM spotted on GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g5-useragent-data/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A new LG phone has been spotted on benchmarking website GFXBench. The listing reveals that the device is powered by a Snapdragon 652 chipset and sports a 5.3-inch Quad HD display. It has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory. In terms of camera, both front as well as rear units are listed as 8MP, although we're expecting the main camera to be better. As for the operating system, the listing says the handset runs Android 4.4 KitKat, which is definitely a mistake of some sorts. The smartphone carries a model number of H840, suggesting it could be a variant of the South Korean company's upcoming LG G5 flagship (LG-H830) - LG G5 Lite may...

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US and UK BlackBerry discounts for Valentine's Day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/blackberry-valentine-deals-2016/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The official BlackBerry store is offering a couple of cool offers for this Valentine's Day weekend on the BlackBerry Priv. Up until February 24, the US and UK BlackBerry stores will be offering the BlackBerry Priv in black for a discounted price of $650 or £529. The deal is sold as a bundle so it also includes a complimentary set of accessories for your BlackBerry Priv at a value of $99 or £74. These accessories only include a smart cover case and a sync station that doubles a phone stand. Still, it's a great offer even with the discounted phone. Also, the BlackBerry Passport can be purchased for $399 or £349 in either black or white. Source: BlackBerry US UK |...

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Google finally decides to shut down Picasa, sort of
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/picasa-dead/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Amazingly, Google's Picasa photo service still exists. You probably thought that with the big launch of Google Photos last year Picasa would have been put out of its misery, but no. Not then, anyway. After a long time of analyzing the situation, the search giant has finally decided to "retire" Picasa and focus on Google Photos. Which obviously makes perfect sense, unlike running two different photo services at the same time. That said, Google still hasn't actually said when Picasa will be gone forever, just that the process will take several months. The Picasa desktop application will no longer be supported starting on March 15. It will keep working after that date, but won't be updated anymore. On the other hand, the web service will remain unchanged until May 1. And even after that, you'll still be able to view, download, or delete your albums, you just won't be able to create, organize, or edit albums anymore. Perhaps rather confusingly, you can always go to Google Photos and see your photos and videos from Picasa over there. Since this is the case, it's really unclear why it's taking Google this long to shut down Picasa for good. Anyway, expect some more news about this on or around May...

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Skype for Android and iOS is getting ready for Valentine's Day with special video cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/skype-valentines-day/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Skype has been getting ready for the Valentine's Day weekend, and with the latest updates for its Android, iPhone, and iPad apps it comes with some new love-themed features. An all-new Love tab brings you emojis and emoticons specially crafted for the occasion (including a new set of emojis featuring custom compositions from Sir Paul McCartney, which should help you "express different forms of love through music"). And if you want to share other emotions, you can do that more easily too by searching through the various available emojis and emoticons. Furthermore, you can record a special Valentine's Day video message, complete with floating hearts as seen in the image above. According to Skype, this will "help set the mood". And if you're particularly proud of your creation, you can share it via email or to Facebook to make it more generally available. To do the video deed, you tap on the new heart symbol which shows up on iOS to the right of the Skype logo inside the app, and on Android after you hit the "+" button in the...

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Verizon starts pushing Marshmallow update to the Droid Turbo 2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/droid-turbo-2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Droid Turbo 2 employee edition started receiving the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow back in December, but for some reason it took Verizon this long to release the same software to the public. Anyway, it is finally out. If your phone hasn't yet notified you about the update, be patient as these things are usually staged - so it may be a while before all Droid Turbo 2 units out there get it. You'll need to be on Wi-Fi to download it. The new software comes with Now On Tap, App standby, Doze mode for better battery life, the new and improved app permissions system, adoptable storage, the slightly revamped Do not disturb mode, expanded volume controls, Direct share, and Attentive Display now part of Moto Actions. After applying the update, you'll be on build 24.14.9. Source 1 Â• Source...

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iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 will reportedly go on sale on March 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-5se-ipad-air-3-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to some unnamed sources, the upcoming iPhone 5se and the iPad Air 3 will both become available from Apple, online and in stores, on March 18. If true, it means that Apple is planning a release of the two models very close to the much-rumored announcement date of March 15. The two events will thus occur during the same week, with the introduction on a Tuesday and the start of sales on Friday. While the company's plans could still change, the sources for this leak claim there will be no pre-order period for the two new devices. The iPhone 5se will look like the iPhone 5s from 2013, but it will come with the A9 chipset, NFC and Apple Pay support, always-on Siri activation, as well as the iPhone 6's camera. The iPad Air 3 is set to borrow many features from the bigger iPad Pro, such as the Smart Connector, Apple Pencil support, and four speakers. Its main camera may include a LED flash for the first time on an Apple...

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Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) camera up-close [VIDEO]
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a7-camera-blogpost/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Our review of the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) has been up for a week now, and you're probably already familiar with our impressions. This year's A-series 5.5-incher got praised for its supreme build, battery endurance, and color-accurate AMOLED display, to name a few. It was particularly interesting to see the new 13MP camera in action. It's used in no less than four models in the A family this year - from the A3 (2016), where it's only been stripped of OIS, to the A9 (2016), so if that many devices are relying on it, it better be good. And it sure is, to the point where it can rival the outgoing Galaxy S6 flagship. Okay, maybe not in all cases - there are instances, where the A7 struggles to match it top-shelf brother, for example shots in less than ideal light. We've summarized our findings in the video below for those who have just 2 minutes to spare. The rest can refer back to the camera section of the review where you can pixel-peep to your heart's...

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T-Mobile's HTC One M9 gets Marshmallow on February 16
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/m9-t-mobile-marshmallow-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you own an HTC One M9 purchased from T-Mobile you may have been wondering when the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow will finally hit your device. And today that information has been made public by none other than Mo Versi, HTC's VP of product management. The update has now received technical approval from the carrier, and the over-the-air rollout is set to commence on Tuesday, February 16. Of course, as with all such releases, do expect it to take a few days before Marshmallow graces all of T-Mobile's M9 units out there. But at least now we have a date to speak of. The Marshmallow update has already made it to units sold unlocked in the US, as well as those sold by Sprint. And it looks like TMo's M9 is next in...

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Pandora declines commenting on sell-off rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/apple-music-pandora/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Internet radio company Pandora has refused to comment on recent reports that it is looking to get acquired. "We won't comment on rumors," said Pandora's CEO Brian McAndrews during the company's recent earnings call. "We will say we're very confident in our ability to drive significant value to our shareholders," he added. "We're focused on working as an independent company." The New York Times had recently carried a report that Pandora held internal discussions about a potential sell-off, following which a Reuters report suggested that Yahoo, Hulu, and Amazon could be among the potential buyers. The rumors came just a few months after it was revealed that Apple Music has significantly dented Pandora's user-base. For those who aren't in the know, the company acquired several of Rdio's key assets after the later filed for bankruptcy last year. Via | The New York Times |...

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Huawei Honor 5X is now available from Three UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-5x-three-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After having gone on sale in SIM-free form in the UK not long ago, the Honor 5X from Huawei is now also available from Three. This operator even claims an exclusive on the device, so you won't see the Honor 5X at the likes of Vodafone, EE, or O2. As you'd expect, the Honor 5X is affordable. You can get it for nothing upfront on contracts starting at £13 per month - in which case you get 100 minutes, unlimited texts, and 500MB. Thankfully there are many more options to pick from, including a £40 per month deal which nets you unlimited everything (including data). If you'd rather choose the Pay as you go route, the handset can be yours for £189.99 - which is exactly as much as it costs if you buy it SIM-free from Huawei itself. The Honor 5X has a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP main camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie cam, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 chipset (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G support, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with Huawei's EMUI 3.1 on top. Source |...

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Shoemaker ASICS acquires Runkeeper app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/runkeeper-asics/-184x111/thumb.jpg ASICS, a popular Japanese sportwear maker, has bought the Runkeeper fitness-tracking app. It's hardly a surprise as Adidas kicked the acquisition season by getting Runtastic app. According to Runkeeper's track data, ASICS is the most popular shoe brand within its user database and this maybe one of the reasons for the move. Runkeeper's CEO is also keen on this kind of joint operations as it will provide for "a deeper, more trusted relationship with consumers". The companies are keeping mum on the value of this acquisition, but they both promise Runkeeper will suffer no significant changes or interruptions and will continue to work as it is. Source |...

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Microsoft boasts 1 billion gaming hours for Xbox One but Sony PS4 was still top seller in January
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/ps4-pricecut-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg NPD's data for the first month of this year has arrived and its reveals status quo in Xbox One vs PS4 battle. Like December 2015, Sony's gaming console held onto the top spot in terms of sales in the US. As is usually the case, specific sales numbers weren't revealed. "Thanks to our fans and partners for making PlayStation 4 the top-selling platform and software sales leader in January, according to NPD," Sony said. "PS4 also saw impressive year-over-year growth in both hardware and software sales. We appreciate the support and will continue to deliver on our promise to bring the best entertainment experiences to gamers." While Microsoft again had to settle for the second spot, it still had something to trumpet - the number of gaming hours. "In January, the total number of hours spent gaming in one month on Xbox One worldwide surpassed 1 billion hours," the company said. "Looking ahead to this spring, fans can enjoy more great games with the upcoming releases of Â‘Quantum Break,' Â‘Rocket League' and Â‘Tom Clancy's The Division.' We can't thank our fans enough for their continued support and passion for Xbox, and we're looking forward to bringing more of the games and experiences our fans want most in 2016." The NPD report revealed a decline in overall hardware sales. "As we enter 2016, the majority of console hardware sales will occur on eighth generation consoles as evidenced by the 96% share of console hardware sales from eighth generation consoles, up from 84% in January 2015," the market research firm said. In the battle of games, Call Of Duty: Black Ops III bagged the top spot - it was at the top in December as well as for the whole of 2015,...

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WSJ: Standalone VR headset from Google in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/google-cardboard-star-wars/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a week after there were reports that Google is planning to launch a Samsung Gear VR competitor later this year, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Mountain View, California-based company is also working on a standalone VR headset. Google's existing Cardboard VR headset (Star Wars edition) As the term suggests, a standalone VR headset is one which doesn't rely on a smartphone, PC, or a gaming console to function. Currently, there isn't any such VR product in the market. "The headset will include a screen, high-powered processors and outward-facing cameras," the report said. It "appears to aim for a middle ground: a quality experience not tethered to an expensive PC or game console." Startup Movidius will supply the technology for the headset. As for the availability, things aren't set in stone it seems. While one of the WSJ's sources said the device could be unveiled this year, others refrained from offering any specific timeline, cautioning that it's in early stages of development and could even be scrapped. The Samsung Gear VR competitor, meanwhile, could be unveiled at Google's this year's annual developer conference along with a new VR-compatible Android version, the report...

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LeTV Le 1s hands-on: First look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/letv-le-1s/preview/-347x151/thumb.jpg LeTV's claim for fame was at this year's CES where Qualcomm announced LeTV would be the make+r of the first phone with the high-end Snapdragon 820 chipset.

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Huawei Honor Holly 2 Plus to hit the shelves next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-holly2plus-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Unveiled late last month in India, the Huawei Honor Holly 2 Plus smartphone will go on sale starting next week - February 15 to be precise. Carrying an INR 8,499 (around $125) price tag, the device will be available for purchase through online retailers Flipkart and Amazon. Specs-wise, the handset is powered by a MediaTek MT6735P SoC, and sports a 5-inch HD IPS display. RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 16GB, although expandable. It packs in a large 4,000mAh battery. The camera department is handled by a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Featuring textured design on its back and a poly-carbonate body, the Honor Holly 2 Plus runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with EMUI 3.1 on top. The handset is scheduled to get the Android 6.0-based EMUI 4.0 update soon. Source 1 2 |...

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GSMArena

14-02-16, 13:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a5-a7-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Well, you've had a week to think about it and the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) got a warm reception, stealing the spotlight from its bigger Galaxy A7 (2016) sibling (which got a tentatively positive response).The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) got 63% Hot votes. It also garners more interest when we compare specs page visits - the A5 (2016) is in the Top 10, slightly above the old A5.The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) is slightly behind that (right outside the Top 10) and the voting was more evenly split - the A7 (2016) got 57% Hot votes.There are two more phones in the A 2016 series - the smallest of the bunch, the Galaxy A3 (2016), and the biggest, the Galaxy A9 (2016). Both of them stray from the current ideals of screen size though and are less popular than their siblings, 5 and...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Not much has happened this week in our traditional Top 10 trending chart, at least in the top half, that is. Positions 1 to 6 have stood still, and the chart-toppers have been the same for while now, save for Vibe K4 Note's brief two-week stint in number 1.So the list goes like this. The Galaxy J7 rules again, followed by its usual sidekick - the J5. The K4 Note we mentioned completes the podium.Samsung's soon-to-be-replaced flagship Galaxy S6 sits in 4th, Galaxy J2 rests in fifth and long-time champion Grand Prime now long past its prime is still in 6th. The iPhone 5s is the only Apple smartphone in this edition, and it too keeps its 8th spot from last week.What about 7th, we hear you ask. Well, it's one of the new entries, and that's the Galaxy A5 (2016). The older model has also made the chart, in 10th, and the two combined have scored more hits than the J5 in 2nd, but it doesn't quite work like that. The third new entry, at 9th, is the Oppo F1, the company's reasonably priced offering that aims to look like its premium bros..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }#review-body .news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom;}.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;}.flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important;}.flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7;}.flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important;}.flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47;}.flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important;}.n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100;}.n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px;}.circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent;}.arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent;} Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 1WAS: 1 specs review Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 2WAS: 2 specs review Lenovo Vibe K4 Note RANK: 3WAS: 3 specs gallery Samsung Galaxy S6 RANK: 4WAS: 4 specs review Samsung Galaxy J2 RANK: 5WAS: 5 specs review Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime RANK: 6WAS: 6 specs review Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) RANK: 7NEW IN specs review Apple iPhone 5s RANK: 8WAS: 8 specs review Oppo F1 RANK: 9NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy A5 RANK: 10NEW IN specs...

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Telegram update brings new voice messaging features, improved Secret Chats
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/telegram-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Telegram has released an update on iOS and Android that brings with it several cool new features that users should love.One of the features is improvement to voice messages. You can now just pick up and place the phone to your ear to activate voice recording and then bring it down for it to stop recording. Then you can choose to send or delete that clip. There is also a new waveform design for the voice notes.Secret Chats also get an update. They now get all the features from standard chats, such as GIFs, replies, captions, sticker set previews, inline bots, and optional link previews.Also, you can now choose precisely who can add you to groups, so you don't end up on groups you don't want.Lastly, there is also a new image editor, with rotate, fade, tint and curves tools.iOS Â•...

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Apple called out for copyright infringement with 3D Touch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-3d-touch-patent-lawsuit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When you're as big as Apple, you get used to staffing a strong legal department pretty quick. Copyright claims and lawsuits have become such a mundane part of the tech business that we honestly can't even remember a time when Cupertino and Samsung weren't at each other's throats over some legal claim. Plus, suing a gigantic corporation is often a viable way to earn a few bucks and many have even turned it into a questionable, but still quite profitable business model.Still, there is always the honest case of being mistreated as a little player on the market and asking for some justice, which is precisely what Immersion out of California claims to be doing with its recent lawsuit against Apple and its Force Touch and 3D Touch technology.The claim revolves around three patents awarded to Immersion. The first is titled "Haptic feedback system with stored effects " and seems to describe software that shows previews after a light press and actions after a firm one. That does sound quite familiar to Apple's "Peek and Pop", but we definitely won't pass judgment.The second and third patents are "Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations" and "Interactivity Model for Shared Feedback on Mobile Devices", which Immersion ties to Apple's haptic feedback on touch. But that sounds like a bit more vague of a claim.Currently Immersion is pursuing legal actions against Apple seeking reparations for damages, but has also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC), requesting a sales injunction on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus within the US, which sounds like the more troubling...

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Curious date bug can brick your iPhone pretty badly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ios-date-bootloop/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A rather intriguing phenomenon has been circulating reddit and it has to do with a recently discovered vulnerability affecting most current iPhones. It appears that if you set the date on a 64-bit iOS device to January 1 1970 and then restart it, you get a vicious boot loop. Worse yet, simply restoring the unit through DFU can't fix the issues and you will most likely end up on a trip to the nearest Apple Store.Digging a bit deeper into the problem, it seems it relates to UNIX time, which is basically a standardized counter for the number of seconds since January 1 1970. It plays a pretty important role in the tech realm and from what we can gather, rewinding the clock so far back on the affected Apple devices, plus any potential timezone offset or other transformation to obtain a date and time metric results in a corrupt result that prevents the OS from booting. The bug was allegedly discovered by chance, as it so happens that iOS allows you to go as far back as 1970 withing the date setting, but doing so requires a lot of scrolling.As for the affected devices, it seems the odd behavior is only exhibited by 64-bit versions of iOS, which would go as far back as the A7 chip and iOS 7. In model terms that should mean any iPhone 5s an newer models, as well as potentially iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 tablets, running on at least iOS 7. Besides being a curiosity that we definitely urge you not to try on your device, unless you really feel like sending it in for repair, the bug actually has quite a lot of damage potential if it falls into the wrong hands.Consider this, most current devices, including the affected Apple tech, rely on NTP servers to automatically set their time and date. If a hacker were to theoretically spoof responses and pose as such a server on a Wi-Fi network, he could potentially kill every current iPhone or iPad on the same network.That does sound scary, but fear not, as there is a fix. It is a hardware one, but simply entails disconnecting the battery, waiting a bit and connecting it back up, which resets the corrupt settings. Sadly, that usually requires an Apple technician, unless you want to open the unit up yourself and void your warranty. Depleting the battery fully has also worked for some users, but it takes time and effort.Apple has been notified about the issue and all that remains is to see when and how it gets addressed. In the mean time, again, please resist the urge to try it for yourself, now that you know what is going to happen.Source |...

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ZOPO teases new Speed 8 flagship unveiling at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/zopo-speed-8-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In case you were wondering, no, there is no typo in the title, it is ZOPO, not the much better know Oppo brand. As far as Chinese manufacturers go, ZOPO is definitely no household name, but the relatively small company has brought us some interesting offers in the past and just like the ZOPO TOUCH that made its debut ant MWC 2015, the new Speed 8 handset planned for this year deserves a mention.The #MWC16 is upon us. Be ready to discover the new #ZOPO Speed 8... pic.twitter.com/849qvnr4wTÂ— ZOPO Mobile (@ZopoMobileBrand) February 13, 2016Today ZOPO send out its invitation to the unveiling of their new flagship, which will take place at the Barcelona venue on February 24 at 10:30AM. As evident by the poster, it will be hosted by MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, if that just happens to spike your interest in any way.Other than that, no new info has been shared about the Speed 8 and its specs, but we already have a pretty good idea what to expect, based on previous rumors. The handset is going to employ Mediatek's powerful Helio X20 SoC, actually making it one of the first devices on the market to experiment with the deca-core setup. Other alleged specs include 4GB of RAM, a 2K display and a fingerprint reader, mounted on the back.Source 1 | Source 2 | Source...

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HP might actually have an upcoming Windows 10 phone, dubbed the Elite x3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/hp-elite-x3-windows-10-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It has definitely been a while since HP's last appearance on the mobile scene and even longer since the company dipped its foot in Windows Mobile territory. However, 2016 might actually mark a return to said market, as suggested by a mysterious Windows 10 handset, that has been popping up in various rumors since the end of last year.Originally dubbed the HP "Falcon" a new leak, courtesy of reputable source Evan Blass, claims that the device will actually come out as the HP Elite x3. This is a slightly perplexing title choice, as a quick search reveals that the HP Elite x2, pictured below, is actually a 2-in-1 device released back in 2012 - quite a different cup of tea.Windows 10 Mobile-powered HP Falcon is coming to market as the HP Elite x3.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 12, 2016In any case, it appears that @evleaks is referring to the same smartphone that was initially spotted in a GFXBench listing back in December 2015. According to said source, it will tun on Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 820 SoC and have a quite spacious 5.8-inch 2560 x 1440 pixel display - an impressive setup, especially within the Windows realm. Oddly enough, the same benchmark reported only 1GB of RAM, but that seems like a mistake, when considering the rest of the specs, like the 64GB of storage, for instance. The suggested camera setup also looks impressive on paper, with a 20MP shooter on the back and a 12MP one on the front.Besides the name change, Evan also mentioned that the device looks "pretty smart -- except, maybe, for the odd pattern of speaker grille holes.", which is cryptic at best, but does spark hopes that the HP Elite x3 will come with an elegant exterior.It is also worth noting that another industry source reported that the HP Elite x3 could actually be announced at MWC 2016, which could explain why we are starting to hear more and more about it. Here's to hoping the high-end Windows phone does become reality at the Barcelona venue in a few...

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Apple replacing faulty USB-C charge cables
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-usbc-replacement/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has launched a USB-C charge cable replacement program that will see the company providing replacements for the cables that were included with MacBook computers through June 2015.The iPhone maker says the cables in question have a design issue that may cause them to fail. "As a result, your MacBook may not charge or only charge intermittently when it's connected to a power adapter with an affected cable," the Cupertino-based company explained.The replacement program also covers Apple USB-C charge cables that were sold as a standalone accessory. Eligible customers will get a new, redesigned USB-C charge cable (see image above) for free. For more details on the program, head to the Source link...

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Windows 10 update starts hitting Microsoft Lumia 535 in Middle East
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia535-win10/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Windows 10 update for the Microsoft Lumia 535 has started rolling out in the Middle East. Specifically, Lumia 535 users in Egypt and Jordan have reportedly confirmed the roll-out.Sadly, no other information related to the update - including even the version number - is available at the moment. On its part, Microsoft is yet to formally announce the roll-out.If you recall, there were reports last month that Windows 10 Mobile rollout for older Windows Phone device will finally begin in the "early to mid February" timeframe. So, the Middle Eastern roll-out is very much inline with that timeframe, and indicates that other regions (as well as devices) will get the update soon.This comes nearly a month after the update started hitting Lumia 535 units in Latin...

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Another price cut for Samsung's 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablet; now available for $449
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/samsung-galaxy-view-available-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's humongous Galaxy View tablet has received another price cut in the US. The 18.4-inch device now costs just $449, which is $50 down from the price tag it has been carrying for the past few months now.The discount is available on Amazon, but it shows up when the device is added to cart. Other third party retailers including Best Buy and B&H Photo are also selling the over-sized tablet for $449.The latest discount comes a few months after the Galaxy View received a $100 price cut in the country, something which happened just a couple of weeks after the tablet was launched in the US.Source 1 2...

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Apple Music now boasts over 11 million paying subscribers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/apple-music-autorenewal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has revealed that its Apple Music service now has more than 11 million paying subscribers. The revelation was made by company executives Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi in a recent interview.That number was at around 10 million last month, meaning the Cupertino-based company added a million new Apple Music paying subscribers in the past one month.Aside from Apple Music, stats on various other Apple Internet services were revealed. For example, iCloud has 782 million users; the company processes a whopping 200,000 iMessages per second; and 750 million worth of iTunes and the App Store purchases per...

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Apple wants judge to settle the iPhone unlocking case soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-unlocking-case/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you recall, for the past few months, Apple and the US Justice Department are battling it out in court over whether the government can force the company to unlock the iPhones the latter is capable of. Now, the Cupertino-based firm wants the judge to settle the case soon.If you aren't already aware, the current case involves Justice Department's request to force Apple to extract data from a locked iPhone that the government agency wants to investigate. The device in question is an iOS 7-powered iPhone 5s, meaning Apple is capable of what the agency wants, but is reluctant fearing that doing so will tarnish the trust between the company and its customers.In a newly submitted letter, Apple has argued that the government is planning to make similar requests in future, so it's important for both parties to know what the court thinks, and that too without any further delay - the case has been dragging on for nearly 3 months now."Apple takes no position on whether and to what extent information from the Apple device in the government's possession is relevant to any ongoing investigation, or necessary for the criminal defendant's sentencing. But Apple has received additional requests similar to the one underlying the case before this Court. Apple has also been advised that the government intends to continue to invoke the All Writs Act in this and other districts in an attempt to require Apple to assist in bypassing the security of other Apple devices in the government's possession," the company said in its...

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HTC One smartwatch now said to be launching in April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-smartwatch-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another HTC smartwatch rumor, and guess what... another delay. Just when we thought that the Taiwanese company would launch the long-rumored (in fact very long-rumored) device this Mobile World Congress, a new rumor is claiming otherwise.Back in December last year, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks said the wearable would be launched in February. But now, he is claiming that would happen in April.Small consolation, HTC fans: you'll be able to pick up the watch before the end of April.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 11, 2016Meanwhile, there has been no word whatsoever on the device or its release time frame from HTC. FYI, rumors that HTC is developing a smartwatch first cropped up in 2013. So far, from what we've heard, it's an Android Wear-powered device with 360x360px display, and is codenamed...

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LG H840 with 5.3-inch display and 3GB RAM spotted on GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g5-useragent-data/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A new LG phone has been spotted on benchmarking website GFXBench. The listing reveals that the device is powered by a Snapdragon 652 chipset and sports a 5.3-inch Quad HD display.It has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory. In terms of camera, both front as well as rear units are listed as 8MP, although we're expecting the main camera to be better. As for the operating system, the listing says the handset runs Android 4.4 KitKat, which is definitely a mistake of some sorts.The smartphone carries a model number of H840, suggesting it could be a variant of the South Korean company's upcoming LG G5 flagship (LG-H830) - LG G5 Lite may...

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US and UK BlackBerry discounts for Valentine's Day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/blackberry-valentine-deals-2016/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The official BlackBerry store is offering a couple of cool offers for this Valentine's Day weekend on the BlackBerry Priv. Up until February 24, the US and UK BlackBerry stores will be offering the BlackBerry Priv in black for a discounted price of $650 or £529.The deal is sold as a bundle so it also includes a complimentary set of accessories for your BlackBerry Priv at a value of $99 or £74.These accessories only include a smart cover case and a sync station that doubles a phone stand. Still, it's a great offer even with the discounted phone.Also, the BlackBerry Passport can be purchased for $399 or £349 in either black or white.Source: BlackBerry US UK |...

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GSMArena

14-02-16, 13:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/picasa-dead/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Amazingly, Google's Picasa photo service still exists. You probably thought that with the big launch of Google Photos last year Picasa would have been put out of its misery, but no. Not then, anyway.After a long time of analyzing the situation, the search giant has finally decided to "retire" Picasa and focus on Google Photos. Which obviously makes perfect sense, unlike running two different photo services at the same time. That said, Google still hasn't actually said when Picasa will be gone forever, just that the process will take several months.The Picasa desktop application will no longer be supported starting on March 15. It will keep working after that date, but won't be updated anymore. On the other hand, the web service will remain unchanged until May 1. And even after that, you'll still be able to view, download, or delete your albums, you just won't be able to create, organize, or edit albums anymore.Perhaps rather confusingly, you can always go to Google Photos and see your photos and videos from Picasa over there. Since this is the case, it's really unclear why it's taking Google this long to shut down Picasa for good. Anyway, expect some more news about this on or around May...

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Skype for Android and iOS is getting ready for Valentine's Day with special video cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/skype-valentines-day/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Skype has been getting ready for the Valentine's Day weekend, and with the latest updates for its Android, iPhone, and iPad apps it comes with some new love-themed features.An all-new Love tab brings you emojis and emoticons specially crafted for the occasion (including a new set of emojis featuring custom compositions from Sir Paul McCartney, which should help you "express different forms of love through music"). And if you want to share other emotions, you can do that more easily too by searching through the various available emojis and emoticons.Furthermore, you can record a special Valentine's Day video message, complete with floating hearts as seen in the image above. According to Skype, this will "help set the mood". And if you're particularly proud of your creation, you can share it via email or to Facebook to make it more generally available.To do the video deed, you tap on the new heart symbol which shows up on iOS to the right of the Skype logo inside the app, and on Android after you hit the "+" button in the...

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Verizon starts pushing Marshmallow update to the Droid Turbo 2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/droid-turbo-2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Droid Turbo 2 employee edition started receiving the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow back in December, but for some reason it took Verizon this long to release the same software to the public.Anyway, it is finally out. If your phone hasn't yet notified you about the update, be patient as these things are usually staged - so it may be a while before all Droid Turbo 2 units out there get it. You'll need to be on Wi-Fi to download it.The new software comes with Now On Tap, App standby, Doze mode for better battery life, the new and improved app permissions system, adoptable storage, the slightly revamped Do not disturb mode, expanded volume controls, Direct share, and Attentive Display now part of Moto Actions. After applying the update, you'll be on build 24.14.9.Source 1 Â• Source...

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iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 will reportedly go on sale on March 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-5se-ipad-air-3-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to some unnamed sources, the upcoming iPhone 5se and the iPad Air 3 will both become available from Apple, online and in stores, on March 18.If true, it means that Apple is planning a release of the two models very close to the much-rumored announcement date of March 15. The two events will thus occur during the same week, with the introduction on a Tuesday and the start of sales on Friday. While the company's plans could still change, the sources for this leak claim there will be no pre-order period for the two new devices.The iPhone 5se will look like the iPhone 5s from 2013, but it will come with the A9 chipset, NFC and Apple Pay support, always-on Siri activation, as well as the iPhone 6's camera. The iPad Air 3 is set to borrow many features from the bigger iPad Pro, such as the Smart Connector, Apple Pencil support, and four speakers. Its main camera may include a LED flash for the first time on an Apple...

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GSMArena

15-02-16, 13:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-promo-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The ink is still drying on the Lumia 650 press release (so to speak), and in due time Microsoft has posted a promo video highlighting the smartphone's key features. Titled "The smart choice for your business", the short clip positions the Lumia 650 as a company phone - read not one you get for yourself, because you actually want it.The video starts with an exploded view of the components, followed by a close-up on a microSD card. The second half focuses on the software side of things with Windows 10 taking center stage and a few productivity features...

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Job listing reveals HTC working on new Windows 10 Mobile devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC's last Windows Phone device was the One (M8) for Windows, which was released back in 2014. The Taiwanese company has been launching only Android-phones since then. Does that mean the firm has given up on Windows Phone completely? Well, doesn't seem so.HTC One (M8) for WindowsA recently-spotted job posting from Microsoft indicates that HTC is continuing its partnership with the Redmond, Washington-based company as far as mobile devices are concerned. The listing says Microsoft is looking for a director of account management in HTC's home country, and refers to a "goal to build product portfolio that highlight focused user scenarios around our Windows 10 Mobile and Microsoft services combined with HTC's devices, applications, and services."Here is the complete listing:The team is seeking a Director of Account Management, located in Taipei, Taiwan to report to the Director of Device Sales in Shenzhen, China. In this global role, the Director is responsible for developing this dynamic and fast growing Ecosystem and Partnering with business groups and channel teams while sharing deep insight and strategic vision. The Taiwan ecosystem contains our global tier 2 ODM partners including ECS, Uniwill, Shuttle, Clevo in addition to tier 2 IDHs and SIs for which this person will manage. In addition, this person will lead all aspects of sales and business development interaction with HTC, one of our top 3rd party phone device partner accounts. Being the HTC AM will have a heavy emphasis on coordinated strategy development with OSG, Marketing, and OEM. Impact must be driven through senior executive levels up to and including CEO level with the goal to build product portfolio that highlight focused user scenarios around our Windows 10 Mobile and Microsoft services combined with HTC's devices, applications, and services.It's amply clear now that Windows 10 Mobile devices aren't selling well. Although new OEMs like VAIO and HP have recently hopped on the Windows 10 Mobile bandwagon, it would be interesting to see if HTC takes this risk given that the company itself is struggling at the...

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Panasonic announces LUMIX GF8 for selfie lovers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/panasonic-gf8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Panasonic has announced the LUMIX GF8, a variation of the GF7 but with more emphasis on self portraits.Panasonic LUMIX GF8The GF8 has the same 16 megapixel CMOS sensor with Micro Four Thirds lens mount. The sensor is capable of ISO 25600 sensitivity with contrast AF system that has face as well as eye detect. It can also record 1080p60 video and has Wi-Fi for wireless image transfers.The GF8 also includes a flipping touchscreen 1.04M dot display. Flipping the display switches the camera to self portrait mode. The camera also applies several effects such as changing skin texture, slimming the face, teeth whitening, etc. Effects that are commonly seen on smartphone camera apps but now included on a digital camera because why the hell not. You can further change your face by choosing the color of foundation, lips, cheeks, eye-shadow and so forth. Plastic surgeons hate this camera.The pricing and availability hasn't been announced...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 is official: aluminum and Windows 10 for $200
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has just pulled the wraps off the Lumia 650. The handset frequented our rumor mill over the past few months, and is now finally official.The specsheet starts with a 5-inch 720p display, but unlike the lesser Lumia 550, the 650 packs an AMOLED panel. Microsoft is so proud of it that it calls it "our most beautiful screen ever" ... "at this price point".The Snapdragon 212 is in charge of powering Windows 10 (but no Continuum), and its quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at 1.3GHZ - the sole difference to the S210 in the Lumia 550. It's coupled with a single gig of RAM too, but storage has gotten a bump to 16GB, expandable via microSD. Imaging department is represented by an 8MP primary camera (type 1/4 inch sensor, 28mm equiv. focal length, f/2.2 aperture), while on the front you're getting a 5MP sensor behind f/2.2 lens.You get a full set of connectivity options, with multi-band 2G/3G/4G, and LTE is Cat 4 (150Mbps down, 50Mbps up). There's Bluetooth v4.1, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou. A dual-SIM version of the smartphone is also present. An FM radio receiver is on board too, for those who asked.Microsoft Lumia 650 press imagesThe Lumia 650 boasts a solid aluminum frame, with exchangeable back covers and upon launch it will be available in black and white color schemes. The smartphone weighs 122g and measures a pretty sleek 142 x 70.9 x 6.9mm. Inside there's a 2,000mAh battery, user-replaceable too.The Microsoft Lumia 650 will be available in select European markets starting February 18, priced around $199 before taxes or subsidies. Yes, we too are wondering why Microsoft has announced a European launch with a price in dollars.Source 1 Source 2 |...

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Apple took home over 90% of mobile profits last year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/apple-smartphone-profit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple pocketed more than 90% of the mobile market's profits in 2015, according to data posted by Michael Walkley, who works as an analyst with market research firm Canaccord Genuity. The iPhone maker's share of the smartphone market stood at 17.2% last year.Samsung, on the other hand, captured around 24% of the market, but its profit share stood at only 14%. If you notice, the combined profit pocketed by both Apple and Samsung comes in at 105%. However, the figure comes back to 100% given that many of the other players in the market were in loss.Quarter-wise, the Cupertino-based company has been taking home over 90% of the market's profits for the past five consecutive...

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Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge color options revealed in new renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-color-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of new Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge renders have leaked, showing off the devices in various color options. The render for the S7 edge reveals that the handset will be available in grey, black, and gold colors.The information comes from the usually reliable leakster @evleaks. He also shared a Galaxy S7 render (shown below), which reveals only a couple of color options for the device: black and gold.Scheduled to be unveiled on February 21, both flagships have already been the subject of endless rumors and leaks until now, with a latest one suggesting that the Galaxy S7 will carry a price tag of Â€700, while the S7 edge will set you back Â€800.Via 1...

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Meizu teases new Ubuntu device for MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/meizu-ubuntu-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Chinese smartphone manufacture Meizu will likely unveil a new Ubuntu-powered phone at the Mobile World Congress next week. The company recently released a teaser that suggests the same, although it doesn't reveal anything specific about the device.If you recall, this is not the first time Meizu will be presenting an Ubuntu smartphone at MWC - back in 2014, the company showed off the Ubuntu MX3, and last year's MWC saw the company unveiling the Meizu MX4 Ubuntu.There's currently no official word on which Ubuntu-powered Meizu device we'll see at this year's MWC event, although reports say that the company could unveil the rumored Pro 5 Ubuntu Edition. The teaser shown above reveals that the handset will be on display beginning February 22, the day MWC 2016 kicks...

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Microsoft Surface 3 receives $150 price cut in US; deal ends today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/surface3-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the US, and are planning to purchase a Microsoft Surface 3, here is some good news: the company is currently running a deal on the tablet that lets you save up to $150, depending on the model you choose to buy.The $150 discount is on both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + LTE models with 4GB/128GB memory configuration, bringing their prices down to $449 and $549, respectively. The 2GB/64GB models, on the other hand, are currently available for $399 and $499, respectively, which is down $100 from their regular prices.Those interested in availing the $150 discount need to act fast given that the promo ends today - February 15. The $100 discount is, however, available till February...

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LG to unveil new 'X' smartphone series at MWC next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-x-series/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has announced that it will unveil a new 'X' series of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress next week. Two models from the series - X cam and X screen - will make their debut at the event. The company says the devices "are designed for customers who do not want or need all the bells and whistles that come with today's high-end phones but still desire a great camera or advanced display."The X cam is powered by a 1.14GHz octa-core processor and sports a 5.2-inch FHD display. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, and packs in a 2,520mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features two (13MP and 5MP) rear units and an 8MP front shooter. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box, and weighs in at only 118g.On the other hand, the X screen is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, and sports a 4.93-inch HD main display as well as a 1.76-inch LCD (520 x 80) secondary display, similar to the one the V10 sports. Memory configuration is 2GB/16GB, while the camera department is handled by a 13MP/8MP duo. The device packs in a 2,300mAh battery, and runs Android Marshmallow."Everyone has a favorite smartphone feature," said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "At LG, we think there's room for devices that do one thing very well and that customers shouldn't have to pay for features that they don't want. At the end of the day, we're committed to offering consumers more choices."The handsets will be unveiled on February 22, a day after the G5 event, and will go on sale in Asia, Europe and Latin America next...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/best-apps-games-43/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week.1Password1Password for Android received a major update with version 6. The app now has a complete redesign with full support for Google's Material Design. It also supports fingerprint sensor on devices running Marshmallow, which means you can now lock the app with your fingerprint. It also now includes teams feature, so you can share your passwords with a group of people.iOS Â• AndroidLaunchifyLaunchify is an app shortcut app that places a tray of apps on your lockscreen so you can quickly launch the apps from the lockscreen itself. It can also place them in the notification menu, so you are a swipe and a tap away from your favorite apps. It can also learn from your usage and change the shortcuts to your most used apps.AndroidInfltrInfltr's claim to fame is infinite filters. Instead of having present filters for your images, the app lets you move your thumb around on the image and it smoothly adjusts the colors to give practically infinite options for you to choose from. Apart from having countless filters, the app is also easier to use than thumbing through multiple presets. Only drawback could be no way to jump to one particular favorite color filter as in most apps.iOSAlto's AdventurePopular iOS game Alto's Adventure is now on Android. The game is a side scrolling endless runner of sorts, where you are skiing down a slope, collecting llamas, avoiding rocks, and jumping off cliffs doing sick backflips. The game is beautiful to look, simple enough to play, and quite addictive. Also, completely free on Android.iOS Â• AndroidGTA: Liberty City StoriesYet another GTA game has made its way to the mobile platform. Well, to Android actually, as the game has been on iOS for some time now. The mobile version features shortened missions but other than that it's the same game that came out on the PSP back in 2005. If you're a fan of GTA and want to relive some of the old school action then give this one a try.iOS Â• AndroidBombing BastardsPreviously released for the consoles and the PC, Bombing Bastards is an arcade game that should be familiar to anyone who played Bomberman growing up. The game is identical to the console version and has now been optimized for the touchscreen. It has 30 levels across 5 worlds with plenty of enemies to blow up including 5 boss battle levels.iOS Â•...

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MWC 2016 rumor roundup - Galaxy S7, LG G5 and the rest
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mwc-2016-rumor-wrap-up/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC 2016 is now merely days away and excitement is in the air. However, with the constant influx of rumors, leaks and speculations, it is somewhat hard to keep track of everything. To address this situation, here is our take on a concise rundown of what each manufacturer allegedly has in store.SamsungWe kick things off with the big guns. The Korean giant is due for an upgrade to its flagship line and it will come in the form of the Galaxy S7 family. As of writing this article, we have solid evidence that at least a basic Galaxy S7 and a curved Galaxy S7 edge will be announced.The former is said to come with a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, while the latter will probably be slightly bigger at 5.5 inches. We have also heard rumors of a bigger still 6-inch model that will be offered in both a flat and edge variant as well - a sort of successor the the Galaxy S6 edge+, but it might come at a later point in time.The rest of the Galaxy S7 specs include Samsung's own Exynos 8890 chipset or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, depending on which version you go for and performance differences are expected. RAM is set at 4GB with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. As for the camera, the main shooter will probably use the new Samsung BRITECELL sensor with a resolution of 12MP and a large 1/2" size.The camera module is also expected to protrude just 0.8 mm from the back of the phone. To wrap things up, industry sources have suggested waterproofing on the Galaxy S7, bigger 3,000 mAh and 3,600 mAh batteries for the S7 and S7 edge, respectively, as well as an Always On display.Finishing up with Samsung, there is the distinct possibility that a new Galaxy Tab S3 line will be unveiled at MWC. It should consist of a smaller 8-inch and a 9.7-inch members. As for specs, both should run on a new Snapdragon 652 SoC, with four Cortex-A72 and four Cortex-A53 cores, with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The resolution will be 2,048 x 1,536 pixels and 150 Mbps LTE will be an option.LGLG is also expected to update its flagship offer at MWC 2016, which, introducing the G5. Unlike with previous generations, this time around, the OEM is likely to mix things up quite a bit with a brand new design. If rumors are to be believed, this entails removing the power button and volume rockers from the back of the phone in order to shave some girth and placing them on the sides. Another interesting concept that has been tossed around is a removable bottom segment on the phone that reveals a sliding out user-removable battery.As for specs, a leaked Geekbench test hints at a Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with a microSD card slot. The phone is said to be equipped with a 5.6-inch QHD display with an Always On feature. A small secondary display, like the one on the LG V10 is also a possibility. As for the camera, we are currently expecting a dual sensor setup on the back (16MP + 8MP) along with two LED's.XiaomiThe Chinese OEM doesn't have a history of announcing devices at MWC, so we don't expect anything different this time around either. However, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to debut on February 24 and rumors suggest that the device will still be present at the venue, despite the lack of a formal event. This hopefully means that we will get a chance for a first hands-on experience as there is actually quite a bit to be excited about.The Xiaomi Mi5 is still shrouded in a lot of mystery, mainly concerning all its alleged variants. Some sources claim that a 1080p version with 2.5D glass will exist alongside a flat QHD variant, also with some differences in memory - 3GB RAM + 32GB storage and 4GB RAM + 64GB. As for display size, most agree on 5.2 inches.Under the hood, we expect a Snapdragon 820 SoC and a 3,600 mAh battery pack. The main camera is said to be a 16MP one and a 13MP shooter on the front. Another extra is the fingerprint reader in the home button on the front.SonyLast year, Sony decided to skip on a formal event at MWC, but this year, the Japanese giant has scheduled something for February 22. Sadly, not much is known about what devices might be present there. An Xperia Z5 Tablet seems possible and we will likely see the Xperia C6 Ultra. A flagship smartphone is still a few months away, it seems.HTCAs of writing this article, HTC is yet to...

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A blast from the past: What MWC brought 10 years ago
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mwc-2006/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, it's that time of the year again and MWC 2016 is almost upon us. In the wake the mobile world's biggest and most important event, we decided it would be fun to take a look back in time to MWC 2006 (called 3GSM world congress back then). Partially to reminisce about the history of mobile tech, but also to try and get a better perspective on just how far we have come in 10 years.It might not be regarded as that long in historical terms but a decade, especially the last one, seems like a millennium in tech innovation. Despite the rapid pace of change, the MWC conference was already around for a few years in 2006 and it was just as important as it is today, perhaps even more so.Originally called the GSM World Congress, back then it was referred to as 3GSM World Congress, which became the Mobile World Congress, now simply called MWC. 2006 was the first year the show took place in Barcelona, which has been its home since. Prior to that, Cannes was the preferred location, so the 2006 show was definitely marked by some transition turbulence.Still, the spirit of innovation was just as strong and announcements were plentiful. So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the highlights of the show in no particular order.Sony EricssonSony Ericsson was a big player back in 2006 with many dedicated fans and some of the hottest tech around. The K610 was definitely a star attraction. At the time it was actually one of the smallest 3G phones on the market and getting the significantly faster network connection was a top upgrade priority for both manufacturers and users at the time. In a lot of ways, the K610 took inspiration from the 2004 Sony Ericsson K700 - one of the company's signature devices.Sony Ericsson K610Upgrades were introduced all around, besides the aforementioned 3G, the display got bigger at 1.9", had a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and was a lot more colorful with 256K color support. The camera was significantly better - a 2MP shooter, rather than a VGA one and there was even a secondary VGA camera for video calls, which were becoming trendy at that point. Another important aspect is storage, the K610 supports Sony's proprietary M2 micro cards for up to 2GB extra - a whopping amount at that point.Sony Ericsson W950Sony Ericsson W810The 2006 show saw the introduction of a couple of Walkman phones too - the W810 and the W950, the latter being a true flagship offer. It had everything going for it - a huge 2.6" 256K display with a resolution of 240x320 pixels, 3G, a powerful 208 MHz processor, 4GB of storage and last, but not least, it was a true smartphone, thanks to Symbian OS 9.1.Sony Ericsson P990But speaking of a huge display and productivity, few could match Sony Ericsson's "P" series. You might remember these models by their chubby and really extravagant appearance with a touch screen and a hinged overlay keyboard. The design was bold and innovative and in a lot of ways really emphasized how much more diversified phones were back in the day, as opposed to today's "slate" design.But there were other far more extravagant offers out there, which we will get to later. The P990, which was the last and very best to use this form factor, was all about productivity with a 2.7" resistive touchscreen, 64MB of RAM and a 208MHz processor, among other things.SamsungSpeaking of alternative design, Samsung, like many other OEMs was constantly experimenting with radical new concepts to slip in between the large number of bar and flip phones. Few are more radical than the Samsung Serene, featured at the 2006 MWC show.It was a collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Bang & Olufsen and technically came out in 2005, although very few people have actually seen it in person. It is an eccentric piece of tech, with a ludicrous price tag of about Â€1000 at launch, but the very fact that it exists, proves our point about the freedom for design experimentation.Samsung SereneWhile we are on to topic of alternative concepts, there are the Samsung P900 and P910. Their standout feature was built-in T-DMB or DVB-H tuner for TV watching on the go and a rotating screen to go with it for a better viewing experience.Samsung P900Samsung...

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GSMArena

15-02-16, 13:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mwc-2016-poll/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Mobile World Congress officially starts on February 22, but announcements will start even earlier than that. Which phone are you most excited about?The Samsung and LG have events set for the day before, the 21st, and obviously, we expect the Samsung Galaxy S7 (along with edge and edge+ variants) and the LG G5.The LG G5 will scale back the screen size a touch, it will add Always On functionality and bring the next generation camera upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is expected to bring back things the S6 lost - things like S5's water resistance and the microSD slot.Sony's event is scheduled for the next day, the 22nd. But this is too soon for the Xperia Z6, so what then? Well, the Xperia C6 is the rumor mill's best guess.Unlike Sony, Xiaomi's February 24 event is pretty clear - the Xiaomi Mi 5 will be the star. Hugo Barra even posted camera samples from the phone this week. Interestingly, the phone may have a Windows variant so we'll be on the lookout for Microsoft employees.You'll have a week to vote, by that time we'll have arrived in Barcelona. We will attend these events and report first-hand impressions if these devices have lived up to...

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Week 6 in review: Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 rumors galore
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The rumor mill has been overflowing with info on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5, mixed in with some whispers about the HTC One M10, Xiaomi Mi 5 and Lumia 650.MWC 2016 is only a few days away now and we are about to see the next wave of flagships, hence the large influx of rumors, leaks and speculations. It is crazy, the industry has been preparing for what's coming for a long time and each player is hoping to improve their standing once all phones have seen the light of day.We now have live shots of the Galaxy S7, its edged sibling, as well as renders and plenty of other new info to go around, like word of a 3,600 mAh battery in the S7 edge, water resistance and an Always On display. The LG G5 has also been hitting the rumor mill hard. We now have a more in-depth overview of the performance its Snapdragon 820 chip with 4GB of RAM delivers, as well as another Always ON realization.The HTC One M10 has also had a major presence in the news section this week. Despite missing the MWC stage, we are already unearthing info about the handset, like renders of its hybrid One M9 and One A9 design, or its camera setup, featuring a new UltraPixel front shooter and last, but not least, the suggested April 11 release date.A few other articles did manage to slip by this week, but even they are straight out of the rumor mill. They put a few other devices on the radar, like the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro and the alleged Lumia 650 and provide extra info on others, like the iPhone 5se and the 2016 Motorola Moto X and Moto G. The only actual announcement to gather any significant interest was courtesy of Qualcomm, who introduced a set of three new interesting chipsets that show a lot of promise..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }.news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;} Samsung Galaxy S7 leaks in its first live shot The photo comes out of Vietnam, looks quite believable and brings along confirmation of most of the expected specs on the flagship. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge shows up in a live image too It's been revealed mere hours after the non-edge Galaxy S7 first smiled for the camera. Samsung Galaxy S7 photographed in Gold We've seen it in Black, now for a brighter hue. Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro spotted on GFXBench with 4GB of RAM and a 16MP camera The smartphone with an SM-A9100 model name is listed at 5.5 inches, but that last bit seems unlikely. Apple iPhone 5se to come in Pink, in addition to Silver and Space Gray The 4-inch smartphone tipped to share the tint of the 6th-gen iPod touch. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge flaunts its curves in a new render Pictured in silver, the smartphone unsurprisingly looks a lot like the old model. First Xiaomi Mi 5 camera samples surface online The shots reveal an impressive level of detail and hint at awesome focusing abilities. Galaxy S7 will have Always On Display, trademark filing implies The Korean smartphone maker is interested in trademarking the term, probably for use in its next flagship's marketing materials. LG G5 visits Geekbench packing Snapdragon 820 and 4GB of RAM One of the G5 variations destined for the company's native South Korea has been tested recently. LG confirms Always ON feature for LG G5, still teasing us LG teases its latest flagship's newest feature. LG's G5 could have an Always ON screen for notifications. Live images of an alleged Microsoft Lumia 650 XL raise all sorts of questions Photographed next to a Lumia 1520, the unannounced smartphone looks a...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Not much has happened this week in our traditional Top 10 trending chart, at least in the top half, that is. Positions 1 to 6 have stood still, and the chart-toppers have been the same for while now, save for Vibe K4 Note's brief two-week stint in number 1.So the list goes like this. The Galaxy J7 rules again, followed by its usual sidekick - the J5. The K4 Note we mentioned completes the podium.Samsung's soon-to-be-replaced flagship Galaxy S6 sits in 4th, Galaxy J2 rests in fifth and long-time champion Grand Prime now long past its prime is still in 6th. The iPhone 5s is the only Apple smartphone in this edition, and it too keeps its 8th spot from last week.What about 7th, we hear you ask. Well, it's one of the new entries, and that's the Galaxy A5 (2016). The older model has also made the chart, in 10th, and the two combined have scored more hits than the J5 in 2nd, but it doesn't quite work like that. The third new entry, at 9th, is the Oppo F1, the company's reasonably priced offering that aims to look like its premium bros..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }#review-body .news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom;}.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;}.flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important;}.flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7;}.flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important;}.flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47;}.flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important;}.n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100;}.n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px;}.circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent;}.arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent;} Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 1WAS: 1 specs review Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 2WAS: 2 specs review Lenovo Vibe K4 Note RANK: 3WAS: 3 specs gallery Samsung Galaxy S6 RANK: 4WAS: 4 specs review Samsung Galaxy J2 RANK: 5WAS: 5 specs review Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime RANK: 6WAS: 6 specs review Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) RANK: 7NEW IN specs review Apple iPhone 5s RANK: 8WAS: 8 specs review Oppo F1 RANK: 9NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy A5 RANK: 10NEW IN specs...

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Telegram update brings new voice messaging features, improved Secret Chats
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/telegram-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Telegram has released an update on iOS and Android that brings with it several cool new features that users should love.One of the features is improvement to voice messages. You can now just pick up and place the phone to your ear to activate voice recording and then bring it down for it to stop recording. Then you can choose to send or delete that clip. There is also a new waveform design for the voice notes.Secret Chats also get an update. They now get all the features from standard chats, such as GIFs, replies, captions, sticker set previews, inline bots, and optional link previews.Also, you can now choose precisely who can add you to groups, so you don't end up on groups you don't want.Lastly, there is also a new image editor, with rotate, fade, tint and curves tools.iOS Â•...

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Apple called out for copyright infringement with 3D Touch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-3d-touch-patent-lawsuit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When you're as big as Apple, you get used to staffing a strong legal department pretty quick. Copyright claims and lawsuits have become such a mundane part of the tech business that we honestly can't even remember a time when Cupertino and Samsung weren't at each other's throats over some legal claim. Plus, suing a gigantic corporation is often a viable way to earn a few bucks and many have even turned it into a questionable, but still quite profitable business model.Still, there is always the honest case of being mistreated as a little player on the market and asking for some justice, which is precisely what Immersion out of California claims to be doing with its recent lawsuit against Apple and its Force Touch and 3D Touch technology.The claim revolves around three patents awarded to Immersion. The first is titled "Haptic feedback system with stored effects " and seems to describe software that shows previews after a light press and actions after a firm one. That does sound quite familiar to Apple's "Peek and Pop", but we definitely won't pass judgment.The second and third patents are "Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations" and "Interactivity Model for Shared Feedback on Mobile Devices", which Immersion ties to Apple's haptic feedback on touch. But that sounds like a bit more vague of a claim.Currently Immersion is pursuing legal actions against Apple seeking reparations for damages, but has also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC), requesting a sales injunction on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus within the US, which sounds like the more troubling...

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Curious date bug can brick your iPhone pretty badly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ios-date-bootloop/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A rather intriguing phenomenon has been circulating reddit and it has to do with a recently discovered vulnerability affecting most current iPhones. It appears that if you set the date on a 64-bit iOS device to January 1 1970 and then restart it, you get a vicious boot loop. Worse yet, simply restoring the unit through DFU can't fix the issues and you will most likely end up on a trip to the nearest Apple Store.Digging a bit deeper into the problem, it seems it relates to UNIX time, which is basically a standardized counter for the number of seconds since January 1 1970. It plays a pretty important role in the tech realm and from what we can gather, rewinding the clock so far back on the affected Apple devices, plus any potential timezone offset or other transformation to obtain a date and time metric results in a corrupt result that prevents the OS from booting. The bug was allegedly discovered by chance, as it so happens that iOS allows you to go as far back as 1970 withing the date setting, but doing so requires a lot of scrolling.As for the affected devices, it seems the odd behavior is only exhibited by 64-bit versions of iOS, which would go as far back as the A7 chip and iOS 7. In model terms that should mean any iPhone 5s an newer models, as well as potentially iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 tablets, running on at least iOS 7. Besides being a curiosity that we definitely urge you not to try on your device, unless you really feel like sending it in for repair, the bug actually has quite a lot of damage potential if it falls into the wrong hands.Consider this, most current devices, including the affected Apple tech, rely on NTP servers to automatically set their time and date. If a hacker were to theoretically spoof responses and pose as such a server on a Wi-Fi network, he could potentially kill every current iPhone or iPad on the same network.That does sound scary, but fear not, as there is a fix. It is a hardware one, but simply entails disconnecting the battery, waiting a bit and connecting it back up, which resets the corrupt settings. Sadly, that usually requires an Apple technician, unless you want to open the unit up yourself and void your warranty. Depleting the battery fully has also worked for some users, but it takes time and effort.Apple has been notified about the issue and all that remains is to see when and how it gets addressed. In the mean time, again, please resist the urge to try it for yourself, now that you know what is going to happen.Source |...

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ZOPO teases new Speed 8 flagship unveiling at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/zopo-speed-8-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In case you were wondering, no, there is no typo in the title, it is ZOPO, not the much better know Oppo brand. As far as Chinese manufacturers go, ZOPO is definitely no household name, but the relatively small company has brought us some interesting offers in the past and just like the ZOPO TOUCH that made its debut ant MWC 2015, the new Speed 8 handset planned for this year deserves a mention.The #MWC16 is upon us. Be ready to discover the new #ZOPO Speed 8... pic.twitter.com/849qvnr4wTÂ— ZOPO Mobile (@ZopoMobileBrand) February 13, 2016Today ZOPO send out its invitation to the unveiling of their new flagship, which will take place at the Barcelona venue on February 24 at 10:30AM. As evident by the poster, it will be hosted by MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, if that just happens to spike your interest in any way.Other than that, no new info has been shared about the Speed 8 and its specs, but we already have a pretty good idea what to expect, based on previous rumors. The handset is going to employ Mediatek's powerful Helio X20 SoC, actually making it one of the first devices on the market to experiment with the deca-core setup. Other alleged specs include 4GB of RAM, a 2K display and a fingerprint reader, mounted on the back.Source 1 | Source 2 | Source...

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GSMArena

16-02-16, 13:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-secondary-display/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The rumor of a second screen on the LG G5 has been flying around in the open for quite some time now. Today, however, brings new proof for the theory, courtesy of Evan Blass, who has proven quite a reputable source in he past.Finally saw the G5; secondary screen confirmed.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 16, 2016Sadly, no more information was shared on the feature, but, we can only assume that it will resemble the one on the LG V10 or the recently announced "X" line of devices. However, there is also a possibility for the 160 x 1040 pixel resolution and/or the size of the module to be changed for the new flagship. It is also worth noting that this does not necessarily negate the "Always ON" display functionality of the G5, which was recently teased by the manufacturer. Put the two together and the LG does have a unique mix to stand out from the crowd.LG's announcement event for the handset at MWC 2016 is officially set for February 21, which just so happens to coincide with Samsung's unveiling of the Galaxy S7 line, so, it is definitely shaping up as an interesting...

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Sony announces 22.5MP IMX318 sensor with built-in hybrid AF and 3-axis image stabilization
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sony-imx318/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has announced a brand new Exmor R sensor for mobile devices. Called the IMX318, it is the first stacked CMOS sensor with integrated hybrid autofocus and 3-axis electronic image stabilization.The built in hybrid AF is the key feature here. Hybrid AF usually consists of more than one form of autofocus, usually contrast based AF and phase detect AF. Usually, a separate application processor was used for this purpose but the IMX318 is the first to incorporate both within the sensor's internal signal processor. Sony claims a focusing time of 0.03 seconds for stills and as fast as 0.017 seconds during 60fps video.The other important feature is the integrated 3-axis image stabilization. The sensor can correct for pitch, roll, and yaw by taking the input from an external gyro sensor and processing it within its own internal signal processor. The internal processing also helps save on power compared to software processing in the external application processor. Moreover, the sensor can also correct lens distortion along with motion.The IMX318 is a 1/2.6 type sensor with an effective resolution of 22.5 megapixels. The sensor has a pixel pitch of 1.0μm, which is smaller than its predecessor, the popular IMX230. However, despite the smaller pixel size, Sony claims there is no drop in image quality in low light situations.The IMX318 should start making an appearance in high-end smartphones and other devices (such as drones) later this...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 6 rumored to come with whopping 6GB RAM, 5.8-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/galaxy-note5-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The successor to Samsung's Note5 flagship will come with a whopping 6GB RAM and 5.8-inch display, according to a new rumor out of China. For comparison, the Note5 has 4GB RAM and 5.7-inch display.Samsung Galaxy Note5While 6GB RAM definitely seems ambitious, we can't just dismiss it as hot air. If you recall, Samsung started producing 6GB RAM chips for smartphones back in September last year, and some of the upcoming Chinese flagships are already rumored to come with this much RAM. So, Galaxy Note 6 with 6GB RAM is entirely possible.Anyway, moving on, the rumor also says that the South Korean company will be using RGB matrix for the device's screen, something which hasn't been used in Samsung's flagships since the Galaxy S II. The phone is also said to come with a larger battery.In addition, the rumor also notes that the handset's screen will be pressure-sensitive with 1,024 pressure points. This, however, doesn't seem correct as it's a downgrade from the Note5, which already has 2,048 pressure points.As for the other specs, the phone is said to be powered by two different chipsets (like it is in case of the Galaxy S7 we assume), and will have 64GB and 128GB UFS 2.0 internal storage options. The rumor also notes a 12MP rear camera with Super OIS.Needless to say, none of this has been official confirmed, so take it with a pinch of...

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Xiaomi slashes Mi 4, Mi 4i, and Redmi Note Prime prices in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/mi4-minote-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is celebrating Mi Week (Tuesday to Friday) in India, and as part of it the Chinese company has slashed the prices of some of its Mi series smartphones, including the Mi 4 and Mi 4i.The 16GB variants of the Mi 4 and Mi 4i are now available on Amazon India at INR 12,999 and INR 9,999, down from their usual price of INR 14,999 and 11,999, respectively.In addition, the Redmi Note Prime - the company's second Made In India handset after the Redmi 2 Prime - has also received a price cut. It is now selling for INR 7,999, which is INR 500 down from the device's launch price in the country.Via | Amazon 1 2...

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New Xperia M5/M5 Dual update is aimed at fixing bugs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/xperiam5-lollipop-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony has started rolling out a new update to its Xperia M5 and M5 Dual smartphones. The update seems to be a minor one - it bumps the build number to 30.1.A.1.46 and 30.1.B.1.46, respectively, and reportedly only brings along bug fixes.This comes just a couple of weeks after the Android 5.1 Lollipop update started hitting the Xperia M5 and M5 Dual units. That update also included Android security patch for the month of January.Late last year, users started reporting an automatic shutdown problem with the Xperia M5 - the phone would only power back when connected to the charger through the USB cable. Sony acknowledged the problem in December. It isn't yet known whether or not a fix to this issue is included in the latest...

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LG Stylus 2 announced, to be unveiled at MWC next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-stylus2-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already know that the LG G5 flagship will be made official at this year's Mobile World Congress, and just yesterday, LG announced that a new, mid-range 'X' series of smartphones will be also be unveiled at the annual event.Turns out that's not all, as the South Korean company has now announced that a sequel to last year's G4 Stylus - dubbed Stylus 2 - will also be unveiled at MWC 2016.As clear from the device's name, the Stylus 2 will also come with a pen, but with a nano-coated tip instead of the previous rubber-tipped pen. LG says the change is aimed at attaining "more accuracy."The phone will include a set of proprietary features that the company claims will enhance the user experience. These include Pen Pop and Pen Keeper. While the former "toggles a popup menu when the stylus is removed to offer shortcuts to Pop Memo and Pop Scanner," the latter is aimed at preventing the stylus from being misplaced - it displays "a popup message when the phone is detected as being in motion when the stylus bay is empty."Specs-wise, the Stylus 2 is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, and sports a 5.7-inch HD display. RAM is 1.5GB, while internal memory is 16GB, although expandable. There's a removable 3,000mAh battery to keep the lights on.In terms of camera, the device features a 13MP rear camera, and an 8MP front shooter. Measuring 155 x 79.6 x 7.4mm and weighing in at 145g, the handset runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and will be available in titan, white, and brown color options. While LG didn't reveal any pricing-related details, it did say that the Stylus 2 will be "exceptionally-priced.""LG Stylus 2 provides both the big screen and premium notetaking functions of a premium large phone at a price of a mid-tier phone," said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "This device is another example of our commitment to the mass-tier segment where there is so much opportunity for growth and...

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Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact receive price cuts in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-z5-available-in-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a week after they were launched in the United States, the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact have received price cuts in the country. While the former's price has been slashed by $60, the latter has got its price cut by $50.This means that the Xperia Z5 is now available for $539, while the Compact variant will now set you back $449. As for availability, while Amazon is selling both devices at these reduced rates, Best Buy is only offering the discount on the Compact variant - apparently, the retailer doesn't have the Z5 listed on its website.If you're planning to buy any of the handsets, keep in mind that Sony hasn't included the fingerprint sensor on its Z5 line of devices for the US - reason isn't yet officially known, although reports say it's due to logistics.Amazon 1 2 | Best...

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Samsung Pay to launch alongside Galaxy S7 in Russia
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-pay-russia/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you recall, Samsung has already announced that its mobile payments service - Samsung Pay - will be launching in several countries this year, including the UK, Spain, China, Australia, Singapore, and Brazil. However, now it looks like the service will also be available in Russia soon.Going by the promotion material prepared by the country's largest carrier, Samsung Pay is expected to launch alongside the company's Galaxy S7 flagship smartphone.If you aren't already aware, the Galaxy S7 is all set to be unveiled at a dedicated event on February 21, a day before this year's MWC officially kicks off. At the event, Samsung is also expected reveal its plans for the mobile payments service's global...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab E 7.0 leaks out in all its glory
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-tabe7-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Last month, specs of a 7-inch variant of Samsung's Galaxy Tab E tablet leaked online. This was followed by reports that the device is heading to the US - it also received the FCC approval. Now, the tablet has leaked in all its glory.Specs-wise, from what we've heard so far, the device will be powered by a 1.3GHz processor, and sport a 7-inch (1280Ã—800 pixel) display. RAM will be 1.5GB, while internal memory will be 8GB, although expandable. Weighing in at 283g, the 8.7mm thick tablet will pack in a 4,000mAh battery, and run Android 5.1 Lollipop.It will carry a model number of SM-T280, and there will also be variant (SM-T285) offering 4G connectivity. Reports also say that the tablet's name isn't yet final, and could be launched as Galaxy Tab A 7.0 instead - a March-April timeframe is being tipped for its arrival. It could carry a price tag of around Â€170.Via 1...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 confirmed to be headed to Cricket
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In 2015, Cricket was the first US carrier to offer Microsoft's Lumia 640 mid-range smartphone, and it now looks like the company is set to do the same thing this year for that handset's successor.As has been previously rumored, Cricket will sell the Lumia 650 which has just been unveiled earlier today. The confirmation for this comes straight from Microsoft's own website, specifically the support section for the Lumia 650. From that page, you can download the "Lumia 650 User Guide Cricket" in PDF form.This leaves no doubt about the fact that Cricket will be offering the smartphone in the near future. Rumors on the matter had the release date occurring sometime in April at the carrier. It's unclear if other, bigger networks will choose to carry this device too, but you probably shouldn't get your hopes up.Source |...

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Apple is aware of the January 1970 date bug that bricks iPhones, will fix it in a future update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-date-bug/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of days ago news emerged about an odd but deadly bug for 64-bit iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch units - setting your date to January 1, 1970 and then restarting the device will result in a pretty much unfixable bootloop. If you do this for whatever reason, you'll need to visit your local Apple Store to fix the problem, because you won't be able to get rid of it at home.Now after the Internet was filled with people being generally angry about all this, as well as others, amazingly, trying it even after they knew the consequences, Apple has acknowledged the existence of the bug. The company promises to fix it as soon as possible and incorporate that fix in a future software update that will go out to all affected devices. A timeline for that rollout hasn't been provided unfortunately.Apparently you don't even have to set the date to precisely January 1, 1970, for the bug to do its magic - any date prior to June 1, 1970 will work. Obviously the big mystery here remains why anyone would do something like this and change the date to one from 1970. To top it all off, people have reportedly been going to Apple Stores and changing dates on the demo devices on display there, with the sole intent of bricking them.Source |...

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Lenovo will unveil international expansion plans for the Lemon 3 at MWC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lenovo-lemon-3-mwc-tease/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo introduced the Lemon 3 smartphone for the Chinese market last month. So far it hasn't been launched elsewhere, but that's set to change soon.The company is now teasing the unveiling of a new device at MWC in Barcelona next week, and the handset in question looks exactly like the Lemon 3.So this means we'll soon see it becoming available in other countries, probably starting with India - because the teaser image you can see above has originated at Lenovo's official Twitter account for the subcontinent.The Lemon 3 is basically Lenovo's competitor for the Xiaomi Redmi 3. It's even priced the same at around $100, so it's incredibly affordable. That said, it doesn't necessarily disappoint in the specs department.It's got a metal construction and features a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 616 SoC at the helm (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE support, dual-SIM functionality, and a 2,750 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop.Source |...

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Huawei might announce Matebook hybrid laptop at MWC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/matebook-tease/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei is holding a special event in Barcelona this coming Sunday, on February 21, as are many other companies. Yet it's still unclear what Huawei is going to announce on the eve of MWC.That said, one possibility could be a hybrid laptop. With a stylus. This has been rumored before, and it will apparently be called Huawei Matebook. Richard Yu, the Chinese company's CEO, has published the invite you can see below on his Weibo account.That stylus can't be part of the package for a high-end phablet, since the Mate 8 has been unveiled only around three months ago. So given the past mumblings about the Matebook having both a detachable touchscreen and a stylus, it would make most sense for it to be the product under the spotlight at MWC.The Matebook will allegedly come with a 12.9-inch display, an Intel processor, Windows 10 on board, a focus on business customers (which once again fits well with the teaser above), and premium pricing.Source (in Chinese) |...

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European Honor 7 units to get Marshmallow update by the end of February
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/honor-7-marshmallow-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei's Honor 7 units that have been purchased in Europe are finally set to receive the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This should happen in the next two weeks, so the rollout will commence by the end of the month.Up until this point we've seen the new tasty treat being out in India, but only with prior registration, which means it might actually have been a beta build. Speaking of that, Huawei launched the first beta for the new software in the UK at the beginning of December 2015.It's now in the process of sending out the final version of the update to those who signed up to be beta testers. The final build should reach these people in a few days, and the rollout to the general public will follow after that.Source |...

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ZTE sets date for MWC press conference - February 21
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/zte-mwc-invites/-184x111/gsmarena_01.jpg ZTE has announced that it will be holding its Mobile World Congress 2016 press conference on coming Sunday - February 21, a day before the event officially kicks off.As you can see below, the invite sent out by the company doesn't reveal much about what all will be unveiled at the event - it just says Imagination and Beyond, followed by the details.A quick look, however, at ZTE's official website reveals that the company's theme for the event is "the Enabler of mobile Internet (M-ICT)." In terms of mobile products, the company will "showcase and announce a range of smart devices," in addition to displaying some of its existing products, including the AXON global flagship smartphone...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge in black photographed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-edge-black/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge pair have been thoroughly leaked over the past weeks and one of the latest bits was the set of renders depicting a few color options. Conservative choices on Samsung's part, mostly, and that may disappoint those looking for some rose gold flair.However, the ones hoping for an all-black flagship will be pleased to see that Samsung has abandoned last year's Black Sapphire color option (which was really dark blue). It's a proper deep black paint job now, as revealed in these two live images of a Galaxy S7 edge.Samsung Galaxy S7 edge live imagesBlurry as they may be, the photos show no peculiar color shifts at an angle, but also reveal an inherent issue with the all-glass design - fingerprints. So if you're after a dark Galaxy, you better be prepared for regular wiping sessions.Alternatively, if you find the regular designs too bland and utilitarian, you will be able to pick a superhero-themed Galaxy S7, it seems. Always great to have...

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Sony Huis - the crowd-funded, e-Ink based universal remote
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sony-huis/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony's new e-Ink based universal remote is called Huis (allegedly pronounced "house"). The always-on display means the remote is always ready to use (smartphone IR remote apps always need to wake up the screen).The Huis is designed to stand upright to blend in with the rest of your electronics (it measures 123 x 68 x 24mm, 130g). The 1,500mAh battery is rated at about a month (based on 100 uses per day).The remote also has Bluetooth LE built-in, which will be enabled in the future. You can download remotes for various gadgets - TVs, air conditioners, anything IR-based really.You can also use a PC app to design your own remote interface, complete with cute images to appeal to children.The Sony Huis is a product of the First Flight crowd funding platform (which previously brought an e-paper smart watch). The Huis will be available only in Japan for now, starting in March. Pre-orders run for JPY 27,950 (around $250), putting it against the Logitech Harmony remotes on price.Source (in Japanese) |...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 goes on pre-order in Europe for Â£160/Â€230
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 650 just became official today and it's already on pre-order across Europe. Sales start February 18 (the 19th in Italy).Here are the official prices from the Microsoft Store: United Kingdom Â£160 Germany Â€230 France Â€230 Italy Â€240Judging by the way the Lumia 950 price has been falling by Â£10/Â€10 every week or two, we'd wait a bit with the pre-order. Also, keep in mind the Lumia 640 is around...

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Xioami teases 0.45mm thick clear case for the Xiaomi Mi 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-clear-cover-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi's promo campaign for the Mi 5 continues - check the out official clear protective case for the phone, which will be officially unveiled on February 24.The case is only 0.45mm thick and adds protection to the glass back of the Xiaomi Mi 5.A clear protective cover for the Xiaomi Mi 5Previous teasers included camera samples from Hugo Barra, tweets about the slogan ("All you ever imagined and more") and confirmations of the February 24 date from the company's co-founder.The Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to come in several versions (as many as four), but the base version will have a 5.2" QHD screen (a big 5.7" option is also rumored), a Snapdragon 820 chipset and a 16MP camera.Source (in Chinese) |...

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GSMArena

16-02-16, 13:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/motog-3rdgen-marshmallow-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola started rolling out Android 6.0 to the Moto G (3rd gen) back in December. The update first arrived in the United States and Canada, with units in India getting it last month. Now, the device has started receiving the update in Europe, too.What's worth mentioning here is that it's not exactly the same update that rolled out in other regions. The software version it carries is 24.41.33.en.EU, which is newer when compared to the 24.11.25.en.US version it carried in the US and India.Unfortunately, it isn't yet known how the European update differs or exactly what new changes it brings along. The roll-out is ongoing, meaning you should receive an OTA notification soon. Alternatively, you can also manually check for the update by heading to your handset's...

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GSMArena

17-02-16, 13:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-weird-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In case you haven't heard, Samsung is launching a new phone soon. The Galaxy S7, as it will be known, is coming at MWC later this week. And Samsung has started the hype machine with a series of weird unboxing videos. Samsung is calling it 'Seven Days of Unboxing'. There is no actual unboxing in any of these. Just a bunch of people (and a llama) who supposedly unbox it off camera, and then it gets even weirder. It's wholly pointless but if that somehow piqued your interest then you can catch it all in the link...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 specs leaked: 5.15" FullHD screen, Snapdragon 820
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-specs-sticker/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to arrive on February 24, and reports on its specs have so far have been abundant. Rumors of two body types have been floating around with little intel to confirm if we'll see different diagonals or Xiaomi will take the Galaxy S6/S6 edge route (both at 5.1 inches). What we do have confirmation on now, seemingly, is at least some of the specs of one of the versions. The data checks out with previous rumors - for the most part, that is. A single shot, possibly of a retail package sticker, mentions a Snapdragon 820 chipset, and 16MP/4MP camera combo. Display size is quoted at 5.15" (which does round up to the agreed-upon 5.2"), but resolution is said to be FullHD, while QHD was considered more likely until now. Xiaomi Mi 5 alleged specs (click for full size) Battery capacity is listed at 3,000mAh, which is smaller than the rumored 3,600mAh, but the large number may be reserved for the potential Mi 5 Plus model, if there is one indeed. USB Type-C will be Xiaomi's choice for wired connectivity, the sticker says, and goes on to list the supported cellular bands. Xiaomi has been playing the teasing game too, with both president and global VP posting camera samples online. Meanwhile, word also got out on the pricing on all four combinations on body type and...

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Archos updates its Oxygen line with three new tablets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/archos-oxygen-tablets/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Ahead of this year's Mobile World Congress, France-based Archos has announced three new tablets: 70 Oxygen, 80 Oxygen, 101b Oxygen. The European company plans to show them off at the annual event. As the name suggests, the 70 Oxygen sports a 7-inch screen. Similarly, the other two sport 8-inch and 10.1-inch screens, respectively. The 80 Oxygen and 101b Oxygen pack in 4,000mAh and 6,000mAh battery, respectively. Other known specs of the tablets include 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1080p full HD display, 2GB RAM, and Android Marshmallow. More details are expected to be revealed at the MWC 2016, which is scheduled to kick off February...

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Sony's PlayStation VR launching this fall, GameStop CEO says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/playstation-vr-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While Sony is still tight-lipped on PlayStation VR's launch time-frame, we now at-least have some idea on when the headset could arrive. This is all thanks to GameStop CEO Paul Raines, who said in a recent interview that they "will launch the Sony product this fall." Keep in mind, however, that the actual launch could happen earlier than the 'fall' time frame revealed by Raines given that it isn't yet known whether or not the retailer will start selling the headset immediately at launch. As for the price, there was no word on it from Raines. But we do have some idea on the headset's pricing - last month, it was spotted listed on three different Swiss online retailers, carrying price tags in the range of CHF 499 - CHF 552.45, or $505 - $560 at current exchange rates. Coming back to Raines, aside from revealing the launch time frame for PlayStation VR, he also said that the company is "in discussions" on carrying Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets,...

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Deal: Buy a 64GB Moto X Pure Edition and get Moto 360 (2014) for free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-pure-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a Motorola fan, and are in the market for a smartphone as well as smartwatch, here is a deal for you: for a limited time, the company is offering a Moto 360 smartwatch for free with every purchase of the Moto X Pure Edition smartphone. Keep in mind, however, that the Moto 360 being offered is the first-generation variant, and you need to purchase the 64GB model of the smartphone to avail the deal. Another thing worth mentioning here is that the promo is not available on the purchase of Jonathan Adler-designed Moto X Pure Edition variants. As already mentioned in the beginning, it's a limited-time deal - it runs through February 18, 10:59 a.m. CT. So, if you're planning to take advantage of the promo, you need to act...

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Freedom 251 is a $4 smartphone that packs in quad-core CPU and runs Android Lollipop
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/freedom-251/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg India's Ringing Bells has unveiled what is being touted as the country's most affordable smartphone. Dubbed Freedom 251, the Android-powered device carries a price tag of INR 251, which translates into just under $4 at current exchange rates. For that much, you get a handset that is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, and sports a 4-inch qHD IPS display. It comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. In terms of camera, the Freedom 251 features a 3.2MP rear unit and a 0.3MP front shooter. The phone runs Android 5.1 (Lollipop), and packs in a 1,450mAh battery. Connectivity options include 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, and GPS, while color options include white. Ringing Bells says the phone is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for "empowering India to the last person, transforming India's growth story." It will be available to order from a dedicated website (Source link below) starting 6:00 AM tomorrow (February 18). India's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will officially launch it later today. Source |...

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Instagram bumps up security, rolls out two-factor authentication feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/instagram-multi-accounts/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram has confirmed that it has started rolling out the the two-factor authentication feature. The confirmation came after users of the mobile photo-sharing service reportedly spotted the feature in testing. As you might expect, the feature adds an extra layer of security to your Instagram account by sending an authentication code to the verified phone number associated with the account. The code is required to be entered alongside the regular username/password combo for a successful login. This comes shortly after the Facebook-owned company rolled out a feature aimed at displaying view counts for videos. Prior to that, support for multiple accounts was rolled...

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Sony UK: Xperia Z5 series, Z4 Tablet, and Z3+ to get Marshmallow update starting March 7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-marshmallow-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has announced that the Android 6.0 update will start hitting Xperia Z4 Tablet and Xperia Z3+ units as well as Xperia Z5 series devices in the United Kingdom beginning March 7. The announcement was made by the UK subsidiary of the Japanese company on Twitter. @FalseNugget it's set to roll out from March 7th for Xperia Z5 series, Z4 Tablet and Z3+ - we will share confirmed timings when its readyÂ— Sony Xperia GB (@sonyxperiagb) February 15, 2016 What's worth mentioning here is that the tweet makes it clear that the date is not set in stone at this point in time. Also, given the fact that such updates from Sony have been off the mark in the past, at best we can say that the roll-out is 'likely' to begin at the said date. For those who aren't already aware, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update has already started rolling out to Sony Xperia Z5 (and possibly its Compact and Premium variants, too) in Turkey. Source |...

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vivo X6S visits TENAA, has images and specs outed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vivo-x6s-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The vivo X6 was launched alongside the X6 Plus last November. So it only makes sense that the recently leaked X6SPlus would be complemented by an X6S when it becomes official in the near future. That's pretty much been confirmed by TENAA having just certified the X6S for sale in China. As always, this has resulted in both images of the device becoming public, as well as the list of its most important specs. The vivo X6S has an extremely thin metal build as you can see, a fingerprint scanner on its back, a 5.2-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen, a 1.8 GHz octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 13 MP main camera, an 8 MP selfie snapper, and 4G LTE. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 147.9 x 73.75 x 6.56 mm, and it weighs 140.5g. With MWC now fast approaching, perhaps vivo is waiting for that event to finally announce the X6S and the X6SPlus. Even if that doesn't happen, the two handsets should be unveiled in the coming weeks. Source (in Chinese) |...

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The 200GB SanDisk microSD card is now selling for only $89.95
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sandisk-microsd-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last June, SanDisk officially released its much-hyped 200GB microSD card, which was originally announced a few months before. As you'd expect from such a high-capacity card, it wasn't cheap, retailing for $239.44. Now though you can get one for just $89.95. That's right, the 200GB SanDisk microSD card is a whopping $149.49 off at the moment, provided you purchase yours from Amazon. It's unclear how long this pricing will last, so if you want one of these, act fast. The card has a transfer speed of up to 90MB/s. It is waterproof, temperature proof, shock proof, X-ray proof, and magnet proof according to its maker, and it naturally comes with an SD adapter. If you don't actually need all that storage space, you can pick a 128GB card for just $44.99, or the 64GB model for $22.83. Source |...

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Verizon sends out Marshmallow to the HTC One M9, LG G3 and G4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/verizon-devices-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today is a pretty big day for owners of three Android smartphones sold by Verizon. That's because the carrier has started rolling out Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates for the HTC One M9, LG G3, and LG G4 - all at the same time. As always in these cases, it may be a few days before you see the update hit your particular device, as the rollout is staged. That said, if you're impatient you can always manually check by going to the relevant section in Settings. For the HTC One M9, the new software version is 3.37.605.7, while the LG G3 gets VS98546A and the G4 will run VS98624C. Of course you can expect all of them to pack the latest goodies included by Google in the Android 6.0 release - Now On Tap, the new permissions system, Doze mode (for battery savings), direct sharing, and many more smaller things. The LG G4 is also getting support for Wi-Fi...

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Samsung acknowledges the 14nm mid-range Exynos 7 Octa 7870 chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/exynos-7870-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Samsung has chosen to unveil its next mobile chipset destined for mid-range smartphones. It's the Exynos 7 Octa 7870, and it's produced "using the company's most advanced 14-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology", according to the official one-paragraph information on it. Unfortunately no other details about the Exynos 7870 have been shared by Samsung at this time. Thankfully though, the 7870 has already been caught in a couple of benchmarks while powering the upcoming Galaxy J7 (2016). If the info tabs from those benchmarks aren't lying, then Samsung's newest mid-range SoC features a 1.7 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and a Mali-T830 GPU. The Exynos 7 Octa 7870 is probably meant to be the successor to the Exynos 7580 which has been seen in the first Galaxy J7 phone from last year, for example. Hopefully Samsung will decide to share every single tidbit about the 7870 once the new J7 becomes official. Source |...

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Here Maps for iOS now supports 3D Touch, comes with better usability features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/here-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Here Maps app for iOS has received a pretty consistent update today. First off, 3D Touch is now supported, which means that if you own an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus and apply pressure onto the Here Maps icon on your home screen you'll get the option to navigate to your home. Next up are a couple of features that we're amazed took this long to arrive. On the map, you can now tap place icons for stores, sights, and transit stations. Yes, seriously, this hasn't been available so far. Once you do tap on those, you'll obviously get more details about each - things such as opening hours, phone numbers, and official websites. And for some places you'll even see reviews from TripAdvisor or other sources. You can also tap anywhere on the map, and once you do a menu of shortcuts will appear. These will let you get directions, start turn-by-turn navigation, collect the place, or share the location. The exact address of the spot you tapped will be displayed at the top of your screen. Finally, you're now able to save your home address and then simply tap on the Home icon in the top-right part of the app at any time in order to receive instructions on how to get there quickly. The new version of the app is already available in the iTunes App Store for...

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Leaked Huawei P9 renders confirm a metal body and dual camera design
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/huawei-p9-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei will definitely be attending MWC 2016 - that was made pretty clear, after the Chinese manufacturer officially sent out invites for its February 21 event. What still isn't clear, however, is what announcements we can expect to see there. Yesterday, a rumor hinted at the possibility of a hybrid laptop, dubbed the Huawei Matebook. But even before word got out for the alleged PC offer, the possibility of a new Huawei P9 has been discussed at length. Now, a new set of official-looking renders seems to further prove the imminent announcement. The shots also provide some eagerly-anticipated insight on the design of the phone and provide proof for some of its previously hinted features, namely a dual rear camera setup and a back-mounted fingerprint reader. It also seems clear now that the Huawei P9 will have a metal body and a 2.5 curved screen on the front. From the looks of it, it will also be offered in a number of colors, including gold, white, pink and gray. Huawei P9 As for the specs, from what is known up until now, the Huawei P9 will be powered by a Kirin 950 SoC, 4GB of RAM and sport a 5.2-inch display. This, however, is still not confirmed, as there have been hints of as much as 6GB of RAM, as well as a total of four distinct versions of the Huawei P9, each with different display and camera resolution. Source |...

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Huawei Honor 5X review: Aiming High
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-honor-5x/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor made a last minute swipe at CES and blew us away with what its 200 dollar phone could offer: a metal body, a large 3000mAh battery, quick fingerprint unlock, and a 5.5" 1080p screen. Honor is also entering the US market with the launch of the Honor 5X, selling it as an unlocked and dual-SIM smartphone.

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Alcatel Idol Pro 4 to be a true Windows 10 beast
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/alcatel-idol-pro-4-rumor/-184x111/thumb.jpg Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL is available with Android Lollipop and Windows 10. The model running on Microsoft's latest OS was introduced in January and Alcatel promised there are more to come. In fact Steve Cistulli - the senior vice president of the North America region for Alcatel - spilled the beans on an upcoming 'superphone' later in 2016. Today WMPowerUser got some exciting information on this particular 'superphone'. According to their source, the Windows 10 flagship will be called the Idol Pro 4. Some of the touted specs include a 1080p display, the latest Snapdragon 820 chipset, and Continuum support. The Alcatel OneTouch Idol Pro 4 should be launched on T-Mobile US, just like it happened with the Fierce XL mid-ranger. The Idol Pro 4 is rumored to be under development, so there is a chance some of these specs go through some changes in the future. Android Marshmallow-based Alcatel Idol 4 has been in the rumorland for some time now, and we suspect its Pro model, if real, may be released running on Android as...

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Meizu Pro 5 mini photo reveals slightly different design
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/meizu-pro-5-mini-photo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Meizu Pro 5 mini rumors sparked interest as compact flagships are few and far between, but we hadn't heard much of the metal-clad champ recently. Now a live shot of the Pro 5 mini, next to the big Meizu Pro 5, revitalizes interest in the rumored handset. If you look below the camera, you'll notice a dual-LED flash on the Meizu Pro 5 mini. On the big one, it's a Laser focus element and it's oriented the other way too (this differs from leaked renders we've seen so far). The all-metal mini will allegedly bring a 4.7" AMOLED display, a 10-core processor (Helio X20), a 20.7MP camera and a fingerprint sensor. In other words, Xperia Z5 Compact is about to get some stiff competition. The expected reveal is for April and cost will be CNY 2,000-2,500 ($315-$395), depending on storage (32GB or...

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Recommend Lumia 950 or 950 XL to a friend and get Â€50 voucher each
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-rewards-promo/-184x111/thumb.jpg Microsoft launched yet another promotion for its hottest Windows 10 smartphones - the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL flagships. Now you can get some money back as Microsoft Store credit if you recommend those to a friend after you get it. Here is how this Lumia Rewards promotion works. 1.You need to buy a Lumia 950 or 950 XL from an official Microsoft reseller in your country. 2.Register within the Lumia Offers app on your phone. Send recommendations to your friends. 3.Once a friend of yours also buys a Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL, he needs to identify you (and your email) within the Lumia Offers app as the person who referred him to this phone. 4.You both get $50, Â€50, or Â£50 Microsoft Store credit voucher depending on your country. 5.You can repeat this one more time with another friend for up to $/Â€/Â£ 100 total store credit. So, you can make up to $100, Â€100, or Â£100 of Microsoft Store credit if you participate in this Lumia promotion and have some friends in need of a new phone. The promotion begins today and lasts through March 16. We've read the terms and conditions carefully, but there is nothing mentioned about those who bought a Lumia 950 or 950 XL before February 16. We think those should be eligible for referrals, too, so just download the Lumia Offers app from the Store and try it anyway, maybe you'll get lucky. The Lumia Rewards is available in lots of markets including the USA, UK, France, and Germany. If you are interested, you should check with your local Microsoft website. Source |...

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LG outs the LG K8 in Europe; 5" display, a quad-core processor, and Android 6.0 in tow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-k8-hungary/-184x111/thumb.jpg LG K7, and K10 went official earlier this year at CES while the entry-level LG K4 was launched earlier this month. It is expected to be showcased at the MWC expo next week in Barcelona. But LG seems to be working on a lot more than those three devices. Of course, the LG G5 is a sure bet, but we also had a glimpse of the upcoming X series. Today LG announced yet another device - the LG Stylus 2, the successor of the LG G4 Stylus. And while we thought we are done with the LG buzz for today, LG Hungary uploaded the LG K8 fella on its website. LG K8 is 5" smartphone with an IPS HD display, which utilizes the signature design with the rear control deck. It's powered by the MT6735 chip with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 processor, Mali-T720MP1 GPU (yes, this means single-core graphics), and 1.5GB RAM. The K8 has an 8MP camera on its back and a 5MP selfie shooter at the front. There is 8GB оф expandable storage, LTE Cat.4 connectivity, and a 2,125 mAh battery. Just like all other newly announced LG handsets, the K8 runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The K8 is expected to launch very soon, and we bet we'll find it at the LG's MWC booth next week. Source |...

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GSMArena

17-02-16, 13:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/dubizzle-g5-s7-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg You would have thought that buying the latest flagship smartphones before they've actually been announced is out of the question. Not so with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, and LG G5. The three are available for purchase in Dubai, at least, on a site that lists classifieds. They are all brand new, in original packaging and with valid IMEI numbers. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge live images The Galaxy S7 edge commands the highest price, at AED 4,500 (Â€1,100/$1,225), significantly more than what is rumored to be the MSRP when it does launch. The regular S7 is AED 300 cheaper, which translates to about Â€1,025 ($1,140). Compared to those, the LG G5's price of AED 2,500 (Â€610/$680) sounds like lunch money. Prices aside, the S7 edge's retail box contents have been revealed. A charger and a USB cable are hardly exciting, and the separately packaged headset we've already seen before - it's the same model as the one bundled with last year's Samsung flagships. The last item is a bit puzzling as it's most likely a USB OTG adapter, but why Samsung would include one in the bundle is beyond us. It's unclear what the G5's standard equipment will be, but it's perhaps the best look we've got so far of its back, where there's a lot going on. It does have a Nexus 5X vibe about it (LG made that one too), only the circular lens of the 5X has been stretched to accommodate the G5's dual camera setup. LG G5 live images The smartphones have all been imported from the US, the listings read, and are supposedly genuine, but we obviously have no way of verifying that. We'd generally wait for the official release before shelling out that amount of cash, but we can also appreciate the appeal of having that S7 edge a month ahead of everyone else. Thanks to Shiva D and Luis for the tips! Source 1 Source...

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GSMArena

18-02-16, 13:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/cat-s60/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The new CAT S60 is more than a smartphone - it's a professional tool. It's the first smartphone to feature an integrated thermal camera.It can measure the temperature of objects from 15m-30m (50ft-100ft) away and can even see through smoke. It can, for example, be used by firefighters to look for people in a smoke-filled building or just a contractor to check your insulation.The thermal camera is courtesy of Flir and shows 640 x 480px thermal video. That's actually pretty good, the Seek Thermal only manages 206 x 156px.Anyway, the CAT S60 goes beyond casual smartphone toughness. If you batten down the hatches (closing the mouth and earpieces with the yellow covers), it can go under 5m of water. Otherwise, the limit is 2m.CAT dropped the phone 26 times from 1.8m (6ft) to make sure it survives hard hits. The display is covered with 1mm Gorilla Glass 4 (normal phones get 0.4mm) and very bright - 540nits. The touchscreen works with gloves, of course.You also get a beefy 3,800mAh battery to last you a long day at work and a 105dB loudspeaker. The rest of the CAT S60 put it in the mid-range - 4.7" 720p screen, Snapdragon 617 with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow and offers 4G LTE connectivity. There's also a 13MP main camera, 5MP selfie cam.The CAT S60 will be shown off at the MWC and will retail later this year for $600/Â€650. Keep in mind that a Flir One (a smartphone add-on thermal camera) alone costs $250.Source |...

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vivo XPlay5 confirmed, to come with dual-curved display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xplay5-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The XPlay5 has been finally confirmed by vivo - the Chinese company outed a teaser that reveals the name of its upcoming flagship. The device is said to be the successor to the Xplay3S smartphone launched way back in 2013.In addition to the name, vivo also confirmed an important design aspect of the XPlay5. The company released another teaser revealing that the handset will feature dual-curved display.As for the phone's specs, a recent Antutu listing revealed that it will be powered by SD820, and sport 5.5-inch QHD display. In addition, the listing also revealed 4GB RAM as well as 16MP rear and 8MP front...

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Canon announces EOS 80D DSLR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/canon-80d/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The EOS 80D is the Canon's newest mid-range DSLR, and successor to the previous 70D. It seems the company is finally listening to feedback, as the 80D features both, still and video related enhancements.Canon EOS 80DThe 80D has a new 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. Combined with the new DIGIC 6 processor, it is capable of an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) and a burst rate of 7 fps.The autofocus system has been overhauled completely, featuring 45-point all cross-type system. Improved low light performance means the system can work all the way down to EV-3 at the center point so you can even focus in the dark. The AI Servo AF II system has been improved with a 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor for better tracking of moving subjects. The viewfinder has been enhanced to support the larger AF spread and now offers approximately 100% viewfinder coverage.Now coming to the video part, the 80D can now record videos in up to 1080p60 in MP4 format in either ALL-I or IPB compression with optional embedded time code. The camera also features a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment.Other than that, the 80D has the usual bells and whistles you expect from a camera in this price range, including a fully articulated 3-inch, 1.04M dot touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS.Canon also announced a new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens with a Nano USM focusing motor that combines the speed of Canon's USM lenses with the silence of STM lenses. There is also a new Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, which lets you electronically control the zoom on lenses such as the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM in smooth steps, which is perfect for video use. It can also be controlled remotely using the Canon Camera Connect app. Canon also announced a new DM-E1 directional stereo microphone.The EOS 80D is priced at $1,199.00 for the body only and $1,799 with EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens. The lens alone will set you back by $599.99. The PZ-E1 is $149.99 and the DM-E1 is $249.99,...

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T-Mobile added 1.3 million new postpaid customers last quarter, Y-o-Y profit tripled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/t-mobile-q4-results/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile has released its Q4 2015 financial results, revealing a net profit of $297 million, which is nearly three times the $101 million figure reported in Q4 2014, and more than double the profits announced the quarter prior.The magenta carrier added a total of 2.1 million new subscribers in the quarter, including 1.3 million postpaid customers. This compares to the 1.5 million new postpaid customers Verizon added last quarter.Overall, for the complete year, T-Mobile added 8.3 million new subscribers, of which 4.5 million were postpaid subscribers. The No. 3 US wireless provider, expects to add further 2.4 - 3.4 million postpaid customers this year.Speaking of churn rate (the rate at which a company loses customers), the carrier reported a figure of 1.46%, compared to 1.62% 1.14%, and 1.02% reported by Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T, respectively.Source |...

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Google now lets Outlook.com and Yahoo Mail users 'Gmailify' their inbox
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/gmailify/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has rolled out a new feature - dubbed Gmailify - that allows users of non-Gmail accounts, including Yahoo Mail and Hotmail/Outlook.com, to access some of the Gmail's best features."Gmailify links your existing account to Gmail so that you get all the bells and whistlesÂ—spam protection, inbox organization and even Google Now cards based on your mailÂ—without having to leave your current address behind," the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post.To use the new feature, just open the Gmail app, sign in to your non-Gmail email account, and enable Gmailify (head to the Source 2 link below for more details on how to do it). Should you change your mind, you can also unlink your address from Gmail.Source 1 | Source...

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Another rumor says Galaxy S7/S7 edge will come with Always On feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-always-on-display/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There have already been rumors about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S7/S7 edge flagships sporting an Always On display, and there has been some credible information as well.Now, adding weight to these previous reports, Russian tech blogger Eldar Murtazin - who has decent track record when it comes to smartphone leaks - has also confirmed the same.So now, we can say that it is all but officially confirmed that the Galaxy S6 successor will come with this feature. In case you missed, LG has already confirmed that its upcoming G5 flagship will come with Always On display.Both devices are set to be unveiled this Sunday - February 21.Via | Eldar Murtazin...

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Google Translate adds support for 13 new languages, covers 99% of online population now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/google-translate-new-lang/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has announced that its Translate service now supports 13 new languages. This brings the total number of supported languages to 103, Google revealed, claiming that the service now covers 99% of the online population.The newly-added languages include Amharic, Corsican, Frisian, Kyrgyz, Hawaiian, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Luxembourgish, Samoan, Scots Gaelic, Shona, Sindhi, Pashto, and Xhosa. Google says the addition "helps bring a combined 120 million new people to the billions who can already communicate with Translate all over the world."The software-giant also touched upon exactly what goes into adding a new language, revealing that until now more 3 million people have contributed approximately 200 million translated words. Head to the Source link below for more...

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Huawei Mate 8 February security update rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/01/hauwei-mate-8-unboxing/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei has started rolling out a new update to its Mate 8 flagship smartphone that includes Android security patch for the month of February. The update also brings along fixes to several issues, including those related to security, privilege escalation, and remote code execution.If you are a Mate 8 owner, you should see an OTA update notification soon, if not already. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can also check for the update manually by heading to your handset's settings menu.Among other devices, BlackBerry's Android-powered Priv and Nexus devices have already received this month's Android security...

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Microsoft Lumia 950 XL receives $100 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/01/lumias-back-for-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL smartphone has received a price cut in the United States, where retailer B&H Photo is currently selling the flagship device for $529.95, which is $100 down from the handset's usual price.The discount is available on both Black and White variants of the phone. Microsoft is officially selling the device for $649, while other third party retailers like Amazon also have it listed for over $600.What's worth mentioning here is that B&H says there is "limited supply at this price," so you'll have to act fast if you want to take advantage of the deal.Source | Amazon |...

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Apple Pay officially launched in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/apple-pay-chinese-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Cupertino, CA Company successfully launched the mobile payment service just as planned for a February launch as reported back in November. Apple Pay is slowly but surely shaping up the mobile payments industry starting in October 2014 with the launch of the iPhone 6.Apply Pay's countries of availability include: the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, and newly added to the list: China.Apple has its own work cut out for competing against other mobile payment companies that are already established in China, such as WeChat Payment and Alipay from Alibaba Group.Source |...

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You can sign up for Nintendo's newest mobile game, Miitomo
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/miitomo-sign-up/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nintendo is going to launch its newest mobile game next month which all surrounds interacting with other Mii's. But today, you can sign up to receive notifications regarding the launch of the game.Miitomo is half game and the other half communication app. It will offer refreshing and new ways to chat and interact with your friend's Mii's as well as offer new ways to get to know your friends better. It sounds like a much more interactive version of the Tomodachi Life game available for Nintendo 3DS and 2DS.The Japanese game maker plans to release a total of 5 new mobile games before March of next year. The second of which is Pokémon GO, which is slated for release this year, though, there is no other indication of its estimated release date.Source |...

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Vimeo gains Chromecast compatibility for Android app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vimeo-chromecast-on-android/-184x111/gmsarena_001.jpg The popular video streaming service has gained Chromecast support for its Android app's latest update. Vimeo was among the first companies to voice support for the Chromecast in its original run back in 2013.Additionally, with the new update, a bunch of stability fixes and bug squashing has been done for this release of the Android app. Vimeo was founded in 2004, just one year before YouTube invaded computer screens all around the world, and became the first online video service to support 720p HD videosSource |...

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New Samsung teaser basically confirms that the Galaxy S7 will be water resistant
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/s7-water-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung will officially introduce the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge this Sunday in Barcelona, as you may know. And as we get closer to that moment, the Korean company is teasing more and more aspects of its upcoming flagship smartphones.One of the things that has been rumored to return to this generation of the top of the line Galaxy S devices after an absence in last year's S6 and S6 edge is water resistance. This did feature in the Galaxy S5 from 2014, and along with microSD card support will be making a comeback with the S7 line.Change your idea of what a phone can handle on 2.21.16. #TheNextGalaxyhttps://t.co/saU2TutJ5TÂ— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) February 17, 2016That fact has pretty much been confirmed by the teaser video you can see above, which originates at Samsung's official Twitter account. There's no point in focusing on the fact that people sometimes drop their phones in water, unless the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge can withstand such an encounter. Now all that's left is for us to find out the exact IP code for the new models, which will tell us how long they can be safely submerged. But we assume that's a tidbit that will only be officially revealed on February...

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Buy three months of Spotify Premium, receive a Chromecast for free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/spotify-chromecast-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's a very nice deal that will appeal to you if you like Spotify and have pondered buying a Chromecast. If you purchase a three-month Spotify Premium subscription, you'll receive a Chromecast dongle entirely for free. The subscription itself costs $29.97.The offer is only valid in the US and the UK, and it expires on February 28 at 11:59 pm CET. There's also a limit of one Chromecast per person. One important caveat here is that you can't take advantage of this deal if you are a current or previous Premium subscriber, even if you've just used a free trial of the Premium functionality in the past.You need to sign up for Spotify Premium using this link if you're in the US or this link if you're in the UK. Then, within a week of that, you'll receive a voucher for the Chromecast in your email inbox. The voucher can only be used at the Google...

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Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition becomes official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/meizu-pro-5-ubuntu/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The collaboration between Meizu and Canonical (the company behind the Ubuntu operating system) is still going strong, it seems. Following the Meizu MX4 Ubuntu Edition from last year, today the two have unveiled a new smartphone - the Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition.This is the fifth handset launched in the past twelve months running Ubuntu, according to Canonical. It's also the highest-end Ubuntu phone to date.Like the Android-running iteration of the PRO 5, the Ubuntu Edition comes with a 5.7-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and dual-tone LED flash, a 5 MP front camera, Samsung's Exynos 7420 chipset at the helm (with an octa-core CPU clocked at up to 2.1 GHz), 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and dual-SIM slots.Ubuntu's official listing doesn't mention the battery capacity, but since all of the other specs are 100% identical to those of the Android version of the phone, we assume it will be a 3,050 mAh cell in this case too. 4G LTE should be supported as well.The Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition will go up for pre-order internationally at some point during MWC next week. Pricing information hasn't been revealed...

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Qualcomm confirms that LG's G5 will sport the Snapdragon 820 chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-snapdragon-820-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you may already know, practically all the countless rumors and leaks that we've seen so far describing the upcoming LG G5 have said it would come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset powering it. That obviously makes sense, as the G5 will be LG's new flagship smartphone, and it doesn't look like the 820 has the same kind of overheating problems as its predecessor, the 810 (which LG decided to skip in the G4 in favor of the 808).And now Qualcomm has gone ahead and confirmed that the Snapdragon 820 will indeed be inside the G5, as seen in the tweet below.Don't miss a whole new way to play with @LGUSAMobile and #Snapdragon820-coming February 21. 📱 🎧 📷 👓 pic.twitter.com/ynshxqBgKSÂ— Qualcomm (@Qualcomm) February 17, 2016A focus on playfulness has been front and center in LG's invites for its MWC event this Sunday, as has been the robot you can see outlined in Qualcomm's tweet above. Oh, and it's not like LG would put the Snapdragon 820 inside anything less than its top of the line offering. Hence it's clear that it is the G5 that will be powered by Qualcomm's newest high-end...

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Twitter launches GIF search button
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/twitter-gif-search/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to Twitter's data, over the last year people shared over 100 million GIFs on the social network. And now it's planning to make that even simpler for GIF fans.The company is rolling out a new button across its Android and iOS apps as well as its website. This GIF button will let you instantly search for a GIF across a catalog that's been put together by Giphy and Riffsy.You can search by keyword if you want to, but there's also the possibility to browse through categories if you don't have anything specific in mind. Either way, your tweets are sure to get more dynamic.This new functionality should become available to every Twitter user out there "over the coming weeks", so be on the lookout for the new GIF...

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Leaked Xiaomi Mi 5 launch presentation tells us almost everything we need to know
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-leaked-presentation/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi's upcoming flagship has featured in reports and renders and benchmarks popping up all over the place, but conflicting rumors made the specs of the Xiaomi Mi5 almost impossible to pin down.After analyzing yet another alleged specs leak merely hours ago, now we actually have the official slides of the launch event to source information. Xiaomi Mi5 presentationWe end up with a total of two models that will definitely be unveiled at the venue. Both will have a 5.2-inch Full HD display and a Snapdragon 820 SoC and will differ from one another in terms of memory: 3GB RAM plus 32GB of storage and 4GB of RAM plus 64GB of storage.Xiaomi Mi5 presentationOther specs of the Xiaomi Mi 5 shown in the presentation include a USB Type-C plug with Quick Charge 3.0 feature, a 26MP shooter on the back, with a super bright F/1.6 lens and a Dual LED flash, from which we have already seen some impressive samples. Continuing down the leaked slides, we also find mentions of NFC, as well as the new Wi-Fi ad standard - a truly first in the smartphone world.That about exhausts the list of almost certain facts. Other things we have come to expect from the Mi 5 include a 3,600 mAh non-removable battery, an 8MP front-facing camera, as well as a fingerprint reader in the home...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) with 3,300mAh battery certified by FCC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-j7-2016-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) has been given the OK by the FCC (after it was certified by the Bluetooth SIG). This certification puts the battery capacity at 3,300mAh - a nice 300mAh bump from the original (and it also disproves the 4,300mAh claim).The phone has been benchmarked a couple of times, both in Snapdragon and Exynos flavors. The Exynos model will be the new 7870 Octa, based on Cortex-A53 and Mali-T830 and built on 14nm.The Snapdragon model is less clear - GFX Bench detected Snapdragon 615 (same as the original model), but kernel patches suggested a newer Snapdragon 650 (with Cortex-A72 cores), a better match for the Exynos.Even the amount of RAM is unclear - it goes from double (3GB) to a bit more (2GB), compared to the original J7.Anyway, it's pretty certain that the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) will increase the Super AMOLED resolution to 1080p and you'll get a 13MP/1080p camera. Note that the device the FCC tested, SM-J7109, is a dual-SIM model headed for China.Source |...

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GSMArena

18-02-16, 13:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a9-benchmarks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) came into our office for a review, but we'll marvel at its 6" Super AMOLED screen later. For now, let's look at the chipset - it's our first encounter with the Snapdragon 652.It's a mid-range chipset, but it's Qualcomm's first (and among the first in general) to feature Cortex-A72, the successor to A57. It has four of them, plus four A53s. Basically, it's like the Snapdragon 810, but the big cores are next generation.The GPU is Qualcomm's 5th series, an Adreno 510, which promises a speed increase and power savins compared to the 4xx generation. It also supports the new Vulkan API, which is a low-level, low-overhead interface between 3D games and the hardware.That's assuming equal build and it's also the only place where the S652 truly shows it's mid-range character. It was built on a 28nm process (used since at least the Snapdragon 600 in 2013). That's compared to 20nm for Snapdragon 8xx and 14nm for the latest chipsets, including another 6-series entry, the 625.The manufacturing process is important for efficiency - more nanometers mean more power is used. This limits the clock speed that can be achieved with no cooling (like on a phone).Compared to the Kirin 950 used in the Huawei Mate 8, which also uses 4x A72 + 4x A53, the clock speeds are a good 0.5GHz lower. We'll see the impact this has on performance.We kick things off with AnTuTu 6, a full-system benchmark. The Galaxy A9 (2016) trounces the A5 (2016) even though they are part of the same lineup. It also comes withing a hair's breadth of the S808-powered LG V10, a recent flagship. The Mate 8, Nexus 6P and Note5 have a significant lead, though..jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 146px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; AnTuTu 6Higher is better Huawei Mate 8 91609 Huawei Nexus 6P 89345 Samsung Galaxy Note5 81615 LG V10 67547 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 64591 Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) 35689Let's investigate closer. The single-core performance of the A72 cores should be 20%-60% faster than an A57 clock for clock. That's the key though, the flagship chipsets are clocked high enough to offset this.Basemark OS 2.0 (single-core)Higher is better Huawei Mate 8 7332 Samsung Galaxy Note5 6745 Huawei Nexus 6P 6014 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 4455 LG V10 4261 Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) 2469Still, when all eight cores are engaged, the Galaxy A9 (2016) pulls ahead of the S810-based Nexus 6P. It comes close to the Galaxy Note5 too.Basemark OS 2.0 (multi-core)Higher is better Huawei Mate 8 41897 Samsung Galaxy Note5 28360 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 22334 Huawei Nexus 6P 17661 LG V10 17127 Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) 16466Finally, the GPU. Adreno 510 is the base for the 5xx series, but even it should be competitive with the 4xx generation. Apparently not as fast as the Adreno 430 (probably due to clock speed reasons again), but it's as fast as the Adreno 418. It even matched the Mali-T880 in the Huawei, but that one is low on cores, just 4 (the Note5 has 8 T760 cores).GFX 3.1 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)Higher is better Huawei Nexus 6P 17 Samsung Galaxy Note5 15 LG V10 10 Huawei Mate 8 10 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 9.3We mentioned heat. You would expect a 28nm chip to get pretty steamy, but the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) and its Snapdragon 652 chipset run cool even under load.We'll be back with a full review of the A9...

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GSMArena

19-02-16, 13:34

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/apple-watch-quarter/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Smartwatch sales have surpassed Swiss watches for the first time, and you have Apple to thank.According to a report by Strategy Analytics, 8.1 million smartwatches were shipped in Q4 of 2015 compared to 7.9 million Swiss watches.Out of the 8.1 million, 5.1 million were Apple Watches with 63% share, 1.3 million were the various Samsung smartwatches with 16 percent share, and the rest were from other manufacturers, such as Pebble.Compared to Q4 2014, smartwatches saw an increase of 316% in one year. The only difference between 2014 and 2015 being, you guessed it, the release of the Apple Watch.We are now seeing watchmakers such as Tag Heuer, and Fossil starting to dip their toes in the smartwatch waters. While overall smartwatch numbers may be up, it's important to note that it's mostly the Apple Watch that's holding the entire segment up on its shoulders. It will be a while before we know if people are interested in smartwatches or just the Apple Watch. And it will be even longer before we see the demise of mechanical watches.Source Â•...

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Gartner: Samsung retains smartphone leadership in 2015 with over 20% market share
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/gartner-q4-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung was the top smartphone vendor for both Q4 2015 as well as the complete year, according to a latest report by market research firm Gartner. Specifically, the South Korean company sold over 83.4 million units last quarter, claiming 20.7% share of the market, which is up from 19.9% share reported in Q4, 2014.Apple came in second with 17.7% market share, down from 20.4% share the Cupertino-based company claimed in the year-ago quarter. Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi rounded up the top five with 8%, 5%, and 4.5% shares, respectively. Notably, Huawei achieved the best growth with a 53% jump in sales.Overall, global smartphone sales saw an year-on-year jump of 9.7% last quarter, which the report said was the slowest growth rate since 2008.For the complete year too, as already mentioned, Samsung retained the top spot - its market share stood at 22.5%, although that was down from the 24.7% share it had in 2014. Apple's share slightly increased and stood at 15.9%, giving the company the second spot.Here also, Huawei was the best performer in terms of sales jump.Talking about the smartphone operating system (OS) market, Android retained the No.1 position in Q4 with over 80% share, which is a jump of over 4% compared to the year ago quarter. Apple iOS' share fell from 20.4% to 17.7%.The data shows that Windows Phone sales dropped to 4.3 million units last quarter from 10.4 million in Q4 2014, giving the OS just 1.1% market share. This is broadly in line with what we already know.Finally, struggling BlackBerry's share of the market slid even closer to...

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New alleged HTC One M10 image leaks, shows white variant
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/one-m10-white/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of weeks after its black variant leaked online, another alleged image of the HTC One M10 has surfaced, showing off the white-colored model this time. As was the case before, the new image is also shared by the usually reliable leakster @evleaks on Twitter.Let's call it HTC One M10 in white. pic.twitter.com/lGfIM5SSpXÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 18, 2016A quick comparison with the alleged black variant (shown below) reveals broadly the same design, although it's difficult to exactly compare given that both images are taken at different angles. However, one notable difference is the shape of the fingerprint scanner on the Home button - seems comparatively less elongated than on the black model.https://t.co/PKvW63aF8L pic.twitter.com/zsyzQWbVAtÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 5, 2016Specs-wise, from what has been rumored until now, the One M10 is powered by Snapdragon 820 and sports a 5.1" QHD AMOLED screen. It has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and features a 12MP UltraPixel camera. The device runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8 on top.It is tipped to launch in April, and go on sale in the US a month...

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Xiaomi, Huawei, and ZTE are all said to be planning their own Apple Pay competitor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/apple-pay-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Shortly after Apple launched its mobile payments service Apple Pay in China, there are reports that the iPhone maker's competitors in country are planning to release their own payments service. The revelation was made by IHS Analyst Kevin Wang, who named Xiaomi, Huawei, and ZTE in a Weibo post.It's not that Apple Pay doesn't have any competition in China - there are mobile payment companies like WeChat Payment and Alipay from Alibaba Group that are already established in the world's biggest smartphone market. However, Apple is currently the only smartphone vendor offering such a service there.Despite coming from a well-known analyst, the news still falls in the category of rumors as it's yet to be officially confirmed by any of the companies Wang named. However, given that Xiaomi is said to be bringing back NFC support in its upcoming Mi 5 flagship despite dropping it from the Mi 4 citing low usage, the rumor does seem to carry some weight.Nevertheless, a rumor remains a rumor until it is officially confirmed, and till then it needs to be taken with a pinch of...

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Nextbit starts selling its cloud-focused Robin smartphone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/09/nextbit-robin-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nextbit's cloud-focused Robin smartphone, which recently started shipping to the initial 1,000 backers of the company's kickstarter campaign, is now available for purchase. Carrying a $399 price tag, the device is now listed on the company's website.Both mint and midnight color options are available for purchase. However, what's worth mentioning here is that currently only the GSM model of the handset is being sold. The CDMA version will probably start shipping to backers in April, so expect it be available for purchase after that.As you might already know, Robin's selling point is that it makes sure you never actually run out of space - everything that's important to you is made available offline, while the rest is pulled from the cloud upon...

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Nvidia fixes WiFi issues, releases Shield Tablet and Tablet K1 Marshmallow update again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/shield-tablet-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nvidia started rolling out the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the original Shield Tablet earlier this month, but the roll-out was soon halted after there were user reports of the update causing Wi-Fi issues with the device. The good news is that those issues have been fixed, and the roll-out has resumed.A company representative posted in an official forum that Marshmallow OTAs for both shield tablet K1 and original shield tablet are back online. "At this time, we're confident we have corrected the problem and are releasing a new Software Update," the post said.For those who aren't in the know, the Android 6.0 update for the shield tablet K1 first started rolling out back in December. Notification for the new update should hit your device any time now, although alternatively you can always manually check for the availability of the update by heading to Settings -> About...

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In a first, Samsung will live stream Galaxy S7 launch event in 360-degrees
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-unpacked-360/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has announced that the launch event of its upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship smartphone will be presented in 360-degree live streaming, making it the first time when viewers will be able to enjoy a 360-degree view of a Galaxy Unpacked event."During Galaxy Unpacked you will get four options for where to watchÂ—from the auditorium, stage left, stage right or from center stage. Pick whichever spot is right for you, then use the 360 live streaming to get a complete view of the event from every angle," Samsung said in a press release.Those planning to watch the event from a PC will be able to do so by heading to the Galaxy Unpacked page on the Samsung website when the event begins. On the other hand, the Unpacked 360 View app will let you enjoy the event on your Android or iOS mobile device. However, if you're planning to watch the event with Gear VR, you need to download the app from the Oculus Store.Just to remind you, the event begins February 21 at 7:00 p.m....

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LG and B&O announce collaboration for new audio-focused smartphone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lg-bo-collab/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG Electronics has announced a new agreement that it is going to collaborate with B&O (a high-end electronics designer and manufacturer) to come up with an audio quality-focused experience on a smartphone. The companies have apparently been working together for the Hi-Fi audio features for the highly-anticipated LG G5.B&O is a company that designs and manufactures high end TVs, entertainment systems, speakers, and audio equipment. B&O Play is the company's division of higher volume consumer electronics like high-end headphones and portable speakers for audiophiles.LG wants to differentiate itself by further planning to work with B&O to provide a significantly better audio experience than other smartphones on the market. The phone maker has been proud to say it has a long history of integrating high quality audio into its smartphones most recently, the LG...

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Apple fixed Error 53, modified Touch ID sensor won't brick iPhone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/apple-error-53-fixed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple changed its mind about Error 53 being a security feature and allows a phone with a modified Touch ID sensor to function with the Touch ID feature disabled. Disabling phones from restarting, simply because they were repaired at an unapproved shop did not sit well with people. The public backlashed and Apple did what it needed for customers to be happy.Apple apologized and released a patch to iOS 9.2.1 that will disable the bricking feature that Error 53 was causing. When an unauthorized modification is made to the Touch ID sensor, perhaps when replacing a faulty home button, the iPhone threw an error and would not restart.Then when plugged into iTunes to recover the software, you were led through the restore process and the phone would never completely restore.With the new patch, iTunes will allow the device to restore and function normally, the downside is the modified Touch ID will not be active and become useless.The guys over at iFixIt.org have followed Apple's official guidelines and were able to successfully follow new prompts to restore iPhones that have a modified Touch ID sensor.Source | Via | Via...

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Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G lands at T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon on March 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/gear-s2-classic-3g-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A few hours ago, the 3G-capable version of the Samsung Gear S2 classic has been revealed to be the first device ever to sport the new eSIM - a built-in, programmable SIM that lets you connect to the network of your choice without having to acquire a dedicated SIM card first. You can thus activate the Gear S2 classic at home, being spared a trip to your carrier's closest store.Now Samsung has announced that the Gear S2 classic 3G will become available in the US in black on March 11. It will be offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Pricing hasn't been outed yet unfortunately. Although Samsung is calling it the "Gear S2 classic 3G/4G", don't let that fool you - it doesn't have LTE support, yet Samsung seems to think that HSPA+ is 4G; it's not.The Gear S2 classic 3G has a 1.2-inch 360x360 circular AMOLED touchscreen, a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless charging support, and a 300 mAh battery. It runs the company's Tizen-based wearable platform. It's IP68 certified for dust and water resistance, and it comes with a bunch of sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, barometer, and ambient light...

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PayPal redesigns its apps for Android and iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/paypal-app-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg PayPal has unveiled a big redesign for its mobile apps today. You can already find the updated versions in the iTunes App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.The new apps come with simplified UIs and no more clutter, according to the company. It claims that customer feedback drove much of the redesign process.Features have been simplified, and either app comes with a better global user experience, as the "iterative platform" they're both based on allows for easier customization.Sending and requesting money is now front and center inside the mobile apps, since apparently PayPal has seen over 100% growth in the number of peer-to-peer transactions happening over the last two years. A new personalized hub lets you easily add people from your contacts, while the new home screen lists all of your transaction details. That's also where you can quickly pay your pending requests or send payments to any of your recent contacts.Finally, account activity has been separated by pending and completed transactions, and fingerprint authentication on Android should now work with many more devices.Source |...

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HP Elite x3 Windows 10 phablet gets the full leak treatment, images and specs outed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/hp-elite-x3-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few days ago word got out that HP is working on a top of the line Windows 10 handset to be called Elite x3. This device was apparently codenamed Falcon, and it may have been benchmarked in December of last year.Anyway, HP is probably going to announce the Elite x3 at MWC next week. Before that happens, however, you can feast your eyes upon a couple of leaked pictures of the device, along with the full list of its specs.The Elite x3 is surely looking to be the main competitor to Microsoft's Lumia 950 XL in the Windows 10 mobile ecosystem, as it packs some very high-end innards.It has a 5.96-inch QHD touchscreen, a 16 MP rear camera, an 8 MP selfie cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset powering it, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, a USB Type-C port with support for USB 3.0, Qi wireless charging, a fingerprint scanner (which might be embedded in that 'chin' underneath the display), an iris sensor, a special docking connection, IP67 certification for water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810G rating for withstanding drops from 1 meter or less.The device is 7.8 mm thin, and will probably support Microsoft's Continuum feature. It will obviously run Windows 10 Mobile. With such specs, you shouldn't expect it to be cheap.Source (in Hungarian) |...

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New leaked images show Galaxy S7 in silver, S7 edge in black, and confirm lack of USB Type-C
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/s7-new-pictures/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It definitely seems like not a day can go by without some new leaks about the upcoming Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which Samsung is going to make official this Sunday, on February 21. And today isn't an exception. First off, we can now show you the Galaxy S7 in silver - this was a color that hasn't previously been leaked in a press render. If you click on the thumbnail below, you'll be taken to the full resolution shot. And to the right of the vanilla S7 we can see yet another live image portraying the black Galaxy S7 edge, with its curved screen front and center.Silver Samsung Galaxy S7 and black Galaxy S7 edgeBut that's not all. Another newly leaked picture puts an end to any questions regarding the presence or absence of a USB Type-C port in Samsung's new handsets.This is a shot of the bottom side of the Galaxy S7 edge, and that's clearly a standard microUSB port, and not the newer USB Type-C variation. So Samsung has chosen to stay with the tried and tested and postpone the introduction of Type-C into its smartphone portfolio. Perhaps the Note 6 will get the new port, but that remains to be seen. This will be good news for people who have a lot of microUSB cables around and wouldn't have wanted to switch to the newer standard anyway.Source 1 Â• Source...

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Archos intros Diamond 2 Plus with 4GB of RAM, 6-inch QHD Diamond 2 Note
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/archos-diamond-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Archos is doing its best to announce new mobile devices before Samsung and LG totally steal the show this Sunday. So, after having already outed some new Oxygen tablets and the 50d Oxygen handset, today the French company has unveiled a pair of new smartphones, the Diamond 2 Plus and the Diamond 2 Note. These could in fact be considered Archos' premier offerings from this point on, given their specs.The Diamond 2 Plus comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 20 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, an 8 MP selfie shooter, MediaTek's MT6755 Helio P10 SoC running things (with an octa-core CPU clocked at up to 2 GHz and the Mali-T860MP2 GPU clocked at 700MHz), 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, LTE Cat.6 support, a fingerprint sensor on the back, a USB Type-C port, and a 3,000 mAh battery.It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Its dimensions are 148.3 x 73.8 x 8.3 mm, and it weighs 130g. The Archos Diamond 2 Plus will become available in May for $229, Â€249, or Â£199. That's rather impressive for a phone with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.Moving on, the Archos Diamond 2 Note is a 6-inch "borderless" phablet coming with QHD resolution, a 16 MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and dual-LED flash, an 8 MP selfie snapper, the MediaTek MT6795 Helio X10 SoC at the helm (with a 2 GHz octa-core CPU and PowerVR G6200 GPU), 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, LTE Cat.4 support, and a 3,610 mAh battery.It too runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Its dimensions are 158.35 x 82.7 x 8.7 mm, and it weighs 150g. It will also be out in May, and will be priced at $279, Â€299, or Â£249, depending on where you...

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ASUS unveils ZenPad M series slates with ADAM administration tools
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/asus-zenpad-m-adam/-184x111/thumb.jpg The new ASUS ZenPad M series of tablets targets the business market and offers a single solution for software distribution and device control called ADAM.ADAM stands for ASUS Device Admin for Mobile and is a combination of tools suitable for managing all ZenPad M company tablets. The ADAM service supports remote installation and updating of apps, remote locking and secure wipe, taking screenshots for proper software distribution verification and sending messages.The ADAM tools have been available via different Android apps, but ASUS has bundled them into a single solution that works via a web browser.There are currently two ADAM-enabled tablets - a 7" ZenPad M and a 10" ZenPad M. Unfortunately ASUS hasn't revealed the specs of either of those just yet. The ZenPad M & looks a lot like the ZenPad 7, but the ZenPad M 10 seems a bit different than the ZenPad 10 as shown in the video.We expect the manufacturer to bring them at the upcoming MWC expo in Barcelona, so we'll find out more in a few days.Source |...

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Twitter adds video sharing option in direct messaging
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/twitter-dm-videos/-184x111/thumb.jpg Twitter is having a hard time lately especially when its users heard about the upcoming timeline changes. Keen to put this fiasco behind it, Twitter is focused on adding new features to its service.Yesterday the company launched the GIF button, which allows you to search and embed gifs from a rich catalog that's been put together by Giphy and Riffsy. You can learn more about this here.Today, Twitter launched yet another feature - video sharing within the Direct Messages. You can capture and share a video via the Direct Messages, which turns the Direct Messages even closer to a full-blown messaging service.The update to Direct Messages is already available for Android and iOS, as well as on the regular web version.Twitter already increased the character limit up to 10,000 symbols for the direct messages, among other improvements. Maybe Twitter's endgame is to separate the DM service as a standalone app just like Facebook did with the Messenger a while back.Source |...

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GSMArena

19-02-16, 13:34

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/gear-s2-classic-3g/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg SIM cards have gone from regular through mini and micro to nano and soon they will be the size of electrons. The Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G is the first product to support this new standard called eSIM.This is a built-in, programmable SIM that allows users to remotely connect to a device to a mobile network. This makes it easier to join a carrier of your choice (no trips to the store!).For now, the GSMA intends these eSIMs to be used for secondary devices - like the Gear S2 classic 3G smartwatch, tablets, smart bands and various Internet of Things devices (so you don't have to plug an actual SIM card into each and every smart appliance at home).These do not require an additional subscription but instead piggyback on your main contract. The GSMA plans to release additional specifications in June that will bring the eSIM standard to smartphones.It has the support of some of the biggest mobile device makers - Samsung (obviously), LG, Huawei and Microsoft. Apple is notably missing from this list; characteristically it has its own standard. Some of the world's biggest carriers, even chipset makers too.The Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G will be available in...

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iPhone 5se to come with an A9 processor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/iphone-5se-a9-chip/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As usual, Apple hasn't revealed anything about its future devices, but it seems eager fans have already unearthed enough information to confirm that the Cupertino giant will stay true to the rumored spring announcement and will hold an unveiling event on March 15, presumably for a new phone and tablet.By all accounts, these are shaping up to be a new 4-inch iPhone and a refreshed iPad Air 3 model. As far as rumors go, the former will be referred to as the iPhone 5se and will allegedly resemble the retired iPhone 5S, but with a few notable upgrades. According to a report by Bloomberg, the handset will, in fact, be based on the Apple A9 chip, which powers the current 6s generation of iPhones.Other suggested additions to the new 4-incher include NFC, Apple Pay and Live Photos. 3D touch, however, is unlikely to come to the model. In the same report, Bloomberg also suggests the the new iPad Air 3 will get a major processor upgrade. It will presumably be powered by the same A9X silicon running the iPad Pro - quite a powerful piece of tech. Other suggested features for the upcoming tablet include support for the Apple Pencil as well as a Smart Connector, required for keyboards and other peripherals.If the March 15 unveiling does take place, sales of the devices may start as early as March 18.Source |...

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30% of your mobile data is consumed behind the scenes and Opera has a solution
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/opera-max-background-data/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Isn't it just great that we now live in a world where data can travel everywhere with you, seamlessly? Open up an instant messenger on your phone and voila, all your conversations are just where you left them last, perhaps on your PC or tablet. The same goes for your email, photos and most every data that you decide to hand over management of to Google, Apple, Microsoft or any other cloud service.However, as most of you have surely considered at one point or another, while this might happen "automagically", it does require quite a bit of background data usage, which most likely comes out of your data plan. Opera has always been a bit more concerned than most for proper mobile data utilization and its latest set of statistics provide a good reason why.According to data aggregated through Opera Max users in December 2015, around 30% of all mobile data consumption happens in the background. Various syncing and refreshing services eat up around 1MB out of every 3MB passing through your device and while the behind the scenes functionality is definitely an invaluable features, not all apps are particularly efficient with you data plan.According to the statistics, Facebook Messenger and Gmail do about 73% of their transfers behind the scenes, followed by Google Drive and WhatsApp, at around 50%. And while that doesn't mean said apps waste data, others might, due to lack of optimization or development oversights. If this happens to be a concern for you as well, Opera actually has a viable solution.Opera Max is a powerful Android app that helps you save on data through clever compression mechanisms, as well as monitoring tools and granular control over what and when gets a piece of the internet. Smart Alerts is a feature within Opera Max that informs you if an app is eating away too much data in the background and allows you to stop the leakage, if deemed unnecessary. You can get Opera Max free on the Google Play...

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New Windows 10 Mobile build rolling out to Lumia 950/950 XL and 550
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lumia-950-uk-discount-again/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has started rolling out the February cumulative update for Windows 10 Mobile to non-Windows Insiders. The update, which bumps the device to to 10586.107, is currently hitting Lumia 950, 950 XL, and 550.The update brings along improvements related to reliability, stability, Bluetooth connectivity, battery usage, update system, as well as Microsoft Edge's PDF rendering and navigation. It also includes fixes for several issues, including:Fix for a problem causing erroneous low storage prompts for some users when trying to download phone software updates.Fix for a problem that caused erroneous prompts of Outlook account settings being out-of-date for some users, although account settings had not been changed.Fix for a problem that caused some phones to get stuck on BitLocker Recovery screen after a reset.If you haven't received the OTA notification yet, you can manually check for the update by heading to Settings -> Update & security -> Phone update -> Check for updates on your handset.Source |...

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GSMArena

20-02-16, 13:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/william-watch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems the failure of his first smartwatch (more of a smartbangle, really) hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of musician will.i.am, as he has come up with yet another one, called the Dial.The Dial, thankfully, looks more like a traditional smartwatch (if there even is such a thing). It still is a wide black band but it fits more like a watch, and has a large square display on the front. The Dial is self sufficient, which means it has its own 4G SIM and can work on its own without being paired to a smartwatch. You can take calls, messages, play music, and it even has basic fitness tracking features, such as a step-counter. There is also a voice assistant called AneedA. Also, there is a camera up front, presumably for video calls or selfies.The watch runs on a Qualcomm processor, possibly the Snapdragon 410 that everybody else is using, but the software is not your more common Android Wear but something proprietary.The Dial will be available exclusively through Three UK in April with a two-year contract, with prices being said to be around £20 per month. Doesn't exactly sound like a recipe for...

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Reuters: Xiaomi to use home-grown SoCs in some of its upcoming smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/12/xiaomi-sales-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a year after there were rumors that Xiaomi is developing its own mobile chipsets, Reuters is reporting that some of the company's upcoming smartphones will be powered by home-grown SoCs.Specifically, the report says that the chipsets are aimed at the Chinese company's mid- to low-priced handsets (Redmi Note series), adding that the first of these devices will be launched in the second half of this year. A team of 200-300 people is currently working on the project.Xiaomi currently relies on Qualcomm and Mediatek for mobile chipsets. The report says the move will hit Mediatek hard as it supplies most of the company's mid- to low-priced smartphone chips - the number was around 20 million last year.If the report turns out to be true, Xiaomi will become the fourth smartphone vendor after Apple, Samsung, and Huawei to enter the mobile chipset...

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LG G5 pre-registrations are now open
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lg-g5-pre-reg/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Just a day before it goes official, LG's upcoming G5 flagship is now up for pre-registrations in the United States. Those signing-up will be among the first to know when the handset is available for purchase."The G5's fast processing speed will make this phone ideal for the ultimate multi-tasker," the pre-registration page says. "The G5 offers quick and easy access to all of your favorite apps and programs for when you need them most"The device has already been the subject of endless rumors and leaks. Specs-wise, while Snapdragon 820 chipset has already been confirmed, rumors says it will feature a 5.6-inch QHD touchscreen, 4GB of RAM, as well as Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The phone is also said to come with dual-camera setup on the back, with a fingerprint sensor below...

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BlackBerry Priv receives price cut in Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/01/blackberry-priv-netherlands-spain-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry's Android-powered Priv smartphone has received a price cut in Canada, where carrier Bell is currently selling the device for CAD 299.99 on a regular two-year contract.Other local carriers like Rogers and Telus are currently selling the handset at higher rates. What's worth mentioning here is that Sasktel is also offering the Priv for CAD 299.99 as part of a limited time offer but the listing reveals that the device is currently out of stock online.For those interested in purchasing an unlocked unit instead, BlackBerry has the device listed on its website for CAD 899.Source 1...

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Oppo said to be unveiling next-gen VOOC tech at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/oppo-vooc-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already told you that Oppo is expected to unveil a couple of big things at MWC, with one of them being a "groundbreaking power solution." While Oppo hasn't provided any more details as yet, it's now being said that the company is planning to unveil the next-gen VOOC tech.As you might already know, VOOC is a fast charging technology developed by Oppo that is claimed to be capable of charging the phone's battery from zero to 75% in only 30 minutes. While the current VOOC technology works as a wired charging solution, the new report says Oppo could announce wireless VOOC flash charging at MWC.This means that you'll be able to take advantage of the technology by just placing your Oppo handset on a wireless charging board. Needless to say, this hasn't been officially confirmed by the Chinese company, so take it with a pinch of salt. Oppo's MWC press event is on February...

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Samsung Pay set for March launch in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-pay-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in December last year, Samsung said that its mobile payments service Samsung Pay will launch in China "as soon as early 2016". Now, the South Korean company has announced that the launch will happen in the month of March, although no specific date was mentioned.The China launch will be followed by rollout in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Spain and, the UK later this year. The company has also added Canada to the launch roadmap. For those who missed, recently-leaked promotion material revealed that the service will also be available in Russia soon.Samsung also revealed that around five million registered Samsung Pay users processed over 500 million dollars in the first six months. The mobile payments service is currently available in the company's home country as well as the United...

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Motorola says no Lollipop for DROID Ultra/Mini/Maxx, compensates by offering discounts on Turbo 2 and Maxx 2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/droid-ultra-mini-maxx-lollipop/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Back in October last year, Motorola announced a list of devices that the company said will receive the Android Lollipop update. The list included the DROID Ultra/Mini/Maxx. However, it has now been announced that these handsets won't be receiving the update.The announcement was made by Motorola's senior director of software product management David Schuster on Google+. "We know how important software upgrades are to our customers, and we're very sorry that we are unable to provide the upgrade," he said in the post.Schuster, however, said that the company is compensating for this by offering DROID Ultra/Mini/Maxx users discounts on the Droid Turbo 2 and Maxx 2 - the former will be available for $524 ($100 off), while the latter will cost $334 ($50 off).The offer expires on Thursday, May 19, and the promo code must be redeemed by Thursday, June 2. For more details, head to the Source 2 link below.Source 1 | Source...

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MORE photos of the Samsung Galaxy S7 (and S7 edge)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/more-photos-of-the-galaxy-s7-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Naturally, just a few days before the unpacked event, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pose for many more angles and shots for our eyes to feast upon.Moreover, the physical appearance of the Galaxy S7 is not too different from its predecessor. The curves that the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge make are more pronounced and round than those of the S6 or iPhone.The bump has definitely shown changes with some shrinkage. As well, a new rumor has surfaced pertaining its still a little difficult to confirm a possible drop in the pixel count of the camera sensor from the S6's 16MP camera to a possible 12.1MP.Head over to the source link at Android Headlines to check out the butt-load of photos of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.There are close-ups of the camera setup, all 4 edges, front, rear, and some views of the software information found on the Galaxy S7. There are also shots of the phone next to a ruler to better gage the actual size.Source (Android...

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Multiple accounts supported on Facebook Messenger for Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/facebook-messenger-support-multiple-accounts/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Facebook's Messenger app for Android has been updated to officially allow users to manage more than one chatting account.Facebook had been undergoing testing for a bunch of new features in the past couple of months, with some of these features slowly pushed out to few users around the world.Facebook wants families to be able to potentially be able to use Facebook Messenger while sharing the same device. Switching between accounts will require the password of the account you are switching to so there's no need to worry about your housemates seeing your messages from a shared device.Source |...

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Apple employees given incentive to sell more iPhones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/apple-employees-given-incentive/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to sources from 9To5Mac, Apple store employees are being offered rewards for selling more iPhones. This period allegedly starts on February 21 through March 26.This program will reward Apple reps rewards like all-expense trips to Cupertino for those who sell the highest number of iPhones in their regions. Though, strangely, Apple is calling it a way to "celebrate" the success of the iPhone.If you go back to the dates from the first paragraph, this actually sounds a lot like the period of hype that the Samsung Galaxy S7 will stir up after MWC all the way until the phone launches.Besides Apple's numbers plateauing from the previous year's financial reports, the company likely wants to power through the launch of the Galaxy S7 while raising its own number of phones sold for next year's financial reports.In addition, best performing stores will win store-wide parties and gear from Apple's gift...

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In-store display of Galaxy S7 promise early delivery for pre-orders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-three-uk-early-for-preorders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 bandwagon is at full speed without no signs of slowing down until after MWC next week.Photos of an in-store display that are (likely) not even supposed to be seen yet have leaked the interwebs showing the unreleased device. The picture is reportedly from a Three carrier store and wants to convince those who want the Â‘Next Big Thing' to pre-order it so they can get it earlier than others.From a leaked brochure earlier today, the Galaxy S7 will feature a Â‘pressure sensitive' 5.1 or 5.5 inch display, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, a Snapdragon 820 paired with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, microSD expandable memory, 3000/3600mAh battery, all enclosed in a similar looking body when compared to the S6. So while the phones may look similar in person, they are very different on paper.Source |...

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Microsoft extends free Office 365 offer for Lumia 950 and 950 XL owners to more countries
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lumia-office-365-offer-extended/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month we told you that Microsoft is offering a free one year subscription to Office 365 for people who purchase a Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL smartphone. However, at that point, the deal was only available in the US, UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.In the meantime though Microsoft has decided to extend this offer's reach to more countries. So, from now on, you'll also be able to take advantage of it if you live in India, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, or Australia. You do have to act before July 30, which is when it will expire.To get the free one year subscription to Office 365, just download the Lumia Offers app onto your Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL, enter your email address, and choose this particular promo. That's it. You'll then be able to download the Office apps onto one PC or Mac and one smartphone or tablet. This is a $69...

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Oppo A30 is a OnePlus X clone that just went official in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/oppo-a30/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Like the OnePlus X? Then you'll also like the just-unveiled Oppo A30. Seriously, they're exactly the same. To be precise, we're talking about the "champagne" edition of the OnePlus X, a.k.a white.The A30 has been listed on Oppo's official website for China, and, in all regards, it's identical to the white OnePlus X. That obviously makes you think that the oft-rumored close ties between the two companies are indeed true. Why else would OnePlus let Oppo sell what is basically just a rebranded OnePlus X?Oppo A30Anyway, here's a refresher on specs, in case you've forgotten all about the X's innards. The Oppo A30, like the OnePlus X, comes with a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, an 8 MP selfie snapper, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset (with a 2.3 GHz quad-core Krait CPU), 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 4G LTE, and a 2,525 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 140 x 69 x 6.9 mm, and it weighs 138g.The Oppo A30 hasn't been priced yet, but a rumor out of China says we should expect it to cost CNY 1,999, which right now means around $306 or Â€275. It's unclear if it will ever be officially sold internationally, especially given the fact that you can already buy the OnePlus X in many countries, and for less cash - $299 or Â€269.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Le Max Pro with Snapdragon 820 could be out on February 23 for $567
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/le-max-pro-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month at CES Qualcomm and Chinese company LeTV unveiled the upcoming Le Max Pro smartphone, the world's first to sport the chipset maker's Snapdragon 820 under the hood.Now a new rumor out of China claims the Le Max Pro will go on sale in the country next Tuesday, on February 23. However, only 1,000 units could actually be available on that day.The Le Max Pro is said to cost CNY 3,699, which right now means about $567 or Â€509. This amount contradicts a previously leaked flyer which said the price would be CNY 3,500. And all of this information originates in a yet-unconfirmed rumor, so hopefully you've taken it with a pinch of salt.As a reminder, the Le Max Pro has a 6.33-inch QHD touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera, 4GB of RAM, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, a USB Type-C port, and a 3,400 mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0...

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LG G5 gets the full leaked image treatment, front and back exposed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lg-g5-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have starred in a lot of leaks today, and now it's finally time for LG's G5 to shine too.The next flagship smartphone from Samsung's Korean competitor has been given the full leaked image treatment as you can see - it's had both its front and its back exposed.For the umpteenth time, the dual-camera setup on the rear is confirmed, along with the fingerprint sensor siting underneath that. The phone will also have laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash.The volume buttons are on the side, and it looks like the fingerprint scanner doubles as a power button. The handset seems to have a metal build, but that's not entirely certain at this point. The images don't appear to be renders, rather live shots of an actual G5 unit, although it isn't turned on.The G5 will get official this Sunday in Barcelona at MWC, and it's so far been rumored to sport a 5.6-inch QHD touchscreen, 4GB of RAM, as well as Android 6.0 Marshmallow on board. Qualcomm has already confirmed that the G5 will be powered by its Snapdragon 820...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge brochure reveals all, March 11 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-la-caixa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, here it is, as good as official. A Spanish brochure for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge spill the beans on the specs and the release date.The S7 will have a 5.1" screen, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge a 5.5", both QHD SuperAMOLEDs. The chipset is listed as Snapdragon 820, which will likely serve both Europe and North America. It's paired with 4GB of RAM.Interestingly, the display is "pressure sensitive." This smells of a Samsung implementation of Force Touch.The brochure confirms a microSD slot and the built-in storage starts at 32GB (what bigger options we'll get is not clear). Batteries will be 3,000mAh on the smaller phone and 3,600mAh on the bigger one.The other expected feature, the water resistance, is also present on the list with an IP67 rating. That's dust-tight, resistant up to 1m of water for 30 minutes.The leaked brochure (click for full size)The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge will launch on March 11 (that's in Spain, at least). Samsung will sell them in partnership with La Caixa (a Catalan bank).You can spend Â€700 for the S7 or Â€800 for the Galaxy S7 edge. Alternatively, the bank will help you get the S7 flagships on a monthly payment plan of Â€42.45 and Â€47.45 respectively. The smartphones will come packaged with a VR headset, though it's not quite clear if that's the current Gear VR model or a new edition, which we are yet to see announced.Thanks, 4R35UL1535, for sending this in!Source | Via (in...

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Watch the evolution of Samsung's mobile gadgets throughout the years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-history-video/-184x111/thumb.jpg There is no denying Samsung has played a huge part in pushing the evolution of mobile devices ahead, long before Apple came up with the first iPhone.The Korean manufacturer had some of the most out-there back then, including a phone watch, a TV phone, and was among the first to embrace Android. Some of its regular mobile phones are responsible for the evolution of the displays, mobile cameras, among other upgrades.In just two days Samsung is going to unveil its next big thing - the Galaxy S7 series. To honor the event Samsung has posted a video, which will take you back to the very beginning when the phones were bigger than bricks.Enjoy!Samsung's latest UNPACKED event is going to happen on February 21 in Barcelona. Stay...

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Android Marshmallow now available for Moto E (2nd Gen) in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/moto-e2-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) is finally receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update after a few months of uncertainty. Last October, Motorola announced its Marshmallow plans and the second Moto E was left out of the update list.Then just before Christmas Motorola had some change of heart and added the Moto E (2nd Gen) to its update schedule.The Moto G lineup has already been treated to Marshmallow, the Moto X series got it, too, even the Moto E 3rd Gen had its Marshmallow update. And now it's time for the Moto E (2nd Gen) to get it.Currently, the Marshmallow update is rolling out in India, but we expect even more markets to get it soon, if not already. If you own a Moto E (2nd Gen), you should keep an eye for the update notification.The OTA update weighs about 450MB, so you'll need at least double that space.Thank you, Meghan, for the...

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Google Play Games is ditching Google+ integration and Play Music is getting podcast support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/google-play-games-music-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google looks to be amidst another one of its fairly regular Android app update frenzies and this time around it brings changes to Google Play Games and Play music. Good news for any of you avid Android gamers out there - Google Play Games will no longer require a direct link to a Google+ account. Instead, the search giant will be introducing a special Gamer ID, solely for the platform. It will resemble any other gaming account you might own, like one on Xbox Live or PSN and will thus allow a game alias and an avatar.The Gamer ID itself will only be linked to a regular Gmail account. Users will be able to find one another by the email address and also choose what game activity will be public and what private (that Candy Crush guilty pleasure of yours is save with Google).As for Google Play Music, AndroidPolice recently got its hands on a new v6.4 of the APK and discovered upcoming podcast support. At the moment, the functionality seems to be rather basic, compared to some competitor offers, which have things like smart playlists and variable speed playback. Still, it will be a nice addition to the mix and some digging around in the code does appear to show hints of more advanced features planned for the future, like playback sorting. It is also worth noting that a banner was discovered within the same APK, promoting the BRIT Awards 2016. This suggests that Google might have struck an exclusive deal for some sort of streaming rights on the performances which will happen at the upcoming Grammy-style music event in the UK.Source 1 | Source...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) review: A-lister
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-a9-2016/-347x151/gsmarena_004.jpg Prepare to meet the biggest premium phone Samsung has made. No, not the Note5, even that one is dwarfed by the Samsung Galaxy A9 and its 6" Super AMOLED screen.

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GSMArena

21-02-16, 13:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/freedom-251-questions/-184x111/thumb.jpg It all began with the announcement of the world's cheapest smartphone - the $4 Freedom 251 made in India. The company behind the project - Ringing Bells - received a huge coverage in the media and received beyond positive backup from users around the world.The first odd thing to happen was the change of the design shortly after the announcement. Few people noticed this, but it happened - Ringing Bells swapped the picture of the Freedom 251 on their website from a good-looking phone with thin bezels to a more generic 4" brick with rather thick bezels and just a single central key.But hey, this thing is supposed to cost $4, so nobody cared how the phone looks like.Recently, media representatives received prototypes of the phone, which raised more questions instead of building more hype. The shipped phones turned out to be Adcom phones with their logos covered by simple correction fluid. Adcom is a Chinese company and the model Ringing Bells has sent to its partners Adcom is selling for about $50 on the Indian market. and it's certainly not the Made in India phone, which they promised.What was even more disturbing was the phone's software - the UI used icons entirely identical to the Apple's iOS default icons.Finally, fellow journalists sought out Ringing Bells HQ for some questions, but the offices turned out to be empty.The company's CEO took some time to give answers to some of those pressing questions, but we aren't sure if these responses are not raising further questions.It turns out Ringing Bells indeed used an Adcom phone as a demo unit in an attempt to gauge the reception by the audience. The Freedom 251 smartphone will supposedly use the same specs, though the external design will differ in the final version.The same goes for the pre-installed software - it may look like iOS now, but Ringing Bells has designers, which are working on a custom UI and it will be different in the final product.The Adcom phones Ringing Bells gave to the media were just mere prototypes of what the phone may look like and what it may run on. It wasn't anything final, the idea was to gather impressions and decide how to proceed later on - a move, which raises an eyebrow.While all this sounds reasonable, it raises new questions - is the Freedom 251 just a concept then? It seems the company has no clue how the final phone will look like, what launcher it will feature, and where it will be made - India or China.The Ringing Bells CEO promised they are a registered Android Partner, although the company is not on the list. They have not submitted a phone for certification within the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), yet they are already selling it online. It looks like they are selling a concept, which is not even approved by the Indian authorities yet.For just two days the company received more than 60 million registrations and has since stopped accepting any new ones. Ringing Bells didn't anticipate such an interest, and it is yet to fulfill the first 30,000 orders made. Once those are completed, Ringing Bells promises to take more.Meanwhile Indian companies have asked the Telecom Ministry to check the Ringing Bells credentials. The company would certainly come under scrutiny.Long story short - Ringing Bells isn't certain how the final Freedom 251 will look like, what launcher it will utilize, or when it will be ready. No matter how we look at this, the Freedom 251 seems more like a concept phone, which may or may not make it to the market anytime soon.Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 (incl....

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Watch the Huawei MWC 2016 event live here
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/huawei-mwc-live-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you have been keeping a close eye on our MWC 2016 coverage article, then you surely know that there are quite a few events lined up for today. Huawei is up first with a 14:00 CET live stream.The YouTube link is already up, so you can grab a seat, get comfortable and prepare to follow along.As a quick recap, we are expecting to see the unveiling of the MediaPad T2 Pro 10.0 (10.1-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 615 SOC, 2GB of RAM, 16GB storage). There is also word of a hybrid laptop, possibly with a larger 12.9-inch display and a Windows 10 OS. Last, but not least, Huawei will hopefully showcase the new P9 handset, allegedyl equipped with a 5.2-inch display, 4GB or perhaps even 6GB of RAM and the powerful Kirin 950 SoC.For more of the MWC schedule, check out our MWC 2016 coverage articlle....

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Huawei MediaPad T2 Pro 10.0 tablet spotted before official announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/huawei-mediapad-t2-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei has an event scheduled for later today, but a Finnish site posted a sneak preview - photos and specs of the unannounced Huawei MediaPad T2 Pro 10.0.This is the replacement of the T1 10 from last year and it has improved specs throughout.The MediaPad T2 Pro 10.0 will have a 10.1" screen (yeah, we know) with 1080p resolution (a massive jump from T1's 9.6" 1,280 x 800px). Beside the screen is a 2mP selfie camera, while the camera on the back has an 8MP sensor (and a single-LED flash).The tablet will be powered by a Snapdragon 615 chipset with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage (no word on Android version yet). The battery grew to 6,660mAh.Stay tuned for more details, Huawei's press conference starts today at 14:00 CET. And we'll be there - we expect to see some phones (like the P9), besides the MediaPad tablet, a hybrid laptop too.Source (in...

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Nextbit's cloud-focused Robin sold out already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/robin-soldout/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a day after it went on sale, Nextbit's cloud-focused Robin smartphone has gone out of stock. All variants of the device are currently listed as 'Sold Out' on the company's website.You must really like us. We like you too, but 🙅 Robin is sold out. pic.twitter.com/Rl4Q82oW5xÂ— Nextbit (@nextbitsys) February 20, 2016When reached out for comment, Nextbit CEO and co-founder Tom Moss said, "We are thrilled at the reaction, and super thankful to our backers and fans. We are already ramping up on inventory post Chinese New Years to make sure everyone who wants one can get one soon."The handset carries a price tag of $399. Initial 1,000 backers of the company's kickstarter campaign have already had their units shipped.Source |...

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Leaked specs suggest HTC A16 is an entry-level phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/htc-a16-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Shortly after Evan Blass leaked renders of an HTC device allegedly dubbed the A16, @LlabTooFeR - another reputed leakster - has leaked its specs, suggesting that the device is an entry-level phone.@LlabTooFeR Sorry, MSM8909 Snapdragon 210Â— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) February 20, 2016According to the information @LlabTooFeR shared, the handset is powered by a Snapdragon 210 SoC and sports a 5-inch HD display. It has 1.5GB RAM and 8GB internal memory, which is further expandable via microSD card.In terms of camera, the HTC A16 features an 8MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It packs in a 2,200mAh battery. While neither of the two leaksters commented on the price, there are reports that the device will carry a tag of around...

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Sony tipped to show off 'Smart Ear' Bluetooth headset at MWC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/sony-smartear/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony will show off a smart Bluetooth headset - dubbed Smart Ear - at the Mobile World Congress, according to the usually reliable leakster @evleaks. He also shared an image of the device.Sony "Smart Ear" https://t.co/yUIfKk250E pic.twitter.com/eFtmoHqDQfÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 20, 2016The tipster had earlier this month revealed that such a device will be showcased at this year's MWC, and that it would be similar to the Moto Hint. However, it's only today that he shared the actual image.For those who aren't already in the know, Sony's MWC press event is set for tomorrow - February 22. The company's hasn't yet officially revealed what all will be showcased at the...

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Twitter is now more popular than Facebook in Japan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/12/twitter-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With over 1.55 billion active users, Facebook is undoubtedly the largest social network in the world. However, the story is a bit different in Japan, where a rival social network is more popular than Facebook.The rival we're talking about is Twitter. The company revealed last week that it had 35 million monthly active users in the Asian country, compared to Facebook's 25 million.In Japan, "we've seen more than a five-fold growth in usage in a really short time," said Shailesh Rao, Twitter's vice president of Asia-Pacific, Latin America and emerging markets. The figure stood at 7 million in 2011.It is, however, not yet known whether Japan is the only country where Twitter is bigger than Facebook.The micro-blogging company also revealed that globally it now has over 320 million monthly active users. In its home country of the US, however, the number dropped from 66 million to 65 million last...

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Alleged Sony Xperia PP10 leaks ahead of MWC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xperia-pp10-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new, unannounced Sony smartphone - allegedly dubbed Xperia PP10 - has leaked ahead of this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC). The leak comes from the usually reliable tipster @evleaks, who shared the device's image on Twitter.Tipped as the "Xperia PP10"...

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BlackBerry rumored to unveil their second Android phone at MWC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/11/blackberry-vienna-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new rumor, BlackBerry could announce their second Android-powered smartphone at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC). Said to be codenamed Vienna, the device has already leaked in renders a few months ago, revealing a more orthodox BlackBerry design.The report says the handset is expected sport a 5-inch 1080p display and have both front and rear cameras with LED flash. The Vienna is said to be a mid-range phone with a price tag less than what the company's Priv carries.Back in December, BlackBerry CEO John Chen hinted that the company could launch a second Android phone in 2016. He, however, didn't reveal a specific launch time frame, saying that'll depend on how the Priv performs in the coming...

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MWC 2016 coverage
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mwc-2016-overview/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg

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Idol 4 and 4s, Plus 10: Alcatel at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-alcatel/-347x151/gsmarena_101.jpg Alcatel brought the whole family - two Idol 4 phones, Pixis of all sizes and even a Windows 10 hybrid laptop. The phones really like to party and have dedicated Boom button, which turns up the sound, launches the camera (and dose a few other things), while the stereo speakers can work in any direction you want.

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Alcatel Plus 10 is a hybrid Windows laptop with LTE in its keyboard
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/alcatel-plus-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Meet Alcatel's first 2-in-1, the Alcatel Plus 10, and it's a Windows 10 device. Its detachable keyboard has unique functionality - it is an LTE hotspot.The tablet features a 10.1" IPS LCD with 1,280 x 800px resolution. It's powered by a quad-core Intel Atom x5 Z8350 1.92GHz processor. Memory is a little tight with 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage (you can add up to 64GB more with a microSD card).The Alcatel Plus 10 tablet also boasts stereo speakers on the front. There's also a 2MP selfie camera in the corner and a 5MP camera on the back.The keyboard has a full-size USB port, a microUSB and a microHDMI. It brings built-in LTE connectivity and can serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 15 devices. The tablet's own connectivity features Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0.The battery life is good for 8 hours of work in total. The split in capacity is uneven - 5,830mAh in the tablet, 2,580mAh in the keyboard.The Alcatel Plus 10 will be available in June in the following markets: Europe, Latin America, The Middle East and Africa. There are multiple color options, including a gray leather finish that's "silky to the touch." No pricing info...

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Alcatel unveils new IDOL 4 and IDOL 4S at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/alcatel-idol4-unveiled/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Alcatel announced its new flagship IDOL 4 and IDOL 4S models at the MWC venue. In a lot of ways, the devices are a logical upgrade over last year's IDOL 3 series, although, the OneTouch moniker seems to be absent this time around, but more on that later.The styling is quite similar and Alcatel has made sure to include its signature reversible design one again. This time, however, it has been taken one step beyond with three way reversibility - the phone can operate in both vertical orientations, horizontally and even when you turn it around the stereo sound orientation remains correct. And while we are on the topic of sound, both IDOL handsets promise a superb experience, thanks to the collaboration with JBL and Waves. This includes two powerful 3.6 watt speakers, Hi-Fi surround-sound for the headset, and optimization of audio presets both automatically and manually.The new Alcatel premium line comes in two main varieties. The basic IDOL 4, measures 147 x 72.5 x 7.1 mm and is equipped with a 5.2" FHD (1080 x 1920), IPS LTPS display.Underneath the hood is one of Qualcomm's new mid-range chips - the Snapdragon 617, along with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage (10GB user-accessible) with a microSD slot. The camera setup consists of a 13MP main shooter, with touch focus, auto HDR and the promise of ultrafast auto-focus (0.1-0.3 seconds). It is complemented by an 8MP front camera with a flash. Other features include Cat.6 LTE, as well as a dual-mic noise-canceling setup and dual 3.6W speakers.The more premium Alcatel IDOL 4S ups the stakes even further with a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display inside its 153.9 x 75.4 x 6.99 mm body. The processor is also improved - the Snapdragon 652. Storage is bumped up from the core model to 32GB (25GB accessible) and so is the battery - 3000 mAh, instead of the 2610 mAh, inside the IDOL 4.Another innovation to the series, which Alcatel made sure to stress upon is a new physical button, dubbed the BoomKey. It is mapped to do a whole bunch of interesting things across the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS, some admittedly more logical than others. "Boom my camera" for instance is a quick way to shoot photos from standby and "Boom my music" promises audio optimization, no matter what is playing (although it raises the question why would you want to have it off). "Boom my videos", introduces "surprising effects in existing videos", "Boom my game" releases Nitro in Asphalt games and "Boom my view" intensifies the 3D parallax effect in the launcher.And while we are on the topic of 3D, a nice little addition to the IDOL 4 mix, comes courtesy of its retail box. It can be easily transformed into a Google Cardboard-style headset for an entry level VR experience.Last, but not least, as part of this year's announcement Alcatel OneTouch decided it is time to simplify the moniker and shorten in to Alcatel. The company still remains part of the TCL Communications family, so only the branding is changing, along with a new logo...

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Galaxy S7 and S7 edge prices confirmed, to hit the shelves on March 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-s7-prices-confirmed/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung is going to unveil the Galaxy S7 series in just a day in Barcelona, but the leaks have been giving us tiny bits of information over the past few months. We pretty much know almost everything there is to know about the new flagships, but we finally get conformation of the pricing.We had reports the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge will go on pre-order on February 22, while the actual launch will happen on March 11 in many markets. We even heard the phones will retail at Â€699 for the S7 and Â€799 for the S7 edge, plus there is a chance the first to pre-order those to receive a free Gear VR headset.Now we can confirm all of those rumors. Leaked promotional materials plus tips that we personally received from employees at phone retailers across Europe reveal the exact prices of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - Â€699 and Â€799. We also know for sure that all who pre-order the devices not only will get them three days sooner and will get a free GearVR.Indeed, many official retailers will be throwing a free Gear VR headset for the first batch of pre-orders. The confirmed markets so far are the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The S7 flagships will go on pre-order this Monday - February 22 - and they both will ship on March 8. The actual in-store availability will begin three days later on March 11.We already had lots of confirmation on the specs of the devices, thanks to various tips and leaked materials. The Galaxy S7 will come with a 5.1" Super AMOLED Quad HD display and will run on either Snapdragon 820 or the new Exynos chip, both version featuring 4GB of RAM. The main camera utilizes a new 12.1MP sensor, and the microSD slot is expected to make a return. Also returning will be the IP68 dust and water resistance.The S7 and S7 edge are going official tomorrow, so we'll know everything in a few hours. Stay tuned!A big thank you to Max, Ciprian, and our other anonymous...

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LG K10 now available in Europe for Â€249
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/01/lg-k-series/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG K10 smartphone - which was announced at this year's Consumer Electronics show and went on sale around a week later - is now available for purchase in Europe, with Greece becoming one of the first European countries where the device is now up for sale.When the K10 was unveiled, LG said that aside from a 5.3-inch 720p touchscreen, 2,300mAh battery, and Android 5.1 Lollipop, all other specs of the handset will vary based on the country you buy it from. The model available in Greece is 4G-capable, powered by a Snapdragon 410, and comes with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB internal memory. In terms of camera, it has 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter.Source |...

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GSMArena

21-02-16, 13:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/11/zuk-z2-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo-backed ZUK has announced that its next smartphone will be launched in March. There is, however, currently no official information on the device, although some reports say it could be a Pro variant of the ZUK Z1 - a phone, which was launched back in August last year by a subsidary of Lenovo.It is also being speculated that ZUK might release a successor to the Z1, or an altogether different mid-range phone to compete with devices like the OnePlus X. In case you don't already know, there have been rumors about the ZUK Z2 launching this year. The device is said to be powered by SD820 SoC and feature a rotating camera (alleged render shown above).Whatever be the case, like the Z1, the new handset is also expected to make its sales debut in Hong-Kong/China before being available on international...

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Mysterious HTC A16 renders surface online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/htc-a16-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sadly, by all accounts, HTC won't be unveiling the One M10 flagship at MWC 2016, but the Taiwanese manufacturer might still show up at the venue and bring some announcements. A fresh leak, courtesy of Evan Blass, showcases an unknown device, allegedly dubbed the HTC A16.Tomorrow's news, yesterday: HTC A16 pic.twitter.com/oCvO4abh5wÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 20, 2016Sadly, not much else is known about the device, but simply going by the model number, we can assume that it won't be a flagship offer, but rather more of a Desire-style one. This goes for design aspects as well - a plastic body, beefy main camera and BoomSound speakers. The latter seem to have undergone some modifications, at least on a cosmetic level, as the grill is now more compact. A16 could also be a working title and the device could easily end up in the Desire family.The only other thing worth noting from the renders, is the pair of odd holes, within a circular module on the back of the phone. These could be for a case or accessory, perhaps even some sort of charging, we can't say for...

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Reuters: Xiaomi to use home-grown SoCs in some of its upcoming smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/12/xiaomi-sales-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a year after there were rumors that Xiaomi is developing its own mobile chipsets, Reuters is reporting that some of the company's upcoming smartphones will be powered by home-grown SoCs.Specifically, the report says that the chipsets are aimed at the Chinese company's mid- to low-priced handsets (Redmi Note series), adding that the first of these devices will be launched in the second half of this year. A team of 200-300 people is currently working on the project.Xiaomi currently relies on Qualcomm and Mediatek for mobile chipsets. The report says the move will hit Mediatek hard as it supplies most of the company's mid- to low-priced smartphone chips - the number was around 20 million last year.If the report turns out to be true, Xiaomi will become the fourth smartphone vendor after Apple, Samsung, and Huawei to enter the mobile chipset...

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LG G5 pre-registrations are now open
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lg-g5-pre-reg/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Just a day before it goes official, LG's upcoming G5 flagship is now up for pre-registrations in the United States. Those signing-up will be among the first to know when the handset is available for purchase."The G5's fast processing speed will make this phone ideal for the ultimate multi-tasker," the pre-registration page says. "The G5 offers quick and easy access to all of your favorite apps and programs for when you need them most"The device has already been the subject of endless rumors and leaks. Specs-wise, while Snapdragon 820 chipset has already been confirmed, rumors says it will feature a 5.6-inch QHD touchscreen, 4GB of RAM, as well as Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The phone is also said to come with dual-camera setup on the back, with a fingerprint sensor below...

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GSMArena

22-02-16, 13:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/hp-elite-x3/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg At the ongoing Mobile World Congress, HP has unveiled a Windows 10 smartphone that it claims can be used as a full-fledged laptop as well as desktop. Dubbed Elite x3, the device offers some high-end specs, including Snapdragon 820 SoC, and 4GB RAM.The handset has 64GB of internal memory (which can be further expanded to 2TB via microSD), and packs in a large 4,150mAh battery that can be wirelessly charged. The phone also utilizes biometrics - there's an iris scanner on the front and a fingerprint scanner at the back (the latter wasn't present on the unit shown at MWC).The Elite x3 also utilizes the Windows 10 Continuum feature that allows you to use the handset as a PC replacement whenever you want. One problem with Windows 10 phones until now has been that they can't run full desktop apps. HP is aiming to solve the problem by offering an app catalog - dubbed HP Workspace - that'll give you access to virtualized apps on the new device.HP has also built a couple of accessories for the phone. These are the Desk Dock and Mobile Extender - both are optional. The former includes a DisplayPort, two USB-A and one USB-C port, as well as a wired Ethernet port.On the other hand, the Mobile Extender is basically a 12.5-inch diagonal display notebook form factor that wirelessly connects with the Elite x3 to offer a laptop-like experience. HP says the phone will be available this summer, although no exact date or month was mentioned. As for the price, it will be disclosed "closer to date of availability."Source 1 2 |...

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Existing Galaxy phones won't get the Galaxy S7's Always On feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-alwayson-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg Rumors that Samsung's newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - will come with the Always On feature turned out to be true when the devices were unveiled yesterday. However, if you already own a Galaxy phone and are hoping that your device will get the feature, you're sadly out of luck.The South Korean company has confirmed that none of the existing Galaxy handsets (not even flagships) are getting the feature. So, if you have your own reasons for purchasing a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, add this one to the list as well.For those who aren't already aware, the Always On feature allows your phone to show some information - including clock, calendar, as well as a background image - even when it's locked and display turned...

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Sony Xperia X, X Performance and XA: Sony at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-sony/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg >As most others focus on phablets, Sony showed the 5" market a lot of love with the new Xperia X series. The Xperia X Performance is essentially a Z-phone in disguise. Better even, not even the Z5 has a brushed metal back.

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Only 32GB Galaxy S7/S7 edge will be available in US and some European markets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxys7-32gb-us/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Just a couple of weeks after there were reports that only the 32GB variant of Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge will be available in some European markets, the South Korean company has confirmed that the 64GB variant won't be available in the US as well.There is currently no information on if and when the 64GB variant will be made available in these markets. As for the reason behind the move, reports say it's purely a business decision as both Europe and the US are major markets for Samsung and the 32GB variants of both S7 and S7 edge are said to have higher profit margins than their 64GB equivalents.Looking from consumers' point of view, this shouldn't be a very big deal for most given that both flagships come with expandable storage. Keep in mind, however, that although Android 6.0 is capable of treating expandable memory as internal storage, it isn't yet clear whether or not Samsung's newest flagships offer the feature.Via 1...

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Sony unveils Xperia Ear, Xperia Eye, Xperia Projector and Xperia Agent
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/sony-mwc-acessories/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This year Sony's MWC conference was really short and to the point, perhaps even too much so. Besides the new Xperia X handset family, the Japanese giant also introduced us briefly to a slew of accessories and other intriguing tech, sadly, without going into too much detail, which is understandable, since only the Xperia Ear is an actual product and the rest are still merely concepts at this point. Here is what we managed to gather.Xperia EarAs the name suggests, the small device is essentially an earpiece, but Sony has intended it to be more than a slick handsfree. It also doubles as your own personal assistant, equipped with voice prompts for relaying most useful information from your phone. This includes incoming calls, messages, calendar events, weather, traffic and news reports. And the communication works both ways, you can easily ask for any of the aforementioned information streams to be narrated and also initiate calls and even dictate quick messages or navigate to a logation.The device is said to communicate with your handset through NFC or Bluetooth, and it is built for continuous operation with the promise of an all-day battery and IPX2 water protection.Xperia EyeAgain, the name tells most of the story. The Xperia Eye is a tiny camera that is intended to easily clip on to clothes. It appears to have the right shape and form for an action cam, but its exterior suggests that Sony might not market it as such, but instead focus on its use as a daily life-vlogging or journal device. It is equipped with a 360-degree spherical lens for a natural field of view.The camera itself is also said to be smart enough to accept voice commands for hands-free operation and even detect faces and automatically snap stills. Specs on the actual camera and sensor are still pending.Xperia ProjectorInformation gets even scarcer at this point, but we think we got the gist of it. The projector is housed in a rather compact tower-shaped enclosure, obviously intended to stand close to the projection surface, be it a wall or a table.Judging from the quick video demo, it is not particularly bright or powerful (our best guess would be around 500 lumens or so, but official specs are still pending). It is, however, equipped with touch input technology, so you can create a quick interactable experience, albeit not on a very large scale.Xperia AgentLast, we have a rather odd-looking vase-shaped device. It is equipped with a rotating camera, touch display and also voice interactions. Its main purpose seems to be a hub for home automation. The demo clip shows it automatically turning on the lights and greeting its owner upon return, but its IoT implications might actually extend further than...

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Sony introduces us to Xperia X series in a set of promo videos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/sony-xperia-x-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony just pulled a joker out of its sleeve and announced a whole new series of smartphones the company successfully kept under wraps until now. Totaling three 5-inchers at this point in time, the X series spans the midrange to high-end segments and bears a newly-refined design language.The new range needs proper introduction and the PR team has kicked off with a series of promo videos highlighting key features. The Xperia XA sits lowest in the lineup and gets the most light-hearted presentation, also flaunting its edge-to-edge display.The Xperia X (a model in itself) gets the 23MP camera of the flagship and and the video addresses that. The video of the Xperia X Performance focuses on, you guessed it, power. You can watch the videos below and get acquainted with the new range in wait of actual release this...

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Sony Xperia X series is here - Xperia X, X Performance and XA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xperia-x-family/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg Sony kept it short and sweet - it launched a new phone line, the Xperia X, and the first three phones in it. Meet the Xperia X, XA and X Performance.Sony Xperia XAll three phones have 5" screens, Sony didn't announce phablets nor minis. Sony's traditional sleek design has been changed up a bit with a metal back. The phone has been painted with a "tone-on-tone approach," so the front and back are a single, continuous color. Color options include Graphite black, White, Lime Gold or Rose Gold.The "future-focused" Smart Capture camera features Sony's Predictive Hybrid Autofocus, which lets you pick a target and tracks it. The 23MP main camera can launch and snap a photo all in 0.6 seconds. The Xperia X has a 13MP selfie camera.The phone promises to bring Sony's awesome battery life - two days of use between charges (the battery is 2,620mAh). The other Sony trademark, great sound - stereo speakers outside, Hi-Res Audio and DNC inside.Sony Xperia XThe Sony Xperia X is powered by a Snapdragon 650 chipset with 3GB of RAM and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It comes with 32GB of storage, expandable of course.Sony Xperia X PerformanceIf you need more power, the Sony Xperia X Performance gets you a Snapdragon 820 chipset (3GB RAM, 32GB storage). This one is waterproof too, IP68, while the other two are not.Other than that it has a 5" 1080p display as before and a seamless metal back painted in a continuous color. The Graphite Black and White options feature an exclusive hairline finish.You get the same 23MP camera with Hybrid AF and a 13MP selfie cam. The main camera can record 4K video and can boost ISO up to 12,800.Sony Xperia X PerformanceLike on the X, the power button on the Xperia X Performance is a fingerprint reader.Sony Xperia XAThe Sony Xperia XA is a more affordable version of the X. It has a 5" 720p screen and a 13MP main camera (8MP selfie). It's powered by a MediaTek MT6755 chipset (2GB RAM, 16GB storage). It will launch with Marshmallow.This one does not have a fingerprint reader, no stereo speakers either. The battery is smaller too, 2,300mAh.Sony Xperia...

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ZTE announces the Blade V7 and Blade V7 Lite
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/zte-blade-v7-v7lite/-184x111/thumb.jpg ZTE Blade V7 and ZTE Blade V7 Lite went official at the MWC today. Both are targeting the young people and those with young hearts, as ZTE likes to say, and both will become available in selected markets later this year.Both phones support smart gesture controls and run on the latest available Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.ZTE Blade V7The ZTE Blade V7 is made entirely of metal and is thick just 3.5mm at its thinnest point. It packs a 5.2" 1080p display covered with a 2.5D glass, and runs on the MediaTek MT 6753 chipset with an octa-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 processor, Mali-T720 GPU, and 2GB of RAM.The Blade V7 features a 13MP rear camera with a dual-tone dual-LED flash. It has a 5MP front snapper, which can use the screen as a flash. The rest of the highlighted specs include 16GB expandable storage, LTE connectivity, and a 2,500 mAh battery.The Blade V7 will be available in Germany, Spain, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mexico in the middle of 2016. The pricing is yet to be announced.ZTE Blade V7 LiteThe ZTE Blade V7 Lite utilizes a smaller 5" 720p display with a 2.5D glass, and it retains the aluminum unibody design. The chipset in charge of the Blade V7 Lite is MediaTek MT6735P with a quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, Mali-T720 GPU, and 2GB of RAM.The Blade V7 offers an 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and an LED flash, as well as another 8MP fixed-focus snapper at the front, also coupled with an LED flash. There is 16GB expandable storage, LTE connectivity, a 2,500 mAh battery, and a fingerprint scanner on the back.The Blade V7 Lite is scheduled to launch this spring in Russia, Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Thailand. Pricing and exact availability will be specified later.We spent some quality time with both devices at the ZTE's MWC booth. You can learn more about them here.ZTE Blade...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge Euro pricing: off and on contract
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-euro-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last night we saw US and UK pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, now we wake up to Euro prices.GermanyAmazon Germany lists both phones in Black, White and Gold. The Galaxy S7 costs Â€700 for the 32GB option and ships March 11. The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is Â€800. MediaMarkt has the same pricing.T-Mobile Germany offers the Galaxy S7 for Â€39.95 upfront and Â€62.95 am month, the S7 edge is Â€139.95 upfront and the same Â€62.95 monthly. Note that the monthly charge is for the first 12 months of the 2-year contract, the second 12 months it's Â€69.95. Prices corrected, thanks Giorginho!Note that Amazon does not list the Gear VR. So you might want to pre-order from the Samsung website, which will net you a free Gear VR headset.SpainIn Spain MediMarkt charges Â€720 for the S7 and Â€820 for the S7 edge. Carrier Movil Spain has the S7 and S7 edge listed on its site, but there's no pricing yet.ItalyWe move on to Italy where the price is slightly higher, Â€730 and Â€830 respectively.All these prices are for the 32GB models, we didn't see any 64GB options.FinlandFinland has the priciest units yet - Â€750 for the S7 and Â€850 for the S7 edge. And if you pre-order you get a free Gear VR headset (worth Â€150 normally). Thanks for the info, Kristijan!NetherlandsThe Netherlands chiming in. Â€700 for the Galaxy S7 off contract and starts from Â€37 a month. The Galaxy S7 edge is Â€800 off and Â€41/month on contract. Pre-orders get a free Gear VR. Thanks for sending this in, Hans!SwitzerlandMediaMarkt Switzerland is charging CHF 720 for the S7 and CHF 820 for the S7 edge. Pre-orders get the Gear VR. Thanks, Somerandomguy!RomaniaOrange is asking Â€700 for the Galaxy S7 off contract, Â€350 upfront with contract. The S7 edge is Â€800 off, Â€440 upfront on contract. Vodafone is cheaper, charging Â€684 for S7 on contract. Off contract things depend on the monthly tax, it ranges from Â€630 upfront and Â€7.74/mo and Â€0 upfront and Â€86.19/mo. Mulțumiri, Lilian! PolandS7 - PLN 3199 (Â€730), S7 edge - PLN 3599 (Â€822). Dzięki, Adamtekl!EstoniaÂ€720 for S7, Â€820 for the S7 edge, Gear VR for pre-orders. TÃ¤nan, Marx!Thanks for the early morning tip,...

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vivo confirms 6GB RAM, SD820 for XPlay 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/vivo-xplay5-6gb-ram/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Turns out the rumors were correct, as it has now been officially confirmed that vivo's upcoming XPlay 5 flagship will have a whopping 6GB RAM, making it the world's first smartphone to come with that much RAM. The confirmation came in the form of a teaser, which also revealed that the handset will be powered by SD820.The XPlay 5 was confirmed by the Chinese company last week, and just a day after that it was revealed that the device will be made official on March 1, which is just a week away from now. Aside from 6GB RAM and SD820, vivo has already confirmed that the phone will feature dual-curved display.Previous rumors have also suggested that the flagship will feature solar charging, as well as come with a 6-inch display, 16MP/8MP camera combo, and 4,300mAh battery. Given that the phone is nearing its announcement, we expect to see other key specs getting confirmed in the coming...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 landing in India next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/redmi-note3-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi has announced that its Redmi Note 3 smartphone will be launched in India next week - March 3 to be specific. The device is the company's first phone with a fingerprint sensor and a full-metal body.Specs-wise, the model that'll be launched in India is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 and sports a 5.5-inch 1080p display. It comes in 2GB/16GB and 3GB/32GB memory options, and packs in a 4,050mAh battery.In terms of camera, the model features a 16MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Measuring 150 x 76 x 8.7mm and weighing in at 164g, the handset runs Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop). There's currently no information on exactly how much the device will cost in India - the Chinese price tag for the 16GB variant is RMB 999 (around $155).Registration details for the launch event can be accessed by heading to the Source link...

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Deal: Buy Galaxy S7 or S7 edge in US and get other 50% off
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the US and are planning to purchase either of Samsung's newest flagships, here's a deal for you: the carrier is currently running a 'buy one, get second half-off' promo on the devices, allowing you to lease or buy one Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and get a second one for half the price."Get two Galaxy S7, two Galaxy S7 edge or one of each with this great deal," the carrier said in a press release. In addition, Sprint has also introduced a Galaxy Forever program, which lets you upgrade to the latest Galaxy smartphone any time after making 12 payments on a Sprint Lease.This means you can lease a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge from Sprint (which you can do starting March 11) and return it in exchange for the Galaxy S8 next year."We're inviting consumers to join the millions of customers who have switched to Sprint with an offer that lets everyone get their hands on each new generation of Samsung Galaxy smartphones from Sprint every year," said Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO. "With Galaxy Forever, our customers can easily swap out their new GS7 or GS7 edge for the next generation after just 12 payments of less than $26 per month - that is less than a dollar a day. There has never been a better time to get your hands on the hottest Samsung Galaxy smartphones from Sprint."For more details, including pricing information, head to the Source link...

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These are the carrier deals for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In case you missed, the US pricing and availability for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge is already out. However, if you are in the UK, you'll be glad to know that the flagships are already up for pre-order there. As for the pricing, here are the carrier deals for the devices in your country:EESamsung Galaxy S7EE is offering the 32GB Galaxy S7 at a monthly cost of £49.99 (for 24 months) and an upfront cost of £9.99.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeThe edge variant (32GB model) can be yours for £9.99 upfront followed by £54.99 per month.Both handsets are available in Black Onyx and Gold Platinum color options.O2Samsung Galaxy S7O2 is offering the 32GB Galaxy S7 variant for £54 monthly and an upfront cost of £9.99.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeThe edge version (32GB model), on the other hand, costs less - £9.99 upfront followed by £51 a month for 2 years.Color options for both flagships include Black Onyx and Gold Platinum.VodafoneSamsung Galaxy S7If you want to purchase the Galaxy S7 from Vodafone, you'll have to shell out £9 upfront followed by £50 a month for the next 24 months.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeThe edge variant can be yours for as low as £9 upfront followed by 24 monthly instalments of £56 each.Black Onyx and Gold Platinum color variants are available for both devices.ThreeSamsung Galaxy S7Three UK is offering the Galaxy S7 (32GB model) for as low as £41 a month on a regular 2-year contract with an upfront payment of £29.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeThe edge variant can be purchased for as low as £49 upfront followed by 24 monthly instalments of £47 a month.As with all other carriers mentioned here, Three also has both handsets in Black Onyx and Gold Platinum color options.Those pre-ordering the devices (from any of the carriers) before March 6 will receive their unit(s) on March 8, which is three days before their general release.Source (EE) | O2 | Vodafone | Three...

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Alcatel makes its new POP 4 line official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/alcatel-pop-4-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Alcatel POP4 lineup is certainly devoid of any excitement, but one thing nobody can complain about is a lack of choice. The newly announced POP 4 family includes the Alcatel POP4, POP4+, and POP4S.In keeping with tradition, Alcatel took full advantage of the MWC venue for yet another year and made sure to update its POP family as well. This includes a total of three handsets with low to mid-range specs sheets.First up, we have the POP 4. It comes with a 5-inch 720p, IPS display, housed inside a body, measuring 140.7 x 71.4 x 7.99 mm. Plastic, as expected, is the material of choice across the entire lineup, which is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when you intend on keeping costs low. Under the hood, we find a basic quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 SoC, along with 1GB of RAM and just 8GB of onboard storage, thankfully expandable with up to 32GB more.Other features include Cat.4 LTE and a 2500 mAh battery. The camera setup consists of an 8MP primary shooter and a 5MP front-facing one, with 84.4 degrees wide-angle lens.Moving up in the food chain, we have the slightly upgraded POP 4+. Its display is 5.5 inches though the same resolution. Another change is the 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The processor, camera, battery and everything else remains the same.Last, we have the top offer in the face of the POP 4S. Its footprint is similar and understandably so, as it does have the same 5.5-inch display, only with FullHD resolution. RAM is set at 2GB, while storage stays the same at 16GB. The processor is also quite a bit more powerful - the MediaTek MT6755M. The camera setup is also improved with a 13MP shooter on the back and the same 5MP on the front, and the battery is rated at 2960 mAh.A key aspect of the new POP 4 family is style and customizability. The new curved back design gives the handsets an extra touch of elegance and color plus pattern options are abundant: Hairline-Brushed, Leather, Wood and Baby Skin, to quote a few of the available covers.Also, since Alcatel has a history of selling devices in bulk to carriers around the world, it won't surprise us to see even the specs sheet tweaked once retail units eventually start to hit shelves.Make sure you check out our Alcatel POP4 hands-on from the MWC...

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GSMArena

22-02-16, 13:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xperia-leak-before-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg @evleaks has unveiled an Xperia model that's supposed to be released at Sony's event at MWC tomorrow morning. The device could possibly be a new line of models or a spinoff of the Xperia C series. Since there's no front facing flash, it may or may not be an Xperia C model.*drops the other shoe* pic.twitter.com/v611vo0bAvÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 21, 2016The device in the leaked image features an Xperia logo on the rear along with a single LED flash, dedicated camera button, and large top and bottom bezels, likely because the side bezels are razor thin.There is also a standard shaped power button which obviously signifies lack of a proper fingerprint scanner that we've seen on the Xperia Z5.Sony's event is scheduled for 8:30AM this morning at MWC's local time. Source |...

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Here's an in-depth look at the Galaxy S7 camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-galaxy-s7-camera-detailed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge come with a few differences but share many identical specs.The camera is one of those and is a key focus on both devices. Samsung scaled down the resolution from 16MP to 12MP which has resulted in bigger pixels (1.4µm on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge compared to 1.12µm on the Galaxy S6).Couple that with the larger aperture of f/1.7 - which is now also class leading in smartphones - and you've got a serious contender for the best camera on a smartphone.And the results are spectacular, there is no two ways anout that. Check out these camera samples that we shot in the unfavorable indoor light at the Galaxy S7 anouncement venue.Samsung Galaxy S7 edge camera samplesThe new Dual Pixel technology is an evolution of Phase Detect auto focusing, and it makes the Galaxy S7 wicked fast in acquiring focus. You can check out the video we took that demonstrates this better than any words could.But it's not all about the hardware - Samsung has put lots of work into the software behind the new camera.For starters there's Motion panorama which captures the moving subjects in the panorama, instead of just butchering them in the stitching process - it's like a panoramic video almost.Another feature, Motion photo, captures a three-second video before you've pressed the shutter - it also allows you to preserve a still photo. The built-in Hyperlapse mode is a first on a Samsung cameraphone as well, and it is a great add-on that makes digitally stabilized time-lapse videos.For the front-facing 5MP camera there's Spotlight which accentuates certain facial features in a selfie (Beauty Mode). There's also Selfie Flash, which uses the screen as photographic fill-light in low lit environments. Finally, Wide Selfie captures a panorama with the front-facing camera.The only thing we're not sure about is what Smart OIS stands for. There's no specific mention of optical image stabilization on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge and the less protruding lens could mean it's only Electronic image stabilization (EIS). We'll certainly have to see about that before we pass our final judgement.Source 1 | Source 2 | Source...

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Samsung announces Gear 360, redefining the way we record content
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-gear-360-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today in Barcelona, Samsung unveiled its newest consumer camera for recording videos in 360°, completely redefining the way we record and share moments to those around us.The camera looks like an eyeball and is about the size of a baseball. It's portable size and mobility will allow for a spike in the number of 360° videos consumers will produce and consume. The good news is the bottom of the Gear 360 has a standard tripod mount, though, Samsung will likely include a small tripod as seen in the press photos.It has two cameras, both on opposite sides of each other with super wide-angle lenses for capturing every angle around the device. You can also use the Gear 360 in a single lens mode, to only capture traditional format videos in 180°.The Gear 360 also features NFC and Wi-Fi direct to transfer videos directly to your Galaxy phone for stitching, fixing and sharing to friends and social media.The Gear 360 is IP53 certified for resistance against dust and splashes to encourage you to take your Gear 360 with you on your adventure.Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg also made a brief appearance at Samsung's Unpacked event to talk about a partnership with Samsung for optimizing the way we share VR videos on the largest social media platform in the world.Technical specifications are as follows:Dual CMOS 15MP Sensors w/ F2.0 Fisheye lensesVideos: Dual Cam up to 3840x1920px @30fps/Single Cam up to 2560x1440px @30fpsImages: Dual Cam up to 7776x3888px or 30MP / Single Cam up to 3072x1728 or 5MPDimensions: 66.7 x 56.2 x 60mm 1GB RAM and up to 128GB of microSD memoryRemovable 1350mAh batteryWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, BT 4.1, USB 2.0, NFCThe Gear 360 is to be available in the second quarter of this year. As of this time, there is no pricing information available yet. Here are a few promotional videos for the Gear 360 which can be viewed on YouTube in 360° by clicking and dragging around the video.Source Source 2 (Samsung News...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge benchmarked (the Exynos flavor)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-benchmarks/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge splashed down at the MWC and while their cameras and screens are the biggest improvements, they come with brand new chipsets, which we promptly benchmarked.We tested both the S7 and S7 edge and the difference in form factor didn't make a difference in performance, so we united their scores.Note that this is the Exynos 8890 chipset, which is built on a 14nm process and features a total of eight custom Samsung cores - four small and four big ones. They work in tandem with Mali-T880 GPU to deliver awesome performance.AnTuTu 6 shows a sizeable jump in performance over the old guard, the S6 edge+.AnTuTu 6Higher is better Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 114250 Huawei Mate 8 91609 Huawei Nexus 6P 89345 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 83167 LG V10 67547 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 64591Samsung broke away from the stock ARM Cortex cores, but comparing them to the Huawei Mate 8 (Kirin 950, 4x A72 + 4x A53) the two seem on par (we don't have single-core scores for the Mate 8 though)..jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 146px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GeekBench 3 (multi-core)Higher is better Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 6395 Huawei Mate 8 6323 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 5158 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 4759 Huawei Nexus 6P 4539 Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 4194 LG V10 3607GeekBench 3 (single-core)Higher is better Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 2108 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 1466Then there's the GPU. The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium has a Snapdragon 810 chipset, but it's meant to feed its monstrous 4K display and it actually topped the Galaxy S7 in a few tests.GFX 3.0 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)Higher is better Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 26 Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 26 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 25 Huawei Nexus 6P 25 Huawei Mate 8 18 LG V10 15 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 13GFX 3.0 Manhattan (onscreen)Higher is better Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 27 Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 25 Huawei Mate 8 18 Huawei Nexus 6P 17 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 15 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 13 LG V10 9.5GFX 3.1 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)Higher is better Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 26 Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 18 Huawei Nexus 6P 17 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 15 LG V10 10 Huawei Mate 8 10 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 9.3GFX 3.1 Manhattan (onscreen)Higher is better Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 19 Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 15 Huawei Mate 8 11 Huawei Nexus 6P 11 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 9.1 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 6.6 LG V10 5.7Basemark XHigher is better Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 26333 Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 24862 Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 24281 Huawei Nexus 6P 22825 Huawei Mate 8 15593 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) 15290 LG V10 15161The Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge got its revenge in the Basemark ES 3.1 test though with a massive advantage.Basemark ES 3.1 / MetalHigher is better Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge 732 Huawei Nexus 6P 504 Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 482 Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 348 Huawei Mate 8 311 LG V10 297 Samsung Galaxy A9 (S652) ...

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Lenovo unveiled the new Vibe K5 and K5 Plus mid-rangers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lenovo-vibe-k5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo was far from centrestage today at MWC, but it didn't skip on the venue altogether. It now has two new budget-friendly mid-rangers to add to its portfolio, which almost managed to slip by unnoticed amidst all the commotion.The Vibe K5 and Vibe K5 Plus share most of their hardware platform, as evident by the name. Both have a 5-inch display - 720p in the basic one and 1080p in the Plus model. The other major difference has to do with the processors - a Snapdragon 415 inside the Vibe K5 and a Snapdragon 616 for the Plus variant. The rest of their shared specs sheet includes 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 16GB of storage, plus a microSD card slot and a 2,750 mAh user-replaceable battery.The camera setup consists of a 13MP main shooter and a 5MP one on the front. Also, both devices are LTE-enabled, Dual SIM and boot Android 5.1 Lollipop. Last, but not least, the K5 family looks to be audio-centric with Dolby Atmos support and two speakers on board.Pricing is said to be $129 and $149 respectively and availability is still unknown, although it is already clear they won't be hitting the US...

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US pricing for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge is out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/att-s7-price/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge are the company's most important phones of 2016 and AT&T has rushed to announce plans and prices for the duo.The two smartphones will be available for purchase on March 11.AT&TSamsung Galaxy S7AT&T will offer the Galaxy S7 with its 30-month Next 24 plan starting at $23.17/month for the 32GB version of the device.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeThe same Next 24, 30-month installment plan is available for the 32GB Galaxy S7 edge, but it's a bit pricier at $26.50/month.The carrier will offer both devices in Black Onyx and Golf Platinum color options. The Galaxy S7 edge will enjoy an addition option - Silver Titanium.While AT&T hasn't yet listed the off-contract prices for the devices, we assume they'll cost $699 for the Galaxy S7 and $799 for the Galaxy S7 edge.T-MobileSamsung Galaxy S7T-Mobile will offer the Galaxy S7 starting $27.91/month for the 32GB model.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeAs for the Galaxy S7 edge, it will start $32.50/month on T-Mobile for its basic 24 month plan.SprintSamsung Galaxy S7 Finally, Sprint will offer the the Galaxy S7 starting $27.09 per month.Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeThe Galaxy S7 edge is again a bit pricier and will start at $31.25/month.Don't forget that Samsung throws a free Gear VR and 6 games for it free if you pre-order between February 23 and March 18. Those who purchase it from BestBuy will also get a free 64GB microSD...

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GSMArena

23-02-16, 13:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-various/lumia-650/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft had a small presence at the MWC, mostly to show off the new Lumia 650. It's hard to pin down where this phone belongs - it combines a premium metal frame and OLED screen with low-end specs.

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Oppo announces Super VOOC - fully charging a battery in 15 minutes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/oppo-super-vooc/-184x111/thumb.jpg Oppo held a special press event today at the MWC in Barcelona and announced a new Super VOOC charging, which will be utilized by future Oppo headsets. Unfortunately, they don't have a product to utilize it just yet. The Super VOOC is capable of recharging a 2,500 mAh battery in just 15 minutes. It can also achieve about 45% of charge in 5 minutes. The new VOOC charging works over both microUSB and USB Type-C ports and requires the new Super VOOC Flash Charger plug, a new special cable, and a connector made from high-quality military-grade materials. Oppo will be adding support for Super VOOC in its upcoming smartphones, once the technology is ready for mass production. The Super VOOC charges at 5V but is capable of directly transmitting the power to the battery without any voltage conversion. This way they are able to achieve up to 97% of charging efficiency. And here is more about the process: VOOC Flash Charge added an intelligent MCU chip (flash core) in the adapter in order to achieve revolutionary voltage open-loop and multi-stage, constant-current charging. VOOC Flash Charge creatively changes circuit topologies, meanwhile creates an all-side, five-level protection technique from the adapter to the interface as well as the device, securing the safety as well as the speed. Because of the difference in charging mechanism and efficiency, the temperature of a smartphone using VOOC Flash Charge remains significantly lower during the charging process than a phone using a high-voltage solution. VOOC Flash Charge-enabled devices will heat up by a maximum of only 3.3 degrees Celsius. Because temperatures can be regulated so effectively during charging with VOOC Flash Charge, the smartphone can safely be used during the charging process. For instance, you can Flash Charge your smartphone while surfing the Internet, watching videos, or playing games. Finally, you should know that if you decide to use a competitor's fast charger with an Oppo smartphone capable of Super VOOC, it will revert to regular slow charging "due to the temperature spikes caused by quick charging and screen brightening simultaneously." The Super VOOC is still experimental technology, but the company hopes to implement it in Oppo smartphones in the near...

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Samsung's Lens case offers lens attachments for the S7 and S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-lens-blog/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge definitely caused a stir yesterday, but even after the show, Samsung still had quite a bit more to show fans at its spacious MWC booth. Samsung Lens case Besides a slew of typical accessories, the Korean giant also unveiled its official take on external lenses for its new flagship models. The concept is not new, but seeing it done in an official accessory and with a huge emphasis on quality is quite a different experience. You can find our initial impressions of the Lens case, as well as samples in the review...

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Skype to pull the plug on its Qik video messaging service next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/skype-qik-shutting-down/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft-owned Skype has announced that its Qik video messaging service - which was launched back in 2014 - will be shut down in March. The company said the last day the service will be available for use will be March 24. The Skype Qik app allowed users to record and send 42-second videos either to a single recipient or a whole group. In addition, users could also record 5-second videos, dubbed Qik Fliks, that can be stored and used as canned responses. Skype explains that since the app was launched, "we have learned that many of you are already doing these things in Skype, and as a result, we migrated some of Qik's most used features into the Skype app you already know and love." "We've enabled video messaging in Skype and fun features such as filters, to make your messages even more personal. To send a video message in Skype today, simply look for the video message icon in the media bar." And that's the reason the company thought it's time to pull the plug on...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 to be available in 60 countries in first wave of its global launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already know that Samsung's newest flagships will go on sale starting March 11, the date has now been officially confirmed by the company's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin. He also revealed that the flagship will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of its global launch. "The Galaxy S7 is slated to go on sale in 60 countries on March 11. We expect its sales to surpass shipments of the previous model, the Galaxy S6," Dong-jin said on the sidelines of the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Estimates say around 38 million S6 units were shipped last year. Commenting on S7's features, he said, "We tried to add as many features as possible (to the Galaxy S7) that were discontinued in the previous models." He, however, said that more work needs to be done at the hardware level. "Although there are still things to overcome in terms of hardware, I believe it is not a big...

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World's first 6GB RAM phone vivo XPlay 5 leaks in renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/vivo-xplay5-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Given that vivo's upcoming flagship - the XPlay 5 - will be made official on March 1, it isn't surprising that teasers and leaks related to the device are now coming thick and fast. We already know that XPlay 5 will be the world's first smartphone to come with 6GB RAM. Plus, it will be powered by SD820, and feature dual-curved display. Now, a few alleged renders of the handset have leaked online, giving us what could be the first look of the phone. Looks beautiful, isn't it? Meanwhile, vivo is continuing with its teaser campaign, revealing key specs and features of the XPlay 5. The latest teaser from the company reveals that the device will feature Hi-Fi 3.0...

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Le Max Pro becomes world's first SD820 smartphone to go on sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/le-maxpro-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Turns out the rumors were true. The Le Max Pro from LeEco (formerly LeTV) became the world's first SD820 smartphone to go on sale after a limited number (1,000) of units were made available for purchase today. There are, however, a couple of interesting facts about the sale, which started at 12pm China time. Firstly, the units up for grabs were not commercial models, but engineering models instead. And secondly, they were available for just CNY 1,999 (around $305) - earlier rumors had suggested the device will cost somewhere between CNY 3,500 and CNY 3,700 ($530-$570). Specs-wise, the Le Max Pro sports a 6.33-inch QHD touchscreen, and comes with 4GB RAM, 21 MP rear camera, ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, a USB Type-C port, and 3,400 mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0...

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Sony Xperia X to carry Â€599 price tag in Europe, Xperia XA to cost Â€299
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xperia-x-xa-price-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Of the three X series phones Sony unveiled yesterday at the MWC, we now have some information about the European pricing for two - the Xperia X and XA. While the former carries a price tag of Â€599, the latter will cost you Â€299. Both devices are currently listed on Amazon Germany, which is taking pre-orders for them. The Xperia X Performance doesn't appear to be listed - its absence further corroborates reports that the device won't be launched in the country. Over in the US, Sony is taking pre-registrations for the Xperia X and X Performance. There's, however, currently no word on their pricing and availability. Source 1 2 |...

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WhatsApp's Android beta program goes live on Google Play
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/whatsapp-android-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg WhatsApp has finally launched its Android beta program on Google's Play Store, making it easier for early adopters to test latest pre-release builds of the mobile messaging service. If you're interested in joining the program, first head to the service's Play Store beta listing, and then tap on the 'Become a Tester' option (make sure you're logged into your Gmail account at this point). Once done, just update the WhatsApp app (or download if you don't have it already) by heading to Google Play. Before you join the program, do keep in mind that testing versions may be unstable or have a few...

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Sony Xperia X Performance up for pre-registration in US, won't be coming to UK and Germany
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/sony-x-performance-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, Sony announced a trio of X series phones - the Xperia X, X Performance, and XA - at the ongoing Mobile World Congress yesterday. Out of the three, the X Performance is the most powerful - it packs in a SD820 SoC. Now, we have some information on the device's availability. The handset is coming to the US for sure. A quick look at Sony's US website reveals that the company has already started accepting pre-registrations for the device (as well as for the Xperia X) in the country. There's, however, currently no information on exactly when it will be launched in the US, and whether or not it will be available through carriers. As for the X Performance's European availability, the phone isn't coming to the United Kingdom. This was seemingly confirmed by the marketing material shared by the UK arm of the Japanese company. As you can see in the image below, there's no mention of X Performance, while other phones unveiled at the MWC are listed. In addition, the phone is also missing from the announcements made by carriers in the UK. Aside from the UK, reports say the handset won't be available in Germany as well, although we're yet to hear an official confirmation on this. Source |...

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T-Mobile posts Galaxy S7 and S7 edge unboxing video completely underwater
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/tmobile-underwater-unboxing-galaxy-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile decided to make a video that will catch people's attention as well as raise awareness about the new Galaxy S7's IP68 immersion rating meaning that it is dust resistant and can be submerged underwater up to 5 feet for up to 30 minutes at a time. Des, T-Mobile's product manager, filmed a video completely underwater of him with a snorkel and T-Mobile retail uniform, unboxing a Galaxy S7. And yes, he took the entire box under water and unboxed it, underwater. He is murmuring the entire video because of all that water, so the video has had to include subtitles to understand what he's saying. He also turns the phone on, takes tests shots with the camera, and even takes a video call, all underwater. The Galaxy S7 was announced this past weekend at MWC in Barcelona. It features a 5.1" AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 CPU paired with Adreno 530 GPU, 12.1MP camera, IP68 immersion rating, and will be available in Black, White, Gold, and...

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Google to create RCS client for Android, enhanced SMS for all carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/google-rcs-on-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Carriers are looking at options that might finally replace standard SMS messaging with Google's involvement. Google is going to create a new standard messaging app to take advantage of RCS messaging across carriers between Android devices on worldwide carriers. RCS stands for Rich Communication Service and it's like an enhanced version of SMS offering high-resolution photo sharing, instant group chats, read receipts, and more. The GSMA Intelligence group, responsible for bringing us major events like MWC in Barcelona and Shanghai, reports that Google will be working to provide a standardized RCS client for Android users. Ultimately, these features are nothing new to iPhone users who have had iMessage for years now. But these features could finally be available to Android users with a more widely adopted standardized protocol of sending messages and content back and forth. Source |...

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Verizon has been field testing 5G technologies, aims for 2017 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/verizon-5g-technologies/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon put a release today from MWC in Barcelona, Spain. Big Red has been working with a few companies to test the blazing fast speeds that 5G technologies can bring to customers. Verizon has been working with other companies like Apple, Intel, Samsung, Nokia, Qualcomm, and Ericsson to develop components and technologies to incorporate 5G into reality. Verizon calls this group of companies its own "5G Technology Forum". Verizon plans to ".expand this testing significantly over the next several months." and work closely with other large wireless companies in Asia to aid in reaching its 5G launch goal of 2017. The video below shows the various technologies and testing scenarios used to test these new 5G speeds like testing in office and home settings, the latter of which had several TVs streaming 4K content through the 5G connection. Verizon's more recent experience with Fios Cable Internet over the last few years will surely aid in its own development of 5G wireless technologies. This sure reminds us of Samsung's original plan to launch 5G service in the year 2020 and cuts the estimated launch time by about 3 years thanks to the help of the other members of Verizon's 5G Technology Forum. Source |...

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Galaxy S7 and S7 edge don't have Samsung's music and video players preinstalled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/s7-apps-removed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung will not be shipping the newly unveiled Galaxy S7 and S7 edge with two of the apps we've gotten used to having on its handsets. We're talking about Samsung's music and video playing apps. These will not be part of the package you'll see when you first turn on either smartphone. Instead, you will get Google Play Music and Play Movies bundled with the two flagships. If you do find yourself missing Samsung's own music and video players, rest assured that they will only ever be a few taps away, as part of the 'Galaxy Essentials' pack in the Galaxy Store. From there you can quickly download either one of them (or both) and start using it (or them) in no time. On the other hand, Microsoft's app suite will come preinstalled on the S7 duo - think Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Skype. And that makes sense when you consider that Microsoft is probably paying Samsung for the inclusion of these apps on its...

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Volvo is bringing Spotify to its cars
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/volvo-spotify-integration/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today at MWC in Barcelona Swedish car maker Volvo has announced that it's bringing a native Spotify app to its cars, starting with the new XC90, S90, and V90. The app will be preinstalled in Volvo's Sensus user interface, which makes use of "the large real-estate of the tablet-like touch screen" in the aforementioned models. You've been able to listen to Spotify tunes in your Volvo car even up until this point, but only via Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay. The new native Spotify app will enable "a much richer experience and a search functionality that non-native applications cannot deliver", according to the press release. The app will be accessible "this spring" to Volvo owners in every country where Spotify is available. It will "get the most out of the Bowers & Wilkins sound system" that you can find in the Volvo XC90, S90, and V90. Use of the app will require a Spotify Premium subscription of course, with a 30-day free trial being an option for those who have never used the service...

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Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G goes on pre-order at Verizon tomorrow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/gear-s2-3g-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week Samsung announced that the 3G-capable version of its Gear S2 classic smartwatch will become available in the US on March 11. At that moment the Korean company mentioned AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon as the carriers which are going to sell the first ever device to sport an eSIM. And now one of those networks has finally come out and shared the full details of the Gear S2 classic 3G's launch in its stores. We're talking about Verizon. The watch will be up for pre-order from Big Red online tomorrow, on February 23. It will be priced at $399 outright, or $349 with a new two-year contract. If you already have a service agreement with the carrier, you'll be able to add the Gear S2 classic's connection for just $5 per month (this is the price of the service, not the device, mind you). Aside from the network connectivity, the 3G version of the Gear S2 classic comes with the same specs as the non-3G iteration. It has a 1.2-inch 360x360 circular AMOLED touchscreen, a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless charging, and a 300 mAh battery. It runs Tizen, it's IP68 certified for dust and water resistance, and it comes with an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a heart rate monitor, a barometer, and ambient light...

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LG is already mocking Samsung's Galaxy S7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lg-mocks-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday the two biggest Korean smartphone makers both unveiled their respective flagship smartphones for 2016. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 each have their own strengths, of course, and you can read more about those in our detailed hands-on reports for them. Today, mere 24 hours after they've both had their big events, LG has already taken to Twitter to mock its main competitor's new smartphone. Think not what your phone can do, but what you can do with your phone #LGG5 #G5TheRealDeal pic.twitter.com/P3m9jbU00vÂ— LG Jordan (@LGJordan) February 22, 2016 LG obviously thinks its G5 is better than the Galaxy S7, and wants you to know that too. Apparently the number "7" is better used in a list of 'friends of the G5' instead of the name of a new handset. Or something along those lines. LG clearly wants to emphasize the modularity of the G5, which is one area where Samsung's Galaxy S7 simply can't compete. On the other hand, it remains to be seen whether this will actually have any effect on sales of the two devices - LG would like that to be a positive one for the G5 and a negative effect for the S7. But given the history of the two brands, that could be unlikely. Thanks for the tip,...

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Here's what we know about LG G5's US availability and pricing so far
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lg-g5-unveiled/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you might already know, LG's newest flagship smartphone - the G5 - was unveiled at the ongoing Mobile World Congress yesterday. If you are in the US, and are planning to purchase the device, here's what we know about its availability and pricing so far: AT&T AT&T has confirmed that it will carry the LG G5 as well as its companion devices including the 360 CAM virtual reality camera, LG 360 VR, and the LG 360 Sound Bluetooth speaker. The pricing and availability-related information will be shared in the coming weeks. Sprint Sprint will also offer the flagship handset along with the LG 360 Cam and LG TONE Platinum companion devices. The carrier said that pricing and availability date will be announced soon. Verizon Verizon said it will start offering the G5 as well as "select" companion devices this spring. Silver and titanium color variants of the phone will be available. T-Mobile T-Mobile just confirmed that it'll carry the flagship smartphone. All other details including the device's price and availability will be made available later. Online retailers Among major online retailers in the US, only Best Buy has currently announced that it'll be carrying the handset, with pre-orders beginning March 18. So, as you can see, details are scarce at the moment, but the good news is that all of the Big Four US carriers will be carrying the device. We'll share more information on the G5's availability and pricing as soon as we hear something about it. Source (AT&T) | Sprint | Verizon | Best...

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GSMArena

23-02-16, 13:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-camera-module/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you probably know, Samsung finally made the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge official yesterday, following many months of leaks. We've gone hands-on with the two devices, we've taken an in-depth look at the camera they are sporting (paying special attention to the autofocus mechanism), and we've even seen a teardown of the S7 already. And now we have some new information about the camera which is included in both the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge. Despite what many rumors had claimed, Samsung hasn't used its own Britecell sensor. This is obvious from the camera's specs, when you consider that the Britecell sensor has 1 micron pixel size, while the S7 duo employs one with pixels that are 40% larger. It turns out that the sensor Samsung is using for the S7 models is made by Sony, and its model number is IMX260. This follows in the footsteps of the IMX240 which was used last year in the Galaxy S6 line and the Note5. Both the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge should use this Sony IMX260 sensor in all markets, which means image quality is going to be the exact same everywhere. Interestingly, the front-facing camera's sensor is identical to the one from 2015's flagships. On the other hand, it looks like Samsung has developed a custom audio chip for the S7 family. A device info app identifies this as the "Lucky CS47L91 Sound" - and "Project Lucky" was actually the codename for the Galaxy S7. So it could be that this is a custom-made chip by the Korean company. Hopefully it will enable higher-quality audio when compared to past top of the line Samsung...

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Samsung's Dual Pixel auto focus explained and why it's the best out there right now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-galaxy-s7-dual-pixel-af/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Samsung announced all the juicy details about its upcoming Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone and for us geeks, the camera was one of the most interesting bits of the announcement. Samsung is using the 1/2.5" Sony IMX260 sensor. Compared to the Galaxy S6, the new sensor has bigger individual pixels (1.44 microns) and the optics have a wider aperture (f/1.7). Samsung has also shaved off some of the height of the camera hump on the back, and it's now down to just 0.46mm. The Galaxy S7 duo camera also comes with something they call Dual Pixel autofocus. Among these tidbits the Dual Pixel autofocus technology took a back seat but we think it's the most advanced aspect of the module. In its essence, Dual Pixel is the same Phase Detect technology that top-tier smartphones, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have been using for quite some time in one form or the other. However, Samsung chose to name it differently from regular Phase Detection autofocus because their latest implementation is unlike anything we've seen before on a smartphone. It's Phase Detection 2.0 for the smartphone world. We've seen our share of smartphones touting Phase Detect autofocus last year. They all use a hybrid autofocus solution, which combines the benefits of contrast detect and phase detect autofocus systems. Where Phase detection really shines is in good lighting where it allows hybrid autofocus systems to acquire accurate focus faster than conventional contrast detection systems. In its smartphone implementation phase detection usually relies on special photodiodes embedded into the pixels on the sensor. Apple even went as far as branding them as 'Focus pixels' when they announced the iPhone 6 - a proprietary term they came up with to describe conventional technology. These photodiodes, however, are scattered few and far between across the sensor surface and only as few as 5-10% of the total number of sensor pixels are phase detection enabled. Now, with Dual Pixel technology, Samsung has embbeded a phase detection photodiode in each and every pixel on the camera sensor. The camera can quickly obtain accurate focus on any objects in the frame regardless of its position. The system works impressively well - even by dedicated camera standards. And it's lightning fast too - take a look: Dual Pixel technology isn't new - it has already been featured in leading DSLR and mirrorless camera sensors, but it's superior to anything we've seen on a cameraphone. One thing's for sure - mobile photography is about to ascend to a whole new level this...

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GSMArena

24-02-16, 14:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/microsoft-hub-keyboard/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has made yet another app for Android, this time a keyboard. The Microsoft Hub Keyboard looks like a simple keyboard at first but it has a few tricks up its sleeve.The keyboard has four main features. The clipboard feature shows you text you had previously copied so you can paste it with a couple of taps. The documents feature lets you login to your Office 365 account and paste the URL of the files by typing their names. The contacts feature lets you type the name of the contact and paste their details by tapping on the suggestions above. Lastly, there is a built-in translator, which can translate the text you're typing to any other language.That aside, the keyboard is extremely basic and does not even have autocorrect, which makes typing extremely difficult. There also doesn't seem to be any way to access emoji if you're using this keyboard. Some of these drawbacks makes the keyboard hard to use for basic typing and the addition of the features above doesn't really make up for that. Would have been better if Microsoft had worked on the fundamentals first before adding more features.Download Â•...

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DisplayMate: Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have 'Best Performing Displays'
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/galaxy-s7-displaymate/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has had the best mobile displays in recent years and it should come as no surprise that DisplayMate has crowned the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge "Best Performing Display."The Galaxy S6 wore the crown last year (until the Note5, anyway), but the S7 generation brings some strong improvements. The 5.1" screen on the S7 is built on a hard glass substrate while the curved 5.5" S7 edge screen uses a flexible plastic substrate.The new screens are significantly brighter - 24% better than the S6. This improves sunlight legibility. By the way, AMOLED displays (not just the S7 display) can be used with polarized glasses, so you won't be blinded by the sun.The display can go in the polar opposite direction too - the Super Dimming Mode can limit the brightness to a mere 2 nits.This will prevent eye strain even in the darkest environments.Automatic brightness is now intelligent - it learns what brightness levels you like in the different lighting conditions and matches your preferences automatically.The Always On display is a new addition to the S-series too. It senses when the phone is face down (or in a pocket/bag) and switches off, so it doesn't waste power. When it's on, it uses between 50mW and 90mW with a brightness of 60 nits (less if the phone is in a dark room).In terms of image quality, Basic screen mode matches the S6 and Note5 as the "most color accurate displays." Photo mode switches from sRGB to Adobe RGB (which is 17% larger) and the Galaxy S7 offers accuracy rarely possible in consumer...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 prices start at $300, will be available on March 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xiaomi-mi-5-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi just revealed its flagship Mi 5 smartphone and amazed everyone at the Mobile World Congress with its affordability. There are three versions of the phone, which is geared towards the Chinese market, and will start at just $306 (CNY 2000).For that price, you get Snapdragon 820 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. If you want 64GB of internal storage, the price goes up to $352 (CNY 2300). Finally, the Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro with ceramic back will have 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for the price of $413 (CNY 2700).Pre-orders for the Xiaomi Mi 5 are currently open in China and the release date for the device is March 1. Currently, there's no official information whether the company will sell the device outside...

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Xiaomi announces Mi 5 at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-official/-184x111/thumb.jpg Xiaomi just dived straight into the international convention scene with its first ever global stage handset announcement. This, of course, is the eagerly-anticipated Xiaomi Mi 5.The device is a flagship offer through and through, definitely worthy of rubbing shoulders with the likes of the LG G5 or the Samsung Galaxy S7, so also taking into account the growing international interest towards the brand, we can expect global announcements like this one to become a trend.The Xiaomi Mi 5 comes with a trendy curved design on the back much like the Xiaomi Mi Note. In fact, the exterior of the Mi5 is heavily inspired by the Mi Note, which is very popular among fans. The Xiaomi Mi 5 is equipped with a 5.15-inch IPS display with a 1080p resolution, ultra-bright 16-LED backlighting (as opposed to 12LEDs), and almost no side bezels for an exquisite look. Sunlight Display technology is upgraded as well and promises contrast adjustment on a per-pixel level.Below the screen there is a physical home button, which is also a fingerprint reader. This is actually a first for Xiaomi. The elegant body of the Mi 5 measures exactly 69.20 x 144.55 x 7.25mm, so it's just a tad thicker than the Mi Note. It is also surprisingly light, tipping the scale at 129g with a 3D glass back and including the fairly big 3000 mAh battery. While the regular version will have a glass back, there will also be a higher-end ceramic back option called Xiaomi Mi5 Pro.But, according to VP Hugo Barra, who led the presentation himself, the main treat hides under the hood of the Mi 5.A recurring theme during the presentation was speed. The phone is allegedly fast on a whole different level. In part, this is thanks to Qualcomm's top of the line Snapdragon 820 SoC. This is backed up by 3GB or 4GB of fast LPDDR4 RAM for a snappy Android experience. Interestingly enough, the entry level 32GB one has a clock speed of 1.8 GHz and 3GB of RAM, the 64GB has the same amount of memory and a processor speed of 2.15GHz. The Pro simply adds another gig of RAM. Storage has also received a major upgrade with a focus on speed. Instead of using eMMC, the Xiaomi Mi 5 can be picked up with up to 128GB of UFS 2.0 memory, which promises significant increases of 80% and more over eMMC 5.0 (think what Samsung did with the Galaxy S6). The Snapdragon 820 chip also supports Quick Charge 3.0.There is also a significant increase in network connectivity. Thanks to technologies like 3x Carrier aggregation, the onboard 4G+ or 4G Advanced is capable of theoretical Cat.12 LTE speeds of up to 600 Mbps. VoLTE is also included. NFC is now also smarter with card virtualization and write mode. The camera setup on the Xiaomi Mi5 is also very impressive at 16MP with an aperture of f/2.0 and 4-axis optical image stabilization, which is a brand new technology as well. The sensor itself is the Sony IMX 298, which comes with phase detection auto focus and deep trench isolation technology. It is a worthy shooter for a 2016 flagship, and interestingly enough, Xiaomi has managed to fully tuck it inside the body, so there is no camera bump. Naturally, in combination with the powerful Snapdragon 820 chip, it can record 4K video as well. On the front, we have a 4MP UltraPixel camera - lifted from the Mi Note.On the software side, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is running on the company's famous and quite popular MIUI 7 OS. It is still based on Android, but it is now version 6.0...

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Xiaomi announces Mi 4s in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xiaomi-mi4s/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg As we reported before, Xiaomi also announced the new Mi 4s before the Mi 5 launch in Beijing, China.Xiaomi Mi 4sThe Mi 4s seems somewhat like the successor to last year's Mi 4i, with its slim design and impressive but not too impressive spec sheet. It looks like it will slot somewhere between the existing Mi 4 and the upcoming Mi 5.The Mi 4s has a glass panel on the front and back, sandwiching the metal frame in the middle. On the front is a 5-inch 1920x1080 resolution display, which keeps the dimensions to a reasonable 139.26 x 70.76 x 7.8mm and the phone weighs just 133g.Inside, there is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space with microSD slot. On the back is a 13 megapixel camera with PDAF and two-tone LED flash. There's also a fingerprint sensor.Connectivity-wise, the phone supports 4G+ with VoLTE, dual SIM and USB Type-C. The phone runs on MIUI 7 on top of Android. It is powered by a 3260mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 support.The 64GB model is priced at 1699 Chinese Yuan ($260). It will be available in black, white, gold, and...

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PlayStation VR press event set for next month, invites sent out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/ps-vr-event/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony has sent out press invites for a PlayStation VR event which will be held next month - March 15 to be precise. The invitation says the event will begin with a presentation on the headset followed by hands-on demo of the device.There's still no information on when the headset will go on sale. If you recall, GameStop CEO Paul Raines, said in a recent interview that they "will launch the Sony product this fall." However, we expect the launch to be inline with the "first half of 2016" release time-frame already promised by Sony.As for the price, the PlayStation VR was spotted listed on the websites of three different Swiss online retailers last month, carrying price tags in the range of CHF 499 - CHF 552.45, or $500 - $555 at current exchange...

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Xiaomi could announce Mi 4S alongside Mi 5 today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/mi-4s-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi is all set to unveil its Mi 5 flagship today in China. If you recall, there have been rumors that the company could announce another device at the event. Looks like now we have some idea on what that device would be.A leaked poster from Chinese retailer Suning reveals the Xiaomi Mi 4S, and reports say this would be the second device that will be unveiled at the event.The leak also reveals some of the Mi 4S' specs. It is powered by a Snapdragon 808 chipset and sports a 5-inch full HD display. The handset features a 13MP rear camera with Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) and dual LED flash, as well as a fingerprint sensor at the back.Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed. But that won't take long as the event is set to begin...

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Meizu Pro 5 mini won't see the light of day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/meizu-pro-5-mini-photo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg For those who were looking forward to the mini variant of the Meizu Pro 5 smartphone, there is some bad news: the 4.7-inch device won't see the light of day. This was confirmed by the Chinese company's founder and CEO Huang Zhang on Weibo.The reason cited was that the recent earthquake in Taiwan has adversely affected their supply, and most of their inventory has been damaged. Hanging on to the Pro 5 mini would have delayed the device beyond acceptable limits so they decided to ditch the project altogether.Zhang said the company will now focus on the Pro 6 flagship instead. So we now know that a Pro 5 successor is in the...

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MWC 2016: Samsung's Galaxy S6 edge and Gear S2 bag best smartphone and connected device awards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/samsung-mwc2016-awards/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge smartphone - which is the predecessor to the South Korean company's newest Galaxy S7 edge flagship - has won the "Best Smartphone 2015" at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.Not only this, the tech giant's Gear S2 smartwatch - which comes in standard, 3G, Classic, and now Classic 3G variants - was named "Best Connected Consumer Electronic Device" in the Best Mobile Handsets & Devices category."We are honored to be recognized for our industry-leading technology," said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics. "At Samsung we remain committed to providing mobile devices that are inspired by consumers and always underpinned by a focus on progress and...

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Watch the Xiaomi Mi 5 launch event here
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xiaomi-mwc-live-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the eagerly-anticipated debuts at MWC 2016 comes courtesy of Xiaomi in the Mi 5 flagship. The Chinese giant has been enjoying high domestic and international interest, especially over the last year and, this time around, the company's VP Hugo Barra has decided to dive head-on into one of the industry's major events where he will be hosting the global launch of the Xaiomi Mi 5. Mind you, the announcement is global, but judging from the company's track record, availability for the handset probably won't be.The event is set for later today February 24 at 9:00 CET and you can follow along using the live stream below.As for the Xiaomi Mi5, it is still shrouded in a lot of mystery, mainly concerning all its alleged variants. The most recent leak suggested it would have two versions. The base model is expected to have a 5.2" 2K (1440x2560) IPS display and should run on Snapdragon 820 chip with 4GB of RAM. The rest of the specs include a 16MP rear snapper and a front 8MP selfie shooter. Another new feature is expected to be the fingerprint reader in the home button on the front.Tune back in when the event kicks off to see how close these rumors came to the real...

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No Xperia Z6, X series to replace Z series, Sony confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/xperia-x-family/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg Update: Sony Bulgarian account contradicts Sony Germany account, says X series is not a replacement but a completely new line instead. Most probably neither knows what they are talking about.Original story follows:While we were expecting to see as many as five of them, Sony has confirmed that there won't be any Xperia Z6 at all. The confirmation came in the form of a Facebook comment by the German arm of the Japanese company.In addition, the company also revealed that the new Xperia X series of smartphones - which was announced at the ongoing MWC in Barcelona - will replace the Z series. "A Z6 will not exist. The new X series is under a modified concept that meets the needs of our users even more accessible," the Google translated version of the comment read.So, what does this mean. Well, going by what all Sony has confirmed, it'd be safe to assume that the the new SD820-powered Xperia X Performance is Sony's flagship for the year. The other two phones that the company unveiled at MWC are the Xperia X and XA.Source 1 2 |...

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Quick demo video reveals HoloLens Start Menu and navigation
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/hololens-actiongram-demo-start-menu/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A tutorial video of the Actiongram App has been posted to YouTube and shows a basic demo with the HoloLens including a view of the Start Menu and basic navigation of the Actiongram app.If you've never seen it before, HoloLens a pretty interesting way of literally introducing PC elements into your physical environment and these are among the first leaks toward a semi to fully-finished Start Menu.The Start Menu in the short clip shows a top cluster with status information like Wi-Fi connection signal, time, and volume. Cortana makes an appearance right above Microsoft's Live Tiles and two shortcuts perhaps to take photo or video.This same top cluster makes its way to the All Apps window and to navigate between apps, the user is required to point up or down onto a scrolling bar.Check out the YouTube video below to see the quick demo of the what the Holo Lens can do.Source |...

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Xiaomi skyrocketed number of wearables sold in 2015
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/idc-wearables-2015-xiaomi/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Xiaomi has shown the most growth in the wearables business, growing a full 951% from the year before. It achieved this feat by selling very low priced wearable tech in China. For example, the Mi Band Pulse only costs $13 and capable of continuous heart rate monitoring.Apple has yet to officially announce an accurate number of Apple Watch units sold, even in its financial reports. The IDC has put out numbers for the year and for the last quarter of 2015 as to who were the best performing wearables companies worldwide by number of units sold.For Q4 and including the past Holiday Season, Apple placed 2nd in the number of units sold in the quarter with 4.1 million Apple Watches sold worldwide. Fitbit sold the best amount of wearables at 8.1 million in just Q4 and a total of 20 million units for the whole year.This is Apple's first fiscal year selling Apple Watches and it has already snagged the top 3 spot worldwide for the entire year. Apple will keep improving more and more, but Xiaomi's ultra-low price point could potentially slide them to the top of the list in the next couple of years or so.Source |...

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Viber 5.8 update for iOS, 3D Touch and iPad Split View support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/viber-5.8-update-ios-3dtouch-splitview/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg For those of you using Viber on an iOS device, you'll be happy to hear that the free message and calling app is being updated to version 5.8 which brings support for 3D Touch, Split and Slide views on iPad.Also new is the ability to view all photos shared in a single conversation and the ability to see which friends have read or liked your messages in a group chat. The app's search function has also been updated to yield better results.Viber is a free messaging and calling app that allows users from all over the world to share images, videos and audio clips with each other for absolutely no charge. The VoIP service launched in December 2010 and is available cross-platform on various mobile software and PC OSes including Linux, Windows and MAC OS.Source |...

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Oppo filed patent for UI theme to change color depending on user's outfit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/oppo-color-changing-theme-accoriding-to-outfit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January, Oppo quietly filed a patent for a UI feature. A tipster has found such a patent that will automatically adapt to the user's clothing color and calculate the correct color to change the UI's theme to.Many phones today are available in very neutral colors perhaps for this reason: black, white, silver, or gold might match with any outfit. Oppo wants to take it a step further and incorporate a phone's UI theme to match your outfit.Details of the patent state that the phone would be able to take an image and analyze the colors of a piece of clothing. This RGB value would be calculated by averaging the colors found in the image. Then, a theme with a variably changing color will show a theme with new accent colors.Would this kind of feature interest you? Anybody can do this even today if you buy a bunch of cheap cases of different colors. You can pop off a case, and snap on another color that matches your outfit for the day.It's not known if such a feature will ever actually make it to smartphones any time soon, but Oppo found it necessary to patent the idea before another similarly phonetic company decides to go crazy with filing patents.More recently, Oppo introduced a new lightning fast charging standard, capable of fully charging a 2,500mAh battery in about 15...

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YouTube app for iPad Pro finally supports native resolution, no more pixel stretching
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/ipad-pro-youtube-native-resolution/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today, Google finally pushed out an update to the YouTube app, specifically for the iPad Pro. Since the iPad Pro's launch, users were only able to use the YouTube app for the iPad's resolution.This means the iPad Pro was displaying the same amount of pixels as the iPad Air, therefore stretching all the pixels and made it rather unpleasant to navigate YouTube and watch videos.This update brings the YouTube to the iPad pro in its native resolution of 2732 x 2048px. It also squashes a few bugs but has not yet been updated to support the iPad Pro's Split View or Picture-in-Picture mode.If you don't want to use the official YouTube app or need to view YouTube videos in Split View while you write a research paper, there are a bunch of third-party apps that can play YouTube videos and support Split View and Picture-in-Picture.The iPad Pro is a 12.9 inch Apple tablet with available keyboard attachment running Apple's mobile iOS starting at $799 in the US.Source |...

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Huawei Honor 6 gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/honor-6-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Huawei Honor 6 is now being updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Users in India are reporting receiving the OTA update, which weighs in around 700MB and updates the build number to H60-L04C675B810 and the OS to the newest major release of Android.The update is rolling out slowly for now and may not be available to all devices, particularly locked units which should get the update a bit later. You should check your phone to see if the update is available on your...

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LG G5 vs G4 vs. iPhone 6s vs. GoPro: Camera shootout
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-lg/shootout/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg One thing is for sure, LG didn't play it safe - the LG G5 turned V10's dual-camera setup 180°. Unlike previous dual-camera setups, this one allows users to capture photos with a traditional FoV, wide-angle shots or both at the same time. We did an impromptu shootout with both G5 cameras, pitting them against various well-respected opponents.

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GSMArena

24-02-16, 14:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/cubot-cheetahphone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's not every day that a phone maker partners with a company known for creating mobile apps in order to design a new handset, but that's exactly what's going on with Cubot and Cheetah Mobile. They're both Chinese companies, but that hasn't stopped them from jointly unveiling the CheetahPhone at MWC in Barcelona today.Unlike many other Chinese devices, this one is officially on its way to Europe, where you'll be able to pre-order it from Amazon for Â€199 sans contract. Pre-orders will start on March 20, and the phone will start shipping at some point in April. After that, it will also be launched in Africa.So what do you get for that amount of money? Well, the CheetahPhone packs a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP Samsung-made rear camera with LED flash, and an 8 MP selfie snapper. It's powered by the MediaTek MT6753 chipset, which comes with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Mali-T720 GPU. Built-in storage is 32GB, which is complemented by 10GB of cloud storage and a microSD card slot. 3GB of RAM will ensure the apps running in the background never have to close because of low memory. A fingerprint scanner is on the back.The CheetahPhone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, on top of which there's the Cubot launcher which has been optimized by Cheetah Mobile. All of the Cheetah Mobile apps come preinstalled, and they are deeply integrated into the UI. Its makers boast that the CheetahPhone is exactly as long and as wide as the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, though not as slim. The battery capacity is still a mystery...

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Microsoft updates Next Lockscreen for Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/next-lockscreen-update/-184x111/thumb.jpg In case you forgot, Microsoft has this useful Next Lockscreen app for Android, which replaces your default lockscreen. It has been around since late October 2014.The app has been updated quite a few times throughout the years, sometimes with new features. Today, the Next Lockscreen gets another major update with new functionalities and bug fixes.The new version of Next Lockscreen for Android supports PIN, pattern, and fingerprint (if available) unlock. The smart lock can be based on location (work, home).The location awareness also allows the new Next Lockscreen to change your wallpapers based on your location.A new feature called Smart Contacts premieres with the new version. The Next Lockscreen learns the contacts you communicate with the most and will offer shortcuts for them in the lockscreen.The Next Lockscreen retains its previous features - Weather, App shortcuts, Calendar, Music controls, quick access to the camera, flashlight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, among others.You can get the new version from the Play...

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GSMArena

25-02-16, 14:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/pebble-time-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Pebble Time smartwatch has received a price cut in the US. Daily deal aggregator and online retailer Groupon has the timepiece listed on its website for $135, down from its MSRP of $200 (the device is usually available for around $150).That's not all of it. You'll get an additional 15% discount upon entering the coupon code SALE3. This brings down the cost of the watch to $115 (or around $125 if you include taxes). Shipping is free. It's a limited time deal - the listing currently shows less than 14 days left until the promo expires.Just to recall, the smartwatch went on sale in the US back in July last year, and in December it received an update that included the ability track health without the need for a third party app.Source |...

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Sony officially confirms that future Xperia Z phones won't happen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-z-series-no-more/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As most Sony fans are surely aware, the OEM's signature "Z" series has been caught up in an end-of-life crisis for a few days now, with its fate hanging in the balance ever since the MWC introduction of the new X line of handsets.Today Sony finally issued an official statement on the matter and everything seems clear, but it is definitely not what many would call good news. Short and rather grim, it reads:The Xperia Z line has reached its culmination - Xperia X series represents a new chapter and evolution of our product strategy. Whilst the Xperia Z series was all about bringing the best of Sony's advanced technologies to smartphones, Xperia X series is based on bringing smart, adaptive Sony user experiences across camera, battery performance and hardware / software design.So, it is official - the legendary Z line will be no more, despite our previous expectations of a rich Z6 family. It also sounds like the new X series will be more or less taking its place.However, there seems to be yet another grim forecast in the statement. While Sony is clearly attempting to soften the blow with adjectives such as "smart" and "adaptive", the real intention seems to be a new focus on a wider mid-range device lineup. This can already be seen to some extent in the Xperia X, XA and even the Xperia X Performance, which despite its Snapdragon 820 SoC, powerful camera and most other Sony bells and whistles, still lacks behind the Z5 Premium in the display department. Still, the move could prove a vital step to saving Sony's already struggling mobile business and expanding its market reach. Plus, the first trio of Xperia X devices, might not have mindblowing innovation to offer, but we still found them to be excellent devices in our hands-on...

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Foxconn acquires Sharp in deal worth $6.2 billion
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/sharp-foxconn/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Just over a month after there were reports that Foxconn is in talks to acquire Sharp, the deal has been sealed for a total of JPY 700 billion ($6.2 billion), according to Japanese financial newspaper Nikkei. Foxconn was earlier said to have made a $5.1 billion bid.It's worth mentioning that the Taiwan-based iPhone manufacturer, which was formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, was not the only bidder for Sharp - the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan was also in the race.The state-controlled fund, which was said to be interested in keeping Sharp ownership inside Japan, reportedly offered the Japanese company a JPY 300 billion injection as well as a JPY 200 billion credit line.No other details related to the deal, which is yet to be officially announced, were...

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Google outs a couple of expensive cables for Chromecast Audio
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-cables/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has started selling a couple of cables for the audio-only Chromecast Audio.RCA Cable for Chromecast Audio Â• Optical Cable for Chromecast AudioThe first cable is a standard RCA cable that will plug into almost any pair of speaker system. The cable is about a foot long and comes in a violent shade of lemon yellow.The second is an optical (or TOSLINK) cable, which is a digital interface and should provide a cleaner output for connecting to an AV receiver or amplifier. This one is also a foot long and comes in the same shade of lemon yellow.The cables are pricey and cost $15 for each. You can probably get cheaper and longer cables on Amazon that are probably just as good, if not better.Source 1 Â• Source 2 Â•...

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iOS 9 adoption slows down, stays at 77% figure reported earlier this month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/ios9-adoption/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has released its latest iOS adoption numbers, revealing status quo. The latest figures say the version 9 of the company's mobile operating system now powers 77% of compatible devices, which is the same as what was reported earlier this month.The rate of iOS 9 adoption is, however, still better than its predecessor iOS 8, which hit the 77% mark in mid-March last year. As before, iOS 8's adoption still stands at 17%, while 6% of compatible devices are running earlier iOS versions.In case you aren't already aware, the adoption numbers are calculated based on the usage of Apple's App...

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Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 2-in-1 gets a whopping $530 price cut
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lenovo-yoga-2-in-1-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If the $799 price tag of Lenovo's Thinkpad Yoga 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop has kept you away from it all this while, here is some good news: the device has received a whopping $530 price cut in the United States.The laptop - that can have its screen folded to give you a tablet-like experience - is now selling for $270. Amazon has it listed for that price on its US website, and the deal is said to be available for limited time only.For $270, you get a 2-in-1 laptop powered by Intel N2940 Quad-Core 1.83GHz processor and featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen of 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. It has 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD built in storage. The device runs Windows 10...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 coming soon to India, will also be available in "other global markets"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mi5-global-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi announced its latest flagship smartphone - the Mi 5 - at this year's Mobile World Congress yesterday. While we already know that the SD820-powered device will be available for purchase in China starting March 1, we now have at-least some idea on its international availability, too.Clearing any doubt whatsoever we've had until now, the Mi 5 will indeed be available in markets outside of the company's home country of China. Xiaomi VP Hugo Barra revealed yesterday that the phone will land in the neighboring country of India soon. This will be followed by a release in "other global markets," he said.The handset carries a price tag of around $300 in China. We expect the company to reveal region-specific pricing info once the exact launch markets and dates are...

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Both Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 ditch Android 6.0's adoptable storage feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/s7-apps-removed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, Android 6.0 Marshmallow brought along the concept of 'adoptable storage,' where-in the system adopts a microSD card and makes it behave like internal storage. While both Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 sport expandable storage, it has now come to light that they don't support the 'adoptable storage' feature.The problem with the feature is that it requires the memory card to be formatted first and then encrypted, before it starts behaving like internal memory. And once the card gets adopted, you can't remove it (sure, you can do that physically, but that's not recommended) .That's the reason why Samsung isn't supporting the feature. The company said, "Samsung decided not to use the Android Marshmallow 'adoptable storage' model. We believe that our users want a microSD card to transfer files between their phone and other devices (laptop, tablet, etc), especially the photos and videos they shoot with the camera.""With adoptable storage, first of all the card may be erased the first time it is inserted into the device. This behavior may be unexpected by many users and we don't want our users to lose their files. Second, once Marshmallow starts using a card for adoptable storage, it cannot be read by other devices, so it loses this ability to be used for file transfer.""Adoptable Storage is also primarily targeted towards emerging markets where devices with only 4-8GB of onboard storage are common. We think that our model of using microSD for mass storage is more in-line with our owner's desires and expectations for how microSD should behave."For those in the US and Europe who like to install lots of apps (especially large gaming apps), this is bad news given that the South Korean company has already confirmed that only the 32GB variants of its newest flagships will be available in these...

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Upcoming Vizio TVs to reportedly offer Chromecast-like features out-of-the-box
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/spotify-chromecast-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report, Google and TV manufacturer Vizio are working to integrate Chromecast-like streaming functionality directly into TV sets. These new TVs will be available this year - "as early as this spring," the report says.Unlike traditional smart TVs, the new line of Vizio TVs won't feature any apps. Instead, you can think of them as Chromecast with a screen, allowing users to view content (like video and music) streamed from their mobile devices.The report further says that instead of a traditional remote, users will be able to interact with the TV via an Android tablet that includes apps and services required for streaming. However, the plan to use a tablet as a dedicated remote control isn't yet...

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HTC M10 teased on Twtter, nothing but chamfer
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-teases-m10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A few days ago, an alleged leak of the HTC M10 surfaced the web and showed an HTC One device with a really wide, almost exaggerated, chamfered edge surrounding the device.The photo wasn't doing the phone any favors aesthetically, but the chamfers were an eye sore. Okay, they were pretty ugly, but this is just the problem with leaks: someone takes a really bad photo of a device and people make comments putting the device down before it's even official. It isn't fair. But let me NOT ramble on about that.#powerof10 pic.twitter.com/KiKyX4ycuIÂ— HTC (@htc) February 24, 2016The photo on twitter shows only a silhouette of the device and the only thing visible is a chamfer. This chamfer confirms that leak I mentioned earlier about the ugly chamfer.The company used a hashtag #powerof10 which could very well be HTC's marketing tagline for the M10. Are you ready for HTC's big announcement? Keep an eye out for an event date since no such date has been confirmed yet.Source |...

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Oneplus 3 to launch in Q2, to be drastically different from predecessors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplus-3-coming-q2/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg We've all heard about Oneplus. It was the company who promised to sell a phone that was a flagship killer. The company got so much attention with the introduction of the Oneplus One.It was a $300 phone that was sold unlocked and designed to directly compete with the other leading flagships at the time like the more costly devices like the Nexus 5, Galaxy S5 or LG G3 while offering similar or better features that users look for in a phone like NFC, great camera, and long lasting battery life.In a CNET interview with Oneplus co-founder, Carl Pei stated that the US market will be very important for Oneplus this year with more traditional marketing methods. Could this mean that the invite system will be shelved for the new flagship?Perhaps. The company said it was very excited about the Oneplus 3 and thinks it will captivate interest like the Original One did, the Oneplus 2 wasn't as well received when someone decided to strip NFC from the phone altogether, thought it did sell more units than the OnePlus One.It was not all flowers and roses for the Chinese startup company at the beginning. The company decided to go unconventional and set up an invitation-only program to sell the OnePlus One. So for several months after the phone's launch, it was still damn-near impossible to get your hands on one of these suckers.Oneplus was able to use all this positive (and negative) attention that it'd been getting with the launch of the Oneplus One to build a reputation and customer base. The Chinese startup says it has 800,000 active forum users who support the Oneplus community and inspire the company's design choices for its smartphones.Source |...

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New leaks of iPhone 5se diagrams, power button relocated
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-5se-diagrams-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has a new 4 inch iPhone under wraps, one that will directly succeed the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5se is closer to becoming a real thing.9to5Mac was able to source early schematic diagrams from a case maker. These diagrams show very similar dimensions to the iPhone 5 and 5S except for a repositioned power button which was moved from the very top edge to the right-upper edge of the body, just opposite the volume keys and physical notification switch.Many customers voices their opinions, stating that a 4.7 inch screen would be more difficult to reach all corners of the display. This is one of the reasons you can double-tap on the home button to bring the UI elements halfway down the screen.Other angles of the diagram reveal a very subtle curvature around the device. While the edges are still flat, the seams between the body and glass are curved to the likes of the iPhone 6 and beyond.The iPhone 5se will allegedly be revealed by Apple at a March 15th event, come with the internals of an iPhone 6S, improved camera setup, live photos, NFC for mobile payments, and a new Rose Gold color option. It will reportedly come in 16 and 64GB size options and will cost the same as the iPhone...

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Verizon outs Android 5.1.1 update for the Sony Xperia Z3v and the Z2 Tablet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/verizon-z3v-z2-android-511/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started pushing out over-the-air updates to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for both the Xperia Z3v smartphone and the Z2 Tablet. This rollout might of course be considered a bit late since the next version of the OS, Marshmallow, has already been out for months. Then again, perhaps the 'better late than never' mantra applies here.For both devices, the new software version is 23.4.B.0.319. Aside from everything that Google included in the 5.1.1 release of Android (including security patches), Sony's update also brings with it HD Voice support for the Xperia Z3v.As always in these cases, the rollout will surely be staged, so it might take a few days before it reaches every single Z3v and Z2 Tablet out there. If you're impatient you can manually check for the availability of the new software by going to the appropriate section in Settings. Full release details for both devices can be found at the Source links below.Source 1 Â• Source 2 |...

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Zopo Speed 8 hands-on: Zopo at MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-zopo/-347x151/thumb.jpg Zopo Speed 8 is the world's first smartphone to feature the MediaTek's flagship Helio X20 SoC. In case you don't know about this beast - it's the first chipset with a deca-core processor (yes, this means 10 CPU cores).

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Gmail for Android gets rich text formatting and instant RSVPs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gmail-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest update for the Gmail app for Android brings with it two nifty new features. First off, you have support for rich text formatting, as seen in the first screenshot below.This means you can now add italic, bold, highlighted, underlined, and colored text to your emails to make them pop just a little bit more. All of these options allow you to easily emphasize what's important in your communications.The other new thing in Gmail for Android is the ability you now have to quickly RSVP to calendar invitations. This works with Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange. When receiving such an invite, you can see your schedule for that time frame with one tap, and then RSVP instantly.Google has added these features because it's trying to make the email experience better on mobile devices, seeing as how more than two thirds of all Gmail users check email with their...

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First official HTC One M10 teaser image shows chamfered edges
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The many rumors which claimed HTC wouldn't unveil the One M10 flagship smartphone at MWC, instead opting for a different special event later on, have been true it turns out. The grand announcement may or may not happen on April 11, as previously rumored. In the meantime, the Taiwanese company has released the first teaser image of the M10.As you can see, we're treated to a view of the upcoming smartphone's edges, which look like they're made out of one metallic piece, with plenty of chamfering going on.The image was posted on HTC's official Twitter account, alongside the hashtag "powerof10". This pretty much confirms that the number 10 will be in the phone's name, so it's probably going to be marketed as the One M10 after all. Its codename is Perfume.Past rumors had the One M10 coming with a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 running things, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, a 12 MP UltraPixel rear camera with phase detection and laser autofocus, as well as optical image stabilization, a 5 MP UltraPixel selfie shooter, and a fingerprint scanner. It will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8 on...

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ZOPO Speed 8 hands-on from MWC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/zopo-speed-8-post/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZOPO Speed 8 is the world's first smartphone to feature the MediaTek's flagship Helio X20 SoC. In case you don't know about this beast - it's the first chipset with a deca-core processor (yes, this means 10 CPU cores).We did a tour to ZOPO's booth and grab a Speed 8 for a quick hands-on.It packs a 5.5" IPS 1080p display, comes with a 21MP Sony IMX230 camera with phase-detection AF and a dual-tone flash, and there is an 8MP selfie shooter with a front LED flash, too.Check out the full hands-on of the ZOPO Speed 8...

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LG won't be making a Nexus smartphone this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/no-new-lg-nexus/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG's created three Nexus smartphones so far, starting with the Nexus 4 from 2012 and including the Nexus 5X from last year (pictured below). Its Nexus offerings have generally been well-received, and thought to exhibit a pretty good price to features ratio.There's bad news for fans of LG-made Nexus handsets, however. The Korean company will not be making a new one in 2016. This comes straight from an LG spokesperson, so it's pretty much official - we won't have a successor to the Nexus 5X this year, at least not one bearing LG's logo on it.The reason for this move apparently has to do with LG needing to focus on its own brand, and devices such as the recently unveiled G5. A Nexus smartphone is usually perceived as being more a Google offering than one from the company actually making it, and profit margins on Nexuses probably aren't great either.LG's break from the Nexus program doesn't mean we won't have any new such phones this year, though. Last month a rumor claimed HTC would be putting out not one, but two Nexus devices in 2016. Obviously that's not confirmed yet, so it's still possible that some other company will get involved too.LG will bring the canceled Watch Urbane LTE 2nd Edition smartwatch back to the market at some point in the second half of this year, according to the same spokesman who shared the news about the company's Nexus plans (or lack thereof). The watch got canned last November because of certain issues with its display, which seem to have been quite big since it's taking LG so much time to reengineer the wearable. Anyway, there's going to be another new LG smartwatch hitting the streets before 2016...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge hands-on: Camera test
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-samsung/s7-edge-day/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg We had the opportunity to spend the day with the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and we set out on a photo tour of Barcelona, MWC's home city in the last ten or so years.

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GSMArena

25-02-16, 14:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/siri-mac-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Ever since Apple unveiled Siri for iOS, owners of computers running the company's Mac OS X have been wondering when the personal assistant would land on that platform too. And according to a new rumor on the matter, 2016 will be the year when this finally happens.Apple allegedly plans to make Siri the headline feature of the upcoming Mac OS X 10.12 release, which will probably be introduced initially at WWDC in the summer, and will then be rolling out in the fall.Apparently, there have been test versions of Mac OS X with Siri built-in since 2012, but only this year will the user experience be polished enough for Apple to launch this publicly.Siri for Mac will live inside the menu bar, in the right corner of it to be precise. The Siri icon placed there will activate the voice control feature. Once you click on the icon, you'll get a dark transparent interface similar to the one in the mockup above, complete with colorful sound waves which indicate speech input.Siri will also get its own pane in the Mac System Preferences, and you'll even have the option to choose a keyboard shortcut to activate it. And the "Hey Siri" command will work while the Mac is plugged in.Aside from Siri, the new Mac OS X version isn't said to introduce many new features, just minor UI tweaks here and there. Don't forget not to take any of this for granted however, because plans can change from now and until the announcement of Mac OS X...

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GSMArena

26-02-16, 14:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-front-logo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung announced it's latest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - at the just concluded Mobile World Congress. Set to go on sale next month, the devices will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of their global launch.However, it has now come to light that some regions will see slightly different looking Galaxy S7/S7 edge units - the difference is in terms of the front Samsung logo, which appears to be missing in the Chinese and South Korean variants of the handsets.South Korean variant on left Â• Chinese variant on right There's currently no information on exactly what's the reason behind the move, although reports say it could be related to how "simplified and elegant" the devices look sans the front logo as well as the customer feedback Samsung received through its surveys in these regions.Also worth mentioning here is that this is not the first time the South Korean tech giant has done something like this - back in April last year, the company dropped its logo from the Japanese Galaxy S6 and S6 edge units.Source (Samsung Korea) | Samsung China | Samsung...

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Ulefone Power has a 6,050mAh battery, metal frame and wooden back for $180
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ulephone-power/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While the established manufacturers got caught up in a race towards thin phones, battery capacities have suffered. Meanwhile, a clutch of lesser-known makers has realized there is untapped potential in this niche, and they've been coming out with monstrous battery capacities and attractive designs.Take Ulefone, for instance, the maker of the Ulefone Power. The phone packs a massive 6,050mAh Sony battery, over twice the iPhone 6s Plus battery capacity. The battery promises four days of normal use, 63 hours of talk time and 75 days of standby.Quick Charge tech is enabled and will fill up the whole battery in 2 hours. A 30-minute charge should be enough to last a typical day while a 5-minute charge is sufficient for 2 hours of talking.The Ulefone Power has a metal frame around its 5.5" 1080p display (which sits behind 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3). For the back, you have a choice of abrasion-proof material or wood. There is even a fingerprint reader located on the back.Here's a hands-on we managed to find:The phone comes with a 13MP Sony camera (IMX214, f/1.8 lens) with 1080p video capture with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and a dual-LED flash. The front camera is a 5MP shooter.The Power runs Android 5.1 (to be updated to 6.0 Marshmallow) on a 1.3GHz Mediatek octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM and a hybrid card slot - two microSIMs or SIM + microSD. There's LTE connectivity (150Mbps) and an IR blaster.The best part is that the Ulefone Power is already available on certain online stores as a gray import for merely $180, and that's with all Google services preinstalled. Wow, Chinese manufacturers are really into changing the smartphone market. This phone seems like a great deal even if you factor in the fact that there will probably be no aftersales...

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Vivo XPlay 5 with 6GB RAM spotted for the first time in a live shot
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vivo-xplay5-live-shot/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Vivo XPlay 5 has been frequenting the rumor mill for quite some time now, with speculations going as far back as 2014. Initially, the device was hailed as one of the supposed early adopters of the Snapdragon 810 chip. Obviously, that didn't happen, and Snapdragon 810 is no longer Qualcomm's greatest chip. However, we are still waiting on the handset, which impresses with a Snapdragon 820 SoC as well as 6GB of RAM - a world first.The aforementioned specs have already been confirmed by Vivo and the launch date set for March 1. There is even an impressive AnTuTu benchmark score already circulationg online, meaning that all we are left with is to wait for an actual glimpse of the device itself.A newly uncovered live shot claims to provide precisely that. While we have seen renders in the past, a real unit in the flesh can be used as definitive proof of the Vivo XPlay 5's design. The front of the phone clearly features a pretty curved display on both sides and Vivo's typical row of capacitive buttons. As for other suggested specs - the panel itself is allegedly a 5.5-inch one with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. We already mentioned the Snapdragon 820 SoC and whopping 6GB of RAM. Other than that, we have some insight on the camera setup, which will allegedly consist of a 16MP rear and 8MP front shooter.As for pricing and availability, we know the March 1 unveiling is official and sources suggest that the Vivo XPlay 5 could cost as much as INR 50,000 although we find that a little too steep to...

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Now you can blur literally anything in your YouTube video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/youtube-blur-tool/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Building on the face-blurring capability it introduced back in 2012, YouTube has launched a new tool that lets you blur anything in your video, even if the object in question moves. Dubbed Custom Blurring, the tool is currently only available on the desktop website."Whether you want to blur sensitive information such as a license plate or cover up a wardrobe malfunction without reshooting an entire scene, the new Custom Blurring tool will let you blur objects throughout your video, right within YouTube," the company said in a blog post.To use the tool, first choose the video you want to edit and then select the Custom Blurring option from the Blurring Effects tab of the Enhancements tool. Once done, select the object you want to blur by drawing a box around it (as shown in the GIF above)."At any time, you can move the blurred area, resize it and choose when the blur starts and stops. There is also a "Lock" option to blur something that doesn't move at...

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Microsoft cans Project Astoria for porting Android apps to Windows
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/project-astoria/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year at the Build conference, Microsoft announced what was called Project Astoria, a bridge that will allow developers to port their existing Android apps easily to Windows 10. The feature eventually disappeared from Windows 10 builds that came out after that, which caused some people to wonder what was happening with the feature. Microsoft has now confirmed that it will no longer be working on that.Microsoft stated that the company will instead focus only on the iOS Bridge that allows developers to port their iOS apps to Windows, instead of having one each for iOS and Android as "having two Bridge technologies to bring code from mobile operating systems to Windows was unnecessary, and the choice between them could be confusing."Microsoft also recently acquired the company Xamarin that lets developers write their apps in one language and then customize it for different platforms. Microsoft thinks these two methods, along with the Web Bridge (for porting web apps) and Project Centennial (for porting existing Win32 and .NET apps) will be enough options for developers looking to port their apps to Windows 10 platforms.Source Â•...

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One M10's camera will be "very, very compelling," says HTC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-onem10-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like HTC is very bullish on the camera of its next flagship smartphone - most likely to be called the One M10. The Taiwanese company has said that the device will offer "a very, very compelling camera experience.""We can confidently say that HTC will have a very, very compelling camera experience," Chief Financial Officer Chialin Chang said in an interview at MWC 2016. "We're making this comment after we've seen what's going on in the market -" he was, obviously, referring to Samsung's and LG's latest offerings.The One M10 is rumored to feature a 12MP UltraPixel rear camera with phase detection and laser autofocus as well as optical image stabilization, and a 5MP UltraPixel front shooter. In case you aren't already aware, an UltraPixel camera has bigger pixels, which let in more light to provide comparatively higher quality imaging experience even in...

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February security update starts hitting Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-tabs2-feb-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Verizon has started pushing out the February Android security patch to Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 units on its network. The update - which started rolling out yesterday - bumps the tablet's software version to LMY47X.T817VVRS2APB2.Sadly, there isn't any detailed change-log included with the update, meaning it isn't yet clear what else the update brings along. "The current software update gives you the most up to date Android security patch on your device," Verizon's release notes say.Given that the update has just started rolling out, it won't hit all Verizon Galaxy Tab S2 units at the same time, so be patient if your device hasn't got it already. In case you missed, the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition has also started receiving the February security...

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Samsung Galaxy S6 edge (128GB, unlocked) now selling for just $460 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/s6edge-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With Samsung unveiling its latest and greatest Galaxy S7 and S7 edge and the devices all set to go on sale next month, it shouldn't be surprising that last year's Galaxy flagships have started receiving price cuts. Case in point: Galaxy S6 edge.The edge variant of the Galaxy S7 predecessor is now available in the US for $460 - that's for the unlocked, 128GB gold-colored model. QualityCellz on eBay is selling the device for that price. The model on offer is compatible with both GSM carriers and Verizon.For comparison, Amazon has the 32GB version listed for around $550, while T-Mobile is selling the 128GB variant for $680. In case you missed, the handset also won the "Best Smartphone 2015" at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.Source |...

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HTC smartwatch will "turn the industry on its head," says CEO
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-smartwatch-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC CEO Cher Wang is confident that the company will make a splash in the smartwatch market with its own offering. She talked about the device in an interview at the just concluded Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.However, she didn't say much except that, "When HTC comes out with a smartwatch, we will turn the industry on its head." CFO Neither Chang, who was also present alongside Wang, said the company still needs to figure out how a smartwatch would fit with other HTC products before launching one.Rumors that HTC is developing a smartwatch first cropped up way back in 2013, with the latest ones suggesting that the wearable device - allegedly dubbed HTC One - will be launched in April this...

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HTC One M10 rumored to come in three storage options
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC's upcoming One M10 flagship - which is known internally by the codename Perfume - will come in three internal memory options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. This was revealed by the usually reliable leakster @LlabTooFeR.HTC Perfume is supposed to have 3 internal memory options: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB (depends on the market).Â— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) February 24, 2016He, however, said that the availability of these storage options will depend on the market. Aside from different internal memory options, the device is also already rumored to come in two different hardware versions (also depending on the market): one powered by Snapdragon 820, while the other one with a yet-unknown MediaTek SoC.Other rumored specs of the device include 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, 4GB RAM, 12MP/5MP UltraPixel camera combo, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. It is also said to feature a fingerprint scanner. In case you missed, HTC recently officially released a One M10 teaser image showing the handset's...

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Moto X Pure Edition starts receiving February security patch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/motox-february-2016-security-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's latest security patch is being rolled out to Moto X Pure Edition users soon. The process should take a few days for it to fully roll out and as you know, it'll be rolled out in random batches of devices.This update will bring up your Android security patch level to February 1, 2016. Also, if you'd like, you can check out Google's latest overview of what has been patched for...

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Apple to allegedly launch 9.7 inch iPad Pro at March event
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ipad-pro-in-smaller-size-march-event/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 5se along with an iPad device. However a new report claims that this iPad device will be a new variant of the iPad Pro. Apple will allegedly launch a 9.7 inch iPad Pro, complete with Apple Pencil compatibility and possible discontinuation of the original iPad Air.This new iPad Pro model will bring the same internals as the 12.9 inch model, while sporting a more compact design, still aimed for productivity. The report also says that Apple is working on a smaller detachable keyboard to connect to the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro's Smart Connector.This new alleged smaller iPad Pro will also feature the same quad-speaker setup, available in the same color and memory capacity configurations as the iPad Pro with pricing more in line with the current iPad Air 2.This new iPad Pro might even slow down or discontinue production of the older generation iPad Mini 2 and the first generation of iPad Air devices. This should help Apple to streamline its iPad product line.At the same event. Apple will also announce a new 4 inch iPhone 5se with updated hardware internals, live photos, Apple Pay, and the latest camera technologies.Source |...

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Xiaomi confirms 18 LTE bands for Mi5, compatible with all major US carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-lte-bands/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi posted a Q & A on its own official forum with some more specific information about the newly announced Mi5. The Xiaomi Mi5 supports LTE bands: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 13 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 with bands 38 / 39 / 40 / 41 left with uncertainty.The Mi5 will also be bootloader locked by default. The company explicitly states it does not condone or recommend that you unlock your bootloader for security reasons. It even goes a step further and recommends that you use "Mi Cloud" services in the event that your phone does get lost or stolen. An unlocked bootloader will not protect your data in either of these cases.Besides this information, the Q&A also talks about general differences between the new Mi5 models, specs, pricing and availability.The Mi5 will launch in the company's home country of China and will be available on March 1 for a price of around $300. This makes the Mi5 the cheapest phone with a Snapdragon 820 CPU...

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Deal: AT&T or Verizon branded LG G4 for $300
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g3-deal-300/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg LG is getting a lot of attention with the latest flagship offering, the LG G5. Therefore, the LG G4 is being heavily discounted and available for your benefit. An eBay seller has brand new, unopened 32GB LG G4s in Metallic Gray going for $300.You can choose between a Verizon branded and AT&T branded device (reminder that Verizon phones do come factory unlocked). These devices also come with the standard 1 year manufacturer's warranty.The LG G4 was released in April of 2015 and features a 5.5 inch screen with 1440p resolution. It sports a snapdragon 808 hexa-core CPU paired with 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 418 GPU.The G4 was also among the best smartphone cameras available last year. It has a 16MP main sensor with OIS and laser focus with an 8MP front-facing cameras for higher quality...

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iPhone 5se unveiling now rumored to happen on March 22
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-5se-new-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The oft-leaked new 4-inch iPhone 5se has so far been rumored to be officially introduced at an event on March 15. On the same occasion, Apple will reportedly also announce the iPad Air 3 as well as certain improvements for the Apple Watch (but not a new wearable).Now though a new rumor out of South Korea claims that Apple's big spring event has been pushed back - though just by exactly one week. Hence, it's apparently going to take place on March 22.Unfortunately Apple itself hasn't yet sent out invites, so take all of this with a pinch of salt since it could be nothing more than speculation. The iPhone 5se should cost $450 with 16GB of storage, sans contract. Past leaks have said it would sport specs borrowed from the iPhone 6, but in a body the same size as that of the iPhone 5s.Source (in...

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LG G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: Flagship slugfest
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/mwc2016-lg-g5-vs-s7-edge/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg This is why we love the MWC - some of the best phones of the year were announced almost side by side. Two of the headliners are the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and we know how heated the competition between G-series and Galaxy flagship can get.

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All about the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge [VIDEO]
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s6-edge-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We got our hands on a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge in Barcelona and had some time to play with it. You bet we took it for a walk around the beautiful Catalan city and snapped quite a few shots with its camera.We find the S7 edge quite an attractive and capable fella, and it left us with very positive impressions. The same goes for its camera, which introduces ground-breaking auto-focus tech.We already have a pretty detailed article up online, but we're proud to show you the phone on...

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Hugo Barra: Xiaomi Mi 5 to launch only in core markets, global availability - doubtful
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-global/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Xiaomi announced the Mi 5 flagship - a genuinely impressive device with three different versions. It features either glass/metal or glass/ceramic build and packs a 5.15" IPS 1080p display, a Snapdragon 820 chip with 3GB or 4GB RAM, a 16MP OIS rear camera, a 4MP UltraPixel selfie snapper, 32/64/128GB storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It is also the first device to introduce the Marshmallow-based MIUI 7.Xiaomi's VP Hugo Barra announced the company's latest and greatest at a dedicated event held at the MWC. It quickly gathered lots of positive first impressions, not only for its specs but because of the hint of an international availability later on.As it turns out, the global launch may have been exaggerated. In a recent interview, Hugo Barra revealed Xiaomi only has plans for making Xiaomi Mi5 available only on the current markets it operates on. He confirmed Xiaomi is eyeing other markets, but "it's far too early to make any statements".Barra continued that he isn't withholding information; he honestly doesn't know how the things will pan out in the future. He wants Xiaomi to become officially available in Europe and the USA but this expansion is only on the wishlist for now. What he hopes for though is that the announcement event in Barcelona wouls help build up Xiaomi's brand internationally.Later this year the Mi 5 should hit Xiaomi's core markets - China, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and probably, Brazil. We might see it in even more markets after that, but as of now it's rather unlikely. It seems the rest of the world is left to rely on gray...

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New Android Support Library 23.2 brings day/night mode and bottom sheets to app devs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-n-sshot/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg Google has posted a few snapshots of Android Support Library 23.2 including an interesting pair that seems to showcase a Bluetooth connection interface complete with a new UI element - a sandwich menu. This could be a sneak preview of a new setting layout within the next Android N version of the OS or not.But, considering the screencaps showcase the new Day/Night modes in the AppCompact theme and by design the Android Support Library usually works across many Android versions, we are a lot more inclined to believe that Google is simply using an internal app with a Bluetooth menu to showcase the new feature.Hamburger menu in Settings menuSuch is the case with the just announced Bottom Sheets feature, which is showcased in the Google Maps app where this new design element is used to show context info. It can also be used to display info that is usually found on pop-ups.New Bottom Sheets demoed in appsIt remains seen whether this Hamburger menu will really be part of the next Android version, but one thing is for certain - the rest of the new UI features should come to older Android versions as...

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GSMArena

26-02-16, 14:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gsma-2016-awards/-184x111/thumb.jpg GSM Association has announced the winners of the annual Global Mobile Awards (Glomo). This year there were eight competing categories, each with at least few subcategories.The main categories are:Category 1: The Connected Life AwardsCategory 2: Best Mobile ServicesCategory 3: Social & Economic DevelopmentCategory 4: Best Mobile AppsCategory 5: Best Mobile Handsets & DevicesCategory 6: Best Mobile TechnologyCategory 7: Government Excellence AwardsCategory 8: Outstanding AchievementWe won't list all winners, but here are some of the highlights.BEST SMARTPHONE 2015 - SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGEBEST LOW COST SMARTPHONE (SUB $100) - XIAOMI REDMI 2BEST MOBILE TABLET - MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 4BEST WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY - ACTIVHEARTS heart reate measuring headphonesBEST CONNECTED CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE - SAMSUNG GEAR S2BEST OVERALL MOBILE APP (JUDGE'S CHOICE) - GOOGLE CARDBOARDBEST MOBILE MUSIC APP - SOUNDCLOUD APPBEST NEW MOBILE DEVICE AT MWC 2016 - LG G5If you want to learn all the winners and get more info on each of them, you should check the official awards page.The LG G5 was chosen as the best new device introduced at the MWC 2016 while the LG G5 & Friends accessories were among the most loved gadgets at the expo.GSMA Â•...

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GSMArena

27-02-16, 14:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-verdict-reversed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The US Court of Appeals has overturned the 2014 verdict of a California federal court that held Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple's smartphone patents and directed the former to pay $119.6 as damages.Apple had dragged Samsung to court alleging that the latter infringed on its "quick links" patent along with two other patents covering the iPhone's slide-to-unlock and auto-correct features. For those who aren't aware, the quick links feature lets devices recognize data such as phone numbers and turn them into clickable links.In its verdict yesterday, the appeals court rejected Apple's allegations saying that Samsung did not infringe on the iphone maker's "quick links" patent as the South Korean company's technology for detection and linking is completely different, and adding that the other two patents cited in the case were invalid. Interestingly, the court observed that it is in fact Apple which has infringed on one of Samsung's patents.Commenting on the decision, a Samsung spokesperson said, "Today's decision is a win for consumer choice and puts competition back where it belongs - in the marketplace, not in the courtroom." On the other hand, Apple declined to offer any comment.The verdict comes less than a month after Apple - in a separate case - asked the US Supreme Court not to take up the South Korean company's appeal. That case has so far seen Samsung agreeing to pay Apple $548 million to settle...

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Samsung reportedly manufacturing 17.2 million S7 units before April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-to-produce-17million-units/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The highly anticipated Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are expecting to break last year's initial number of Galaxy S6 units in the first three months following its announcement.A Korean media outlet reports that Samsung is preparing to manufacturer a total of 17.2 million Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge units by April of this year.Samsung is really hoping to break its previous record set by the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge which sold roughly 15.8 million units in its first three months after launch with the second most successful device title held by the Galaxy S4 selling just over 15.2 million units in its initial sale period.Also, the company has reportedly changed its ratio of S7 and S7 edge where the S6 was manufactured 4:1 with the S6 edge constantly in short supply. This time around, Samsung wants to use a 6:4 ratio since it was not able to predict the roaring demand that the S6 edge had last year.Samsung hopes the overwhelming reception to the Galaxy S7's announcement this year at MWC is indication to the S7 and S7 edge's success and should break the S6's record for the first three months of sales.Source |...

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Modder improved cooling for Nexus 6P, warranty voided undoubtedly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus6p-modded-for-better-cooling/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Senior XDA member Gorgtech performed a hard modification to his warranty-less Nexus 5 and 7 so decided to do the same to his Nexus 6P whose warranty was voided as well.An XDA thread shows the tedious and difficult disassembly of the Nexus 6P, starting with carefully heating and removing the camera glass, which takes a steady hand and lots of patience.Gorgtech then removes the entire rear panel which looks even more difficult than the camera hump's glass. Once the more problematic parts were out of the way, screws and clips hold the boards in place.The post shows you where to add thermal paste to improve the cooling ability of the Nexus 6P, ultimately reducing the amount of thermal throttling of the roaring Snapdragon 810 chip.Head over to the XDA thread if you're feeling indubitably adventurous. I've repaired and ruined a bunch of devices in my day, but I will not likely try such a modification. Maybe if I still have the phone after my factory warranty expires, I MIGHT consider it.Source |...

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Sprint decided to bring back the 2 year contract, but why?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-revives-the-2-year-contract/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The American wireless industry has been phasing out the traditional 2 year contract in light of phones coming out more frequently and customers becoming disgruntled at being stuck with a 1-2 year old phone until next year.Sprint hasn't been doing particularly well in the past few years and continues to lose customers to other carriers. Since then they've been downsizing and cutting costs anywhere they could, they even removed Sprint's own in-house repair centers from several stores in the beginning of the month. Sprint also gave store employees more cleaning duties to cut store maintenance costs.The other 3 major carriers have already gotten rid of new 2 year contracts (unless you have a grandfathered 2 year agreement, you'd still have the option of renewing), so why did Sprint decide to bring back the 2 year contract?Perhaps Sprint is in desperate need of customers that it needs to sell service to every customer it possibly can. The older generation of customers might still be oriented with a 2 year contract. Here's what I mean:The customer is attracted to the idea of slapping down one or two-hundred dollars and walking home with a brand new phone that he or she now owns (with the only caveat being that they were obligated to fulfill this contract for 24 months). The thing is, a 2 year contract for 1GB of data is $65.00 plus taxes and regulatory fees while a 24 month finance plan with the same amount of data is $64.34, plus taxes and fees (a difference of just 66 cents). The advantage of one over the other is one keeps you stuck with a phone while the other allows you to switch phones after 12 monthly payments.Maybe this group of customers is scared off when finding out their financed phone will cost six to seven-hundred dollars (total amount paid after 24 months) and are too stubborn to understand how a lease or financing program will benefit them, or let them switch phones more often, than a 2 year commitment.Maybe I'm totally off. Maybe it's a stubborn executive that wants to bring back the 2 year contract.For the American wireless industry and competition's sake, let's hope Sprint can turn it around and take it back to the good ol' days of 2010-2011 when Sprint launched the first 4G WiMax network in the world and thrived with phones like the Samsung Moment and the HTC EVO 4G was Sprint's thriving star.Source |...

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Verizon gifts free Gear S2 or Gear VR for every Galaxy S7 pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/verizon-s7-pre-order-options/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You may already know that Samsung is throwing in a free Gear VR headset with every Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge pre-order, regardless of market. However, US carrier Verizon has managed to best even this offer.If you pre-order either of Samsung's newest flagship smartphones, Big Red will give you a free Gear VR or a free Gear S2 smartwatch. This is great news for people who aren't that much into VR at this point, and who consider a smartwatch a much more useful gift in such a circumstance. It's also worth pointing out that the Gear S2 has a higher retail value compared to the VR headset.To take advantage of this promo, you need to pre-order the S7 or S7 edge from Verizon and get it on device payments before March 18. Then you register your new device at this website by March 31. After verification of the offer claim, you will receive your free Gear S2 or Gear VR in around 4 to 6 weeks.Source |...

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Acer outs promo video for upcoming Liquid Jade Primo Windows 10 phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/acer-jade-primo-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Acer has already showcased the Liquid Jade Primo a few times - at IFA last year, then at CES and at MWC. Yet now after many months of talking about it, the company finally seems intent on actually launching the handset running Windows 10 Mobile. The Jade Primo's release should happen next month. In the meantime, its maker has created a new promo video for the device, one that clearly positions the Jade Primo as a workhorse.That means businesses might be the primary intended customers for this smartphone, which is a trend we're seeing more and more of in the world of Windows 10 Mobile (most recently with the Microsoft Lumia 650 and the HP Elite x3, for example). Bottom line, the Jade Primo will help you get work done, especially thanks to its support for the Continuum feature in Windows 10.As a quick reminder, the phone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, an 8 MP secondary cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 808 chipset at the helm, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a 2,800 mAh...

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Google Inbox gets new snooze options
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-inbox-snooze/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Inbox, Google's pretty radical reinterpretation of the Gmail interface, is getting an update over the next week or so. And it's all about making its snooze functionality work better for more people. The snooze menu has also received a redesign of sorts.First off, you'll be able to choose from two new snooze times when you want to put certain things off for a while - "later this week" and "this weekend". These have apparently been highly requested through the Inbox feedback process, and they should decrease the use of custom-set snooze times.Finally, you can now choose what your "weekend" days actually are, similarly to how you can set your preferred morning time to receive emails. This is easy and straightforward to set up, as you can see in the second screenshot above, and should work well with the custom snooze time of "this weekend" of course. It's also clearly going to be extremely useful for those who live in places where the weekend isn't made up of Saturday and Sunday.Source |...

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Asus will send out Marshmallow updates in Q2, here's the full list of devices getting them
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/asus-marshmallow-list/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last November, Asus outed a list of devices that it would update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Unfortunately, no timeline for update rollouts was mentioned at that point. And here we are more than three months later, and Asus has yet to push the new software to any of its wares.The good news is that now we finally have a (very rough) timeline to speak of. Asus will send out Marshmallow updates during the second quarter of this year, so from April to June. The company has revised its list of devices getting the Marshmallow treat, adding three smartphones that weren't in the initial roster.These are the ZenFone Max ZC550KL, the ZenFone 2 Laser ZE551KL, and the ZenFone Zoom ZX551ML. They join the following devices which were already slated to receive the update: PadFone S PF500KL, ZenFone Selfie ZD551KL, ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML and ZE551ML), ZenFone 2 Deluxe ZE551ML, ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition ZE551ML, and ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE500KG, ZE500KL, ZE550KL, ZE600KL, and ZE601KL).Source |...

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LG Nexus 5X is now the cheapest it's ever been at $269.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-5x-cheapest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The smaller and more mid-range of the two Nexus smartphones unveiled last year is now cheaper than it's ever been. One seller on eBay is offering brand new, unlocked LG Nexus 5X units (with 16GB of storage) for just $269.99.That's $10 less than what was asked for the phone in another promotional offer earlier this month, also on eBay. And the $269.99 price will save you $30 compared to Google's official pricing for the device.If you're interested, keep in mind that there's apparently a limited amount of units up for grabs at this price, so better hurry if you want to pick one up. The white model is sold out already, so you can only choose from the Carbon and Quartz hues. Shipping is free, and done from New Hampshire, which means you shouldn't get a sales tax no matter where you are in the...

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New 4-inch Apple device now rumored to be called iPhone SE
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-se/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg March is only a few days away now, and that means we're ever closer to Apple's much rumored spring event during which a new 4-inch iPhone is set to become official. Alleged details about this handset have been leaking for a long time, but perhaps the most disputed aspect of it has intriguingly been the name.We've so far heard it could be called iPhone 7c, or the iPhone 6c, or the iPhone 5se. And today a new report claims it will be none of those. Instead, Apple is likely to choose to call it iPhone SE. "SE" will apparently stand for "special edition", if the unnamed sources behind this one are to be believed.If this is true, then it will be interesting to see what a possible successor to the iPhone SE will be called, if there will ever be one. iPhone SE2? iPhone SEs? The New iPhone SE? It's anyone's guess at this point.Anyway, the iPhone SE's pricing will match that of the iPhone 5s (pictured above), it's been revealed. It will look identical to that handset, except for slightly curved edges around its sides. It will come with the A9 chipset, an "upgraded" 8 MP main camera, NFC and Apple Pay support, as well as the latest Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE radios. It will be offered with either 16 or 64GB of storage.Apple's event during which the iPhone SE will be announced might take place on March 15 or March 22, according to some contradictory rumors we've heard. In either case, it's availability should follow mere days after the unveiling. A new 9.7-inch iPad Pro will be revealed on the same...

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Unknown vivo handset gets benchmarked and has specs outed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vivo-pd1522a-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese smartphone maker vivo is set to announce its much awaited new entrant in its high-end Xplay line on March 1, as the company has already confirmed. Yet it looks like vivo could unveil another device on that occasion, or perhaps just slightly lower-specced version of the Xplay 5.That's because a yet-unofficial vivo smartphone, bearing the model number PD1522A, has been benchmarked using GFXBench, which means a pretty complete list of its specs has been outed.This definitely isn't the Xplay 5, at least not its highest-end iteration if there will be more than one. That will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, as vivo has acknowledged, and this will be aided by a whopping 6GB of RAM.The PD1522A, on the other hand, has the Snapdragon 652 at the helm, and 'just' 4GB of RAM. So it could be a different device altogether, or the entry-level version of the Xplay 5, as Chinese companies often release multiple iterations of their wares, with slightly different specs and price points.Whatever the case, the vivo PD1522A also comes with a 5.4-inch QHD touchscreen, a 16 MP rear camera, an 8 MP selfie shooter, 128GB of storage, as well as Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on board.Source |...

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Facebook's live video streaming lands on Android in the next few days
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/facebook-live-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following a celebrity-only release last year, Facebook's live video streaming feature went out to all iOS users starting in January. And now the time has finally come for the exact same thing to roll out to Facebook users with Android devices.The social networks has announced that live video streaming should become available to all Android users in the US within the next week. After that, the functionality will be rolled out to other countries, though no exact time frames have been mentioned.As for iOS users, live video streaming on Facebook is already a possibility for those in 30 countries, and the global rollout is continuing.Once you get the new feature, if you want to use it just tap "What's on your mind?" at the top of News Feed and select the Live Video icon. Before going live, you can enter a quick description and select who gets to see your broadcast. During your live session, you see how many people are watching, the names of friends who are among them, and you get a real-time stream of comments. Once the live broadcast is over, it will be saved in your Timeline just like any other...

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LG G5 goes up for pre-order in the UK, priced at £539
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-uk-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG G5 has now been put up for pre-order in the UK by one online retailer. The handset, which got its grand unveiling last Sunday, has been priced at £539, VAT included. The units being sold are SIM-free and unlocked, as you'd expect from that pricing.Clove, the company that's already listed the G5, says deliveries are due to happen sometime around early April. However, the price isn't 100% official yet, which means it might change between now and then.The store offers the G5 in "titan", silver, or gold, in all cases with 32GB of built-in storage. The phone comes with a 5.3-inch QHD IPS touchscreen, a dual camera system on the back (with 16 MP + 8 MP resolution), an 8 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC running things, 4GB of RAM, and a 2,800 mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0.1...

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Disproved: Xiaomi Mi5 LTE bands aren't compatible with all major US carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xiaomi-mi5-lte-bands/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Update 26.02 Turns out the Xiaomi Mi5 doesn't support the initially reported LTE bands. The forum post has been amended and now lists the following bands.Network4GFDD-LTETDD-LTEbands 1 / 3 / 7bands 38 / 39 / 40 / 413GTD-SCDMAWCDMACDMA 2000bands 34 / 39bands 1 / 2 / 5 / 8bands BC0 / BC12GGSMCDMA 1Xbands 2 / 3 / 5 / 8BC0 / BC1Xiaomi posted a Q & A on its own official forum with some more specific information about the newly announced Mi5. The Xiaomi Mi5 supports LTE bands: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 13 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 with bands 38 / 39 / 40 / 41 left with uncertainty.The Mi5 will also be bootloader locked by default. The company explicitly states it does not condone or recommend that you unlock your bootloader for security reasons. It even goes a step further and recommends that you use "Mi Cloud" services in the event that your phone does get lost or stolen. An unlocked bootloader will not protect your data in either of these cases.Besides this information, the Q&A also talks about general differences between the new Mi5 models, specs, pricing and availability.The Mi5 will launch in the company's home country of China and will be available on March 1 for a price of around $300. This makes the Mi5 the cheapest phone with a Snapdragon 820 CPU...

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24K gold-plated Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge now on pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gold-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The oldest status symbol meets the newest - the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were announced barely a week ago at the MWC and there's already a company advertising a gilded version.You have a choice of 24K Gold, 18K Rose Gold or Platinum plating. The company, Truly Exquisite, is already taking pre-orders starting at £1,700.If you pre-order, you can expect your S7 or S7 edge 21 days after Samsung officially launches the flagships on March 11. Worldwide shipping is free and there's a 1-year warranty.The gold plated phones will arrive in a "Luxury Wooden Box" and besides the usual accessories and Gear VR headset, the box will contain a free Wireless Charging Pad.Truly Exquisite has committed to donate 5% of its revenues to various charities around the...

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Assassin's Creed Identity action RPG game now available on iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/assassin-identity/-184x111/thumb.jpg Assassin's Creed franchise has been flourishing since its inception and even though some of the latest games turned out controversial because of their issues, it's still one of the most popular series in the gaming community.It's no surprise the Assassin's Creed games have spread over the mobile platforms too, and the latest title is already available for purchase.Assassin's Creed Identity is a new action RPG game, which takes place in Renaissance Italy and it's about the mysterious Crows. The game has RPG elements - you choose the class, you customize your character, and continue building it throughout the game.The game costs $4.99 and is available on iPhone 5 or later and the iPad 3 or later. Android version is in development and will launch in the Play Store this spring.App Store Â•...

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GSMArena

27-02-16, 14:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/imnivision-new-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OmniVison might not be a household brand name, but chances are you might have used a device equipped with one of its 8MP sensors at one time or another, it is a popular selfie shooter choice. The company is also behind the camera equipment used in Google's spatial mapping project Tango, so the expertise is definitely there.The manufacturer's latest addition to the sensor lineup is the OV13870, as already mentioned a 13MP sensor. This might not sound all that impressive in terms of resolution, but the reality is that on mobile, manufacturers have started focusing a lot more on expanding the size of sensor pixels to improve overall quality and OmniVision is following to the trend.The OV13870 has a new 1.25-micron PureCel®Plus-S pixel architecture. It is said to deliver best-in-class performance with major improvements to low-light photography and reduction is crosstalk. All this is packaged within a relatively small module, maintaining an optical format of 1/2.6-inches and a total height of 5.2mm, ideal for thin smartphones. It also has dual camera compatibility, which is perfect for use in multiple aperture setups like the one on the LG G5 for example.On the specs side of things, the OV13870 can capture 13MP still at a rate of 45 fps and is also capable of ultra-high resolution 4K2K video at 60 FPS, 1080p full high definition (HD) at 240 FPS, or 720p HD at 300 FPS with binning and cropping.OmniVision says the OV13870 is currently available for sampling and should enter mass production in Q2...

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LG G5 to launch in India in the next quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/g5-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has announced that it will be releasing the G5 in India in the next quarter.Speaking about the device, Mr Amit Gujral, Marketing Head - Mobiles, LG India, said "We are really happy to see all the positivity around the LG G5 ever since its global unveil at the MWC. In fact, in a survey conducted in Korea the LG G5 topped consumer preference leaving its closest competitors trailing far behind. We hope to make this available to users in India very soon and are optimistic that consumers will love its revolutionary design and features."The G5 is the company's latest flagship smartphone with a unique modular design that allows the users to swap out the bottom portion for a camera grip with an extended battery or a H-Fi DAC and amplifier with B&O Play. It also features two cameras at the back, one with a particularly wide-angle lens.More details about the launch will be released at a later...

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Ulefone Power has a 6,050mAh battery, metal frame and wooden back for $180
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/ulephone-power/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While the established manufacturers got caught up in a race towards thin phones, battery capacities have suffered. Meanwhile, a clutch of lesser-known makers has realized there is untapped potential in this niche, and they've been coming out with monstrous battery capacities and attractive designs.Take Ulefone, for instance, the maker of the Ulefone Power. The phone packs a massive 6,050mAh Sony battery, over twice the iPhone 6s Plus battery capacity. The battery promises four days of normal use, 63 hours of talk time and 75 days of standby.Quick Charge tech is enabled and will fill up the whole battery in 2 hours. A 30-minute charge should be enough to last a typical day while a 5-minute charge is sufficient for 2 hours of talking.The Ulefone Power has a metal frame around its 5.5" 1080p display (which sits behind 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3). For the back, you have a choice of abrasion-proof material or wood. There is even a fingerprint reader located on the back.Here's a hands-on we managed to find:The phone comes with a 13MP Sony camera (IMX214, f/1.8 lens) with 1080p video capture with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and a dual-LED flash. The front camera is a 5MP shooter.The Power runs Android 5.1 (to be updated to 6.0 Marshmallow) on a 1.3GHz Mediatek octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM and a hybrid card slot - two microSIMs or SIM + microSD. There's LTE connectivity (150Mbps) and an IR blaster.The best part is that the Ulefone Power is already available on certain online stores as a gray import for merely $180, and that's with all Google services preinstalled. Wow, Chinese manufacturers are really into changing the smartphone market. This phone seems like a great deal even if you factor in the fact that there will probably be no aftersales...

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GSMArena

28-02-16, 14:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC is still underway and the show floor will remain open to visitors up until March 2, but thankfully, announces are now finished, so we can all take a little rest from the bombardment of new devices and reevaluate the experience a little better. If you think you might have missed some handset announcement or are simply looking for an orderly recap, the table below should be for you. It also comes complete with links to out respective hands-on reviews..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }#review-body .news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom;}.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;}.flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important;}.flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7;}.flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important;}.flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47;}.flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important;}.n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100;}.n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px;}.circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent;}.arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent;} Alcatel Idol 4 specs hands-on Alcatel Idol 4s specs hands-on Alcatel Pop 4 specs hands-on Alcatel Pop 4+ specs hands-on Alcatel Pop 4S specs hands-on Samsung Galaxy S7 specs hands-on Samsung Galaxy S7 edge specs hands-on LG G5 specs hands-on ZTE Blade V7 specs hands-on ZTE Blade V7 Lite specs hands-on HTC One X9 specs hands-on HTC Desire 825 specs hands-on HTC Desire 630 specs hands-on HTC Desire 530 specs hands-on Sony Xperia X specs hands-on Sony Xperia XA specs hands-on Sony Xperia X Performance specs hands-on Cat S60 specs hands-on Gionee S8 specs hands-on Acer Liquid Jade...

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Chart Topper: The Gionee Marathon M5 battery life test is in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gionee-marathon-m5-battery/-184x111/thumb.jpg Gionee Marathon M5 is one truly fascinating device. This chubby fella is heavy at 211g for a reason - the 5.5" smartphone is powered by a massive Li-Po 6,020 mAh. The mid-range chipset in charge of the Marathon M5 isn't popular as a power efficient silicone, but considering the battery size and the modest quad-core processor, it shouldn't matter that much.The M5 utilizes a 5.5" AMOLED screen, which may affect the power performance, too, as the AMOLEDs turned out not that great performance on previous Gionee smartphones.Enough with the introductions, let's get down to business, shall we?Gionee has rated the M5 capable of making 68 hours of 2G calls and 28 hours when hooked on to a 3G network. In our testing the M5 lasted 38 hours worth of calltime on a 3G network.JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = true;.jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;}.jrGraph { padding-left: 0 !important; left: 96px !important;}Talk time Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 LTE 46:44h Gionee Marathon M5 38:07h Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro 33:20h Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G 33:19h Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) 32:54h Xiaomi Redmi 3 32:53h Oppo R7 Plus 30:46h OnePlus 2 30:29h Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 30:29h Motorola DROID Turbo 30:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE Dual SIM 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE 29:46h Huawei Honor 5X 29:40h HTC One (M8) for Windows 28:34h Samsung Galaxy Note5 28:34h Nokia Lumia 1520 28:34h Samsung Galaxy Note 4 28:31h Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE 28:25h Sony Xperia Z5 Compact 28:23h Huawei G8 27:44h Samsung Galaxy S5 27:37h Sony Xperia Z1 26:53h Huawei Mate 8 26:45h Samsung Galaxy S6 active 26:29h Motorola Moto X Play 26:28h Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) 26:01h Samsung P6800 Galaxy Tab 7.7 25:45h LG G3 25:38h LG G Pro 2 25:37h LG G Flex 25:19h Sony Xperia T2 Ultra 25:16h LG G2 25:15h Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos 25:12h Huawei Ascend Mate 25:12h BlackBerry Passport 25:12h Samsung Galaxy A7 25:12h Motorola Nexus 6 25:03h Alcatel Hero 25:02h Samsung Galaxy A8 Duos 25:02h Samsung Galaxy A8 25:02h Oppo N1 25:01h Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo 24:52h Sony Xperia Z Ultra 24:23h Oppo R7s 24:03h Apple iPhone 6 Plus 23:49h LG AKA 23:20h Sony Xperia Z3 23:13h Meizu PRO 5 23:10h Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE Dual SIM 23:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE 23:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM 23:09h Oppo R7 22:58h Samsung P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus 22:42h Motorola Moto E (2nd gen) 22:36h Motorola Moto X Style 22:23h ZTE Nubia Z9 22:20h Huawei MediaPad 7 Vogue 22:16h HTC One Max 22:13h Sony Xperia Z2 22:13h Nokia Lumia 1020 22:13h Nokia Lumia 1320 22:13h Samsung Galaxy Core LTE 22:13h Lenovo ZUK Z1 22:13h Sony Xperia C3 Dual 22:11h Meizu MX4 Pro 22:09h Yota YotaPhone 2 22:09h Samsung ATIV SE 22:05h Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek) 22:02h Xiaomi Redmi Note 21:41h Samsung Galaxy Note Edge 21:39h Motorola RAZR MAXX 21:18h Xiaomi Mi 4i 21:02h Meizu m2 note 20:55h Huawei Nexus 6P 20:50h LG Optimus G Pro E985 ...

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Weekly poll: Xiaomi Mi 5 vs. Sony Xperia X Performance
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/weekend-poll-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi traditionally serves the Asian market, but there's talk that the new Xiaomi Mi 5 will be its first phone to officially launch internationally. Sony, meanwhile, said the Xperia X Performance will definitely launch in Asia while its European availability is still being sussed out.Both phones stick to the 5" 1080p format (the Mi 5 is 5.15", but close enough). They bring powerful Snapdragon 820 chipsets and a heavy focus on camera - 16MP OIS for the Xiaomi, 23MP for the Sony.The Xperia X Performance is waterproof (only one in the current X lineup) and features Sony's traditional front-facing stereo speakers. This model has an option for a beautiful brushed metal back.The Xiaomi Mi 5 comes with a glass/metal build as standard, but the premium Pro model will use ceramics and have a roomy 128GB storage option (there's no microSD slot here).Both companies stepped up their design game, but spotty availability may hamper their growth. Still, if it was available in your region which one would you pick - the Xiaomi Mi 5 or the Sony Xperia X Performance?Think about it and cast your vote, you have a week to...

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Experience MWC in Barcelona in a 4K time lapse video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mwc-timelapse/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC is a truly amazing event not only for the sea of tech announcements that take place at the venue but also for the amazing experiences the Barcelona gatherings provide every year. We really feel blessed to be able to see the show floor for ourselves, and while we take pride in reporting on the news and informing you on all the novelties in the tech world, our work doesn't really convey the true experience at MWC. We could have tried to convey our personal impressions, but we thought it would be more fitting to the GSMArena spirit to show you around the event floor and Barcelona itself in a short 4K timelapse video. We hope you like our quick timelapse and be sure to leave us you comments and suggestions about our MWC coverage this...

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February security update starts hitting Samsung's flagship devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-flagships-feb-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has announced that it has started rolling out the latest Android security update to its "major flagship models." The update includes patches from both Google and Samsung.What's worth mentioning here is that the South Korean company didn't explicitly mention which of its flagship devices are getting the update, although reports say the list includes the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6 family, Galaxy Note 4 and Note5, as well as the Tab S and Tab S2.Of the devices mentioned above, the Galaxy Tab S2 has already started receiving the February security update. In addition, handsets from Huawei, Motorola, and BlackBerry, as well as Nexus devices have also received the...

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WhatsApp to remove BlackBerry from its list of supported mobile platforms this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/whatsapp-android-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has announced that it will be ending support for all versions of BlackBerry OS - including BlackBerry 10 - by the end of 2016.Other platforms that will be removed from WhatsApp's support list include Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, Android 2.1, Android 2.2, and Windows Phone 7.1. WhatsApp says it wants to focus on platforms that the vast majority of people use."While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future," the company said in a blog post. "If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using...

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64GB ZTE Axon Pro now selling for $324 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/axon-pro-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 64GB variant of Axon's ZTE Pro smartphone has received a price cut in the United States, where B&H Photo is currently selling the model for $323.95. Those purchasing the device from the retailer will also get a gift card worth $50.ZTE is officially selling the 64GB version for around $380 in the country, meaning B&H photo is offering over $50 direct discount, which coupled with the included gift card takes the total discount figure to over $100. Available color options include silver, gold, and blue.Amazon also has the device listed for around $325, but the blue color variant is currently out of stock.Source (B&H) | Amazon |...

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New OnePlus X update is aimed at fixing image corruption issue with device's camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplusx-camera-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A month after the OxygenOS 2.2.0 update started rolling out to the OnePlus X, the company has pushed out another update that it says includes a hotfix for an image corruption issue with the device's camera. The issue in question has been reported by some users following the last update.The update weighs in at 9.5MB. It's an incremental roll-out, meaning it may take some time before the update hits your device if it hasn't already. "We will try to cover everyone within the next 48 hours," OnePlus said in a post on its official forum.For those who aren't already aware, the last month's OxygenOS 2.2.0 update brought along things like manual mode and save to SD card option in Camera App, USSD bug fix for India. as well as some other...

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Android 6.0 factory image for Moto X Pure Edition (2015) now available for download
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-pure-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola started rolling out the Moto X Pure Edition Marshmallow update back in December last year. Now, a couple of months after that, the first Android 6.0 factory image for the device has been made available for download.The image carries a build number of MPH24.49-18_18, and to download it you need to first request access to a Google Drive folder, something which you can only do after logging in with a Motorola or Google account (head to the Source link below).In case you missed, the Moto X Pure Edition has also started receiving the latest Android security update which brings up the handset's security patch level to February 1, 2016.Source |...

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No SD820-powered LG G5 for Latin America; SD652 version will be available there
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-sd652/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the LG H840 which was spotted on GFXBench earlier this month with Snapdragon 652 chipset and 3GB RAM? We initially thought that it could be a 'lite' variant of LG's latest G5 flagship, but turns out it's a special LG G5 model aimed at specific markets.While LG made no mention of an SD652-powered G5 at this year's MWC (where the flagship was unveiled), it has now come to light such a souped-down variant exists and will be available in Latin America at-least.Confirming that Latin Americans won't officially get the standard SD820 G5, LG's Sales manager for Chile, Cristián Correa, said that the decision was taken based on the feedback they received from several operators in the region as well as keeping in mind the currency appreciation in Latin America.What's more, the LG 360 virtual reality headset - one of G5's friends - will also not be available in the region. Correa cited Latin America's lack of interest in VR as the reason behind the move.Via...

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Samsung reportedly manufacturing 17.2 million S7 units before April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-to-produce-17million-units/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The highly anticipated Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are expecting to break last year's initial number of Galaxy S6 units in the first three months following its announcement.A Korean media outlet reports that Samsung is preparing to manufacturer a total of 17.2 million Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge units by April of this year.Samsung is really hoping to break its previous record set by the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge which sold roughly 15.8 million units in its first three months after launch with the second most successful device title held by the Galaxy S4 selling just over 15.2 million units in its initial sale period.Also, the company has reportedly changed its ratio of S7 and S7 edge where the S6 was manufactured 4:1 with the S6 edge constantly in short supply. This time around, Samsung wants to use a 6:4 ratio since it was not able to predict the roaring demand that the S6 edge had last year.Samsung hopes the overwhelming reception to the Galaxy S7's announcement this year at MWC is indication to the S7 and S7 edge's success and should break the S6's record for the first three months of sales.Source |...

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Modder improved cooling for Nexus 6P, warranty voided undoubtedly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus6p-modded-for-better-cooling/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Senior XDA member Gorgtech performed a hard modification to his warranty-less Nexus 5 and 7 so decided to do the same to his Nexus 6P whose warranty was voided as well.An XDA thread shows the tedious and difficult disassembly of the Nexus 6P, starting with carefully heating and removing the camera glass, which takes a steady hand and lots of patience.Gorgtech then removes the entire rear panel which looks even more difficult than the camera hump's glass. Once the more problematic parts were out of the way, screws and clips hold the boards in place.The post shows you where to add thermal paste to improve the cooling ability of the Nexus 6P, ultimately reducing the amount of thermal throttling of the roaring Snapdragon 810 chip.Head over to the XDA thread if you're feeling indubitably adventurous. I've repaired and ruined a bunch of devices in my day, but I will not likely try such a modification. Maybe if I still have the phone after my factory warranty expires, I MIGHT consider it.Source |...

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Sprint decided to bring back the 2 year contract, but why?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-revives-the-2-year-contract/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The American wireless industry has been phasing out the traditional 2 year contract in light of phones coming out more frequently and customers becoming disgruntled at being stuck with a 1-2 year old phone until next year.Sprint hasn't been doing particularly well in the past few years and continues to lose customers to other carriers. Since then they've been downsizing and cutting costs anywhere they could, they even removed Sprint's own in-house repair centers from several stores in the beginning of the month. Sprint also gave store employees more cleaning duties to cut store maintenance costs.The other 3 major carriers have already gotten rid of new 2 year contracts (unless you have a grandfathered 2 year agreement, you'd still have the option of renewing), so why did Sprint decide to bring back the 2 year contract?Perhaps Sprint is in desperate need of customers that it needs to sell service to every customer it possibly can. The older generation of customers might still be oriented with a 2 year contract. Here's what I mean:The customer is attracted to the idea of slapping down one or two-hundred dollars and walking home with a brand new phone that he or she now owns (with the only caveat being that they were obligated to fulfill this contract for 24 months). The thing is, a 2 year contract for 1GB of data is $65.00 plus taxes and regulatory fees while a 24 month finance plan with the same amount of data is $64.34, plus taxes and fees (a difference of just 66 cents). The advantage of one over the other is one keeps you stuck with a phone while the other allows you to switch phones after 12 monthly payments.Maybe this group of customers is scared off when finding out their financed phone will cost six to seven-hundred dollars (total amount paid after 24 months) and are too stubborn to understand how a lease or financing program will benefit them, or let them switch phones more often, than a 2 year commitment.Maybe I'm totally off. Maybe it's a stubborn executive that wants to bring back the 2 year contract.For the American wireless industry and competition's sake, let's hope Sprint can turn it around and take it back to the good ol' days of 2010-2011 when Sprint launched the first 4G WiMax network in the world and thrived with phones like the Samsung Moment and the HTC EVO 4G was Sprint's thriving star.Source |...

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Verizon gifts free Gear S2 or Gear VR for every Galaxy S7 pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/verizon-s7-pre-order-options/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You may already know that Samsung is throwing in a free Gear VR headset with every Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge pre-order, regardless of market. However, US carrier Verizon has managed to best even this offer.If you pre-order either of Samsung's newest flagship smartphones, Big Red will give you a free Gear VR or a free Gear S2 smartwatch. This is great news for people who aren't that much into VR at this point, and who consider a smartwatch a much more useful gift in such a circumstance. It's also worth pointing out that the Gear S2 has a higher retail value compared to the VR headset.To take advantage of this promo, you need to pre-order the S7 or S7 edge from Verizon and get it on device payments before March 18. Then you register your new device at this website by March 31. After verification of the offer claim, you will receive your free Gear S2 or Gear VR in around 4 to 6 weeks.Source |...

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GSMArena

28-02-16, 14:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/acer-jade-primo-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Acer has already showcased the Liquid Jade Primo a few times - at IFA last year, then at CES and at MWC. Yet now after many months of talking about it, the company finally seems intent on actually launching the handset running Windows 10 Mobile. The Jade Primo's release should happen next month. In the meantime, its maker has created a new promo video for the device, one that clearly positions the Jade Primo as a workhorse.That means businesses might be the primary intended customers for this smartphone, which is a trend we're seeing more and more of in the world of Windows 10 Mobile (most recently with the Microsoft Lumia 650 and the HP Elite x3, for example). Bottom line, the Jade Primo will help you get work done, especially thanks to its support for the Continuum feature in Windows 10.As a quick reminder, the phone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, an 8 MP secondary cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 808 chipset at the helm, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a 2,800 mAh...

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Google Inbox gets new snooze options
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-inbox-snooze/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Inbox, Google's pretty radical reinterpretation of the Gmail interface, is getting an update over the next week or so. And it's all about making its snooze functionality work better for more people. The snooze menu has also received a redesign of sorts.First off, you'll be able to choose from two new snooze times when you want to put certain things off for a while - "later this week" and "this weekend". These have apparently been highly requested through the Inbox feedback process, and they should decrease the use of custom-set snooze times.Finally, you can now choose what your "weekend" days actually are, similarly to how you can set your preferred morning time to receive emails. This is easy and straightforward to set up, as you can see in the second screenshot above, and should work well with the custom snooze time of "this weekend" of course. It's also clearly going to be extremely useful for those who live in places where the weekend isn't made up of Saturday and Sunday.Source |...

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Asus will send out Marshmallow updates in Q2, here's the full list of devices getting them
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/asus-marshmallow-list/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last November, Asus outed a list of devices that it would update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Unfortunately, no timeline for update rollouts was mentioned at that point. And here we are more than three months later, and Asus has yet to push the new software to any of its wares.The good news is that now we finally have a (very rough) timeline to speak of. Asus will send out Marshmallow updates during the second quarter of this year, so from April to June. The company has revised its list of devices getting the Marshmallow treat, adding three smartphones that weren't in the initial roster.These are the ZenFone Max ZC550KL, the ZenFone 2 Laser ZE551KL, and the ZenFone Zoom ZX551ML. They join the following devices which were already slated to receive the update: PadFone S PF500KL, ZenFone Selfie ZD551KL, ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML and ZE551ML), ZenFone 2 Deluxe ZE551ML, ZenFone 2 Deluxe Special Edition ZE551ML, and ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE500KG, ZE500KL, ZE550KL, ZE600KL, and ZE601KL).Source |...

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LG Nexus 5X is now the cheapest it's ever been at $269.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/nexus-5x-cheapest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The smaller and more mid-range of the two Nexus smartphones unveiled last year is now cheaper than it's ever been. One seller on eBay is offering brand new, unlocked LG Nexus 5X units (with 16GB of storage) for just $269.99.That's $10 less than what was asked for the phone in another promotional offer earlier this month, also on eBay. And the $269.99 price will save you $30 compared to Google's official pricing for the device.If you're interested, keep in mind that there's apparently a limited amount of units up for grabs at this price, so better hurry if you want to pick one up. The white model is sold out already, so you can only choose from the Carbon and Quartz hues. Shipping is free, and done from New Hampshire, which means you shouldn't get a sales tax no matter where you are in the...

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New 4-inch Apple device now rumored to be called iPhone SE
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/iphone-se/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg March is only a few days away now, and that means we're ever closer to Apple's much rumored spring event during which a new 4-inch iPhone is set to become official. Alleged details about this handset have been leaking for a long time, but perhaps the most disputed aspect of it has intriguingly been the name.We've so far heard it could be called iPhone 7c, or the iPhone 6c, or the iPhone 5se. And today a new report claims it will be none of those. Instead, Apple is likely to choose to call it iPhone SE. "SE" will apparently stand for "special edition", if the unnamed sources behind this one are to be believed.If this is true, then it will be interesting to see what a possible successor to the iPhone SE will be called, if there will ever be one. iPhone SE2? iPhone SEs? The New iPhone SE? It's anyone's guess at this point.Anyway, the iPhone SE's pricing will match that of the iPhone 5s (pictured above), it's been revealed. It will look identical to that handset, except for slightly curved edges around its sides. It will come with the A9 chipset, an "upgraded" 8 MP main camera, NFC and Apple Pay support, as well as the latest Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE radios. It will be offered with either 16 or 64GB of storage.Apple's event during which the iPhone SE will be announced might take place on March 15 or March 22, according to some contradictory rumors we've heard. In either case, it's availability should follow mere days after the unveiling. A new 9.7-inch iPad Pro will be revealed on the same...

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GSMArena

29-02-16, 14:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-commnercial-rps/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has posted a new Android advertisement on its YouTube channel. Its moto is "be together, not the same" and animated rock, paper, and scissors help deliver the message.Here is the commercial itself.Two months ago Google had a similar ad under the same moto. It's called Android Fingerprints and here it is, if you need a...

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Samsung rises to fourth in the chip race, Qualcomm still leads
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/exynos-shipments-4-place/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has increased its smartphone SoC share, and it's now in the Top 5 application processors designers in the world. Thanks to its Exynos expansion to the mid and low tier smartphones, the Exynos chips shipped in 2015 were about 500 million units or about 15% of the total shipped Samsung smartphones.Qualcomm keeps the leading spot, followed by Apple's solutions while the third spot is occupied by the MT silicones offered by MediaTek. Samsung's Exynos platform has now ensured the maker the fourth spot, pushing down Spredtrum at the fifth place.With the new Samsung Galaxy S7 series and other upcoming Samsung smartphones in 2016, there is a good chance Samsung solidifies and even improves its standing.Source Â•...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro stops by AnTuTu, confirms specs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-a9-pro-antutu/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro is apparently nearing official status if benchmark listings are any indication. After it was spotted on GFXBench earlier this month, the upgraded variant of Samsung's 6-incher has now made its way to AnTuTu, confirming the key upgrades over the vanilla A9 (2016).For one, the 13MP primary camera gets a bump to 16MP, so the A9 Pro won't have the same sensor as the rest of the A (2016) lineup. You'd also be getting higher-res selfies than on the regular A9 - 8MP vs. 5MP. Befitting the Pro moniker, RAM is also a gig more, at 4GB.Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro on AntutuThe rest is all the same as the Galaxy A9, meaning a Snapdragon 652 chipset and 32GB of storage. The older GFXBench listing put screen size at 5.5 inches, but we all know how benchmarks can get that particular bit wrong. We'd say that 6 inches is the safe bet here, even if AnTuTu stays mum on the matter.Source |...

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HTC announces international pricing for the Vive VR headset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-vive-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC already announced what the Vive VR headset is going to cost you in the US at launch (which is $799, in case you missed it). Now the company has also revealed what the device will set you back in other regions of the world.The company has listed all the regions that will be getting the device, most of which are European countries. In those regions, including countries like Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, the Vive will be sold at Â€899.In Australia, the Vive is priced at US $899. In Canada it is CAD 1149, in UK it is Â£689, in China it is CNY 6,888, and in Japan it is JPY 111,999.You can get the full list in the link...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 scores over 14 million registrations for its first sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mi5-global-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi announced its newest flagship - the Mi 5 - at MWC last week. The device is all set to go on sale in China starting March 1 - tomorrow. In case you're wondering how many people have registered for tomorrow's sale, the figure stands at over 14 million. This was revealed by the Chinese company itself.That's quite impressive, and is even said to be a new record for the company as the milestone was achieved in less than a week after the $300 handset was unveiled.As for the sale, it begins 10AM China time, and will see the company offering only the white color variants of the 3GB/32GB and 3GB/64GB models. There's currently no word on when other versions, including the higher-end ceramic back variant will be available for...

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Teaser confirms camera-centric Oppo R9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oppo-r9-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo has released a new teaser that confirms the existence of the rumored R9 smartphone. It seems to be a camera-centric device given that the Chinese text in the teaser translates as "This time, it is worth and other '9' point. #OPPO New camera phone R9 #."Sadly nothing else was revealed, but given that the Chinese company has finally confirmed the handset, we expect to see more teasers and leaks in the coming days. A leak last year suggested that the device looks almost identical to the iPhone 6s Plus.Specs-wise, from what all has been rumored until now, the Oppo R9 will be powered by a Snapdragon 820 SoC and sport a 6-inch (1440 x 2560 pixel resolution) display. It will come with 3GB or 4GB RAM and 64GB of expandable internal memory.In terms of camera, the handset will feature 21MP rear unit and a 13MP front shooter. Packing in a 3,700 mAh battery, the R9 will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow...

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Microsoft Band 2 receives an official price cut, now available for $175
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/microsoft-band2-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, Microsoft was offering a $50 discount on its Band 2 fitness wearable until February 20. However, if for some reason you failed to take advantage of that promo, here's a new deal: the device is now officially available for $174.99.Yes, the new deal is an even better one, as the total discount in this case comes out to be $75 - Microsoft usually sells the wearable for $249.99. The promo runs through March 26 9pm PST, and is available for purchases made through online as well as retail Microsoft stores in the US.Aside from Microsoft, third party retailer Best Buy also has the device listed for $174.99.Source (Microsoft US) | Best...

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T-Mobile Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders shipping already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While Samsung's newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - are officially scheduled to go on sale starting March 11, looks like a few lucky people in the US will have their pre-orders delivered before that date.One of the country's "big four" carriers, T-Mobile, has already started shipping the pre-orders - many of those who pre-ordered the device(s) are getting their shipment notifications. Last year too, a few lucky ones got their T-Mobile Galaxy S6 pre-orders delivered before time.In case you missed, the South Korean company's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin recently revealed that the Galaxy S7 flagship will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of its global launch.Via...

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Microsoft Lumia 640 now available for less than $30 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-640-windows-10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 640 has received yet another price cut in the United States, where retailers including Best Buy and Walmart are now selling the device for $29.99. The model on offer (color option: black) is available via AT&T's GoPhone prepaid service.A quick look at the Microsoft's US Store website reveals that the Redmond, Washington-based company is offering the black-colored AT&T variant for $29, but sadly the handset is currently out of stock. If you recall, an official price cut earlier this month saw the device coming down to $49.For those who aren't already aware, the phone is in the list of Lumia devices that are set to receive the Windows 10 Mobile update - in fact, T-Mobile Poland already started rolling out the update to Lumia 640 units on its network last month.Source (Best Buy) | Walmart | Windows US...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/best-apps-games-44/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg These are some of the best apps and games of this week.SparkSpark is a beautiful and powerful email app for the iPhone, which is now available on the iPad. The app makes good use of the iPad's big display, with multiple panes, including an additional bar on the left with shortcuts for your calendars, attachments, inboxes, etc. There is also a Watch app now, and a sync feature that syncs mail between your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.iOSPhotofyPhotofy is an image editing app for iOS that is now also available on Android. Although there are many photo editing apps out there, Photofy is tastefully designed. The main feature, among the usual editing options, is the ton of template texts in beautiful fonts that you can place on your images. Or if you want, you can type out your own. The app is free but with an in-app purchase you can access all the templates and filters.iOS Â• AndroidPeachPeach is a new social network similar to Twitter. You update your status and and can see what your friends are up to. There is no traditional timeline as on Twitter or Facebook. You see your list of friends with their last status below their name and you click on their name to see a reverse chronological view of their timeline. It has some cool features, such as typing GIF and the title to search for the GIF and then directly post it. The app was previously iOS-only but is now available on Android.iOS Â• AndroidBackdropsBackdrops is a wallpaper app for Android. The app is well designed and features some beautiful images in high resolution.AndroidThe Walking Dead: MichonneThe Walking Dead: Michonne is a three part mini-series in The Walking Dead series, based on a comic book series of the same name. It explores what happens to Michonne's character after she disappears between issues #126 and #139. The first episode is out now and the remaining will be released every month from now.iOS Â• AndroidAssassin's Creed IdentityIdentity is a new Assassin's Creed game made specifically for the mobile platform. Although it is claimed to be an RPG game, it is mostly action-adventure. The good thing about Identity is that it feels, for the most parts, like a full-fledged Assassin's Creed game and not like a watered down mobile version. There are plenty of missions to play, lots of things to do, and the it looks great, too.iOSLove You To BitsLove You To Bits is a point and click adventure game. The game involves solving simple environmental puzzles to progress onto the next level. It's quite fun and really well animated. Worth a look, especially if you have...

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Jaybird X2 review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/jaybird-x2-review-blog/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg IntroductionThe Jaybird X2 is a pair of wireless Bluetooth earphones designed for fitness enthusiasts. The headset is the successor to the company's Jaybird BlueBuds X. In reality, the two models aren't all that different, but that's not such a bad thing as the BlueBuds X is one of highest rated Bluetooth earphones around.The premise is simple; the X2 is a headset designed primarily to be worn while working out and as such has a very minimal footprint and try to get out of your way as much as possible. In that pursuit, they have all the electronics built within the speaker enclosures themselves, while also being sweat-resistant and designed not to pop out while you're running. Oh, and you can take calls on them easily.But you could have gotten all that from their website. Let's see what the headset is like in real life.DesignThe design of the X2 is nearly identical to that of the original BlueBuds X. It's a roughly two feet long thin flat cable with speakers on either end. Not the first product to use this design but before I get into anything else, let's just stop for a second and appreciate how the engineers managed to fit so much into such a small form factor.When you first try to put them on, you realize there is no marking for left and right speakers. It is because the earphones are designed to be worn both in an under-the-ear and an over-the-ear style and because the drivers are angled inwards, you have to switch them around when you move from one to the other position.Unfortunately, this results in an immediate problem, and that is the channels don't switch when you wear them upside down. It's only when you wear them in an under-ear style do you get the correct channel for each ear. It is not so much of a problem if you are listening to music, but using them for watching videos with stereo sound is downright confusing at times.The fancy retail carrying box fits all the bits and pieceOnce you figure out the left speaker from the right (the right one is the one with the controls near it), you then have to consider choosing between six different ear tips. Three of these are silicone, and the other three are Comply foam ear tips. For those not familiar with foam ear tips, you first have to squeeze them before inserting in your ears and once inside, the foam expands and takes the shape of your inner ear, which gives a tighter seal and is more comfortable on your ears. The foam ear tips also lack the annoying suction pump feeling of traditional silicone ear tips when you insert or remove them and are more comfortable. The problem is the foam can be damaged easily and isn't exactly sweat resistant, so for working out, it would be preferable to use the silicone ear tips.The other thing you have to consider putting on are the ear fins, which fit inside your outer ear and keep the earphones securely in place. In my testing, I found the Jaybird X2 to sit quite firmly in my ears, and I didn't have to worry about them popping out every few minutes.The last thing you would have to consider is the cord management clips. You get three with the earphones, of which one is spare. Even though the cable between the speakers is not long, you can still make it shorter by running it through the clips. It's important not to make it too short because, as I found out, it can severely restrict your sideways head movement and also makes it harder to use the controls. I found I could skip using these, and it was still fine.Coming to the earphones, they are made entirely out of plastic and come in a variety of colors. They are slightly longer than most earphones, as you can imagine, but not so long that they stick out too much from the side of your head (although you do feel them if you place your head sideways on a pillow while wearing them).The right speaker has a flap on the back with the microUSB port for charging, and also an LED status indicator.The charging port and the remote controlBelow the right speaker is the remote control. It has three buttons that can do various functions. The middle button is for power and also play/pause, and the other two are for volume or for skipping tracks. How the controls work isn't immediately apparent, and there is no user guide in the box either, which means you have to head over to the website for the details.Once you...

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Weekend poll: LG G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/weekend-poll-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you think about it, Samsung and LG are to "blame" for the current dominance of huge-screen handsets. Samsung got the ball rolling with the Note, LG killed off the phone/phablet distinction with the G3.This year, however, both companies pulled back and their new flagships are smaller than their predecessors: from 5.7" S6 edge+ to 5.5" S7 edge, from 5.5" G4 to 5.3" LG G5. Their screens have another thing in common too, Always On mode.The two diverge when it comes to the camera. The G5 has a secondary wide-angle camera while Samsung focused on low-light shooting and ultra-fast focus locks.The Galaxy S7 edge is not nearly as locked down as the S6 before it. No, you still can't change the battery, but you get your microSD slot back and water resistance too (IP68).The LG G5 went all metal and LG used a unique process to hide the unsightly antenna lines. The killer feature, however, is modularity - currently, a camera battery grip (with extra hardware controls) and a hi-fi DAC from Bang & Olufsen give you the option to upgrade your G5 even after purchasing it.Well, you've probably read our thoughts on the LG G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, now we want to hear what you think. Vote away!You have until next weekend to...

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Chart Topper: The Gionee Marathon M5 battery life test is in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/gionee-marathon-m5-battery/-184x111/thumb.jpg Gionee Marathon M5 is one truly fascinating device. This chubby fella is heavy at 211g for a reason - the 5.5" smartphone is powered by a massive Li-Po 6,020 mAh. The mid-range chipset in charge of the Marathon M5 isn't popular as a power efficient silicone, but considering the battery size and the modest quad-core processor, it shouldn't matter that much.The M5 utilizes a 5.5" AMOLED screen, which may affect the power performance, too, as the AMOLEDs turned out not that great performance on previous Gionee smartphones.Enough with the introductions, let's get down to business, shall we?Gionee has rated the M5 capable of making 68 hours of 2G calls and 28 hours when hooked on to a 3G network. In our testing the M5 lasted 38 hours worth of calltime on a 3G network.JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = true;.jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;}.jrGraph { padding-left: 0 !important; left: 96px !important;}Talk time Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 LTE 46:44h Gionee Marathon M5 38:07h Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro 33:20h Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G 33:19h Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) 32:54h Xiaomi Redmi 3 32:53h Oppo R7 Plus 30:46h OnePlus 2 30:29h Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 30:29h Motorola DROID Turbo 30:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE Dual SIM 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE 29:46h Huawei Honor 5X 29:40h HTC One (M8) for Windows 28:34h Samsung Galaxy Note5 28:34h Nokia Lumia 1520 28:34h Samsung Galaxy Note 4 28:31h Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE 28:25h Sony Xperia Z5 Compact 28:23h Huawei G8 27:44h Samsung Galaxy S5 27:37h Sony Xperia Z1 26:53h Huawei Mate 8 26:45h Samsung Galaxy S6 active 26:29h Motorola Moto X Play 26:28h Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) 26:01h Samsung P6800 Galaxy Tab 7.7 25:45h LG G3 25:38h LG G Pro 2 25:37h LG G Flex 25:19h Sony Xperia T2 Ultra 25:16h LG G2 25:15h Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos 25:12h Huawei Ascend Mate 25:12h BlackBerry Passport 25:12h Samsung Galaxy A7 25:12h Motorola Nexus 6 25:03h Alcatel Hero 25:02h Samsung Galaxy A8 Duos 25:02h Samsung Galaxy A8 25:02h Oppo N1 25:01h Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo 24:52h Sony Xperia Z Ultra 24:23h Oppo R7s 24:03h Apple iPhone 6 Plus 23:49h LG AKA 23:20h Sony Xperia Z3 23:13h Meizu PRO 5 23:10h Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE Dual SIM 23:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE 23:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 Dual SIM 23:09h Oppo R7 22:58h Samsung P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus 22:42h Motorola Moto E (2nd gen) 22:36h Motorola Moto X Style 22:23h ZTE Nubia Z9 22:20h Huawei MediaPad 7 Vogue 22:16h HTC One Max 22:13h Sony Xperia Z2 22:13h Nokia Lumia 1020 22:13h Nokia Lumia 1320 22:13h Samsung Galaxy Core LTE 22:13h Lenovo ZUK Z1 22:13h Sony Xperia C3 Dual 22:11h Meizu MX4 Pro 22:09h Yota YotaPhone 2 22:09h Samsung ATIV SE 22:05h Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek) 22:02h Xiaomi Redmi Note 21:41h Samsung Galaxy Note Edge 21:39h Motorola RAZR MAXX 21:18h Xiaomi Mi 4i 21:02h Meizu m2 note 20:55h Huawei Nexus 6P 20:50h LG Optimus G Pro E985 ...

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Weekly poll: Xiaomi Mi 5 vs. Sony Xperia X Performance
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/weekend-poll-mwc/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi traditionally serves the Asian market, but there's talk that the new Xiaomi Mi 5 will be its first phone to officially launch internationally. Sony, meanwhile, said the Xperia X Performance will definitely launch in Asia while its European availability is still being sussed out.Both phones stick to the 5" 1080p format (the Mi 5 is 5.15", but close enough). They bring powerful Snapdragon 820 chipsets and a heavy focus on camera - 16MP OIS for the Xiaomi, 23MP for the Sony.The Xperia X Performance is waterproof (only one in the current X lineup) and features Sony's traditional front-facing stereo speakers. This model has an option for a beautiful brushed metal back.The Xiaomi Mi 5 comes with a glass/metal build as standard, but the premium Pro model will use ceramics and have a roomy 128GB storage option (there's no microSD slot here).Both companies stepped up their design game, but spotty availability may hamper their growth. Still, if it was available in your region which one would you pick - the Xiaomi Mi 5 or the Sony Xperia X Performance?Think about it and cast your vote, you have a week to...

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Experience MWC in Barcelona in a 4K time lapse video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mwc-timelapse/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC is a truly amazing event not only for the sea of tech announcements that take place at the venue but also for the amazing experiences the Barcelona gatherings provide every year. We really feel blessed to be able to see the show floor for ourselves, and while we take pride in reporting on the news and informing you on all the novelties in the tech world, our work doesn't really convey the true experience at MWC. We could have tried to convey our personal impressions, but we thought it would be more fitting to the GSMArena spirit to show you around the event floor and Barcelona itself in a short 4K timelapse video. We hope you like our quick timelapse and be sure to leave us you comments and suggestions about our MWC coverage this...

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GSMArena

29-02-16, 14:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-flagships-feb-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has announced that it has started rolling out the latest Android security update to its "major flagship models." The update includes patches from both Google and Samsung.What's worth mentioning here is that the South Korean company didn't explicitly mention which of its flagship devices are getting the update, although reports say the list includes the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6 family, Galaxy Note 4 and Note5, as well as the Tab S and Tab S2.Of the devices mentioned above, the Galaxy Tab S2 has already started receiving the February security update. In addition, handsets from Huawei, Motorola, and BlackBerry, as well as Nexus devices have also received the...

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WhatsApp to remove BlackBerry from its list of supported mobile platforms this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/whatsapp-android-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has announced that it will be ending support for all versions of BlackBerry OS - including BlackBerry 10 - by the end of 2016.Other platforms that will be removed from WhatsApp's support list include Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, Android 2.1, Android 2.2, and Windows Phone 7.1. WhatsApp says it wants to focus on platforms that the vast majority of people use."While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future," the company said in a blog post. "If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of 2016 to continue using...

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64GB ZTE Axon Pro now selling for $324 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/axon-pro-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 64GB variant of Axon's ZTE Pro smartphone has received a price cut in the United States, where B&H Photo is currently selling the model for $323.95. Those purchasing the device from the retailer will also get a gift card worth $50.ZTE is officially selling the 64GB version for around $380 in the country, meaning B&H photo is offering over $50 direct discount, which coupled with the included gift card takes the total discount figure to over $100. Available color options include silver, gold, and blue.Amazon also has the device listed for around $325, but the blue color variant is currently out of stock.Source (B&H) | Amazon |...

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New OnePlus X update is aimed at fixing image corruption issue with device's camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplusx-camera-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A month after the OxygenOS 2.2.0 update started rolling out to the OnePlus X, the company has pushed out another update that it says includes a hotfix for an image corruption issue with the device's camera. The issue in question has been reported by some users following the last update.The update weighs in at 9.5MB. It's an incremental roll-out, meaning it may take some time before the update hits your device if it hasn't already. "We will try to cover everyone within the next 48 hours," OnePlus said in a post on its official forum.For those who aren't already aware, the last month's OxygenOS 2.2.0 update brought along things like manual mode and save to SD card option in Camera App, USSD bug fix for India. as well as some other...

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GSMArena

01-03-16, 14:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/blackberry-priv-app-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry has rolled updates to several key apps for the Priv, now available on the Google Play Store. Camera, Launcher and Keyboard have been improved, with new features and refinements making their way to BlackBerry's first Android-running smartphone. Camera has been graced with a slow motion video recording mode, which shoots at 120fps, and plays back at 30fps, so you're getting 1/4x speed videos. BlackBerry doesn't state the resolution, but it's likely 720p. Launcher now gets Recent, Personal and Work views, as well as other minor tweaks like shortcut removal with a flick and grayed out app icons when you remove the microSD card the app has been installed on. Keyboard has seen improvements in prediction where it can now learn words and numbers, as well as sift through emails and social messages to better understand its user. You can view the complete list of updates in the links to the Play Store below, but only those with a Priv can actually reap the benefits. Source 1 2 3 |...

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HTC One M10 name confirmed, camera sample shown
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-m10-camera-sample/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Bit by bit, the HTC One M10 is coming together, and today there are two more of pieces of the puzzle. For starters, the name One M10 has been confirmed, unofficially of course, sending HTC's flagship line into double digits. The name was dug up in the drop-down list of devices in an HTC online survey form. Moving on, we get a camera sample to try and judge just how compelling the shooter is. It's a single shot, and a dirty keyboard isn't the most exciting subject matter, but it does seem to resolve plenty of detail in the letter markings and grime between the keys. HTC One M10 camera sample (click for full size) That is, where it's properly focused, because the wide f/1.9 aperture and near subject make for a pretty shallow depth of field. We do say "wide" and while it is an definitive improvement over the f/2.2 glass of the One M9, HTC is still playing catch-up with main rivals - the LG G5 has an f/1.8 aperture, while the Samsung Galaxy S7 is even brighter at f/1.7. It is on par with Samsung's offering in focal length though, with a generously wide 26mm equivalent, but in this respect you can't really compete with the G5 and the super-wide half of its dual-camera setup. The image is shot in 16:9 aspect and has a resolution of 2,250 x 4,000px. In 4:3 aspect it would make for a 3,000 x 4,000px 12MP image, right in line with previous rumors. For all we know, the HTC One M10 will be announced on April 11, and while all of the above looks believable, we'd hold off on buying decisions until it's official. Via (in...

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Native PSP store shutting down on March 31, Sony announces
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/psp-store-shutting/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just days after it came to light that Sony has stopped shipping the PlayStation TV in Japan, the company has announced that it is closing down its native PSP store this month - March 31 to be more specific. Update: Native PSP store to close on 3/31. Content purchases still accessible at https://t.co/luJeIk6YxT. More info: https://t.co/vBJvdJR1pGÂ— PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 29, 2016 "On March 31, 2016, the PlayStationStore for PlayStationPortable (PSP) system in the SCEA region will be closed," Sony said in a blog post. "PSP system users will be able to purchase PSP content from the web-based PlayStation Store at store.playstation.com, and also access past purchases from the Download list on their PSP system." Users, however, will still be able to make in-game purchases from their PSP system even after March 31, the Japanese company...

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Motorola Droid Turbo 2 Marshmallow update starts rolling out today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/droid-turbo-2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon first started pushing out the Android 6.0 update to the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 earlier last month, but the roll-out was halted shortly thereafter (update details were pulled from their website) due to unknown reasons. The good news is that the software update page is live again on Verizon's website, and the carrier now says the update will start hitting the Turbo 2 units on its network today - March 1. The update will be rolled out in two parts, with the first one bumping the software version to 23.31.24, and the second part - which actually brings Marshmallow - arriving as 24.14.10. In case you don't already know, the update was already being soak tested for the past few days. Head to the Source link below for more...

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Google accepts 'some responsibility' after self-driving car causes its first crash
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-car-crash/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the Google's self-driving cars met with a minor accident earlier last month when it hit the side of a bus. It's not like the company's autonomous vehicles haven't been involved in accidents before, but what makes this particular incident important is the fact that this was the first time a Google car actually 'caused' the crash. The crash took place in Mountain View on the Valentine's Day. Google says the accident happened when one of its self-driving Lexus RX450h - which the company claims was traveling at less than 2 miles per hour - tried to get around some sandbags in a wide lane. "We clearly bear some responsibility, because if our car hadn't moved, there wouldn't have been a collision. That said, our test driver believed the bus was going to slow or stop to allow us to merge into the traffic, and that there would be sufficient space to do that." The bus was said to be moving at about 15 miles per hour. Google said it has made "refinements" to their software following the incident. "From now on, our cars will more deeply understand that buses (and other large vehicles) are less likely to yield to us than other types of vehicles, and we hope to handle situations like this more gracefully in the...

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Snapchat apologizes for revealing employee data after being hit by phishing attack
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/snapchat-400b-views/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Snapchat has revealed that it was the target of a phishing attack that saw the ephemeral messaging company revealing payroll information about its employees. The company, however, said that none of its servers were breached and user data was also unaffected. "The bad news is that a number of our employees have now had their identity compromised. And for that, we're just impossibly sorry," Snapchat said in a blog post, where-in it also detailed the entire incident (head to the Source link below). Snapchat said the incident was immediately reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the affected employees have already been offered two years of free identity-theft insurance and monitoring by the...

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Verizon BlackBerry Priv could be available to pre-order this week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-netherlands-spain-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like Verizon will begin taking pre-orders for the BlackBerry Priv this week. Replying to a user query on Twitter, Jeffrey Nelson - who is the VP of Communications for Verizon's consumer and enterprise businesses - effectively confirmed that pre-orders will go live on March 3. @tvnzs @BlackBerry @VerizonNews fingers crossed!Â— Jeffrey Nelson (@JNels) February 29, 2016 This comes less than a couple of months after Nelson revealed that Verizon will start carrying the Android-powered handset "by the end of March (if not sooner)." The Verizon variant was certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in December. Reports say the carrier will start selling the device on March 11, which is the same day when Samsung's newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - will be released worldwide. Source |...

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Early mockups speculate Android N UI changes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-n-mockups-ui-changes/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Android Police reports that it was able to get a hold of some Android N screenshots way ahead of Google I/O when the developer previews should be released. Since the screenshots were not allowed to be reposted, there were a few mockups which roughly describe the alleged changes in for Android. Starting off with the notification toggles, there will be a new paged interface while also making the customization process of the toggles easier for the user. Along with different looking app notifications in the main notification shade, there is a row of quick toggles just under the status bar which reminds us of the Ice Cream Sandwich days. These mockups are reportedly based on early Android N screenshots and could vary by the time the developer previews are available for all to download. Source |...

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Lucky customer gets Galaxy S7 edge early, screenshots galore
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02//galaxy-s7-edge-screenshots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As T-Mobile does all the time, it ships phones early to customers who pre-ordered them. T-Mobile has been delivering phones early for pre-orders as far back as the Galaxy Note 4 with many customers already receiving shipping confirmations for their new pre-ordered Galaxy phones. Click the image to see more screenshots. XDA member: altimax98 was among the very first to take delivery of a T-Mobile Snapdragon-powered S7 edge unit and has generously shared screen shots throughout the new TouchWiz/Marshmallow interface. The UI is not far off from the updated Marshmallow UIs that have been rolling out to newer Galaxy phones within the past month or so. Check out the XDA post to see the Marshmallow-y goodness on the Galaxy S7...

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Google's online store now sells third party VR headsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-store-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has expanded its online hardware store in the US today, by adding a brand new category: VR. This isn't very surprising given how popular VR headsets are becoming (or, rather, how much their makers would like them to be popular). You can of course purchase Google's own Cardboard viewer, which is literally made out of cardboard, for $15 (or $25 for a two-pack). But the search giant has also added two third party VR headsets to its roster. The Mattel View-Master is basically a plastic version of the Cardboard design, which means it should be more durable. It's priced at $29.99 and it comes with a preview reel of special content. Finally, the Goggle Tech C1-Glass looks like an odd pair of, well, goggles. It's highly portable, apparently. On the flip side, it doesn't block the light around you, so overall it's less immersive than the others. You can pick one up for $14.99. Source | Via 1 Â• Via...

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UK: Get a black Lumia 950 or 950 XL on an O2 contract, receive a £75 Amazon gift card
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-o2-uk-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're interested in Microsoft's top of the line Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL but don't want to pay the full price, there's always the option of grabbing one with an operator contract in the UK. And if you choose O2 as your network and black as the color of the phone, there's an interesting deal to be had over at Amazon. Pick a plan starting at Â£27.50 per month and you can get either the Lumia 950 or the Lumia 950 XL for free. Furthermore, you'll receive a Â£75 Amazon gift card for no additional cost. The gift card can be yours even if you opt for a more expensive contract, which you might want to do since the cheapest option only has 1GB of data (along with unlimited minutes and texts). You can go up to Â£39 per month and receive 10GB of data. The plans are identical for both handsets, rather intriguingly. There's no telling how long this offer will last (as per Amazon's terms and conditions it shouldn't even be available anymore, but it is), so make sure you act quick if it seems like a good deal. Source 1 Â• Source 2 |...

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Lenovo is working on a 4.7-inch ZUK smartphone, rumor claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/zuk-mini-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new rumor out of China today claims that Lenovo's sub-brand ZUK is busy working on a 'mini' smartphone of its own. This will apparently come with a 4.7-inch 720p touchscreen, thus appealing primarily to people who consider most of today's handsets too big to handle properly. The small ZUK device will be offered in two hardware options, with either 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage, or 3GB of RAM and 32GB of space. It's said to employ MediaTek's Helio P10 chipset, which comes with an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU that can be clocked at up to 2 GHz, and the Mali-T860MP2 GPU. The phone will have a fingerprint scanner, though its placement is unclear for now. Also not known at this point is whether Lenovo will choose to simply shrink the Z1's design (shown in the image above) for this 'mini' handset, or go with something new. Other details haven't been leaked yet unfortunately, so it's impossible to tell if the international version will run Cyanogen OS (like is the case with the Z1). And pricing is still a mystery too. Hopefully this wasn't just a baseless rumor and more information about the 'mini' ZUK phone will emerge...

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16GB Moto G (3rd gen) is only $199.99 until March 7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-g-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is currently running a promotional offer for the 16GB version of its 3rd generation Moto G smartphone. This is available to you if you're in the US and use Motorola's official online store to purchase the handset (and customize it using MotoMaker if you want to). The 16GB Moto G (3rd gen) is being sold for just $199.99 until 10:59 am CT on March 7. This is $20 less than what the smartphone's normal price is. And obviously there are no carrier contracts to sign here, as the unit you buy comes unlocked. The device has 2GB of RAM, a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 410 SoC at the helm (with a 1.4 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU), a microSD card slot, a 13 MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, a 5 MP selfie cam, and a 2,470 mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow (following an update that should pop up right when you turn the phone on for the first time). Source |...

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Oppo R9 will be announced on March 17
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oppo-r9-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today a teaser confirmed that Oppo is getting ready to launch the Oppo R9, a possible successor to the R7 duo from last year. One thing that hasn't so far been clear is when exactly the new device will be announced. Thankfully, that's now been revealed thanks to Oppo itself. The Chinese company has plastered a very large number of ads all over subway and bus stations in China, ads that look like this one: The ads state that there will be an event on March 17, during which Oppo will out a handset that has "9" in the name. So that pretty much settles it. Unlike its predecessors, the R9 is rumored to sport some very high-end specs. It should be marketed as Oppo's top camera phone, and may include support for the company's recently unveiled Super VOOC fast charging. The Oppo R9 will allegedly have a 6-inch QHD touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera, a 13 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 3 or 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, and a 3,700 mAh battery. It should run Android 6.0 Marshmallow from day one, and could look almost identical to Apple's iPhone 6s...

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Google Maps for iOS is getting the detours feature that landed on Android in October
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/google-maps-pit-stop-ios/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last October, Google added a new feature to its Maps app for Android. This allows you to easily add detours (or quick pit stops) to your route, without ever having to leave the navigation view. And now the same functionality is finally arriving inside Google Maps for iOS. It will be available everywhere Google offers navigation (which means more than 100 countries and territories worldwide). You invoke the new feature by tapping the magnifying glass at the top right of the screen whenever you're in navigation mode. This will give you a list of options, as seen in the first screenshot above. If what you're looking for isn't a gas station, restaurant, grocery store, or coffee shop, just use the last field to search a specific name or another category. Search results show you how much time you'll lose by picking that detour, as well as ratings for each place. This is meant to help you quickly choose where you want to...

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Acer won't bring the Liquid Jade 2 to the UK but will sell the Jade Primo
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/acer-liquid-jade-2-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week at MWC in Barcelona Acer announced the Android-running version of its much-hyped Jade Primo smartphone (which runs Windows 10 Mobile). The Android device is called Liquid Jade 2, and we have some bad news if you live in the UK and want one. It turns out that Acer will not officially be selling the Liquid Jade 2 in the UK. While an actual reason for this hasn't been given, we assume the company knows this handset wouldn't gather a lot of interest, in a sea of pretty similar Android-running offerings. The flip side of all this is that Acer is apparently anxious to be bringing the Jade Primo to the UK. It will be sold both directly to enterprise customers, but also to consumers who want it. The Primo supports Microsoft's Continuum feature in Windows 10. An exact release date for the phone isn't available yet, but we assume it's going to be in stores pretty...

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Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition now up for pe-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/hololens-preorder/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has announced that the developer edition of its HoloLens augmented reality headset is now available to pre-order. Carrying a $3,000 price tag, the Windows 10 device will begin shipping in the US and Canada on March 30, which is inline with the time-frame announced last year. "Developers who purchase HoloLens will have immediate access to hundreds of UWP apps through the Windows Store - great and familiar apps like OneDrive, Maps, Remote Desktop, People, Movies & TV, Groove Music and Microsoft Office apps,"Microsoft said in a blog post. "The Microsoft HoloLens Development Edition also gives developers access to a showcase of holographic app experiences to help get them started." There is, however, currently no information on exactly when the consumer version of the device will go on...

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Leap Year sale makes five top-rated iOS apps free, today only
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-leap-year-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple wants to emphasize the fact that 2016 is a leap year, so it's created a new app sale for iOS. As a consequence, five highly-rated apps for the company's mobile operating system are now free. If you get all of them, you save $15. The main caveat is that this deal is only available today - since February 29 is a day that only exists every four years and all that. The apps in question are Spark Camera, Tayasui Sketches+, Bridge Constructor, Super Sharp, and Windy Sleep Relax Meditate. Bridge Constructor and Super Sharp are games, while Spark Camera is obviously a camera app. Sketches+ lets you create drawings and take notes, and Windy is all about white noise sounds that calm your mind. You can find all of these in the iTunes App Store,...

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Upcoming 7-inch Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab E portrayed in leaked press renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/tab-a-tab-e-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is apparently going to unveil a couple of new 7-inch tablets soon. One will be sold as the Galaxy Tab A, while the other will bear Galaxy Tab E branding. The latter device has been leaking a lot lately, with full specs having been outed as well as a round of renders allegedly showing it. Earlier today prolific leaker Evan Blass, also known as @evleaks, has decided to make things interesting and out a new set of press renders for the 7-inch Tab E. However, accompanying it in the image you can see below is the upcoming 7-inch Galaxy Tab A. The Tab A is to the left in these shots, while the right side belongs to the Tab E. What's immediately obvious is that the E models have larger side bezels. The backs of the upcoming Tab A and Tab E devices are pretty much interchangeable. Their specs could be similar too, but that's not certain yet. The Tab E is supposedly coming with a 7-inch 1,280x800 touchscreen, a 1.3 GHz processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 8GB of built-in storage. It will also get a 4G-capable iteration. It will be headed to the US alongside other...

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GSMArena

01-03-16, 14:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-vive-open-orders/-184x111/thumb.jpg HTC is now taking pre-orders for the Steam-powered Vive VR headset, as promised. Earlier today we told you about the international pricing of the HTC Vive - the VR headset costs $799 in the USA, Â€899 in Europe, $817 in Australia, CAD 1,149 in Canada, Â£689 in the UK, and CNY 6,888 in China. The pre-orders are opened to everyone, and you can place your order for the Vive right now. Most of the markets will be getting the Vive this April while the first units in Australia will be dispatched in May. Beware of the shipping costs, though, as they turned out to be quite steep. You will have to add Â€60 for shipping in Europe, $110 in Australia, Â£58 for the UK, $30 in the USA. If you want to pre-order your HTC Vive, you should head to official store. HTC...

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GSMArena

02-03-16, 14:44

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-windows-gaming/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has announced that two of its biggest gaming franchises will be making the jump from Xbox to Windows 10. The company announced a Windows 10 version of the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and Forza Motorsport 6: Apex. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is the remastered version of the original Gears of War game that was recently released on the Xbox One. Although the original game did release on PC, this new version features updated graphics and can go up to 4K, provided you have the right hardware. Forza Motorsport 6: Apex is a slightly stripped down version of the game that is available on Xbox One, but like Gears of War, also gets the full 4K treatment on PC. It will be free to download. Both games will be sold through the company's Windows 10 Store only, which means there will be some limitations, such as a permanent fullscreen mode and always-on v-sync. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is available for purchase right now on the store, while Apex will be released in Spring 2016. The company also announced that the future Forza games will be released on both Xbox and Windows...

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Android and TouchWiz take 8GB of your Samsung Galaxy S7 storage
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-storage/-184x111/thumb.jpg We all know when we buy a new smartphone, be it 16, 32, 64, or even 128GB, it actually offers less memory because of the formatting. The 16GB storage suddenly becomes 14GB; those 32GB turn out 29GB, 64GB equal 58GB, and so on. There is also the fact that a considerable amount of storage will be occupied by the operating system itself. And by the end of the day, we usually lose a significant portion of the storage even before we open the box. That's the reason we try to fill our phone specs with the actual available storage to the user. And now we can shed some light on the Galaxy S7 series and its internal storage. As it turns out, the Android OS and TouchWiz launcher occupy 8GB of storage Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. This is upon the first run, even before you begin to setup your phone with accounts, apps, etc. The typical smartphone user also fills a few GBs the moment he starts updating apps and restoring purchases. And those precious 32GB will be halved in no time. Luckily, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge offer microSD expansion and the option to move apps to the SD card. Hopefully, this information helps you make the right decision - maybe you should consider waiting for the 64GB models, or purchasing a fast microSD card. Source Â•...

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SanDisk Ultra 200GB microSD now even cheaper at $80 on Amazon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sandisk-200gb-amazon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg SanDisk's largest microSD card has been discounted further on US Amazon and now the 200GB Ultra goes for a very reasonable $79.99. That's an additional $10 discount compared to the price a couple of weeks ago, and a generous $170 off its prohibitive $249.99 MSRP. Naturally the other storage options aren't selling for full price, but the 128GB is $5 costlier than the last time we reported, now $50. For the price of the 200GB card you could get three 64GB cards and have $11 to spare, but the 200GB all at once does seem a lot more convenient. SanDisk's Ultra badge doesn't mean much in terms of transfer speeds though, and the 200GB card is the fastest at 90MB/s, the 64GB is rated at up to 80MB/s, while the 128GB version is the most sluggish at 48MB/s. Regardless of size and speed, they are all water proof, temperature proof, shock proof, X-ray proof and magnet proof, all sorts of proof. Source |...

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Huawei holding a March 9 event in Berlin, P9 expected
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-march9-event/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei is holding an event in Berlin next week. The company has posted a teaser image for the event which is scheduled for March 9 in the German capital. Aside from the date and city, the teaser doesn't reveal anything else about the event. However, it does show beer being poured in a glass, although we're not sure what it has to do with the event, especially the word 'Beer' below the glass. If at all it's a smartphone-related event, then the Huawei P9 will most likely be the star given that the device has been the subject of several leaks and rumors in the past few weeks, and not to mention that there have already been rumors that it would be unveiled in March 2016. Its rumored specifications include Kirin 950 CPU, 5.2-inch 1080p display, 3GB RAM, and 3,900mAh battery. The handset is also said to come in as many as four...

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WhatsApp update adds PDF sharing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/whatsapp-documents/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg WhatsApp is now rolling out an update for the Android and iOS versions of the app that adds document sharing. More specifically, PDF sharing. You can now press the attachment sharing button to see the option to attach documents. On Android it will show your file manager to attach any local PDF files you may have. On iPhone, it will let you attach files from other storage apps, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. The update is now rolling out and should be available to everyone...

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$800 HTC Vive scores 15,000 pre-orders in 10 minutes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-vive-open-orders/-184x111/thumb.jpg HTC's Steam-powered Vive VR headset, which went on pre-order earlier this week, received 15,000 pre-orders in just 10 minutes. The revelation was made by Shen Ye, a VR product specialist at the Taiwan-based company. Woah, more than 15k units in less than 10min :oÂ— Shen Ye (@shen) February 29, 2016 That's quite impressive given that the headset costs a whopping $800 in the US (Â€899 in Europe). HTC CEO Cher Wang also took to Twitter to share what she said was an "overwhelming response to the start of pre-orders." Super excited at the overwhelming response to the start of pre-orders!@htcvive @shen @PeterFrolund pic.twitter.com/mUpovMjYtLÂ— Cher Wang (@CherWang) February 29, 2016 The HTC Vive is the second major VR headset that went on pre-order sale this year. Back in January, Rift from Facebook-backed Oculus VR was also made available to pre-order - the $600 device begins shipping March 28. Source 1...

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Sprint and AT&T also start shipping Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sprint-att-gs7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg T-Mobile became the first carrier in the US to start shipping Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders ahead of the devices' official launch. In fact, some of the magenta carrier's customers who pre-ordered the flagships have already received their units. Now, it is being reported that a couple of other major US carriers - AT&T and Sprint - have also begun shipping the pre-orders. In all, three of the 'Big Four' cell phone carriers in the country have now started shipping the latest Samsung flagships. There's currently no word on whether or not Verizon has commenced its Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-order shipments. In case you aren't already aware, the devices are officially set to go on sale starting March 11, and will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of their global...

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Second-gen Motorola Moto G getting Android 6.0 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/motog-2014-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Earlier last month, Motorola started pushing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to the second-generation Motorola Moto G in India and Brazil. And now, the update has started rolling out in the United States. Aside from the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions, the update also includes the Android security patch for the month of January. In case you want to take a look, the Android 6.0 update release notes for the Moto G 2014 are already available on Motorola's India support website - head to the Motorola link below. Motorola US is yet to officially confirm the roll-out. Via |...

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Samsung Pay adoption is growing much faster than Apple Pay did
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-pay-adoption-faster-than-apple/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new report from Bloomberg has reported that Samsung Pay is being adopted very quickly compared to Apple Pay did when it first launched. "Samsung has signed up 5 million users and processed more than $500 million in transactions since debuting in the U.S. in September." Samsung has differentiated itself from the other mobile payment solutions with its acquisition of Loop Pay. This technology simulates the magnetic strip on a credit card and does not require an NFC terminal. Basically, Samsung Pay is accepted anywhere a regular card swipe can be accepted which dramatically increases the number of merchants who accept Samsung Pay. In Samsung's latest ad, actor and comedian Hannibal Buress takes his Galaxy phone to a Deli in New York City, (a city with many places that only accept cash and barely even take credit cards) he baffles employees in the deli when he taps his phone and the card goes through. As said in the report, there has to be something better for the consumer to embrace mobile payments vs traditional cash and credit card transactions made with plastic cards. Something really needs to take the mobile payment industry by storm in order to see an even wider adoption. Source |...

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Cyanogenmod 13 nightlies to begin supporting fingerprint scanner on Galaxy S5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/cyanogenmod-supports-fingerprint-scanner-galaxy-s5/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The XDA community is always hard at work. From reviving older phones to run the latest Android versions to providing the most feature-rich ROMs for all kinds of phones to building a bounty fund for rooting Verizon devices, XDA is home to some of the best Android developers and ROM builders for our (free) flashing pleasure. Mokee ROM for the Galaxy S5 has finally added support for the built-in fingerprint scanner on an AOSP ROM nonetheless. The news is that Cyanogenmod, among the biggest names in aftermarket ROMs, will include fingerprint scanner support on future Cyanogenmod 13 nightlies for the Galaxy S5 thanks to the Mokee ROM developers. For those of you who like to flash your Galaxy S5, expect to see more AOSP ROMs adopting this scanner support. Source...

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6.0 Update to Huawei Watch enables internal speaker, rolling out now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-watch-updated-to-androidwear-1.4/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you hadn't known it before, the Huawei Watch has a built in speaker that has been completely ignored for a long time, even the company did not acknowledge its existence when the smart watch was first released. Thanks to a new update for the watch itself, the Huawei Watch will be updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow where the internal speaker will be enabled on Huawei's watch to allow users to make and receive calls with audio routed directly through the watch. Over the next few days, users should start seeing the update pop up on their Huawei Watches. The new update brings new support for sending messages through the watch for WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, Telegram, and Nextplus, new gestures for navigating the watch, battery life improvements, Ability to play sounds on watches with speakers, and more language options in Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Polish, Dutch and Thai. Source |...

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Leaked photos of Huawei P9 confirm earlier renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/leaked-photos-of-huawei-p9-confirm-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Venture Beat was able to get its hands on the unreleased device by Huawei: the Huawei P9. The photos show that the device will feature a dual-camera set up and will be offered in at least 4 different variants, reports say. The camera setup looks like it might have a laser-focus sensor right under the flash and a side-by-side camera setup to refocus after taking shots, adjust appeared aperture, and apply filters. This dual-setup is said to become a feature for Huawei's future P devices. The Huawei P9 also features a Kirin 950 CPU, Mali-T880 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 3900mAh battery. The P9 will also have a 5.2 inch screen with a 1080p resolution. Leaked photos of the Huawei P8 The underside of the device has one speaker grille and a bottom-positioned headphone jack. The Huawei P9 also features a USB Type-C port for charging and transmitting data. These leaks of the device confirm leaked renders from a few months back. Earlier rumors of the Huawei P9 have suggested its launch date to be this month while others say it might be in Q2 of this year. Source |...

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Pebble Time and Time Round get permanent $50 price cuts
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pebble-new-prices/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Pebble has announced some good news for prospective buyers of its smartwatches. Both the Time and the Time Round have received a permanent $50 price cut. This means the official price for the Pebble Time is now $149.99, whereas the Pebble Time Round is now sold for $199.99. Sure, we've seen them going for even less from time to time, but this is no limited-time offer or anything like that. Pricing has changed in the Eurozone as well, where the Time is now listed for Â€169.95, and the Time Round goes for Â€229.95. In the UK, the Pebble Time now costs Â£149.99, while the Time Round is Â£179.99. If you placed an order for one of these two smartwatches (on pebble.com) on or after January 21, and paid the old prices, you'll be refunded the difference if you contact the company. Full instructions for this are available at the Source link...

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Upcoming 7-inch Galaxy Tab A is on pre-order in Poland already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tab-a-poland/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The yet-unofficial Samsung SM-T280 tablet has been in the news a lot over the past few weeks. Most of the time, it's been thought to be sold by the Korean company as the 7-inch version of the Galaxy Tab E. However, it now looks like it will be called Galaxy Tab A instead. That's because a Polish online retailer has already listed the SM-T280 up for pre-order. And it's calling it Tab A indeed. The device is priced at PLN 599, which at the moment translates into approximately $150 or Â€138. The tablet will apparently become available on March 8, which is exactly one week from today. This Galaxy Tab A comes with a 7-inch 1,280x800 touchscreen, a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, a 5 MP rear camera, a 2 MP front-facing unit, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 4,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 186.9 x 108.8 x 8.7 mm, and it weighs 283g. Its specs line up perfectly with past leaks, if you ignore the fact that the rumors got the name wrong. Now that it's already up for pre-order in the EU, perhaps Samsung will finally announce it soon. Thanks for the tip, Kozo! Source (in...

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Samsung will launch its own leasing program for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge on March 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-s7-leasing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever since September of 2015, Samsung has been rumored to be thinking about 'emulating' Apple once more, this time regarding a leasing program for its devices. This hasn't actually become reality yet, but according to a new report out of South Korea that's going to change very soon. Samsung hasn't stopped working on its leasing program, and will in fact be launching it on March 11, on the day when the Galaxy S7 (pictured below) and S7 edge go on sale. For starters, those will be the only two devices that you'll be able to grab through the leasing scheme. The biggest caveat, however, is the fact that for the time being Samsung will only offer the leasing option in South Korea. And only through its own physical stores. The program will require eager customers to sign a two-year monthly installment plan. However, you are able to upgrade your device after just 12 months if you so wish, without having to complete the remaining payments. Since the scheme will be offered directly by Samsung, people who go this route will be able to choose any one of the three Korean carriers for a service agreement. Right now it's unclear when (or if) Samsung plans to take this leasing program global, but perhaps the Korean release is just a test run, and if everything goes well we might see the same thing offered...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pre-orders break records
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-record-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to an unofficial report, Samsung is having a blast with the pre-orders of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The phone is up for pre-order in 60 markets and according to Eldar Murtazin in Russia the two phones are enjoying record pre-sales. The Russian tech journalist also reveals an unofficial statistic that 64% of those who've pre-ordered the phone went for the Galaxy S7 edge, meaning that the majority of fans would gladly play the premium for the dual-curved screen. We're yet to receive official news from Samsung regarding pre-order numbers. The two phones launch on March 11, so there's plenty of time for them to reach even higher numbers. The company will, reportedly, be making a total of 17.2 million Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge units by April of this year. Source |...

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Windows 10 is close to nabbing 13% of the desktop OS market
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/windows-10-market-share/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg According to the latest report from Net Market Share, Microsoft's Windows 10 is continuing its upward spiral in terms of how many PCs it powers. This version now sits at 12.82% of the market for desktop operating systems, as you can see from the pie chart below. Windows 10 claimed 11.85% of that market back in January, so it looks like more and more people and businesses are adopting it. However, its growth is slowing down, so it's unclear what the future will hold. The world's most used desktop OS is still Windows 7, now down to 52.34% of the market (it was at 52.47% in January). It's followed by Windows 10, and then XP comes in at 11.24%. Windows 8.1 has grabbed a 9.83% market share, with Mac OS X 10.11 boasting 3.72%, Windows 8 at 2.43%, and Mac Os X 10.10 at 2.2%. Every other desktop OS is in the "Others" category, which makes up 5.42% of the pie. In that, Linux apparently represents 1.78%. Source |...

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Meizu Pro 6 to have 3D Touch, screenshot reveals
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-pro-6-force-touch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A feature limited to less than a dozen phones in existence, 3D Touch/Force touch/whatever commercial name the company decides to use is coming to the Meizu Pro 6. The Chinese company's VP and Flyme chief architect Yang Yan has shared a screenshot on Weibo giving a glimpse of what the implementation is going to look like. So far we've seen 3D touch in action on the iPhone 6s/6s Plus pair, and also the recently announced Gionee S8. The Huawei Mate S and the ZTE Axon mini also have the feature in their top-specced versions but those are about as common as unicorns. Meizu Pro 6 Force Touch screenshot Judging by the screenshot, Meizu's way of doing things is quite similar to the iPhone 6s. Applying pressure on the display brings up a context menu with options on top of a blurred background. Meizu Pro 5 iPhone 6s users have been quick to adopt the new feature, but there appears to be a reluctance among major players like Samsung, LG, and Sony. Chinese manufacturers, on the other hand, have obviously been more inclined to slap the buzzword on a device or two. Even so, Force Touch doesn't seem to be quite the game changer Apple hyped it up to be. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Both Alcatel Idol 3 sizes are now discounted at Amazon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/alcatel-idol-3-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Now that the Idol 4 and the Idol 4s are official, Alcatel is understandably looking to clear some of its Idol 3 inventory, in anticipation of the release of the new devices. And that means there are deals to be had for last year's models. Both the 4.7-inch and the 5.5-inch Idol 3 variants are now cheaper at Amazon. The smaller handset can be yours for $169.99, which is $30 less than it was before. On the other hand, the 5.5" Idol 3 is priced at $179.99, a whopping $70 less than it was up until now. In both cases we're talking about phones you purchase unlocked and SIM-free, so there are no long-term carrier contracts to worry about here. If you're wondering which version to buy, then know that the 5.5-inch Idol 3 comes with better specs than its smaller sibling. So unless you feel that its size is too much to handle, it's probably the one to pick, especially now that it's just $10 more expensive than the 4.7-inch...

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GSMArena

02-03-16, 14:44

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-5se-box/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Apple iPhone 5se has been in our rumors sections for quite some time. Recent reports suggest the iPhone 5se will be going official on March 22, so we'll have to wait just a few weeks before we know everything. Most of the leaks confirm the iPhone 5se will be a 4" smartphone with TouchID and upgraded 8MP snapper. It should be powered by Apple's latest A9 chipset, the same as the one ticking inside the iPhone 6s generation, but with half the RAM at 1GB. The iPhone 5se is said to be a special edition of the iPhone 5s, with more powerful hardware and refreshed design. The new looks are now confirmed by this new leaked picture of the retail box, which shows the compact fella with a 2.5D curved protective glass on the screen. The box, if real, also confirms the phone's name - Apple iPhone 5se, which should stand for Special Edition, or iPhone 5s Enhanced, as some rumors are suggesting. Anyway, Apple is still mum on its plans, but the event should eventually happen on March 22. A new iPad Pro is also expected to be announced on stage, as well as a new iPad Air 3 with Apple A9X chip (currently available on the original iPad...

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GSMArena

03-03-16, 14:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-pay-adoption-faster-than-apple/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has revealed that Samsung Pay is now supported by 70 major banks and credit unions in the United States, claiming that the mobile payments service now covers over 70% of the country's credit and debit card market. The revelation was made by the South Korean company in a press release where-in it announced that service now also also supports eligible credit and debit cards from Wells Fargo, an American multinational banking and financial services holding company. Samsung recently revealed that Samsung Pay has attracted around 5 million users and the company has processed more than $500 million in transactions since the mobile payments service made its debut in the US, something which happened in September last...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 hands-on: The Snapdragon Edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-redmi-note-3-snapdragon/-347x151/thumb.jpg The Redmi series has always been Xiaomi's bread and butter. Combining good design, features, and reasonable performance at a very attractive price, the Redmi series has redefined for many what a good budget smartphone should be like.

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Xiaomi launches Redmi Note 3 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/redmi-note-3-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi today announced the Redmi Note 3 for the Indian market. The phone is priced at INR 9,999 ($148) for the 16GB model, and INR 11,999 ($178) for the 32GB model. The Redmi Note 3 for India runs on the brand new Snapdragon 650 SoC and 2GB of RAM on the 16GB model and 3GB RAM on the 32GB model. It also has a new 16 megapixel camera with f2.0 aperture and phase detect autofocus. Then there's the 5.5-inch 1080p display, 5 megapixel front camera, and a massive 4,050mAh battery. The Redmi Note 3 is also the first Xiaomi phone to have a fingerprint sensor and the first Redmi phone to have a metal body. The phone runs on MIUI 7 on Android 5.1 Lollipop. The Redmi Note 3 will be manufactured in India as part of the country's Make in India initiative. The Redmi Note 3 will be available through Mi.com and Amazon, starting March 9 at 2 PM, and on Flipkart and Snapdeal at a later date. The phone will be available in silver, gold, and...

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Watch Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India launch event here
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/redmi-keynote/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is launching it's newest Redmi smartphone in India, the Redmi Note 3. The event is being held in New Delhi and is being presented by company Vice President, Hugo Barra. We already have the specs for the device, if you're interested, and something more later once the device has been announced. For now, you can catch the live stream of the keynote...

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Fitbit's Blaze smartwatch is now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/fitbit-blaze-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Unveiled at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, the Fitbit Blaze smartwatch is now available for purchase. The wearable device, which carries a $200 price tag, was up for pre-order until now. The watch is now listed on major US online retailers including Amazon and Best Buy. It comes with a choice of Black, Blue or Plum wristbands, although you can also purchase leather straps in three different colors for $100 each and a stainless steel bracelet for $130. In terms of functionality, the wearable offers heart rate monitoring, all-day activity and sleep tracking, music control, as well as call, text, other alerts. The company claims a 5-day battery life for the smartwatch. Source (Amazon) | Best...

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Xiaomi announces rollout of MIUI 7.2 China stable build; global build coming soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/miui72-rollout/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of months after the MIUI 7.1 started hitting supported devices, Xiaomi has announced the roll-out of version 7.2 of its MIUI ROM. The OTA update is currently rolling out to Chinese variants of the company's devices, while global roll-out is expected to happen soon. The devices that are now getting the update include the Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi Note Pro, Mi 4c, Mi Pad 1, Redmi Note 4G (Single SIM), and Redmi 1S. A second set of devices - including the Mi Note, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Mi 2/2S, Mi Pad 2, Redmi 3, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 4G (Dual SIM), Redmi Note 3G, Redmi 2A, Redmi 2 - will get it next week (around March 9). If you haven't yet received the update notification and are feeling impatient, you can also head to the company's official forum (Source link below) to download the ROM package for your device. The thread also lists full change-log for the...

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Xiaomi reportedly sells over 200K Mi 4S units first day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mi4s-firstday-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 4S was announced late last month, and the device went on sale in China earlier this week. Now, according to reports from Chinese media, over 200K units of the handset were sold on the first day itself. The Chinese company hasn't yet officially revealed the device's first day sales figures. However, a local retailer Suning revealed that it sold over 110,000 units on the launch day, of which 50,935 units were sold online, while 64,853 were sold through offline channels. Given that Suning wasn't the only retailer selling the Mi 4S in the country, the 200,000 figure reported by Chinese media seems realistic. The phone carries a price tag of RMB 1,699 (around $260), and comes in black, white, gold, and pink color...

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T-Mobile LG G4 now available for just $350
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-g4-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're a T-Mobile customer and in the market for an LG smartphone, here is a deal for you: the magenta carrier has given LG's last year flagship - the G4 - a price cut. The device (Metallic Gray model) is now available for $350, down from its previous price of $600. This doesn't seem to be an online-only deal (there's no mention of it at-least), meaning you can purchase a T-Mobile LG G4 at that price from the carrier's physical retail stores as well. For those on AT&T or Verizon, as we've already reported, you can grab an LG G4 unit for just $300. As you might already know, LG announced its newest flagship - the G5 - last month at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The device will be available to pre-order in the US in a couple of weeks from...

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Blackberry Priv now available from Verizon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/blackberry-priv-available-through-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you've been waiting for the Android-powered Blackberry to arrive at big Red, your wait is now over. Verizon is offering the Blackberry Priv for the full retail price of $720 or $30 per month for a period of 24 monthly payments. The Blackberry Priv is Blackberry's first comeback out of a ditch it dug itself in. It features a 5.4 inch 1440p display, Snapdragon 808 Hexa-core processor, 18MP camera, 3GB of RAM, and a 3410mAh battery. The phone also features a display that slides up to reveal a physical QWERTY keyboard, the same kind that Blackberry has pioneered into its own hardware for years. Source |...

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New report suggests iPhone will get OLED displays in 2017
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-getting-oled-as-soon-as-2017/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new report from Chinese organization Nikkei says that Apple has been reaching out to Samsung in and LG in December of this past year to see if they are able to produce insane volumes of OLED panels for releasing an OLED iPhone in 2017. Reports also say that this deal with Samsung and LG could be up to $12 billion. This new 2017 goal does seem realistic and possible because of the way Apple refreshes its iPhones every other year. The physical device has very similar dimensions but components, sensors, or features might change with the newer iteration. If the iPhone 7 comes out this year (which in accordance to the last 8 iPhones, this is the only logical step), then the iPhone 7S would be launching by later next year in 2017. An OLED display could be in that list of new hardware changes for the iPhone 7S. OLED displays offer vivid colors, darker blacks, and more energy efficient operations than LCD panels have done in the past. Samsung has been using its own AMOLED panels for many different Galaxy phones in the past several years. This is the time when Apple needs to think outside the box a little bit more and perhaps take more risks. Last year's financial reports released from Apple have already shown a stunt in growth of iPhone sales and everyone is watching Apple's next moves. Source |...

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AT&T holding open insurance enrollment until April 30
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/att-open-insurance-enrollment/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Carriers often don't do this sort of thing, but when they do it may be a big deal for you. Normally when you purchase a device through your carrier, you have the option of adding insurance to your device from day 1 up to 30 days in case you need some time to think about it. After that, you cannot enroll any longer and any damage repairs will need to be paid out of pocket. AT&T is allowing customers a second chance to protect their smart devices with an open enrollment of smartphone insurance for those who wished they got it before they dropped their devices. This open enrollment period started yesterday, March 1 and will last all the way until April 30. If you are on AT&T and haven't already enrolled your device, AT&T offers three different ways to do that with plans from $7.99 for a single device to a multi-device plan for $29.99. Source |...

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Google is piloting a Hands Free mobile payment service, no need to take phone out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-hands-free-payments/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is testing a new payment service totally separate from Android Pay. It will allow customers who have their hands full (one of the few examples given is if you are shopping with small children) or customers who are just lazy, to pay in-store without taking out the phone and with minimal interaction. Here's how it works: your phone must have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled before using Hands Free and most of us already have those two things enabled. Bluetooth Low Energy in conjunction with location services provided by Wi-Fi prepares phones for payments by communicating with beacons installed at the registers. The customer will simply tell the cashier that he or she is "paying with Google", then the cashier verifies the image and initials with the customer and confirms the payment. A notification is then sent directly to your device, confirming the payment you just made. The problem with these kinds of payment methods is they require even more hardware in order to accept these Hands Free payments and this is not idea in a world where NFC terminals payments are still limited as to where they can be used. This pilot is currently only available in the South Bay Area of California for select locations of two merchants: McDonald's and Papa John's. Still, it's nice to see Google coming up with these new pilot programs, even though, Google has ventured its nose into places it shouldn't have and ended up shutting down these unused services. But kudos to Google for actually taking the risks. Source |...

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Google Photos for Android update revamps navigation, renames Collections
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-photos-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The team behind Google Photos has announced a new update for the service's Android app today. This has started rolling out through the Play Store, but since Google loves staging these things it might take a few days before it reaches you. The new version of Photos brings with it a bottom navigation bar, which lets you quickly jump to the Assistant, Photos, or Albums views. The bottom bar is reminiscent of the one introduced with the latest redesign of the Google+ app for Android, and as such it might not go down well for some, especially since it's always present. The other new thing in the latest Photos release is that aforementioned Albums section. This is in fact the old Collections view, only renamed - based on user feedback, it turns out. The Albums area now comes with a scrolling carousel on top, giving you "easy access to your shared albums, people, places, things, animations, collages, movies, and device folders", according to Google. All of these changes are on their way to the iOS version of the Google Photos app too, but for now they can only be found on...

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HTC outs first teaser video for the One M10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/m10-teaser-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Not long ago HTC published its first teaser image for the upcoming One M10 flagship smartphone. And today the Taiwanese company is taking things one step further, having outed the first teaser video for the same device through its Turkish YouTube channel. The hashtag is still "#powerof10", with the name One M10 having been unofficially confirmed just yesterday. The video goes out of its way not to show us anything even remotely resembling the handset itself, but it is filled with great-sounding things about HTC doing its best to find ways in which to "make your phone even better". Apparently HTC employees aren't going home at night anymore, instead opting to work on the M10, with which they're obsessed, "but in a good way". Given the fact that we haven't seen an invite for the unveiling event yet, we assume we're still quite a few weeks away from that. Though HTC is surely going to tease us some more in the coming days. The One M10 will reportedly have a "very compelling" camera, three storage options (16, 32, and 64GB), a 5.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen, the Snapdragon 820 chip, 4GB of RAM, a fingerprint scanner, as well as Android 6.0 Marshmallow on...

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Will the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge bend, scratch, or burn?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-edge-bend-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember #bendgate? It was all the rage back in 2014, after Apple released the rather bendable iPhone 6 Plus. Ever since that point, some people have taken to constantly testing new phones for such behavior. But after a while just doing bend tests becomes boring, we assume. Hence, the video you can see below goes even further with Samsung's new Galaxy S7 edge. Aside from the obligatory bendiness review, you also get a scratch test and... a lighter trying to burn the phone. The scratch test is the most comprehensive, covering the handset's screen, its glass back, as well as the glass covering the camera lens and the plastic that's on top of the LED flash and heart rate sensor. Finally, the aluminum frame faces the knife too. The effect of the flame on the S7 edge's display is certainly interesting, as is the fact that you can't break it by bending, but the back panel does lift up at one point compromising the phone's water...

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Sony Xperia X and XA UK pre-orders kick off
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xperia-x-xa-uk-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At MWC last month, Sony retired the aging Xperia Z family and unveiled the new Xperia X series, comprising of three members so far - the Xperia X itself, the Xperia X Performance, and the Xperia XA. And now two of those are already up for pre-order in the UK. We're talking about the Xperia X and XA (pictured below), since the X Performance may never be sold in the UK as it turns out. At the moment MobileFun is the only online retailer offering the X and XA on pre-order. The Xperia X is priced at Â£529, while the XA is a much more affordable Â£249. Unfortunately there's no information yet about when the two devices will start shipping, so if you desperately want either one all you can do right now is pre-order and then be patient. To learn more about the new Sony phones, make sure you read our detailed hands-on report. Source 1 Â• Source...

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Check out our Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) video review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-a9-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Mainstream smartphones are still getting bigger and bigger every year, it seems, and Samsung couldn't help but notice this trend. As a consequence, it's expanded its 'premium mid-range' A series with a new 6-inch offering this January - the Galaxy A9 (2016). This device pairs a 1080p Super AMOLED touchscreen with the Snapdragon 652 chipset - fittingly, as it turns out, because that happens to be Qualcomm's premier upper-midrange chip. So the SoC and the entire phone itself are perfectly aligned in this respect, with 3GB of RAM in there to make multitasking a breeze. Our quick video review of the Galaxy A9 (2016) is embedded below. If you want to find out even more details about this handset, then make sure you go through our comprehensive written review as well. It should help you figure out if this device is for you or not. It certainly has plenty of strengths for its price...

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Nova Launcher Prime price is down to $0.99, get it now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nova-prime-price/-184x111/thumb.jpg Nova Launcher is one of those apps most of the Android users have tried once they had grown tired of their default Android skin. It's the most popular launcher replacement in the Play Store today, and there is a reason for that - it has a very simple UI, yet offers powerful configuration options. Nova Launcher is available for free download in the Play Store, but it has a Prime paid version, which usually costs $5. It allows gesture support, option to hide apps in the drawer, unread count badges on apps, among others. Today the Prime version costs $0.99 in the USA, Canada, Australia, Â£/Â€ 0.50 in the UK and the EU, and INR 10 in India. If you are interested in the full version of Nova launcher, now is a very good time to get it. Play Store Â•...

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SoundHound's Hound app now available in the US on iOS and Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/hound-download/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After spending some time in beta, SoundHound's Hound app is now available to download on iOS and Android, if you're in the US. Hound is a voice search app that combines speech recognition and language understanding to provide a much better experience than something like Google Now or Siri. Hound can understand complex sentences and can process multiple queries at the same time, and fetch the relevant information from the internet as well as do local tasks such as calling someone or sending a text. If you're in the States, you can give the app a try or wait for it to be made available in your region. iOS Â•...

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AT&T adds Microsoft Lumia 950 to its GoPhone lineup
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumias-back-for-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg AT&T's branded prepaid service GoPhone has now added the Microsoft Lumia 950 to its line-up, and is selling the Windows 10-powered flagship smartphone for $598.99. Both black and white color variants are up for grabs, and shipping is free. The phone is also being officially sold by Microsoft in the US, with the unlocked variant costing around $550. If, however, you're interested in the XL version of the Lumia 950, you'll be glad to know that B&H photo still has it listed for around $530 - Microsoft is selling the device for $649. In case you missed, the device - along with the Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 550 - also received a new Windows 10 Mobile build last...

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GSMArena

04-03-16, 15:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia535-win10/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Microsoft promised to update all compatible Lumia smartphones to Windows 10 Mobile, but the new firmware is still nowhere to be found. There is no official release date either; it's just coming soon. A Vodafone Italy rep has compiled a list of upcoming updates for the carrier phones and published it on the carrier's official Twitter account. It suggests a bunch of Lumia smartphones will be getting the Windows 10 Mobile sometime next week. According to the list Lumia 535, Lumia 635, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, Lumia 930, and Lumia 1520 will get an OTA firmware with Windows 10 Mobile between March 7 and March 13. If this is true, this means the global rollout of those updates should happen very soon. Unfortunately, there is no official confirmation on this dates and Microsoft is still mum on the subject. The Vodafone list is as much of an official source as we have at this point. Source |...

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Oculus Rift will arrive on Mac if Apple "ever releases a good computer"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-mac/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oculus founder Palmer Luckey was asked during an interview when the will they be adding Mac support to the Rift. His answer was simple, when Apple releases a good computer. Other than being the burn of the year so far, it's also true. Luckey's reasoning is that the current Macs simply do not have the graphical power to run something as intensive as VR on the Rift. Even the most powerful Mac Pro, with dual AMD FirePro D700 GPU, falls short of a single NVIDIA GTX 970, which is the minimum requirement to support Rift on the PC. Apple never prioritized gaming on the Mac and all the current machines are non-user upgradable now so you can't just install a more powerful graphics card like you could with the older Mac Pros. Even if Oculus added software support for OS X none of the machines will be able to handle it. Apple has shown an interest in VR recently but without the hardware support to match it's...

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Android N System app gets previewed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-settings/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We have taken a look at the Android N notification system previously, courtesy of Android Police. Now, they have released images of what is a work in progress Settings app that we might see in the coming Android N. One of the changes is that they have removed the lines between items that belong to the same category, and only put them between different categories. Also, items on the main list will now show additional info below them, such as the Battery item showing the battery status. Lastly, if you are in Do Not Disturb mode, the app shows a drop down at the top for some reason. If you click on any of the items on the main screen and go a level deeper, you will see the new hamburger menu appear on the top. This will let you jump to any of the other sections in the app without going back first. Again, these are essentially mockups of a work in progress build of Android N, so a lot can change in the final version. Check the source for more...

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Instagram blocks links to Telegram profiles
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/instagram-blocks-links-to-telegram-profiles/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Instagram is further buckling down on links to profiles for Snapchat or Telegram that are posted directly on the Instagram user's short profile. The image sharing giant has been caught denying users the ability to post links that directly link followers to their "follow-me" links. Another @Facebook tentacle closes on users' ability to share a link to their Telegram profile. #hypocrisy pic.twitter.com/xC6ydp3M0pÂ— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) March 2, 2016 Telegram tweeted about this and gave it the hashtag #hipocrisy. Instagram spokesperson confirmed to Mashable that the use-case and reason for blocked links is that it is misuse of the platform and was not intended to be used to gain followers via direct "follow-me" links. Here is where the #hipocrisy comes in: direct "follow-me" links are allowed on Instagram profiles, only if the profile happens to be a Twitter profile. Telegram is still a fairly new feature-packed service, but it seems that these other messaging giants feel threatened by Telegram's potential and don't want to have any part in Telegram potentially gaining growing any faster than it already is. Source |...

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Amazon Echo compatibility with Nest thermostats coming in two weeks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nest-thermostats-now-compatible-with-amazon-echo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you own an Amazon Echo and have a Nest smart thermostat, you'll be happy to know that they will begin to communicate with each other over the next couple of weeks. This new integration will allow users to simply tell Alexa to change the thermostat temperature to a specific temperature. Alexa's new Skills feature uses contextual information to learn about the user's preferences such as telling Alexa that you are leaving your home and Alexa would know to turn the thermostat off. Or you could tell Alexa to "tell the thermostat that I'm too hot." Nest also states that if you use IFTTT, there are already more than 50 recipes that you can use in conjunction with your Nest thermostat and Amazon Echo. Source |...

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Amazon removes storage encryption from Fire OS in new OTA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/amazon-removes-fireos-encryption/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In light of all the Apple VS. FBI controversy, Amazon took it upon itself to push out an OTA to its own Fire OS devices that disables encryption. However, when asked about it, The Verge reports that Amazon claimed the decision was made several months ago when it was Â‘removing features that customers were not using'. Encrypting storage was first introduced with Android 5.0 Lollipop which first came with some performance issues that had to be addressed. The issue at hand is now all of Amazon's products that run Fire OS will be updated to Fire OS 5, which disables encryption completely, rendering all customer's internal storage data, no longer protected in the hands of thieves. While Apple fights the good fight, @Amazon removes encryption as option from FireOS 5 | @csoghoian @normative @eff pic.twitter.com/nggBdtFG7j— David Scovetta (@davidscovetta) March 3, 2016 The update even tells customers that they need to back up their encrypted data before they can upgrade to the new Fire OS which lacks storage encryption. Why did Amazon decide to go through with decrypting Fire OS' internal storage? Especially at a time like this, speculation points to Amazon not wanting to become involved with the same issues that Apple faces with the FBI. We hope that Amazon decides to change its mind in deprecating encryption in its next OTA update. The customer deserves to have its data protected and if the customer no longer has the option, then those customers who really depend on storage encryption will likely switch to another device or another platform that will protect its customers' data, even as far as fighting through the court system. Source |...

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Rando is a new iOS app that sends people random messages on your behalf
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/rando-app/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Ever felt like you wanted to message someone, but have no idea what to actually write? How about when you get the urge to send someone a picture, but simply can't decide which one? Well, there's a new app in town that's ready to tackle these exact use-cases. It's called Rando, and it's out for iOS already. You can grab it for free from the iTunes App Store. Rando sends people random messages on your behalf. You can pick between a photo, a GIF, or a quote. Say you go with a pic. By default, Rando offers to randomly send an image from your Camera Roll, without even showing you which one. Thankfully, you do get the option to see it before it's shared, but in order for that to happen you need to tap a blurry rectangle. GIFs are sourced from Giphy. It's unclear where quotes come from, so supposedly Rando has its own database for those. Like for pictures, you can either send the GIF or quote blindly, or opt to see it first. Sending is done via text, Facebook, Twitter, or any other app that you can share stuff to in...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge teardown exposes all of its internals
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-edge-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While the Samsung Galaxy S7 got its first teardown last month, now it's time for the curvy S7 edge to receive the exact same treatment. The folks over at Chipworks have done the deed this time around, disassembling the handset and letting it reveal all of its secrets. The 12 MP camera module measures 12.1 x 12.1 x 5.4 mm. The Sony IMX260 sensor has been rumored to be inside, and while the exact model isn't written anywhere there is a Sony logo on the module's flex cable, so that tidbit could be true indeed. Near the camera module there's a STMicroelectronics K2G2IS gyroscope, used for optical image stabilization. The camera, as you may know, has 1.4 micron pixels, as well as a Dual Pixel autofocus system that's unique for the mobile world. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 (model MSM8996) chipset is present in this T-Mobile version of the S7 edge, along with 4GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM made by Hynix (though surely Samsung-made memory is present in other batches of the device). There's a big increase in interconnecting solder bumps between the top and bottom parts of the PoP (that's the package-on-package format in which the SoC is hidden under the RAM). This could either account for higher memory bandwidth or the need to dissipate more heat from the CPU and/or GPU. The touchscreen controller is made by Samsung itself, with part number S6SA552X. This hasn't been a widely used module so far, but that will probably change in the future. The Galaxy S7 edge also features a Knowles 9291S microphone, a Murata KM5D18098 Wi-Fi module, an NXP 67TO5 NFC controller, an IDT P9221 wireless power receiver, and an STM LPS25HB barometer. Make sure you hit the Source link below for the full...

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Rumored HTC Nexus to have 3D Touch along with upcoming Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, and Meizu phones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-3d-touch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus Apple has introduced the 3D Touch feature, which works because the two handsets' displays are pressure-sensitive. Although this hasn't really taken the world by storm like some previous Apple innovations, it looks like its Android competitors are still looking into adding 3D Touch functionality to their devices. A new rumor out of China today claims that Google will add the necessary software to support this feature into the next Android release. As this will be built into the OS, phone makers won't have to create their own software implementations for it, which should speed up adoption. In fact, HTC is said to be adding 3D Touch to this year's Nexus phone, which it will make. It's been a while since we've heard anything about an HTC Nexus, and the last rumor on the matter said we'd see not one but two HTC-made handsets in 2016. If that's true, perhaps they'll both have pressure-sensitive screens. But the Nexus line isn't the only one getting the functionality. Xiaomi, Meizu, Oppo, and vivo are all said to be working on future devices with pressure-sensing displays. So it looks like this is bound to become a staple feature of Android smartphones later this year. That is, of course, if this particular rumor turns out to have been true. That's a big if, so don't take anything for granted just yet. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Samsung Upgrade Programme launches in the UK, nets you the latest Galaxy every 12 months
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-upgrade-programme/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Samsung has announced the Upgrade Programme for the UK. This is basically the company's own device leasing scheme, which should also make its way to South Korea as past rumors have told us. The Upgrade Programme lets you get a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge by paying a 10% deposit upfront, and then making monthly payments for the phone. For the S7, the deposit is £56.90, and after that you'll pay £24.58 per month. After 12 months, you can upgrade to the next Samsung flagship (let's call it the Galaxy S8), by simply returning the S7 in "good working condition". And from that point on you pay 12 monthly installments for the S8. The good thing is that you can upgrade your device every year. On the other hand, there are plenty of caveats. First off, if you don't upgrade the handset after a year, you'll still have another 12 monthly payments to make on that S7, as the agreement is for 24 months (but Samsung will "cover" the 12 remaining installments if you upgrade and return your S7). And once you've upgraded to the S8, you've entered another two-year agreement (so if you don't upgrade to the S9 in 2018, then you still have 12 more payments to cover the price of the S8... and so on). The installments are not interest-free, as they are in the case of certain smartphone purchases from US carriers. With the Samsung Upgrade Programme, there's a 14.9% APR. And obviously the scheme does not include an actual contract with an operator, so you'll have to get that separately - or use a Pay as you go SIM. Still, despite the caveats, it's always nice to have yet another option to purchase a much-craved item such as a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. It remains to be seen how far this Upgrade Programme will spread, geographically speaking, in the coming...

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Sony Xperia X and Xperia X Performance Dual ship with 64GB storage
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-xperia-x-dual-64gb/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Xperia X and Xperia X Performance are the first devices to come under the new X series and will become available very soon. The Xperia X and Xperia X Performance are both 5" 1080p devices with 23MP rear snappers, 13MP selfie shooters, fingerprint scanners, and Android Marshmallow. The Xperia X runs on Snapdragon 650 chipset with 3GB RAM, while the Xperia X Performance utilizes Snapdragon 820 chipset with 3GB of RAM and adds waterproofing to the mix. Sony is going to launch dual-SIM options of both Xperia X and Xperia X Performance. The white papers of the devices have been recently uploaded on Sony's Dev Portal, and we found some interesting info inside. Apparently both Xperia X and Xperia X Performance will feature 64GB internal storage, double the amount of their single-SIM flavors. The firmware will occupy about 15.4GB of those, and 48.6GB will be available for your apps, multimedia, and files. The Dual SIM versions of the Xperia X and Xperia X Performance will accept nano-SIM cards only. Thank you, Ibrahim Gnono, for the tip! Source 1 | Source...

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Samsung had a planned VR stunt for the Oscars that got cancelled mere hours before the event
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-oscars-vr-stunt/-184x111/thumb.jpg As it turns out Samsung had a special VR stunt planned for the Oscars ceremony a few days ago, which was cancelled just hours before the red carpet rolled. Samsung's idea was to get Casey Neistat loose at the Oscars with a Gear 360 VR camera. He was supposed to be skateboarding in the Dolby Theater and pass around Leonardo DiCaprio as he was walking towards the stage (to grab his overdue Oscar). Samsung planned this stunt for a while, brought Neistat to Dolby Theater, and everything was rehearsed. But then Samsung cancelled the stunt, and the company's presence was limited to just one TV spot. Casey Neistat still shot a VR video that you can watch here, so it wasn't all in vain. You can also check this vlog entry, where he talks about Samsung's cancelled stunt. Samsung is a major sponsor to the Oscars, so it's natural it gets special treatment when it comes to advertising. You probably remember Ellen DeGeneres and her famous selfie with the Galaxy Note 3 in 2014. The reason for the cancellation is unknown, but maybe it was for the best - it could have been awkward someone to be skating around during the actors' most cherished...

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Sony Xperia Z5 series get Android Marshmallow in Japan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-z5-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg Sony has begun rolling out the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the entire Xperia Z5 lineup in Japan - Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium. The Marshmallow update for Sony Xperia Z5 has been already available in Turkey. The new Marshmallow-based firmware improves on the battery manager, app permissions manager, notification area customizations, and it brings a new Xperia Home launcher as well as an updated Camera app. Sony UK announced the Marshmallow rollout for the Xperia Z5 series, the Xperia Z4 Tablet, and Xperia Z3+ units will begin on March 7. Now that Sony is seeding Marshmallow updates in Turkey and Japan, we believe March 7 should be the date for the global release for those updates. Thank you, Chary, for the tip! Source Â•...

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Microsoft's Hyperlapse app for Android gets 1080p video and microSD support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ms-hyperlapse-android-update/-184x111/thumb.jpg Microsoft has lots of useful apps for Android but Hyperlapse is definitely one of the top picks. The app allows you to shoot stabilized time-lapse videos, but until today it was limited to 720p output. Microsoft pushed a new version to the Play Store, which adds support for shooting and saving hyperlapse videos at 1080p resolution. The 720p option is still set as default, so you should tweak the settings of the app after updating. But there is more. In addition to the added 1080p video support, Microsoft Hyperlapse now allows you to save the video on your microSD card. Nice! To use these new additions to the Hyperlapse app, your phone should be able to shoot 1080p videos, of course. Some launchers may not allow the app to save on the microSD card, so you should have that in mind, too. The app is now available for download in the Play Store. It's free so if you didn't have the chance to use it, you may want to give it a try. Play Store Â•...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and J5 (2016) will have laser autofocus according to Chinese certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/j5-j7-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese regulatory authority TENAA has sure had a busy day today. Having already released its certifications for the Oppo R9 and R9 Plus as well as the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro, TENAA is now gracing us with the full details of the upcoming Galaxy J5 (2016) and Galaxy J7 (2016). The successors to the original J5 and J7 from last year are due for a release soon. In the meantime they've kept on leaking, and now they've been put through the paces of TENAA, which has revealed that they could be sporting metal frames. The Galaxy J5 (2016) can be seen above. It's got a 5.2-inch 720p Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash and laser autofocus, a 5 MP selfie snapper, a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and 4G on board. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 145.7 x 72.3 x 7.9 mm, and it weighs 155.4g. It will be offered in white, gold, and pink gold. This particular model, the SM-J5108, is headed to China Mobile. TENAA has certified not one but two iterations of the Galaxy J7 (2016), the SM-J7108 for China Mobile and the SM-J7109 for China Telecom. You can see the former above this paragraph and the latter underneath. They share most of the specs as you'd expect, with one difference being in the processor's clock speed. Whereas the J7108 has a 1.6 GHz octa-core CPU, the J7109 has to make do with a 1.5 GHz octa-core chip. This may mean they're actually employing different SoCs, but there's no way of knowing for sure right now. Otherwise they're the same, each featuring a 5.5-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash and laser autofocus, a 5 MP selfie shooter, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The J7108 will be available in gold and white, while the J7109 will be offered in black and gold. Their measurements are almost identical, but not quite so. The J7108's dimensions are 151.7 x 75.9 x 7.6 mm, and it weighs 165g. On the other hand, the J7109 measures 151.7 x 76 x 7.6 mm, and it weighs 166g. Source 1 (in Chinese) Â• Source 2 (in Chinese) Â• Source 3 (in Chinese) |...

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Micromax's share of Indian smartphone market plummets, CEO resigns
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/micromax-ceo-quits/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Micromax, which is the number two smartphone player in India, saw a massive erosion of its market share in Q4, 2015. According to market research firm Canalys (which tracks phone shipments in the country), the company's share plummeted to 13.2% last quarter from 21.7% the quarter prior. On the other hand Samsung, which sits at the top, further consolidated its position - its share of the market increased from 22% to 26.1% last quarter. The third spot was claimed by China's Lenovo with 11% market share. Meanwhile, in a related development, Micromax's CEO Vineet Taneja has resigned. He was on the job for the past two years. Officially, the company said Taneja left "to pursue other interests," adding that "the co-founders and senior leadership are very well entrenched in to the operations and the business is as...

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GSMArena

04-03-16, 15:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-a9-pro-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever since January the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro has been in the rumors, supposedly arriving soon in China. We've already seen it in the databases of both GFXBench and AnTuTu, on which occasions we've found out most of its specs. And now the A9 Pro has been certified for sale in China by TENAA. The regulatory authority has thus outed the first images of the device, along with a pretty comprehensive list of its specs - like it always does. The Galaxy A9 Pro will have a 6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 16 MP rear camera with LED flash, an 8 MP selfie cam, a 1.8 GHz octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM functionality and LTE. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Its dimensions are 161.7 x 80.9 x 7.9 mm, and it weighs 210g. The exact chipset employed isn't named by TENAA, but from the benchmark runs that were leaked in the past we know it's the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652. Compared to the non-Pro A9, you're getting a higher-res main camera, 1 extra GB of RAM, as well as a newer version of Android from day one. And since it's 10g heavier and 0.5 mm thicker than the A9, we assume the A9 Pro will also sport an even bigger battery than the 4,000 mAh cell inside the non-Pro version. The Galaxy A9 Pro will be available in China in black, white, and gold, and it's rumored to have NFC on board complete with support for Samsung Pay. Its estimated price is between CNY 3,300 and CNY 3,600 (that's $504 to $550 or Â€462 to Â€504 at the current exchange rates). Source (in Chinese) | Via 1 (in Chinese) Â• Via...

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Amazon expands Echo family of smart speakers with Tap and Echo Dot
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/amazon-tap-echo-dot/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Amazon's Echo smart speaker that has a digital assistant built-in has been a surprising success for the retailer ever since its launch in 2014. So now Amazon is adding two other members to the newly-established Echo family. Meet the Amazon Tap and the Echo Dot. The Amazon Tap is basically the portable version of the original Echo which was rumored back in January. It's portable because it has a battery (so no need to keep it plugged in like the Echo) that will last for around 9 hours of use. It connects to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and like the Echo it comes with the Alexa digital assistant built-in. However, since it's battery-powered Alexa isn't always listening for your commands like on the Echo - you have to tap the microphone button on the device before you talk to her (hence the name of the speaker). The Tap has 360-degree omni-directional audio with Dolby processing. It's up for pre-order already for $129.99, and will be released on March 31. The Echo Dot is very small, and it's primarily meant to connect the intelligence of the Alexa digital assistant to your existing speakers. It has a 7-microphone array like the full-size Echo, but only a very small speaker. The idea is that you'll use an audio cable or Bluetooth to pair it to your existing speakers. You can also use it as a smart alarm clock, for example, all on its own. This device costs $89.99, but oddly you can only get one through an Amazon Fire TV or Echo speaker, by asking Alexa to place the order. You have to be a member of Amazon Prime to receive it. Source |...

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Oppo R9 and R9 Plus pass through TENAA, no Snapdragon 820 on board
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Over the past few weeks we've seen a lot of rumors popping up regarding the upcoming Oppo R9. Despite the fact that the previous two members of the R-series have been nothing more than mid-range in terms of specs, the R9 was supposedly going to be a true flagship, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip powering it. Well, that theory has now been debunked courtesy of TENAA. The Chinese equivalent to the US FCC has certified both the R9 and the R9 Plus for sale. As usual, this process has revealed both images of the two handsets, as well as a list of some of their specs. Let's start with the R9, pictured above. It has a metal build as you can see, and it comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen, a 1.95 GHz octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, 4G support, dual-SIM functionality, a 2,850 mAh battery, and two 16 MP cameras - one on the front, one on the back (which also has a LED flash). It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 151.8 x 74.3 x 6.5 mm, and it weighs 145g. While the SoC employed isn't mentioned by name, it's clearly not the Snapdragon 820, since that features a quad-core CPU, not octa-core. Based on the clock speed alone, we could see MediaTek's Helio P10 inside the Oppo R9, but that's just speculation. Moving on to the R9 Plus (pictured above), once again the fully metallic construction is obvious. This handset sports a 6-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen, the same 16 MP cameras as its smaller sibling, a 1.8 GHz octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a 4,120 mAh battery, dual-SIM support, and 4G LTE. Oddly, it seems to be running Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is a rather ancient version of the OS at this point. Its dimensions are 163 x 80.8 x 7.4 mm, and it weighs 185g. Once again the Snapdragon 820 can't be at the helm, yet in this case we get a different SoC than in the R9. If we were to speculate, we'd assume the R9 Plus has the Snapdragon 652 inside (only based on the CPU clock speed and number of cores). So the R9 and R9 Plus certainly look like solid mid-rangers, but not the flagships they've been rumored to be. Perhaps Oppo will finally unveil the Find 9 this year then. And speaking of unveilings, the R9 duo will go official on March 17. Source 1 (in Chinese) Â• Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via 1 Â• Via...

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LeEco Le 1s shatters records in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/letv-le-1s-official/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Chinese company LeEco's (formerly LeTV) Le 1s smartphone landed in India back in January this year, and went on sale (through flash sale model) the next month. Looks like the phone has received tremendous response in the country as latest reports say it has become India's top selling smartphone online. LeEco managed to sell more than 200,000 units of the Le 1s in the India within a month, which is said to be a new record. Till now there have been three flash sales of the device in the country, with the company receiving a total of 20,28,000 registrations for the handset - another record. And finally, the company also received a record-breaking total of 2,20,000 orders for the handset within the shortest time span of 31 seconds. "We are deeply humbled by the response we have received from our Indian consumers which has helped us achieve this leading industry position in such a short span of time," said Atul Jain, COO, Smart Electronics Devices, LeEco India. "LeEco is in the true sense a game changer purely because of its disruptive business model and a user-centric ecosystem providing consumers a chance to experience disruptive technology at its best." If you aren't already aware, LeEco first entered the smartphone market less than a year ago in China. There too, the company impressed by selling nearly 3 million Le 1s units in over a couple of...

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GSMArena

05-03-16, 15:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pokemon-go-japan-beta-late-march/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nintendo's highly anticipated mobile game scheduled for release this year (still no estimation as to when the game will actually launch) will begin undergoing actual Beta testing in Japan late this month. The Beta program is intended to improve the existing build of the new mobile geo-based game. Users in Japan can sign up for the Beta but some areas you wander in might not even work. Even these users who are unable to use the Beta are required to keep the content of the unreleased game under wraps. So we might be able to see some early leaks in the next couple of months. Users are asked for their name, smartphone type (iOS or Android phone), Ingress username, and the level that you've reached on Ingress. The Ingress questions are optional to answer, but it would be in The Pokémon Company's best interest to select users who have experience with the GPS based game with essence of capture-the-flag. Pokémon Go was announced this past fall for release on mobile platforms: iOS and Android. The game was influenced by Niantic Labs first GPS based game called Ingress. Google was once the parent company of Niantic Labs until Nintendo invested into the independent company. When the trailer came out in the fall, gamers everywhere flipped their shit. They'd now be able to play Pokémon outside in the real world and other Pokémon trainers and maybe even encourage the younger generation to go outside and explore. If you haven't already, check out the Pokémon Go trailer release back in September. Source |...

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Telus delays Marshmallow updates for Galaxy Note5, S6 edge, S6 edge+
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/note5-beta-update-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg The carrier Telus has some problems with the Marshmallow updates for the Samsung Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+. Previously the Note5 and S6 edge+ were supposed to get the Marshmallow firmware on March 9 while the S6 edge update was scheduled for March 16. As it turns out, Telus had some minor setbacks, and those updates will be postponed for a few days. The Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ updates will arrive on March 13 while the S6 edge firmware will be ready for distribution on March 30. The regular Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update for the Telus model is still coming on April 13, no changes...

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Google files patent for popup books with AR elements
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-patents-ar-books/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The first time I've ever seen anything with Augmented Reality was when using the AR cards that came with the Nintendo 3DS. This blew my mind back in 2011: You set a card on a coffee table or a desk and looked through the handheld console's telescopic 3D screen to find some characters pop up right out of the card. Moving the handheld around the card shifts the view of the 3D character on the screen. Google filed a couple of patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office which outlined a story telling experience enhanced with AR elements that could be interacted with. The first patent was filed for an "interactive book" using pressure and motion sensors that are built into the pages. Next, a small lens would project images onto the pages depending on what the user presses or does to the pages. There would also be speakers embedded in the device to add to the experience. The other patent was for a kind of tablet that is embedded into the book, then, every page in the book has a secondary Â‘vertical page' of sorts which would display content that compliments the physical page. As always, patents don't usually mean something will become real products, not even experimental hardware may ever be a reality. Even at this point In time, I'm surprised that we haven't really seen a sort of children's book with AR or VR elements used to enhance it. Source |...

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Samsung to shut down Milk Music, reports say
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-to-shut-down-milk-music/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg I remember when I was working as a Samsung rep inside Best Buy last year, I was instructed to install Milk Music and Milk Video to every Samsung Phone that we handled. Many customers loved the idea of free radio stations with no ads for a year, and I am sure most of them didn't like the idea of continuing to pay for premium service after the year was up. Samsung seems to have given up on Milk Music and reports say Samsung is going to shut it down for good. The idea of having a music service that is exclusive to Galaxy phones was a great idea, however, the problem was that Samsung didn't leverage it as well as it should have, it didn't give customers a compelling music service that wasn't already a lot like Pandora. Even so, Samsung has left Milk Music out of its new lineup of TVs when there was no mention of being able to use the music service. Also, Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge announcement in MWC last month didn't make any mention of Milk Music either. Let's not forget that Samsung pulled the plug on Milk Video after just one year of launching the service in 2014. What did you all think of Samsung's Milk Music? Did you find it compelling at all? Did you ever use it on any occasion? Source |...

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HTC 10 reportedly won't have a version running Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-no-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It looks like you're not likely to see a Windows logo on an HTC smartphone ever again. Or not anytime soon, anyway. Back in 2014, the One (M8) for Windows was basically the Windows Phone running version of the Android One (M8). Hence, some people may have hoped for HTC to pull the same stunt with this year's upcoming flagship device, which will be called 10. The hopes were there despite the fact that 2015's One M9 did not get a Windows variant. According to Evan Blass (of @evleaks fame), neither will the HTC 10. He firmly stated today that there won't be an iteration of the HTC 10 running Windows 10 Mobile. So it turns out that HTC has chosen to stick with Android alone for its smartphones, at least for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, if you're looking for a high-end Windows-powered handset, HP has surprisingly announced one at MWC - and obviously there's also Microsoft's very own Lumia 950 and 950 XL...

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OxygenOS 2.2.1 update for the OnePlus 2 brings RAW support to the default camera app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-2-oxygen-os-221/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new software update has started rolling out today for the OnePlus 2. It's not going to change the underlying Android version unfortunately (so no Marshmallow for you), but it does come with some bug fixes and improvements. Chief among the latter is the added RAW support for the preinstalled OnePlus Camera app. RAW image capture has been supported in third-party apps ever since a previous update in September of last year, and now this is finally part of the built-in app as well. You'll also find that compatibility for Bluetooth devices and Ultra SIM has been improved, along with a GMS 3.0 upgrade. Roaming issues should have been mitigated, Romanian language support has been added, as well as some security patches. Finally, a fix has been deployed for an occasional image corruption issue in OnePlus Camera. As you might expect, the rollout will be incremental, so it may take a few days (or even weeks) for the update to reach your OnePlus 2 unit. But it is on its way, so all you can do is...

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Samsung Galaxy TabPro S now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-tabpro-s-sales/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung unveiled the Galaxy TabPro S tablet at CES in early January. It's a 12" premium slate running on Windows 10 with a 12" Super AMOLED QHD display, and 6th generation Intel Core M dual-core 2.26GHz processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. a 5MP AF rear camera and a 5MP front snapper. Now, Samsung has finally made the Galaxy TabPro S tablet available throughout Europe. You can get it in the Netherlands via the official Samsung online store. Amazon UK and Amazon DE, among other retailers, have the slate in stock. Too. You can choose between 128GB and 256GB SSD options; you can also opt for an LTE-enabled model. The OS is also configurable - you can either get Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. Finally, there is a full-sized keyboard cover bundled within the retail box, and it comes with a touchpad and a flexible hinge. Oddly, Samsung UK has the TabPro S on pre-order, and it will ship on March 16, but you can get it through Amazon UK right now. The prices are the same we confirmed a while ago - the Wi-Fi 128GB SSD with Wind 10 Home options costs Â€999, add Â€100 for Windows 10 Pro, and another Â€100 for LTE capabilities. Note that the 4G model ships only with Windows 10 Pro. So, if you liked the tablet and its keyboard, now you can place your order. Additionally, you can get the official Bluetooth Pen and the port hub with HDMI and more USBs. Source Â•...

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Huawei P9 looks different in new leaked renders, passes FCC, might not be outed on March 9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-p9-new-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC has come and gone and Huawei hasn't yet unveiled its next flagship smartphone, the P9. When the Chinese company sent out invites for a March 9 event in Berlin a couple of days ago, we assumed this would be when the P9 would finally get official. But now it turns out that may not be the case. According to a report from China, Huawei will not be unveiling the P9 on March 9. Unnamed company officials have confirmed that the phone exists and is being worked on, but the project has apparently suffered some delays. These have to do with the need to improve some technical issues related to the much-leaked dual camera setup on the P9's back. Because of this, the release of the handset is reportedly delayed by a whole month. An exact date (either for the presentation or the start of sales) hasn't been mentioned, but we should all rest assured that the P9 will be out "in the coming months". The same source claims the P9 will not have 6GB of RAM, as previously rumored, nor a brand-new Kirin chipset - thus it's likely to use the same Kirin 950 found inside the Mate 8 phablet. Moving on, some new renders allegedly depicting the Huawei P9 have been leaked, as you can see. Though they confirm that dual camera setup once more, they are different than the last two batches - gone is the laser autofocus this time around, and the fingerprint sensor on the back is now round, and it was shown to be more squared in the past. Furthermore, the positions of the front-facing camera and proximity sensor are changed too. So now the actual design of the P9 has gotten quite unclear, with two differing perspectives both being claimed to be leaked renders of the real thing. Hopefully you've had a healthy serving of salt nearby for this one. An additional P9-related tidbit is that the FCC has certified a Huawei EVA-L09, and this could be one of the model numbers for the top of the line device. If so, then at least one of its four versions will feature a 2,900 mAh battery, as FCC docs have revealed. The cheapest hardware iteration for the P9 is said to cost CNY 1,888 ($289 or Â€264), while the most expensive one is bound to go for CNY 4,088 ($627 or Â€571). Source 1 (in Chinese) Â• Source 2 (in Chinese) Â• Source 3 | Via 1 Â• Via 2 Â• Via 3 (in...

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Verizon's Note5 is now receiving Android Marshmallow, HTC One (M8) will get it on Monday
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon isn't always the fastest US carrier when it comes to releasing Android updates for the handsets it sells, in fact it's usually one of the slowest. But that's not the case for the Samsung Galaxy Note5 as it turns out. Big Red is already rolling out the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for Samsung's premium phablet, just a couple of weeks after the new software was first released anywhere in the world. That's some fast turnaround indeed. Aside from all the goodies that Google's packed into Marshmallow, the update also brings with it certain improvements to Live Broadcast and Wi-Fi Calling for HD Voice users. The Amazon Appstore will no longer be preinstalled (thus dropping the number of app stores on the device to 'just' two). As always, this one is bound to be a staged rollout, so it might take a few days for it to reach your particular Note5 unit. If you're impatient, you can always force your handset to manually check for the new software by going to Settings > About phone. If, on the other hand, you own an HTC One (M8) bought from Verizon, you are mere days away from seeing Marshmallow on your device too. HTC VP Mo Versi has announced that the rollout will begin on March 7, which is this coming Monday. Source 1 Â• Source 2 | Via 1 Â• Via...

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You can now claim your freebies for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pre-orders in the USA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-free-gear-vr-site/-184x111/thumb.jpg If you pre-order the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge from certain retailers you have been promised free stuff, most often - the Gear VR headset ($99 value) with a bunch of compatible games. Samsung Promotions official website is now live and allows you to claim your freebies. You must choose the retailer where you pre-ordered your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and then you can learn what's your prize. AT&T, Metro PCS, Sam's Club, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Walmart, Verizon's Retail, pre-orders will receive Gear VR bundled with some compatible games. First they need to claim their prize via the Samsung Promotions website, otherwise they will not get any free stuff. By the way, T-Mobile is throwing a 12-months free Netflix subscription in addition to the Gear VR bundle. Users who pre-ordered at BestBuy, Costco, Sprint, and Target will get their Gear VR bundle delivered directly to their home without any further verification. Verizon Online is the only retailer to allow you to choose between the Gear VR with six games bundle of the dark gray model or the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch (sold for $300 separately). All who pre-order the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge between February 23 and March 18 are eligible for some free hardware. The supplies are limited though, so if those matter to you, consider placing an order sooner rather than later. The same goes for claiming the free stuff. Samsung Promotions Â•...

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This weekend you can grab an Honor 5X in the UK for just £149
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/honor-5x-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has been selling the Honor 5X in the UK for quite a while now. You can opt to buy the phone from its maker's official online store for £189.99. Yet if you choose a third party online retailer and do the deed this weekend, you can save £40. That's quite a lot given the already pretty small price of the Honor 5X. The deal is offered by Clove, and you can take advantage of it by using the promo code MAR5X16 when you go through checkout. This will lower the price of the device all the way down to £149, making the Honor 5X even better value for money than it already was. The one caveat is that you need to buy the handset before 11:59 pm on March 6 - that's this Sunday, so you basically need to act at some point during this weekend. The unit you're buying is SIM-free. The Honor 5X has a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP main camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 616 SoC (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop underneath Huawei's EMUI...

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HTC 10 leaks in brand new press renders and live images
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-images/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A very short while ago we told you about the fact that HTC won't be selling its next flagship smartphone as the One M10 (like everyone anticipated), instead opting to go with the much simpler moniker of HTC 10. And now, to complement the new name, two well-known leaksters have unleashed a torrent of new images of the device. First off, Evan Blass gives us full press renders for the upcoming handset. Now in case you're wondering how these renders would translate into real-life images of the HTC 10, wonder no more. Three live shots of the phone have been shared by @onleaks. Here they are for your viewing pleasure (make sure you click on the thumbnails to get the full-size pictures). HTC 10 live images Along with these, @onleaks has also revealed some "prototype specs" for the HTC 10. It's supposedly coming with a 5.15-inch QHD touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset on board, 4GB of RAM, a 12 MP main camera, and a USB Type-C port. None of these are surprising, of course, as we've heard about the 10 sporting these exact innards many times before. The 12 MP camera on the back should be of the UltraPixel variety, meaning it will be incredibly similar to the solution Samsung's chosen for its Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Camera comparisons between the HTC 10 and the S7 will thus be very interesting indeed, especially as HTC itself has already claimed that its phone's camera will be "very compelling". HTC has already started teasing the handset, with an image and a video so far, but the company should probably just set an announcement date already, now that these leaked renders and pictures are out. At this rate, we assume a full spec list will be revealed pretty soon, so HTC might not want to drag things along any...

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Next flagship to be called HTC 10, not HTC One M10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has already outed both a teaser image and a teaser video for its upcoming flagship smartphone, and we assume more such things are to follow before the official unveiling (which doesn't have a set date yet, or at least not one that has been leaked). In the meantime, however, leaker extraordinaire Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks) has something to say about this device's name. According to him, it will be marketed as the HTC 10, and not HTC One M10 as everyone has so far assumed. You heard it here first:"HTC 10"Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 4, 2016 The latter (now probably debunked) option seemed logical enough, seeing as how the smartphone is going to be the successor to the One M9 from last year, which itself came after the One (M8). But it looks like HTC may have finally grown tired of the One brand (and its overuse), while the "M" made little sense from the beginning (it got there because the company at one point decided to use its handsets' codenames as actual names). HTC's teasers have incorporated the hashtag "powerof10", which, in retrospect, may have been a hint at the name - notice how it's not "powerofM10" or "powerofOneM10". The HTC 10 has been rumored to sport a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 16 / 32 / 64GB of built-in storage, a fingerprint scanner, and a "very compelling" camera. It should run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow from day...

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Lava Iris Fuel F2 goes official, available exclusively on eBay India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lava-iris-fuel-f2/-184x111/thumb.jpg Lava Iris Fuel F2 was announced and launched immediately in India. It's an entry level handset running on Android Lollipop and priced at INR 4,444 or $66. Although it's a successor of the Fuel F1, the F2 is a less capable device. The Lava Iris Fuel F2 has a 5" FWVGA display and is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 processor with 512MB RAM. The Fuel F2 packs a 5MP rear camera with an LED flash, a front 0.3MP snapper, and a 3,000 mAh battery. The Lava Iris Fuel F2 is a dual-SIM device, and it can tap to 3G networks. There is 8GB storage expandable via a microSD slot (up to 32GB). The phone is available exclusively through eBay India, and you can get it right now in black or white for INR 4,444 ($66). eBay Â•...

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Galaxy S7 and S7 edge feature moisture detection in USB slot
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-water-detection/-184x111/thumb.jpg The latest Samsung flagships - the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge - are both beautiful and waterproof with IP68 certification. And both have their microUSB port exposed, which is something only Sony did before. It turns out Samsung has installed an additional failsafe on the USB port to prevent water damage. It's called moisture detection, and it won't allow you to charge the phone until the charging port is dry. If you pull the Galaxy S7 or S7 edge out of the water, you won't be able to charge it right away. Users report a message about moisture detected in the charging slot. It may take an hour, or even a few hours for the port to dry up, and until then you won't be able to charge your phone. This is very thoughtful otherwise, there is a chance you may end up killing your phone. There is this one user that reported his Galaxy S7 couldn't fast charge after his USB port was usable again post water submersion, which sounds bad. Normal charging was OK, but fast charging was impossible - there's no way to confirm if that's an actual bug at this point though. And while we are on the pool subject, you may find this video about Galaxy S7 edge pool test rather enjoyable. Thank you, Jason, for the tip! Source 1 (XDA) Â• Source...

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GSMArena

05-03-16, 15:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-mac/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oculus founder Palmer Luckey was asked during an interview when the will they be adding Mac support to the Rift. His answer was simple, when Apple releases a good computer. Other than being the burn of the year so far, it's also true. Luckey's reasoning is that the current Macs simply do not have the graphical power to run something as intensive as VR on the Rift. Even the most powerful Mac Pro, with dual AMD FirePro D700 GPU, falls short of a single NVIDIA GTX 970, which is the minimum requirement to support Rift on the PC. Apple never prioritized gaming on the Mac and all the current machines are non-user upgradable now so you can't just install a more powerful graphics card like you could with the older Mac Pros. Even if Oculus added software support for OS X none of the machines will be able to handle it. Apple has shown an interest in VR recently but without the hardware support to match it's...

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Android N System app gets previewed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-settings/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We have taken a look at the Android N notification system previously, courtesy of Android Police. Now, they have released images of what is a work in progress Settings app that we might see in the coming Android N. One of the changes is that they have removed the lines between items that belong to the same category, and only put them between different categories. Also, items on the main list will now show additional info below them, such as the Battery item showing the battery status. Lastly, if you are in Do Not Disturb mode, the app shows a drop down at the top for some reason. If you click on any of the items on the main screen and go a level deeper, you will see the new hamburger menu appear on the top. This will let you jump to any of the other sections in the app without going back first. Again, these are essentially mockups of a work in progress build of Android N, so a lot can change in the final version. Check the source for more...

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Instagram blocks links to Telegram profiles
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/instagram-blocks-links-to-telegram-profiles/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Instagram is further buckling down on links to profiles for Snapchat or Telegram that are posted directly on the Instagram user's short profile. The image sharing giant has been caught denying users the ability to post links that directly link followers to their "follow-me" links. Another @Facebook tentacle closes on users' ability to share a link to their Telegram profile. #hypocrisy pic.twitter.com/xC6ydp3M0pÂ— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) March 2, 2016 Telegram tweeted about this and gave it the hashtag #hipocrisy. Instagram spokesperson confirmed to Mashable that the use-case and reason for blocked links is that it is misuse of the platform and was not intended to be used to gain followers via direct "follow-me" links. Here is where the #hipocrisy comes in: direct "follow-me" links are allowed on Instagram profiles, only if the profile happens to be a Twitter profile. Telegram is still a fairly new feature-packed service, but it seems that these other messaging giants feel threatened by Telegram's potential and don't want to have any part in Telegram potentially gaining growing any faster than it already is. Source |...

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Amazon Echo compatibility with Nest thermostats coming in two weeks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nest-thermostats-now-compatible-with-amazon-echo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you own an Amazon Echo and have a Nest smart thermostat, you'll be happy to know that they will begin to communicate with each other over the next couple of weeks. This new integration will allow users to simply tell Alexa to change the thermostat temperature to a specific temperature. Alexa's new Skills feature uses contextual information to learn about the user's preferences such as telling Alexa that you are leaving your home and Alexa would know to turn the thermostat off. Or you could tell Alexa to "tell the thermostat that I'm too hot." Nest also states that if you use IFTTT, there are already more than 50 recipes that you can use in conjunction with your Nest thermostat and Amazon Echo. Source |...

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GSMArena

06-03-16, 15:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/poll-results-mi5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg On to poll number 2, where we gave you a chance to pick between Xiaomi's long overdue replacement to the Mi 4 and Sony's Xperia X, the pioneer in the company's new X-series. The Mi 5 left no chance to the Xperia X and took a decisive victory, collecting 61% of upvotes.Admittedly, there was a catch here - the Xperia X Performance is still months away, while the Mi 5 you can already order. Whatever the case though, the Mi 5 is a pretty strong contender all on its own, with a Snapdragon 820, 4 gigs of RAM and 128GB of storage in its top-specced Pro version. That same variant comes in ceramic attire too - a stunner to look at. So come to think about it, the Xperia X Performance might have had a tough time against it as...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg With all the clamor surrounding this year's MWC over the past two weeks, we couldn't find time to update you on the latest developments in phone interest trends on a weekly basis. Well, we're back at it, and there's plenty to talk about.The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) joins its little brother A5 (2016), which entered the chart earlier, and the two occupy 10th and 8th spots respectively. In between them we have the Sony Xperia X Performance, the Japanese company's new flagship. The Galaxy J5 is far from its regular comfort zone on the podium, this week in 7th. In 6th we find the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note, the bronze holder in the last edition of the chart.Samsung's sexier S7, the S7 edge, enters the chart in 5th spot, with the LG G5 slightly ahead. Long-time champion Galaxy J7 has lost the crown, again, but still manages to hold on to the third. Xiaomi's brand new flagship Mi 5 storms straight into second, not surprising for a device arriving a long year and half after the one it replaces, with top-end specs too.It is, however, the vanilla Galaxy S7 that snatches the gold. Promising brand new camera, generous battery capacity, premium build, waterproofing, and storage expansion - pretty much all of the important boxes have been checked. Samsung's Galaxy S6 stood on top for weeks on end last year, and we're seeing no reason for the S7 not to..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }#review-body .news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom;}.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;}.flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important;}.flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7;}.flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important;}.flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47;}.flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important;}.n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100;}.n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px;}.circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px;}.arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent;}.arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent;} Samsung Galaxy S7 RANK: 1NEW IN specs review Xiaomi Mi 5 RANK: 2NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 3WAS: 1 specs review LG G5 RANK: 4NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy S7 edge RANK: 5NEW IN specs review Lenovo Vibe K4 Note RANK: 6WAS: 3 specs gallery Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 7WAS: 2 specs...

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Poll results: Galaxy S7 edge defeats the LG G5 in the battle of Korean flagships
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/poll-results-s7-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the most action-packed editions of MWC of recent years saw the introduction of two (okay, technically three) of the most important smartphones of the year - the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge. We figured the S7 edge is the more attractive part of Samsung's pair (meanwhile so did consumers, apparently), and chose that one to pit against the G5.And the S7 edge did splendidly, beating the G5 3:2. In other words, Samsung's dual-edge glass-and-metal top model gathered 58% of the upvotes, while the modular G5 had to settle for 42%.Fandom aside, the two devices have a bunch of conceptual differences, which can sway users either way. AMOLED vs. LCD, removable battery vs. a larger sealed one, big pixels and near-instant focus vs. dual cameras with extra wide coverage - choices must be made and it's just that the S7 edge has ticked the right boxes for the majority of our...

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Week 9 in review: 6GB of RAM in a smartphone, iPhone 5se unboxed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The mobile world is slowly getting settled back to normal after MWC and our news section over the past week reflects that. With the Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 out of the way the 4-inch iPhone 5se has returned to the top of our hot topics, now unboxed for the camera.Various Xiaomi-related events happened during the week, and you were pretty interested in reading about those. Most notably, the Redmi Note 3 was launched on the Indian market, but also the Mi 5 reportedly gathered 14 million registrations for its first sale. In a world's first, the Vivo Xplay 5 Elite broke the 4-gig RAM barrier, and will be offered with 6GB of operating memory, putting some budget laptops to shame. HTC's next flagship was supposedly going to be called M10, then it wasn't, a teaser was released, and a camera sample leaked. The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was spotted on AnTuTu, revealing specs, and the Huawei P9 also showed up on a couple of occasions.Android N screenshots revealed some of the upcoming changes in Google's next OS version, while the current Marshmallow, coupled with TouchWiz, uses 8 gigs of your 32GB Galaxy S7 storage - made a much bigger deal in the comments, than it actually is.Aaand we're back to the Galaxy S7/S7 edge, which broke pre-order records, started shipping earlier than promised, got torn down, and went through some torture tests. Oh, and also feature QuickCharge 2.0, unlike the LG G5 which gets Qualcomm's 3.0 version of the charging tech.To read the details on these and more, follow the links below..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%;}.news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; }.news-item .n-right h2,.reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px;}.n-right p { line-height: 155%;}.news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.news-item p { margin-left: 0; }.n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000;} Apple iPhone 5se unboxed in front of a camera The iPhone 5se is rumored to be announced later this month and go on sale shortly after. Xiaomi launches Redmi Note 3 in India Comes with a brand new Snapdragon 650 processor and a massive 4050mAh battery. vivo Xplay 5 Elite goes official with 6GB RAM, Vivo Xplay 5 announced too All metal Vivo Xplay 5 and Vivo Xplay 5 Elite go official, both feature dual-curved displays. Xiaomi Mi 5 scores over 14 million registrations for its first sale The sale begins tomorrow - 10AM China time. Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pre-orders break records The Galaxy S7 edge is better liked with 64% of customers opting for one. LG G5 supports QuickCharge 3.0, Galaxy S7 is only 2.0, what's that about? Qualcomm's website states that Samsung's flagship is stuck on the older-gen charging tech. HTC One M10 name confirmed, camera sample shown EXIF data of the lone image reads HTC_M10h, 9MP in 16:9 ratio suggests a 12MP 4:3 sensor. Lucky customer gets Galaxy S7 edge early, screenshots galore An early Galaxy S7 edge owner posts screen shots of the largely-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S7 edge's UI and software features. Android and TouchWiz take 8GB of your Samsung Galaxy S7 storage At least, 8GB of Galaxy S7's storage are occupied by the OS and the launcher. Watch Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India launch event here Company's first Redmi phone with metal body and fingerprint sensor. Early mockups speculate Android N UI changes New mockups describe early Android N screenshots which bring along new UI elements, animations, transitions and redesigned notifications and toggles. HTC outs first teaser video for the One M10 In it, the Taiwanese company boasts that it's hard at work finding ways to make smartphones even better. Samsung Galaxy A9...

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Samsung launches Notebook 9 series of Ultrabooks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-notebook-9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has launched the new Notebook 9 series of ultraportable laptops. The series consists of four models, one of which has a rotating display.The base model has a 13.3-inch 1080p display with 6th gen Intel Core i5. It has a battery life of 10 hours and is priced at $999.The second model has a larger 15-inch 1080p display, Core i7, and 12 hours of battery life for $1199.The third model called Notebook 9 Spin has a 13.3-inch 3200x1800 rotating display that can be turned around and folded flat. It's powered by a Core i7 and has a battery life of 7.3 hours. It is priced at $1199.The last model is the Notebook 9 Pro, which has a 15.6-inch 3840x2160 display, Core i7, and 6.5 hours of battery life. It is priced at $1399.All models have 256GB flash storage, 8GB RAM, and run Windows 10.Source Â•...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge to allegedly launch in India next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-india-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a report by BGR India, Samsung could be launching the next generation flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones in India as early as next week.The exact date is unknown, the Economic Times believes it will be around March 8 and that the phone will go on sale in the third week of March with prices matching the iPhone 6s in India.ET also believes Samsung will be spending about $15 million worth on marketing the phone in India, an unprecedented amount for the company, to compete against the iPhone that has a massive reputation in the Indian market.You can check out our hands-on of the S7 and S7 edge here.Source 1 Â• Source...

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Telus delays Marshmallow updates for Galaxy Note5, S6 edge, S6 edge+
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/note5-beta-update-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg The carrier Telus has some problems with the Marshmallow updates for the Samsung Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+. Previously the Note5 and S6 edge+ were supposed to get the Marshmallow firmware on March 9 while the S6 edge update was scheduled for March 16.As it turns out, Telus had some minor setbacks, and those updates will be postponed for a few days. The Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ updates will arrive on March 13 while the S6 edge firmware will be ready for distribution on March 30.The regular Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update for the Telus model is still coming on April 13, no changes...

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Google files patent for popup books with AR elements
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-patents-ar-books/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The first time I've ever seen anything with Augmented Reality was when using the AR cards that came with the Nintendo 3DS. This blew my mind back in 2011: You set a card on a coffee table or a desk and looked through the handheld console's telescopic 3D screen to find some characters pop up right out of the card. Moving the handheld around the card shifts the view of the 3D character on the screen.Google filed a couple of patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office which outlined a story telling experience enhanced with AR elements that could be interacted with.The first patent was filed for an "interactive book" using pressure and motion sensors that are built into the pages. Next, a small lens would project images onto the pages depending on what the user presses or does to the pages. There would also be speakers embedded in the device to add to the experience.The other patent was for a kind of tablet that is embedded into the book, then, every page in the book has a secondary Â‘vertical page' of sorts which would display content that compliments the physical page.As always, patents don't usually mean something will become real products, not even experimental hardware may ever be a reality. Even at this point In time, I'm surprised that we haven't really seen a sort of children's book with AR or VR elements used to enhance it.Source |...

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Samsung to shut down Milk Music, reports say
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-to-shut-down-milk-music/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg I remember when I was working as a Samsung rep inside Best Buy last year, I was instructed to install Milk Music and Milk Video to every Samsung Phone that we handled. Many customers loved the idea of free radio stations with no ads for a year, and I am sure most of them didn't like the idea of continuing to pay for premium service after the year was up.Samsung seems to have given up on Milk Music and reports say Samsung is going to shut it down for good. The idea of having a music service that is exclusive to Galaxy phones was a great idea, however, the problem was that Samsung didn't leverage it as well as it should have, it didn't give customers a compelling music service that wasn't already a lot like Pandora.Even so, Samsung has left Milk Music out of its new lineup of TVs when there was no mention of being able to use the music service. Also, Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge announcement in MWC last month didn't make any mention of Milk Music either.Let's not forget that Samsung pulled the plug on Milk Video after just one year of launching the service in 2014. What did you all think of Samsung's Milk Music? Did you find it compelling at all? Did you ever use it on any occasion?Source |...

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HTC 10 reportedly won't have a version running Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-no-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It looks like you're not likely to see a Windows logo on an HTC smartphone ever again. Or not anytime soon, anyway. Back in 2014, the One (M8) for Windows was basically the Windows Phone running version of the Android One (M8). Hence, some people may have hoped for HTC to pull the same stunt with this year's upcoming flagship device, which will be called 10. The hopes were there despite the fact that 2015's One M9 did not get a Windows variant.According to Evan Blass (of @evleaks fame), neither will the HTC 10. He firmly stated today that there won't be an iteration of the HTC 10 running Windows 10 Mobile.So it turns out that HTC has chosen to stick with Android alone for its smartphones, at least for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, if you're looking for a high-end Windows-powered handset, HP has surprisingly announced one at MWC - and obviously there's also Microsoft's very own Lumia 950 and 950 XL...

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OxygenOS 2.2.1 update for the OnePlus 2 brings RAW support to the default camera app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-2-oxygen-os-221/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new software update has started rolling out today for the OnePlus 2. It's not going to change the underlying Android version unfortunately (so no Marshmallow for you), but it does come with some bug fixes and improvements.Chief among the latter is the added RAW support for the preinstalled OnePlus Camera app. RAW image capture has been supported in third-party apps ever since a previous update in September of last year, and now this is finally part of the built-in app as well.You'll also find that compatibility for Bluetooth devices and Ultra SIM has been improved, along with a GMS 3.0 upgrade. Roaming issues should have been mitigated, Romanian language support has been added, as well as some security patches. Finally, a fix has been deployed for an occasional image corruption issue in OnePlus Camera.As you might expect, the rollout will be incremental, so it may take a few days (or even weeks) for the update to reach your OnePlus 2 unit. But it is on its way, so all you can do is...

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Samsung Galaxy TabPro S now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-tabpro-s-sales/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung unveiled the Galaxy TabPro S tablet at CES in early January. It's a 12" premium slate running on Windows 10 with a 12" Super AMOLED QHD display, and 6th generation Intel Core M dual-core 2.26GHz processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. a 5MP AF rear camera and a 5MP front snapper.Now, Samsung has finally made the Galaxy TabPro S tablet available throughout Europe. You can get it in the Netherlands via the official Samsung online store. Amazon UK and Amazon DE, among other retailers, have the slate in stock. Too.You can choose between 128GB and 256GB SSD options; you can also opt for an LTE-enabled model. The OS is also configurable - you can either get Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.Finally, there is a full-sized keyboard cover bundled within the retail box, and it comes with a touchpad and a flexible hinge.Oddly, Samsung UK has the TabPro S on pre-order, and it will ship on March 16, but you can get it through Amazon UK right now.The prices are the same we confirmed a while ago - the Wi-Fi 128GB SSD with Wind 10 Home options costs Â€999, add Â€100 for Windows 10 Pro, and another Â€100 for LTE capabilities. Note that the 4G model ships only with Windows 10 Pro.So, if you liked the tablet and its keyboard, now you can place your order. Additionally, you can get the official Bluetooth Pen and the port hub with HDMI and more USBs.Source Â•...

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Huawei P9 looks different in new leaked renders, passes FCC, might not be outed on March 9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-p9-new-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC has come and gone and Huawei hasn't yet unveiled its next flagship smartphone, the P9. When the Chinese company sent out invites for a March 9 event in Berlin a couple of days ago, we assumed this would be when the P9 would finally get official. But now it turns out that may not be the case.According to a report from China, Huawei will not be unveiling the P9 on March 9. Unnamed company officials have confirmed that the phone exists and is being worked on, but the project has apparently suffered some delays. These have to do with the need to improve some technical issues related to the much-leaked dual camera setup on the P9's back. Because of this, the release of the handset is reportedly delayed by a whole month.An exact date (either for the presentation or the start of sales) hasn't been mentioned, but we should all rest assured that the P9 will be out "in the coming months". The same source claims the P9 will not have 6GB of RAM, as previously rumored, nor a brand-new Kirin chipset - thus it's likely to use the same Kirin 950 found inside the Mate 8 phablet.Moving on, some new renders allegedly depicting the Huawei P9 have been leaked, as you can see. Though they confirm that dual camera setup once more, they are different than the last two batches - gone is the laser autofocus this time around, and the fingerprint sensor on the back is now round, and it was shown to be more squared in the past. Furthermore, the positions of the front-facing camera and proximity sensor are changed too.So now the actual design of the P9 has gotten quite unclear, with two differing perspectives both being claimed to be leaked renders of the real thing. Hopefully you've had a healthy serving of salt nearby for this one.An additional P9-related tidbit is that the FCC has certified a Huawei EVA-L09, and this could be one of the model numbers for the top of the line device. If so, then at least one of its four versions will feature a 2,900 mAh battery, as FCC docs have revealed. The cheapest hardware iteration for the P9 is said to cost CNY 1,888 ($289 or Â€264), while the most expensive one is bound to go for CNY 4,088 ($627 or Â€571).Source 1 (in Chinese) Â• Source 2 (in Chinese) Â• Source 3 | Via 1 Â• Via 2 Â• Via 3 (in...

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GSMArena

06-03-16, 15:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon isn't always the fastest US carrier when it comes to releasing Android updates for the handsets it sells, in fact it's usually one of the slowest. But that's not the case for the Samsung Galaxy Note5 as it turns out.Big Red is already rolling out the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for Samsung's premium phablet, just a couple of weeks after the new software was first released anywhere in the world. That's some fast turnaround indeed.Aside from all the goodies that Google's packed into Marshmallow, the update also brings with it certain improvements to Live Broadcast and Wi-Fi Calling for HD Voice users. The Amazon Appstore will no longer be preinstalled (thus dropping the number of app stores on the device to 'just' two).As always, this one is bound to be a staged rollout, so it might take a few days for it to reach your particular Note5 unit. If you're impatient, you can always force your handset to manually check for the new software by going to Settings > About phone.If, on the other hand, you own an HTC One (M8) bought from Verizon, you are mere days away from seeing Marshmallow on your device too. HTC VP Mo Versi has announced that the rollout will begin on March 7, which is this coming Monday.Source 1 Â• Source 2 | Via 1 Â• Via...

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You can now claim your freebies for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pre-orders in the USA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-free-gear-vr-site/-184x111/thumb.jpg If you pre-order the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge from certain retailers you have been promised free stuff, most often - the Gear VR headset ($99 value) with a bunch of compatible games. Samsung Promotions official website is now live and allows you to claim your freebies.You must choose the retailer where you pre-ordered your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and then you can learn what's your prize.AT&T, Metro PCS, Sam's Club, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Walmart, Verizon's Retail, pre-orders will receive Gear VR bundled with some compatible games. First they need to claim their prize via the Samsung Promotions website, otherwise they will not get any free stuff.By the way, T-Mobile is throwing a 12-months free Netflix subscription in addition to the Gear VR bundle.Users who pre-ordered at BestBuy, Costco, Sprint, and Target will get their Gear VR bundle delivered directly to their home without any further verification.Verizon Online is the only retailer to allow you to choose between the Gear VR with six games bundle of the dark gray model or the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch (sold for $300 separately).All who pre-order the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge between February 23 and March 18 are eligible for some free hardware. The supplies are limited though, so if those matter to you, consider placing an order sooner rather than later. The same goes for claiming the free stuff.Samsung Promotions Â•...

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This weekend you can grab an Honor 5X in the UK for just £149
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/honor-5x-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has been selling the Honor 5X in the UK for quite a while now. You can opt to buy the phone from its maker's official online store for £189.99. Yet if you choose a third party online retailer and do the deed this weekend, you can save £40.That's quite a lot given the already pretty small price of the Honor 5X. The deal is offered by Clove, and you can take advantage of it by using the promo code MAR5X16 when you go through checkout. This will lower the price of the device all the way down to £149, making the Honor 5X even better value for money than it already was.The one caveat is that you need to buy the handset before 11:59 pm on March 6 - that's this Sunday, so you basically need to act at some point during this weekend.The unit you're buying is SIM-free. The Honor 5X has a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP main camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 616 SoC (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop underneath Huawei's EMUI...

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HTC 10 leaks in brand new press renders and live images
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-images/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A very short while ago we told you about the fact that HTC won't be selling its next flagship smartphone as the One M10 (like everyone anticipated), instead opting to go with the much simpler moniker of HTC 10. And now, to complement the new name, two well-known leaksters have unleashed a torrent of new images of the device. First off, Evan Blass gives us full press renders for the upcoming handset.Now in case you're wondering how these renders would translate into real-life images of the HTC 10, wonder no more. Three live shots of the phone have been shared by @onleaks. Here they are for your viewing pleasure (make sure you click on the thumbnails to get the full-size pictures).HTC 10 live imagesAlong with these, @onleaks has also revealed some "prototype specs" for the HTC 10. It's supposedly coming with a 5.15-inch QHD touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset on board, 4GB of RAM, a 12 MP main camera, and a USB Type-C port.None of these are surprising, of course, as we've heard about the 10 sporting these exact innards many times before. The 12 MP camera on the back should be of the UltraPixel variety, meaning it will be incredibly similar to the solution Samsung's chosen for its Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Camera comparisons between the HTC 10 and the S7 will thus be very interesting indeed, especially as HTC itself has already claimed that its phone's camera will be "very compelling".HTC has already started teasing the handset, with an image and a video so far, but the company should probably just set an announcement date already, now that these leaked renders and pictures are out. At this rate, we assume a full spec list will be revealed pretty soon, so HTC might not want to drag things along any...

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Next flagship to be called HTC 10, not HTC One M10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC has already outed both a teaser image and a teaser video for its upcoming flagship smartphone, and we assume more such things are to follow before the official unveiling (which doesn't have a set date yet, or at least not one that has been leaked).In the meantime, however, leaker extraordinaire Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks) has something to say about this device's name. According to him, it will be marketed as the HTC 10, and not HTC One M10 as everyone has so far assumed.You heard it here first:"HTC 10"Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 4, 2016The latter (now probably debunked) option seemed logical enough, seeing as how the smartphone is going to be the successor to the One M9 from last year, which itself came after the One (M8). But it looks like HTC may have finally grown tired of the One brand (and its overuse), while the "M" made little sense from the beginning (it got there because the company at one point decided to use its handsets' codenames as actual names).HTC's teasers have incorporated the hashtag "powerof10", which, in retrospect, may have been a hint at the name - notice how it's not "powerofM10" or "powerofOneM10".The HTC 10 has been rumored to sport a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 16 / 32 / 64GB of built-in storage, a fingerprint scanner, and a "very compelling" camera. It should run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow from day...

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Lava Iris Fuel F2 goes official, available exclusively on eBay India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lava-iris-fuel-f2/-184x111/thumb.jpg Lava Iris Fuel F2 was announced and launched immediately in India. It's an entry level handset running on Android Lollipop and priced at INR 4,444 or $66. Although it's a successor of the Fuel F1, the F2 is a less capable device.The Lava Iris Fuel F2 has a 5" FWVGA display and is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 processor with 512MB RAM. The Fuel F2 packs a 5MP rear camera with an LED flash, a front 0.3MP snapper, and a 3,000 mAh battery.The Lava Iris Fuel F2 is a dual-SIM device, and it can tap to 3G networks. There is 8GB storage expandable via a microSD slot (up to 32GB).The phone is available exclusively through eBay India, and you can get it right now in black or white for INR 4,444 ($66).eBay Â•...

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GSMArena

07-03-16, 15:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mi-box-3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has announced an updated version of its Mi Box 3 media player, called the Mi Box 3 Enhanced Edition. The biggest change in this is the faster processor. The Enhanced Edition ships with a 64-bit MediaTek MT8693 with a hexa-core CPU (2 x 2GHz Cortex-A72 + 4 x 1.6GHz Cortex-A53) and PowerVR GX6250 GPU. The CPU performance is said to be 80% faster and the GPU performance 240% faster than the standard Mi Box 3. There is an improved cooling system with a fan to keep the temperatures low. The memory and storage have also been doubled, and it now has 2GB RAM and 8GB storage space. The Wi-Fi is now 802.11ac 2x2 with transfer speeds up to 300Mbps and Bluetooth 4.1. The Mi Box 3 Enhanced Edition is priced at 399 yuan, which is about...

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Android Marshmallow for the Sony Xperia Z5 is rolling out globally
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-xperia-z5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony might consider abandoning its signature "Z" series in favor of a more dialed-back new "X" family, but it hasn't turned its back on Xperia Z5 fans quite yet. Marshmallow has now begun seeding globally for the device. Currently, the confirmed regions where the update has been spotted include - Thailand, Russia, Algeria, MENA Arabic, Saudi Arabia, United States, India, and Malaysia. The covered models include the single SIM E6653, as well as the Dual-SIM varieties, with model numbers E6683 and E6633. The 6.0_32.1.A.1.163 firmware is currently available through the Sony PC Companion app and an OTA is expected shortly. As for the official changelog, it the new run time permissions model and app dozing. Other additions are a long-overdue update to the camera interface, Xperia Messaging with sticker support and Direct Share for relaying your activities to friends. Thanks for the tip...

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Xiaomi announces 10,000mAh Mi Power Bank Pro with USB Type-C
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mi-power-bank-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has a new 10,000mAh power bank in China, called the Mi Power Bank Pro. The cool new feature here is the presence of USB Type-C and two way fast charging. The Mi Power Bank Pro can output power from both the Type-A connectors and can be charged from the Type-C connector. It can output and draw 12V 1.5A, 9V 2A, or 5V 2A. It can also charge accessories like Bluetooth headsets and fitness bands that usually draw very low current and can cause some power banks to switch off. The Mi Power Bank Pro comes with a USB cable with a Type-A connector on one and end microUSB on the other, and also a microUSB to Type-C adaptor. This allows you to charge devices with a microUSB port, with a Type-C port and also to charge the power bank itself. Like the other Mi Power Banks, the Mi Power Bank Pro has an aluminum body and temperature, input overload, short circuit, output overcurrent, and reset protection. The Mi Power Bank Pro is priced at 149 yuan, which is about...

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HTC financial report for February 2016 shows record low revenue
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-3d-touch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC outed its financial report for February with some grim numbers. Revenue for the month was $128 million (NT$4.2 billion), less than half than the same period of 2015 - $261 million (NT$9.2 billion). Worse still, the revenue is 35% less than it was in January, which traditionally is a slow month after the Christmas holidays. Sadly for HTC, this is just another month in a series of poor financial performance. For Q4 2015, the Taiwanese phone maker reported a net loss of $101 million (NT$3.5 billion). Revenue for the period was $766 million (NT$25.7 billion). The company retains an upbeat mood however. The upcoming HTC M10 flagship will carry a new dose of hope for turning the company's fortunes around. The phone will be announced on April 19, according to recent rumors. Source |...

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New ransomware targeting OS X was spotted in the wild
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/osx-ransomware/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yes, we all know that convenient, long-standing myth about OS X being immune to viruses and while Apple has done a great deal to secure the platform, it was bound to happen sooner or later - a ransomware application was caught infecting OS X machines. Palo Alto Networks claims that the software, going by the name of "KeyRanger" is the first known case of a malicious encrypter running on OS X, other than a reportedly unfinished bit of code known as "FileCoder", spotted back in 2014. If you don't know what ransomware actually is, it is basically a file encrypter that infects your system and in the case of KeyRanger, lays dormant for three days, after which it encrypts your files and asks you to pay a sizable amount of money (in bitcoin form) to an unknown organization to get them un-encrypted. The malicious code is already in the open and is being distributed as a part of the popular Torrent client app Transmission. Just to clarify, it is not the work of the app developers, but Transmission has rather been employed as a host. Apparently, hackers got their hands on version 2.90 of the app package, so, if you are currently running that one, you might be infected. If the aforementioned three days haven't passed yet, you might still have a change to delete KeyRanger before it locks you out of your files. Specialists from Palo Alto Networks have released an in-depth analysis of the software and how it works, which you can check out at the source link, but generally suggest that users be on the lookout for a suspicious kernel_service process in Activity monitor and you can also check for the existence of a "General.rtf" file inside the Resources folder of Transmission. But even if you don't intend or want to get your hands dirty, both Apple and the Transmission team have taken swift measures. The former has revoked the certificate used by the affected app package, so it can no longer be installed. As for Transmission, it has issued an emergency version 2.92 update that claims to actively remove the ransomware files, if present. Source |...

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Oppo R9 and R9 Plus unveiling officially scheduled for March 17
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-march-17/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You can officially mark March 17 on your calendars as the announcement of the camera-focused Oppo R9 and R9 Plus. Both phones passed through TENAA and will bring all-metal bodies and AMOLED screens. The R9 will have a 5.5" 1080p screen, the R9 Plus will be bigger with a 6" 1080p screen. Both have octa-core processors with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage (before you put in a microSD card in the hybrid slot) and will run Android 5.1 Lollipop at launch. As for the camera, they will have 16MP sensors on the front and back (yep, 16MP selfies!). It's not clear if they will feature the sensor-shift image stabilization tech Oppo demoed at the MWC. They will have VOOC rapid charge for their 2,850mAh (R9) and 4,120mAh (R9 Plus) batteries. It won't be the Super VOOC from MWC, though, that tech is still in development. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Dual Pixel autofocus tested against that of Canon 70D
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-vs-70d-af-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, here's a very unscientific but still demonstrative test of Samsung Galaxy S7 edge's Dual Pixels autofocus system. This fellow from Thailand put the S7 against the Canon 70D, a DSLR with its own Dual Pixel AF system (which reviews show is faster and more accurate than traditional Phase Detection AF). Here's a video of the two cameras, S7 edge and 70D, keeping track of fast moving objects. The difference in speed is tangible. And here's the same test in the dark. Things are moving too fast to really tell, but the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge seems to have an edge in image quality as well as focus speed. You can read how Dual Pixel autofocus works and see our own test of the S7. Thanks to THE-DEVIL (oh my!) for sending this...

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Huawei P9 now tipped to launch second week of April
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/leaked-photos-of-huawei-p9-confirm-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei had officially announced a press event in Berlin for March 9, and it made every bit of sense to be the announcement of the P9 smartphone. The timing is about right, the date rings with the model number, it was a match made in heaven. Apparently not. Huawei P9 launches Wednesday, April 6th.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 6, 2016 Over the weekend @evleaks revealed that the P9 is coming on April 6th, but a few hours ago the leakster had second thoughts and the date is now more of a guideline. The launch date had been given to him in number of days and not a precise date, so the pesky February 29 might have messed up the calculations. UPDATE: I was told a number of days, not an exact date; may have done the calculation wrong. Will inquire. https://t.co/gCq4gYnTKSÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 7, 2016 There's little about the Huawei P9 that will surprise us at this point, as the smartphone often made the news in renders and a couple of sets of live images. In terms of hardware, we expect to see the in-house Kirin 950 chipset, found in the Mate 8, 5.2-inch FullHD display and a dual-camera setup, among other...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/best-apps-games-45/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg hr { width: 92%; margin: 0px auto 25px auto; border: 1px solid #eee; background: none; border-top: none; } #review-body .best-apps-title { border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; margin-bottom: 1em; padding-bottom: .5em } These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week. M Cam M Cam is a camera app for the iPhone that allows you more control over the photography process than the stock Camera app. You can now control the ISO, white balance, and focus more precisely. With focus peaking and focus zoom you can be sure everything you want is in perfect focus. Download: iOS GetSpace GetSpace is a photo management app for the iPhone. It lets you find and automatically delete duplicate photos. It scans and finds visually similar photos and will keep the best ones and delete the rest. It can also scan for blurry and out of focus photos and delete them. Lastly, the app can also delete old screenshots for you. Download: iOS Morning Kit Morning Kit is an alarm application that shows vital information along with your alarm so you are up to speed with things as soon as you wake up. The app will show you today's schedule, weather, news headlines, world clock, exchange rates, and even motivational quotes. Download: iOS Â• Android Hound Hound is a powerful search assistant app. Like Google Now and Siri, it lets you find information by asking for it but Hound can also understand complex questions with multiple queries in it, and you can continue a conversation with it and it will refine its search based on your previous queries. It's also way faster than any other voice assistant. Hound is currently only available in the US. Download: iOS Â• Android Clash Royale Clash Royale is a new game from the developers of Clash of Clans. Clash Royale gameplay is a mixture classic tower defense games, and card games such as Hearthstone. The characters in the game are from Clash of Clans but that's pretty much the extent of the similarities. Except maybe for all the in-app purchases, of which there are many. The game itself is fun, though. Download: iOS Â• Android Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered Fahrenheit is a third person mystery/horror/action game that originally came out back in 2005 on the consoles. The remastered version was released on iOS last year and is now finally on Android. It is one of the more critically acclaimed games out there on any platform, and although the visuals might look a bit long in the tooth now the gameplay and story still make it very playable. Download: iOS Â•...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg With all the clamor surrounding this year's MWC over the past two weeks, we couldn't find time to update you on the latest developments in phone interest trends on a weekly basis. Well, we're back at it, and there's plenty to talk about. The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) joins its little brother A5 (2016), which entered the chart earlier, and the two occupy 10th and 8th spots respectively. In between them we have the Sony Xperia X Performance, the Japanese company's new flagship. The Galaxy J5 is far from its regular comfort zone on the podium, this week in 7th. In 6th we find the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note, the bronze holder in the last edition of the chart. Samsung's sexier S7, the S7 edge, enters the chart in 5th spot, with the LG G5 slightly ahead. Long-time champion Galaxy J7 has lost the crown, again, but still manages to hold on to the third. Xiaomi's brand new flagship Mi 5 storms straight into second, not surprising for a device arriving a long year and half after the one it replaces, with top-end specs too. It is, however, the vanilla Galaxy S7 that snatches the gold. Promising brand new camera, generous battery capacity, premium build, waterproofing, and storage expansion - pretty much all of the important boxes have been checked. Samsung's Galaxy S6 stood on top for weeks on end last year, and we're seeing no reason for the S7 not to. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } #review-body .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } .flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important; } .flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7; } .flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important; } .flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47; } .flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important; } .n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",iÂ€Â‹Arial,iÂ€Â‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100; } .n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px; } .circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px; } .arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px; } .arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent; } .arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent; } Samsung Galaxy S7 RANK: 1NEW IN specs review Xiaomi Mi 5 RANK: 2NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 3WAS: 1 specs review LG G5 RANK: 4NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy S7 edge RANK: 5NEW IN specs review Lenovo Vibe K4 Note RANK: 6WAS: 3 specs gallery Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 7WAS: 2 specs...

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Poll results: Galaxy S7 edge defeats the LG G5 in the battle of Korean flagships
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/poll-results-s7-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the most action-packed editions of MWC of recent years saw the introduction of two (okay, technically three) of the most important smartphones of the year - the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge. We figured the S7 edge is the more attractive part of Samsung's pair (meanwhile so did consumers, apparently), and chose that one to pit against the G5. And the S7 edge did splendidly, beating the G5 3:2. In other words, Samsung's dual-edge glass-and-metal top model gathered 58% of the upvotes, while the modular G5 had to settle for 42%. Fandom aside, the two devices have a bunch of conceptual differences, which can sway users either way. AMOLED vs. LCD, removable battery vs. a larger sealed one, big pixels and near-instant focus vs. dual cameras with extra wide coverage - choices must be made and it's just that the S7 edge has ticked the right boxes for the majority of our...

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Week 9 in review: 6GB of RAM in a smartphone, iPhone 5se unboxed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The mobile world is slowly getting settled back to normal after MWC and our news section over the past week reflects that. With the Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 out of the way the 4-inch iPhone 5se has returned to the top of our hot topics, now unboxed for the camera. Various Xiaomi-related events happened during the week, and you were pretty interested in reading about those. Most notably, the Redmi Note 3 was launched on the Indian market, but also the Mi 5 reportedly gathered 14 million registrations for its first sale. In a world's first, the Vivo Xplay 5 Elite broke the 4-gig RAM barrier, and will be offered with 6GB of operating memory, putting some budget laptops to shame. HTC's next flagship was supposedly going to be called M10, then it wasn't, a teaser was released, and a camera sample leaked. The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was spotted on AnTuTu, revealing specs, and the Huawei P9 also showed up on a couple of occasions. Android N screenshots revealed some of the upcoming changes in Google's next OS version, while the current Marshmallow, coupled with TouchWiz, uses 8 gigs of your 32GB Galaxy S7 storage - made a much bigger deal in the comments, than it actually is. Aaand we're back to the Galaxy S7/S7 edge, which broke pre-order records, started shipping earlier than promised, got torn down, and went through some torture tests. Oh, and also feature QuickCharge 2.0, unlike the LG G5 which gets Qualcomm's 3.0 version of the charging tech. To read the details on these and more, follow the links below. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Apple iPhone 5se unboxed in front of a camera The iPhone 5se is rumored to be announced later this month and go on sale shortly after. Xiaomi launches Redmi Note 3 in India Comes with a brand new Snapdragon 650 processor and a massive 4050mAh battery. vivo Xplay 5 Elite goes official with 6GB RAM, Vivo Xplay 5 announced too All metal Vivo Xplay 5 and Vivo Xplay 5 Elite go official, both feature dual-curved displays. Xiaomi Mi 5 scores over 14 million registrations for its first sale The sale begins tomorrow - 10AM China time. Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pre-orders break records The Galaxy S7 edge is better liked with 64% of customers opting for one. LG G5 supports QuickCharge 3.0, Galaxy S7 is only 2.0, what's that about? Qualcomm's website states that Samsung's flagship is stuck on the older-gen charging tech. HTC One M10 name confirmed, camera sample shown EXIF data of the lone image reads HTC_M10h, 9MP in 16:9 ratio suggests a 12MP 4:3 sensor. Lucky customer gets Galaxy S7 edge early, screenshots galore An early Galaxy S7 edge owner posts screen shots of the largely-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S7 edge's UI and software features. Android and TouchWiz take 8GB of your Samsung Galaxy S7 storage At least, 8GB of Galaxy S7's storage are occupied by the OS and the launcher. Watch Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India launch event here Company's first Redmi phone with metal body and fingerprint sensor. Early mockups speculate Android N UI changes New mockups describe early Android N screenshots which bring along new UI elements, animations, transitions and redesigned notifications and toggles. HTC outs first teaser video for the One M10 In it, the Taiwanese company boasts that it's hard at work finding ways to make smartphones even better. Samsung Galaxy A9...

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GSMArena

07-03-16, 15:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-notebook-9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has launched the new Notebook 9 series of ultraportable laptops. The series consists of four models, one of which has a rotating display. The base model has a 13.3-inch 1080p display with 6th gen Intel Core i5. It has a battery life of 10 hours and is priced at $999. The second model has a larger 15-inch 1080p display, Core i7, and 12 hours of battery life for $1199. The third model called Notebook 9 Spin has a 13.3-inch 3200x1800 rotating display that can be turned around and folded flat. It's powered by a Core i7 and has a battery life of 7.3 hours. It is priced at $1199. The last model is the Notebook 9 Pro, which has a 15.6-inch 3840x2160 display, Core i7, and 6.5 hours of battery life. It is priced at $1399. All models have 256GB flash storage, 8GB RAM, and run Windows 10. Source Â•...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge to allegedly launch in India next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-india-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a report by BGR India, Samsung could be launching the next generation flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones in India as early as next week. The exact date is unknown, the Economic Times believes it will be around March 8 and that the phone will go on sale in the third week of March with prices matching the iPhone 6s in India. ET also believes Samsung will be spending about $15 million worth on marketing the phone in India, an unprecedented amount for the company, to compete against the iPhone that has a massive reputation in the Indian market. You can check out our hands-on of the S7 and S7 edge here. Source 1 Â• Source...

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Telus delays Marshmallow updates for Galaxy Note5, S6 edge, S6 edge+
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/note5-beta-update-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg The carrier Telus has some problems with the Marshmallow updates for the Samsung Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+. Previously the Note5 and S6 edge+ were supposed to get the Marshmallow firmware on March 9 while the S6 edge update was scheduled for March 16. As it turns out, Telus had some minor setbacks, and those updates will be postponed for a few days. The Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ updates will arrive on March 13 while the S6 edge firmware will be ready for distribution on March 30. The regular Galaxy S6 Marshmallow update for the Telus model is still coming on April 13, no changes...

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Google files patent for popup books with AR elements
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-patents-ar-books/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The first time I've ever seen anything with Augmented Reality was when using the AR cards that came with the Nintendo 3DS. This blew my mind back in 2011: You set a card on a coffee table or a desk and looked through the handheld console's telescopic 3D screen to find some characters pop up right out of the card. Moving the handheld around the card shifts the view of the 3D character on the screen. Google filed a couple of patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office which outlined a story telling experience enhanced with AR elements that could be interacted with. The first patent was filed for an "interactive book" using pressure and motion sensors that are built into the pages. Next, a small lens would project images onto the pages depending on what the user presses or does to the pages. There would also be speakers embedded in the device to add to the experience. The other patent was for a kind of tablet that is embedded into the book, then, every page in the book has a secondary Â‘vertical page' of sorts which would display content that compliments the physical page. As always, patents don't usually mean something will become real products, not even experimental hardware may ever be a reality. Even at this point In time, I'm surprised that we haven't really seen a sort of children's book with AR or VR elements used to enhance it. Source |...

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Samsung to shut down Milk Music, reports say
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-to-shut-down-milk-music/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg I remember when I was working as a Samsung rep inside Best Buy last year, I was instructed to install Milk Music and Milk Video to every Samsung Phone that we handled. Many customers loved the idea of free radio stations with no ads for a year, and I am sure most of them didn't like the idea of continuing to pay for premium service after the year was up. Samsung seems to have given up on Milk Music and reports say Samsung is going to shut it down for good. The idea of having a music service that is exclusive to Galaxy phones was a great idea, however, the problem was that Samsung didn't leverage it as well as it should have, it didn't give customers a compelling music service that wasn't already a lot like Pandora. Even so, Samsung has left Milk Music out of its new lineup of TVs when there was no mention of being able to use the music service. Also, Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge announcement in MWC last month didn't make any mention of Milk Music either. Let's not forget that Samsung pulled the plug on Milk Video after just one year of launching the service in 2014. What did you all think of Samsung's Milk Music? Did you find it compelling at all? Did you ever use it on any occasion? Source |...

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HTC 10 reportedly won't have a version running Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-no-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It looks like you're not likely to see a Windows logo on an HTC smartphone ever again. Or not anytime soon, anyway. Back in 2014, the One (M8) for Windows was basically the Windows Phone running version of the Android One (M8). Hence, some people may have hoped for HTC to pull the same stunt with this year's upcoming flagship device, which will be called 10. The hopes were there despite the fact that 2015's One M9 did not get a Windows variant. According to Evan Blass (of @evleaks fame), neither will the HTC 10. He firmly stated today that there won't be an iteration of the HTC 10 running Windows 10 Mobile. So it turns out that HTC has chosen to stick with Android alone for its smartphones, at least for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, if you're looking for a high-end Windows-powered handset, HP has surprisingly announced one at MWC - and obviously there's also Microsoft's very own Lumia 950 and 950 XL...

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GSMArena

08-03-16, 15:31

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zte-blade-v580-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE seems to be on an announcement streak. Only hours ago, the Chinese manufacturer unveiled the ZTE Blade D2 in Thailand and Vietnam and today it has a new mid-ranger to add to its lineup. It is called the Blade V580 and was made official on the company's Japanese website today. It is equipped with a 5.5-inch FullHD display and a 64bit MediaTek MT6753 SoC with a total of eight cores, clocked at 1.3 GHz. Memory is set at 2GB and 16GB of onboard storage. There is also a microSD card slot for up to 32GB more. Other features on the handset include 4G LTE support and Dual SIM connectivity. There is also a fairly large 3,000 mAh battery on board, although it is not nearly as impressive as the 4,000 mAh one inside the Blade D2. The ZTE Blade V580 has a rather modest camera setup, consisting of a 13MP main shooter and a 5MP selfie one. However, there is a fingerprint reader thrown in the mix, which is always a pleasant sight in a budget-friendly device. Other features include Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS with A-GPS, the usual. Pre-orders for the ZTE Blade V580 are going live in various online stores in Japan today and the handset will set you back JPY 27,800 ($246). Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge pre-orders now shipping in the US, UK and Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-uk-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were supposed to ship to their new owners in the US, the UK and Europe this Friday, but you should expect delivery as soon as today. This is if you have already pre-ordered, most UK retailers and carriers still show March 11 as the delivery date. Only the O2 lists "free next day delivery" if you order by 10pm. By the way, some of you will be getting a Samsung Gear VR headset (if you ordered from Samsung, Carphone Warehouse or...

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Truecaller gets dialer, availability status, and new UI
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/truecaller-dialer/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Popular Truecaller app is getting a handful of new features. Top on the list is an integrated dialer, which means you can now dial a number from the Truecaller app itself. The second addition is an availability check, which tells you if the person you are about to call is on another call (only works if they have the Truecaller app installed). Lastly, the app also gets a fresh new look, with the search bar being moved to where Discover used to be. Since the app now includes a dialer, Truecaller will be phasing out the Truedialer app eventually. The new features will start rolling to Android users today. Source Â•...

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Aiwear VR headset works without computer or phone attached
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/aiwear-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg VR headsets were hot items at the MWC, there we saw the HTC Vive and Samsung Gear VR. The Vive is just a head-mounted display - a tower PC does all the work (and there are cables tying you down). The Gear VR is tether-free, but requires the use of your smartphone (select few flagship Galaxy phones). Aiwear (a company that mostly builds imitation smartwatches) has found a middle ground - its VR headset doesn't have cables that get in the way and doesn't need a phone either. It brings its own display - 5.5" 1080p - and its own processing power. That is where things get iffy. The Aiwear VR headset has a quad-core processor, a single gigabyte of RAM and runs an outdated Android 4.4 KitKat. The Aiwear VR headset brings its own screen and processing power, no phone required It does bring its own 9-axis motion sensor though and assuming that is more accurate than the one in your phone, you may see some benefit over just buying a Google Cardboard or a Mattel ViewMaster. At least those let you use a phone with a beefier...

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Xiaomi's European rollout of the Mi 5 and Mi 4s will begin with Poland
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-mi5-poland/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 5 has been getting a lot of attention ever since its launch at MWC 2016 and quite justifiably so. The device is a true flagship offer with a slew of advanced features and little to no notable compromises all with a starting prices as low as $300. Sadly, availability has outside eastern markets has always been a major problem for the Chinese OEM. However, this might change soon enough, as VP Hugo Barra seems to be making good on his long-standing promise to expand market reach of the brand to Europe. The first step in this expansion was hinted during the unveiling of the Mi 5 and Mi 4s and now news has surfaced on the Polish version of the Xiaomi website, providing proof that the company is working on international availability. The web page informs that the Xiaomi Mi 5 and Mi 4s will be coming to the Polish market soon. The memo also comes with a promise for additional info on timing and pricing shortly, as well as a list of the exact models that will be on offer. It appears all three variants of the flagship Mi 5 will be outed in Poland. All three have a 5.15-inch FullHD display and a Snapdragon 820 SoC, but the entry-level one with a clock speed of 1.8 GHz, 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM. The 64GB has the same amount of memory and a processor speed of 2.15GHz. The Pro simply adds another gig of RAM and a 3D ceramic back cover. All the other impressive features of the Mi 5 are shared across the range, including the innovative 16MP camera with 4-axis OIS, 600 Mbps 4G+ connectivity, Full-featured NFC and many other goodies. We will keep a close eye on the Polish website for any further details on pricing and availability. It is, however, clear that entering into new markets will bring the retail price of any handset up. Hopefully, it won't be too much of a premium. Thanks for the tip Mateusz. Source (in...

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Opera Mini v15 now optimizes videos too, supports microSD cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/opera-mini-15/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Even though data plans keep growing bigger and bigger, Opera Mini's data saving modes still have a place. The latest update, version 15, can help you watch videos even on spotty connections with less buffering (and, of course, less data used). The Video Boost mode is available on High savings mode and it works on both mobile data and Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi support in High is new and is intended for use at the fringes of connectivity (e.g. if your hotel room is too far from the router). In the settings you'll also see a counter of how many videos have been optimized. Note in case you missed it: High mode is Opera Turbo, the old-school Mini compression is now called Extreme mode. Other changes in this version include microSD support (requires Android 4.4.4+). You can save files to the external storage and also upload files from there too. Opera Mini takes this opportunity to offer additional savings - you can shrink photos before uploading them (three different sizes). Fast scrolling is now available too and the mini-browser changes the status bar color "to match the environment." The app can be downloaded or updated from Google Play store. Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro to have removable battery, FCC filing confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-a9-pro-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In one of the more unexpected turns of events, the yet-to-be-announced Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro will have a removable battery. This intriguing bit has been revealed by the US Federal Communications Commission, in one specific document, which details the certification label placement. Often imprinted on the back itself, or an entry in the settings menu of the device (digital label), in the case of the Galaxy A9 Pro it's very much a physical paper label glued on the inside of the battery compartment. This gives a hint as to the reason the Pro version is 10g heavier than the plain A9 (2016), needing some additional reinforcement otherwise provided by the rear panel itself. The TENAA certification, which gave us a glimpse at the phone's looks, also said that it would be 0.5mm thicker so it all makes sense now. What doesn't quite add up is the fact that the Chinese authority's photos do show a glass-looking back panel, and it will be interesting to see how Samsung has pulled that off. Or it could be glossy plastic, but then that wouldn't quite be up to the A-series standards. Of course, there's the usual technical data in the papers, which you can sift through by following the Source link below. Source |...

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Samsung announces the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung just announced the flagship Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 edge in India, at an event in New Delhi. The phones are being launched in 32GB dual SIM variant with the Exynos 8890 chipset. The Galaxy S7 is priced at INR 48,900 ($725) and the Galaxy S7 edge at INR 56,900 ($844). Pre-bookings for both start today until March 17. Those who pre-book will get a free Gear VR with their purchase. You can read our hands-on of both the devices...

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Deal: 128GB Samsung microSD card on Amazon for $40
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/deal-samsung-microsd-card-128gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just in time for that Galaxy S7 you've been waiting for: Amazon is selling the 128GB microSD card for just $40. Considering this card is originally upwards of $100, this is quite the deal. As of recently, Amazon raised its minimum purchase price for non-Prime members who want free shipping. So the normal amount of $35 was replaced with $49. Or, if you have Amazon Prime already, you can also get the legendary, free, two-day shipping. Samsung's smaller microSD cards are also quite cheap at $18 for the 64GB size or if you're really cheap, you can get the 32GB card for just $10. Source |...

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T-Mobile document leaks buy-one-get-one deal for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tmobile-bogo-galaxy-s7-s7edge-deal-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are just days away from launch at this point. Those who pre-ordered their devices will be receiving them soon, well, if they haven't already. Lately, T-Mobile has been known for pulling crazy stunts or being really Â‘out there' but this one might take the cake for deals on new phones. TmoNews was tipped, most likely by a T-Mobile employee, with a screen capture of a document regarding a deal for the Galaxy S 7 and S7 edge, two phones that aren't even officially released yet. The deal says that customers who purchase two Galaxy S7/S7edge devices can get their second device for free. Before you flip out, there are a couple of things you need to do in order to actually qualify for this deal: Both devices must be purchased on Equipment Installment Plans (aka. NOT a leased device) and the deal requires you to add at least one new line of service. It is not certain if the entire cost of the device will be refunded to you on a pre-paid visa card, but we can assume that you get the value of the phone upfront on the card, but you are required to pay for the free device on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, this promotion wouldn't be available to T-Mobile employees, but to be quite honest, I'm sure they have better deals than BOGO on the latest smartphone. The highly-anticipated Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are to be officially released this Friday, we'll have to wait to see what how T-Mobile announces this deal to customers. Source |...

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Live Photos and Split View support added to Google Photos on iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-photos-ios-update-live-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Anyone who has used Google Photos on both Android and iOS separately can tell you it iOS users are slower to get new features. This time, these features don't even apply to Android users. The Google Photos app for iOS has been updated to support Live Photos for the newest iPhones. The new app update also brings native resolution support for the iPad Pro, as well as Split View for viewing photos while doing something else? I guess? The update also brings navigation improvements "so you can spend less time flipping hamburger menus" as well as performance tweaks and a new memory management feature which reduces the amount of cache used on devise with low available storage. Source |...

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Google Fi no longer requires an invitation to sign up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-fi-no-more-invites/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Project Fi is Google's first venture into the mobile service space. It teamed up with Sprint and T-Mobile in the US to form an MVNO network exclusive to the Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X. The only way you could sign up for a Project Fi account was by either buying a Nexus device through Project Fi's website, or signing up for an invitation with your Gmail account and waiting a couple of months for your invitation to roll in. Today, Android's blog announced its official goodbye to invites for the Fi Network. The post briefly outlines what the venture has taught Google about customers who use Project Fi such as traveling abroad, using SIM cards in other devices, and the success of relying on Public Wi-Fi. Project Fi is a US cellular network that piggy-backs its service from both Sprint and T-Mobile networks depending on which provides a more reliable connection. The network also takes advantage of public Wi-Fi networks to fill any dead coverage with a Wi-Fi only connection. Plans start at $20 per month as a base, then add $10 for every 1GB used in your cycle, if you use 2 GB in the month, you will be charged $20 for the base fee and $20 more for the data you used. If you only use 1GB and a quarter, you'll only be charged $12.50 for your data for that month. Source |...

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Facebook Messenger for Android finally receives Material Design makeover
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/facebook-messenger-material/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Later today, a new version of Facebook Messenger for Android will start rolling out through the Play Store. This will finally adhere to Google's Material Design guidelines, now almost two years old. Still, the Messenger app is ahead of the actual Facebook app in this regard, belive it or not. Various Material Design elements have been in testing by the Messenger team over the past few months, and have been spotted in a number of beta versions of the app. The company has also enabled them for some users, but not for others, in what's known as A/B testing. But now the new design is going out to everyone. The rollout itself might take a few days to complete, as is always the case with such things. You can get an idea of what Facebook Messenger will look like after the update by glancing at the screenshots above. Facebook says the redesign has been a painstakingly hard process, especially since the app is such an essential part of the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the...

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Upcoming Samsung SM-T585 tablet gets benchmarked, has specs revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sm-t585-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new Samsung tablet is in the works, folks. This has been revealed because the Samsung SM-T585 has been benchmarked using GFXBench by someone in possession of a prototype. This has thankfully revealed the device's most important specs. Thus, the SM-T585 comes with a 10-inch 1,920x1,200 touchscreen, Samsung's Exynos 7870 chipset (boasting a 1.7 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-T830 GPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2 MP selfie snapper, and pretty much all the usual connectivity options (sans NFC though). The Exynos 7870 SoC was made official recently, and so far we've only seen it powering one variation of the upcoming Galaxy J7 (2016). Because its model number ends in "5", and given Samsung's past naming conventions, the SM-T585 should be the LTE-capable iteration of the Wi-Fi-only SM-T580. If so, then expect to see support for LTE Cat.6, since that's built into the chipset. It's still very much unclear what branding Samsung will choose for this tablet. We might be looking at the 10-inch Galaxy Tab 5, or a new Galaxy Tab E or Galaxy Tab A model. Either way, it will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow from day one. Source | Via 1 (in German) Â• Via...

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OnePlus unveils its own installment plan for the US market
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-installments/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following in the footsteps of Samsung, itself emulating Apple's strategy, OnePlus has today launched its own installment system for purchasing its products. That said, it's quite different from the others, since you can't switch devices after a set period of time. It's only available in the US right now, and you'll obviously have to use the OnePlus online store to buy what you want to pay for in monthly installments. The system can be chosen for any order that's over $99, but it's just an option - if you prefer to shell out the entire amount upon checkout, you can still do that too. To go the installment route, you need to select PayPal Credit as the payment option when completing your order. There's a calculator function that will then show up, telling you exactly how much you'll pay every month. For the OnePlus 2, going with the 18-month plan means you'll have to pay $22.60 every 30 days, while for the OnePlus X that's going to be $16.12 every month for one and a half years. Do note however that this isn't an interest-free installment arrangement. If you choose to pay monthly, by the end of those 18 months the OnePlus 2 will have cost you $406.80, which is $57.80 more than its $349 price. In the case of the OnePlus X, you'll end up paying $41.16...

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AnTuTu benchmark releases latest chipset rankings, Snapdragon 820 tops competition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/antutu-rating/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As it does from time to time, the AnTuTu benchmark has released the latest chipset rankings based on results that have been obtained running it. In this case we have two Top 10 lists to speak of. First off, there's the chart relating "smartphone chip performance" as of early March 2016, which you can see below. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 manages to beat Apple's A9 here, with 136,383 points to 132,657. So the A9 isn't the runaway leader in this category anymore (as it used to be not that long ago). The third place goes to Samsung's Exynos 8890, while Huawei's Kirin 950 drops to fourth (from second place just a couple of months ago). Then we have a couple of 2015 flagship chipsets, the Exynos 7420 and Snapdragon 810, followed by the new upper-midrange Snapdragon 652. This one is understandably close to the 810 in performance since it is in some ways the real successor to that, at least on the CPU side, still using only ARM-designed cores, but replacing the Cortex-A57s with the newer Cortex-A72s. The Apple A8 is in eighth place, followed by the Snapdragon 650 and the Snapdragon 808. Now if the 652 is the moral successor to the 810, then the 650 is the same thing for the 808, only in this case the newer model has already managed to outperform its predecessor, and by quite a margin no less. Next up we have the GPU listings, where once again the Snapdragon 820 is king, with its Adreno 530. Again the Apple A9 is second, but this time the difference between them is much bigger. The Mali-T880MP12 in the Exynos 8890 comes very close to the PowerVR GT7600 in Apple's chip, but it's all downhill from there onwards. The Adreno 430 inside the Snapdragon 810 can't keep up with the top three GPUs, nor can the Mali-T760MP8 inside the Exynos 7420. The Adreno 420 from the Snapdragon 805 oddly makes a showing here even though the chipset itself is no longer in AnTuTu's Top 10. Huawei's Kirin 950 comes with a Mali-T880MP4 GPU, and the difference in the number of cores compared to the T880MP12 in the Exynos 8890 is obvious from its measly performance. Its results are actually comparable to those of the Adreno 418 in the Snapdragon 808 and the Adreno 510 in the Snapdragon 652 - both of which are mid-range chipsets and not aiming for the high-end like the Kirin 950. All of the results in these charts are averages, and not the highest ones ever achieved by each chip. Source |...

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Sony partners with 5 directors, who produce awesome videos on the Xperia Z5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/xperia-z5p-battery-life/-184x111/thumb.jpg Sony has decided to promote the Xperia Z5's video prowess by partnering with five directors, each creating a movie about an European city by only using the phone's camera. All videos are shot in 4K and are quite tastefully made. Each tells the story of the corresponding town in a quirky and interesting way. As a reminder, the Sony Xperia Z5 features a 23MP camera with a 1/2.3" sensor. Check out the videos...

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GSMArena

08-03-16, 15:31

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The official unveiling date for the upcoming Oppo R9 and R9 Plus is March 17, something that has been confirmed earlier today after initially being reported on last week. Most of the hardware details of the two devices are already known thanks to the fact that they've passed through TENAA, the Chinese regulatory authority that approves mobile phones for sale in that country (and outs most of their specs in the process). One thing that's so far remained a mystery, however, is how much they will cost. Not anymore, though, for a newly discovered leak out of China is here to clear that up too. The image you can see above is said to depict a promotional poster for the R9 and R9 Plus, and if it is the real deal it reveals the pricing for the two models, at least for the Chinese market. The smaller Oppo R9 will go for CNY 2,498, which at the current exchange rates means about $383 or Â€347. On the other hand, the R9 Plus will start at CNY 2,998 ($460 or Â€417) if you buy it with 64GB of storage, and will go up to CNY 3,298 ($505, Â€459) if you need 128GB. Both phones will come with 4GB of RAM, and it looks like the R9 will only be sold with 64GB of storage space. They will have VOOC fast charging, and the much-rumored 4,120 mAh battery capacity for the R9 Plus is confirmed yet again. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Apple to pay $450 million after failed ebook price-fixing appeal
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-ebook-prices-settlement/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today, the US Supreme Court wrote the final page in the long legal fight against Apple on charges of participating in a major conspiracy to inflate e-book prices. The original suite dates back from 2012 when the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled that the Cupertino giant had conspired with publishers to inflate ebook prices as a means of undermining Amazon. This original accusation states that back in early 2010, around the time the iPad was launching, Apple colluded with five book publishers and managed to raise some book prices by as much as 50% (from $9.99 all the way to $14.99) in an attempt to disturb Amazon's leading position as a cheap e-book retailer. After the initial ruling found the US giant guilty, it decided to start a long process of court appeals that inevitably led all the way up to the US Supreme Court. The latter, however, has decided not to hear the case, which leaves in place a June 2015 ruling by the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, that found Apple guilty of violating federal antitrust laws. Seeing how Cupertino has reached the end of the legal ladder on this case, it will be forced to pay $450 million as part of a settlement. Bill Baer, head of the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division commented on the development saying: Apple's liability for knowingly conspiring with book publishers to raise the prices of e-books is settled once and for all Source |...

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ZTE Blade D2 is a new 4000 mAh budget offer for Thailand and Vietnam
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zte-blade-d2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE enriched its device lineup today with a new budget-friendly offer - the ZTE Blade D2. The handset's definitive feature is the spacious 4,000 mAh battery pack, which should provide ample autonomy for the otherwise not so power-hungry hardware. It is housed withing a relatively compact plastic body, measuring 144 x 69.5 x 8mm and weighing in at 155 grams. The Blade-T620, as it is officially called, has a 5-inch HD IPS LCD display and is powered by a quad-core Mediatek MT6735P SoC, clocked at 1.0 GHz. Memory is set at 1GB and built-in storage is 8GB. There is also a microSD card slot for up to 64GB expansion. The Blade D2's camera setup is also nothing special, but perfectly adequate for an entry-level device. It consists of an 8MP shooter on the back with a single LED flash and a 2MP front-facing camera. There is no shortage of connectivity options - 4G LTE support, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS with A-GPS and a micro USB port. ZTE Blade D2 was launched today in Thailand and is already listed on the ZTE Vietnam website with a price tag of 26,90,000 VND (around $121). This seems to cover the current market availability, but the budget-friendly handset might hit more locations in the future as well. Source |...

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GSMArena

09-03-16, 15:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/att-galaxy-s7-2-for-1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg US carriers are doubling down on the Samsung Galaxy S7 - literally! AT&T is offering a "buy one, get one free" deal for new and existing users, even business users are welcome. You can get the Galaxy S7 edge instead, but the second phone will still be an S7. That's if you want it for free, you can instead use the credit to purchase an S7 edge if you splurge some extra. Note that the first phone can be a new line or an upgrade, but the second must be a new line on AT&T Next 24. In fact, both phones need to be on a Next plan. You can get unlimited data if you have DirectTV or U-Verse, otherwise you get a 10GB plan (you have the option to keep your old one). If you already bought an S7 earlier (starting February 26), don't shake your fist at the sky - your account will be credited for the second phone. At sale you just pay the taxes on both phones, then after three months you will start receiving up to $695 in credit spread over 30 months. It's a complicated deal, so ask around your local AT& shop. By the way, T-Mobile will allegedly launch a similar "2-for-1"...

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Samsung launches its phone upgrade program in Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-korea-upgrade-program/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After launching an upgrade program in the UK a few days ago, Samsung has it to its home turf as well. The deal sound quite attractive to those who always want to have the latest and greatest from the Galaxy lineup. As per the official announcement, you can purchase a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge in South Korea and sign up for the 24 month plan, at 7,700 won ($6.35) on top of the cost of the unit. This will apparently allow you to get the latest Galaxy device 12 month later, once it becomes available. That amounts to just roughly $76 for an upgrade. Factor in the hassle-free upgrade experience and you have a no-brainer. However, we are not entirely sure what happens with the payments during the remaining 12 months of the upgrade plan. Our best guess is that you end up paying them as well, which could mean that you can upgrade only once every two years, or have double payments after the first 12 months. However, even if this is the case, it still sounds like a pretty good deal. Plus, there was also mention of a Galaxy Note in the source, which could possibly mean that Samsung's productivity phablet series is also eligible for the plan, or perhaps even better, it might suggest a cross-matching scenario, in which you can pick between a few eligible models each year. Source |...

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Nexus 5X update rolling out today, expect performance improvements
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nexus-5x-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nexus 5X users have been experiencing a some issues and a few of them are getting squashed today. The big ticket item is "general slow/sluggish performance." It's not clear if the camera sluggishness is included in that. Additional changes include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi improvements (users report choppy playback after long uptime). The issue of the next DND alarm disappearing has been fixed too. Additionally, there are carrier-specific fixes. The new update (MHC19J for most Nexus 5X devices out there) is rolling out today, so be on the lookout for the notification. The security updates for March have been included in this...

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Samsung announces own dual-pixel 12MP sensor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-isocell-12mp-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the greatest new bits about the Galaxy S7/S7 edge is their 12MP camera, with 12 million phase detection agents, as Samsung puts it. That's the essence of the dual-pixel term that we've heard every time the latest top-shelf Galaxies have been mentioned. The sensor used in the smartphones was so far known to be Sony's IMX260, but apparently Samsung has its own imager in production with the same capabilities. Announced today, the Samsung-made sensor sounds very much the same as the Japanese one - 12MP, dual-pixels for PDAF, 1.4 micron pixel size, the lot. Plus the added ISOCELL tech, that is, which stands for isolated individual pixels to help reduce color cross talk. Now, there's no word in the press release if the sensor is going to be fitted in the S7, but with it already rolling off the production line, that seems to be a likely scenario. Samsung has been known to source sensors from Sony while also using its own in parallel fashion, and the Galaxy S6 was one such example, so it's no precedent. Forum threads praising one and dissing the other are the natural outcome, we'll just need to wait for a critical mass of devices to...

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IDC claims tablet shipments will fall 5.9% in 2016, give way to 2-in-1 devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/idc-2-in-1-growth/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg IDC posted a forecast for the development of the tablet market in 2016 and it expects a few major changes. According to it, traditional tablet shipments will decrease by 5.9% in 2016, as the form factor is pushed aside by 2-in-1 devices. While the latter concept is definitely nothing new, it is seeing a major revival in recent months with new offers coming in from traditional players on the tablet market, as well as new ones, like Huawei and Alcatel bridging the gap. The form factor makeс sense, as you are not really sacrificing any of the tablet functionality, but you do get the possibility of more productivity, especially now with x86 mobile chips and the full power of Windows 10 and its software ecosystem. Ryan Reith, Program Director with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers, commented on the trends: This momentous shift in form factor will bring along the first significant impact of Windows-based devices that the tablet market has seen," _"Windows 10 seems to be making headway in both the PC and tablet markets, mainly driven by devices with larger screen sizes. Despite the free licensing on products under 9 inches the growth for Windows-based tablets will be primarily on devices with displays between 9 and 13 inches. Until we see a day where touch is introduced for Mac OS X and inroads are paved to bring Android and Chrome more closely aligned, we believe Windows remains the logical choice for detachable products. The numbers seem to show that in 2016, the detachable tablet market will show a whopping 73% year over year growth. Even more optimistically, hybrid device shipments are expected to raise from 16.6 million in 2015 to 63.8 million in 2020. The trends also show that more and more users will be opting for Windows 10 devices, mostly at the expense of iOS. Android is expected to maintain the same popularity on tablets to 2020. Last, but not least, it is worth noting that the push towards increased productivity will also bring about an elevated interest towards larger devices - screen sizes 9-inches and up. These will surely thin out the numbers of the smaller 7-inch or less devices, but it might still take some time, considering the lack of Widows licensing charges on the...

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Samsung and Phillips bail out of 3D TV business
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-3d-tv/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While 3D is fairly common for movies in the cinema, 3D at home is dead. Samsung and a bit earlier Phillips have officially confirmed that their 20616 TV lineup will not feature 3D screens. Samsung cites lack of consumer interest and lack of content as some of the main reasons. And if you thought 3D content was rare now, keep in mind that the new Ultra HD Blu-Ray format, the one that will be used for 4K video, has no support for 3D. Instead, Samsung will focus on image quality with its SUHD TVs, a technology focused on delivering more colors and dynamic range. Rival LG will still put out 3D TVs, but unofficial reports state that it will halve the number of new models that support the extra dimension compared to last year. Sony will only have 3D on a couple of flagship 55" and 75" models. If you still believe in the 3D dream, Panasonic seems to be the only remaining major player that remains committed to three-dimensional...

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Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge lack Samsung Pay support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-pay-verizon-s7/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung Pay is gaining support in various markets, and the USA has always been one of the biggest opportunities for that kind of mobile payments. All major carriers officially support Samsung Pay, though Verizon was the last one to offer it. Samsung Galaxy S6 series was the first one to introduce Samsung Pay, and the service is working well for the Verizon's users. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones for Verizon lack this support. There is no official reason either from Verizon or from Samsung, why the app is missing on the new flagship duo. If you try to install it from the Play Store it still won't work as apparently the S7 lineup for Verizon isn't supported. Hopefully this gets resolved soon with an update, or at least, Verizon gives a reason for the removal. Source Â•...

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Ultra low-end Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini announced
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-j1-mini-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Like many of its major rivals, Samsung is doing its best to capture emerging markets and offer tailored budget-friendly handsets for them. The latest addition to this budget class of devices is the Galaxy J1 Mini. It was announced today for the Philippines and from the looks of things is more or less identical to the Galaxy J1 Nxt, which the Korean giant recently made available for just $88 in Bangladesh The new name might have actually been necessary to avoid confusion, as the J1 Mini comes with a bump down in RAM from 1GB to just 768MB. We can't really imagine this will net that much of a decrease in cost, but perhaps there are other factors involved that we don't know of. Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini Other than that, the specs sheets of the two devices is identical. It has a rather modest 4.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. Inside is a quad-core CPU, clocked at 1.2GHz, which is used to boot Android 5.1 Lollipop OS. The camera setup is nothing special and includes a 5MP rear CMOS sensor camera and a VGA 0.3MP one on the front. The J1 Mini comes with a 1500 mAh battery, which promises up to 8 hours of 3G talk time, 7 hours of browsing and 29 hours of audio playback. Sadly, there is no 4G compatibility, but the compact device (121.6 x 63.1 x 10.8 mm) still offers Dual SIM support. Other features include USB 2.0, GPS, Glonass, 3.5mm Stereo Earjack, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth 4.0. Information on pricing and availability is still unknown. Source |...

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Pebble gets new 3.10 firmware and apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pebble-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pebble has released a new firmware for the Pebble smartwatch, and also updated the iOS and Android apps, bringing everything to version 3.10. The 3.10 firmware for the watch brings larger emoji for the most popular emoji. Whenever you get a single emoji from among these, the watch will show a jumbo sized version now. Other additions include refined Pebble Health activity notifications, Chinese character support, bug fixes and performance improvements. The 3.10 update for the iOS app brings a new UI and three tabs at the bottom for watch faces, apps, and notifications. Watch faces shows all your downloaded watch faces, apps shows all your installed apps, notifications show you which apps are allowed to send notifications to the watch, and you can also set individual apps to only alert you on weekdays or weekends other than simply always and never. The Android app sees an improved Send Text app, new language support, and bug fixes and performance improvements. All of these are now available to...

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Google Docs adds new option to export text files as ePub
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-docs-epub-export-option/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yesterday, Google added functionality to Google Docs to export long text documents as ePub files, largely compatible with almost every electronic reader and book reading app imaginable (except on Amazon Kindles as they have their own book format .mobi). Reading long PDFs or word files on tablets or smartphones brings me back to my college days, it was the most annoying thing to do on a screen which the text was not formatted for, constantly having to pan, zoom, pan, zoom, pan, zoom, just to read small text that spans three times the size of the screen. This feature should make the consumption of some of these types of files much more enjoyable to readers of such content. Perhaps it will facilitate the actual conversion of ePub files from copied text. The update is rolling out now and should be complete in a couple of days. To export as an ePub file, you can go to File > Download As > EPUB Publication (.epub). Source |...

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Samsung phones are harder to repair than ever before, iFixIt tears down the Galaxy S7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ifixit-teardown-galaxy-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever since Samsung's days of removable batteries and hyper-glaze plastic, Samsung's Galaxy phones have gotten more and more difficult to repair. This time around, the Galaxy S7 scored a low 3/10 for user repairability. Compared to Galaxies past, the Galaxy S6 had a score of 4/10, the S5 scored 5/10, and the hyper-glazed Galaxy S4 scored 8/10 as pretty easily repairable. These phones are becoming more and more complex and harder to repair now. The good news is components are separated better and not stuck together to the midframe as was the case with the Galaxy S6. The bad news is, well, good luck getting into the device. The only way to gain access to the S7's internals is by removing the rear glass panel, which is a feat all by itself. Heat is needed to remove the adhesive that keeps the glass on the back. At this point, you're five hundred times better off buying an insurance plan for your device in case the screen shatters or the components fail (looking at you, Galaxy S4). Just make sure you all get cases for your new Galaxy phones! Source |...

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New York City to upgrade 2000+ high tech busses with Wi-Fi and charger ports
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mta-overhaul-busses-wifi-chargers/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg As a fairly new resident of New York, I have never seen such a vast and efficient public transportation system before. There are definitely better systems, but it's a drastic change from Miami where the public transportation system is actually useable by a very small population of Dade County (unless you live in Downtown or South Beach). The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to bring 2024 brand new busses into the city, equipped with Wi-Fi on board, USB-chargers throughout, information screens displaying weather info and a digital stop ticker to show route information and the next stop information. Currently, all stop information and route changes on busses are announced by the driver over an intercom. Depending on how the MTA driver feels, he or she will either pronounce the stops audibly and clearly, or they might just murmur into the mic, literally, pick up the mic and go "hur hur hur". In these cases you'd have to look outside or use your smartphone's GPS to gage what stop you need to get off at. These stations are so antiquated, that if you walked into Penn Station, you would think you travelled back in time to the year 2004. The MTA infrastructure will finally get the modern update it desperately needs. Many underground subway stations already have Wi-Fi and some stretches of track also have cellular signal in Midtown. Governor Cuomo said (which I can attest to) that some of the MTA stations and facilities are in such "decay" that in some cases is "embarrassing" for a city often called the Â‘capital of the world'. The MTA shuffles more than 9 million customers around the city every SINGLE day. What the MTA is aiming for is to modernize and improve the expectations and technology of its facilities as fast as it can by the year 2020. To meet the expectations of more and more millennials, Thomas Prendergast, Chairman of the MTA, says that this generation expects more and more at their disposal and that the MTA should provide it because it is needed. Source |...

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LG launches contest to win an LG G5 in the Philippines
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-phillippines-contest-lg-g5/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG quietly launched a contest being held in the Philippines. Using the hashtag #BestLGG5Friend, you can enter to win one of three LG G5 smartphones. All you need to do is post the image below on either Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and finish the following sentence: "My #BestLGG5Friend is_______". You must choose from one of the accessories shown in the image and explain why it you think it's the best "friend" to the LG G5. These accessories include: LG Rolling Bot LG 360 CAM LG 360 VR LG CAM Plus LG Action CAM LG Hi-Fi Plus B&O Play LG Tone Platinum You are allowed to post multiple entries with different "friends" as long as they aren't the same as another of your entries. It doesn't really matter what you say since winners will be chosen at random. Entries are being accepted since March 4 all the way through March 30 until 4:59PM to qualify for the promotion. Entries that are missing either the image, the hashtag, or lacking 3 tagged friends will be automatically disqualified from the contest. The official winner will be announced via LG's official Philippines Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter...

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Buy two Chromecast Audio units, save $15
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/chromecast-audio-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is currently running a neat promotion for its Chromecast Audio dongle in its online store for hardware in the US. The Chromecast Audio is normally priced at $35, but now you can get it cheaper. The only thing you need to do is buy two. Yes, Google will sell you a two-pack of Chromecast Audio devices for just $55. So you save $15. That's obviously not much, but then again the Chromecast Audio isn't an expensive gadget in the first place. The discount is applied automatically as soon as you add two Chromecast Audio units to your cart, so you don't need to copy a promo code or anything like that. It's unclear how long this deal will last, though, so if you're interested you'd better act fast. The Chromecast Audio exists in order to connect the non-smart speakers you already have lying around the house. It basically has the same capabilities as the 'video' Chromecast, but it's for speakers only. Hi-res playback and multi-room support are a go too, ever since an update hit it in December. Source |...

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LG G5 lands in Canada on April 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-canada/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG G5 is going to become available for purchase in Canada in exactly one month from today, namely on April 8. This information has apparently been made official by the Korean company itself, so it's straight from the horse's mouth as they say. The G5 will be offered by all the major Canadian carriers (Bell, Telus, and Rogers), but also smaller companies such as Eastlink, MTS, SaskTel, Videotron, and Wind Mobile. Rogers' Fido brand will get in on the action too. So you'll pretty much be able to grab a G5 regardless of what your carrier of choice happens to be. As for third-party retailers, expect to see the G5 in stock at Best Buy, The Source, Costco, and Wireless Wave. If you pre-order a G5 from Rogers or Fido, you'll receive the Cam Plus camera grip accessory for free (while supplies last). Unfortunately pricing information hasn't yet been announced by any of the aforementioned carriers and retailers, but surely that's coming soon. The LG G5 should be released globally in "early April", with April 8 and Canada being the first confirmed launch date and country. It might just be that April 8 will be the big G5 day in other places too, but we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, make sure you check out our detailed hands-on preview of the...

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Sony outs video detailing what's new in its Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-marshmallow-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Sony has uploaded a new video to its official YouTube channel, and this one's all about Marshmallow. More specifically, it's describing in some detail what the most important features are in the company's update to Android 6.0. As you may already know, this has finally started rolling out to some Sony devices yesterday, so the timing of the video couldn't have been better. Have a look: In this presentation, Sony has mixed in new features from Google (such as the revamped permissions system or the redesigned sharing mechanism) with its very own improvements - most of which have to do with the camera app. This video should thus have given you a quick taste of what's to come when you receive the much-anticipated Marshmallow update on your Xperia phone or...

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GSMArena

09-03-16, 15:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/state-of-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month Android 6.0 Marshmallow finally broke past the 1% mark in Google's market share report. It doubled its spread since December, but now its growth is finally picking up. In fact, at the beginning of March Android 6.0 was on 2.3% of devices out there, so it's grown by more than 100% in one month or so. Hopefully this means it will get its market share into the double digits soon. Lollipop has finally become the most used version of the OS, taking KitKat's place with 36.1% of the market compared to 34.3%. While Lollipop has grown 2% from the previous report, KitKat has lost 1.2% of the pie. And it's bound to go down even more. Jelly bean now has 22.3% market share, Ice Cream Sandwich is down to 2.3%, while Gingerbread is at 2.6% and Froyo's still holding on to 0.1% of the market. In the coming months more and more devices should be graced with updates to Marshmallow, so that version will obviously keep on growing. So too should Lollipop, while every other Android release is basically on the way out now - if incredibly slowly. Source |...

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New data shows how quickly Android apps can lose users and how the best retain the crowd
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/app-active-user-retantion-rate/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever wonder how the top Android apps manage to gain and retain superiority? Of course, there is no simple answer and the recipe for success is often extensive and convoluted. We won't argue that brand awareness plays a major role, or that a nice feature set can give you an edge over the competition, but a new analysis on data collected from 125 million Android phones and Google Play reveals a rather interesting pattern and hints that the first few days in an app's life cycle are far more important than a lot of you may think. Andrew Chen, along with Ankit Jain - CEO of a mobile intelligence startup called "Quettra" are responsible for the analysis and their findings seem to show that it's quite likely for an Android app to lose about as much as 80% of all its users within a month of the initial app install. The fact is that most Android users tend to shop around quite a bit for their apps, which usually means installing a bunch of alternatives, giving them a quick try and then possibly moving on to the next. This is why, as evident by the graph, as much as 75% of users typically leave the app on the same day they install it and at the end of the first week, that number is usually over 80%. Now, one could argue that this is just because the average metric is distorted by the sea of objectively bad apps out there in the Android realm, but, interestingly enough, when they moved on to analize just the very top performing applications, Andrew Chen, and Ankit Jain stumbled upon a quite similar user retention pattern. The general timing seems to be the same and large drops tend to coincide, the only real difference being that the most popular apps have managed to lower the percent of losses significantly. This all leads to one logical conclusion - apps need to capture users as quick as possible and impress them at first sight, or else the typical usage patterns are simply working against them and active user counts will plummet. As Ankit Jain puts it: Users try out a lot of apps but decide which ones they want to Â‘stop using' within the first 3-7 days. For Â‘decent' apps, the majority of users retained for 7 days stick around much longer. The key to success is to get the users hooked during that critical first 3-7 day period. What this translates to is developing experiences that are engaging at first sight. Some examples might include, giving the user a big bonus at the beginning of a game and a daily incentive to come back for more rewards, or perhaps in a more social or communications app - get them invested in the platform straight away, by guiding them through a profile creation wizard and linking them with current users and friends. These tactics may vary, but if you were wondering why your mobile app isn't doing all that well, despite your endless efforts to add in new features, it might be time to invest more in a catchy description, some Google play multimedia content and a good retention scheme for first time...

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LeEco Le 2 gets a round of leaked images, has specs outed too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/leeco-le2-images/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You may have heard of LeEco (formerly LeTV) when it became the first company to sell a smartphone powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset. In the meantime, many more handsets have chosen to employ that particular chip, but LeEco is apparently hard at work on its next device. This is allegedly going to be called Le 2, which might mean it's been created as the successor to the Le 1s. The pictures you can see below (click the thumbnails to look at the full-size versions) are said to be of the Le 2, covering a decent amount of angles. LeEco Le 2 The LeEco Le 2 will reportedly sport either the Snapdragon 820 or the MediaTek Helio X20 chipset (there will be two variants), along with 4GB of RAM and a 21 MP main camera. The fingerprint sensor on the back is of the ultrasonic variety, and a USB Type-C port is on board for connectivity purposes and charging. Those are unfortunately all the spec details we have for now. Speaker grill holes can be seen on both sides of that port, which may mean the phone will have two speakers. Then again, many smartphones use similar designs but only actually ship with one speaker, with the holes on the other side being purely cosmetic. Anyway, the frame of the handset seems to be metal. Its back cover could be metal too, or maybe not - it's not easy to tell just from these shots. If this is the real deal and it's being worked on by the Chinese smartphone maker, we expect to hear much more about the Le 2 in the coming weeks. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Verizon and T-Mobile HTC One (M8) units are now receiving Android Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-one-m8-us-carrier-ota/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As originally promised, HTC will bring Android Marshmallow to all of its flagship handsets, going back to and including the One (M8). Today the OTA has started seeding for both the Verizon and T-Mobile carrier versions of the phone. The former is receiving a software version 6.21.605.3 package, while the latter has the build 6.20.531.5. Both, however are based on Android 6.0 and bring about all the Marshmallow goodies Google's OS has to offer, like run time permissions, app Dozing, Google Now on Tap and many others. The software should also come with new volume controls for notifications, audio and alarms and simplified screen capture. In other news, T-Mobile is also spreading some Marshmallow love to its more price-conscious clients, owners of the LG G Stylo. It has also started receiving an Android 6.0 OTA, already spotted in the wild with a version number of "H63120b" and weighing in at 767MB. Bear in mind that both carriers are conducting a staged rollout of all the updates, so it might be a few days before your handset receives the payload. T-Mobile has even cited a rather lengthy update window, ranging from March 7 to March 21, so a bit more patience might still be required. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

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GSMArena

10-03-16, 15:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/nexus-5(2015)-antutu-score/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Google just released the Android N developer preview for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. The LG Nexus 5 is missing from the list, as it's quite dated now. However, as TheBleg points out, Nexus 5 owners could be in for a surprise, as Google is testing Android N for the device.As evident from the Google Git repository for the Android N preview, the Nexus 5 (hammerhead) is tagged in its code dating from yesterday.The company hasn't made official statement regarding the phone just yet, but this is definitely proof that the Nexus 5 could be in the basket of devices to receive the latest Android flavor.Source |...

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Redmi 3 with fingerprint scanner spotted on TENAA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/redmi3s-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi 3 doesn't feature a fingerprint scanner, but it looks like we'll soon see a variant that comes loaded with one. A phone with specs identical to the Redmi 3 was spotted listed on TENAA's website - what's worth noting is that it apparently comes with a rear finger print scanner.Other key specifications that the listing reveals include a 1.5 GHz octa-core CPU, 5-inch display with 720p resolution, and 2GB/16GB memory configuration. The phone, which weighs the same as the Redmi 3, has a 3,000mAh battery, compared to the 4,100mAh battery the latter packs in.As for the price, rumors say the handset will carry a tag of RMB 799, which translates into around $122 at current exchange rates. The Redmi 3, for comparison, was launched at a price of RMB 699 (around $105).Via 1 2 | TENAA...

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AT&T Galaxy Note5 getting February security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a couple of weeks after Samsung announced that it has begun pushing out the latest Android security update to its "major flagship models," the AT&T Galaxy Note 5 has started receiving the update.While the carrier's support page only says that the update includes some security and performance-related enhancements, screenshot shared by a Note5 user clearly shows the device's security patch level to be February 1 after the update is installed - it weighs in at around 50MB.The update has just begun rolling out, so it may take some time before its hits your device. However, if you are feeling impatient, you can also manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu.Source |...

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HTC One A9 now available for £269 in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-one-a9-ebay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC One A9 is an attractive phone, but costly. A seller in the UK is offering new units with manufacturer warranty for £270.That's a sweet deal, considering the same handset costs £400 from HTC's official site. We found a slightly better deal at Amazon, £360, but that's still £100 off. Some retailers and carriers actually have the nerve to ask for over £400 for the SIM-free unit.P.S. The HTC 10 - the One M9 successor - is coming soon (April 19) and will sport a design heavily inspired by the A9 but with much better...

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Lumia 650's US availability details to be announced soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-650-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Announced by Microsoft last month, the Lumia 650 went on pre-order across Europe the day it was made official - it's now available for purchase in most European countries. Sadly, there has been no official information on when it will go on sale in the US.That was, however, until now as the Redmond, Washington-based company has said that it'll be revealing the device's US availability info soon - "later this week" to be precise.@myke115 Please stay tuned ... we'll be posting some official updates on social media later this week! #TeamLumia #Lumia650Â— Lumia US (@LumiaUS) March 9, 2016Previous rumors had suggested that the Windows 10-powered mid-range handset, which carries a $200 price tag, will be launched in the United States sometime in April this year. Among carriers, Cricket is currently confirmed to be carrying...

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Nexus 6P gets performance boosting update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nexus-6p-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After updating the Nexus 5X, Google has now released an update for the flagship Nexus 6P.Like the Nexus 5X update, the 6P update focuses primarily on improving the performance for background and foreground tasks. Google also fixed the 'until next alarm' bug, and there are some carrier-specific updates as well.Overall, nothing major, but if you ever experienced some performance hiccups on your Nexus 6P or any other minor bugs you can expect to see some improvements.Source Â•...

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Microsoft Surface 3 gets new price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/surface3-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, Microsoft was last month selling the Surface 3 at discounted rates, allowing you to save up to $150 depending on the model. In case you missed that deal, you'll be glad to know that the tablet has again received a price cut in the country.This time, however, the discount is available on Amazon, where the 64GB Wi-Fi model is listed at as low as $385, while the 128GB Wi-Fi variant is listed at $475. A quick look at the Microsoft Store reveals that the models are officially available for $499 and $599, respectively.Keep in mind that the price cuts mentioned above are for the Windows 10-powered versions of the tablet. Discounts are also available on the Windows 8.1 variants - head to the Source link below to learn more about the...

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Samsung already rolling out an 'urgent' update to Galaxy S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-uk-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung's newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - are yet to officially go on sale, but that hasn't stopped the South Korean company from issuing updates to them. Specifically, the edge variant is currently getting an update which has been categorized as 'urgent' by Samsung.There are not much details available about what exactly the update in question includes, except that it is for the Edge screen and is aimed at preventing errors from occurring.It's a small update, weighing in at 3.32MB, but given that it's marked 'urgent,' you should install it as soon as you get the notification. In case the update hasn't hit your device, you can manually check for it by heading to your handset's Settings...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 landing on Cricket next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-s7-leasing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg AT&T's prepaid subsidiary Cricket has announced that it will start carrying the Samsung Galaxy S7 flagship smartphone next week. Carrying a $649.99 price tag, the device will be available both in-stores and online beginning March 18.Those purchasing a Galaxy S7 unit from Cricket between March 18 and April 1 will also get a free Samsung Gear VR headset as well as a 6-game bundle - worth $150. The carrier says the promo will only be available till supplies last.In case you aren't already aware, the Big Four US carriers have already started shipping Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders. Officially however, the flagships are set to go on sale in 60 countries starting...

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Samsung says Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders stronger-than-expected
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In line with reports earlier this month, Samsung has revealed that pre-orders for its newest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - have been stronger than what the company was expecting. The revelation was made by the South Korean firm's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin.Sadly, there was no word on exactly how many Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders Samsung has received, as well as what was the South Korean company's initial sales target for the devices. Dong-jin, however, did say that they are expecting the new flagships will help reverse Samsung's fortunes in China.Both the S7 and S7 edge are set to officially go on sale starting tomorrow (March 11) - they will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of their global...

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Turns out, Verizon WILL support Samsung Pay on the Galaxy S7 and S7edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-will-support-samsung-pay-after-all/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, we don't know where it started from, but someone with a review device or an early shipment of the Galaxy S7 has reported that the Verizon's Galaxy S7 is not compatible with Samsung Pay on the Play Store. It simply wasn't allowing them to download it.After reaching out to Verizon, Android Central was able to receive confirmation that Samsung Pay is, in fact, coming to the Verizon S7. The app was simply not available because it was still undergoing testing before flicking the switch and releasing the app. The Samsung Pay app is up on the Play Store now and downloadable by the Verizon S7.Verizon executive, Jeffery Nelson, tweeted regarding this issue to clear the air once and for all..@SamsungSupport confirms Samsung Pay isundergoing testing & will be avail on schedule for our 3/11 launch ofGalaxy S7 & Galaxy S7 edgeÂ— Jeffrey Nelson (@JNels) March 9, 2016The Samsung Pay app will be ready for users when they get their new Galaxy S7's on Verizon when the ACTUAL launch of the phone comes around on March 11.Source 1 | Source...

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Deal: white, black, or gold Galaxy S6 edge with 128GB storage for $480
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/deal-galaxy-s6-edge-ebay-129gb-480/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you aren't trying to get the very latest and greatest Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, you can check out the deal below for a Galaxy S6 edge well-equipped with 128GB of storage. You can purchase an S6 edge for $480 with free shipping from eBay.The S6 edge originally retailed at $699 for the Verizon base 32GB model and every increment of memory was another $100 slapped onto the price tag. This brought the 128GB model up to $899. The deal today brings the phone down to just over half off the original retail price.These are indeed Verizon units, but thanks to an FCC agreement, all of Verizon's phones are GSM unlocked from the factory. So you should be able to use this phone overseas or locally with another GSM network like T-Mobile or AT&T.eBay is also running a promotion good through tonight which can get you 10% back in eBay Bucks reward cash instead of the normal...

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Amazon UK accepting pre-orders for LG G5, release date: April 8 for £529
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/amazon-uk-lg-g5-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The LG G5 has shown up on a major online retailer, Amazon UK has the LG G5 listed for pre-order in either Rose Gold or Titan Grey. Both units are 32GB variants and sold unlocked or SIM-free and can be pre-ordered for £529 (roughly $750).This morning, there were early reports that the LG G5 is set to be launched on April 8 in Canada, the same day as Amazon UK lists as the G5's release date upon preorder. It could be that LG is planning for a worldwide release of the G5 on the same day.There is still a long time to go before the launch of the device, but if you become too impatient you can check out our hands-on of the LG G5 at MWC.Thanks for the tip, Aaron!Source |...

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Google launches Android Beta program, no more flashing for preview releases
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-beta-developer-previews-ota/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Traditionally, any person who would like to try out a new developer release of the next version of Android would have to download the factory image from Google, unlock your bootloader, set up fastboot, and type some commands in a CMD prompt.However, Google has come up with a solution that will allow enthusiasts and developers alike to enroll in the Android Beta program without having to mess with fastboot, unlocking bootloaders, and entering white text into black boxes.Google has taken a similar approach to how Apple handles it's iOS Beta releases. Minus installing the file needed to download the OTA. Users can sign up with their Gmail accounts; all you need to do is sign into Gmail and your eligible devices will automatically populate the page for you to choose from. From here, you should receive the OTA notification on your phone within 24 hours.Google notes that "if you manually flashed Android N on your device by downloading the image from developer.android.com, you won't receive OTA updates automatically." So you must be on the latest public release of Android in order to take the first dev preview OTA.We don't suggest using your daily driver to run the first Android N build, but if you do it anyway, you will be allowed to opt out of the Beta by unenrolling the device online. Then you will receive an OTA with the last official public release which WILL wipe your data and revert you back to stock. So make sure you back up your device before accepting any dev OTAs.The following devices are eligible to enroll in the Android Beta program:Nexus 6Nexus 5XNexus 6PNexus 9 (LTE)Pixel CNexus PlayerCheck out the source link if you'd like to enroll today. You might be asked to log into your Gmail account to verify your Nexus device.Source |...

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Google offers developers 25% off the Pixel C tablet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pixel-c-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg To complement the release of the first developer preview for Android N, which happened mere hours ago, Google has revealed a promotional offer for those who'd like to pick up one of its Pixel C tablets.The search giant says this deal is only meant for developers to take advantage of, but we can't see why you couldn't try to even if you're just a consumer. What you get is 25% off the price of the tablet.That means the 32GB model will be yours for just $375, which is $125 less than its normal price. On the other hand, the price reduction for the 64GB tablet is even bigger - $150, in fact (you can grab it for $450, compared to the usual asking price of $600). The deal sadly does not apply to the Pixel C's keyboard, which you still have to purchase separately for $150.If you want in on this, head on over to this page and enter your email address. You should then receive a promo code via email, which you can enter into the Google Store upon checkout, after you've added the desired Pixel C to your cart. The limit is one tablet per person, and the offer is only valid in the...

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LG V10 is getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow in Turkey and South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-v10-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already knew that the LG V10 would eventually be graced by an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and today it's finally started rolling out. The big caveat here is that the update is so far only out in two countries - Turkey and South Korea.So it could be a while before the Marshmallow goodies make their way to V10 units sold elsewhere, especially if LG is using these two markets to test that everything is going fine with the release. However, the good news for V10 owners across the world is that the software is finalized, and now only regional and carrier variations need to be added. So conceivably this will roll out internationally in a few weeks at most.In Turkey, the software iteration that's making its way to devices over-the-air is V20b, with the download coming in at 846MB. Perhaps rather oddly, this is Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and not 6.0.1.As you'd expect, the new release comes with everything that Google packed into Marshmallow, including the revamped permissions system, Doze Mode for better standby battery life, Direct Share, as well as improvements to Do Not Disturb mode (including that new name). LG's done a bit of tweaking of its own on top of that, making the brightness slider visible while you adjust it, introducing new Knock Code settings, and renaming LG Bridge to LG AirDrive.Source 1 (in Turkish) Â• Source 2 (in Korean) | Via 1 Â• Via...

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Android N Developer Preview is out with multi-window mode built-in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-developer-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Google has released the first Developer Preview of the upcoming Android N release. And yes, this is just called "N" for now, expect the official desert name to be outed alongside its final build many months from now.It's a surprise, this, because Google has so far introduced developer previews of its new Android versions at the annual I/O conference, which generally takes place in May. This time, however, the search giant is giving developers a taste of a build that's even earlier in the development cycle than usual, which means it should have more time to incorporate feedback into the final thing. It will also let Google "hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever".What's newThe big new headline feature in Android N, at least so far, is the addition of a multi-window mode. Or call it split-screen multitasking if you want, it's the same thing. This will be incorporated by developers into their apps by using a new manifest attribute. Once engaged, multi-window mode will look like you can see in the screenshots below. Notice that it's not limited to tablets, but will also work on phones, and even TVs - where you'll even get a picture-in-picture mode.Next up, in Android N you are able to reply to incoming stuff directly from the notification. This uses the same API as Android Wear, so any app that works with Wear will work with it without the need for any code changes at all.While we're on the subject of notifications, the new release also lets developers group notifications from the same app together. The bundled notification can be expanded into individual ones by tapping a newly-introduced expansion button or by using a two-finger gesture.Doze Mode was put into Marshmallow in order to enhance standby battery life. But while that only works when your device has been stationary for a while, the new revamped Doze Mode in Android N also sometimes kicks in when the screen is off and the device isn't stationary. Project Svelte has also been worked on some more - it's an effort to reduce the operating system's memory use so it can be more usable on low-end hardware.And in a bit of news that will surely only concern actual developers, Java 8 language features have now come to Android, and you can use them through the Jack compiler.DownloadGoogle has already posted factory images for the Android N Developer Preview on its dedicated website. These are available for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. The company stresses that this initial release is only intended for developers to fiddle with, and not for daily use or consumers.It is however making it easier than ever before to test it. Later today a special page will allow you to sign up for the new Android Beta Program. And once you've done that you'll get this Developer Preview build, along with all the others that are coming in the future as over-the-air updates. So you won't have to flash those factory images to take a peek at Android N.Google says that it will invite consumers in to have a look the new Android version once it gets closer to a final...

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Goldgenie already has a 24-karat gold-plated Samsung Galaxy S7 on offer
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/goldgenie-galaxy-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nothing speaks status more than a golden phone right? If you share this opinion then you have surely heard of Goldgenie - the company enjoying the plentiful financial support of millionaire James Caan. Now, as Samsung is preparing for the first wave of mass shipments of its latest flagship duo, Goldgenie has already gotten its hands on the devices and is offering them with a golden exterior.Currently, there is only one modification of the S7 family on offer, complete with a sparkly golden dust effect on its curved back. The 24-karat gold also extends to the frame and buttons, even the camera and flash frames, leaving only the front it its original black color and Gorilla Glass finish for protection. The design is quite reminiscent of the Galaxy S6 edge Stardust model, also currently on offer at Goldgenie, but we hardly think it's wise to splurge for a full gold treatment and not get the latest tech at hand.Goldgenie is offering the service with the purchase of a new Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, or your own unit, if you have somehow managed to already get one. The former options come with 64GB of storage and will set you back GBP 2,097.00 for the S7 and GBP 2,297.00 for its edgy sibling.Source 1 | Source...

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GSMArena

10-03-16, 15:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-s7-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deal that was leaked two days ago has now become official at T-Mobile for both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge. The offer will become available online tomorrow, and will stay so "for a limited time", according to the carrier.Here's how it works. You grab an S7 or S7 edge with an installment plan, and you get a second one for free after a rebate card. You do have to add a line for the free phone, however. You also receive the Samsung Gear VR headset for free as well as a full year of free Netflix if you purchase before March 18.The 32GB Galaxy S7 will cost $669.99 upfront, or $0 down followed by 24 monthly installments of $28. It will be out in Black Onyx and Gold Platinum. The 32GB Galaxy S7 edge will be priced at $779.99 upfront, or $59.99 down and then 24 monthly payments of $30. For this model you'll be able to choose between Black Onyx, Silver Titanium, and Gold...

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HTC to make Nexus devices for the next three years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-three-year-nexus-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is no secret that HTC is struggling big time on the Android market. But, while other major players like Samsung and LG are focusing on increasingly more impressive handset offers to wow fans, HTC might have decided to adopt a more business approach in the face of an alleged long-term partnership with Google.Some yet unconfirmed information was spotted on Chinese social network Weibo, claiming that HTC has struck a partnership with Google to manufacture Nexus devices for the next three years. This comes along with a hint that two new Nexus handsets are already planned for this year, one with a 5-inch display and the other a 5.5-inch one.If this story holds water then HTC might have just secured its future on the mobile market for quite some time. Nexus fans can also be fairly sure of the well-being of their beloved brand, as HTC does have a history of doing it justice. The Nexus One was quite impressive when in came out and the same goes for the Nexus 9 tablet, which offered superb performance, an early taste of Android 5.0 and also stunning looks with aluminum edging....

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GSMArena

11-03-16, 15:51

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-s7-on-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg No more pre-orders - the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge are now on sale. This also means some of you missed your chance to score a free Gear VR.Not US buyers, though, there you get a free Gear VR and a 6-game bundle (an estimated value of $150).Vodafone Germany will also throw in a Gear VR if you buy a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. O2 Germany is giving you a free 32GB card instead.In the UK, O2 offers a half deal - the Gear VR is half price when you buy an S7 (before April 21). EE is throwing in a 32GB microSD, a Juice Wireless charger and a screen...

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Nexus 5X discounted on the Google Store till March 27 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nexus-5x-india-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While India gets ready to celebrate Holi, Google decided to join the festivities with a sizable discount on the Nexus 5X.If you buy the Nexus 5X from the Google Store, you can get an INR 4,000 ($60) discount on the MRP. Currently, the phone is priced at INR 27,900 ($415) for the 16GB model and INR 31,900 ($475) for the 32GB model without the discount.Of course, some of the other retailers like Amazon and Flipkart have been offering the Nexus 5X at even lower prices for a while now but this discount does close the gap a bit.The discount is valid until March 27. Unfortunately, it is limited to the Nexus 5X and not available on the Nexus...

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Huawei P9 leaks in more live photos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-p9-live-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei P9 hasn't exactly been keeping a low profile despite the fact that it is yet to be announced. The smartphone has been featured extensively in various leaks over the past few months, which is generally a good thing, but once overdone is now causing more confusion than anything else.We've seen a couple of different renders of the P9 with rather contrasting design features, but a newly leaked set of live photos seems to coincide quite closely with the most recent batch of renders, finally providing some proof of the alleged final design.The Huawei P9 will have a thin metal body, with a plastic insert on the back, quite reminiscent of the Huawei P8 or the P8lite. The dual rear camera setup also seems to be confirmed, although we are yet to learn any definite specifics about the shooters. There have been rumors stating that in light of the recent partnership with Leica, the P9 could be the first mobile device to feature camera tech and possibly even software by the photography legend.As for the rest of the specs on the Huawei P9, the rumors are abundant but also somewhat confusing. There might be as many as four variants of the handset, but we have come to expect something along the lines of a 5.2-inch display, the company's latest Kirin 950 SoC and 4GB of RAM, perhaps even a whopping 6GB in the top-tier model.Huawei recently announced an unveiling event for April 6 this year where the P9 will be the star attraction.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Plants vs. Zombies Heroes gets a soft launch in select countries
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pvz-heroes/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg EA has launched the next game in the Plants vs. Zombies series. Called Heroes, the ew game is a bit of a departure from the previous two mobile games in the series.While the first two games were essentially tower defense, the new game combines a bit of that with a whole lot of card play. The game has a whole bunch of new characters, which are introduced in the game through cards, similar to games like Hearthstone. You can choose from the new primary characters and then form a team of secondary characters that will be be deployed during the battle.Like the new Clash Royale, Heroes also includes online multiplayer. You can play as either the plants or the zombies.The game is now available on iOS and Android in select regions.Android •...

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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 gets 20% price cut in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/surface-pro3-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Launched in India just a couple of months ago, the Surface Pro 3 has received a solid price cut in the country. The 2-in-1 detachable is now listed on Amazon India for INR 58,990 (around $880), down from its launch price of INR 73,990 (around $1,100).For those who aren't aware, the Surface Pro 3 landed in India in January this year, although only in a single variant that comes with Core i3, 4GB RAM, and 128GB storage. The 12-inch device runs Windows 10 Pro out-of-the-box.A quick look at the Microsoft US store reveals that the same variant is currently available there for $599, down from its usual price of $899.Source (Amazon India) | Microsoft Store...

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Oppo's upcoming R9 to feature a fingerprint scanner that unlocks in 0.2 seconds
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-fingerprint/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Given that Oppo's upcoming R9 smartphone is scheduled to be made official on March 17 (next week), the company has been running a teaser campaign for the device over the last couple of weeks.Continuing the campaign, a couple of new teasers have been released by the company revealing that the R9 will feature a front-facing fingerprint sensor capable of unlocking the phone in just 0.2 seconds.In addition, the Chinese company also reportedly dropped hints about the handset being ideal for making mobile payments - if you recall, there have already been reports that several smartphone manufacturers in China are planning to release their own payments service, although Oppo wasn't named explicitly.Coming back to the R9, the device (along with the R9 Plus) has already been spotted on TENAA, revealing a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen and a 1.95 GHz octa-core processor. Other specs include 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, 2,850 mAh battery, and two 16 MP cameras.As for the price, the handset is expected to carry a tag of RMB 2,498, which translates into around $385 at current exchange...

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New Waze for Android update brings smart reminders, reduces battery consumption
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/waze-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Android client of the Google-owned navigation app Waze has received a new update that bumps the version to 4.0 and brings along some new features like smart reminders, as well as various improvements.The updated app now gives you traffic- as well as drive times-based (in short: smart) reminders to leave on time for your Calendar events. The update also includes new ETA panel which is aimed at organizing everything you need in one place. "View reports, check alternate routes, add a stop on the way, or instantly send ETA to friends and family," the change-log says.In addition, the app now requires fewer taps for things like starting a drive as well as sending locations and directions. And finally, Google claims that the update reduces the app's battery consumption significantly.Source (Google...

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MIUI 7.2 starts hitting second batch of Xiaomi devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/miui72-rollout/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week, Xiaomi announced the roll-out of version 7.2 of its MIUI ROM, revealing that the update will hit devices in batches. The first batch that got the update included the Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi Note Pro, Mi 4c, Mi Pad 1, Redmi Note 4G (Single SIM), and Redmi 1S.The good news is that the update has started hitting the second batch of devices, too. These should include the Mi Note, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Mi 2/2S, Mi Pad 2, Redmi 3, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 4G (Dual SIM), Redmi Note 3G, Redmi 2A, and Redmi 2.If your device falls in the second batch, you'll soon received an OTA notification, if not already. Alternatively, those feeling impatient can also download the update package from official MIUI website (head to the MIUI link below).Via |...

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Q Motion is Fossil's first wearable that tracks sleep
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/fossil-q-motion/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Watch and accessories company Fossil has updated its Q series of wearables with a new device. Dubbed Q Motion, the wearable is basically a cylindrical shaped tracker that not only tracks user's activity, but sleep, too - making it the first wearable fitness device from Fossil to do so.Being an activity tracker, the Q Motion obviously tracks your movements. In addition, it also vibrates whenever user receives smartphone notifications - the device is capable of filtering notifications through its companion app installed on the user's phone.The wearable also includes a "smart tap" feature that, as the name suggests, lets you tap on the device a set number of times to initiate actions like playing music on your phone, finding your phone, and taking a selfie.The Q Motion will be on display at SXSW next week. It will go on sale sometime this summer carrying a $95 price...

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Samsung Z1 successor reportedly in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-z1-2016/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung has outed a couple of Tizen-powered phones until now: the modestly-specced Z1 and a comparatively more powerful (although still entry-level) Z3. While the former was launched back in January last year, the latter arrived in October. Now, there are reports that a successor to the Z1 is in the works.Samsung Z1The Z1(2016) is said to carry a model number of SM-Z150, and feature an AMOLED display like the Z3. Aside from this, nothing else is currently known about the handset, including when it's going to be available and what price tag it will carry.The report comes just a few weeks after an SM-Z510 - which is alleged to be the Samsung Z5 - was spotted listed on Zauba. Assuming that the Z1(2016) and the alleged Z5 are different phones, the latter could well be the successor to the Samsung...

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Samsung announces global launch of its Galaxy S7/S7 edge flagship smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-global-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While it was already confirmed that Samsung's newest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - will officially go on sale starting March 11, the company has now made a formal announcement in this regard."Samsung Electronics today announced the commercial launch of its new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge around the globe including US, Europe, Singapore, Australia and Korea, starting from today," the South Korean tech giant said in a post on its website today.In case you missed, Samsung's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin has already confirmed that the handsets will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of their global launch. Just yesterday, he revealed that pre-orders for the devices have been stronger than what the company was...

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A couple more photos of the HTC One 10 leak ahead of phone's launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/a-couple-more-htc-one-m10-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC, is taking its sweet time preparing for the launch of the HTC One 10 also codenamed ‘HTC Perfume' in even earlier leaks. Perhaps it's waiting for all the Samsung Galaxy S7 hype to be over before releasing its newest flagship.After seeing the rear of the phone in leaks, renders and teasers, I finally understand why HTC decided to go with such a large chamfered edge. It's more for ergonomics than aesthetics. The oversized chamfer gives the edges of the rear of the device a tapered edge, such that will make holding the device a more pleasurable experience.#HTC #HTC10 @angt29 via @tanalibera https://t.co/rASj57rJ3D pic.twitter.com/QawIhPxcDI— Steve Hemmerstoffer (@stagueve) March 10, 2016The front of the device gives us a look at the homescreen of the device and judging by that weather widget, we could assume this leak originates from Beijing. We can also see a fingerprint scanner right below the screen now joined by two capacitive buttons on either side. A departure from the on screen buttons of the HTC One M9.The company hasn't been doing so hot in the past couple of years so let's hope this phone will be HTC's game changer for the year. If it doesn't, at least HTC could pray that its alleged future partnership with Google could help get it out of deeper...

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Reminder: 3G-enabled Samsung Gear S2 Classic goes on sale tomorrow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gear-s2-classic-3g-on-sale-march11/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Everyone seems to have forgotten about Samsung's 3G-connected smartwatch which is also set to go on sale at the same time as the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.March 11, the same day as the official release of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Among all the madness of news surrounding the impending launch of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Samsung's Gear S2 Classic will be going on sale at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.The only carrier who didn't bother to put a pre-order link on its website was T-Mobile. AT&T shows the pricing at $250 with 2-year service agreement. Which is still crazy for such a device but I guess when you consider the monthly service fee for maintaining a connected watch, it KINDA justifies it?Verizon lists the price as 350 with a 2 year contract or 400 outright. You're better off paying the device off and you'll make the 50 dollars back in 10 months seeing as it costs only $5 per month to maintain a connected device.The Gear S2 Classic is a smartwatch which features a more traditional watch design on the rotary-style dial and metal bodies with interchangeable bands.Source | AT&T pre-order link | Verizon pre-order...

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LINE introduces new group calls for up to 200 people
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/line-gets-group-voice-calls/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LINE brings you a new way to talk to people, a way that you might never have to use, but if you want to, you can! LINE is bringing group voice calls to chat groups of up to 200 people."Calls can be initiated from within group chats or multiple person chats, and a notification message will be sent to all of the users participating in the chat. The number of people currently participating in the call can also be confirmed from within the chat. An icon is displayed above the user icon of the person currently speaking at the time, enabling users to easily communicate with each other."The feature is first rolling out to all countries outside of Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia. These countries will follow soon after. These countries hold a huge chunk of LINE's users and an update like this needs to be rolled out in stages.The feature is expected to come to LINE for Mac shortly after.Source |...

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T-Mobile demoing Gear VR in Times Square
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-gear-vr-demos-times-square/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile is usually the one to go all out with trash talking the other carriers, wireless promotions, and T-Mobile has also been aggressively advertising for a while now. Today is no different when T-Mobile set up its own transparent booths with hand-rails for passers-by of New York City to stop, try the Gear VR, take pictures, and talk about it to their friends. "Have you seen that VR thing? Oh, MAN, you gotta try it!"Surely enough, the reps that are aiding with setting up the demos for every person must be telling them about T-Mobile's buy-one-get-one-free deal for the New Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which is to be officially released tomorrow.Feast your ðŸ‘€! Rock the #GalaxyS7 and the #GearVR at our #RealityCheck event in Times Square right NOW! ðŸ”¥ pic.twitter.com/yJEez4TO9m— T-Mobile (@TMobile) March 10, 2016Samsung is also clever to give these Gear VRs away for every customer who pre-orders the new smartphone. It is difficult to get people to buy something they don't know if they need, but by throwing it in for free, Samsung should be able to leverage more Gear VR units off the shelves by word of mouth.T-Mobile's official twitter account has been tweeting photos of the all the fun. Today was a beautiful day in New York and T-Mobile is taking advantage of the thousands of people who have come out to enjoy the incoming spring...

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LG G5 arrives in the US in early April with free second battery and charging cradle
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-us-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG has announced that its recently unveiled G5 flagship smartphone is going to land in the US sometime in early April. Oddly enough the company hasn't revealed the actual release date for the handset, but that could very well be April 8 - because the G5 is launching on that day in both Canada and the UK.You'll find the G5 in stock at such carriers and retailers as AT&T, Best Buy, B&H, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon. Prices are still not known though.Emulating a promotion that we've seen run many times for last year's G4 and V10, LG will give people who buy a G5 in the US a free second battery and charging cradle. This offer will be available for a limited time, but the company hasn't said exactly how long you'll have to take advantage of it.At the same time as the phone, LG will also release the G5 Friends in the US. These are the modular accessories that were presented at MWC last month. Some of these help 'transform' the G5 into things like a "DSLR style camera" or a mobile virtual reality viewer.Source 1 • Source...

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Introducing time-saver reviews
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/timesaver-reviews/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_004.jpg Today we're introducing a new take on our detailed, long-form articles. These are the time-saver editions of some of our most popular reviews. The goal with those is to bring you the gist of our full-length reviews without getting into too many technical details. But they are more than merely abridged versions of our full-fledged review.

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LeEco Le 2 Pro has even more specs leaked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/leeco-le2-pro-spec/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Only two days ago we got a glimpse at the upcoming LeEco Le 2 Pro smartphone, through some leaked images showing it. Back then we found out a couple of its most important specs, and today thanks to a new leak we get a more complete list.LeEco is the Chinese company formerly known as LeTV, which grabbed the international spotlight when it was the first to release a device powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820. And it looks like it really likes that chipset, since it's going to use it again in the Le 2 Pro.The image you can see above purportedly shows the back label from the box of the Le 2 Pro, which helpfully lists the handset's specs. The Le 2 Pro should thus come with a 5.7-inch QHD touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with LED flash, an 8 MP selfie snapper, the aforementioned Snapdragon 820 SoC on board, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, LTE support, a USB Type-C port, Dolby Audio, and a 3,100 mAh battery.It will obviously run Android, but which exact version isn't clear yet. Nor is how much it will cost, or when it's getting official. Or, for that matter, whether it will ever be sold outside of China. Anyway, its specs certainly make it worthy of the flagship moniker.Source (in Chinese) |...

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Microsoft Lumia 950XL review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/15/microsoft-lumia-950-xl/-347x151/thumb.jpg The Microsoft's Lumia 950 XL is the face of the new Windows series and a reboot of the company's smartphone business. Microsoft may have been slow in adopting new tendencies and features, but it made sure everything is done right with the Windows 10 Mobile premiere.

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Huawei Mate 8 review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-mate-8/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei Mate 8 is the latest phablet by the Chinese phone manufacturer. It's a premium device all around and it surely doesn't come cheap. But for the price you pay for it, you are certainly treated to an excellent user experience and some of the best specs in the industry.

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GSMArena

12-03-16, 16:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-curved-screen/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung pioneered in the field of curved edge displays with the Galaxy Note Edge, and has since toned down the implementation to gentler curves but on both sides with the Galaxy S6 edge, S6 edge+ and now the latest S7 edge. Other manufacturers are starting to join in on the fun, for example Vivo with the recently announced Xplay5. Reports are coming in that Samsung will be (or in fact already is) selling curved displays to other Chinese makers, including Xiaomi. The rumor has it, Xiaomi's Mi Note 2 will be the next in line to have an extra bit of flair on the sides. The current Mi Note, already a couple of months past the usual one-year life cycle, is due to be replaced some time soon and the successor will allegedly feature such a display. The other manufacturer that's been mentioned is Huawei, and with costly curved edge displays destined to come in flagships only at this point, it's likely we're talking about a potential future Mate, possibly the successor to the Mate S. On the other hand, the Huawei P9 is coming in less than a month, and while leaks of its dual-camera setup on the back have been abundant, the front was only featured in a single render and never photographed in the wild. To be fair, we are clutching at straws here, it may end up being all smoke and no fire. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Here's how to roll back from Android N to Marshmallow on your Nexus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/revert-from-android-n-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If the title peaked your interest, then we probably don't need to fill you in on the fact that Google released an early Android N build a couple of days ago, along with a Beta program to easily receive updates over the air. If you are anything like us, then you probably ignored the bugs and stability warnings and might currently be in a situation where your phone isn't exactly 100% usable and that fact eventually managed to outweigh the Android N bragging rights. Naturally, you can always manually flash a Marshmallow build back to your handset, or any custom ROM for that matter, but if you are after a more streamlined solution, Google has you covered. The Beta program seems to work with the same ease both ways. To roll back to the latest Android Marshmallow build, you simply have to go back to same page, where you opted to participate in the Beta and click the UNENROLL DEVICE button. This will result in an OTA being send to your unit within minutes, which is also stated in the confirmation prompt. But unless you clicked it out of curiosity, you probably weren't in the know about the reverse OTA. However, be advised that any path you chose to swap Android N back to an earlier OS build will result in a restart and a data wipe. So, be sure to back everything up if you haven't...

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Oppo's upcoming R9 and R9 Plus have their full specs leaked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-full-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Scheduled to be unveiled next week, both Oppo R9 and R9 Plus have already passed through TENAA, giving us a good idea about their specs. Now, leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka @OnLeaks) has leaked the complete specifications for both devices. The specs leaked by @OnLeaks are more or less inline with what TENAA revealed (except for internal storage). Also, the rumor that the Plus variant has the Snapdragon 652 inside is corroborated by the new leak. The Oppo R9 will sport a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen and pack in an octa-core processor. Other specs of the device will include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, 2,850 mAh battery, and 16MP/13MP camera combo. The R9 Plus will come with a 6-inch 1080p display and be powered by the Snapdragon 652 chipset. It will also have 4GB of RAM, but offer 64GB and 128GB internal memory options. Both rear and front cameras will come complete with 16MP sensors while a 4,120mAh battery will provide the juice. Oppo has been running a teaser campaign for the R9, revealing features like VOOC fast charging and fingerprint sensor. Both R9 and R9 Plus will be announced on March 17, and are expected to carry price tags of RMB 2,498 (around $385) and RMB 2,998 (around...

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LG Lancet gets large price cut, now available for just $75
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-lancet-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Windows Phone 8.1-powered LG Lancet smartphone has received a large price cut. The device, which was launched last year, is now listed on Microsoft's US Store website for $74.99. That's a discount of over $100 if you're considering purchasing it from the Redmond, Washington-based company's online store, where it usually sells for $179.00. However, keep in mind that the handset costs around $120 if you directly buy it from Verizon. Specs-wise, the phone packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset and sports a 4.5-inch display. It comes with 8GB of expandable internal memory and features an 8MP rear camera...

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LG G5 to cost CAD300 on-contract in Canada, CAD800 sans agreement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/g5-canada-price/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While we already know that LG's newest flagship - the G5 - will go on sale in Canada on April 8, there has been no word on its price all this while. That, however, was until now as a couple of Canadian carriers have revealed the device's pricing information. Fido will be offering the handset for as low as $300 on a 2-year contract (depending on the plan, the cost may go up to $550), and $800 without any agreement. Similarly, Rogers will also be charging as low as $299.99 on contract and $799.99 if you purchase it outright. Other carriers like Wind Mobile still haven't put any price tag on the device, but we assume there won't be much of a difference. Aside from the three carriers mentioned here, the G5 will also be offered by Bell, Telus, Eastlink, MTS, SaskTel, and Videotron. Source (Fido) |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge available for $700 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the United States, and are planning to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, you'll be glad to know that you can currently get it at the price of Galaxy S7. eBay seller 232tech is currently selling the new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB) for $700, which is down $100 when compared to carrier locked variants at the moment and $200 cheaper if you purchase the phone outright. The unit on offer is unlocked and carries a model number of SM-G935F, which means that it's an international model. What's worth reminding here is that unlike US models (which pack in SD820 chipset), international Galaxy S7/S7 edge models are powered by the latest Exynos SoC. Available in gold color option, the phone is only compatible with GSM carriers. Source (eBay) |...

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Nintendo's first mobile game Miitomo launching next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nintendo-miitomo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January, Nintendo confirmed that its first mobile game - dubbed Miitomo - will launch in March. And now, the Japanese company has revealed the launch date: March 17, which is Thursday next week. The revelation was made in a Tweet. ã‚¹ãƒžãƒ›ã‚¢ãƒ—ãƒªã€ŽMiitomoã€ã®é…ä¿¡é–‹å§‹æ— ¥ãŒã€2016å¹´3æœˆ17æ—¥(æœ¨)ã«æ±ºå®šã—ã¾ã—ãŸã€� �ãªãŠã€äº‹å‰ç™»éŒ²ã«ã¤ã„ã¦ã¯3æœˆ16æ—¥ã® æ˜¼12æ™‚ã«å—ä»˜çµ‚äº†ã—ã¾ã™ã®ã§ã€ãŠæ—� �ã‚ã«ã”ç™»éŒ²ãã_ã•ã„ã€‚ https://t.co/YbsKcr8qM7 pic.twitter.com/bTATmK1qHi— ä»»å¤©å_‚æ_ªå¼ä¼šç¤¾ (@Nintendo) March 11, 2016 The game was initially set to arrive at the end of the last year, but was delayed to March citing promotional reasons. Pre-registrations for the app began last month, and they'll be closed on March 16, a day before the launch. As we've already told you before, Miitomo doesn't appear to be a game in true sense - it's more of a chat app that allows users to create and customize their Miis, through which they interact with other users in real...

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Pre-orders suggest Galaxy S7/S7 edge more popular than previous Galaxy flagships in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has revealed that the total number of pre-orders it received for its newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - in Europe was over 2.5 times more than what it received for previous Galaxy phones in the region. People standing in line for new Samsung flagships The revelation, which was made by the Netherlands subsidiary of the South Korean company on its website, came just days after Samsung's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin said that Galaxy S7/S7edge pre-orders have been stronger than what the company was expecting. Samsung Netherlands also revealed that of the two flagships, the edge variant is more popular, accounting for a total of 61% pre-orders placed in Europe. In case you missed, the flagships officially went on sale worldwide yesterday. Source...

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Galaxy S7 could help you use Chromecast on hotel Wi-Fi with web-based login
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-could-help-with-hotel-wifi-and-chromecast/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You know this has happened to you before: You are going on a trip which involves staying overnight in a hotel so when you pack you are thinking to yourself: "I should pack my Chromecast too!" So you roll the USB cable up with your Chromecast and stuff it into a suitcase while you think about what a genius you are. Next, you get to your hotel room, hopefully it has a TV with HDMI ports. Then you plug your Chromecast in and power it up, only to realize that you cannot use it because in order to use your hotel's Wi-Fi, you need to use a web-based login page to gain access to the internet. You are like "Daaaamnnnn, I can't use my Chromecast. UGH! Maybe I can tether to my phone." But if you don't have unlimited data, you might hate yourself. But as it turns out, with the Galaxy S7, (In theory, as I haven't tried this myself) you'd be able to log into the web-based hotel Wi-Fiwith your phone, accept the terms and blah blah blah (now here's where it gets interesting). There's a feature on the Galaxy S7 (and edge) called Wi-Fi sharing. It allows your phone to act as a Wi-Fi repeater to retransmit the signal of another Wi-Fi network. All you have to do is the following: Log into hotel Wi-Fi using phone Turn on Wi-Fi tethering Factory reset your Chromecast with the app Set up Chromecast with phone's hotspot Mooch off hotel Wi-Fi To turn the Wi-Fi sharing feature off, you can go to Settings >> Mobile hotspot and tethering >> and tap on the MORE tab. Now, I don't have an S7 unit myself, so I cannot confirm if a secondary device is needed to control the Chromecast or if you can use the S7 to control the Chromecast directly. If you have an S7 and would like to try this out, let us know in the comments if you are able to tether your Chromecast to your S7 AND control the Chromecast WITH your S7. Via |...

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New Galaxy S7 edge ad featuring Lil' Wayne pouring a bottle of champagne on his phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/new-samsung-ad-featuring-lil-wayne-and-champagne/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the main reasons Samsung has been so successful alongside Apple in the past several years was by matching Apple's advertising campaigns and promoting the crap out of these phones. Samsung has already been promoting the Galaxy S7 a lot even before it launched today. Samsung started by throwing in a Gear VR with a pre-order of the new phone. Then, Samsung USA released three new ads a couple of weeks ago, next, a man with a jetpack flew alongside the Dublin River in a stunt coordinated with Samsung Ireland to promote the Galaxy S7. And finally today, Samsung released three new ads all featuring Lil' Wayne, the most notable of which shows Lil Wayne pouring a bottle of champagne all over a Galaxy S7 and then dunking it into a fishtank. Samsung really wants to make sure viewers KNOW this phone is fully submersible in water. Check out the ads released today featuring Lil' Wayne: And in case you missed them, check out the other bunch of ads that came out a couple of weeks ago. My favorite ads of the bunch are "Water" and "The Dark". I have to say after seeing the previous bunch of ads, they are all really good. The ads do a great job of building up a point and then slapping you in the face with the reality of why you need to get the Galaxy...

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UPDATE: Samsung phones are harder to repair than ever before, iFixIt tears down the Galaxy S7 (S7 edge too!)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ifixit-teardown-galaxy-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg UPDATE: iFixIt has posted the Galaxy S7 edge teardown as well. The S7 edge gets the same lousy repairability score as the Galaxy S7 did. Check out both phones in the source links below! Ever since Samsung's days of removable batteries and hyper-glaze plastic, Samsung's Galaxy phones have gotten more and more difficult to repair. This time around, the Galaxy S7 scored a low 3/10 for user repairability. Compared to Galaxies past, the Galaxy S6 had a score of 4/10, the S5 scored 5/10, and the hyper-glazed Galaxy S4 scored 8/10 as pretty easily repairable. These phones are becoming more and more complex and harder to repair now. The good news is components are separated better and not stuck together to the midframe as was the case with the Galaxy S6. The bad news is, well, good luck getting into the device. The only way to gain access to the S7's internals is by removing the rear glass panel, which is a feat all by itself. Heat is needed to remove the adhesive that keeps the glass on the back. At this point, you're five hundred times better off buying an insurance plan for your device in case the screen shatters or the components fail (looking at you, Galaxy S4). Just make sure you all get cases for your new Galaxy phones! Galaxy S7 teardown | S7 edge teardown |...

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Deal: Moto X Pure Edition just $300 at Amazon, Best Buy and Motorola.com
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-x-pure-edition-for-300/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg (Also known as the Moto X Style outside the US) If you've been looking for a deal on the Moto X Pure Edition, look no further. Motorola's last phablet is slimming down its price across multiple retailers both online and brick and mortar. Best Buy has the phone available either shipped from virtual shelves or you can walk into a store and pick up the black model. Though, it'd be a good idea to check your local store's inventory before making the trip. If you don't feel like going anywhere and would rather let Amazon ship the phone to you with two-day Prime shipping, you can choose between a white and black model. And if you don't want either black or white, you can even design your own Moto X Pure Edition directly on Moto Maker! Even Motorola's official website has slashed the price of the Moto X. So you can customize your Moto X to exactly how you want it to look and still pay the same $300 discount price. That's a great deal for a great phone. The Moto X is compatible with all GSM and CDMA networks in the US including Sprint and Verizon. The Moto X features a Snapdragon 808 chipset paired with 3GB of RAM and Adreno 418 graphics. There's a large 5.7 inch LCD display big enough to enjoy photos taken with the 21MP rear facing camera. There is also a microSD card slot to store up to 128GB of your media library. Best Buy | Amazon | Moto Maker |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 review: A refinement act
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-s7/-347x151/gsmarena_100.jpg Close your eyes and picture the Samsung Galaxy S6, but the way you wanted it to be, not the way it came out. Now open them and look at the Galaxy S7. Better? Let's see.

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Use Samsung Pay on your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, get a free $30 gift card
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-pay-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has launched yet another promotional offer hoping to help the adoption of its mobile payments service. This one is aimed at fresh owners of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge duo, handsets which only became available today (though pre-orders have been shipped three days ago). It's simple, really. Set up Samsung Pay on your S7 or S7 edge, make an in-store payment using the service, and you'll receive a free $30 gift card. If you use Bank of America debit cards or private label cards to complete that first transaction though, you won't be eligible for the gift card. As for the gift cards themselves, you can choose one from the following merchants: Best Buy, eBay, Whole Foods, Nike, or Regal Cinema. After you've made the aforementioned qualifying transaction using Samsung Pay, you'll see a pop-up informing you about the gift card offer, which is when you choose one of these merchants. The pretty obvious caveat is that the promo is US-only. Also, it's only going to be valid until March...

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Samsung's 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablet is now available at Verizon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-view-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you've wanted to pick up one of Samsung's huge, 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablets but for some reason decided to make your purchase from a carrier, then this is for you. The tablet which was initially announced back in October of last year is now up for grabs from Verizon. You can get it using a device payment plan, in which case you'll shell out $24.99 per month for two years. Or if you want to just pay the whole sum upfront, that will be $599.99. On the other hand, if you sign one of those old-fashioned two-year service agreements, the tablet will be yours for $499.99. You can add the Galaxy View to an existing Verizon plan for an amount that starts at $10 per month. The tablet comes with 4G LTE support, of course, as well as an 18.4-inch 1080p touchscreen, the Exynos 7580 chipset (with a 1.6 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a 2.1 MP front-facing camera, and a 5,700 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 is now up for pre-order in the US and Canada, ships by April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lumia-650-pre-orders-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, that didn't take long. Just yesterday Microsoft said availability details for the Lumia 650 in the US would be coming later this week, and here we are one day later and the phone is already up for pre-order. That's right, if you live in the US (or Canada) and insist on being among the first people in North America to sport a Lumia 650, you can pre-order one now for $199 (or CAD 199) straight from Microsoft's online store. The "ships by" date is the same for both countries - April 1 (and hopefully not a joke). That price obviously nets you an unlocked device, and one that even comes with dual-SIM functionality (which isn't something usually seen in North America). The Lumia 650 has a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie cam, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 chipset at the helm (featuring a 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 1GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Windows 10 Mobile. Source 1 • Source 2 |...

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Apple software SVP says closing recent apps does not improve battery life
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ios-closing-apps-email/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is a question that seems to bother most smartphone users at one point or another - what happens to an app once its closed and is it eating away at that all-important battery life. It is a pretty valid concern and you can easily hear pretty convincing arguments on both sides, so it is quite understandable that one iPhone user decided to take it up with Tim Cook himself. We are far from the idea that this is the first such question to arrive on Apple's email servers, but it is one of those rare occasions when the person actually got a response. It wasn't from Tim Cook, but rather from Apple iOS chief?Craig Federighi, who is arguably even more qualified to provide an answer. The response itself was short and straight to the point, leaving no room for hesitation - a resounding NO. This is probably the firmest somewhat official stance Apple has ever taken on the issue and the reply does fit nicely with previous examples of such email responses, like the ones Steve Jobs used to send out quite frequently. Plus, the email headers have already been verified for authenticity and everything checks out. The only thing missing from the response, however, is any form of clarification. We won't dig too deep into the matter, but we do feel it is necessary to mention that background tasks and services are very much a thing on iOS. That being said, a closed app is pretty much suspended and not using any notable resources on your device, but any app that has background syncing of any sorts, still uses up resources, battery and data, just take Facebook for instance. Thankfully, iOS has the Background App Refresh menu to help you with managing such activities, so you can generally mend any such drainage yourself, assuming the lack of app bugs that is. And as for forcefully closing Apps, Apple suggests you only reserve that as a drastic measure when something hands or misbehaves in any...

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GSMArena

12-03-16, 16:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-isocell-12mp-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung unveiled its own camera with Dual Pixel autofocus, a 12MP unit just like the Sony IMX260. And both of those are used in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. But which one did you get? Does it even matter? You can use AIDA64 to check, under Devices you'll find a Camera ID field that says either SONY_IMX260 or SLSI_S5K2L1 (this is the Samsung one). Taskumuro procured phones with both camera sensors and went on a shooting expedition. The results show that there are indeed some differences, but there's no clear winner. The Sony sensor has the edge in some shots, the Samsung comes out ahead in others. So, there's no win or lose here. Samsung Galaxy S7 camera sample: Samsung sensor • Sony Sensor Thanks for the excellent work, Juha! Source (in...

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Sony is seeding an early Marshmallow build to Z3, Z3 Compact and Z2 Xperia Beta participants
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-xperia-z3-z3-compact-z2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony is working hard to bring Android Marshmallow to its users. Naturally, the process started with the Xperia Z5 and more recently, the Z5 Compact, with the Z5 Premium is expected to join in any time now. However, the Japanese giant has also made a commitment to bring Android 6 to a slew of other devices across its lineup, going as far back as the Z3, Z3 Compact and even the Z2. Today, these three models are seeing their first taste of Marshmallow, but there are a few clarifications to be made. Sony is indeed seeding an Android 6.0.1 build for the Z3, Z3 Compact and Z2, but it is an early Beta release and only available for devices participating in the Xperia Beta program. For those who aren't in the know, the test was launched a few months back and limited to the following European countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany. The build in question bears the number 23.5.A.0.486 and although it is a higher version than the 6.0 ROM currently seeding to the Z5 and Z5 Compact, they actually contain security patches up until December 2015, instead of the current February 2016 ones. This is because, as we already mentioned, the builds are very early and intended as a beta test for future OTAs on these older Xperia models. It is also worth noting that we are talking about a release candidate software of sorts, that should eventually make its way to a full release, as opposed to the conceptual builds from last October, which were more or less and idea playground. We are happy to report that users will not only be getting the Google-provided new features, like Dozing and runtime app permissions, but also new Xperia software, like the much-needed camera app overhaul, as well as the new Xperia...

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Samsung quietly outs the Galaxy Tab A (2016)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We have been having a pair of Samsung tablets on the radar for quite some time now - the Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab E. Now we learn that the former was quietly announced and is now listed on the company website. The listing in question can be found across a multitude of Samsung regional websites, but the German one seems to have the most details. In terms of specs, the Galaxy Tab A 7.0 (2016) is rather modest and features a 7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. Underneath the hood is a quad-core processor, clocked at 1.3 GHz and 1.5GB of RAM. On-board storage is just 8GB, but thankfully there is a microSD card slot as well. The camera setup consists of a 5MP main shooter and a 2MP selfie one. The Galaxy Tab A boots Android 5.1 Lollipop, possibly with an all new Kinds Mode by Samsung and is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery. Available color options seem to include the basic black and white and we didn't manage to spot a network-enabled version to add on to the natural Wi-Fi connectivity, but maybe it will be made available as well. As for pricing, some early retailer listings suggest €169,00. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

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GSMArena

13-03-16, 16:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-battery-life/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've been though it a lot - the Samsung Galaxy S5, as all Galaxy S's before it, had a user-replaceable battery, and the S6 didn't, which sucks. Not only that, it actually had a smaller battery than the model it replaced. The first part of that story doesn't seem likely to change, as design constraints have been forcing manufacturers to seal batteries inside devices, not just smartphones. Well, good thing then, that Samsung actually fitted a higher capacity power pack inside the Galaxy S7 than it did in the S6. It is, in fact, the most juice a vanilla Galaxy S-series model has had - specialty editions like the S6 active and S6 edge+ don't count. The Galaxy S7 has a 3,000mAh battery, which is the most that 5-inch (or thereabout) smartphones have these days, matched by the latest Xiaomi Mi 5. The current, and likely last of its kind, Sony Xperia Z5 packs 2,900mAh of juice, mated to a marginally larger 5.2-inch display. The LG G5 has a 2,800mAh cell for an even larger 5.3" screen, while the outgoing G4 relies on the same 3,000mAh capacity to power a 5.5-inch display. Yes, both LG smartphones are bigger, but who's to blame if the company doesn't have a flagship offering close to the 5" mark? In their favor though, both models feature a removable battery. Now, LG does make the Nexus 5X, and that's a flagship of sorts with a 5.2-inch display and a 2,700mAh cell. The iPhone 6s, on the other hand, has a lowly 1,715mAh battery to feed a 4.7-inch display. It's what the Galaxy S7 does with its 3,000 milliamp hours that actually matters, though, as we've seen plenty of impressive specsheets that couldn't transfer into reasonable battery life. So as usual we carried out our array of battery tests, and while the summary can be found in the review, we'll get into a little bit more detail in these few paragraphs here. The Galaxy S7 does very well, to put it simply. Starting with voice calls over a 3G network, the S7 can outlast all of the above (well, we can't be sure about the Mi 5 and G5 just yet). And even then, it's the Galaxy S6 that comes closest, not one of the competing brands. The Xperia Z5 follows, at a distance of almost 5 hours behind the S7. The iPhone 6s fares rather miserably in this respect with less than 10 hours of talk time on a charge. JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = true;.jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;}.jrGraph { padding-left: 0 !important; left: 96px !important;} Talk time Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 LTE 46:44h Gionee Marathon M5 38:07h Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro 33:20h Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G 33:19h Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) 32:54h Xiaomi Redmi 3 32:53h Oppo R7 Plus 30:46h OnePlus 2 30:29h Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 30:29h Motorola DROID Turbo 30:09h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL LTE Dual SIM 29:46h Microsoft Lumia 640 XL Dual SIM 29:46h Huawei Honor 5X 29:40h Samsung Galaxy Note5 28:34h HTC One (M8) for Windows 28:34h Nokia Lumia 1520 28:34h Samsung Galaxy Note 4 28:31h Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE 28:25h Sony Xperia Z5 Compact 28:23h Huawei G8 27:44h Samsung Galaxy S5 27:37h Sony Xperia Z1 26:53h Huawei Mate 8 26:45h Samsung Galaxy S6 active 26:29h Motorola Moto X Play 26:28h Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) 26:01h Samsung P6800 Galaxy Tab 7.7 25:45h LG G3 25:38h LG G Pro 2 25:37h LG G Flex 25:19h Sony Xperia T2 Ultra 25:16h LG G2 25:15h Samsung Galaxy A7 25:12h BlackBerry Passport 25:12h Huawei Ascend Mate 25:12h Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos 25:12h Motorola Nexus 6 25:03h Samsung Galaxy A8 25:02h Samsung Galaxy A8 Duos 25:02h Alcatel Hero 25:02h ...

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Week 10 in review: HTC 10 leaks, Android N features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC 2015 brought plenty of high-profile announcements, but many Android fans are still waiting on HTC to announce its next move. It is no secret that the manufacturer has been struggling lately, but hopefully the 10 will have what it takes to put HTC back in the race. HTC fans also learned that the Taiwanese company secured a Nexus manufacturing deal with Google for three years. Speaking of flagships, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and its edged sibling are once more making headlines. Now that the first batch of units is starting to reach eager fans, everybody seems to be busy either testing Samsung's current crown jewel or wondering when theirs will arrive. Another big announcement from the previous week is the developer preview of Android N, which came out of the blue. An early build of Google's next mobile OS can already be tested out on various Nexus devices and there are quite a few additions to enjoy, like multi-windows support. In other news, Samsung is constantly outing new devices, like the budget Galaxy J1 Mini, Galaxy TabPro S, a new Netbook 9 series of notebooks and soon, the Galaxy A9 Pro, allegedly with a removable battery. To read the details on these and more, follow the links below. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Samsung phones are harder to repair than ever before, iFixIt tears down the Galaxy S7 The guys over at iFixIt give a first-hand look at the Galaxy S7's internals. HTC 10 images show additional color options, including white front The 3D render that leaked earlier showed a Silver back paired with a Black glass front. HTC 10 leaks in brand new press renders and live images The handset previously known as One M10 has been given the full leak treatment. AnTuTu benchmark releases latest chipset rankings, Snapdragon 820 tops competition The report features the top 10 performers in its database. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Dual Pixel autofocus tested against that of Canon 70D Canon has been using Dual Pixel AF on its DSLRs for a while now, so who will win? T-Mobile document leaks buy-one-get-one-free deal for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge Leaked information points to an unbelievable deal from T-Mobile for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Samsung launches Notebook 9 series of Ultrabooks Samsung has launched the new Notebook 9 series of ultraportable laptops. The series consists of four models, one of which has a rotating display. Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge to allegedly launch in India next week Should go on sale by the third week of March. Samsung announces the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in India Pre-bookings come with a free Gear VR. Android N features overview Improved notifications, new doze and project svelte, settings app. Samsung Galaxy TabPro S now available for purchase You can get the Windows 10 slates through various retailers around Europe. LeEco Le 2 gets a round of leaked images, has specs outed too The Chinese smartphone maker best known for announcing the first SD820 device is working on its next big thing. Samsung announces own dual-pixel 12MP sensor The sensor used in the Galaxy S7 was so far known to be Sony's IMX260, but apparently Samsung has its own imager in production with the same capabilities. Sony outs video detailing what's new in its Android 6.0 Marshmallow update Today Sony has uploaded a new video to its official...

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Weekly poll: Samsung Galaxy S7, hot or not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Considering the Samsung Galaxy S7 is the top phone by interest in our database, we think we already know the answer, but we'll ask regardless - what do you think of the S7? That is just the S7, we'll be looking at the S7 edge very soon. Speaking of edges, the S7 has a 5.1" QHD screen, flat just like the S6. This year there won't be a 5" curved screen option. We like the 2.5D Gorilla Glass, though, and the Always On feature is a nice perk. The Dual Pixel autofocus of the camera is out of this world, even most DSLRs appear sluggish in comparison. The bright f/1.7 aperture combined with the larger pixels makes for excellent low-light shooting. Samsung also corrected some omissions from last year - the microSD slot is back (yay, affordable storage!) and the phone is water resistant, Galaxy S5 users that held out are probably pondering an upgrade. Okay, you still can't replace the battery, but at least this time the capacity is better. What else? Samsung is still pretending USB Type-C doesn't exist, perhaps USB experimentation is one thing from the S5 that Samsung does not want to bring back. The IR blaster seems to be gone for...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 continues to reign in our Top 10 weekly chart. Samsung's latest flagship drew the most attention from the new batch that launched at the MWC - the LG G5 is currently 13th, the Xperia X series barely made a blip. The Galaxy S7 edge tumbled out of the Top 10, apparently the larger, curvier screen did not bring enough appeal. We already published our S7 review and the S7 edge review will be out soon! The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3s are enjoying a burst of popularity, the both of them (MediaTek and Qualcomm versions). Combined, they will easily top the Galaxy S7 in popularity. Below that are the Samsung Galaxy J7 and J5, which used to rule the land and, in fact, are still quite hot amongst our readers. The Xiaomi Mi 5, a credible competitor to the S7 that is yet to ship to consumers, takes 6th place. It used to be 2nd, but the more affordable Redmi Notes elbowed it out of position. Then there's another duo from Samsung's alphabet lineup, the Galaxy A5 and A7, the 2016 editions of the premium mid-rangers. These two are higher up the price ladder than the Js with metal frames and higher resolution screens (Super AMOLEDs across the board). Rounding off the Top 10 is the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note - an affordably priced mid-ranger with a metal frame, 5.5" 1080p screen, fingerprint reader and a 13MP camera with phase detection AF. We will have a review of the K4 soon. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } #review-body .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } .flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important; } .flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7; } .flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important; } .flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47; } .flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important; } .n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",a€‹Arial,a€‹sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100; } .n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px; } .circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px; } .arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px; } .arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent; } .arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent; } Samsung Galaxy S7 RANK: 1WAS: 1 specs review Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek) RANK: 2NEW IN specs review Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 RANK: 3NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy J7 RANK: 4NEW IN specs review Samsung Galaxy J5 RANK: 5WAS: 7 specs review Xiaomi Mi 5 RANK: 6WAS: 2 specs review Samsung Galaxy S7 edge RANK: 7WAS:...

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New Microsoft OneNote importer aims to draw the crowd away from Evernote
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-onenote-evernote-importer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft's Office suite hardly needs an introduction at this point. As one of the oldest and richest platforms around, it is more or less the standard when in comes to word editing and spreadsheets. However, the suite is actually quite a lot bigger than that and has more interesting software to offer, like OneNote - the free-form note taking app that, unlike Word and Excel, seems to be struggling for mass popularity. It appears Microsoft has decided to put some extra effort in its OneNote product campaign with a new importer tool, aimed squarely at attracting existing Evernote users, by giving them a way to import all their work. The tool currently supports Windows 7 and later on PC, but once you sync everything, it will appear across all your devices, mobile too. An OS X version is also said to come shortly. It is a pretty feasible strategy and could have even passed as a nice little time-saving gesture to prospective migrating users, were it not for the accompanying marketing campaign that openly takes a stab at Evernote's services. For one, Microsoft has really made sure to point out the fact that OneNote is free on any platform and in the entirety of its feature set, whereas Evernote has an optional "Plus" tier, which gives you access to things like offline access to notes on mobile and a 1GB/month data upload cap for $50 per year. While this is technically true, the points of choice within Microsoft's comparison table is oddly favorable towards the US giant. Truth be told, both platforms have their weaknesses and strong point. You might like OneNote's free-form canvas approach, that allows you to write anywhere and pull and mix all sorts of content freely, but on the other hand, Evernote is arguably a lot better at saving, pulling and clipping web content and it has really been trying hard to branch out into the collaborative working area of the business market. Source |...

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LG G5 up for pre-order at BestBuy starting March 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-pre-orders-best-buy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pre-orders of the Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge have already shipped, and the smartphones are also available for immediate purchase now, but the LG G5 is still nowhere to be found. A step in the right direction will be made on March 18, in the US at least, when BestBuy will start accepting pre-orders. In all fairness, the date and retailer have been known since day 1, but now a landing page has cropped up on BestBuy's website confirming the initial announcement. That said, there's still no official word on actual availability, but April 8 has been sort of confirmed for the UK and Canada, so the US should be getting it around that time, though rumors of an April 1 launch have been heard. One thing's for sure, however, the G5 will ship with an extra battery and a charging cradle, to better make use of that modular design. The rest of the G5's friends you'll have to buy separately, though. Source |...

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The Google Store is turning one, so the Nexus 5X and 6P come with $50 off
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nexus-6p-5x-50-off/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If are currently on the market for a shiny new Nexus device then now's definitely the time to strike. The Google Store is celebrating its first anniversary and is offering $50 off both the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. This means that you can get the former for as little as $299 and the latter starts at $449. The deal is also not limited to the US alone, as the Canadian store has the offer as well. The search giant is pretty generous in terms of time constraints, as the deal will be live all the way to March 27. It is also worth noting that the slashed price does not affect other current promotions for the devices. This means that purchasing a Nexus 6P will still get you $50 of credit towards a Huawei Watch. And as an additional deal reminder, signing up to Project Fi can get you up to $150 off the Nexus 5X and over in India, the device also comes with a special price - about $60 down and now retailing for INR 27,900 ($415) for the 16GB model . Source |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 keeps region lock, but that shouldn't concern you
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-region-lock/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Its officially happening, the first wave of Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units have reached eager customers across Europe and a small storm seems to be brewing online. It concerns a rather inconspicuous black sticker, found on the box of unlocked units, reading - "EUROPEAN SIM CARD ONLY". Why would the Unlocked phone, you payed top dollar for be locked after all? Is it a mistake? It must be serious since it is all caps. Well, it is all natural and nothing to get alarmed over. Your phone has a regional lock in place, bounding it to only European SIM cards, but it is very temporary. To be exact, it only takes five minutes worth of call time on a compatible network and then all restrictions are off. This is actually something Samsung has been doing for a few years now and it was only natural that the SM-G930F and SM-G935F would have the protection in place as well. It is a protection mechanism aimed at gray market re-sellers, who might try to offer Unlocked EU units in places they weren't meant to go. The bottom line is, if you are from Europe and currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7 box in front of you with the infamous sticker, you should simply relax and enjoy your shiny new phone. You've probably removed the lock by the time you finished bragging to all your friends about...

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Third-party app brings Always On Display to the Samsung Z3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/always-on-display-for-tizen/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Always on displays are definitely not a novice concept(remember how elegantly old STN displays used to handle the task?), but rather one of those ideas that is making a comeback as the tech world is rediscovering its appeal. This year it seems many of the new flagship offers, like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 are rekindling the functionality, the latter even going to great lengths to do it with an LCD screen, so, Always on is back in style. Naturally, this has resulted in a spike withing the developer realm to bring new implementations of the feature, which OEMs seems to be currently launching only on new flagship models. Older models can quickly be mended through the use of a tird-party solution, like AcDisplay from the Google Play Store. Now app developer Amit Kushwaha has given Tizen users the opportunity to experience always-on as well. The app in question is specifically designed for the Samsung Z3, which, unlike its other smaller Tizen-powered Samsung sibling, the Z1, does have an AMOLED screen and is more than happy to light up a few pixels for an extended period of time, without killing the battery. In its current state, the software can only display an analog clock and a date. It can also use the phone's proximity sensor to turn itself off when inside a pocket. As per the description and the developer's own report, a digital clock option is also on the way, but, sadly, users shouldn't expect notification display any time soon, as the required API is not accessible on the still developing Tizen OS. Source |...

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Here's how to roll back from Android N to Marshmallow on your Nexus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/revert-from-android-n-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If the title peaked your interest, then we probably don't need to fill you in on the fact that Google released an early Android N build a couple of days ago, along with a Beta program to easily receive updates over the air. If you are anything like us, then you probably ignored the bugs and stability warnings and might currently be in a situation where your phone isn't exactly 100% usable and that fact eventually managed to outweigh the Android N bragging rights. Naturally, you can always manually flash a Marshmallow build back to your handset, or any custom ROM for that matter, but if you are after a more streamlined solution, Google has you covered. The Beta program seems to work with the same ease both ways. To roll back to the latest Android Marshmallow build, you simply have to go back to same page, where you opted to participate in the Beta and click the UNENROLL DEVICE button. This will result in an OTA being send to your unit within minutes, which is also stated in the confirmation prompt. But unless you clicked it out of curiosity, you probably weren't in the know about the reverse OTA. However, be advised that any path you chose to swap Android N back to an earlier OS build will result in a restart and a data wipe. So, be sure to back everything up if you haven't...

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GSMArena

13-03-16, 16:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-full-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Scheduled to be unveiled next week, both Oppo R9 and R9 Plus have already passed through TENAA, giving us a good idea about their specs. Now, leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka @OnLeaks) has leaked the complete specifications for both devices. The specs leaked by @OnLeaks are more or less inline with what TENAA revealed (except for internal storage). Also, the rumor that the Plus variant has the Snapdragon 652 inside is corroborated by the new leak. The Oppo R9 will sport a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen and pack in an octa-core processor. Other specs of the device will include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, 2,850 mAh battery, and 16MP/13MP camera combo. The R9 Plus will come with a 6-inch 1080p display and be powered by the Snapdragon 652 chipset. It will also have 4GB of RAM, but offer 64GB and 128GB internal memory options. Both rear and front cameras will come complete with 16MP sensors while a 4,120mAh battery will provide the juice. Oppo has been running a teaser campaign for the R9, revealing features like VOOC fast charging and fingerprint sensor. Both R9 and R9 Plus will be announced on March 17, and are expected to carry price tags of RMB 2,498 (around $385) and RMB 2,998 (around...

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LG Lancet gets large price cut, now available for just $75
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-lancet-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Windows Phone 8.1-powered LG Lancet smartphone has received a large price cut. The device, which was launched last year, is now listed on Microsoft's US Store website for $74.99. That's a discount of over $100 if you're considering purchasing it from the Redmond, Washington-based company's online store, where it usually sells for $179.00. However, keep in mind that the handset costs around $120 if you directly buy it from Verizon. Specs-wise, the phone packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset and sports a 4.5-inch display. It comes with 8GB of expandable internal memory and features an 8MP rear camera...

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LG G5 to cost CAD300 on-contract in Canada, CAD800 sans agreement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/g5-canada-price/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While we already know that LG's newest flagship - the G5 - will go on sale in Canada on April 8, there has been no word on its price all this while. That, however, was until now as a couple of Canadian carriers have revealed the device's pricing information. Fido will be offering the handset for as low as $300 on a 2-year contract (depending on the plan, the cost may go up to $550), and $800 without any agreement. Similarly, Rogers will also be charging as low as $299.99 on contract and $799.99 if you purchase it outright. Other carriers like Wind Mobile still haven't put any price tag on the device, but we assume there won't be much of a difference. Aside from the three carriers mentioned here, the G5 will also be offered by Bell, Telus, Eastlink, MTS, SaskTel, and Videotron. Source (Fido) |...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge available for $700 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the United States, and are planning to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, you'll be glad to know that you can currently get it at the price of Galaxy S7. eBay seller 232tech is currently selling the new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB) for $700, which is down $100 when compared to carrier locked variants at the moment and $200 cheaper if you purchase the phone outright. The unit on offer is unlocked and carries a model number of SM-G935F, which means that it's an international model. What's worth reminding here is that unlike US models (which pack in SD820 chipset), international Galaxy S7/S7 edge models are powered by the latest Exynos SoC. Available in gold color option, the phone is only compatible with GSM carriers. Source (eBay) |...

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Nintendo's first mobile game Miitomo launching next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nintendo-miitomo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January, Nintendo confirmed that its first mobile game - dubbed Miitomo - will launch in March. And now, the Japanese company has revealed the launch date: March 17, which is Thursday next week. The revelation was made in a Tweet. ã‚¹ãƒžãƒ›ã‚¢ãƒ—ãƒªã€ŽMiitomoã€ã®é…ä¿¡é–‹å§‹æ— ¥ãŒã€2016å¹´3æœˆ17æ—¥(æœ¨)ã«æ±ºå®šã—ã¾ã—ãŸã€� �ãªãŠã€äº‹å‰ç™»éŒ²ã«ã¤ã„ã¦ã¯3æœˆ16æ—¥ã® æ˜¼12æ™‚ã«å—ä»˜çµ‚äº†ã—ã¾ã™ã®ã§ã€ãŠæ—� �ã‚ã«ã”ç™»éŒ²ãã_ã•ã„ã€‚ https://t.co/YbsKcr8qM7 pic.twitter.com/bTATmK1qHi— ä»»å¤©å_‚æ_ªå¼ä¼šç¤¾ (@Nintendo) March 11, 2016 The game was initially set to arrive at the end of the last year, but was delayed to March citing promotional reasons. Pre-registrations for the app began last month, and they'll be closed on March 16, a day before the launch. As we've already told you before, Miitomo doesn't appear to be a game in true sense - it's more of a chat app that allows users to create and customize their Miis, through which they interact with other users in real...

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Pre-orders suggest Galaxy S7/S7 edge more popular than previous Galaxy flagships in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has revealed that the total number of pre-orders it received for its newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - in Europe was over 2.5 times more than what it received for previous Galaxy phones in the region. People standing in line for new Samsung flagships The revelation, which was made by the Netherlands subsidiary of the South Korean company on its website, came just days after Samsung's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin said that Galaxy S7/S7edge pre-orders have been stronger than what the company was expecting. Samsung Netherlands also revealed that of the two flagships, the edge variant is more popular, accounting for a total of 61% pre-orders placed in Europe. In case you missed, the flagships officially went on sale worldwide yesterday. Source...

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Galaxy S7 could help you use Chromecast on hotel Wi-Fi with web-based login
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-could-help-with-hotel-wifi-and-chromecast/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You know this has happened to you before: You are going on a trip which involves staying overnight in a hotel so when you pack you are thinking to yourself: "I should pack my Chromecast too!" So you roll the USB cable up with your Chromecast and stuff it into a suitcase while you think about what a genius you are. Next, you get to your hotel room, hopefully it has a TV with HDMI ports. Then you plug your Chromecast in and power it up, only to realize that you cannot use it because in order to use your hotel's Wi-Fi, you need to use a web-based login page to gain access to the internet. You are like "Daaaamnnnn, I can't use my Chromecast. UGH! Maybe I can tether to my phone." But if you don't have unlimited data, you might hate yourself. But as it turns out, with the Galaxy S7, (In theory, as I haven't tried this myself) you'd be able to log into the web-based hotel Wi-Fiwith your phone, accept the terms and blah blah blah (now here's where it gets interesting). There's a feature on the Galaxy S7 (and edge) called Wi-Fi sharing. It allows your phone to act as a Wi-Fi repeater to retransmit the signal of another Wi-Fi network. All you have to do is the following: Log into hotel Wi-Fi using phone Turn on Wi-Fi tethering Factory reset your Chromecast with the app Set up Chromecast with phone's hotspot Mooch off hotel Wi-Fi To turn the Wi-Fi sharing feature off, you can go to Settings >> Mobile hotspot and tethering >> and tap on the MORE tab. Now, I don't have an S7 unit myself, so I cannot confirm if a secondary device is needed to control the Chromecast or if you can use the S7 to control the Chromecast directly. If you have an S7 and would like to try this out, let us know in the comments if you are able to tether your Chromecast to your S7 AND control the Chromecast WITH your S7. Via |...

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New Galaxy S7 edge ad featuring Lil' Wayne pouring a bottle of champagne on his phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/new-samsung-ad-featuring-lil-wayne-and-champagne/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the main reasons Samsung has been so successful alongside Apple in the past several years was by matching Apple's advertising campaigns and promoting the crap out of these phones. Samsung has already been promoting the Galaxy S7 a lot even before it launched today. Samsung started by throwing in a Gear VR with a pre-order of the new phone. Then, Samsung USA released three new ads a couple of weeks ago, next, a man with a jetpack flew alongside the Dublin River in a stunt coordinated with Samsung Ireland to promote the Galaxy S7. And finally today, Samsung released three new ads all featuring Lil' Wayne, the most notable of which shows Lil Wayne pouring a bottle of champagne all over a Galaxy S7 and then dunking it into a fishtank. Samsung really wants to make sure viewers KNOW this phone is fully submersible in water. Check out the ads released today featuring Lil' Wayne: And in case you missed them, check out the other bunch of ads that came out a couple of weeks ago. My favorite ads of the bunch are "Water" and "The Dark". I have to say after seeing the previous bunch of ads, they are all really good. The ads do a great job of building up a point and then slapping you in the face with the reality of why you need to get the Galaxy...

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UPDATE: Samsung phones are harder to repair than ever before, iFixIt tears down the Galaxy S7 (S7 edge too!)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ifixit-teardown-galaxy-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg UPDATE: iFixIt has posted the Galaxy S7 edge teardown as well. The S7 edge gets the same lousy repairability score as the Galaxy S7 did. Check out both phones in the source links below! Ever since Samsung's days of removable batteries and hyper-glaze plastic, Samsung's Galaxy phones have gotten more and more difficult to repair. This time around, the Galaxy S7 scored a low 3/10 for user repairability. Compared to Galaxies past, the Galaxy S6 had a score of 4/10, the S5 scored 5/10, and the hyper-glazed Galaxy S4 scored 8/10 as pretty easily repairable. These phones are becoming more and more complex and harder to repair now. The good news is components are separated better and not stuck together to the midframe as was the case with the Galaxy S6. The bad news is, well, good luck getting into the device. The only way to gain access to the S7's internals is by removing the rear glass panel, which is a feat all by itself. Heat is needed to remove the adhesive that keeps the glass on the back. At this point, you're five hundred times better off buying an insurance plan for your device in case the screen shatters or the components fail (looking at you, Galaxy S4). Just make sure you all get cases for your new Galaxy phones! Galaxy S7 teardown | S7 edge teardown |...

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GSMArena

14-03-16, 16:15

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-durability-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 is having a Sarah Connor moment - bots are out to get it. Square Trade, which sells warranty on your gadgets, tested the S7 and S7 edge to see if it lives up to Samsung's claims of durability.The flagship duo was faced with two new bots. Deep Water Dunkbot places phones under 5ft / 1.5m of water and keeps them there for half an hour (that's the IP68 level).Both the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge survived the ordeal, but not without paying a price - their audio was "permanently muffled and distorted". The iPhone 6s lost all audio and its screen suffered water damage while...

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Leaked Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) user manual hint at metal frames yet again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-j5-j7-2016-user-manuals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J5 and J7 are less than a year old, but their and the Korean giant is about to roll out improved models for 2016. We already know that both budget-friendly handsets have received their Bluetooth SIG certification and the latter has also made a visit to FCC, so, it seems to be only a matter of time, before the refreshed 2016 editions become available.This might actually happen any time now, as suggested by a pair of official user manuals for the China Mobile and China Telecom versions of the handsets, found on Samsung servers. This might also be a sign that the...

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Amazon Daily Deal: SanDisk 200GB microSD for $60
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sandisk-200gb-amazon-60/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg 200GB of microSD storage for $80 was a good deal, but for the next 18 hours, you can get the same storage for just $60.Amazon.com is running a promotion on the SanDisk card. The card is rated at 90MB/s read speed ("1,200 photos in a minute") and can hold 200 hours of FullHD video.Adorama is selling the same card at $80. Soon, Amazon will be back on that price too.Via

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LG Stylus 2 is the first phone with DAB+ radio, it's coming to Europe and Australia
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-stylus-2-dab/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Some of our commenters often ask about FM radio on smartphones, but did you know that Norway will kill of FM broadcasts in 2017 and replace them with DAB+, the digital radio standard (that's free and open, unlike the digital radio the US gets).LG is pouncing on this opportunity with the LG Stylus 2 - the first smartphone with DAB+ support. Norway, along with Australia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK will be among the first countries to get the Stylus 2 (LG is mum on the exact date, though).The phone itself is a 5.7" entry-level handset with a 720p screen (yes, on...

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Sony's Concept N headphones can provide a soundtrack, without isolating you from the crowd
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-concept-n-headphones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony and audio innovation have always been a perfect fit. Nowadays, the pace might have slowed down a bit, but the Japanese giant still has some interesting concepts to offer from time to time, like the new N headphones.The device more or less follows the neck bracelet form factor, like on the LG Tone or the Samsung Level U. However, the band itself holds speakers that are specifically designed to direct sound upward to the listener. This produces an interesting effect, where the wearer hears the music and also his or her surroundings, while advanced acoustics help keep splash out...

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Alleged drawings of the iPhone 7 show repositioned antenna lines and a larger rear camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-7-leaked-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We have already heard a lot about the iPhone 7, in keeping with tradition, expected to come this fall, but sightings of the device or parts and even sketches of it have been a rare occurrence. However, today, nowhereelse.fr or rather the tipster known as OnLeaks, brings us what he claims to be early sketches of the iPhone 7.There are a few observations to be made based on the technical renders. From the looks of things, Apple has indeed done a lot of work on the antenna stripes, but sadly, instead of removing them, or rather hiding them underneath a special finish, like previously...

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Gionee W909 clamshell to officially debut on March 29, fingerprint sensor in tow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gionee-w909/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Gionee W909 is the company's upcoming clamshell phone, which we've been expecting to come out since January, when benchmarks of the devices surfaced. The wait will soon be over as Gionee has sent out press invites for the phone's unveiling on March 29.The Gionee W909 will feature a MediaTek's Helio P10 chipset, also known as MT6755. This 64-bit SoC features a 2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Mali-T860 GPU. In the W909 it's paired with a whopping 4GB of RAM.A neat feature of the phone will be its fingerprint sensor. The rest of the alleged specifications include dual...

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Telegram gets public groups, pinned posts, and 5000 member supergroups
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/telegram-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Telegram has released an update which brings important features to group users.Those who use supergroups might be glad they can now contain up to 5000 members from the previous 1000 member limit.Supergroup admins can now also pin posts. These posts stay at the top of the screen and can also alert users even if they have muted the group.Supergroups can now also become public. You can share the URL, allowing anyone to join. If someone gets annoying, you can use the admin controls to delete their messages, ban them, mark them as spam, and remove all their messages in the...

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Rumor says Meizu Pro 6 will have 6GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-pro6-6gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you might already know, the Xplay 5 Elite from vivo recently became the world's first 6GB RAM smartphone. And now, if a latest rumor is to be believed, Meizu will also join the 6GB RAM club with its upcoming Pro 6 smartphone.Meizu Pro 5The rumor also says that the successor to the Pro 5 will be launched in two versions: one with 6GB/128GB memory configuration, while other with 4GB/64GB configuration.Other yet-to-be-confirmed specs of the device include 1080p display, Exynos 8890 SoC, Hi-Fi 3.0, Flyme 6.0 OS, and fast charging. If you recall, Meizu's VP and Flyme chief...

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ZUK launches sandalwood-themed Z1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zuk-z1-sandalwood/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A few months after outing an oak-themed variant, Lenovo-based ZUK has unveiled a new Sandalwood version of its Z1 smartphone. The premium looking variant carries an RMB 1,599 price tag in China, which translates into around $250 at current exchange rates.Specs-wise, the new variant is more or less similar to the standard variant with SD801 SoC, 5.5-inch 1080p display, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage, 13MP/8MP camera combo, and a large 4,100mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box with ZUI 1.6 atop.The handset will be available from ZUK's official website as well the...

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Microsoft Store stops accepting Bitcoin payments for Win10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-bitcoin/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has announced that its online store has stopped accepting Bitcoin as a payment option - the change only applies to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. The announcement came in the form of an updated FAQ on the software giant's website.Image credit: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images"You can no longer redeem Bitcoin into your Microsoft account," the Redmond, Washington-based company wrote. "Existing balances in your account will still be available for purchases from Microsoft Store, but can't be refunded."This comes just a few months after Microsoft started accepting...

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Select Surface Pro 4 models get $100 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/surface-pro4-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has given select Surface Pro 4 models a price cut in the United States. Specifically, the Core i5 variants are now available for $100 less than their usual price.The Core i5 Surface Pro 4 with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage is now listed for $899 on the Redmond, Washington-based company's online store. Similarly, the 8GB/256GB variant is being sold for $1,199. The deal is available until March 26.In case you aren't already aware, the Microsoft Surface 3 is also being sold at discounted rates in the country.Source

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Spotify for Windows Phone is no longer officially supported
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/spotify-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Music streaming company Spotify has announced that its Windows Phone app will no longer receive any official updates. Of course, you'll still be able to use the app but without any new features, improvements, or fixes - the app was last updated in February this year."We can confirm Windows Phone 8.x is no longer supported. You can still use our Spotify application on the associated devices but it will no longer receive any further updates and download the application. We apologize for the inconvenience," Spotify said.When asked about Spotify for Windows 10, the company said,...

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Windows 10-powered Vaio VPU051C11N passes Bluetooth certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/vaio-phone-biz/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new Windows 10-powered smartphone has received certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The listing reveals that it's a Vaio device manufactured by Taiwan-based company Quanta Computer.As you might already know, Vaio announced Windows 10-powered Phone Biz last month in Japan, where it is set to go on sale next month. However, it is less likely that the new phone is the Phone Biz given that both carry completely different model numbers - VPU051C11N and VPB0511S, respectively. And not to mention that the company has already confirmed that it currently has no...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/best-apps-games-46/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week.Waze 4.0Waze gets a brand new interface in version 4.0 on Android, which makes the app easier to use. There are now fewer taps involved in starting navigation and sending locations and directions. The update also boasts of significantly reduced battery consumption.AndroidVikiViki is a Wikipedia app for iOS that presents the pages in a beautiful layout that make reading long Wikipedia articles easier on your eyes. The app also shows articles related to your location, and you can also bookmark...

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Week 10 in review: HTC 10 leaks, Android N features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MWC 2015 brought plenty of high-profile announcements, but many Android fans are still waiting on HTC to announce its next move. It is no secret that the manufacturer has been struggling lately, but hopefully the 10 will have what it takes to put HTC back in the race. HTC fans also learned that the Taiwanese company secured a Nexus manufacturing deal with Google for three years.Speaking of flagships, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and its edged sibling are once more making headlines. Now that the first batch of units is starting to reach eager fans, everybody seems to be busy either testing...

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Weekly poll: Samsung Galaxy S7, hot or not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Considering the Samsung Galaxy S7 is the top phone by interest in our database, we think we already know the answer, but we'll ask regardless - what do you think of the S7?That is just the S7, we'll be looking at the S7 edge very soon. Speaking of edges, the S7 has a 5.1" QHD screen, flat just like the S6. This year there won't be a 5" curved screen option. We like the 2.5D Gorilla Glass, though, and the Always On feature is a nice perk.The Dual Pixel autofocus of the camera is out of this world, even most DSLRs appear sluggish in comparison. The bright f/1.7 aperture combined with...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 continues to reign in our Top 10 weekly chart. Samsung's latest flagship drew the most attention from the new batch that launched at the MWC - the LG G5 is currently 13th, the Xperia X series barely made a blip.The Galaxy S7 edge tumbled out of the Top 10, apparently the larger, curvier screen did not bring enough appeal. We already published our S7 review and the S7 edge review will be out soon!The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3s are enjoying a burst of popularity, the both of them (MediaTek and Qualcomm versions). Combined, they will easily top the Galaxy S7 in...

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New Microsoft OneNote importer aims to draw the crowd away from Evernote
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-onenote-evernote-importer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft's Office suite hardly needs an introduction at this point. As one of the oldest and richest platforms around, it is more or less the standard when in comes to word editing and spreadsheets. However, the suite is actually quite a lot bigger than that and has more interesting software to offer, like OneNote - the free-form note taking app that, unlike Word and Excel, seems to be struggling for mass popularity.It appears Microsoft has decided to put some extra effort in its OneNote product campaign with a new importer tool, aimed squarely at attracting existing Evernote users, by...

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GSMArena

15-03-16, 16:16

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-game-dev/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Google announced a new batch of tools to make monetization and promotion of games a bit easier to handle. For starters, the Play Store now has an Indie Corner, which features games from indie game developers. Hopefully, this will make new game discovery easier for people who want to experience indie-made games.As for the tools themselves, the new video recording API allows players to record gameplay and share it on YouTube without too much hassle. A more developer-focused feature is the ability to change how much things cost inside the game without uploading new APK...

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Marshmallow update starts hitting HTC Desire Eye
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-desire-eye-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A few months after leakster @LlabTooFeR revealed that HTC's Desire Eye smartphone will receive the Android Marshmallow update sometime later this year, the update has started rolling out. It comes in two parts, and weighs in a total of 1.6GB.Bringing Android version 6.0.1 along with version 7.0 of the Taiwanese company's Sense UI, the update is reportedly hitting Desire Eye units in the UAE as well as some European countries including Italy. In the United States, AT&T variants of the phone are said to be getting it later this month.HTC USA has already released a list of phones...

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Apple is the most valuable brand, Google jumps over Samsung for second
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/brand-values/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Brand value is an intangible but important asset - it shows marketing strength and loyalty among consumers. Apple holds down the top spot for many years running and its meteoric growth shows no signs of slowing down.Google - or rather Alphabet, the re-organized company - finally overcame Samsung and claimed the second spot (the Big G had been behind Samsung since 2012).This pushed Samsung to third, the technology giant showing only modest growth. The South Korean company is at just over 50% of the brand valuation of Apple.Besides Google, Amazon was the big winner. It grew a...

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OnePlus 2 gets a permanent price drop in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-2-discount-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg OnePlus has announced a permanent price drop on its flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 2.Both models receive an INR 2,000 price cut. The 64GB model is now priced at INR 22,999 ($341) and the 16GB model at INR 20,999 ($311).OnePlus says the price cut is due to "timing and scale" and that their operations have scaled-up sufficiently to allow them to sell the phone at a lower price.Amazon

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Get $50 gift card with Moto 360 (2nd gen) and Moto 360 Sport purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-360-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're in the US and are planning to purchase either a second-generation Moto 360 or a Moto 360 Sport, here's a deal for you: electronics retailer Best Buy is offering a $50 gift card for free with each purchase of either of the smartwatch.As for the price, the retailer has the Sport version listed for $299, while the Moto 360 (2nd gen) will set you back between $299 and $399 depending on the band and finish you go for. Keep in mind, however, that the Moto Maker customization option isn't available at Best Buy.Another thing worth mentioning here is that you'll get the gift card...

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UMi Touch is a MediaTek-powered WP flagship
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/umi-touch-windows-10-flagship-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Windows Phone has been starving for proper high-end mobile devices for quite some time now. To the US giant's credit, recent efforts like the Lumia 950 and 950 XL have been breaking the status quo, there is still a long way to go. Thankfully, Windows 10 is a lot more welcoming to third-party efforts and Chinese OEM are not known to waste time when it comes to filling new market niches.One such company, by the name of UMi, has now announced the UMi Touch - a MediaTek-powered handset that will sell for just $149 and is promising support for Windows 10, as well as Android. This is a...

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LG K5 and K8 coming this week: Android on a budget
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-k5-k8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG is bolstering its budget K-series with two new devices - the K5 and K8. Both have 5" screens. "The K8 and K5 will be fantastic choices for anyone who is seeking a smartphone with great looks, great looks, at a great price," says Juno Cho, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile.The two phones will launch this week. The LG K8 (which was announced in February) will be available in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, CIS and Latin America. The LG K5 will arrive in fewer regions - Europe, CIS and Latin America (in Mexico it will be known as the Q6).LG K5The LG K5 has a "metallic...

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Lenovo announces Vibe K5 Plus in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lenovo-vibe-k5-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has launched the Vibe K5 Plus in India. It is a budget smartphone, along the lines of the company's previous A6000 and A7000 smartphones, and competes alongside rival devices such as the Coolpad Note 3 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note Prime.The Vibe K5 Plus has a 5-inch, FullHD 1080p scratch-resistant display. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 (4x 1.7GHz Cortex-A53 + 4x 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 + Adreno 405) along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage with microSD support up to 128GB.The phone has dual SIM support along with Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, A-GPS, and FM...

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Charge is a mobile network for data-only service
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/charge-data-only-mvno/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Until now, there hasn't been any way to purchase a data-only service besides tacking it onto an existing mobile phone plan. This is the first time in the US that a carrier, or MVNO alike, offers data only plans without requiring a phone line first.The company does plan to incorporate GSM compatible SIMs in the future but as of now, the MVNO will piggyback on Sprint's nationwide network and will be compatible with any Sprint-enabled device, phones and tablets, alike. All Nexus smartphones since the Nexus 5 all the way up to the current-gen 5X and 6P. Obviously, the Phone and Messaging apps...

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WhatsApp to get end-to-end encryption for voice calls and group chats, reports say
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/whatsapp-to-encrypt-voice-calls-and-group-chats/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In light of the FBI VS Apple fiasco that's gathered the attention of readers around the world, Facebook is reportedly planning to encrypt voice calls and group chats on the worldwide messaging giant WhatsApp.Apparently the company was having similar issues with Brazil as Apple had been having with the FBI in the US. The only difference was officials were successfully able to get a court order for a user's WhatsApp data, to which the company was unable to help since it has been encrypting all of its users' messages since 2014 and was not able to come up with any of the user's...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge review: Stargate
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge/-347x151/thumb3.jpg Pushed way out of its comfort zone and into a high-stakes flagship redesign last season, Samsung's back to what it does best - making itself comfortable at the top of the heap. OK, it sounds like a bold claim but by no means incredible if you've seen the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

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Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) for AT&T gets pictured in leaked renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-j3-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following in the footsteps of Virgin and Boost Mobile, both of which launched it in January, AT&T is going to be selling Samsung's Galaxy J3 (2016) at some point in the future.We know this because serial leaker @evleaks has outed the official press renders of the device, complete with AT&T branding on the back. It's unclear if the carrier will offer the phone in more color versions or just this white/black combo.As you can see, the name on the handset's back is something along the likes of Galaxy J3 6, or J3(6). So it will be interesting to see what AT&T's promotional materials...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 Mini will launch to compete with the iPhone SE, rumor says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-mini-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Although it was rumored a few times, a Samsung Galaxy S6 Mini never actually became official. So the last S Mini handset to come out of the Korean company was the S5 Mini (which is pictured below). Yet that, like all of its predecessors, was very different from the normal S5, not only in size but also in specs. None of Samsung's S Mini devices have packed the hardware from their bigger siblings, in fact, in stark contrast to what Sony's been doing with its Z Compact line.That might all change with the newly-rumored Galaxy S7 Mini. According to a report from Taiwan, Samsung will introduce...

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Skype for Web now lets you call phones, watch YouTube videos directly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/skype-web-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Skype's Web client has received a neat update today, one which brings with it a couple of new features. First off, you can now call mobile phones as well as landlines straight from Skype's Web interface. This might let you save money compared to your carrier's rates, depending on where you're calling. You obviously need either a Skype calling subscription or some Skype credit in your account in order to make use of this functionality.Next up, you can watch YouTube videos directly inside Skype for Web from this point on. When someone shares a link to a YouTube video in a Skype...

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Android N comes with emergency info screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-emergency-info-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you probably heard, Google made a developer build for the upcoming Android N OS available, a little earlier than expected this year and since then, Android tinkerers, us included, have been busy playing around with the early version.And while some new features were apparent and nicely detailed in Google's release notes, there are naturally quite a few little things hidden here and there to be discovered. One such interesting feature, that we didn't cover in our initial features overview is a new emergency information screen.What it is, is basically a way for you to store...

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The Samsung Galaxy S7 bill of materials calculated at $255
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-uk-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The parts of the Galaxy S7 cost Samsung $255, according to the latest report of market analyst company IHS. This is $1 less than the bill-of-materials of the Galaxy S5 from two years ago.IHS reports the most expensive bit of the Galaxy S7 to be the Snapdragon 820 chipset from Qualcomm at an estimated cost of $62. This is the phone's chipset in the US, while the international version comes with the company's own Exynos 8890 Octa.The 12MP camera with Dual Pixel tech costs nearly $14, while the overall asembly of the device comes at $5. Mind you, the bill of materials doesn't...

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The new OnePlus gallery app is as straight-forward as it gets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-gallery-app/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are the proud owner on a OnePlus 2 handset and have been aching for a new gallery experience, then you can rejoice as the company just announced its new OnePlus Gallery app. It is available now on the Google Play Store, but currently only for the aforementioned top end model, running OxygenOS v2.2.1. Support for the manufacturer's other pair of phones, as well as other handsets is possibly on the way.OnePlus describes the app as streamlined so if you are a power user needing advanced features and tricks for your extensive photo library, you will undoubtedly find it a bit...

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ASP of Sony Xperias rises, the company makes the most per phone of any Android maker
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-numbers/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Sony's mobile division seems to be struggling, but actually numbers show that the company makes the most profit per phone sold aside from Apple.In Q4 last year, LG lost money on phones while Sony made a small profit. Looking at the Average Selling Price (ASP) for Xperias was double that of LG phones and the gap has been widening in recent quarters.ASP is a mix of product lineup and which devices actually sell. Apple's ASP is the highest, but the company doesn't have mid-range offerings (just old models still on sale), let alone entry-level ones. Sony's ASP is halfway between Apple...

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Leaked Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) user manual hint at metal frames yet again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-j5-j7-2016-user-manuals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J5 and J7 are less than a year old, but their and the Korean giant is about to roll out improved models for 2016. We already know that both budget-friendly handsets have received their Bluetooth SIG certification and the latter has also made a visit to FCC, so, it seems to be only a matter of time, before the refreshed 2016 editions become available.This might actually happen any time now, as suggested by a pair of official user manuals for the China Mobile and China Telecom versions of the handsets, found on Samsung servers. This might also be a sign that the...

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GSMArena

16-03-16, 16:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lumia-550-20gbp/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Watch out for flying Lumias, Carphone Warehouse is basically throwing them at people walking by. The Microsoft Lumia 550 costs just ?20 for upgrades.No, that's not a typo - GBP 20, ?20, 20 quid, whatever you want to call it. For new subscribers, the price is much "steeper" - ?40 + ?10 top-up.You can read our Lumia 550 review to see if you're wondering if there's a catch. There isn't, it's just an entry-level phone that someone is selling at a loss.Via

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Huawei P9, P9 Max and P9 Lite specs and price revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-p9-oppomart/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, this spoils the mystery - Oppomart published the details of the Huawei P9 and its friends, the P9 Max and P9 Lite.Huawei P9The Huawei P9 is the mid-sized option with a 5.2" 1080p screen. It features special display RAM, which allows static content on the screen to be rendered while using very little power.The metal-clad phone features a 12MP dual camera setup on its back, which has Optical Image Stabilization, which is a first (previous dual-cam efforts lacked OIS). The camera also has Laser focus, selfies are handled by a 5MP shooter.The P9 is powered by a Kirin 950...

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Samsung starts producing 256GB storage chips for mobile devices, Note6 winks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-256gb-chips/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In February, Samsung introduced 256GB storage chips for mobile devices and now it has started production of said chips.Those chips use the latest UFS standard and will rival SATA-based SSDs that are used in computers - Samsung claims 850MB/s read speeds and 260MB/s writes (sequential).Obviously, it's too late for the S7, but perhaps the new Galaxy Note6 can make use of these high capacity chips? It doesn't seem likely, now that Samsung re-introduced the microSD slot. After all, a 200GB microSD can be had for $80 ($60 on a good day).Of course, they don't have anywhere near the...

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iPhone 5se to have 4K video recording, 12MP camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-5se-4k/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple will hold an event in a few days (March 21), to announce the new iPhone 5se and likely an iPad Pro. Rumor has it that before that or maybe during the event itself, the company will demo a 4K video shot on the 5se itself. Apple employees are allegedly on location in New York shooting the footage.The promo video itself is not so much of interest as is the 4K capability of the iPhone 5se camera. So far we've heard that it will use the Apple A9 chipset (same as the iPhone 6s), but will lack features like 3D touch.So there were questions about just how many features Apple will drop...

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MediaTek Helio X25 will be exclusive to the Meizu Pro 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-pro-6-helio-x25/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far the most concrete rumor about the Meizu Pro 6 was the gobs of memory it will have - 6GB RAM and 128GB storage in the top configuration. It seems that the chipset will be something special too.MediaTek held an event about its Helio line of chipsets and while it showed off the X20, its first chipset with a 10-core CPU, Meizu representatives came on stage to talk about the X25.The MediaTek Helio X25 was co-developed with Meizu, which will have exclusive use of it and will put it in the Meizu Pro 6.The chipset is basically an enhanced version of the X20. It has a three...

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Fossil expands wearable range with two smartwatches and an activity tracker
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/fossil-watches/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Fossil has announced three new products in its range of wearable devices, including two new smartwatches and one activity tracker.Fossil Q Wander and Q MarshalThe Q Wander and Q Marshal are the two new smartwatches, that join the existing Q Founder. Both watches are smaller and slimmer than the Q Founder.The Q Wander is the more delicately designed of the two, with sculpted wire lugs and interchangeable genuine leather straps. It comes in multiple color finishes in 44mm size.The Q Marshal is the more rugged of the two, with a blue-plated case and leather straps.Both run on...

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Android N is apparently known internally as New York Cheesecake
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-emergency-info-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's upcoming Android version - Android N - is internally being called as New York Cheesecake, or so it seems. This was revealed by the Android Police team which spotted the initials 'nyc' in the AOSP repository.In case you don't already know, previous Android versions like KitKat, Lollipop, and Marshmallow also had internal code-names - Key Lime Pie (klp), Lemon Meringue Pie(lmp), and Macadamia Nut Cookie (mnc), respectively. So, it's least likely that New York Cheesecake or whatever 'nyc' actually stands for will be the final name for the upcoming Android release.Meanwhile,...

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Sony's PlayStation VR launching in October, to cost $399
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ps-vr-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony has announced that its PlayStation VR headset will be launched in the month of October this year, and will carry a price tag of $399 (CAD 549). The announcement was made by the company during a press conference at the ongoing GDC event.If you remember, Sony had promised that the launch would happen in the first half of 2016. "That is a bit later than the timeframe we previously stated, and I want to thank everyone for their patience and continued support," the Japanese company said in a blog post.As for the specs, Sony revealed that the headset features a 5.7-inch (1920 x...

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Instagram is going the way of Twitter, algorithm-based feed to replace chronology
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/instagram-new-algorithm/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram decided it needed to shake things up in order to compete with other image sharing networks. The image sharing app has decided it is going to restructure the way that users see their feeds stating that "...people miss on average 70% of their feeds... This means you often don't see the posts you might care about the most."The idea is to keep users on your app as much as possible, and Instagram believes it can do it by mixing up your feed every now and again. This could be most effective when users don't follow too many people and end up seeing the same 5 posts in the past hour...

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Zimbabwe government denies carriers' request to regulate messaging apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zimbabwe-gov-rejects-messaging-app-ban/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Several years ago before the adoption of smartphones exploded like the plague, carriers in the US used to make major bucks from text messaging plans and minutes while they gave data away in unlimited bundles for Blackberries to sip on, back when the demand for high-speed data was at a minimum.US carriers noticed the change and gradually began focusing their revenue on data plans with unlimited calls and text messages. Unfortunately for other parts of the world that are starting to adopt smartphone use more and more as the network reliability improves, messaging services are able to easily...

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Here apps will stop working on Windows 10 in June, WP8 apps will get no more updates
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/here-windows-no-more/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's some bad news if you're using any of the Here apps on Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8, or Windows 8. Basically Here will stop developing all of those. What's worse though is that the Windows 10 Mobile apps will even stop working on June 30.An actual reason for this hasn't been given, with the official blog post only mentioning that the apps have so far been made compatible with Windows 10 by using a workaround that will no longer be effective after June 30 - it's not at all clear why that is, though.The Here apps will be removed from the Windows 10 store on March 29. The...

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Google Maps adds support for more ride hailing apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-maps-ride-hailing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Driving, walking, biking, or taking public transit are no longer going to be your only navigation options when you use Google Maps in iOS or Android. Expanding upon a partnership with Uber that was already in place, Google is adding support for more ride hailing services to Maps.These will all live in a new tab in the app. When you enter a destination and choose how best to get there, fetching a ride from the likes of Uber (where it's present), 99Taxis (in Brazil), Ola Cabs (in India), Hailo (in the UK and Spain), mytaxi (in Germany and Spain), or Gett (in the UK) will be an option as...

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The new Razer Blade laptop is lighter, more powerful and cheaper than its predecessor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/new-razer-blade/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Razer announced its all new Blade gaming laptop and as you could expect, it is now more powerful than ever. However, what you might have not predicted is that it is also cheaper. The compact laptop comes with a 14.0-inch IGZO QHD+ display with LED backlight and capacitive multi-touch. It is encased in a precision cut CNC aluminum chassis that is just 0.71 inches thick. It is also surprisingly light at just?4.25 pounds.But, as with any Razer product, the real treat is what lies inside. The new Blade is powered by the latest sixth generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor...

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New HTC 10 teaser focuses on the phone's "world class" cameras
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-camera-tease/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 has leaked an incredible number of times already, and we've seen it in countless renders so far. Yet HTC still hasn't made it official. Not only that, but the Taiwanese company is continuing its teaser campaign for the device without actually showing it - as if we didn't already know what it looks like.Anyway, today's teaser image, which you can see below, is all about the cameras. The power of 10 is a recurring theme in HTC's teasers for its upcoming flagship, so this time around the cameras are so good that they are actually to the power of 10. Or something like...

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Sulon has a wireless VR headset concept with an entire AMD PC inside
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sulon-q-amd-vr-headset/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With major players such as Samsung, HTC and Microsoft all investing big, the future of VR seems bright. Devices like the Oculus Rift, Gear VR and HTC Vive are all marching towards the same end goal of ultimate immersion and are really making progress, despite many hurdlesand imperfections in the current state of the technology. These, of course, are all natural growing pains that each new concept in the tech realm has to go through, but we are not exactly sure where this puts Sulon's new concept.The company might be on to something and set the tone for a new wave of wireless and...

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Hangouts 8.0 for iOS brings support for 60-sec videos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/hangouts-sms-deintegration/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Hangouts 8.0 started rolling out for Android last week, but the update began hitting the instant messaging app's iOS client yesterday. And it brought along an iOS-exclusive feature: the ability to send video attachments up to 1 minute.Yes, Hangouts users on iOS will now be able to record and share videos of up to 60-seconds in length. In case you don't already know, Hangouts for iOS has had the ability to send 10-sec videos ever since version 2.0 came out, something which happened back in 2014.Sadly, there's currently no information on if and when the feature will be available on...

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Amazon Deals:_£30 off Fire HD 6,_€40 off Paperwhite
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/amazon-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazon is setting up for Easter with some daily deals on its Kindle stuff. In the UK, the Kindle Fire HD 6 is £30 off, £70 total for the tiny tablet.In Germany, the bigger Kindle Fire 7 is €10 off, €50. For books, the Kindle Paperwhite is a good €40 off, currently going on €80 (Wi-Fi, special promotions) or €140 (Wi-Fi + 3G, add another €20 if you want to get rid of special promos).In Italy, the price cut on the Paperwhite is only €20.

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Marshmallow now seeding to HTC One (E8) and One (M8 Eye) as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-one-e8-m8-eye-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg After catering to most of the variants of its flagship lineup including the One M9 and M8, HTC seems to be extending its update efforts to mid-rangers with a rather unexpected kick-off on the HTC Desire Eye, which was not part of the original Marshmallow eligibility list.Now HTC is keeping the ball rolling with a pair of planned releases, as reports are coming in of Marshmallow updates appearing on both the One (E8) and the One (M8 Eye). The former is reportedly only receiving the update in China, at least for now that is. Other variants of the handset should be getting the same...

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Nokia OZO VR camera now available in the US and Canada to buy or rent
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nokia-ozo-us-canada-resellers/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If VR peaks your interest then you probably remember the OZO camera, announced last year by Nokia. Despite its long leave of absence from the smartphone scene, the Finnish giant is still innovating at full speed, as evident by the spherical device that came straight from the company's R&D department in Tampere.The professional-grade VR camera has been available for purchase straight from Nokia's website, but with a eye-watering price tag of $60,000, we can't image it has been enjoying too much popularity. To try and address this, Nokia has now officially announced the names of...

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iOS 9.3 beta 7 now available to developers and public beta testers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ios-beta-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has started seeding the iOS 9.3 beta 7 release for developers and public beta testers. This is the last beta release of the OS before its expected public release next week.The iOS 9.3 beta 7 includes a new Night Shift mode that changes the display temperature at night for less eye strain. Another new feature is the Touch ID and password-protected items in the Notes app.Finally, there are new CarPlay features and expanded 3D Touch options on apps, which now includes the Settings menu.Expect more information about the latest iOS release next week at the Apple's March 21...

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GSMArena

17-03-16, 16:26

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-se-box/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg You've seen Apple's upcoming 4" iPhone labeled as either 5se or just "SE," but an alleged photo of its retail box suggests the Apple-preferred name is "iPhone SE" (yes, with capital letters, despite going lower case with the iPhone 5s).The box is also marked 16GB, suggesting that this remains the base storage option. Better than the 8GB iPhone 5c, we guess, and supposedly there will be a 64GB option (again, no 32GB middle ground).The other kind of memory, RAM, will likely go back to 1GB after growing to 2GB with the 6s generation. The iPhone SE will still use the Apple A9 chipset,...

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WhatsApp now offers text formatting, can send Google Drive docs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/whats-app-new-features/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg WhatsApp has always tried to stay ahead of the curve in a lot of ways, but, with an impressively busy beta release schedule, it is often hard to keep track of every novelty and how it found its place inside the app. The following batch of features can be found in version 2.12.535 of the app and appear to be new.WhatsApp now supports a bit of text formatting. Just like in Google+, if you surround something with asterisks, it becomes bold and using underscores, produces italics. Sadly, that's about it and even dashes don't produce the expected strike-through effect. However, it...

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Yesterday's iPhone 7 closeup photo is actually of the upcoming Meizu Pro 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-7-photo-is-actually-meizu-pro-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday a set of leaked photos surfaced online and they claimed to show the upcoming iPhone 7 and its new antenna design. Today, in an odd twist of events, Li Nan, Vice President of Chinese manufacturer Meizu, made a clarification that the device featured in yesterday's close-up shot is actually the Meizu Pro 6.The latter, of course, is yet to be unveiled, but in order to back his statement up, Li Nan provided a photo of the back of the device with a visible Meizu logo. We are not quite sure what to call the shot in question, as it is not exactly leaked, considering its...

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Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL now AU$100 off in Oz
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-australia-march-madness/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In today's round of Lumia discounts, Microsoft's flagship Lumia 950 and 950 XL are AUD 100 ($76) off - in Australia obviously. The Lumia 950 is now listed at AUD 899 ($690), while its bigger bro goes for AUD 1029 ($785).Both deals are available on Microsoft's Australian store as part of the March Madness sale. Other offers include the Microsoft Band 2 at AUD 330 ($250), AUD 50 off, and the top-specced Surface Pro 3 (i7 CPU, 512GB SSD) listed at precisely AUD 2,294.15 ($1752.83). That Surface is the most savings you can get during the promo, in absolute terms that is - AUD...

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OnePlus starts soak testing OP2 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-2-oxygen-os-221/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg For those OnePlus 2 owners who are desperately waiting for the Marshmallow update, here is some good news: the company has apparently started soak testing the Android 6.0-based Oxygen 3.0 update.The soak test brings Android Marshmallow version 6.0.1 as well as some tweaks, including home-screen customizations, new wallpapers, and a slider for alerts.This comes just a couple of weeks after the OxygenOS 2.2.1 update started rolling out - that update brought RAW support for the pre-installed OnePlus Camera app, among other changes.There's currently no information on when the...

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Oppo R9 and R9 Plus official: 16MP front-facers on both
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-plus-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Oppo R9 and R9 Plus were just officially announced in China. The smartphones share the same design language, but under the hood there are plenty of differences.Oppo R9The R9 is the smaller of the two, which doesn't at all mean it's actually small - it's a phablet with a FullHD AMOLED 5.5-inch display. Oppo is proud of its accomplishments in bezel size, citing a minimal 1.66mm on the sides, and the whole thing measures 151.8 x 74.3 x 6.6mm. The R9 is powered by a Mediatek Helio P10 chipset with four of its Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0GHz, the other four at...

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Samsung Music now on the Play Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-music-play-store/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung put up its music app on the Play Store, but there's a catch - it's currently compatible only with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.So, why bother? Simple - this means Samsung can push out updates for the app independently of TouchWiz updates. Note that this is a beta version of the app.Samsung Music supports MP3 AAC and FLAC and can send music over DLNA, with additional interactions with Samsung smart devices (tablets, TVs).You can grab the app from here, again, we only managed to download it on S7 units.Via

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Twitter for Windows 10 now available on mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/twitter-w10/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After releasing the app on Windows 10 desktop last year, Twitter has now brought the app to mobile as well.Twitter for Windows 10 on mobile brings features such as Moments, group messaging, video sharing, and being able to quote tweets, features that have been available on iOS and Android since their inception.Twitter also updated the desktop app and added the much requested dark theme mode, which is also available on the mobile app.Source • Download

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Alleged Alcatel Idol 4 Pro render leaks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/idol-4pro-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the idol 4 - which was unveiled by Alcatel last month at this year's MWC - is yet to go on sale, rumor mill is already abuzz with a Pro variant of the device. After early specs, now a render image of the latter has leaked online courtesy of tipster @evleaks.Alcatel Idol 4S + Windows 10 Mobile = Idol 4 Pro pic.twitter.com/yuLDV02Vv8— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 17, 2016In case you aren't already aware, unlike the standard variant (which is powered by Android), the Idol 4 Pro is said to run Windows 10 Mobile. And as for the newly-leaked image, as @evleaks also notes, the...

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US Cellular will reportedly start selling LG G5 on April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-us-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already know that LG's newest flagship smartphone - the G5 - will land in the United States sometime in early April, there has been no information on the exact launch date. However, that was until now.A new report is suggesting that carrier US Cellular will start selling the G5 on April 1, with pre-orders beginning March 28. As for the price, the report says the device will carry a tag of $636 sans contract, $199 on a regular 2-year agreement, and $26.50/month for a period of 24 months.If true, the report reveals that US Cellular will be among the first carriers in the...

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Report says Windows 10 Mobile rollout will finally begin today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/win10-mobile-feb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Windows 10 Mobile roll-out for older Windows Phone devices will finally begin today, according to a new report which cites a person familiar with the Redmond, Washington-based company's plans.The update will follow what is being called as a 'pull model,' where-in devices selected to receive the update will have to initiate it manually, meaning there won't be any OTA notification. "A Microsoft-triggered push model will follow at an undisclosed date," the report notes.There's currently no information on the complete list of devices that are scheduled to receive the update,...

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Fitbit Charge HR gets price cut in US, now available for $100
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/fitbit-chargehr-pricecut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Fitbit's Charge HR fitness band has received a price cut in the United States, where it is now available for $100, down from its usual price of $150. eBay seller tri-state1 is currently offering the wearable at that price.In case you aren't aware, the Charge HR is capable of tracking user's activity and overall health. It includes a heart rate monitor that constantly tracks your heart rate all day. Launched back in 2014, the device has a battery life of 5 days.Coming back to the deal, only a limited quantity of discounted Charge HR units are available, and at the time of writing...

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Oculus announces list of VR games launching with Rift
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-rift-games/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oculus has announced a list of 30 VR games that will be launched with the company's Rift headset on March 28. These include AdrIft, BlazeRush, Chronos, Darknet, Elite Dangerous: Deluxe Edition, Fly to KUMA, and Herobound SC.The virtual reality company says that it's currently working with "thousands of developers," and over a hundred more games will be launched by the end of this year.In addition, the company also introduced the new Oculus Home on Rift. "We designed Home from the ground up for VR, and it's evolved significantly since its launch on Gear VR," Oculus said in a...

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UPDATE: Galaxy S7 edge: Snapdragon 820 VS Exynos 8890 benchmark results
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-exynos-vs-snapdragon/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We've finally been able to get our hands on a Snapdragon variant of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and our benchmark results show how these two variants stand up to today's other competitors.Keep in mind that every benchmark is created differently and while either of these setups yield somewhat similar results, there are areas where one might be better at graphics while the other is better at raw calculations.We've already updated our Galaxy S7 edge review with the second set of benchmark scores for your comparison pleasure.Once we finish performing our battery tests, we are going to...

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Uber introduces Family Profiles, friends and family can ride on someone else's bill
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/uber-family-profiles/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Uber has grown exponentially over the past few years, so you can imagine that it's gained many loyal users by now. One of the features most requested by these users is the ability to easily pay for someone else's ride or the ability to use one payment method on more than one account.Uber has introduced Family profiles, users can add up to 10 close friends or family members to their "families" and they can share a payment method amongst themselves. Once you've downloaded the newest version of the app, users can invite others to become part of their Family Profile.It looks like...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 review: Form and function
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-5/-347x151/thumb.jpg It's been a while since we met the last of the Mi kind. Even though the Xiaomi Mi 4 went on sale back in the summer of 2014, it succeeded in staying relevant for over 20 months and surpassed the lifespan of many competitors. Xiaomi surely took the time to make the Mi 5 worthy of its name. And Xiaomi Mi 5 sets the bar even higher!

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Need a case for your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge? Verus has ‘em starting at $5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/5-dollar-s7-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you just got a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and would like to protect your investment on the cheap, you can check out the following cases that Verus has on eBay starting at just $5.These cases will show their lower prices once you add them to your cart. Also, once you open the links, you can choose between the edge model and the regular model. Most of them are $5 and the last two below are $7.Crystal BumperCrystal MixxDamda ClipHigh Pro SheildShine GuardSingle FitVergeAnd then these are $7 eachTriple MixxLayered DandyMake sure you grab these...

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Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono is blinged up with diamonds, rose gold
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gear-s2-de-grisogono/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung certainly loves to put out blinged up versions of its various gadgets from time to time, and the latest device to get this treatment is its newest smartwatch. The Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono is a limited edition version of the wearable, which comes with more than 100 white and black diamonds, rose gold, and a black galuchat bracelet.The diamond-set rose gold bezel still rotates in order to function as a navigation aid in the smartwatch's menus, just like the non-diamond-set one does in the vanilla Gear S2.Pricing hasn't been announced because this is one of those if...

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Report says Galaxy S7/S7 edge pre-orders in China set to cross 10 million mark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxy-s7-front-logo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a week after Samsung's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin said that they are expecting their newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - will help reverse the firm's fortunes in China, there is some good news for the South Korean tech giant.According to a new report, pre-orders for the flagships in China are set to cross the the 10 million milestone, and the figure could even hit the 15 million mark by the time the pre-order window closes, something which will happen on March 18.Keep in mind, however, that pre-orders in China are usually unlike pre-orders elsewhere - it's more of...

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Samsung outs Buy One, Get One free deal for its fast charge wireless charging pad
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-wireless-charger-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg From this point on and up until March 19, there's a nice deal to be had if you're interested in purchasing a Samsung wireless charger with fast charging capabilities. If you're in the US and opt to buy from Samsung's own online store, then you're in for a treat.Basically you'll pay for one charger but will actually be receiving two. Yes, it's another of those BOGO (Buy One, Get One free) deals. The wireless charging pad costs $69.99, and shipping is free. It's available in white and black.And if you'll be using it with the Galaxy S6 edge+ or the Note5, it will fast charge those...

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GSMArena

18-03-16, 16:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/k3-note-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Lenovo K3 Note is getting the Android Marshmallow. Customers in India can now check their phone to download the OTA update.Back in January, Anuj Sharma, Lenovo Product Manager for smartphones in India, teased an image of the phone running a test build of the new OS. Since then there hasn't been any word from him or Lenovo on the status of the update, until today when users started getting the update.The build number is K50a40_S121_150813_ROW_TO_K50a40_S322_160314_ROW and the size is 1657MB. Check if the update is available for download on your device.Thanks, Lilam, for...

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Lenovo Vibe K4 Note review: Phabulous
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lenovo-vibe-k4-note/-347x151/gsmarena_005.jpg Last year the K3 Note launched as a "big features, small price" phone and now the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note continues the legacy. It has impressive stereo speakers, a sturdy metal frame and a fingerprint features. It's the kind of spec sheet we see from a premium mid-ranger, except this one stays under the $200 mark.

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LG X screen now available for purchase in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-xscreen-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you recall, LG announced a new 'X' series of smartphones last month. The first two devices in the series - the X cam and X screen - were unveiled at this year's MWC. Now, the company has started selling the latter in Europe.Specifically, the handset is now available for purchase in the Netherlands, where the black color variant of the phone is currently listed on woos.nl for €343.64.Specs-wise, the X screen is powered by a quad-core 1.2 GHz CPU and sports a 4.93-inch IPS LCD display. It comes with 2GB and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,300 mAh battery. In...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge now selling in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gslaxy-s7-s7-edge-available-in-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is wasting no time when it comes to bringing its new offers to the Indian market. A little over a week after the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were announced at a New Delhi event they have started selling throughout the country. You can buy either one straight from Samsung's online sore or retailers like Flipkart, as well as many local stores.The Indian market is getting Exynos 8890-based models and a hybrid dual SIM card slot for extra convenience. As a quick reminder, other specs highlights include a 5.1 or 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a 12MP...

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Recreating the iPhones from rumors: the iPhone 7, SE and Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-martin-hajek/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Martin Hajek is back with great looking reconstructions of the upcoming Apple phone lineup, based on the partial glimpses we have gotten from the many leaks.The images cover the new trio - from the small iPhone SE, through the iPhone 7 to the phablet-sized iPhone Pro (aka 7 Plus).Apple iPhone 7Martin has incorporated all the rumored "knowledge" about the three, including the redesigned antenna lines on the iPhone 7 (the SE will use the 6s design) and the duo camera on the iPhone Pro.Apple iPhone ProEven the details we hope are wrong can be seen in...

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Twitter discontinues TweetDeck app for Windows
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tweetdeck/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg TweetDeck has announce that it will discontinuing the Windows desktop app for TweetDeck. Going forward, Windows users will have to access TweetDeck from their browsers, by visiting tweetdeck.twitter.com.The desktop apps for Windows and OS X were created after Twitter acquired TweetDeck back in 2011. They were nothing more than the website inside a wrapper, so there wasn't a lot of reasons to use them to begin with.Incidentally, the OS X app and the Chrome "app" continue to exist for now, and it's just the Windows app getting the axe. Perhaps the OS X app will be dropped soon too,...

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First update to Android N Developer Preview rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-emergency-info-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just over a week after the Android N Developer Preview was released, Google has pushed out the first update to it. Rolling out to the Nexus 5X, 6P, 9, and 9 LTE over-the-air (OTA), the update addresses some performance issues.The updated factory images have also been uploaded in case you want to stick to the traditional way of flashing and updating. Keep in mind that your device should be beta-enrolled to receive the OTA.The update carries a build number of NPC56W for the Nexus 5X and 6P and arrives as NPC56X for the Nexus 9 and 9 LTE. Reports say the update - which weighs in at...

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Bloomberg: Google-owned robotics firm Boston Dynamics is now up for sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-selling-boston-dynamics/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Over a couple of years after Google acquired it, robotics engineering firm Boston Dynamics has been put up for sale by the Mountain View, California-based company, according to a latest report from Bloomberg, which cites people familiar with the search giant's plans.For those who are unaware, Boston Dynamics is known for its humanoid as well as terrifying animal-looking robots. The following video shows a robot named BigDog in action:Bloomberg's sources say Google's move to put the unit up for sale is purely a business decision. "Executives at Google parent Alphabet Inc., absorbed...

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More Canadian carriers are now offering BlackBerry Priv for $300 on-contract
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-netherlands-spain-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month, we told you about BlackBerry Priv's Bell variant getting a price cut to CAD 299.99. While that deal is still active, more Canadian carriers have joined the party.Aside from Bell, now Rogers and Sasktel are also offering BlackBerry's debut Android phone for CAD 299.99 on a regular two-year contract. FYI, all three carriers were selling the handset for CAD 399.99 (on contract) at launch.If, however, you are planning to purchase the Priv outright, that will still cost you CAD 800 at-least (price may go up depending on the carrier of your choice).Source (Rogers • Bell...

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Alcatel Idol 4 Pro spotted on GFXBench with 6-inch display, 20MP camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/idol-4pro-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Just a day after an alleged render of Alcatel's Idol 4 Pro smartphone (shown below) leaked online, the Windows 10-powered device has been spotted on GFXBench, revealing some of its previously-unknown key specs.The listing reveals that the handset sports a 6-inch display, and features a 20MP rear and 9MP front camera. RAM is listed as 2GB, although we think it should be more than that (3 or 4GB considering it's a high-end device). Internal memory should be 64GB.Other specs, such as 1080p display resolution and Snapdragon 820 SoC have been mentioned in some earlier rumors as...

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Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge getting March security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A week after they officially went on sale, both Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have started receiving this month's Android security update. Specifically, T-Mobile has already started the roll-out, while Verizon will begin pushing the update on March 18.While T-Mobile doesn't explicitly say that it's Android's March security update, Verizon's update page clearly mentions that the update includes "the most up to date Android security patch." The T-Mobile update carries a build number of UVS2APB8, while the Verizon's arrives as build number VRS2APB4.With two of the Big Four US...

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Finally, Chrome mobile defaults to tab switching within the app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/chrome-tabs-no-longer-default-to-app-switcher/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google first introduced this feature with the launch of Lollipop on the Motorola Nexus 6 to show off the OS' new ability to show individual app processes among other apps in the multitasking window. Although, putting Chrome's tabs in the app switcher makes it so easy to lose a past tab and makes it impossible to clear all Chrome tabs.As of version 49, the Chrome app no longer defaults this option of putting every single Chrome tab in the app switcher. Most people may not care about this, but this is more for people who are constantly getting new phones or always wiping their phones for a...

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Galaxy S7 has a native DPI setting, but it's tucked away somewhere.
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-dpi-setting/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There is a way to access this hidden menu, perhaps Samsung intended to activate the setting in a future software update, but if you want your Galaxy S7 to display more content on the same size screen, you can follow these steps to do just that.Download Nova Launcher from the Play StoreLong-press an empty space in the homescreen and find the Widgets sectionChoose the "Activities" widget and place it on any homescreen pageFind "Settings" and then pick .DisplayScalingActivityOnce the new widget shortcut appears, tap on itChoose between Standard and CondensedEnjoy more overall...

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Casio's WSD-F10 rugged Android Wear smartwatch will be released on March 25
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/casio-smartwatch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January at CES Casio unveiled a new smartwatch running Android Wear. The WSD-F10 is being called a Smart Outdoor Watch by its maker, and its ruggedness certainly allows Casio to go with that moniker.See, this device is water resistant up to 50 meters, and it's tested to military standard specifications to ensure it can withstand many rugged activities. And today Casio announced its release date as well as how much it will cost.The Smart Outdoor Watch WSD-F10 will be out on March 25 for $500. You'll be able to purchase one from Casio's online store, Amazon, the Google...

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T-Mobile brings YouTube on as a Binge On content provider, after negotiation
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tmobile-adds-youtube-to-bingeon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After Google called out T-Mobile on sneakily throttling all of YouTube's data over T-Mobile's towers, T-Mobile got a lot of backlash for doing so without notifying YouTube nor its customers first.The biggest reason why YouTube raised these concerns was because T-Mobile took it upon itself to throttle all video streams without notifying the provider (in this case YouTube). Content providers shouldn't have to let its customers' experience suffer just because a carrier happens to lower the quality of content being provided to the customer.After further discussions and...

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The Galaxy S7 video review shot entirely on the Galaxy S7 itself
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Our latest video review is up, focusing on the brand new Samsung Galaxy S7. But what's more interesting is that we shot it entirely on a second Samsung Galaxy S7. And it turned out great - so here's why the Galaxy S7 is a superb videography tool that can even fill in for real work tasks.The Samsung Galaxy S7 isn't the only phone that can record excellent video quality but it is the only one with an aperture as wide as f/1.7, which allows to keep the ISO as low as possible.While we mostly filmed the video review by using manual focus we did use Samsung's Dual Pixel technology...

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Michael Kors gets into the smartwatch game with an Android Wear offering
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/michael-kors-smartwatches/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest brand to enter the rapidly crowding smartwatch fray is Michael Kors. The fashion company has announced the Michael Kors Access today at Baselworld. This will be its first ever smartwatch, launching at some point "this fall" with Android Wear on board.The watch will be offered in many different iterations, two of which you can see in the pictures below. It will have exclusive Michael Kors watch faces, interchangeable leather and silicone wristbands, as well as "glamorous versions for women and sporty versions for men", according to the official press release.The Access...

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Samsung Galaxy TabPro S with Windows 10 is out in the US tomorrow for $899.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tabpro-s-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung announced the Galaxy TabPro S tablet running Windows 10 at CES in January, and we've already seen it going on sale throughout Europe at the beginning of this month. And now it's finally time for it to become available in the US as well. Almost, anyway.It's set to be in stock at Best Buy starting tomorrow, priced from $899.99. It will also be offered by Microsoft stores beginning on April 4.The TabPro S is a 12-inch 2-in-1 detachable tablet with a 1440p AMOLED touchscreen, a sixth generation Intel Core M dual-core processor clocked at 2.26 GHz, 4GB of RAM, two 5 MP cameras...

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Sony is still making a profit on each PlayStation VR unit, even at the $399 price point
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/playstation-vr-profit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of days ago Sony finally announced the official pricing for its upcoming PlayStation VR headset. And, at $399 (or ?349 in the UK), it turns out it's actually cheaper than many have anticipated. It surely is much more so than some rumors have claimed - the $1,500 figure was thrown around a lot at one point, while a retailer leak made us think about $500 as an option too.So, understandably, many have been worried that Sony will be making a loss for each PlayStation VR unit sold, somewhat akin to what the situation was when the PlayStation 4 console launched. However, the Japanese...

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Microsoft officially starts Windows 10 Mobile rollout for older devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/windows-10-mobile-out/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The big day has finally come, as rumored mere hours ago. It's not a development version anymore, it's not a beta, it's not a test rollout, it's not meant for Windows Insiders only, it's the real deal. Microsoft has just announced the start of the rollout of Windows 10 Mobile to older smartphones that are currently on Windows Phone 8.1. Needless to say, this has been many months in the making, and from this point on updates should be hitting phones left and right.The update is headed to these smartphones, though each one may get it on a different date (and where Microsoft/Nokia isn't the...

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GSMArena

19-03-16, 16:31

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-j7-2016-official-images/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) has been gathering certifications here and there, and we even got a glimpse of its body from the customary 4 mugshots at Chinese regulator TENAA. Time for the full reveal now. Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) A complete set of official images has been uncovered by the folks over at Winfuture.de, who also dug up the Galaxy J5 (2016) the other day. Needless to say, the differences are marginal, and come down to very subtle proportional changes brought about by the different diagonal (5.5" vs. 5.2"). Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) Aside from...

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Watch the LG G5 unboxed inside a rally car on a dirt track, courtesy of T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-t-mobile-unboxing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg US T-Mobile's made a name for itself in recent times for coming up with truly bonkers promo material. Aside from the usual we're-better-than-the-others talk, the carrier is also doing smartphone unboxings as part of its marketing, and in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S7 that took place underwater. Now, the LG G5 isn't water resistant, so Des Smith has taken it with himself for a ride in an attempt to top the S7's unboxing in terms of wow value. Strapped in the co-pilot seat in a rally car, T-Mobile's product expert shares a thing or two about the smartphone, while being hurled left and...

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LG G5's SD652 variant is now official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-sd652/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a month after an LG executive confirmed the existence of a Snapdragon 652-powered G5, the device has been made official - the variant is now listed on the South Korean company's Panama website. The device carries a model number of H850, which if you recall was also spotted on GFXBench last month. Standard Qualcomm's SD652, as you might know, is an octa-core CPU with four 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A53 cores and four ARM Cortex-A72 cores with a maximum of 1.8GHz. However, the LG Panama listing of the G5 reveals a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor. Also, the variant is available in both...

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ZTE A2017 spotted on GFXBench with SD820 SoC, QHD display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zte-a2017/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new high-end smartphone from ZTE has been spotted on GFXBench. The listing reveals that the device - dubbed ZTE A2017 - is powered by a Snapdragon 820 SoC, and sports a 5.5-inch (1440 x 2560 pixel resolution) display. It has 4GB RAM, while internal memory should be 64GB. In terms of camera, the handset sports a 21MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. The phone comes with Android Marshmallow (version 6.0.1) out-of-the-box. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and WiFi. There is currently no information on when the device will be officially unveiled and what will be...

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Microsoft's last month's $150-discount deal on Surface 3 is back
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/surface3-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, last month, Microsoft was offering a discount of up to $150 on its Surface 3 tablet. In case you missed that deal, here is some good news: the same promo is back again. The maximum discount of $150 is available on Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + LTE models with 4GB/128GB memory configuration. This means that you can currently purchase these models for $449 and $549, respectively. On the other hand, the variants with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage have received $100 price cut, and can be purchased for $399 and $499, respectively. Although the deal is valid through April 2, those making a...

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Alcatel Idol 4 to reportedly have a Mini variant as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/idol4-mini-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the rumor mill is already abuzz with a Pro variant of the yet-to-be-released Alcatel Idol 4, a new report is claiming that that the latter will have a Mini variant as well. Unlike the Windows 10-powered Pro version, however, the Mini variant is said to be powered by Android. As for the specs, the report says that the Idol 4 Mini will be powered by either a Mediatek MT6738 SoC or a MT6750 chipset, and sport a 5-inch HD display. As for the memory configuration, there will be different options: 1GB/2GB/3GB for RAM and 8GB/16GB/32GB for internal memory. In terms of camera, the the...

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Sony Xperia Z5 Compact gets $100 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/z5-compact-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony's Xperia Z5 Compact has received a price cut in the United States, where Amazon is now selling the device for $399.99, down $100 from its usual price of $499.99. Both black and white color options are available at the discounted rate. The model on offer comes with a US warranty, but is only compatible with GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile. This means that if you are on a CDMA carrier's network, you are currently out of luck. Aside from Amazon, Best Buy is also offering the same discount, but only on the black colored variant. The discount comes over a month after the...

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US Cellular LG G5 to be available starting April 1; pre-orders begin March 28
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/g5-canada-price/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true as US Cellular has announced that it will begin selling the LG G5 on April 1, with pre-orders beginning March 28. Those purchasing the handset from the carrier before April 17 will also get a free extra battery and battery-charging cradle. The carrier also said that some of the device's friends (accessories) - including the LG Cam Plus, LG 360 Cam and the LG 360 VR - will be available in mid-April. As for the price, the US Cellular LG G5 will cost $199.99 with a regular, two-year contract. Alternatively, the handset can be yours for zero down followed...

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Spigen Super5tar program puts a case in your hands in exchange for an honest review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/spigen-super5tar-review-program/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Spigen is a phone case maker based out of the US and they have started a new initiative in order to get customer feedback as quickly as possible. The program is called Super5tar Review Program and what it means is that anyone can sign up to be a member for free and if approved, you could be selected to review a Spigen case of your choice. Right now, they are offering cases for the iPhone 6(S), Galaxy S6 (edge and edge+ too), Galaxy Note 3, Note 4, and Note 5, as well as some screen protectors for the Galaxy S7(edge), LG G5, and iPhones 5S/5C/5. Strangely, you even have the option of...

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B&H Photo lists unlocked US variant of LG G5 going up for sale on April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-b-h-photo-april-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg B&H is a huge online retailer running straight out of Manhattan, their brick and mortar store is like Disneyland for tech enthusiasts including myself. Anyway, the retailer has posted both the silver and titan colored LG G5 on its site with an availability date of April 1st. If this turns out to be an April fool's joke (which I really don't think it will) it really wouldn't be a good one. The site lists the LG G5 as unlocked and identifies the unit as a North American variant. Strangely the description says the unit is compatible with CDMA or GSM networks, but does not list Sprint or...

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Google Maps lets you label your favorite places with cute stickers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-maps-location-stickers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google maps is introducing a new feature, not particularly useful, but more for those who wish to personalize their Google Maps experience as they wish. Google introduces these location stickers which let you tag your favorite and most commonly visited locations with different stickers like a tree house, an apartment building, a teepee, or even a castle. There is another selection of stickers for your work location such as an office building, a boutique, a gym or a school. Google's intention is to let people label their favorite places that they visit regularly in order to quickly tap on...

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Verizon's Nokia Lumia Icon is being considered for Windows 10 Mobile update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lumia-icon-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Microsoft finally commenced the rollout of updates to Windows 10 Mobile for older Lumia branded smartphones, after many months of testing through the Windows Insider program. On that occasion, the company released the list of handsets that are going to be receiving the update, but did not at the time clarify whether the list was final or not. In the meantime, the company's representatives have said that, essentially, no more phones will be added to the list in the future. And yet there could be an exception after all: Verizon's Nokia Lumia Icon from 2014. @maryjofoley There is...

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Sony is rumored to unveil upgraded PlayStation 4 with 4K support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/playstation-45/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report coming from some unnamed "developer sources", Sony has started working on an upgraded version of its PlayStation 4 gaming console. This new iteration won't be a totally revamped offering like a PS5. Instead, it will have more GPU power than the PS4, in order to be able to support 4K gaming. Sony has already started briefing developers about it, the report goes on to say. They are calling the new product PS4.5, but that may just be a joke and not the actual commercial name of it. The improved GPU in the new console will also help it enhance the games...

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9.7-inch iPad Pro will start at $599, rumor says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ipad-pro-97-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg For many weeks now Apple has been rumored to introduce a new 9.7-inch iPad at its spring event which is taking place on March 21 (this coming Monday). Recently we've heard that it won't be called iPad Air 3, but will instead go with iPad Pro branding just like the 12.9-inch tablet which is already available. That makes sense considering that most of its rumored specs are effectively 'borrowed' from its bigger sibling, so why not ape the name as well? Anyway, today a new rumor claims to shed light on the 9.7" iPad Pro's pricing. It will start at $599, which is $100 more than the base...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge takes the crown for best mobile camera according to DxOMark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-edge-dxomark/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Now that the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is available for purchase, the folks over at DxO Labs have thoroughly tested its camera for inclusion in the DxOMark mobile camera category. The result? Well, move over Galaxy S6 edge+ and Sony Xperia Z5, the S7 edge is the new cameraphone champion according to DxOMark. It's managed an overall score of 88, which is the best ever for a mobile camera, and one point ahead of the aforementioned two devices which both scored 87. Rounding up the top five are the Galaxy Note5 and the S6 edge, both having 86 points. Apple's iPhone 6s Plus follows with 84 points,...

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CEO Dorsey on Twitter's 140-character limit: "It's staying"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/twitter-word-count/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Over a couple of months after there were rumors that Twitter is doing away with its 140-character limit for tweets, CEO Jack Dorsey has cleared the air by saying that the limit isn't going anywhere. "It's staying," Dorsey said today on the NBC Today Show. "It's a good constraint for us and it allows for of-the-moment brevity." For those who aren't aware, reports from publications including the Wall Street Journal and Recode had suggested that the microblogging company is extending the 140-character limit to as many as 10,000 characters. At that time, Dorsey also added further...

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T-Mobile throws in free LG 360 Cam if you get the G5 before April 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-lg-g5-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile will start selling the LG G5 online on March 29, three full days before you'll be able to find it in stores (on April 1). If you purchase the phone before April 17, LG is throwing in a free battery bundle, consisting of a second battery and a battery charging cradle. But if you act fast and are among the first people to snag a G5 from T-Mobile, the carrier will also give you an LG 360 Cam for free (while supplies last). The trick is that you need to purchase the device before April 5. The 360 Cam is a $200 value apparently, so this is quite a good deal. You'll be able to pick...

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Recreating the iPhones from rumors: the iPhone 7, SE and Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-martin-hajek/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Martin Hajek is back with great looking reconstructions of the upcoming Apple phone lineup, based on the partial glimpses we have gotten from the many leaks. The images cover the new trio - from the small iPhone SE, through the iPhone 7 to the phablet-sized iPhone Pro (aka 7 Plus). Apple iPhone 7 Martin has incorporated all the rumored "knowledge" about the three, including the redesigned antenna lines on the iPhone 7 (the SE will use the 6s design) and the duo camera on the iPhone Pro. Apple iPhone Pro Even the details we hope are wrong can be seen in...

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New leaked Meizu Pro 6 shots reveal a lot of design continuity from the Pro 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-pro-6-leaked-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 has been gathering a lot of attention lately with its frequent visits to the rumor mill. There might actually be quite a lot to be excited about, as rumors have hinted at things like 6GB of RAM and 3D Touch capabilities. From the looks of things, the Meizu Pro 6 bears a striking resemblance to its own predecessor - the Pro 5 more than anything else. In the photos we can clearly see the metal unibody design with the characteristic curved sides. Similarities extend even further to the beefy rear camera sensor and its design, as well as the quite distinctive...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-s7/-347x151/gsmarena_101.jpg The Galaxy S6 was Samsung's plunge into premium materials for its flagship line, which had long since suffered ridicule for its extensive use of plastic. The Galaxy S7 is the iterative upgrade that follows, building upon the S6's foundations.

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GSMArena

20-03-16, 16:41

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/poll-results-galaxy-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 has no doubt been the star of the past month (or more, if you count all the rumors) and has now gotten plenty of affection from our readers as well. Last week's poll aimed to find out where you stand on the subject, and looking at the results, Samsung has struck gold.Three out of four voters hit the thumbs up on the Galaxy S7, or, if you insist on precision, positive feedback clocks in at 77%. Not exactly universal approval, but still about as warm a reception as Samsung could have hoped for.Now, we understand how those 23% might have been put off by the...

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Week 11 in review: iPhone 5se, Meizu Pro 6 rumors and iPhone 7 antenna lines
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we close in on Apple's next event, scheduled for March 21, it is understandable that Cupertino rumors are at an all time high. A rebirth of the 4-inch iPhone is looking more and more plausible with each passing day with what will allegedly be called the iPhone SE. We are now hearing about 16GB of internal storage and 4K video support, thanks to a 12MP camera.Interestingly enough, the iPhone 7 has also been popping up in the rumor mill quite frequently despite still being a few months away from a release. Rumors of a new antenna design have been a hot topic and it just so happens...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge battery life (Exynos and Snapdragon)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-battery-life/-184x111/gsmarena_016.jpg We published our in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge earlier this week, and it was based on the Exynos version of the smartphone. We later got our hands on a Snapdragon version so we got a chance to compare the two in benchmarks, and now in battery endurance.No matter the chipset, battery capacity of the Galaxy S7 edge is fixed at 3,600mAh - a generous amount. It is also a substantial increase over the S6 edge's 2,600mAh, not to mention the S6 edge+, which has a 3,000mAh power pack and a larger 5.7-inch display. In light of that, even die-hard removable battery...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A funny week for our Top 10 trending chart, indeed. Not much in terms of new entries (the iPhone 5s marks a return, last here in week 6), but the list has been seriously reordered.Bottom to top, the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) has slipped two spots into 10th, keeping big bro A7 (2016) out. Not that it was really that close of a fight, looking at the numbers. It's the iPhone 5s we already mentioned that occupies 9th, with more than 30% more hits than the current iPhone 6s.The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note is in 8th, and it's our latest review subject - make sure you check that out if you've...

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Disney working on Crossy Road variant with Disney characters
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/disney-cross-road-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Disney is working with Hipster Whale, developer of the popular mobile game Crossy Road, on a Disney theme version of the game.The game, simply titled Disney Crossy Road, is still in development. It will feature over 100 characters from the Disney and Pixar universe, while the gameplay will be identical to the standard Crossy Road.The game will be released soon on iOS, Android, and Windows, with no actual release date being announced yet.Source

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg You're eyeing up the Samsung Galaxy S7, but you find its looks too pedestrian? We don't necessarily agree, but let's say for the sake of argument that you're right. No worries, Samsung's got you covered - meet the Galaxy S7 edge.

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LG G5 up for pre-order at Carphone Warehouse in the UK, arrives by April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-preoreders-carphone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg UK retailer Carphone Warehouse has the LG G5 listed for pre-order with a SIM-free price quoted at ?499.99. Amazon kicked off its G5 pre-orders a few days ago at ?529, but is now down to the same ?499.99.Clove was first to list this year's LG flagship close to a month ago, and price there is now set at ?529.99 (previously ?539), but you're getting a pair of B&O in-ear headphones. Not the B&O add-on DAC though.A few things make CW's offer more appealing than the others, and chief among those is the delivery date, April 1, which rings well with the annouced global launch on March...

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Watch the LG G5 unboxed inside a rally car on a dirt track, courtesy of T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-t-mobile-unboxing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg US T-Mobile's made a name for itself in recent times for coming up with truly bonkers promo material. Aside from the usual we're-better-than-the-others talk, the carrier is also doing smartphone unboxings as part of its marketing, and in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S7 that took place underwater.Now, the LG G5 isn't water resistant, so Des Smith has taken it with himself for a ride in an attempt to top the S7's unboxing in terms of wow value. Strapped in the co-pilot seat in a rally car, T-Mobile's product expert shares a thing or two about the smartphone, while being hurled left and...

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LG G5's SD652 variant is now official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lg-g5-sd652/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a month after an LG executive confirmed the existence of a Snapdragon 652-powered G5, the device has been made official - the variant is now listed on the South Korean company's Panama website. The device carries a model number of H850, which if you recall was also spotted on GFXBench last month.Standard Qualcomm's SD652, as you might know, is an octa-core CPU with four 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A53 cores and four ARM Cortex-A72 cores with a maximum of 1.8GHz. However, the LG Panama listing of the G5 reveals a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor.Also, the variant is available in both...

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ZTE A2017 spotted on GFXBench with SD820 SoC, QHD display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zte-a2017/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new high-end smartphone from ZTE has been spotted on GFXBench. The listing reveals that the device - dubbed ZTE A2017 - is powered by a Snapdragon 820 SoC, and sports a 5.5-inch (1440 x 2560 pixel resolution) display.It has 4GB RAM, while internal memory should be 64GB. In terms of camera, the handset sports a 21MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. The phone comes with Android Marshmallow (version 6.0.1) out-of-the-box. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and WiFi.There is currently no information on when the device will be officially unveiled and what will be...

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Microsoft's last month's $150-discount deal on Surface 3 is back
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/surface3-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, last month, Microsoft was offering a discount of up to $150 on its Surface 3 tablet. In case you missed that deal, here is some good news: the same promo is back again.The maximum discount of $150 is available on Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + LTE models with 4GB/128GB memory configuration. This means that you can currently purchase these models for $449 and $549, respectively. On the other hand, the variants with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage have received $100 price cut, and can be purchased for $399 and $499, respectively.Although the deal is valid through April 2, those making a...

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Alcatel Idol 4 to reportedly have a Mini variant as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/idol4-mini-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the rumor mill is already abuzz with a Pro variant of the yet-to-be-released Alcatel Idol 4, a new report is claiming that that the latter will have a Mini variant as well. Unlike the Windows 10-powered Pro version, however, the Mini variant is said to be powered by Android.As for the specs, the report says that the Idol 4 Mini will be powered by either a Mediatek MT6738 SoC or a MT6750 chipset, and sport a 5-inch HD display. As for the memory configuration, there will be different options: 1GB/2GB/3GB for RAM and 8GB/16GB/32GB for internal memory.In terms of camera, the the...

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Sony Xperia Z5 Compact gets $100 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/z5-compact-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony's Xperia Z5 Compact has received a price cut in the United States, where Amazon is now selling the device for $399.99, down $100 from its usual price of $499.99. Both black and white color options are available at the discounted rate.The model on offer comes with a US warranty, but is only compatible with GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile. This means that if you are on a CDMA carrier's network, you are currently out of luck. Aside from Amazon, Best Buy is also offering the same discount, but only on the black colored variant.The discount comes over a month after the...

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US Cellular LG G5 to be available starting April 1; pre-orders begin March 28
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/g5-canada-price/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true as US Cellular has announced that it will begin selling the LG G5 on April 1, with pre-orders beginning March 28. Those purchasing the handset from the carrier before April 17 will also get a free extra battery and battery-charging cradle.The carrier also said that some of the device's friends (accessories) - including the LG Cam Plus, LG 360 Cam and the LG 360 VR - will be available in mid-April.As for the price, the US Cellular LG G5 will cost $199.99 with a regular, two-year contract. Alternatively, the handset can be yours for zero down followed...

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Spigen Super5tar program puts a case in your hands in exchange for an honest review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/spigen-super5tar-review-program/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Spigen is a phone case maker based out of the US and they have started a new initiative in order to get customer feedback as quickly as possible. The program is called Super5tar Review Program and what it means is that anyone can sign up to be a member for free and if approved, you could be selected to review a Spigen case of your choice.Right now, they are offering cases for the iPhone 6(S), Galaxy S6 (edge and edge+ too), Galaxy Note 3, Note 4, and Note 5, as well as some screen protectors for the Galaxy S7(edge), LG G5, and iPhones 5S/5C/5.Strangely, you even have the option of...

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B&H Photo lists unlocked US variant of LG G5 going up for sale on April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-b-h-photo-april-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg B&H is a huge online retailer running straight out of Manhattan, their brick and mortar store is like Disneyland for tech enthusiasts including myself.Anyway, the retailer has posted both the silver and titan colored LG G5 on its site with an availability date of April 1st. If this turns out to be an April fool's joke (which I really don't think it will) it really wouldn't be a good one.The site lists the LG G5 as unlocked and identifies the unit as a North American variant. Strangely the description says the unit is compatible with CDMA or GSM networks, but does not list Sprint or...

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Google Maps lets you label your favorite places with cute stickers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-maps-location-stickers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google maps is introducing a new feature, not particularly useful, but more for those who wish to personalize their Google Maps experience as they wish. Google introduces these location stickers which let you tag your favorite and most commonly visited locations with different stickers like a tree house, an apartment building, a teepee, or even a castle. There is another selection of stickers for your work location such as an office building, a boutique, a gym or a school.Google's intention is to let people label their favorite places that they visit regularly in order to quickly tap on...

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Verizon's Nokia Lumia Icon is being considered for Windows 10 Mobile update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lumia-icon-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Microsoft finally commenced the rollout of updates to Windows 10 Mobile for older Lumia branded smartphones, after many months of testing through the Windows Insider program. On that occasion, the company released the list of handsets that are going to be receiving the update, but did not at the time clarify whether the list was final or not.In the meantime, the company's representatives have said that, essentially, no more phones will be added to the list in the future. And yet there could be an exception after all: Verizon's Nokia Lumia Icon from 2014.@maryjofoley There is...

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Sony is rumored to unveil upgraded PlayStation 4 with 4K support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/playstation-45/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report coming from some unnamed "developer sources", Sony has started working on an upgraded version of its PlayStation 4 gaming console. This new iteration won't be a totally revamped offering like a PS5.Instead, it will have more GPU power than the PS4, in order to be able to support 4K gaming. Sony has already started briefing developers about it, the report goes on to say. They are calling the new product PS4.5, but that may just be a joke and not the actual commercial name of it.The improved GPU in the new console will also help it enhance the games...

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GSMArena

21-03-16, 16:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nubia-z11-mini-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are familiar with the Chinese mobile landscape, you might have noticed that Nubia (the ZTE sub-brand), one of the relatively big-name players, has been keeping a rather low profile lately. In fact, the manufacturer has been teasing us with various rumors about a new flagship offer, allegedly caller the Z11, going as far back as November 2015. After missing two consecutive suggested launch dates, one on January 5 and the other on January 18, the device is starting to prove quite illusive.However, not all hope is lost yet, as a new TENAA certification entry suggests Nubia is...

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Taken off shelves last year, LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE is now back on sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/lg-urbane-2/-184x111/main.jpg If you recall, LG halted sales of its Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE in November last year, something which happened just a week after the smartwatch was launched. At that time, the company said that the device has a a faulty component which can potentially bring down the wearable's image quality over time.Looks like the South Korean company has fixed the issue in question as the timepiece is now back on sale. It's currently up for pre-orders on AT&T, which is selling it for $360 outright, or $18 a month for 20 months.Alternatively, you can also purchase it for $100 on a 2-year...

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HTC Desire 816 dual sim starts receiving Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/desire-816-ds-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Desire 816 dual sim phone from HTC has started receiving the Marshmallow update. The update, which brings Android version 6.0 and Sense UI version 7.0, is currently rolling out in Saudi Arabia.The update is being rolled out in two parts, with the first being around 55MB in size, while the second weighing in at over 1GB. The former prepares your device for Marshmallow, and the latter actually installs the Android 6.0.As you'd expect, the update includes the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Google Now on Tap and redesigned app permissions, although it's a bit surprising...

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vivo launches entry-level Y31A with Snapdragon 410, 4.7-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/vivo-y31a-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Six months after outing the Y31, vivo has launched the Y31A. The device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 410 chipset and sports a 4.7-inch (540x960 pixel resolution) IPS display.It comes with 1GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,100mAh battery. In terms of camera, the Y31A features 8MP rear and 2MP front unit. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, 4G LTE, and FM radio.Measuring 137.24 x 68.76 x 8.39mm and weighing in at 141g, the phone runs Android 5.0 Lollipop-based Funtouch OS. It is currently available for purchase in...

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AT&T offers buy one, get one free deal on LG G5 pre-orders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/atnt-lg-g5-preorder/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg If you have your heart set on LG's latest flagship handset, then you surely know that global sales for the G5 are set to begin a little over a week from now, on March 31. Naturally, however, various retailers have already started accepting pre-orders for the device and the latest to announce its offer is AT&T.The carrier has listed the G5 for $23 per moth over a 30 month period on a Next 24 plan, or $699 up front. But, if you are planning on getting more than one unit, then AT&T's other deal might just be ideal for you. If you are OK with signing a new AT&T contract, that is...

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Twitter completes 10 years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/twitter-10-birthday/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Popular social networking site is Twitter is celebrating its 10th birthday today.Started on March 21, 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Noah Glass, and Biz Stone, the service has since then gone on to be wildly successful and currently has a user base of 332 million active users.Twitter revolutionized the short status update style messages, with its 140 character limit that forces users to fit their thoughts into concise, bite size portions. The constantly updating, real-time nature of the service has made it a big hit during sporting events and a major asset during major events and...

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HTC 10 said to come with Super LCD 5 display, 3000mAh battery
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 has already been the subject of several leaks and renders, with the latest one focusing on the phone's "world class" cameras. Now, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks has revealed some more information about the flagship - Super LCD 5 display and 3,000mAh battery.Not sure if this has been reported yet, but HTC 10 features a super LCD 5 display - not AMOLED. Battery = 3000mAh pic.twitter.com/NbWonSaC3T— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 20, 2016Yes, the leakster says the phone will sport a Super LCD 5 display instead of the an AMOLED one. For those who are hearing about...

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Urgent: Mandatory update for select Kindles that needs to be installed before March 22
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/kindle-urgent-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Own an Amazon Kindle from 2012 or an older model, here's something urgent that needs your attention: you are required to install a software update by March 22, failing which you won't be able to continue using Kindle services on your device.Here's the list of devices require the latest software version:If your device is in the list and you miss the update deadline, you will receive the following message on your device: "Your Kindle is unable to connect at this time. Please make sure you are within wireless range and try again. If the problem persists, please restart your Kindle...

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Nintendo's 'Miitomo' app tops iOS charts, hits 1 million users milestone in just 3 days
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/miitomo-tops-ios/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Miitomo - Nintendo's first mobile app - was launched last week on March 17, and looks like it has already been a huge success. It became the top social-networking iOS app in Japan the day it was launched.The app surpassed Line, which has been the Asian country's top IM app all this while. Not only this, Miitomo also crossed the 1 million users milestone in just three days, something which was announced via the chatting app's official Twitter handle.The app, in case you still don't know, allows users to create and customize their Miis, through which they interact with other users...

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Huawei president allegedly spotted using dual-camera phone; is it the P9?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-p9-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A photo leak has surfaced allegedly showing Huawei's president using a phone with a dual rear camera setup. While there's no confirmation, reports say it could be the Chinese company's upcoming P9 flagship.If you compare, the unit shown in the images above does look quite similar to the one that was leaked earlier this month (shown below).In case you don't already know, the P9 flagship - which has been the subject of several leaks and rumors over the past few weeks - is set to be unveiled on April 6. The first official teaser of the handset was also recently outed,...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/best-apps-games-47/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg These are some of the best apps and games of the week.WireWire is a messaging app with a slick interface. With version 2.0, the app has now gained voice call support so you can now call others on mobile, tablet, or desktop. The app now also features end-to-end encryption of calls and messages, in chats as well as group messages.iOS • AndroidLastPass AuthenticatorLastPass has released an authenticator app along the lines of Google Authenticator. If you use two-step authentication (and you should) then you will need an authenticator app to generate...

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Week 11 in review: iPhone 5se, Meizu Pro 6 rumors and iPhone 7 antenna lines
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we close in on Apple's next event, scheduled for March 21, it is understandable that Cupertino rumors are at an all time high. A rebirth of the 4-inch iPhone is looking more and more plausible with each passing day with what will allegedly be called the iPhone SE. We are now hearing about 16GB of internal storage and 4K video support, thanks to a 12MP camera.Interestingly enough, the iPhone 7 has also been popping up in the rumor mill quite frequently despite still being a few months away from a release. Rumors of a new antenna design have been a hot topic and it just so happens...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge battery life (Exynos and Snapdragon)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-battery-life/-184x111/gsmarena_016.jpg We published our in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge earlier this week, and it was based on the Exynos version of the smartphone. We later got our hands on a Snapdragon version so we got a chance to compare the two in benchmarks, and now in battery endurance.No matter the chipset, battery capacity of the Galaxy S7 edge is fixed at 3,600mAh - a generous amount. It is also a substantial increase over the S6 edge's 2,600mAh, not to mention the S6 edge+, which has a 3,000mAh power pack and a larger 5.7-inch display. In light of that, even die-hard removable battery...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A funny week for our Top 10 trending chart, indeed. Not much in terms of new entries (the iPhone 5s marks a return, last here in week 6), but the list has been seriously reordered.Bottom to top, the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) has slipped two spots into 10th, keeping big bro A7 (2016) out. Not that it was really that close of a fight, looking at the numbers. It's the iPhone 5s we already mentioned that occupies 9th, with more than 30% more hits than the current iPhone 6s.The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note is in 8th, and it's our latest review subject - make sure you check that out if you've...

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Disney working on Crossy Road variant with Disney characters
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/disney-cross-road-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Disney is working with Hipster Whale, developer of the popular mobile game Crossy Road, on a Disney theme version of the game.The game, simply titled Disney Crossy Road, is still in development. It will feature over 100 characters from the Disney and Pixar universe, while the gameplay will be identical to the standard Crossy Road.The game will be released soon on iOS, Android, and Windows, with no actual release date being announced yet.Source

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg You're eyeing up the Samsung Galaxy S7, but you find its looks too pedestrian? We don't necessarily agree, but let's say for the sake of argument that you're right. No worries, Samsung's got you covered - meet the Galaxy S7 edge.

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LG G5 up for pre-order at Carphone Warehouse in the UK, arrives by April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-preoreders-carphone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg UK retailer Carphone Warehouse has the LG G5 listed for pre-order with a SIM-free price quoted at ?499.99. Amazon kicked off its G5 pre-orders a few days ago at ?529, but is now down to the same ?499.99.Clove was first to list this year's LG flagship close to a month ago, and price there is now set at ?529.99 (previously ?539), but you're getting a pair of B&O in-ear headphones. Not the B&O add-on DAC though.A few things make CW's offer more appealing than the others, and chief among those is the delivery date, April 1, which rings well with the annouced global launch on March...

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Watch the LG G5 unboxed inside a rally car on a dirt track, courtesy of T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-t-mobile-unboxing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg US T-Mobile's made a name for itself in recent times for coming up with truly bonkers promo material. Aside from the usual we're-better-than-the-others talk, the carrier is also doing smartphone unboxings as part of its marketing, and in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S7 that took place underwater.Now, the LG G5 isn't water resistant, so Des Smith has taken it with himself for a ride in an attempt to top the S7's unboxing in terms of wow value. Strapped in the co-pilot seat in a rally car, T-Mobile's product expert shares a thing or two about the smartphone, while being hurled left and...

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GSMArena

22-03-16, 16:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/zopo-speed-8-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the ZOPO Speed 8 from this year's MWC? If you do, then you must be into trivia as the Chinese handset is definitely memorable for one particular reason - being the first official deca-core smartphone. Don't get us wrong, we are not saying the Speed 8 doesn't have any other qualities going for it, but the MediaTek Helio X20 is undoubtedly the attention-grabber in the mix.Today the ZOPO has officially started its pre-order and initial shipping schedule, along with a $20 price discount. Luckily, to get the deal, you don't even have to rush all that much. Pre-orders will...

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"Mod" solves Galaxy S7's hybrid slot issue, fits three cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-dualsim-hack/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg It's nice that Samsung brought back the microSD slot, but for the dual-SIM versions of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge things haven't changed really - the hybrid slot means you can have either two SIMs or one SIM + one microSD, never three cards at once.You know what they say, never say never. With some scissors, a lighter and a lack of caring, you can do this ill-advised hack - if a microSD and nanoSIM can't fit in the same slot, you make them fit.How to fit a microSD and nanoSIM in one slot or ruin bothI'll leave you to read the gory details over at NoReplied.com, but...

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iPhone SE: 2GB of RAM, old TouchID and selfie cam
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-se-whats-missing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So, the new Apple iPhone SE went official yesterday and it's very much an iPhone 6s internals in a 5s body. Well, almost...As you've probably heard, the SE will not support Force Touch, but on the upside, AnTuTu detected 2GB of RAM - as much as the 6s has and double what the 6 and those before it had.AnTuTu shows 2GB of RAM on the iPhone SEFor one, the Touch ID sensor is the slower first-generation, unlike the 6s models (first-gen was also used on the iPhone 6).Another change is the selfie camera - it's back to 1.2MP with f/2.4. That means it's the iPhone 5 selfie camera,...

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Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable brings fast charging to the iPad Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-type-c-cable/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday, Apple also released a new cable, called the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable. As you can imagine, one end of the cable is a male USB Type-C connector and the other end is a Lightning connector.Other than allowing you to connect your iOS devices to computers with a USB Type-C connector (such as the new MacBook) without using an adapter, the cable also allows you to connect them to chargers with Type-C connector.This includes, and is not limited to, the Apple 29W USB-C Power Adapter that ships with every new MacBook, or can be purchased separately. With the high current...

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Apple to launch the iPhone SE in India on April 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-se-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple will begin selling the new iPhone SE in India starting April 8, according to Redington India. The phone will be sold through 3000 retail outlets across the country.Apple previously announced that India will be among the second wave of countries to get the iPhone SE in "early April". The company also issued a press release stating the phone will be priced at INR 39,000 ($584) for the 16GB model.Other than India, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Guernsey, Jersey, Hungary, Iceland,...

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Xbox Spring sale is now on : up to 60% off Xbox and PC games
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xbox-spring-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft is now in full "spring cleaning" mode. Starting today, the US giant launched a truckload of digital deals with discounts from 40% to 60%. And its not just another case of marketing unwanted junk titles either. Microsoft has an array of blockbusters, like Fallout 4, Grand Theft Auto V, Halo 5 and many others lined up in various editions.Better yet, the promotion has you covered even if you are on the older Xbox 360 or a Windows PC with equally popular titles for both platforms. Last, but not least, there are also quite a few movie and TV show deals for you to check...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge units in UK getting March security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a week after Samsung's newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - started getting the March security update in the US, the update has started hitting S7 edge units in the UK.Weighing in at 74.34MB, the update obviously brings all the latest security fixes in Google's mobile operating system. However, there's currently no information on exactly what other changes (if any) are included in the update.Also not known at the moment is whether or not the standard variant - the Galaxy S7 - has also started receiving the update in the UK, but we'll let you know as soon as we...

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Deal: Buy HTC One M9 and get Nexus 9 for free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/onem9-nexus9-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With the HTC's next flagship launch just a few weeks away, the Taiwanese company is offering a deal on its last year's One M9 flagship that nets you a free Nexus 9 (16GB black variant) with every purchase of the smartphone.It's a US-only deal that is valid on both unlocked as well as carrier variants of the One M9. Price-wise, the phone carries an official tag of $649.00 in the US, while the tablet on offer usually sets you back $399. Put simply, the deal - which is valid through March 22 (11:59 PM PT) - saves you $399. Keep in mind that you can purchase a maximum of four One M9s...

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Oppo to start manufacturing 1 million 4G phones a month in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/oppo-make-in-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo has revealed that starting this August, it will be manufacturing a million 4G phones/month in India. The revelation was made by Mike Wang, CEO of the Chinese company's India subsidiary.Wang also revealed that the units will be designed in China but will be manufactured at the company's production facility in Noida, a neighboring city of India's national capital New Delhi. He said that the phones will be manufactured after "local level customization for the India market."As for what kind of phones Oppo will be churning out, Wang didn't reveal any specific models, but did say...

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Samsung Gear S2 iOS compatibility now said to be coming by month-end
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/samsung-gear-s2-ios-support/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Samsung made it official that iOS support for the Tizen-powered Gear S2 smartwatch (including Gear Manager for iOS) is under development, and will be rolled out later this year. However, the very next day it was revealed that would happen in mid-January itself.Sadly, as we know, that didn't happen, and we didn't hear anything about the roll out for almost a couple of months. Then, towards February-end, there were reports that the support would arrive in March around the Apple's Feb 21 event.Now, here we are, a day after the...

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Marshmallow update starts hitting Samsung Galaxy S5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's flagship from 2014 - the Galaxy S5 - has finally started getting the Marshmallow update. The update is currently rolling out to S5 variants with model number SM-G900L operating on South Korean carrier LG Uplus.Bringing Android version 6.0.1, the update also includes stability improvements, speed optimizations, as well as several bug fixes. If you are a S5 (SM-G900L) owner, and haven't received the OTA notification yet, you can manually check for the update by heading to your device's Settings menu.This comes over a month after the update started hitting the South Korean...

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Samsung-Apple patent war: US Supreme Court agrees to take up Samsung's appeal
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/samsung-apple-supremecourt/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Rejecting Apple's request to decide otherwise, the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear Samsung's appeal to re-examine the decisions made in its patent case against Apple so far.This comes around three months after the South Korean tech giant filed the appeal. In case you don't already know, Samsung's decision to move the Supreme Court came in the wake of the company agreeing to pay Apple $548 million to settle their yearslong patent legal case.At the core, Samsung wants the Supreme Court to review how patent cases, specifically those related to design, are dealt with. It argues...

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$400 PlayStation VR core to go on pre-order next week; $500 Launch Bundle today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ps-vr-bundles-preorder/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Interested in purchasing the Sony PlayStation VR? Well, the time has come as pre-orders for the Launch Bundle begin today (March 22). Carrying a $499.99 price tag, the bundle in question includes a PS VR core bundle, PS Camera, 2 PlayStation Move motion controllers, and PlayStation VR Worlds (disc).However, if $499 is a bit too much for you, the company has announced that it will also be separately offering the PS VR core bundle which includes a PS VR headset, PS VR cables, Stereo Headphones, and PlayStation VR Demo Disc. Carrying a $399.99 price tag, this bundle will be available for...

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LG announces global rollout of its X smartphone series
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-x-global-rollout/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Over a month after announcing it, LG has commenced the global roll out of its X smartphone series. An official announcement in this regard was made by the South Korean company today.LG said that starting this week, the X screen (above) and X cam (below) smartphones - which were unveiled at this year's MWC last month - will be available in the company's home country of South Korea followed by other markets including Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The company defines the X series as "a mass-tier smartphone lineup with premium features until now only available on LG's flagship...

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First footage of Pok?mon Go surfaces on YouTube
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/first-footage-of-pokemon-go/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The first alleged footage of the highly anticipated mobile game with collaboration of the makers of Ingress, Niantic Labs, has appeared on YouTube late last week after SXSW. An attendee of the festival has uploaded a video of what appears to be the actual game.The CEO of Niantic Labs was giving a short demonstration at a gaming panel. The actual topic of the panel isn't entirely clear, but whatever it was, it showed us a glimpse of what the new geo-based game is going to offer.In the panel footage, we can hear that the presenter is talking about the differing regions of where you...

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T-Mobile might be "pivoting away" from unlimited plans, it isn't necessarily a bad thing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-pivoting-away-from-unlimited-plans/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg T-Mobile has been the one carrier who decided to strike back at the other carriers back when AT&T and Verizon were the ones getting rid of unlimited plans by aggressively advertising their Uncarrier movements to turn the mobile industry in the US back into the customers' hands.Yeah, Sprint had unlimited plans too but they weren't necessarily doing so well. They'd lost customers when they decided to make the switch from WiMax to LTE so you could imagine outraged customers who found out their 2 year old phone was not going to have 4G anymore, even after the carrier was promising it was...

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AT&T and T-Mobile Priv getting March security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-netherlands-spain-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of weeks after unlocked BlackBerry Priv units in the US started receiving it, Android's March security update has started hitting the carrier variants of the phone in the country.Specifically, AT&T and T-Mobile have started rolling out the update. While there's currently no information on what all changes both updates include, it's safe to assume that at-least all fixes listed on BlackBerry's official website (hit the BlackBerry link at the bottom) will be there.This comes just days after carrier variants of Samsung's newest flagships- the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - started...

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Apple iPhone SE and iPad Pro event coverage wrap-up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-event-wrap-up/-184x111/thumb2.jpg Apple's event drew to a close and the world got to see the official debut of the Apple iPhone SE and Apple iPad Pro 9.7" announcement. In case you've missed anything important here's our complete coverage for you to catch up. .phone-highlight-stage { margin: 0 30px; } .phone-highlight { position: relative; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; margin-bottom: 30px; min-height: 500px; padding-bottom: 25px; } .phone-highlight img { width: 400px; } .phone-highlight a:hover img { ...

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Here's how much the iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 will cost in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-eu-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Apple has finally made both the iPhone SE and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro official, as you may know, after weeks upon weeks of rumors regarding these devices. The company will start taking pre-orders for them on March 24, which is this Thursday, and they will both become available on March 31, one week later.In case either one interests you but you're in Europe, here's what you are going to have to shell out for the iPhone SE and the new iPad Pro. A word of warning, though: the prices are quite different from the ones announced for the USA.The 16GB iPhone SE, priced at $399 in the US,...

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Watch the promo video for the new iPad Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/new-ipad-pro-video/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple announced today a new smaller iPhone SE and a new smaller iPad Pro. You can check the iPad Pro 9.7" news and specs on our site.There is also an introductory video published by Apple and it will help you familiarize with the new iPad Pro. Enjoy!Source

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GSMArena

23-03-16, 16:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/vizio-p-series/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Vizio has released a new series of smart televisions, called the P-Series. The company has worked with Google to make perhaps the most unique range of televisions on the market.The P-Series TVs might be called smart TVs but technically they are about as smart as a monitor and are nothing other than a big 4K screen to view your content. All the magic happens on the Android tablet that comes with the TV.The P-Series does away with a traditional remote, and instead relies on the supplied tablet. The tablet has a 6-inch 1080p display and runs a stock version of Android with Vizio...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 active on the way, import listing reveals
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-active-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever since its MWC announcement, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has been turning heads throughout the mobile industry. Now that you can actually buy one on most markets, excitement seems to be at an all time high. But despite all the positive feedback and attention, the Korean giant can't really afford to take a break in today's competitive market and by the looks of it work is continuing at full steam.AT&T is testing a handset, Samsung SM-G891A. GS6 Active is G890A. Updated SKU, GS7 Active, or other? [pic: Zauba] pic.twitter.com/WgE3uWVVWG— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 23, 2016A rather...

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UK banks and stores lined up for Android Pay launch in a few months
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-pay-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Android Pay will launch in the UK in a few months and Google has already lined up many local financial institutions. Pay will support MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards from the following banks:With an Android Pay enabled phone you'll be able to ride the tube or fill up the car, get coffee or do the shopping, check in a hotel and so on.Android Pay in the US now gets 1.5 million new registrations a month. Best Buy, Ticketmaster and many more support the system.Source | Via

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Consumers Report names Galaxy S7 and S7 edge "best phones ever"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-consumer-report/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Consumer Reports just called the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge "perhaps, the best phones." CR (along with consumers) wasn't happy with some of the changes that the S6 brought on, but the S7 aced most tests.The S7 and S7 edge topped Consumer Reports ratings. The battery life is Excellent (especially in the dark) and so is the still camera. The 1080p camera was rated Very good, "among the best we've tested in a smartphone."The redesigned body - its water resistance and its rounder edges (that make it easier to hold) were also praised. The return of the microSD slot was appreciated while...

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Xiaomi unveils curved 65" Mi TV 3S with 4K Samsung screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-mitv-3s/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg 5.9mm thickness, metal body, 3,840 x 2,160px resolution, 65" screen size. No, I didn't drop the decimal point, this is Xiaomi's new Mi TV 3S curved television.The screen is sourced from Samsung and promises 4,000:1 contrast, 176? viewing angle, 78% NTSC color gamut coverage.The TV is powered by Android, running on an MStar 6A928 chipset. You may not have heard of it, but it has four Cortex-A17 CPU cores, a Mali-T760MP4 GPU and 2GB of RAM. Storage is limited, 8GB, but you get one USB 3.0 port to hook up an external drive, plus one USB 2.0. Or you could use Wi-Fi ac or Ethernet to...

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The Apple iPad Pro 9.7 has only 2GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-ipad-pro-2gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple made the 9.7-inch iPad Pro selling point for the device abundantly clear - it is apparently intended as a PC replacement. This did sound like kind of a stretch from the get go, considering the existence of the larger and more productivity-friendly 12.9-inch version of the same basic product. But as the smoke cleared, people started poking even more holes in the whole plan.Here's a single Geekbench run with stats on iPad Pro 9.7" pic.twitter.com/vwqlKtsIUm— Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) March 22, 2016Yesterday, it became clear that the A9X chip powering the new iPad is...

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YouTube for iOS gets Slide Over and Split View support on iPad
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/youtube-ipad-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has released an update to the iOS version of the YouTube app. The update finally brings some much needed functionality on the iPad.The update finally adds support for Slide Over and Split View functionality on the iPad. The former, available on iPads as far back as the iPad Air, allows you to run an app in a window on the side over your current app. Split View will let you run the new YouTube app side by side with your current app and you can resize the window size.Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Google still hasn't added picture in picture support, which would have...

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Android 6.0.1 update hitting Moto X Play units in Canada and India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/canada-moto-x-play-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola's Moto X Play smartphone has started receiving the Android 6.0.1 update in Canada and India. The update includes the latest Android security patch as well as the new emoji pack.In addition, the update also brings along the ability to launch the camera by double-pressing the power button and turn off and on the sound of the camera shutter. Finally, it also includes some stability-related improvements. The update weighs in at around 388MB.In case you missed, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update rolled out in India back in January, and in Canada back in December.Via 1...

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Spotify launching in Indonesia this month; India and Japanese launch on the cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/spotify-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Music streaming company Spotify has announced that it will be launching its service in Indonesia - the world's fourth most populous country - this month on March 30. The announcement was made by the company a few days ago on Twitter.HALO INDONESIA!!! #WaktunyaSpotify pic.twitter.com/D0YxEJiQxt— Spotify Indonesia (@SpotifyID) March 20, 2016In addition, the company is also reportedly planning to further expand its foot print in Asia with an eye on the Japanese and Indian markets. Spotify is said to be already on a hiring spree in Japan, and have also signed an agreement with the...

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Google to pull the plug on its Chrome app launcher
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/chrome-launcher-axed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has announced that the Chrome app launcher - which the company claims makes Chrome apps easy to open outside the browser - will soon be removed from all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.As for the reason, the search giant cited little usage of the product, or in other words, the launcher has been a complete flop show. It will, however, continue to exist on Chrome OS, Google said.The complete removal process will take several months. "Beginning in a few weeks, Chrome will no longer enable the launcher when users first install a Chrome app. Anyone who...

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LG G5 CAM Plus module to cost $70 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/g5-camplus-us//-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While we already know how much it costs in the UK, we now have information on how much the LG G5 CAM Plus module will set you back in the United States. The G5 "friend" has been listed by retailer B&H photo on its website for $69.99.That, if you recall, is less than the $85 price tag LG Korean officially revealed for the device last week. Over in the UK, the accessory is priced at ?69.What's worth mentioning here is that B&H is currently not selling the device - it's available to pre-order. Alternatively, you can also register to get notified when the module is in stock.In...

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Verizon Galaxy Note Edge getting March security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-note-edge-march/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the March security update to Samsung Galaxy Note Edge units on its network. The update, which the carrier says only includes the latest Android security patch, bumps the device's software version to LRX22C.N915VVRU2BPA4.Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take some time before it hits your phone, so be patient. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can also manually check for the update by heading to the Settings menu on your device.This comes less than a week after Verizon started rolling out the update to both Samsung...

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Third-party iOS keyboard from Google reportedly in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-ios-keyboard/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a latest report from The Verge, search giant Google is developing a third-party keyboard for rival Apple's iOS platform. The project has been going on for months now, the report notes, however adding that there's currently no clarity on if and when Google plans to launch the product.As for the features, the keyboard is said to incorporate gesture-based typing as well as picture and GIF searches through dedicated buttons. In addition, there'll also be a Google logo tapping on which will give you access to traditional web search.The keyboard - which the report says is...

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The iPhone 5s has apparently been discontinued
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone5s-discontinued/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Looks like Apple has stopped selling the iPhone 5s as the device is no longer listed on the Cupertino-based company's official website. A quick looks reveals that the phone has been replaced by the newly-launched iPhone SE.While we are yet to hear an official confirmation on this, the discontinuation shouldn't really come as a big surprise given that the iPhone SE not only looks almost exactly like the 5s, it is of course comparatively more powerful as well.Released back in 2013, the iPhone 5s was powered by the Apple A7 chipset and sported a 4.0 inch (640 x 1136 pixel resolution...

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BlackBerry Passport gets price cut in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/bb-passport-pricecut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The BlackBerry Passport smartphone has received a decent price cut in the US, where it is now officially being sold at 20% discount. The deal is available on the black, white, and silver variants of the smartphone.While both black and white models are now available for about $399, down from their regular price of $499, the silver version will currently set you back around $439, down from its usual price of $549. The units on offer are unlocked, and are not compatible on Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular.In addition, BlackBerry is also offering a 30% discount on phone accessories - head...

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Google offering free phone calls to Belgium and Turkey in light of recent events
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-offering-free-calls-to-belgium-and-turkey/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has tweeted a few hours ago that it was going to make all calls to Belgium and Turkey free in response to the recent bombing in Brussels and the ongoing attacks of violence going on in Turkey.Free calls via Hangouts to Belgium & Turkey + info in search for Brussels a†’ https://t.co/0OwKw9M4Fc #BrusselsAttacks pic.twitter.com/QBNMBCCGPh— Google (@google) March 22, 2016Google says that all calls to Belgium and Turkey will be free through hangouts via the desktop page or respective platform's (iOS or Android) hangouts app. Calls to landlines in either Turkey or Belgium will...

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Samsung Galaxy S7's screen is usable when wet, watch our video!
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-wet-screen-test-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After its departure from an all plastic and hyper-glaze design, Samsung scrapped water-resistance from the Galaxy S6 family. However, this year, Samsung has decided to give immersion-protection a second try with its new Galaxy S7 line.Sony was among the first companies to introduce an elegant glass and metal design which incorporated water resistance throughout its Xperia line of devices but it was not until the Xperia Z3+ that screens were better able to differentiate touch from water drops.Samsung was definitely able to stand up to Sony with its beautiful all-glass-and-metal design...

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New 9.7-inch iPad Pro comes with underclocked A9X chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ipad-pro-chipset-comparison/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Apple took the wraps off the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and during the announcement it said the tablet sports the same A9X chipset as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro launched last year.However, in the meantime a pretty big caveat has emerged for this information. See, while the two tablets do share the SoC, the A9X in the smaller 9.7" model comes with both an underclocked CPU and an underclocked GPU compared to the iPad Pro 12.9.This is made clear from the quick comparison you can see in the image below, which is now available on Apple's website. While the company never likes to publish...

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Google Photos now shows you automatically created albums after an event or trip
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-photos-auto-album/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's Photos service keeps receiving update after update. The latest one is rolling out starting today on the website as well as through its Android and iOS apps.It's all about smart album creation, this one. After an event or trip, Google Photos will show you an automatically created album of photos and videos you took. This is curated, containing just your best shots. It will also tell you how far you traveled, and place location pins on a map for you to remember where you've been.Once you've received the album, you can add text captions to it, as well as turn on...

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LG's Friends for the G5 get priced in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-friends-price-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back at MWC in February, LG announced some "Friends" alongside its G5 smartphone. These LG Friends are either modular accessories for the G5 itself, or standalone gadgets that supposedly work best in conjunction with the G5.Almost the full set of Friends has now been priced in the UK, courtesy of online retailer Clove. The LG Cam Plus is both a camera grip and an extended battery pack for the G5, and it will be sold for ?69. You can already pre-order one, with shipping starting on April 8.The LG Hi-Fi Plus (with B&O Play) is a DAC aimed at music enthusiasts, as it includes its own amp...

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GSMArena

24-03-16, 17:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-goldgenie/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg King Tut was born before the camera was invented, so his selfie had to come in the form of a 10kg gold mask. You, a child of the digital age, can instead get a gold iPhone SE from Goldgenie and snap gilded selfies with that. They come in 24K Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum versions and start off with the relatively reasonable Edition - ?1,582 (excluding VAT) - goes through several Swarovski-studded options and proceeds to the outrageous Solid Gold Superstar. Most such gold gadgets are gold-plated - meaning you get very little actual gold (this is the case with the Edition). The...

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Get a free Moto E with Moto X Pure Edition purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-x-e-free/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is holding a pretty sweet promotion and gives you away a free Moto E with every Moto X Pure Edition purchase. The promotion is only valid in the US for today and ends at 10.59 AM Central Time. Moto E currently retails for around €110 and has so far managed to stay pretty up-to-date with the recent Android releases. The vanilla Moto X Pure Edition costs $399.99 without any modifications from the Moto Maker. Yes, it sounds like a solid deal to us, too. Source

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Vertu Signature Touch available in Sky Blue leather
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/vertu-new/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg I wish I had Vertu money, but I'll have to settle for just writing about them. The luxury phone maker announced two new editions of its Signature Touch and Aster Android-powered phones. Vertu Signature Touch in Sky Blue quilted leather The Vertu Signature Touch comes in a Sky Blue quilted leather option, calf leather sourced from one of the oldest tanneries in the Alps. It has a Grade 5 Titanium body with polished Red Gold detailing and a Black Ceramic pillow. The relatively more affordable Vertu Aster is back in Orchid Pink calf leather and Caramel Calf leather, due to...

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Truly Exquisite puts Gold-plated iPad Pro 9.7 on pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ipad-pro-gold-plated/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Truly Exquisite likes to jump the gun on creating lavish versions of smartphones and tablets. Earlier it announced gold-plated Galaxy S7 and S7 edge phones before they even went on pre-order. Now, it's jumping ship over to the competition by plating the new iPad Pro 9.7 with noble metals. ?1,850 (without VAT) starts you off with 24K Gold Plated tablet, ?1,900 gets you 18K Rose Gold instead. The top version is the ?1,950, plated with Platinum. You can have the front in Black or White. This is for the 128GB Wi-Fi versions, you can upgrade to 256GB or mobile data connectivity if you...

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AdDuplex numbers show about half of current Windows smartphones are capable of running Windows 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/adduplex-windows-10-mobile-upgradability/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There is no denying that Microsoft has embarked on an ambitious, far-reaching roll-out mission with Windows 10 Mobile. Besides the ever-growing list of devices running the OS out-of-the-box, like the Lumia 950, 650 and 550, the US giant has also started releasing updates to an ever-growing range of older devices. However, despite the growing number of devices, AdDuplex now says only 50.4% of all current Windows devices are capable of running Windows 10. This means that developers willing to invest effort into Universal Apps can currently expect 50% market penetration on...

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Google working on Periscope competitor called YouTube Connect
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/youtube-connect-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is working on a competitor to Twitter's popular video streaming app, Periscope, and also the new Facebook Live that recently came out. Called YouTube Connect, the service would pretty much be like Periscope, according to sources at VentureBeat. The app will be available on Android and iOS. You will be able to log in with your Google or YouTube account and then stream the event, which will be visible in the app and also on your channel, if you have one. You can choose to save the stream after you're done so people can watch it later if they missed the live stream. There will also be...

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iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 now open for pre-order, in stores on March 31
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-iphone-se-preorder/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As promised on announcement day, Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the brand new 4-inch iPhone SE and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Pre-ordered devices will be delivered on March 31, when you will also be able to find them in physical stores. The iPhone SE marks Apple's return to 4-inch displays, which some users still insist is the best size for a smartphone. The SE is also the cheapest iPhone ever, with a base price of $399/€489/£359 for the 16GB version, and $100/€100/£80 more for 64GB of storage. The iPad Pro 9.7, which replaces the iPad Air 2, starts at $599/€689/£499...

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Android 6.0 based MIUI China stable ROM available for Mi 3/Mi 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mi-4-marshmallow-china/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi has released Android 6.0 Marshmallow MIUI ROM for the Mi 3 and Mi 4 smartphones. V7.2.8.0.MXDCNDB is currently only available for the Chinese region, which means you can install it on any Mi 3 and Mi 4 but being the Chinese ROM you won't get any of the Google apps pre-installed. For that you will have to wait for the global ROM to release. The ROM is stable so should be fit for daily use. However, as mentioned before, unless you can live without the Google apps or know your way around installing them separately, it's better to wait for the global ROM to...

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Sprint LG G5 pre-orders go live March 24 with launch aimed at April 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sprint-lg-g5-pre-order-and-launch-dates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sprint has announced it is offering the LG G5 for pre-order on March 24. The US carrier is also offering three different options to purchase the new modular smartphone. You can buy the phone for $0 down (for well-qualified buyers) plus tax and 24 monthly payments of $24. You can also purchase the device on a new 2-year contract for $150 after $50 American Express gift-card mail-in rebate. And, of course, you can purchase the LG G5 for its full retail price of $576. If you trade in a phone upon purchasing the device, you can get a free accessory bundle worth $80 which includes: one...

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Google Now makes weather card available as a shortcut on your home screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-now-adds-weather-card-shortcut-to-homescreen/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has made a couple of tweaks lately, including the improvement of Google Now's speech reply sounding more natural and the improvement of Google Now on Tap. Google would like you to use its app more and more to incorporate it into your daily life with contextual information such as traffic conditions, public transit notifications, and something that Google Now has already been doing which is notifying you of a drastic change in the weather forecast for the next day. Today, Google started rolling out another feature which can be activated by simply making a Google search for...

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BMW integrates Android apps into 2016 7 Series iDrive
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/bmw-integrates-android-music-apps-at-new-york-auto-show/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BMW has announced at the New York International Auto Show a new app integration for Android versions of Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Pandora into the 7 2016 7 Series' iDrive. The company has only announced integration with the one line of cars and for only those three apps, but this should open doors for more models to gain such integration. The integration has to start somewhere, and even though it's only with these three apps, they are among the most popular music apps and they allow drivers to operate such apps with minimal distractions. BMW was the first car makers to seamlessly...

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Report says Apple will make Apple Pay available for mobile sites before the holiday season
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-pay-to-come-to-mobile-sites-before-holiday-season/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has reportedly been telling potential partners that it will allow users to pay on mobile websites just as easy as scanning their fingerprint. The feature would only work on Apple's Safari mobile browser as it is integrated into the OS. There was also some talk of possibly bringing Apple Pay to desktop websites. Perhaps actually building a TouchID sensor into a Mac would make the feature work perfectly. However, we don't know when/if that will (ever) actually happen. If Apple does decide to launch such a feature, it'd likely be launched during Apple's annual World Wide...

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LG outs TV ad for the G5, confirms April 1 release date
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG has uploaded the first TV ad for the G5 to its official YouTube channel. The ad is clearly meant to be just the first of many, which is obvious both from its content but also from its 15-second run time. It's more of a teaser of what's to come from the Korean company's TV ad campaign in the near future, if you will. The commercial does however helpfully confirm the phone's April 1 release date for the US once more. So you'll be able to walk into a store and leave with an LG G5 starting next Friday, it turns out. The slogan for the G5 is an extension of the one that's been used...

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Meizu m3 note will be unveiled on April 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-m3-note-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei P9 line isn't the only big smartphone launch from a Chinese company happening on April 6. For whatever reason, Meizu has picked the exact same date to unveil the upcoming m3 note, the successor to the m2 note from last year. Perhaps Meizu wants to steal some of Huawei's thunder or something. Spec and pricing details for the m3 note have just been leaked mere hours ago. The phone is apparently going to come with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, 2GB of RAM, and the MediaTek Helio P10 chipset powering it. That one has a 2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Mali-T860MP2 GPU. The...

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LG 360 VR headset is now priced in the US too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-360-vr-us-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far two of LG's Friends for the G5 have been priced in the US - the Cam Plus module will go for $70 and the 360 Cam will cost $200. And now a third member of the Korean company's accessory family has its pricing info revealed as well. We're talking about the 360 VR headset, which we already knew would cost ?199 in the UK. Across the big pond, however, that will be $199.99. Oh, and you can pre-order one if you want to, the retailer you need to head to is B&H, which also has the 360 Cam up for grabs. Unfortunately it doesn't list a shipping date for the VR headset, so it's unclear...

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BlackBerry Priv's UK price drops to ?529.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/blackberry-priv-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry is all about the price cuts these days, it seems. Following the Passport's price drop in the US earlier, now we find out that the Priv has become cheaper to purchase over in the UK. That's great news, because its original SIM-free price, ?559, was a bit much. On the other hand, don't expect miracles just yet - the drop isn't a big one. That said, you can now buy a BlackBerry Priv in the UK for only ?529.99, still in SIM-free and unlocked form. It's now being listed at that price both at Clove and Amazon. The Priv runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and it comes with a...

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Latest HTC 10 teaser is all about audio capabilities
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-audio-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After finally announcing when it will make the HTC 10 official yesterday, today HTC is continuing its teaser campaign for the upcoming device on Twitter. The latest teaser image, which you can see below in all its glory, is all about the audio capabilities of the HTC 10. Many have been worried about that area of the phone not being able to match its predecessors, since the front-facing stereo BoomSound speakers have seemingly been removed (as portrayed in the numerous leaked renders of the handset). HTC wants everybody to calm down, however. Apparently the "new boom" brought with it...

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Google Search US English voice updated to sound less robotic
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-voice-change/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Google is updating the voice behind the Search for US English. The new voice is noticeably better, as it is smoother and there is less gaps between words. The change appears to be in the server-side part of the Google Text-to-Speech engine, since there aren't any updates for the Google TTS and Google app in the Play Store. Check out the video below to hear the difference in the new voice versus the old one. Source | Via

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Meizu lineup for 2016 leaked, Pro 6 to come with Exynos 8890 chip and QHD display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-lineup/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 has been a regular in our news section, regardless of the fact that it's still nowhere near official status. A whole bunch of other Meizu smartphones are to be expected this year though, detailed in a leaked document - complete with specs and pricing. Bottom to top, the lineup starts with the Meizu m3, featuring a 5-inch 720p LCD screen, 2,800mAh battery, and unknown chipset. Prices are listed at CNY 599 ($92) for the 16GB version and CNY 200 on top for twice the storage. Meizu m1 metal The Meizu m3 note ups display diagonal to 5.5 inches, resolution to FullHD,...

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LG 360 Cam on pre-order in the US at $200
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-360-cam/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The LG 360 Cam, the compact photo sphere imager, will cost ?200 in the UK, which according to the Transatlantic exchange rate means the US price will be $200. Sure enough, B&H is taking pre-orders at just that price. No shipping date is listed, but the LG G5 ships out on April 1. You still have a chance to score a free LG 360 Cam if you buy an LG G5 from T-Mobile by April 5. Source | Via

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GSMArena

25-03-16, 17:03

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mi5-global-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the Xiaomi Mi 5 went on sale in China earlier this month. However, of the three of its variants, only two (3GB/32GB and 3GB/64GB) were made available for purchase. For those waiting for the launch of the Pro variant (4GB RAM and 128GB internal memory), here's some good news: the device will go on sale in China on April 6. In case you don't already know, the Huawei P9 and Meizu m3 note are already scheduled to be unveiled on the same day. As for the Mi 5's international availability, Xiaomi's VP Hugo Barra has already...

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OnePlus 3 with SD820 SoC and 16MP camera spotted on AnTuTu
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplus-3-coming-q2/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg The successor to OnePlus' last year's OP2 smartphone has been spotted on AnTuTu, revealing some of its key specs. The listing reveals that the OnePlus 3 is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset and sports a 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution display (screen size is said to be 5.5-inch). It has 4GB RAM and 32GB internal memory. In terms of camera, the handset features a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. In addition, the listing also reveals a model number of A3000, and Android OS version 6.0.1. As for the phone's unveiling, we're yet to hear an official word on it. However, OnePlus is...

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LG G5 'Lite' with Snapdragon 652 spotted at TENAA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You can add China to the countries that will get the LG H848, aka LG G5 Lite. That's an unofficial name, the phone is called just "LG G5," but the reduction in specs is enough to earn in that moniker. The major change is in processing power - gone is the flagship Snapdragon 820, replaced by an upper mid-range Snapdragon 652. It's actually a solid chipset with four Cortex-A72 and four A53 cores, but the Adreno 510 has big shoes to fill by having to drive the 5.3" QHD screen (the Adreno 530 is one of the most powerful mobile GPUs right now). The RAM has been cut back to 3GB (down from 4G...

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New info on the the Samsung Galaxy S7 active - code name Poseidon suggested
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-active-codename-poseidon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you have been keeping a close eye on the news section lately then you might remember the mysterious SM-G891A, that was spotted in a package heading towards AT&T a couple of days ago. The scoop was originally picked up by Evan Blass (@evleaks), along with a quite justifiable assumption that the device currently undergoing testing at the carrier is actually an upcoming Galaxy S7 active. Today, the plot thickens even further, as the reputable leakster has apparently sank his teeth even further into the issue, uncovering that the SM-G891A is actually codenamed Samsung Poseidon. This is...

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Samsung Galaxy S7: Exynos 8890 vs. Snapdragon 820 speed test
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-speed-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung sources components for the Galaxy S7 phones from several places - Samsung hardware (Exynos chipset and ISOCELL camera) and outside (Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and Sony IMX camera). We already saw that the cameras do have some differences, but no clear winner in quality. What about the chipsets? From our tests we've seen that the Snapdragon 820 has an advantage in single-core CPU tests and GPU benchmarks, while the Exynos 8890 leads in multi-core tests. The test consists of two "laps" the first time around is a cold test that looks how quickly apps are loaded from storage....

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Apple Music for Android gets a widget
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-music-widget/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple updated the Apple Music app on Android, and changed a handful of things, including a new widget. Now, you can have a widget for the app on your homescreen. It's nothing fancy; a 3x1 widget that shows the track info, playback controls, album art, and a like button. The widget is not resizable and I'm not sure if it's just 3x1 on my device or in general but that means it doesn't go from edge to edge and there is a 1x1 space left on the side, which is annoying. Other than that, you can now also redeem iTunes Gift Cards in the settings to continue your membership. The Radio...

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Reminder: Side Sync for the Galaxy S7 is pretty awesome
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/side-sync-for-samsung-galaxy-devices/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Side Sync is nothing new. It's been around since the Galaxy S4 and it works all the way back to the Galaxy S III as long as you're on KitKat 4.4 and above and it's a pretty underrated feature of the Galaxy lineup. You can install Side Sync on a PC or Mac and it allows you to control everything about your smartphone, drag and drop files, open apps, take phone calls, share your clipboard, and click around on a virtual version on your phone, all without root! To get started: Install Side Sync on your Galaxy device from the ‘Galaxy Apps' store or Google Play Store Install Side...

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Shazam for iOS updated with even better Apple Music integration
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/shazam-update-better-integrates-with-apple-music/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Shazam has been updated just following the release of iOS 9.3. Before the app's update, Shazam was able to let you tag a song, then take you to the song's page in Apple Music. Now with Shazam 9.4.1, users can tag a song and add it to a playlist directly from the app. All tagged songs will also be added to an Apple Music playlist called "My Shazam Tracks". Users will also be able to listen to the entire track they just tagged without leaving the Shazam app. The song is streamed from Apple Music in the background. These updates are made possible by Apple Music's new iOS 9.3 update...

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Galaxy S6 edge+ gets Android Marshmallow in India and France
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s6-edge+-marshmallow-in-india-france/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has a lot on its plate right now with the launch of its smash-hit, the Galaxy S7. Even so, the company has been gradually releasing Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates for many variants of its flagship phones. Recently, users in India and France have been tweeting with joy upon receiving the major update totaling to about 1.3GB in size. The update brings enhanced performance, improved fingerprint security (requiring users to enter an alternative method of security like pattern or PIN), Quick Connect improvements, Improvements to the batter saver, and overall UI changes here and...

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Verizon's LG V10 is now receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-lg-v10-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg During the course of this day, Sprint has sent out updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow to multiple Android devices it's sold, and now it looks like Verizon wants in on that action too. The carrier nicknamed Big Red is currently seeding the Marshmallow update to the LG V10 units that people have purchased from its stores. The V10, as you may know, is LG's previous high-end smartphone, now outshined by the G5 (which is already up for pre-order at Verizon, incidentally). After you update your V10, you'll be running software version VS99022a. This obviously comes packing all the goodies...

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Google is apparently developing a competitor for Amazon's Echo
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-amazon-echo-competitor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report, Google has noticed how unexpectedly successful Amazon's Echo speaker has been ever since its launch in 2014. What's more, the search giant apparently wants in on the nascent market of speakers with built-in virtual assistants. Hence, it's said to be developing one such product of its own. Unfortunately other details haven't been uncovered about this device yet. It is clear, however, that Google wants to compete with the Echo (pictured below). So it's safe to assume that its gadget will also have built-in listening and talking abilities, though obviously using...

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Sprint sends out Marshmallow to Galaxy Note5 and S6 edge+ too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sprint-note5-s6-edge-plus-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It turns out that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 isn't the only smartphone sold by Sprint to be receiving its dose of Marshmallow today. In fact, the carrier has also started over-the-air rollouts for Android 6.0 for the newer Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+. Since these are staggered rollouts, not every Note5 and S6 edge+ sold by Sprint will get that coveted update notification today. The carrier says that the rollout will be complete by April 8. For the Galaxy Note5, the new build, the one which is based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, is N920PVPU2BPC3. On the other hand, the Galaxy S6...

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Hulu app for the Samsung Gear VR finally becomes available
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/hulu-gear-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It was in October of last year when Hulu promised to release an app for Samsung's Gear VR headset. The app was supposedly coming that November, but it didn't. In fact, it's only become available today, believe it or not. Still - better late than never, right? The Hulu app is now up for grabs in the Gear VR store. It lets you "watch the entire Hulu 2D library in immersive 360-degree environments", but also has 360-degree video content thankfully. At the moment you'll be looking at 25 "pieces of exclusive and premium content" in glorious 360-degree view. Among the companies that have...

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Verizon starts pre-orders for LG G5 and Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, launches LG K4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-g5-watch-k4/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon and LG are having quite a big day today, it turns out. No less than three new LG devices are now listed on the carrier's website, two of which are up for pre-order while the third is actually available already. Let's start with the G5, LG's newest flagship smartphone. It can be yours for either $624 upfront, or $0 down followed by 24 monthly payments of $26. It will be released on April 1. If you pre-order one, you get a free LG 360 Cam, as well as a free second battery for the G5 and a battery charging cradle. The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE was launched last year then...

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Gear S2 gets iOS support with latest update, band adapter in the works?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-gear-s2-band-adapter/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back at CES Samsung announced that iOS support for its Gear S2 smartwatch is in the making and it was supposedly coming by mid-January. That obviously didn't happen, and most recently the deadline was stretched to the end of March. This one is to be met, it seems. Verizon has announced an update for the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch, and software version R730VVRU1BPC1 brings compatibility with iOS 8.4 and higher, as well as Marshmallow, on top of the usual bug fixes. Meanwhile, Samsung might be working on an adapter to make the Gear S2 compatible with standard watchbands. So far only...

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Sprint releases Marshmallow update for the Galaxy Note 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/note-4-marsh/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung Galaxy Note 4 owners on the Sprint network can now download the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update. The software version is N910PVPU4DPC1 and the update weighs in at 1.4GB. The update comes three months after the update was initially released for the international version of the phone. In terms of features, the update brings along some interesting ones. Chief among them is the Screen off memo function that allows you to start taking notes using the S Pen as soon as it's taken out from its slot. In addition, the update also includes a new Air Command menu that debuted on...

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Pebble is laying off 40 employees and refocusing its efforts towards heath and fitness
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pebble-employee-lay-off/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It appears Pebble hasn't been doing all that great lately, as evident by the company's latest batch of lay-offs. CEO Eric Migicovsky announced that he is letting go a total of 40 employees, which might not sound like much, but actually constitutes 25% of the Pebble workforce. The fact is that despite its popularity, Pebble is still little more than a start-up company and still relatively small. Eric Migicovsky admits that this development is very much necessitated by financial hurdles, which is surprising, considering the popularity of Pebble products. Sadly, there is a lot more to...

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HTC 10 benchmarked, tops competition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-antutu/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 is the last of the major Android handsets for the first half of 2016 that's yet to be announced. The Android godparent took the One A9 design and upgraded the mid-rangy chipset with the new Snapdragon 820 and the results - seen here in an AnTuTu test - are stellar. HTC 10 running AnTuTu 6, sweeping the competition The phone is likely close to but not quite final and yet it already outscored the Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge. It's not clear in this chart if it's the Exynos 8890 or Snapdragon 820 S7, but we've tested both and neither of them can crack 150K...

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Get a free Moto E with Moto X Pure Edition purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-x-e-free/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is holding a pretty sweet promotion and gives you away a free Moto E with every Moto X Pure Edition purchase. The promotion is only valid in the US for today and ends at 10.59 AM Central Time. Moto E currently retails for around €110 and has so far managed to stay pretty up-to-date with the recent Android releases. The vanilla Moto X Pure Edition costs $399.99 without any modifications from the Moto Maker. Yes, it sounds like a solid deal to us, too. Source

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GSMArena

26-03-16, 17:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/pro-6-gold/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Photos of a gold variant of the yet unreleased Meizu PRO 6 have hit the web. As you can see below, the phone will use the design of the PRO 5 as a foundation, but will have subtle differences. The PRO 6 is rumored to have laser autofocus located insite the LED flash ring at the back. Additional purported features will be mTouch fingerprint scanner, 2.5D curved display and a USB Type C port. Incredibly, the phone is rumored to sport 6GB of RAM, too. Other yet-to-be-confirmed specs of the device include 1080p display, Exynos 8890 SoC, Hi-Fi 3.0, Flyme 6.0 OS, and fast charging. If...

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A sneak peek at Microsoft's upcoming Skype Universal app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/skupe-uwp-app-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Now that Microsoft is vigorously pushing Windows 10 and the new Universal Windows Platform for apps, it is only natural that the first development efforts come from the US giant itself. In light of this, there seems to be a new Skype UWP app on the way. It is still in beta, but the folks at mspoweruser.com got their hands on an early copy on both Windows 10 PC and Mobile for a first look and some screenshots. As a quick reminder, in theory, the code running on both the PC and the mobile environments should be identical with a self-adapting interface. This is the essence of the new...

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Alleged HTC 10 listing and live images leave little to the imagination
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-shell-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Now that both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 are off the starting line and already exciting Android fans, the rumor mill has refocused its attention to HTC. The Taiwanese giant is still quite tardy to the flagship race, but that could very well be a god thing, as it leaves plenty of time for the HTC 10, formerly known as the HTC One M10, to gather hype before its alleged April 12, or perhaps April 15 release. Today, a new development, offers us a very up-close and personal look an the handset's design and particularly that of its metal chassis. A rather interesting listing has...

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Microsoft teases a pair of surprises planned for Live Tiles in Windows 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/windows-interactive-live-tiles/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft's Build 2016 developer conference is now less than a week away and, as usual, the March 30 San Francisco event promises intriguing insights into the Microsoft realm that are just as important for and-users as they are for the developer community. A quick look at this year's schedule reveals that the US giant has some interesting new developments withing its signature Live Tiles interface to show off and discuss. And although, Microsoft intends to keep the announcements a surprise up until the April 1 event in question, everything seems to hints in one direction - Interactive Live...

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Samsung Galaxy S5 Marshmallow OTA spotted outside South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s5-international-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you currently own a Galaxy S5 and are waiting on some Marshmallow goodness, then you're in luck. The 2014 flagship is about as old a hardware as Samsung is willing to update to Android 6.0, but it still very much on the list, making the appearance of an OTA on your handset a matter of time. In fact, that time might be closer than you think, as evident by the latest Galaxy S5 update roll-out that is now under way in Trinidad and Tobago. It is intended for the SM-G900M version, making it the second device variant to get Marshmallow, after the local South Korean SM-G900L. If you...

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Microsoft's giant Surface Hub finally begins shipping
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/surfacehub-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In line with the previously shared Q1 2016 release time frame, Microsoft has announced that it has started shipping its Surface Hub touchscreen PC. The Windows 10-powered device was first showcased back in January last year, but has since been the subject of multiple delays. We are "proud to announce that Surface Hub has begun shipping to business customers," the Redmond, Washington-based company said in a blog post. For those who aren't already aware, the Surface Hub - which comes in 55-inch and 84-inch variants - is primarily aimed at businesses. Designed for conference rooms and...

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Marshmallow update hitting Honor 7 units in EU
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/honor7-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has started rolling out the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to Honor 7 units in the EU. An announcement in this regard was made by the Chinese company on Twitter. Finally folks. The Marshmallow update for Honor 7 is out from today forward via OTA. #honor #forthebrave pic.twitter.com/H33b0FNxL2— HonorEU (@HonorEU) March 25, 2016 If you recall, the update - which is currently rolling out over-the-air (OTA) - was originally supposed to be outed by the end of February. So, it has arrived a bit late, but arrived nonetheless. Given the fact that the roll-out has just begun, it...

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iPad Pro 12.9 charges 64% faster with USB Type-C adapter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ipad-pro-charges-faster-with-usb-type-c-adapter/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's most recent event offered a couple of new accessories, particularly, the USB Type-C to Lightning adapter ($25) which can be used to charge an apple device using the Macbook's only connection port, a single USB Type-C port. Along with this new cable, Apple has also begun selling its own branded USB Type-C power brick with a healthy 29W of capable throughput. Here is where the good news comes in. The new cable combo works superbly well with the iPad Pro 12.9 inch. It charges the battery much faster than the included 12W charger. 9to5Mac has reviewed this charger with the iPad Pro and...

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LG G5 review: Evening the odds
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lg-g5/-347x151/thumb.jpg Someone at LG must have thought: "Leather is so last-year, let's do something nobody has done - or long quit trying." And here we have the LG G5. It has the looks of a brand new flagship, the heart of a dragon and an adventurous dual camera setup suited for every occasion. But there's more than meets the eye, the Magic Slot. The LG G5 is a modular smartphone, which lets you plug a handful of external add-ons: a semi-pro camera grip with shutter buttons and a bigger battery, or an external sound amplifier by B&O.

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Oppo sells more than 180,000 R9 and R9 Plus units during their first day of availability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo has released both the R9 and the R9 Plus in China, and sales during their first day of availability have reportedly gone very well for the company. It turns out that Oppo was able to sell more than 180,000 R9 and R9 Plus smartphones in just one day, making their debut on the Chinese market quite a success. This number has been achieved by having both online and offline sales channels, but Oppo's big marketing campaign surrounding the two devices has clearly helped too. It has used big Chinese celebrities to promote the R9 duo, making a big fuss about the handsets for...

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Android Experiments Challenge: Win a trip to attend Google I/O
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-experiments-challenge-google-io-contest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is holding its annual conference this upcoming May and registration has already closed for this year's event. If you are a fan of Google and love developing applications, you are in luck. Google is holding a contest for developers to come up with really cool and interesting ways to incorporate any of Android's new or unique features into an application or project involving your app. Google gives some vague guidelines of what it would like to see: "It's a project that utilizes the unique capabilities of the Android platform in an innovative way. Here are a few...

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New Verizon Galaxy S7/S7 edge update improves Wi-Fi connectivity
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to Samsung's newest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. The carrier says it improves Wi-Fi connectivity on Marshmallow OS and fixes several related issues. The issues that have been fixed include those encountered while connecting to the Internet and loading files or web pages. In addition, the problem of frequent data disconnections has also been addressed in this update. The update arrives as software version MMB29M.G930VVRU2APB5 for the Galaxy S7 and MMB29M.G935VVRU2APB5 for the S7 edge. It should hit your device soon in...

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Rumor says HTC 10 will go on sale starting April 15
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already knew that the HTC 10 will be unveiled on April 12, thanks to a new leak, we now also have some idea on when the phone will go on sale. The rumor says the device will be released on April 15 in HTC's home country of Taiwan. There's currently no official confirmation on if and when the handset will land in the United States, although the usually reliable tipster @evleaks had said last month that the US launch is set for the second week of May. The phone - which has already been the subject of several leaks, rumors, and teasers - is said to be powered by an SD820 SoC,...

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Casio's Android Wear Smart Outdoor Watch now available for $500
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/casio-smartwatch-ces/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Unveiled in January at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch from Casio is now available for purchase in the US. You can purchase the $500 device from the Google Store, Amazon, REI, as well from Casio's own online store. Specifically aimed at those involved in outdoor activities, the device is water resistant up to 50 meters and also offers military-grade endurance. It packs in a range of sensors and comes with several fitness and outdoor activity apps. The Smart Outdoor Watch is claimed to offer a battery life of over a day on normal use. It...

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Verizon LG G3 and G4 getting March security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-g3-g4-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the latest Android security update to the LG G3 and G4 smartphones on its network. Aside from bumping the Android security patch level to March 1, the update also "provides faster display response from a sleep state." As the update - which arrives as software version VS98625A for the G4 and VS98547A for the G3 - is currently rolling out, it may take some time before it hits your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu. In case you missed, Verizon has already rolled...

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Mophie has new battery cases for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, now with wireless charging
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mophis-galaxy-s7-battery-case/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Mophie, the leading seller of battery cases in North America has shown some love to the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. The new juice packs actually offer quite a bit of improvement over the old models, like the ones meant for the Galaxy S6. The cases still offer edge protection all around, but are now a lot more convenient thanks to wireless charging technology. The company has added support for Qi, as well as other popular technologies and promises maximum versatility. Placing the phone on a charger can top off both batteries. Of course, there is still a pass-through micro USB...

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Production cost of AMOLED screens is now lower than LCD's
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/amoled-lcd-cost/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to an analysis done by IHS Technology, AMOLED screen production cost is now lower than that of LCD screens. Production costs in the first quarter of the year for a 5" 1080p display amount to $14.30 for an AMOLED panel compared to $14.60 for an LCD one. However, it's yet to see if this trend will keep on. In Q4 2015, an AMOLED panel cost $17.10 to make, while an LCD one was cheaper at $15.70. IHS notes that the numbers apply for the production cost of a LTPS LCD (Low Temperature Poly-Silicon Liquid Crystal Display), which is the most efficient type of TFT LCD. Provided...

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vivo V3 Max spotted on TENAA with octa-core CPU, 3GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/vivo-v3max-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg A couple of days after vivo teased the V3 and V3 Max the latter has been spotted on the website of Chinese regulatory TENAA. The listing reveals a 1.5GHz octa-core CPU and 5.5-inch TFT Full HD display. Other key specs that have been revealed include 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable internal memory, and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS. The image reveals a rear fingerprint scanner as well. Available in golden color option, the device measures 153.90 ? 77.10 ? 7.58mm and weighs in at 168g. There's currently no official word on the vivo Max's availability or pricing. Source | Via | vivo India...

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Oculus Rift shipments begin
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-rift-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Three months after it went up for pre-order, the Oculus Rift has started shipping, with deliveries beginning March 28. This was announced by Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe in a tweet. The first Oculus Rift has shipped, deliveries begin Monday 3.28.2016. pic.twitter.com/C0MMKmezun— Brendan Iribe (@brendaniribe) March 24, 2016 As you might already know, the Facebook-owned company has priced the Oculus Rift at $599. Paying that much gets you the VR headset itself (complete with built-in headphones and microphone), as well as the sensor, an Xbox One controller, and the Oculus...

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iOS 9.3 roll-out is temporarily on hold for some older models
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ios-93-update-brick/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Software development is an almost endless process of introducing bugs and consecutively trying to remove them, hopefully without causing any more. There is no such thing as perfect software, nor perfect users, for that matter and Apple, just like any other large-scale software vendor makes no exception to the rule. In a new development around the recently released public iOS 9.3 update, Cupertino found itself battling issues, which has necessitated a temporary halt in the roll-out for certain older devices. The problem seems to be in the update procedure, mixed in with some...

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GSMArena

27-03-16, 18:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-se-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple iPhone SE sparked a debate in our office - some sighed "finally! a compact flagship" others shook their heads, saying "5+ inches or bust."Apple's tagline for the 4" phone is "A big step for small," contrast that with the "Bigger than bigger" subheading of the 5.5" iPhone 6(s) Plus. It is more or less an iPhone 6s guts inside an iPhone 5s body (well, except for the Touch ID, 3D Touch and selfie camera).The upgrades over the 5s - which many still consider a good enough phone - include a 12MP camera with 4K video, the new, faster A9 chipset with double the RAM and Apple...

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Week 12 in review: iPhone SE, iPad Pro, HTC 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another week flew by and we once again and it had no shortage of exciting mobile news to offer. Apple held its scheduled event and, as expected, outed a pair of new devices, both highly intriguing. The iPhone SE is a reboot of the 4-inch form factor, which isn't enjoying universal appeal in 2016, but other than that, the pocked-friendly phone seems to have checked all many boxes, offering an up to date platform and camera. It will fill in for the now discontinued iPhone 5s.As for the new iPad Pro, the exact title match with its 12.9-inch sibling seems to be the least of its problems....

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Xiaomi Mi 5 video review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-5/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Xiaomi Mi 5 is the company's latest flagship and we already did a full-blown review of the device. Now it's time to sit back, relax and watch our Xiaomi Mi 5 video review.The Xiaomi Mi 5 is built around a 5.15" IPS LCD display of 1080p resolution and our 64GB review unit packs a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 3GB RAM. However, the 128GB model has 4GB of RAM.The phone sports a beautiful design and at the back has a 16MP f/2.0 main camera with phase detect autofocus, OIS and dual-tone LED flash.As we said in our written review, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is one of the most beautiful,...

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Top 10 trending phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg This week was dramatic for our Top 10 Trending phones chart as the iPhone SE led Apple phones on a charge against the Galaxys, which usually dominate.The Apple iPhone SE shot up into the stratosphere with double the weekly interest of the Galaxy S7 and close to three times the eyeballs that the Galaxy S7 edge pulled in.But things actually started last week with the iPhone 5s. It broke into the Top 10 again last week at #9, we guess people were comparing it against the rumored spec of the SE. Now that the iPhone SE is official, the comparisons intensified leading the 5s up to the...

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Instagram for web gets Explore and Notifications
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/instagram-ui/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Instagram has pushed a small update for its website, that gets two important additions.The site now features buttons for Explore and Notifications. The Explore section shows people you might know and would want to follow. The Notifications section, as you might imagine, shows all your notifications. These features were only accessible on the app before. Unfortunately, you still can't see your friends' activity on the site and that's still limited to the app.The app also gets some minor server side changes. The like, comment, share buttons are slightly redesigned, and the...

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Google Cast is the next evolution of Chromecast, now with an accent on third-party support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/chromecas-now-google-cast/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's own video and audio casting platform seems to have undergone a significant image change. If you are currently using a Chromecast device, you might have noticed that after its last update, the Chromecast app is now called Google Cast. Not much has changed within the update in terms of functionality, but the re-branding is definitely more than mere cosmetic work.Like the new name suggests, Google is now branching out and trying to convey the message that its casting solution is no longer a proprietary thing. Besides its own dongles, the platform is now supported by a...

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Possible Yu Yureka Plus successor spotted in import listing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/yu-yureka-plus-successor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Indian company YU seems to be working on a new device and, form the looks of things, it appears to be a successor to the Yureka Plus. The mysterious device was spotted on Zauba, entering India from China.The officially provided model number for the unit is YU5200 and, as usual, the listing comes with some basics specs as well. The handset is listed as having a 5.2-inch screen, as well as 4G connectivity and Dual SIM support. The only other piece of information on Zauba is the announced price of INR 9,036, which is not necessarily indicative of its market price in any way, but is...

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A sneak peek at Microsoft's upcoming Skype Universal app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/skupe-uwp-app-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Now that Microsoft is vigorously pushing Windows 10 and the new Universal Windows Platform for apps, it is only natural that the first development efforts come from the US giant itself. In light of this, there seems to be a new Skype UWP app on the way. It is still in beta, but the folks at mspoweruser.com got their hands on an early copy on both Windows 10 PC and Mobile for a first look and some screenshots.As a quick reminder, in theory, the code running on both the PC and the mobile environments should be identical with a self-adapting interface. This is the essence of the new...

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Alleged HTC 10 listing and live images leave little to the imagination
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-shell-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Now that both the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 are off the starting line and already exciting Android fans, the rumor mill has refocused its attention to HTC. The Taiwanese giant is still quite tardy to the flagship race, but that could very well be a god thing, as it leaves plenty of time for the HTC 10, formerly known as the HTC One M10, to gather hype before its alleged April 12, or perhaps April 15 release.Today, a new development, offers us a very up-close and personal look an the handset's design and particularly that of its metal chassis. A rather interesting listing has...

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Microsoft teases a pair of surprises planned for Live Tiles in Windows 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/windows-interactive-live-tiles/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft's Build 2016 developer conference is now less than a week away and, as usual, the March 30 San Francisco event promises intriguing insights into the Microsoft realm that are just as important for and-users as they are for the developer community. A quick look at this year's schedule reveals that the US giant has some interesting new developments withing its signature Live Tiles interface to show off and discuss. And although, Microsoft intends to keep the announcements a surprise up until the April 1 event in question, everything seems to hints in one direction - Interactive Live...

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Samsung Galaxy S5 Marshmallow OTA spotted outside South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s5-international-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you currently own a Galaxy S5 and are waiting on some Marshmallow goodness, then you're in luck. The 2014 flagship is about as old a hardware as Samsung is willing to update to Android 6.0, but it still very much on the list, making the appearance of an OTA on your handset a matter of time.In fact, that time might be closer than you think, as evident by the latest Galaxy S5 update roll-out that is now under way in Trinidad and Tobago. It is intended for the SM-G900M version, making it the second device variant to get Marshmallow, after the local South Korean SM-G900L. If you...

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Microsoft's giant Surface Hub finally begins shipping
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/surfacehub-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In line with the previously shared Q1 2016 release time frame, Microsoft has announced that it has started shipping its Surface Hub touchscreen PC. The Windows 10-powered device was first showcased back in January last year, but has since been the subject of multiple delays.We are "proud to announce that Surface Hub has begun shipping to business customers," the Redmond, Washington-based company said in a blog post.For those who aren't already aware, the Surface Hub - which comes in 55-inch and 84-inch variants - is primarily aimed at businesses. Designed for conference rooms and...

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Marshmallow update hitting Honor 7 units in EU
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/honor7-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has started rolling out the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to Honor 7 units in the EU. An announcement in this regard was made by the Chinese company on Twitter.Finally folks. The Marshmallow update for Honor 7 is out from today forward via OTA. #honor #forthebrave pic.twitter.com/H33b0FNxL2— HonorEU (@HonorEU) March 25, 2016If you recall, the update - which is currently rolling out over-the-air (OTA) - was originally supposed to be outed by the end of February. So, it has arrived a bit late, but arrived nonetheless.Given the fact that the roll-out has just begun, it...

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iPad Pro 12.9 charges 64% faster with USB Type-C adapter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ipad-pro-charges-faster-with-usb-type-c-adapter/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's most recent event offered a couple of new accessories, particularly, the USB Type-C to Lightning adapter ($25) which can be used to charge an apple device using the Macbook's only connection port, a single USB Type-C port. Along with this new cable, Apple has also begun selling its own branded USB Type-C power brick with a healthy 29W of capable throughput. Here is where the good news comes in.The new cable combo works superbly well with the iPad Pro 12.9 inch. It charges the battery much faster than the included 12W charger. 9to5Mac has reviewed this charger with the iPad Pro and...

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LG G5 review: Evening the odds
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lg-g5/-347x151/thumb.jpg Someone at LG must have thought: "Leather is so last-year,let's do something nobody has done - or long quit trying." And here we have the LG G5. It has the looks of a brand new flagship, the heart of a dragon and an adventurous dual camera setup suited for every occasion. But there's more than meets the eye, the Magic Slot. The LG G5 is a modular smartphone, which lets you plug a handful of external add-ons: a semi-pro camera grip with shutter buttons and a bigger battery, or an external sound amplifier by B&O.

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Oppo sells more than 180,000 R9 and R9 Plus units during their first day of availability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo has released both the R9 and the R9 Plus in China, and sales during their first day of availability have reportedly gone very well for the company.It turns out that Oppo was able to sell more than 180,000 R9 and R9 Plus smartphones in just one day, making their debut on the Chinese market quite a success.This number has been achieved by having both online and offline sales channels, but Oppo's big marketing campaign surrounding the two devices has clearly helped too. It has used big Chinese celebrities to promote the R9 duo, making a big fuss about the handsets for...

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Android Experiments Challenge: Win a trip to attend Google I/O
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-experiments-challenge-google-io-contest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is holding its annual conference this upcoming May and registration has already closed for this year's event. If you are a fan of Google and love developing applications, you are in luck.Google is holding a contest for developers to come up with really cool and interesting ways to incorporate any of Android's new or unique features into an application or project involving your app. Google gives some vague guidelines of what it would like to see:"It's a project that utilizes the unique capabilities of the Android platform in an innovative way. Here are a few...

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New Verizon Galaxy S7/S7 edge update improves Wi-Fi connectivity
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to Samsung's newest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. The carrier says it improves Wi-Fi connectivity on Marshmallow OS and fixes several related issues.The issues that have been fixed include those encountered while connecting to the Internet and loading files or web pages. In addition, the problem of frequent data disconnections has also been addressed in this update.The update arrives as software version MMB29M.G930VVRU2APB5 for the Galaxy S7 and MMB29M.G935VVRU2APB5 for the S7 edge. It should hit your device soon in...

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Rumor says HTC 10 will go on sale starting April 15
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already knew that the HTC 10 will be unveiled on April 12, thanks to a new leak, we now also have some idea on when the phone will go on sale. The rumor says the device will be released on April 15 in HTC's home country of Taiwan.There's currently no official confirmation on if and when the handset will land in the United States, although the usually reliable tipster @evleaks had said last month that the US launch is set for the second week of May.The phone - which has already been the subject of several leaks, rumors, and teasers - is said to be powered by an SD820 SoC,...

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GSMArena

28-03-16, 18:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-r9-plus-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're waiting for Oppo to launch its R9 and R9 Plus smartphones outside China, here is some good news: the company has sent out media invites for a phone launch event in India scheduled for April 5.While the invite itself doesn't explicitly say which phone(s) will be unveiled, the text 'Selfie Expert' is more than enough to conclude that the R9 and R9 Plus will be the star of the event given that they feature 16MP front shooters and have been marketed by the company as camera-centric phones right from the beginning.Both phones were made official in Oppo's home country of China...

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First Oculus Rift delivered by Oculus CEO himself
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-delivery/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Oculus has come a long way since the early Kickstarter days, but this Saturday it reached an important milestone - the first Rift headset was delivered.And this wasn't a regular FedEx delivery either, Palmer Luckey, co-founder and CEO of Oculus himself, handed over the headset to its lucky recipient - Ross Martin, a developer from Alaska.The whole thing was streamed live on Facebook (the home of Oculus) and you can tell Martin was excited. He says he couldn't sleep and even showed up at his office (where he usually receives deliveries) during the weekend to receive the...

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LeTV Le2 with Helio X25 benchmarked - a 5.5" phablet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/letv-le2-gfx/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The MediaTek Helio X25 was supposed to be exclusive to Meizu, but results spotted in GFXBench show it's used by the LeTV LeEco Le 2 too (it may seem like a meme-y name, but the LeEco brand is actually pretty big in China).The phone is a 5.5" phablet with a 1080p screen, according to the benchmark. It has 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow.The chipset, in case you are not familiar, has a 10-core ('deca-core') CPU design - a big Cortex-A72 (2x) cluster, medium A53 cluster (4x) and a small A53 cluster (4x) each at different clock speeds (the A72s top out at...

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Samsung to build a $300 million R&D center in Vietnam
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-rd-vietnam/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is about to start the construction of a new Research & Development center in Vietnam. The new facility will be in Hanoi and will cost the company $300 million.The Vietnamese government has agreed to give Samsung the land to build its R&D center without having to pay rent for the next 50 years.The company is forced to make the investment in a new facility due to restricted space in the one already in operation in Hanoi. The new center will join the ones in the Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen provinces.Source | Via

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Samsung C-series in the works, 5.2-inch C5000 leads the way
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-c5-zauba/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has been expanding its lineup all over the Latin alphabet, and the newest addition is apparently going to be a C-series. Evidence of that comes from an import listing on Indian customs database Zauba.The smartphone in question carries a model number SM-C5000 and features a 5.2-inch display, and this is all that's been revealed now. Sources say that a C7000 model is also in development, but display size hasn't been specified.It's tough to pinpoint exactly where the new series will be positioned - after all Samsung's alphabet goes S-A-J-E-Z in descending order of price,...

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Samsung launches Rose Gold and Platinum Gear S2 variants in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gear-s2-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has launched its premium Rose Gold and Platinum variants of the Gear S2 in India.The watches are plated in 18K gold for the Rose Gold variant and platinum for the, well, Platinum variant. The Rose Gold model comes with an Ivory White leather strap and the Platinum model with a black leather strap. The straps are 20mm and can be swapped with any other of that size.Samsung also launched another variant, the Gear S2 White, which is the standard silver model paired with a sporty white elastomer strap. This makes the total number of Gear S2 variants available in India to...

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Xiaomi phone with 4.3-inch screen and SD820 SoC spotted online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-iphone-se-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Looks like Xiaomi is preparing a competitor to the newly-launched Apple iPhone SE. A mystery handset allegedly sporting a 4.3-inch screen has been spotted in China, and reports say it is Xiaomi's answer to Apple's latest smartphone offering.Ðšey specs of the device reportedly include Snapdragon 820 chipset, HD display, 13MP rear camera (sans OIS), and 3GB/32GB memory configuration. Carrying an RMB 1,799 (around $275) price tag, the phone is expected to launch in June. It is also expected to feature a fingerprint sensor.Needless to say, nothing is officially confirmed at the...

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Samsung India to announce a new phone on March 31
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-tap-kick-vroom/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is hyping up a motorcycle-themed event for India in three days. The event is tagged #TapKickVroom and "will change the way you ride."So, what is #TapKickVroom, anyway? You'll have to guess - and don't forget to tweet your guesses to @SamungMobileIN to enter the contest (you have until March 30, 6pm). You can also write on Samsung Mobile India's Facebook page, here are the rules.The prize is a "newly launched smartphone" for three lucky winners.Samsung recently showed off a smart motorcycle shield, but I doubt that. If you read the contest rules carefully you're in for...

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One-third of Galaxy S7 customers join the Galaxy Club upgrade program
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-club-1-3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg 33% of Galaxy S7 buyers in South Korea have signed up for the company's Galaxy Club program. That's a good start for the company's upgrade plan, which offers participants to trade-in their old smartphone after 12 months of ownership and get one of the latest available.The Samsung Galaxy Club is also available in Singapore and the UK. The service, which is similar to Apple's Upgrade Program, has you paying a monthly fee and allows you to upgrade when the new flagship comes around 12 months later. There are also additional incentives for joining the program, one of which is a one-time...

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LG unveils Marshmallow-based UX 5.0 user interface
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-ux-5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Over a week after LG announced the global roll-out of its G5 flagship smartphone, the company has unveiled version 5.0 of its mobile user interface. Based on Android Marshmallow, the new LG UX 5.0 will not only be available on the G5, but upcoming LG smartphone models as well.The LG UX 5.0 includes an LG Friends Manager app which the company says is the highlight of the new UI. It lets you easily connect your G5 to its Friends (accessories or modules) - not only it detects the accessories, it downloads and installs all the required apps from the Google Play Store as well."LG...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 India launch confirmed for this week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mi5-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While it was already confirmed that the Xiaomi Mi 5 will soon be launched in India, now we have the exact date. The Chinese company has started sending official invites for the India launch event, which is scheduled for March 31.In case you don't already know, the flagship smartphone has been on sale in the company's home country of China for nearly a month now - except for the Pro variant, which is scheduled to be launched there on April 6.There's currently no information on the exact price tag the phone will carry in India, but that won't remain a secret for long as the launch...

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Transmission BitTorrent client now available for Windows
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/transmission-for-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg After being available on OS X and Linux for around a decade, popular BitTorrent client Transmission is now also available for Windows. According to developer Mike Gelfand, Transmission for Windows is similar to other clients both in terms of user interface and features.Gelfand revealed the Windows client is still under active development, and addition of more features in the near future is on the cards. "The only difference right now is that it runs on Windows. We'll see how it goes, some features could be added later on which are specific to Windows and aren't needed on other...

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HTC 10 said to have SD652 variant as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-one-m10-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While HTC's upcoming smartphone - the HTC 10 - has been said to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC until now, a new rumor is suggesting that - just like LG's G5 - the HTC flagship will also have a Snapdragon 652 variant.The rumor says that the SD652-powered model will have 3GB RAM and 16GB memory, while the SD820 variant will come in 3GB/32GB and 4GB/128GB memory configurations. As for the price, the former will carry a tag of RMB 3,799 (around $585), while the latter two will set you back RMB 4,999 (around $770) and RMB 5,888 (around $900) respectively.We already know...

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More live Huawei P9 images leak
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/p9-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While Huawei has already started teasing the upcoming P9, we still don't have any confirmation on what exactly the phone looks like. That's not to say that the handset hasn't been the subject of any image leaks so far - there have, in fact, been many, and adding to the pile is a new set of leaked images.If you compare, the design revealed in these images is similar to the one revealed in some of the previous leaks, especially the leak that allegedly showed the Chinese company's president using the device.Huawei P9Set to be unveiled on April 6, the Huawei P9...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/best-apps-games-48/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg These are the best apps and games that came out this week.ConfideConfide is a secure messaging app. It features end-to-end encryption, messages that disappear after you read them, screenshot protection, and ability to retract an unread message. You can chat one on one or do group messaging. The app supports sending text, photos and documents, and is also available on desktop.iOS • AndroidSprightlySprightly is a new app by Microsoft which lets you create content such as catalogs, price lists, e-cards, and flyers. The app lets you choose from various...

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Week 12 in review: iPhone SE, iPad Pro, HTC 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another week flew by and we once again and it had no shortage of exciting mobile news to offer. Apple held its scheduled event and, as expected, outed a pair of new devices, both highly intriguing. The iPhone SE is a reboot of the 4-inch form factor, which isn't enjoying universal appeal in 2016, but other than that, the pocked-friendly phone seems to have checked all many boxes, offering an up to date platform and camera. It will fill in for the now discontinued iPhone 5s.As for the new iPad Pro, the exact title match with its 12.9-inch sibling seems to be the least of its problems....

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Xiaomi Mi 5 video review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-5/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Xiaomi Mi 5 is the company's latest flagship and we already did a full-blown review of the device. Now it's time to sit back, relax and watch our Xiaomi Mi 5 video review.The Xiaomi Mi 5 is built around a 5.15" IPS LCD display of 1080p resolution and our 64GB review unit packs a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 3GB RAM. However, the 128GB model has 4GB of RAM.The phone sports a beautiful design and at the back has a 16MP f/2.0 main camera with phase detect autofocus, OIS and dual-tone LED flash.As we said in our written review, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is one of the most beautiful,...

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Top 10 trending phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg This week was dramatic for our Top 10 Trending phones chart as the iPhone SE led Apple phones on a charge against the Galaxys, which usually dominate.The Apple iPhone SE shot up into the stratosphere with double the weekly interest of the Galaxy S7 and close to three times the eyeballs that the Galaxy S7 edge pulled in.But things actually started last week with the iPhone 5s. It broke into the Top 10 again last week at #9, we guess people were comparing it against the rumored spec of the SE. Now that the iPhone SE is official, the comparisons intensified leading the 5s up to the...

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Instagram for web gets Explore and Notifications
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/instagram-ui/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Instagram has pushed a small update for its website, that gets two important additions.The site now features buttons for Explore and Notifications. The Explore section shows people you might know and would want to follow. The Notifications section, as you might imagine, shows all your notifications. These features were only accessible on the app before. Unfortunately, you still can't see your friends' activity on the site and that's still limited to the app.The app also gets some minor server side changes. The like, comment, share buttons are slightly redesigned, and the...

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GSMArena

29-03-16, 18:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gionee-w909-s8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Watch out, Samsung SM-W2016, the Gionee W909 is after you. The Android-powered flip phone was officially announced with Android 5.1 (with the custom Amigo UI). The W909 has two 4.2" screens, both IPS LCDs with 720p resolution. It's powered by the MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with an octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM. It has a generous built-in storage of 64GB, plus a microSD slot. The Gionee W909 boasts a 16MP main camera plus a 5MP selfie cam. The phone measures 124.1 x 62.8 x 16.5mm and weighs 207.7g. It has a 2,530mAh battery and a USB Type-C port. There's a fingerprint reader...

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Truecaller bug puts 100,000,000 users's privacy at risk
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/truecaller-exploit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There is no doubt that Truecaller offers a splendid and truly natural upgrade to the otherwise really analog service that is voice calling. If you are not in the know about the app, it is simply an interactive directory for the smartphone age, that offers extra functions like blacklists, online statuses and access to aggregated personal info (address, photo, email etc.). However, when dealing with sensitive personal data on such a big scale, hiccups are typically quite scary, as Truecaller can already attest. The last such scare was when hackers have discovered a potential exploit that...

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New Oppo F1 Plus teaser hints at fingerprint reader
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-f1-plus-fingerprint-reader/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg An upgraded Plus version of the Oppo F1 has been teased for a long time now. Ever since the Mumbai launch of the original handset, the manufacturer has been giving us glimpses of the upgraded model, said to come some time in April. As far as we currently know, the F1 Plus will be almost identical to its sibling in terms of design, only bigger with a suggested 5.5-inch, 1080p display. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3";...

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Microsoft to add Handoff-like feature on Windows 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/windows-10-handoff/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple was the first to offer the so-called Continuity feature between the Mac OS X and iOS. The service itself is called Handoff and allows you to begin a task on a Mac machine and continue it on an iOS device, or vice versa. The Handoff works via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the compatible apps automatically notify you for Handoff-enabled devices in close proximity. If there is such a device, you can continue browsing, writing mails, docs, or notes on another device. Windows 10 took a different approach with Continuum - thanks to the unified apps (a feature many were hoping Apple will...

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HTC 10 goes on pre-order in Romania early, for a hefty €740
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-pre-order-ro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Well, I'm starting to understand why HTC may be considering a cheaper version of the HTC 10 - one Romanian phone retailer is charging RON 3,300, or $830/€740, for a pre-order. This is for the 32GB version, which is available in Gold, Silver and Grey. The phone is expected to go on sale April 15 so this price may not be final, but it's likely fairly close. And if that's true, the 10 will cost more than the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 and as much as a basic iPhone 6s. Not that this is uncharacteristic of HTC, but the company needs to generate revenue, so it can't afford to scare away...

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Jason Statham stars in the first LG G5 TV ad
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/jason-lg-g5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG has officially announced Hollywood superstar Jason Statham will be starring in the G5 ad campaign. Statham will showcase the G5's modular prowess while also highlighting "the fun and playful experiences possible" with it. LG has hired creative agency Energy BBDO and filmmaker Fredrik Bond for the TV spot. Here's a taste of the series of ads that are about to hit the web starring Jason Statham. Did you notice that Statham plays every character in the clip above? You're welcome.

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Xiaomi's new Redmi 3 Pro adds fingerprint scanner and 3GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/redmi3-pro-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has unveiled a Pro variant of the Redmi 3 smartphone. The main difference between the new device and the standard Redmi 3 phone is that the former features a fingerprint sensor and has 3GB RAM 32GB stotage boost. Other specs remain same, meaning the Redmi 3 Pro also sports a 5-inch HD display, and is powered by a Snapdragon 616 chipset. Camera department is handled by the same 13MP main and 5MP front shooters, while battery also remains unchanged at 4,100mAh. The handset also offers support for dual-SIM functionality and runs Android 5.1 Lollipop OS. Connectivity options...

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KGI: 2017 iPhone to have AMOLED screen and a 5.8" model
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/iphone6s-korea-preorders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to the latest report by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities, the company will completely revamp its 2017 iPhone line-up. The analyst is still adamant that Apple will release its upcoming flagship smartphone with AMOLED screen, but instead of doing so in 2018 his forecast has changed to next year. In addition, the 2017 iPhone will have a curved display and curved glass body, building on the design foundation set by the iPhone 4. The "completely new form factor" will have narrow bezels and a comfortable grip. The size of the 2017 iPhone Plus display remains the...

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Xiaomi announces Mi Ecosystem sub-brand
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/mi-ecosystem/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Although Xiaomi's core products are smartphones, smart televisions, and smart routers, the company has dabbled in other product categories, such as water purifiers, and air purifiers. These products have been made by other brands for Xiaomi, for whom Xiaomi acted as a business incubator. The company has now announced that it will be collating all these products under a new sub-brand called Mi Ecosystem. It also announced the latest product to be part of this brand, the Mi Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker. Xiaomi's Rice Cooker is Wi-Fi compatible and connects to your phone...

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Meizu m3 note spotted on AnTuTu with Helio P10 SoC, 3GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-m3-note-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Meizu's upcoming m3 note smartphone has been spotted on the AnTuTu benchmark. The listing reveals that the device is powered by a Mediatek Helio P10 chipset and sports a full HD display. Other key specs that the listing reveals include 13MP rear and 5MP front camera, 2GB/16GB and 3GB/32GB memory configurations, and Android 5.1 Lollipop. If you compare, these specs (except for the 3GB RAM variant) are broadly inline with what has already been rumored. Previous reports have also suggested that the phone - which is scheduled to be unveiled on April 6 - will have a 5.5-inch screen and...

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GoPro drops Windows Phone support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gopro-drops-wp-support/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Back in December last year, action camera maker GoPro promised to update their Windows Phone app with support for Windows 10 Mobile. However, it has now come to light that the company has dropped the support for Microsoft's mobile platform. "Please keep in mind that the previous post stating that we support Windows phones was back in the beginning of December of last year, and as is the nature of technology things change fast," a GoPro support member wrote while replying to a user query on the company's website. "That being said, we definitely do offer legacy support for Windows...

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PlayStation VR on PCs? Possible, says Sony executive
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ps-vr-bundles-preorder/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you might already know, one needs a Sony PS4 to get started with the company's PlayStation VR headset. But what if you could try it with your PC instead? While that's certainly not possible at the moment, the good news is that Sony seems to be open to the idea of making the headset compatible with PCs. "Since PlayStation 4 shares a lot of its components with PCs, the possibility is there," said Masayasu Ito, Sony Computer Entertainment's senior vice president. He, however, made it clear that PC compatibility is not the priority at the moment. "At the moment we are focused on games...

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Verizon Galaxy S7/S7 edge users can now download Samsung's Web browser
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-android-adblocker/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge users on Verizon can now access Samsung's Android Web browser. The browser app, which didn't come pre-installed on the handsets and was being shown as 'incompatible' with the devices until now, can now be downloaded from Google Play. The browser was in news last month when Samsung rolled out an update to it that brought along support for ad blocking - basically, the South Korean company added a new API that developers can use to build ad blocking extensions for the browser. Samsung's launch partner for the feature was the Adblock Fast app, the team...

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Samsung Pay comes to China in partnership with China UnionPay
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-pay-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Inline with the March time-frame announced by Samsung last month, the company has launched its mobile payments service Samsung Pay in China. Samsung has partnered with China UnionPay (CUP) for the launch. The mobile payments service is currently available on select Samsung flagships including the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, and Galaxy Note5. However, the company says that future support for additional mid-range models is on the cards. In China, Samsung Pay currently supports credit/debit cards from nine banks, including China CITIC Bank, China Construction Bank,...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and Galaxy J5 (2016) are now official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxyj7-j5-2016-official/-184x111/gsmarena_0.jpg After several leaks, the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and Galaxy J5 (2016) have finally been made official. Both devices are now listed on the South Korean company's China website. The new Galaxy J7, which is the more powerful of the two, is powered by a octa-core 1.6GHz processor and sports a 5.5-inch full HD Super AMOLED display. It has 3GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 3,300mAh battery. In terms of camera, the handset features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Measuring 151.7 x 76 x 7.8mm and weighing in at 170g, the Galaxy J7 (2016) offers LTE...

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Xiaomi Mi 4s review: Pushing forward
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-4s/-347x151/thumb.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 4s went official hours before the Mi 5, a teaser of sorts for the headliner. It even made the trip to Barcelona but enjoyed little of the spotlight for obvious reasons. This is the fourth installment in the Mi 4 lineup - hardly breaking news in a week full of high-profile announcements. Yet, we bet the new Xiaomi flagship wouldn't mind repeating the success of a predecessor that spawned quite the offspring.

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BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition tablet now up for pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/bq-ubuntu-tablet-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The first Ubuntu tablet is now finally up for pre-order, after having been unveiled in February. The BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition is offered in two versions, one with 1,280x800 screen resolution and the other with a 1,920x1,200 panel. The former is obviously cheaper, going for €249.90. It has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the MediaTek MT8163A chipset with a 1.5 GHz quad-core CPU and Mali-T720MP2 GPU, 2GB of RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, an 8 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front camera, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 7,280 mAh battery. The full HD model retails for €289.90, and has the exact...

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Facebook wants to build mobile payments and "secret conversations" into Messenger
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/facebook-messenger-new-features/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Facebook is said to be working on deploying even more features into its Messenger apps - as if the money-sending and virtual assistant, for example, weren't enough. The big one is that apparently Facebook will use Messenger as its mobile payments play, rivaling Apple Pay and Android Pay and letting you to pay for things in physical stores. This would expand upon the aforementioned existing feature that lets you send money to friends. The revelations come from a look at comments in the code of the Facebook Messenger app for iOS. Another new thing coming in the future is "secret...

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iPhone SE reportedly nabs more than 3.4 million reservations in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-se-china-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iPhone SE, which was unveiled a week ago during a special event, is apparently very popular in China. According to a report from CNBC, the new 4-inch smartphone has managed to grab more than 3.4 million reservations, with a little over one day to go before the reservation window closes. As always when talking about the Chinese market, you'll see most news outlets report this number as "pre-orders", however as a general rule in China these don't work like they do elsewhere. They're called reservations and no money changes hands before the actual purchase, unlike a 'western' pre-order...

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Galaxy S7 with Helio X20 and X25 chipsets spotted in benchmark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-helio/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 can have either an Exynos or a Snapdragon chipset... or MediaTek Helio X20 or X25, wait what? Geekbench scores list a Samsung SM-G930W8, which comes with with one of three different chipsets. Now, G930 is the Galaxy S7 and W is typically the designation for Canadian versions. Scrolling through the results, you see octa-core processors - the Exynos - or deca-cores - either MT6797 or MT6797T. Those are better known as MediaTek Helio X20 and X25. So much for the exclusivity of the X25. Both chipsets are mostly the same, but the X25 is an overclocked version and it...

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GSMArena

30-03-16, 18:31

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/huawei-p9-antutu/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg There's now only a week until the Huawei P9's official launch, scheduled for April 6. Can't hurt if we get to know a few more bits in advance though, this time courtesy of AnTuTu. The benchmark maker has listed the upcoming Huawei flagship, complete with specs and test results.Huawei P9 on AnTuTu (click for full size)The concise specsheet names just the basics, among them a Kirin 955 chipset with Mali-T880 MP4 GPU, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Display resolution is quoted to be FullHD, and previous info points to a 5.2-inch diagonal.As you probably know, the P9 will...

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Canonical and Microsoft are working to bring Ubuntu to Windows 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ubuntu-coming-to-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yes, that is correct, as per industry sources, Canonical - the company behind the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution and Microsoft have partnered up to integrate Ubuntu into Windows 10.By all accounts, this won't be done through the use of virtual machines, nor containers, which still seem to be in development within project Barcelona. Rather, the idea is to bring over the Bash shell experience, along with all of its powerful console tools, to run on top of Windows libraries and the Linux subsystem, introduced in the new Windows 10 Redstone build.While running Bash on Windows is in...

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Oppo says the F1 Plus is identical to the recently-announced R9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-f1-is-the-international-r9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We have been hearing a lot about the Oppo F1 Plus lately and most fans have come to expect it as the next iteration of the Oppo F1 "selfie expert", with hints of an even better front camera experience and a fingerprint reader. This all sounded exciting, but today Oppo brought an end to that, clarifying that the F1 Plus won't be a new model, but merely the Oppo R9 for international markets.That definitely clears the air and puts to rest the various rumors about the handset. As per the recent China announcement of the R9 and R9 Plus, the F1 Plus should be equipped with a 5.5-inch,...

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LG G5 pre-orders in Germany come with free Cam Plus grip
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-amazon-de-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Mainland Europe is getting the LG G5 a bit later than the US and South Korea, but Amazon Germany will start selling the flagship in the middle of the month and will offer a free Cam Plus grip.The phone - available in Gold, Silver and Titan - costs €700 and the grip alone is €100, but using the LGG5AKTION code, the grip becomes free. The deal is valid for orders until April 16.The grip helps shooting with an additional 1,200mAh battery and hardware controls - photo shutter and video recorder keys, plus a zoom dial.The LG 360 Cam and LG B&O DAC are available too, but you'll have...

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HTC 10 shows its face again, black version pictured
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-new-black-rear/-184x111/thumb.jpg HTC 10 is going official on April 12 but we know pretty much everything there is to know about company's next big thing. We know the design is a hybrid between the One M9 and One A9, we know about its Quad HD AMOLED screen and Snapdragon 820 chip, the possibility of a Snapdragon 652 model, its rumored retail price at €740, even the reported April 15 as a lunch date.HTC has begun a marketing campaign with teasers over the social networks, but the leaks are quite more revealing than HTC's hints.Today's leak show the black flavor of the HTC 10 shot next to its silver sibling. We've seen...

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Twitter update brings image description for the visually impaired
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/twitter-disability/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Twitter is rolling out an update for its iOS and Android apps that should make using the service a bit easier for the visually impaired.Starting today, users can now add descriptive or alternative text to images that they attach to their tweets. You get 420 characters, separate from the 140 for the tweet, to describe the image however you want. The text will then be read out by assistive technology or presented in braille on supported hardware, so the visually impaired can not just read the tweet but also get an idea of what the attached image is.Twitter is also making this...

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Xiaomi Mi Note 2 to come with Snapdragon 823, possible 3D touch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-mi-note-2-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is due for a replacement and we're expecting it in the coming months. Rumors of it kicked off a few weeks ago stating that it may have a dual-edge display, but today we have some more concrete info on the specs of the Mi Note successor.Xiaomi Mi Note (the first one)Starting with that supposedly curved display, the source says that it will be 5.7 inches in diagonal like the previous model. Resolution will be QHD, and a 3D touch pressure sensitive capability is being considered.The Mi Note 2 will be powered by either a Snapdragon 820 or an 823 chipset...

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New Google Photos update brings ability to undo edits
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/google-photos-100m/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Google has rolled out a new update to its Google Photos app that brings along the ability to undo any edits that you make to images. Previously, this wasn't possible, with the app creating a new copy of the image each time an edit was saved. Thankfully, that won't be the case now.To take advantage of the feature, first open an image containing edits, then get into the edit mode by tapping the edit icon at the bottom (next to the share icon), and finally select the 'Undo edits' option that appears when you tap the overflow menu in the upper right corner."Sometimes it takes multiple...

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LG G5 sales start tomorrow in Korea, April 1 in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-on-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG G5 officially goes on sale tomorrow, March 31, in its home country of South Korea and then in the US the following day.The modular flagship has been on pre-order for a week and AT&T has started shipping its units, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile will follow suit soon.LG says that 200 carriers will offer the LG G5, with availability reaching Europe, Asia and the Middle East soon.It seems that the UK launch will be a week from now, April 8. There's no word on Canada, but can't be long now.G5's friends - the CAM Plus grip and B&O hi-fi adapter, along with the 360 CAM, 360...

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Watch the ceramic back of the Xiaomi Mi 5 take a lot of abuse in this official stress test
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-mi5-torture-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 5 has a lot going for it. A Snapdragon 820 SoC, up to 4GB of RAM and an impressive 16MP camera with a 4-axis OIS system, to name a few. But the handset is also dressed to impress in the flagship circles it intends to mingle with, especially in its top-tier ceramic back variant.This material choice is definitely not unheard of, take the OnePlus X for instance, but it still seems to raise some flags with many users, who seem to typically associate ceramic with a brittle dinner plate or perhaps a vase. In an effort to address this, Xiaomi has released a stress test...

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Samsung launches the Galaxy A9 Pro in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/a9-pro-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After a never ending series of leaks and rumors, the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) is finally official in China.The A9 Pro is a slightly upgraded version of the A9. It has the same 6.0-inch 1080p display and the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 in an identical design. The differences include 4GB RAM instead of 3GB, 32GB storage instead of 16GB, and a 16 megapixel camera on the back instead of 13. The battery has been boosted to 5,000mAh and supports fast charging. The phone runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.The Galaxy A9 Pro is priced at 3499 yuan ($540).Source • Via

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Nintendo's 'Miitomo' app coming to US tomorrow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/miitomo-tops-ios/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nintendo's first mobile app Miitomo will be available for download in the United States tomorrow, a couple of weeks after it was launched in the company's home country of Japan.This was announced by Nintendo in a press release, where-in the company also noted that the app will simultaneously also be launched in "several other countries." These regions include Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand.Those interested in knowing when Miitomo is ready to download can pre-register...

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Amazon bans non spec-compliant USB Type-C cables
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/amazon-bans-usb-typec/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazon has updated its list of prohibited listings to reflect that the it will no longer sell USB Type-C cables that aren't compliant with standard specifications.Here's the exact line added by the online retailer:Any USB-C™ (or USB Type-C™) cable or adapter product that is not compliant with standard specifications issued by "USB Implementers Forum Inc."The change was spotted by Google's Benson Leung, who has been examining USB Type-C cables for quite some time now. If you recall, he's the same guy who last year reported about OnePlus' USB Type-C accessories being out of...

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Google Play offering up to 80% off on Star Wars-themed comics
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/starwars-comics-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Are you a Star Wars fan? Are you interested in Star Wars-themed stuff? If your answer to both questions in yes, then you'll be glad to know that comics based on the popular franchise are being sold at discounted rates.Google is offering up to 80% off on select comics (over 15 in number) - hit the Source link below to view the complete collection which has been hosted on Google Play. In case you don't already know, Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuts April 1 on digital platforms.Source

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Entry level Gionee P5 mini unveiled with 4.5-inch display, quad-core CPU
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/gionee-p5mini/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese manufacturer Gionee has unveiled a new entry-level smartphone. Dubbed Gionee P5 mini, the device is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz Mediatek MT6580Ma€Ž chipset, and sports a 4.5-inch (854 x 480 pixel resolution) IPS display.It has 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable internal memory, and packs in an 1,800mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a 5MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. Measuring 132x 66 x 9.1mm and weighing in at 153g, the handset offers dual SIM functionality and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop.Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro USB...

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Update brings Dropbox integration to Adobe Acrobat Reader on Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/adobe-dropbox-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After iOS, Adobe has now rolled out the Dropbox integration update to its Acrobat Reader app on Android, allowing users to access PDF files stored in their Dropbox account directly from the app.Dropbox, on the other hand, has also updated its Android app, adding a new "do more with your PDF documents" option, tapping on which launches Acrobat Reader from the cloud storage app for you to view and take action on files.Head to the Google Play links below to download the latest versions of Acrobat Reader and Dropbox for Android.Source | Google Play (Acrobat Reader) | Google...

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AT&T LG G5 pre-orders have started shipping
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-global-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just over a week after it started accepting LG G5 pre-orders, AT&T has begun shipping the flagship device - few lucky ones will get their units as soon as today (March 30), a day before the phone is set to be launched globally.In case you don't already know, AT&T is running a buy one, get one free promo on LG G5 pre-orders. Given that the carrier is accepting pre-orders until March 31, those interested in the deal need to act fast as they just have a day to avail it.Aside from AT&T, other major US carries - including Verizon and Sprint - are also accepting LG G5 pre-orders, with...

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Fiber Phone is a landline service for your Google Fiber
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-fiber-landline/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's latest service is anything but futuristic. The search giant has just unveiled its very own take on landline phone service. It's called Fiber Phone and for starters it will be available "in a few areas". At a later date, it will be an option for all residential customers using Google Fiber internet access.Fiber Phone costs $10 per month. It gives you unlimited local and nationwide US calling. As for international calls, you'll get the same rates used for Google Voice (the full list is here). Fiber Phone can give you a new number, or you can keep your old one if you want to. You...

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Waze will tell you if you're going over the speed limit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/waze-speed-limits/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest addition to Waze, the community-based traffic and navigation app, has everything to do with speed limits. Namely, the Google-owned app has added support for notifying you when you're going over the speed limit.This new feature currently only works in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad, Tobago, and Uruguay, but is apparently going to land in other places too - at some point in the future.It works like this: when you go over the speed...

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Instagram videos are now 60 seconds long
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/instagram-60-second-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram has let you upload videos ever since 2013, but up until today the maximum length for the clips has been 15 seconds. That's more than Vine's famous six-second rule, but apparently wasn't enough.The video length for Instagram is going up to 60 seconds starting today. However, the huge caveat here is that the rollout of this extension will be completed for everyone "in the coming months".But wait, there's more! Instagram version 7.19 for iOS will be out in the iTunes App Store this week, and this iteration of the app brings back the ability to make videos out of multiple clips...

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GSMArena

31-03-16, 18:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-revenue-decline/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's new reboot of the 4-inch iPhone factor is doing pretty well. The pocket-friendly device has reportedly received 3.4 million registrations in China and is expected to sell between four and five million units in the second fiscal quarter. Its more affordable price point is also serving great in attracting Android converts, so, in a nutshell, the little handset can be considered an overall success.However, industry supply chain sources have warned that the iPhone SE won't manage to overcome the already expected 11% or so decrease in Apple's revenue in Q2 this year. To quote...

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Oculus Rift's teardown exposes an easy to fix VR headset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-rift-teardown/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Oculus Rift orders are shipping now, and the long awaited VR headset is already in use by the most eager fans around the world. As it happens these days, the guys over iFixit were in a hurry to tear down the thing and check out its internals.So, the first and most important conclusion iFixit has drawn is that the Rift is quite easy to repair of something happens to it.Unlike the developer's version, which used a 1080p Galaxy Note 3 display, the retail one uses two separate OLED 90mm pieces behind the two lenses, each with a display of 456ppi.Thanks to those big lenses you are...

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New update for the Samsung Gear S2 is now available for download
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/15/samsung-gear-s2/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Last week, Samsung released an update for the Gear S2 smartwatch and now owners of the watch are treated to another one. The latest update weighs in at 20.39 MB and is available from the Samsung Gear app.Sadly, the company didn't update the changelog of the latest update and you can find the same bullet points from the one from a week earlier. We can only guess what changes the new update brings, but it's safe to assume that some bugs needed ironing out and there are no new features this time.A screenshot from the new update shows an old changelogThe size of the update also...

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iPhone SE teardown shows hardware ranging from iPhone 5 to 6s
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/iphone-se-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple iPhone SE is a 6s in a 5s body, but Chipworks dug into the internals and it turns out the story is more complicated than that. It straddles multiple generations - from the iPhone 5 selfie camera to the iPhone 6s chipset, a whopping four generations.The Apple A9 chipset is brand new and the SK Hynix-made LPDDR4 2GB memory matches the 6s as well. The NFC, audio chips and motion sensor are from that generation as well. The storage appears to be from the 6s as well, but an earlier 19nm chip instead of the 15nm being shipped now.The Qualcomm modem from the earlier iPhone 6 model...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 to hit India on April 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-mi-5-india/-184x111/thumb.jpg Xiaomi Mi 5 was officially unveiled at the MWC in Barcelona last month, and we enjoyed having it in our office. The phone is already on sale in China, but India was promised to get it soon after.Today, Xiaomi officially announced the Mi 5 availability and pricing for India. The flagship is going on sale through mi.com on April 6, 11 AM local time. Its official price is INR 24,999 or $378.The pricing is for the 32GB model of the Mi 5, which in addition to the lower amount if gigs, comes with a Snapdragon 820 chip with a down-clocked processor - 1.8GHz instead of 2.15GHz....

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Deal: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB) in the UK for ?570
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-edge-ebay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A Samsung Galaxy S7 edge can be had for around ?600 in the UK without a carrier contract (if you do want a contract, here's more info on the offers).You can head to eBay for some cost cutting - currently, the Galaxy S7 edge 32GB (Black or Gold) is available for ?580 but should soon drop another tenner to ?570. Shipping to the UK is free.By the way, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are available on promotion too - a 500GB Xbox plus The Division are ?240, a white 500GB PS4 is ?225.

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Audiophile-targeted vivo X6S and X6S Plus are now official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/vivo-x6s-x6splus-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese manufacturer vivo has added a pair of new devices to its lineup today. The new handsets come as direct descendants to vivo X6 and X6 Plus and are all but identical on the outside. This is just as well, since the metal shell still looks elegant in silver, gold or pink and reusing the chassis should save some R&D budget, which could be better spent elsewhere.The devices both come with an even better audio hardware than their predecessors. The smaller X6S is equipped with an AKM4375 32-bit DAC, while the bigger X6S Plus has a ES9028 DAC within a YAMAHA YSS-205X audio...

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Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) with S Bike mode launches in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-j3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So, did you guess what #TapKickVroom is? If you didn't, here's the answer - the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) is launching in India with a new S Bike feature.It's a sort of Do Not Disturb feature that prevents unwanted distractions while riding a bike. The feature is enabled using the included NFC tag and will handle incoming calls.#GalaxyJ3 with S Bike Mode is here. Now #TapKickVroom & ride tension free on the road.https://t.co/YtfBYnFKXu— Samsung Mobile India (@SamsungMobileIN) March 31, 2016Normally, the Galaxy J3 won't show any notifications so as not to disturb the rider. It...

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A 400-ton hydraulic press crushes the Galaxy S7 Edge in a dramatic video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/s7-400-ton/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There's a plethora of videos on YouTube showing the Galaxy S7 edge being abused. But this is the first time we witness a 400-ton hydraulic press crushing Samsung's latest smartphone.The result is exactly what you think it is. The Galaxy S7 edge becomes a whole lot thinner. Happily, there's a lot of visual effects, including smoke, flames and sparks thanks to the phone's battery. Check out the video below to see exactly how much.What are your favorite Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge torture videos?Source | Via

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LG shows the full G5 Jason Statham commercial
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-commercial/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After teasing us with a few short trailer of its latest ad campaign for the G5, LG has finally released what looks to be the full version of the video. However, we sincerely hope that this is merely the first episode in a series of videos as it is just so incredibly entertaining.Jason Statham simply knocks this role out of the park, or rather these twenty or so roles, as he plays every character in the thirty second clip. Subway passenger, street performer, restaurant customer, or motorbike stuntman - the British action legend just seems like the perfect and at the same time worst...

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Microsoft Edge browser will get native ad-blocking support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/edge-cast-media/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg At its ongoing Build 2016 conference, Microsoft has confirmed that the next version of its Edge Web browser will include native ad-blocking support. This will make Edge one of the few exiting Web browsers - the list currently includes Opera (developer edition) and Brave - that offer such a feature.Aside from native ad-blocking, there are many other features that the new version will bring along, such as support for extensions and integrated Bing translator. It's worth mentioning that Microsoft Edge currently has a very low market share - the figure stood at around 1.5% in December...

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BlackBerry Priv caught running Android Marshmallow in a video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last we heard about BlackBerry Priv's Marshmallow update, was in January and the word was that the update isn't coming anytime soon - the company had said that roll-out details will be revealed sometime during the ongoing quarter.It's March 31 today, which means the quarter has almost ended, and sadly, there has been no official heads-up from BlackBerry on this front until now. However, here's something that'll surely bring a smile on your face and should reassure that the update is nevertheless coming - a video featuring Marshmallow-powered Priv.There's currently no information...

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Samsung Galaxy Amp Prime with 5-inch display and Android 6.0 launched on Cricket for $150
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-amp-prime/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg US carrier Cricket Wireless has launched a new Samsung smartphone. Dubbed Galaxy Amp Prime, the device - the carrier says - offers "premium features" and is aimed at "social media power users and value seekers."Specs-wise, the 4G LTE handset sports a 5-inch super AMOLED display, features a 5 MP main camera, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Other features include Ultra Power Savings Mode to extend the standby time, Easy Mode for beginners and elderly, as well as support for one-handed operation.The device carries a price tag of $149.99, and is available both online and in...

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iOS 9.3 most stable release from Apple, more stable than Android 6.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ios-93-update-brick/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report by app analytics firm Apteligent, Apple's latest iOS 9.3 build is the most stable new release by the Cupertino-based company in years. The report revealed a 2.2% crash rate for iOS 9.3 in the past eight days.Other major releases, including iOS 8, 9, and 9.2, had their crash rate cross the 3.2% mark in the same time-period. In addition, the report revealed that iOS 9.3's rate of crash was also better than that of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which saw a crash rate of 2.6%.It's worth mentioning that iOS 9.3 has also had its own share of problems - it's roll-out...

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Google Calculator arrives on Play Store with support for Android Wear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/calculator-playstore/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After apps like Calendar, Camera, and Keyboard. another core Google app has hit the company's Play Store: Google Calculator. Yes, the Calculator app is now available for download from Google's marketplace, meaning now it can be installed on any Android phone.The app listed on Google Play carries a version number of 6.0, compared to Calculator 5.2 that shipped with latest Android. So, what's new? While the design remains more or less the same, the updated app includes support for Android Wear.To download the latest version of the Google Play app, head to the Source link...

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Two Lenovo phones with same specs spotted on GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lenovo-us-flagship/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of new Lenovo-branded smartphones have been spotted on GFXBench, and curiously, both have same specs. They are powered by MediaTek MT6735P SoC and sport a 5-inch HD display.RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 16GB. The camera department is handled by an 8MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Both come with Android 6.0 Marshmallow pre-installed.While nothing else is currently known about the devices, their model numbers - XT1700 and XT1706 - does indicate (XT followed by four numbers) that they are actually Motorola handsets, with reports suggesting we could be looking at...

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New Skype update brings Bots feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/skype-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As part of its ongoing Build 2016 conference, Microsoft rolled out a new feature to its Skype messaging app. Dubbed Skype Bots, the feature is described by the company as "a new way to bring expertise, products, services and entertainment into your daily messaging on Skype."The Redmond, Washington-based company demonstrated the feature by showing off a Cortana integrated Skype client where-in the virtual assistant acted as a Skype Bot to help users identify people, places, and things in their messages, as well as display more info about them.In addition, it could also perform other...

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Google's VR View will embed VR content into apps and websites
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-released-vr-view-source-code/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Thanks to Google, there is now going to be a web viewer for VR which can be integrated right into a website along with apps for Android and iOS. The new HTML and JavaScript code is up on Github for you to start embedding your vacation 360 images right away. I've embedded a sample VR View of the coral reefs just above this text. You'll need to be using the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari all for desktop, iOS 8 and above, or KitKat 4.4 and above for mobile.The desktop viewer is a simple image viewer which can go fullscreen and allows...

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Microsoft announced new Cortana features, Outlook, Android, and third-party app integration
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-announced-new-cortana-features-third-party-app-integrations/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Microsoft has announced some new features which will be rolling out to Windows 10 customers in the next coming months. Cortana is now going to be incorporated with Outlook and will be able to check your email and calendars in order to help you keep track of your own emails.Cortana will be able to take context of your emails and things you commit to and will automatically create events that correspond with such events. Cortana will also be able to send an email to a contact with an attachment. The demonstration shows the presenter ask Cortana to "Send Chuck that PowerPoint I was working on...

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HoloLens developer kits are shipping to devs today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/microsoft-to-start-shipping-holo-lens-to-developers/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg HoloLens is Microsoft's foot in the door for incorporating virtual reality into the world of every day computing. With that said, today's Microsoft event brought more information about the HoloLens and what it could mean for developers.Microsoft has mentioned at today's event that it is now shipping these HoloLens developer kits to those development teams who have signed up and pre-ordered the $3K dev kit to those who fit Microsoft's qualifications. The following companies have shown interest in HoloLens for developers.Microsoft has also announced that it has released its...

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GSMArena

01-04-16, 18:51

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-g5-bent-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG G5 went on sale just yesterday and it was inevitable for the flagship to pass through various torture tests for the cameras. The G5 got scratched, burnt with a lighter, and then bent for the public to enjoy.As expected the LG G5 doesn't bend easily as it's actually a chunk of metal, except for the whatever accessory is inserted within the Magic Slot - this will surrender rather easy.The scratch test revealed the LG G5 is actually covered by a thin layer of plastic. This process of applying small color particles on metal surface is called microdizing and allows for hiding...

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LG G5 arrives with Friends, we do unboxing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-g5-friends-box/-184x111/thumb.jpg LG has come up with a very nice G5 reviewer's kit and we just got ours. It's a big colorful box with fancy hinges and a retro fastener. Within the promising looking package we found the retail LG G5, the LG 360 Cam, the LG Cam Plus module, and the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play.We already had a very pleasant encounter with the LG G5, but it's just now that we see its retail box and contents. We'll be updating our review with the new test scores early next week.LG G5 and Friends boxFirst up among the LG Friends we received, is the LG 360 Cam. It's a standalone camera,...

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iPhone SE undergoes scratch, burn and bend tests
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphon-se-torture-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's interesting to see how every new smartphone fares against wear and tear and the iPhone SE is no exception. Seasoned phone torturer JerryRigEverything has posted a video of doing some scratch, burn and bend tests to Apple's latest smartphone. It's as interesting as it's painful to watch.As you can see in the video below, the iPhone SE fails the bend test and arches at the volume rocker. This suggests to the conclusion that Apple hasn't used its premium Aluminum 7000-series and reverted back to the 6000-series. Given the shorter frame of the device that shouldn't be much of an issue...

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HTC 10 Mini running on Snapdragon 823 scheduled for September
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-mini-leak/-184x111/thumb.jpg The HTC 10 announcement is just around the corner - it is going to happen in 12 days, and we know most of the details already thanks to the numerous leaks throughout the past few months. We guess it's time to move onto the next big thing, which in this case is a little flagship.Apparently the HTC 10 will be getting a mini flavor - the HTC 10 Mini. As per the leaked memo sent to selected HTC insiders, the HTC 10 Mini will feature a 4.7" display (probably a 1080p unit) and will be powered by the Snapdragon 823 chipset with 4GB of RAM.The Snapdragon 823 chip is the same as the...

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One of these phones beats the Galaxy S7 in 4K video quality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-mystery-4k/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yesterday we gave you a mystery to solve. Could you guess which phone beats the Samsung Galaxy S7 in 4K video quality? We already gave you a little hint - it's not the LG G5.If your initial guess included the Alcatel Idol 4s, Motorola Moto X Force, Apple iPhone SE, Acer Liquid Jade Primo or the HTC One M9+ Supreme Camera, then we have good news for you, you're one step closer.Now is the time to cast your votes - we'll reveal the result later tonight when the review of the phone in question will hit our homepage.

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Alleged Meizu Pro 6 mini and m3 note leak ahead of announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-pro6-mini-m3-note-pic/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 and the Meizu m3 note has been popping in our rumor section for quite some time. The Meizu Pro 5 mini was part of the rumors for quite some time, but it got cancelled due to production delays.Today, we got a new picture revealing the Meizu m3 note and the Pro 6 mini. Check it out:The Meizu m3 note is supposed to go official on April 6. It should offer a 5.5" 1080p display, Helio X10 chipset with 2 or 3GB RAM (storage dependent), and a 3,200 mAh battery. One of the key upgrades over the m2 note is the new shiny metal chassis, probably following the footsteps of the...

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HTC 10 swings by FCC ahead of announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The HTC 10 is now approved by the FCC making the phone that little bit readier for its launch. HTC will officially unveil its upcoming flagship on April 12 in an online events.An interesting bit revealed by the regulatory is that there are actually two new HTC models - the 2PS6200 and 2PS6500. Unfortunately, there are no photos provided in the documents, as HTC has requested the FCC to withhold public information disclosure. It's also unclear what the differences between the two are, but we are guessing it boils down to network bands support.HTC 10 : Black/White •...

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Tesla announces Model 3, starts at $35,000
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tesla-model-3/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Elon Musk has finally taken the wraps off the highly anticipated Model 3, the most affordable Tesla car yet. While the company's previous Model S and Model X cost upwards of $100,000, the Model 3 will start at $35,000. Not exactly cheap but a steal considering what you will get in return.Despite being the company's least expensive car, Tesla isn't skimping out on the essentials. For starters, the Model 3 looks great, and you can see the family design lines in the glass area on the side that's pinched at the back, tail lamps that crease into the back doors, and the massive swept...

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Huawei saw 37% annual revenue growth last year - biggest since 2008
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/huawei-100million/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Chinese company Huawei recorded an annual revenue of RMB 395 billion ($61.10 billion) in 2015, which translates into an year-on-year growth of 37%. This is the company's biggest annual revenue growth in the past seven years.Huawei's net profit for the year stood at RMB 36.9 billion, up 32 percent from the RMB 27.9 billion figure it reported the year prior. The company's handset division played an important role in this with a 44% jump in shipments. In case you don't already know, Huawei became the first smartphone company in China whose shipments crossed the 100 million mark in a year...

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Google to wind down support for Wallet Card
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-walletcard-support/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has announced that it will drop support for the physical Wallet Card starting June 30. "You'll no longer be able to add money to your Wallet Balance after May 1, 2016," the company said in a blog post. "Any transactions made with your Wallet Card after June 30 will not be processed. Any pending transactions made before June 30 will still post to your account."Those looking for alternatives can opt for offerings from American Express or Simple, Google suggests, adding that both offer debit accounts with similar features, including a card. The Mountain View, California-based...

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LG G5 now available for purchase in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-lg-g5-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As scheduled, LG's newest flagship smartphone - the G5 - is now available for purchase in the United States. AT&T has listed the device on its website, and is selling it for $688 sans contract. Those opting for the carrier's Next plan can get the phone for as low as $22.97 a month.As you might already know, the G5 comes with a free battery and charging cradle in the US. On top of that AT&T is offering a $49.99 LG G Pad X 10.1 on a 2-year agreement to those purchasing the phone on the carrier's Next plan.You can also get a LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE smartwatch for $99.99 on...

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Deal: Buy Moto X Pure Edition or Droid Turbo 2 and get free Moto 360 (2014)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Are you a Motorola fan? Are you in the market for a smartphone and a smartwatch? If your answer to both these questions is yes, then here's a deal for you: Motorola is offering a free Moto 360 (1st gen) with every purchase of a Moto X Pure Edition or Droid Turbo 2.What's worth keeping in mind here is that the promo is only available on purchase of the 64GB variants of the phones, meaning you'll have to shell out $499 for the Moto X Pure and $720 for the Droid Turbo 2. The Moto 360 (2014) currently costs $199.99.After you've made up your mind on which phone to buy, just add it as...

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Spigen cases for the Galaxy S7 edge hands-on [VIDEO]
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/spigen-cases-for-galaxy-s7-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We were recently able to get our hands on Spigen's Galaxy S7 edge lineup of cases and decided to show you some of our favorites and no-so-favorites. When the Galaxy Note edge first came out, I was still working in retail and I had many customers come into the Samsung shop within Best Buy only to become frustrated that we didn't carry any cases for such a drastically different form factor.A couple of years later, and three edge devices later, Samsung's Galaxy S7 edge is the latest iteration of this unique form factor that requires a specially designed case. One that would be able to...

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Samsung+ customer support app gets live video chat and remote assistance
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-plus-app/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung+ is Samsung's customer support app, that you can find preinstalled on a variety of the company's smartphones and tablets, including the recently released Galaxy S7 and S7 edge of course. And today Samsung+ has received a huge update, which should make its way to the Google Play Store in the next few hours.The first new thing is that you can live video chat with a Samsung customer support representative, or you can text or use a plain old voice call if you so wish. Remote assistance is built in too, which means you can grant a support rep permission to remotely operate and...

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Fitbit Blaze and Alta shipments cross 1 million mark in first month of availability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/fitbit-blaze-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Fitbit has announced that it has shipped more than a million units of its Blaze smartwatch in the first month of the device's availability. The timepiece, which went on sale in the first week of March, has also become an Amazon best-seller both in the smart watch and heart monitor categories.Fitbit BlazeIn addition, the company also announced that shipments of its Alta fitness tracker have also crossed the one million mark, something which happened in the first three weeks of the device's retail availability.Fitbit Alta"At Fitbit, we continue to focus on developing...

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AT&T will give you a free 48-inch Samsung smart TV when you buy a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/att-free-tv-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's yet another deal you can take advantage of if you're interested in purchasing one of Samsung's latest flagships from a US carrier. AT&T is, under certain conditions, going to give you a free 48-inch Samsung smart TV if you buy either a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, starting tomorrow.You do need to get the phone using AT&T's Next installment plans, and in order to qualify you must have both AT&T wireless and DIRECTV service (of which at least one must be new). The following table explains in detail what you need in order to be eligible.So you're not eligible only if you upgrade an...

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Microsoft Office now has 1.2 billion users, 340 million mobile app downloads
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ms-office-numbers/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft's Build conference has entered its second day today, and the company is busy boasting about the reach of its Office applications. According to Microsoft, there are now 1.2 billion Office users in the world, who spend an average of 3-4 hours per day using the suite.And before you think that those are all work computers, consider this: the Office mobile apps for Android and iOS have so far been downloaded no less than 340 million times. Things are going pretty well for Microsoft's Office 365 subscription service too, with more than 50,000 new small business customers opting for...

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Apple releases iOS 9.3.1 to fix crashes caused by tapping links
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/ios-931/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg iOS 9.3 was released to the public on March 21, the same day as Apple's big event where it unveiled the iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 (both of which are now available, by the way). Yet here we are just 10 days later and the company has deemed it necessary to already issue an emergency update for its mobile operating system.iOS 9.3.1 is now rolling out to supported iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch units across the world. Its only function is to fix a very nasty bug that somehow made the cut to the final version of iOS 9.3. This bug will render your Apple device useless after tapping on links in...

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Apple iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 now shipping worldwide
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/apple-launch-date/-184x111/thumb2.jpg Apple iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 went official a few days ago and were made available on pre-order shortly after. While just a few markets participated in the first week of pre-orders, two days ago Apple extended the list by adding many more countries.The first batch of pre-orders was supposed to begin shipping today, and indeed it did. The new iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 are now shipping as promised. Both devices are also available for purchase in Apple Retail Stores while other retailers should be offering them in few days, if not already.The iPhone SE launch, as suggested by the...

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Guess the smartphone that may trump the Samsung Galaxy S7 in 4K video quality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-mystery-4k/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We're working on a smartphone review for you, one you're not really expecting, and it's due to be out tomorrow. While examining its camera performance, video quality in particular, we realized we had stumbled upon a true gem, and it couldn't wait - not for another minute, let alone tomorrow.So we figured we'd do an improvised comparison between this phone and the Samsung Galaxy S7. We ran out and shot a video on each. The two videos were captured within 60 seconds of each other, so the test was kept as fair as possible.Below we're showing you a few 1:1 crops from both camcorders and...

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GSMArena

02-04-16, 19:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While the final Marshmallow update for BlackBerry's Priv smartphone will arrive sometime around late April-early May, a beta update could be rolled out as soon as next week.This was hinted by Michael Clewley, who is the director of Handheld Software Product Management at the company.I'd talk about a #PRIV Marshmallow beta today but given #AprilFools you might not believe me! Gonna have to wait for next week— Michael Clewley (@MichaelClewley) April 1, 2016This comes just days after BlackBerry's debut Android phone was caught running Android Marshmallow in a video. Sadly,...

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OneDrive's iOS client now lets you download multiple photos and videos in one go
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/onedrive-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has updated OneDrive's iOS app, bumping it to version 6.13.1. The update brings new features such as the ability to download multiple photos and videos in a single attempt, as well as some regular bug fixes."Save 1, save 2, save 10! You can now save as many photos and videos as you'd like back to your camera roll. Simply select the files, tap the Share command and there you will find the mythical Save Photos and Videos option," the change-log reads.As for bug fixes, they are related to issues with VoiceOver and albums. Finally, those having sync issues will have to just...

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Verizon Galaxy S6 getting April security patch already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxys6-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already know that Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge have started receiving Marshmallow updates, it has now come to light that the update also includes the latest Android security patch, at-least for the S6.Yes, the Verizon Galaxy S6 is getting the April security update, even before the Google Nexus devices or the BlackBerry Priv. Not to mention that this month's patch has not even been officially announced by Google yet.For those thinking how is that possible, it's worth mentioning that manufactures get access to a security patch 30 days before it's officially...

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Sony Mobile US makes job cuts, relocates office
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-us-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony's US mobile unit has been relocated from Atlanta to the San Francisco Bay Area, and in the process, the company has also made an unspecified number of job cuts, according to a new report.The report also says that, Kunihiko Shiomi, who was previously the head of the Japanese company's US mobile development, has been made the unit's president. This change in leadership happened back in January this year.In case you don't already know, Sony Mobile has been struggling in the US for quite a few years now. According to market research firm IDC, the company has had a share of less...

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Huawei P9 to come with a Leica co-developed camera, senior exec confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-leica/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei and Leica announced in February they'll be working together on advancements in mobile photography, and the upcoming P9 flagship will be the first to take advantage of the shared expertise. The interesting fact was revealed by Huawei's deputy chairman of the board, Mr Guo Ping, at the Chinese company's press conference where the annual financial report was made public.We are going to launch our P9 flagship phone very soon and this is a product that we worked with Leica to produce.Meanwhile, an image has surfaced, depicting the already familiar back of the P9 with the dual-camera...

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OnePlus X gets a price cut in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-x-price-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus X has gotten a price cut on Amazon India, and now goes for INR 14,999 ($225). That is, the Onyx variant is discounted, both the Champagne (INR 16,999) and the Ceramic (INR 22,999) are still being sold for full price.OnePlus XThe OnePlus X is the company's smaller-sized model, which accompanies the self-proclaimed flagship killer OnePlus 2 (which as it happens also got a price cut a couple of weeks ago). The X features a 5-inch FullHD AMOLED display and is powered by the aging (but high-end nonetheless) Snapdragon 801, coupled with 3 gigs of RAM. A 13MP/8MP camera...

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$1930 gets you a gold-plated Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/s7-edge-gold-plating/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Luxury specialists Karalux out of Vietnam are now offering a gold-plating service for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, so you can upgrade from your last-year 24K-covered Samsung flagship.Samsung's switched from A7000 to A6000 grade aluminum, Karalux says, which has forced the company to introduce changes to its manufacturing processes. It now takes 6 hours over 10 separate stages to put some extra bling on an already premium device.Gold-plated Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge by KaraluxThe pleasure of owning a gold-plated Galaxy S7 costs VND 35 million ($1570),...

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More price hikes for Verizon subscribers with a grandfathered unlimited plan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-plans-more-price-hikes/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you still have a grandfathered unlimited plan with Verizon that you are still hanging onto for dear life, Verizon is sending out another wave of price increases for customers whose plans weren't affected with Verizon's price hikes back in November.Just to reiterate, this price hike will not come to those whose monthly rates were already raised. This price hike is to come to customers whose rate was not affected by the first wave of increases. This time around, Verizon will up the rates of customers whose lines have fulfilled their contract.I don't blame Verizon, data is no...

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Acer Liquid Jade Primo review: Windows Prime
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/acer-jade-primo/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg Windows phone models aren't that many, which makes sense as the platforms has a market share of less than 2%. You might even say they are a select group of phones, each designed to occupy a niche of its own. So the Acer Liquid Jade Primo is a specimen of a rare breed.

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Marshmallow will land on the BlackBerry Priv in late April or early May
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/blackberry-priv-marshmallow-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday we caught a video showing the BlackBerry Priv running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and now we finally have a rough release timeline for it to speak of.Last year BlackBerry promised to bring Marshmallow to its first Android smartphone in 2016, then this January that commitment was reiterated with details allegedly coming by the end of Q1. And sure enough, here we are in the first day of the second quarter of the year and we now know what to expect.The new software will be arriving on a BlackBerry Priv near you either in late April or in early May. That's still pretty vague, of...

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Verizon's Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are now receiving Marshmallow updates
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-galaxy-s6-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Around a month and a half ago Samsung started rolling out updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge (pictured below), last year's flagship smartphones. And now Verizon has finally caught up and commenced the same rollout for the S6 and S6 edge units it's sold.The update will make its way out in stages, so it could be quite a few days before it hits every S6 or S6 edge purchased from Verizon. Nevertheless, at least it is now on its way.If you have one of these devices and haven't received the update notification yet, you can obviously choose to manually check...

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Walmart drops iPhone prices by $100, Galaxy S6 and S7 by $150
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/walmart-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg An intriguing deal is apparently to be had if you want to purchase a new iPhone or Samsung smartphone and you head to Walmart to do the deed. The mega-retailer is said to be offering $100 off iPhones and $150 off two Samsung handsets, starting today and until the end of June.The Apple handsets that qualify are the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, as well as the new iPhone SE. The Samsung phones in question are the Galaxy S6 and S7. That said, keep in mind that not every store will have the exact same models on offer, but you should find at least some of the aforementioned handsets in...

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Microsoft releases Lumia 650 in the US and Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lumia-650-out/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Quite a while after its unveiling back in February, the Microsoft Lumia 650 is now finally available in the US and Canada. This comes after a three-week pre-order period for the new mid-range smartphone.The Lumia 650 can be yours for $199 or CAD 199, and for that price you'll receive a SIM-free and unlocked unit. You can order from Microsoft's online store here for the US and here for Canada. This handset has already been available in Europe for many weeks, so it's good to finally see it crossing the pond as well.It comes with a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED...

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LG G5 arrives with Friends, we do the unboxing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-g5-friends-box/-184x111/thumb.jpg LG has come up with a very nice G5 reviewer's kit and we just got ours. It's a big colorful box with fancy hinges and a retro fastener. Within the promising looking package we found the retail LG G5, the LG 360 Cam, the LG Cam Plus module, and the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play.We already had a very pleasant encounter with the LG G5, but it's just now that we see its retail box and contents. We'll be updating our review with the new test scores early next week.LG G5 and Friends boxFirst up among the LG Friends we received, is the LG 360 Cam. It's a standalone camera,...

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iPhone SE undergoes scratch, burn and bend tests
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphon-se-torture-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's interesting to see how every new smartphone fares against wear and tear and the iPhone SE is no exception. Seasoned phone torturer JerryRigEverything has posted a video of doing some scratch, burn and bend tests to Apple's latest smartphone. It's as interesting as it's painful to watch.As you can see in the video below, the iPhone SE fails the bend test and arches at the volume rocker. This suggests to the conclusion that Apple hasn't used its premium Aluminum 7000-series and reverted back to the 6000-series. Given the shorter frame of the device that shouldn't be much of an issue...

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HTC 10 Mini running on Snapdragon 823 scheduled for September
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-mini-leak/-184x111/thumb.jpg The HTC 10 announcement is just around the corner - it is going to happen in 12 days, and we know most of the details already thanks to the numerous leaks throughout the past few months. We guess it's time to move onto the next big thing, which in this case is a little flagship.Apparently the HTC 10 will be getting a mini flavor - the HTC 10 Mini. As per the leaked memo sent to selected HTC insiders, the HTC 10 Mini will feature a 4.7" display (probably a 1080p unit) and will be powered by the Snapdragon 823 chipset with 4GB of RAM.The Snapdragon 823 chip is the same as the...

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One of these phones beats the Galaxy S7 in 4K video quality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s7-mystery-4k/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Update: The mystery phone with the superb 4K video output is the Acer Liquid Jade Primo. Only 8% of you got it right, and the majority picked the HTC M9+ Supreme Camera.Yesterday we gave you a mystery to solve. Could you guess which phone beats the Samsung Galaxy S7 in 4K video quality? We already gave you a little hint - it's not the LG G5.If your initial guess included the Alcatel Idol 4s, Motorola Moto X Force, Apple iPhone SE, Acer Liquid Jade Primo or the HTC One M9+ Supreme Camera, then we have good news for you, you're one step closer.Now is the time to cast...

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Alleged Meizu Pro 6 mini and m3 note leak ahead of announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/meizu-pro6-mini-m3-note-pic/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 and the Meizu m3 note has been popping in our rumor section for quite some time. The Meizu Pro 5 mini was part of the rumors for quite some time, but it got cancelled due to production delays.Today, we got a new picture revealing the Meizu m3 note and the Pro 6 mini. Check it out:The Meizu m3 note is supposed to go official on April 6. It should offer a 5.5" 1080p display, Helio X10 chipset with 2 or 3GB RAM (storage dependent), and a 3,200 mAh battery. One of the key upgrades over the m2 note is the new shiny metal chassis, probably following the footsteps of the...

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HTC 10 swings by FCC ahead of announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/htc-10-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The HTC 10 is now approved by the FCC making the phone that little bit readier for its launch. HTC will officially unveil its upcoming flagship on April 12 in an online events.An interesting bit revealed by the regulatory is that there are actually two new HTC models - the 2PS6200 and 2PS6500. Unfortunately, there are no photos provided in the documents, as HTC has requested the FCC to withhold public information disclosure. It's also unclear what the differences between the two are, but we are guessing it boils down to network bands support.HTC 10 : Black/White •...

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GSMArena

03-04-16, 19:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-g5-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yes, we know we sort of did that already, and the G5 lost. But last time around it was just after announcement, and now that the reviews are out, there's firmer ground to make an informed opinion. That, and also now it's the LG G5 versus the non-edge Samsung Galaxy S7.The smartphones are priced identically, share some of the hardware (particularly if you're in the States, where the S7 comes with a Snapdragon 820 inside) and are overall two of the best handsets you can buy.Only they couldn't be more different. The G5 is the quirky one - you can dismantle it, it has friends, there are...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A few minor movements took place this week in our Top 10 trending chart, plus a big one - and not because it was unexpected, but because it took place at the top. Yes, the iPhone SE couldn't hold on to the number one spot.Bottom to top though, we start with the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note, and it's slowly slipping down after the 8th spot in week 11, and 9th last week. A couple of Xiaomi Redmi Notes (Mediatek and Snapdragon flavors) are switching positions on a weekly basis, this time split by the iPhone 5s.In 6th we find the Samsung Galaxy J5 - a position it hold for a third week in a...

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New Microsoft Band 2 update brings ability to add more tiles, create challenges
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/microsoft-band2-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has rolled out a new update to its Band 2 fitness wearable that brings some new features such the ability to add more tiles and create challenges, as well as regular bug fixes. The update is available for all major mobile platforms.With the new update, you can now choose up to 20 tiles to appear on your Microsoft Band 2 start strip. In addition, the app now also lets you create challenges - for activities like steps, cardio minutes, runs, and bike rides - between you and your Facebook friends who also use the Microsoft Health app.The update also brings along the...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 spotted listed on Amazon India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lumia-650-pre-orders-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a day after it was launched in the United States and Canada, the Microsoft Lumia 650 has been spotted listed on Amazon's India website. The device is being offered by a local retailer with shipments beginning April 30.As for the price, the white model carries a tag of INR 16,599 ($250), while the black one will set you back INR 16,700 ($252). Both variants offer dual-SIM capabilities.It's worth mentioning that Microsoft is yet to officially announce the Lumia 650 in India, although it is expected to happen very soon. In case you don't already know, the handset was first...

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Poll results: iPhone SE gets a cold reception
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-results-iphone-se/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We hadn't had that in a while. Recent Hot-or-not polls have invariably ended with a stamp of approval, but not so with the latest iPhone SE.Apple's super mini (which, at 4 inches in diagonal, was ironically the size common sense dictated a few years ago) only managed to entice 42% of our readership, and naysayers were 3 out of 5 people.Then again the iPhone SE doesn't need to be loved by all, just by those who want a compact phone that can be used comfortably with a single hand. And that the SE delivers.Not only that, but the iPhone SE packs most of the hardware of the...

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Taylor Swift trips up in latest Apple Music commercial
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/taylor-swift-apple-music/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After having a very public strife with Apple over Apple Music, Taylor Swift is now in the latest commercial for. Apple Music.Based on true events. #TAYLORvsTREADMILL @applemusic @Drake @1Futurehttps://t.co/ryUY3Yz7Prhttps://t.co/1eIHjoVIFU— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 1, 2016The video shows Swift running on a treadmill to the beat of Drake's Jumpman, getting distracted and falling spectacularly. First thought that comes to mind is if this is Apple's way of getting back at her, but of course it had to be a stunt double.Interestingly, the video was released through Taylor...

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Week 13 in review: Galaxy J-series, Xiaomi phablets, 4K video champ
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's J-series got their mandatory (2016) overhaul and we now have the Galaxy J7 (2016), J5 (2016), and J3 (2016). That last one is only new for India, but there it even has a dedicated S bike mode for undisturbed bike riding, because that's exactly the feature everyone asked for (make sure you check it out though, the promo is loads of fun).The Xiaomi Mi 5 got launched in India this week, a Redmi 3 Pro was announced in China, a possible 4.3-inch smartphone was allegedly photographed in the wild, and rumors have the Mi Note 2 powered by a Snapdragon 823 and sporting 3D touch -...

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Google Photos lets you search with emoji
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-photos-emoji/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has added the ability to search through your Photos library using emoji.The emoji search works pretty much like text search. The search engine tries its best to match photos with the entered emoji. As you can see in the image above, searching for a tiger emoji pulled up the one picture of a tiger I had in my library.The search should work best for animals, vehicles, or food emoji, but for anything else you'd have to bust the standard keyboard. While it did seem like an April Fools' prank at first, it does work, and you can try it out for yourself.Source

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Report says Samsung will start selling foldable smartphones in 2017
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-foldable-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already know that Samsung is working on a foldable phone (internally dubbed Project Valley), and we've also seen some possible designs. Last we heard, there were rumors of it launching in January this year - that obviously didn't happen. Now, it looks like the device won't be coming this year.A new report from Samsung's home country of South Korea is claiming that the company will start mass-producing foldable displays by end of this year, with foldable smartphones arriving next year.The report notes that Samsung's foldable device would be a 5-inch smartphone in folded form,...

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LG G5 can now be purchased from all Big Four US carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-lg-g5-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, we've already told you about LG G5's availability on AT&T. However, if AT&T isn't the carrier of your choice, you'll be glad to know that the flagship smartphone is now available for purchase from all major US carriers, including the Big Four ones.While AT&T has the handset listed for $689, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are selling it for $624, $630, and $576, respectively. US Cellular is also carrying the device, selling it for $585.As for colors, aside from Verizon and T-Mobile - which only have the silver/titan and silver/gold options - all other carriers have...

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Tesla has already received 232K pre-orders for its Model 3 electric car
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/tesla-model-3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a couple of days after Tesla announced its upcoming Model 3 car, the company has already received a whopping 232,000 pre-orders for the electric vehicle. This was revealed by CEO Elon Musk in a tweet today.Now 232k orders— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2016The number was 180,000 exactly a day after the announcement, with an average cost of $42,000 per vehicle. In case you aren't already aware, the Model 3 starts at $35,000.Model 3 orders at 180,000 in 24 hours. Selling price w avg option mix prob $42k, so ~$7.5B in a day. Future of electric cars looking bright!—...

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AT&T Galaxy J3 (2016) launch confirmed for May 6, pricing revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-j3-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While there have already been credible leaks about it, the AT&T variant of Samsung's Galaxy J3 (2016) has now been officially confirmed. The carrier says that the device will be available for purchase next month - May 6 to be precise.As for the price, you'll be able to grab the AT&T Galaxy J3 (2016) by agreeing to pay $5.67 per month for a total of 30 months on the carrier's Next 24 installment plan. Sadly, the handset will only be available in white color option.For those who aren't aware, the device is already available for purchase in the US as Virgin and Boost Mobile have been...

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OneDrive's iOS client now lets you download multiple photos and videos in one go
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/onedrive-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has updated OneDrive's iOS app, bumping it to version 6.13.1. The update brings new features such as the ability to download multiple photos and videos in a single attempt, as well as some regular bug fixes."Save 1, save 2, save 10! You can now save as many photos and videos as you'd like back to your camera roll. Simply select the files, tap the Share command and there you will find the mythical Save Photos and Videos option," the change-log reads.As for bug fixes, they are related to issues with VoiceOver and albums. Finally, those having sync issues will have to just...

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Verizon Galaxy S6 getting April security patch already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/galaxys6-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While we already know that Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge have started receiving Marshmallow updates, it has now come to light that the update also includes the latest Android security patch, at-least for the S6.Yes, the Verizon Galaxy S6 is getting the April security update, even before the Google Nexus devices or the BlackBerry Priv. Not to mention that this month's patch has not even been officially announced by Google yet.For those thinking how is that possible, it's worth mentioning that manufactures get access to a security patch 30 days before it's officially...

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Sony Mobile US makes job cuts, relocates office
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-us-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony's US mobile unit has been relocated from Atlanta to the San Francisco Bay Area, and in the process, the company has also made an unspecified number of job cuts, according to a new report.The report also says that, Kunihiko Shiomi, who was previously the head of the Japanese company's US mobile development, has been made the unit's president. This change in leadership happened back in January this year.In case you don't already know, Sony Mobile has been struggling in the US for quite a few years now. According to market research firm IDC, the company has had a share of less...

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Huawei P9 to come with a Leica co-developed camera, senior exec confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-leica/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei and Leica announced in February they'll be working together on advancements in mobile photography, and the upcoming P9 flagship will be the first to take advantage of the shared expertise. The interesting fact was revealed by Huawei's deputy chairman of the board, Mr Guo Ping, at the Chinese company's press conference where the annual financial report was made public.We are going to launch our P9 flagship phone very soon and this is a product that we worked with Leica to produce.Meanwhile, an image has surfaced, depicting the already familiar back of the P9 with the dual-camera...

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OnePlus X gets a price cut in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-x-price-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus X has gotten a price cut on Amazon India, and now goes for INR 14,999 ($225). That is, the Onyx variant is discounted, both the Champagne (INR 16,999) and the Ceramic (INR 22,999) are still being sold for full price.OnePlus XThe OnePlus X is the company's smaller-sized model, which accompanies the self-proclaimed flagship killer OnePlus 2 (which as it happens also got a price cut a couple of weeks ago). The X features a 5-inch FullHD AMOLED display and is powered by the aging (but high-end nonetheless) Snapdragon 801, coupled with 3 gigs of RAM. A 13MP/8MP camera...

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$1930 gets you a gold-plated Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/s7-edge-gold-plating/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Luxury specialists Karalux out of Vietnam are now offering a gold-plating service for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, so you can upgrade from your last-year 24K-covered Samsung flagship.Samsung's switched from A7000 to A6000 grade aluminum, Karalux says, which has forced the company to introduce changes to its manufacturing processes. It now takes 6 hours over 10 separate stages to put some extra bling on an already premium device.Gold-plated Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge by KaraluxThe pleasure of owning a gold-plated Galaxy S7 costs VND 35 million ($1570),...

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More price hikes for Verizon subscribers with a grandfathered unlimited plan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-plans-more-price-hikes/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you still have a grandfathered unlimited plan with Verizon that you are still hanging onto for dear life, Verizon is sending out another wave of price increases for customers whose plans weren't affected with Verizon's price hikes back in November.Just to reiterate, this price hike will not come to those whose monthly rates were already raised. This price hike is to come to customers whose rate was not affected by the first wave of increases. This time around, Verizon will up the rates of customers whose lines have fulfilled their contract.I don't blame Verizon, data is no...

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GSMArena

04-04-16, 19:14

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-s7-selling-well/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It would appear Samsung has done its sales magic yet again. Despite a pronounced slowdown in the high-end market, its Galaxy S7 duo has managed to exceed sales expectations.The figures are far from final, but according to Jay Yoo, industry analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, Samsung has already exceeded the initial 7 million unit estimate and has managed to ship around 9.5 million S7 phones. This has mandated some major forecast recalculations, which has naturally attributed for a raise in share value - 2.4% on Wednesday in an 18-week high.It appears that the...

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iPad Pro 9.7" teardown show tightly packed components, low repairability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ipad-pro-97-teardown/-184x111/thumb.jpg The time for the iPad Pro 9.7 teardown is upon us, thanks to the professional disassemblers at iFixit. What everyone expected to be an iteration of the iPad Air 2, turned out to be a scaled down version of the 12.9" iPad Pro and as such every millimeter inside the alloy body is put to good use.The iPad Pro 9.7" is hard to open and requires a lot of patience and heating, but once open you can see just how cramped the inside is. The largest component, naturally, is the battery. In this iPad Pro it has a rating of 27.91 Whr (7,306mAh), which is slightly better than the iPad Air 2's 27.62...

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Meizu Pro 6 leaks in a new pair of photos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 has really been getting a lot of publicity lately. The whole iPhone 7 resemblance was more or less an attention-grabber, but even beyond that the handset has had its fair share of leaks.The latest batch of leaked photos offers a glimpse at both the front and the back of the phone and once again reaffirms the significant design similarities between the Pro 6 and its predecessor - the Pro 5. The shots in question seem to come from a shoot we already caught a glimpse of a few days back, making it quite a bit more believable.Overall, the images don't really...

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New Meizu m3 note leak reveals launch price
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-m3-note-price/-184x111/thumb.jpg Meizu definitely has a solid midrange smartphone lin-up and the upcoming m3 note will add even more substance to it. A recent leaked teaser image shows that Meizu plans to price the m3 note at just $170 (CNY 1,099).If this turns out to be true, then the company will not only be highly competitive against the likes of rivals in the Xiaomi, Lenovo and LeTV camp, but also it's very own Meizu Metal line-up. The Metal rocks a similar price in China and the upcoming metal 2 is believed to follow suite.The m3 note should offer an all-new alloy body 3500 instead of a plastic one and a...

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ZenFone 3 and ZenFone 3 Deluxe surface in possible renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/asus-zenfone3-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Asus struck gold with the ZenFone 2, which despite its naming disaster and veritable model chaos managed to deliver big in the value department with powerful hardware and an affordable price point. Naturally, fans have been waiting anxiously for the Taiwanese giant's next step since and by all accounts, it should come in the shape of the ZenFone 3.We have already heard quite a bit about the handset, including some TENAA listings, talk of a fingerprint reader and a suggested May or June release frame. However, the Zenfone 3 is still quite illusive and we're not even sure whether it will...

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BBM adds message retraction, timed messages to free version
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bbm-retract/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry has updated its BlackBerry Messenger client across Android, iOS, and BlackBerry 10 with some useful new features.The main new feature here is message retraction. You can now retract messages after sending them, or even edit them. This can be useful if you sent something by mistake and don't wish the other person to see it. This works in one on one chats as well as group chats.BBM also supports timed messages now, where the messages disappear after a certain time once the recipient has seen them. Previously both features were only available via a paid add-on.Other...

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Leaked render shows off Huawei P9's back
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huaweip9-back/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei P9 - which is scheduled to be unveiled on April 6 - has been the subject of several image leaks so far. Now, a new image, which apparently looks like a press render, has leaked clearly showing off the back of the smartphone.The image clearly shows a dual rear camera setup, which has already been officially confirmed by the Chinese company, as well as a finger print scanner. In addition, the image also re-confirms that the handset comes with a Leica co-developed camera.As for the specs, from what all has been rumored so far, the phone is powered by a Kirin 950 SoC and...

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Olloclip 4-in-1 Photo Lens review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/olloclip-review/-184x111/thumb.jpg Olloclip 4-in-1 Photo Lens reviewI am not a photographer, so the idea of lugging around a big fat camera with two, or more, lenses is not to my taste. I am not into tweaking the camera with the right settings for each shot either. I love carrying as little as possible on me, and I just hate spending too much time working on capturing a magical moment instead of enjoying it.When I go on a vacation, my smartphone is my travel companion and my memory-storing apparatus. And more often than not, when I return back home I find most of my photos beautiful, but boring. They lack the...

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Oculus Rift facing shipment delays; company offering free shipping to make up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oculus-rift-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oculus Rift shipments started more than a week ago, with the company's co-founder and CEO Palmer Luckey himself making the first delivery. Sadly, the company has now revealed that it's facing component shortages due to which estimated shipping dates for some of the pre-orders have been impacted.However, to make up for the inconvenience, the company has said that it'll be covering shipping and handling costs for all the existing orders. Here's an excerpt from an email sent out by Oculus to several developers and consumers:"We're working hard to up-to-date ship windows, and you...

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Auto cancellation issues affecting some Vive pre-orders; HTC working on fix
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-vive-open-orders/-184x111/thumb.jpg HTC received a lot of pre-orders for its Vive virtual reality headset, but the company is facing issues while processing them. In a blog post on the matter, the company revealed that some of the pre-orders have been affected by auto cancellations, something which happened "due to processing issues with financial institutions.""We're actively working to resolve this, and have already reinstated orders for some customers," HTC said. "We want to assure our customers that we'll work with them to process their payment so they can receive their Vive when they were expecting it."The...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg A few minor movements took place this week in our Top 10 trending chart, plus a big one - and not because it was unexpected, but because it took place at the top. Yes, the iPhone SE couldn't hold on to the number one spot.Bottom to top though, we start with the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note, and it's slowly slipping down after the 8th spot in week 11, and 9th last week. A couple of Xiaomi Redmi Notes (Mediatek and Snapdragon flavors) are switching positions on a weekly basis, this time split by the iPhone 5s.In 6th we find the Samsung Galaxy J5 - a position it hold for a third week in a...

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New Microsoft Band 2 update brings ability to add more tiles, create challenges
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/microsoft-band2-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has rolled out a new update to its Band 2 fitness wearable that brings some new features such the ability to add more tiles and create challenges, as well as regular bug fixes. The update is available for all major mobile platforms.With the new update, you can now choose up to 20 tiles to appear on your Microsoft Band 2 start strip. In addition, the app now also lets you create challenges - for activities like steps, cardio minutes, runs, and bike rides - between you and your Facebook friends who also use the Microsoft Health app.The update also brings along the...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 spotted listed on Amazon India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lumia-650-pre-orders-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a day after it was launched in the United States and Canada, the Microsoft Lumia 650 has been spotted listed on Amazon's India website. The device is being offered by a local retailer with shipments beginning April 30.As for the price, the white model carries a tag of INR 16,599 ($250), while the black one will set you back INR 16,700 ($252). Both variants offer dual-SIM capabilities.It's worth mentioning that Microsoft is yet to officially announce the Lumia 650 in India, although it is expected to happen very soon. In case you don't already know, the handset was first...

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Poll results: iPhone SE gets a cold reception
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-results-iphone-se/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We hadn't had that in a while. Recent Hot-or-not polls have invariably ended with a stamp of approval, but not so with the latest iPhone SE.Apple's super mini (which, at 4 inches in diagonal, was ironically the size common sense dictated a few years ago) only managed to entice 42% of our readership, and naysayers were 3 out of 5 people.Then again the iPhone SE doesn't need to be loved by all, just by those who want a compact phone that can be used comfortably with a single hand. And that the SE delivers.Not only that, but the iPhone SE packs most of the hardware of the...

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Taylor Swift trips up in latest Apple Music commercial
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/taylor-swift-apple-music/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After having a very public strife with Apple over Apple Music, Taylor Swift is now in the latest commercial for. Apple Music.Based on true events. #TAYLORvsTREADMILL @applemusic @Drake @1Futurehttps://t.co/ryUY3Yz7Prhttps://t.co/1eIHjoVIFU— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 1, 2016The video shows Swift running on a treadmill to the beat of Drake's Jumpman, getting distracted and falling spectacularly. First thought that comes to mind is if this is Apple's way of getting back at her, but of course it had to be a stunt double.Interestingly, the video was released through Taylor...

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Week 13 in review: Galaxy J-series, Xiaomi phablets, 4K video champ
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's J-series got their mandatory (2016) overhaul and we now have the Galaxy J7 (2016), J5 (2016), and J3 (2016). That last one is only new for India, but there it even has a dedicated S bike mode for undisturbed bike riding, because that's exactly the feature everyone asked for (make sure you check it out though, the promo is loads of fun).The Xiaomi Mi 5 got launched in India this week, a Redmi 3 Pro was announced in China, a possible 4.3-inch smartphone was allegedly photographed in the wild, and rumors have the Mi Note 2 powered by a Snapdragon 823 and sporting 3D touch -...

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Google Photos lets you search with emoji
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-photos-emoji/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has added the ability to search through your Photos library using emoji.The emoji search works pretty much like text search. The search engine tries its best to match photos with the entered emoji. As you can see in the image above, searching for a tiger emoji pulled up the one picture of a tiger I had in my library.The search should work best for animals, vehicles, or food emoji, but for anything else you'd have to bust the standard keyboard. While it did seem like an April Fools' prank at first, it does work, and you can try it out for yourself.Source

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Report says Samsung will start selling foldable smartphones in 2017
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-foldable-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already know that Samsung is working on a foldable phone (internally dubbed Project Valley), and we've also seen some possible designs. Last we heard, there were rumors of it launching in January this year - that obviously didn't happen. Now, it looks like the device won't be coming this year.A new report from Samsung's home country of South Korea is claiming that the company will start mass-producing foldable displays by end of this year, with foldable smartphones arriving next year.The report notes that Samsung's foldable device would be a 5-inch smartphone in folded form,...

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LG G5 can now be purchased from all Big Four US carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-lg-g5-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, we've already told you about LG G5's availability on AT&T. However, if AT&T isn't the carrier of your choice, you'll be glad to know that the flagship smartphone is now available for purchase from all major US carriers, including the Big Four ones.While AT&T has the handset listed for $689, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are selling it for $624, $630, and $576, respectively. US Cellular is also carrying the device, selling it for $585.As for colors, aside from Verizon and T-Mobile - which only have the silver/titan and silver/gold options - all other carriers have...

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GSMArena

05-04-16, 19:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/galaxy-s7-edge-vs-lg-g5-low-light/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg Windows phone models aren't that many, which makes sense as the platforms has a market share of less than 2%. You might even say they are a select group of phones, each designed to occupy a niche of its own. So the Acer Liquid Jade Primo is a specimen of a rare breed.

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The HP Specter 13.3 is a 10.4mm razor-sharp laptop that you can actually get with a diamond finish
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/hp-specter-13.3-laptop/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is not particularly easy to shine at an event like the New York Times International Luxury Conference, but this year HP managed to turn some heads with what it claims to be the thinnest laptop in the world.At this year's event, hel in Versailles, France, HP showcased the Specter 13.3, which measures the razor-thin 10.4mm! If you can't put that into perspective, imagine the girth of an AAA battery, or better yet, a stack of eight Pennys.By comparison, the new MacBook is about 13.1mm thick and the 14-inch LG gram is about 12.7 mm. Speaking of the latter, the HP Specter 13.3...

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IKEA VR Experience lets you test drive kitchens before you buy them
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ikea-vr-experience/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg IKEA has made a VR Experience app to help potential kitchen buyers with their decision. The IKEA VR Experience, which is available on Steam, lets you see the company's kitchen design offerings from different perspective and allows you to change the colors of the cabinets and drawers with literally a click.What's even cooler is the option to modify your height down to 100cm tall and experience the kitchen like a child would. The VR Experience is currently in a pilot program, which will continue until August and is available for the HTC Vive.IKEA also counts on the VR Experience...

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Top deals for HTC phones in the US, One M9 for $399, hurry up though
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-discounts/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC is offering substantial discounts on a few of its hottest devices in the US, valid today only. The promo includes three smartphones, the Nexus 9 and the RE action cam.The deal on the One M9 saves you $250 off the usual off-contract price of $649 and the smartphone now goes for the rather attractive $399. The One A9 on the other hand, is $110 off, but at $390, it only makes a compelling case for the $9 more expensive M9. If you're on a tighter budget, the Desire 626 is being sold for $149.99, $30 off.The Nexus 9 tablet is 40% off, but the 16GB version is out of stock. The...

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Metal-clad vivo V3 and V3Max introduced
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vivo-v3-and-v3max-launched-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo launched a pair of new devices in Mumbai, India today, adding to its new budget-friendly "V" line of handsets. The vivo V3 and V3Max flaunt metal bodies - slimmer and sturdier than their siblings and both come with a big focus on improved performance. The smaller (143.6x71x7.5mm) vivo V3 is equipped with a 5-inch, 720p display and powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 616 SoC with 3GB of RAM. It has 32GB of expandable storage and a 2,550 mAh battery.The V3Max stands at 153.9x77.1x7.58mm, bumps up the display to a 5.5-inch, FullHD one and comes with a 2.5D glass on top. The...

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Oppo F1 Plus global rollout begins, price set at €389
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oppo-f1-plus-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The rollout of the Oppo F1 Plus has started and the phone is now available in select markets. In Europe, the phone will be on sale online starting May with a price of £299 in the UK and €389 elsewhere.In India the phone will retail for INR 26990 ($400). The phone will carry a similar price tag in Southeast Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, but exact numbers are yet to be confirmed.As Oppo clarified last week, the F1 Plus is nothing more than the international version of the Oppo R9. As such, the F1 Plus rocks a 5.5" 1080p AMOLED screen and has an octa-core MediaTek...

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Nubia event set for April 19, possibly a Z11 announcement?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nubia-april-19/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE's sub-brand Nubia has announced a press event for April 19, to be held in Beijing. The tagline reads something along the lines of "Small world - big wonders", Google Translate tells us, but that's all the poster reveals.Nubia April 19 event poster (click for full size)Logic would dictate, however, that a new flagship is to be unveiled, the Nubia Z11, and a Z11 mini alongside it. The Nubia Z9 was announced last year in May, so an announcement a month ahead of schedule isn't out of the question. Not to mention that the Z11 mini (or what looks like it) was already certified...

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Barclays finally adds Apple Pay support in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/barclays-apple-pay-support/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's been 9 months or so now since Apple Pay first launched in the United Kingdom and Barclays is clearly a little tardy to the show. The major bank's absence from the original list of adopters, like HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Santander, as well as the following second wave came as an unpleasant surprise for the customers hoping to take advantage of it.Better late than never and today the bank's customers were happy to discover that they can add their cards to the payment gateway. Barclays customers can finally enjoy Apple Pay, which despite its slow and controversial...

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Google updates Google Play icons
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/play-icons/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has updated the look of all its Google Play series of apps.Starting today you will start seeing the new icons everywhere. This includes the Play Store, Play Movies & TV, Play Music, Play Games, Play Books, and Play Newsstand icons.The new icons try to combine the skeuomorphic nature of the previous icons within the Play symbol. The Play Store and Google Play icons are mostly the same but with much brighter colors.As of now none of these are live online or on the store but should be soon in the coming weeks.Source

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Panasonic announces Lumix GX85
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/panasonic-gx85/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Panasonic has launched a new compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the LUMIX DMC-GX85.The GX85 has a 16 megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor without a low pass filter, which improves the detail by 10% over Panasonic's previous 16 megapixel sensors. The camera also includes in-body 5-axis image stabilization. The shutter mechanism employs a new electromagnetic drive to reduce the shutter shock and sound. The contrast based AF system works with Panasonic's Depth from Defocus to get autofocus time as low as 0.07 seconds.The GX85 can also record 4K (UHD) video at 30 or...

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Huawei P9 has its specs leaked one more time thanks to GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei's P9 will finally be made official at an event on April 6, which is this Wednesday. The grand unveiling follows leaks upon leaks that we've seen of the device over the past few weeks. In fact, its back side got portrayed in all its glory mere hours ago, complete with Leica branding for the camera and new Huawei text-only logo on the lower side.And now we've got a leaked list of specs for the P9, probably the last one before it gets official. It comes courtesy of a benchmark run, though it's not AnTuTu this time (like last month), but GFXBench.Interestingly, the specs revealed...

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iPhone SE's durability gets tested in another video, see it swim, tumble, bend, and drop onto a sidewalk
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-se-durability/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Love watching torture-test videos of the newest smartphones? Then you'll definitely enjoy this one. Coming just a few days after the first such video for the iPhone SE is a new one, with a slightly different focus. While last week we've shown you how Apple's latest 4-inch device has managed to withstand scratching, burning, and bending, this time around it faces an almost entirely new set of challenges.The common thing between the two videos is the bend test, though today's showing is a lot more scientific. We don't just get a 'pass' or 'fail' evaluation, but we find out that the iPhone...

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Meizu MX5E debuts in China with slightly watered down specs, lower price than the MX5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-mx5e/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today we found out that the upcoming Meizu m3 note is going to cost CNY 1,099 ($169 or €148 at the current exchange rates), and now it's time for another bit of news regarding a Meizu smartphone.This one is called the MX5E, and it's actually a new variation of the MX5 that has been released last year. It's slightly lower-end and also cheaper by a little, in fact.Meizu has launched the MX5E in China without an official announcement or anything of the sort. It can be found in stores starting at CNY 1,399, which is about $215 or €189. Apparently that's CNY 100 ($15, €13)...

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Microsoft is testing Outlook Premium subscription for $3.99 per month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/outlook-premium/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft is testing a new service called Outlook Premium. Currently, you can only get it if you receive an invite (if you want one, you can request it here).Outlook Premium gives you five personalized email addresses (using a custom domain of your choosing), an ad-free inbox, and improved calendar sharing. For those who have invites, it's free for the first year. Following that, Outlook Premium is priced at $3.99 per month.This may also be launched as a free add-on for Office 365 subscribers at some point in the future, after the testing phase has concluded. Yet if you're...

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New HTC 10 video teaser says we should expect "the best BoomSound yet"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-best-boomsound/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest HTC 10 teaser is here, ladies and gentlemen. And like one of those from last month, this is all about audio. However, this time around we're thankfully treated to more than just a cryptic image.It's a full video teaser, this, and it expands upon the "we're obsessed" theme that we saw in the company's first ever video teaser for the HTC 10. Though obviously this obsession has everything to do with "bright, fat, crisp" sound now.Not all music is created equal. Hi-res audio so every note is crystal clear. You'll hear it. 4/12 #powerof10https://t.co/uSFPDg4t6o— HTC (@htc) April...

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BlackBerry starts taking applications for the Priv Marshmallow beta program
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/priv-marshmallow-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As rumored last week, BlackBerry has today started taking applications for a new Beta Program for the Priv's Marshmallow update. Essentially this means that you can sign up to beta test the Android 6.0 Marshmallow software for the Priv before it goes out to everyone who owns the Canadian smartphone maker's first Android device. You'll then receive an over-the-air update with the beta build.The sign-up page is here. People will be accepted into the program in batches, and it looks like the first one has already been filled. You can however put yourself on the waiting list, and when a new...

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Apple unlikely to recover from falling iPhone sales in 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/iphone-6s-sales-analysis/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple analyst from KGI Ming-Chi Kuo, who has definitely proven a trustworthy source of information and predictions, forecasts year-on-year iPhone shipments will continue to fall in 2016. The total iPhone shipments for the year will likely fall below 200 million units ending up missing market expectations.Furthermore, Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple won't be able to recover from its peak iPhone times and as a result the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will see lower sales than its predecessors. The decline in sales for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus is a result of the rise of replacement...

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iPad Pro 9.7" teardown shows tightly packed components, low repairability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ipad-pro-97-teardown/-184x111/thumb.jpg The time for the iPad Pro 9.7 teardown is upon us, thanks to the professional disassemblers at iFixit. What everyone expected to be an iteration of the iPad Air 2, turned out to be a scaled down version of the 12.9" iPad Pro and as such every millimeter inside the alloy body is put to good use.The iPad Pro 9.7" is hard to open and requires a lot of patience and heating, but once open you can see just how cramped the inside is. The largest component, naturally, is the battery. In this iPad Pro it has a rating of 27.91 Whr (7,306mAh), which is slightly better than the iPad Air 2's 27.62...

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Meizu Pro 6 leaks in a new pair of photos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 has really been getting a lot of publicity lately. The whole iPhone 7 resemblance was more or less an attention-grabber, but even beyond that the handset has had its fair share of leaks.The latest batch of leaked photos offers a glimpse at both the front and the back of the phone and once again reaffirms the significant design similarities between the Pro 6 and its predecessor - the Pro 5. The shots in question seem to come from a shoot we already caught a glimpse of a few days back, making it quite a bit more believable.Overall, the images don't really...

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GSMArena

06-04-16, 19:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The most characteristic feature of the new Huawei P9 flagship is the Leica-designed dual camera setup. Why two cameras? Well, Huawei draws parallels with human eyes - both of them.The Huawei P9 comes in a number of special finishes and coatings for its six color options. This 1-minute "design story" video quickly covers the key points.This was the short introduction if you crave more info you can watch how Huawei and Leica partnered to reinvent smartphone photography (and don't forget to check out our hands-on for yet more details).The P9 is a global phone and as the...

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Huawei TalkBand 3 brings more styles, better audio
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/talkband-b3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus premiere today, the company also revealed the TalkBand B3 band. Just like on its predecessor, the band is passive and is a holder for the Bluetooth earpiece, which sits on top of it. The earpiece itself is where the major updates are too.For starters, Huawei touts it to be more ergonomic and has a high-grade chipset resulting in better audio performance. The sound volume is up by 25% compared to the B2 and the wind noise cancellation is bumped by 80%. Finally, the glass covering the earpiece is 3D-curved Corning Gorilla Glass (Huawei doesn't specify which...

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Unannounced Huawei P9 Lite debuts in a hands-on preview
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/p9-lite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei's major P9-series event is under way and in addition to the P9 and P9 Plus, the company is apparently preparing to unveil the P9 Lite. The guys over at Hi-Tech Mail.ru have spent some quality time with Huawei's latest mid-ranger and spilled the phone's main specifications.Just like the regular P9, the Huawei P9 Lite packs a 5.2" display of 1080p resolution resulting in a pixel density of 423ppi. Understandably, the dual Leica camera setup is missing on the P9 Lite and instead the phone packs a conventional 13MP main camera with a single LED flash. At the front, the phone...

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Huawei P9 and P9 Plus hands-on: First look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-p9/handson/-347x151/gsmarena_011.jpg Huawei's charge towards becoming a global brand continues with the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus. Both are sleek metal phones with a powerful chipset and a unique dual-camera setup, the duo is all set to tackle the global flagships.

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Huawei P9 and P9 Plus announced - dual 12MP cameras by Leica, Kirin 955 SoC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_101.jpg After a buildup lasting several months, with leaks and rumors coming in almost daily, the Huawei P9 is now finally official, announced at a dedicated event in London. And alongside the P9 we're also being treated to a P9 Plus, instead of the previously rumored P9 Max.Huawei P9The Huawei P9 is the regular-sized flagship, though we're inclined to call it the small-sized one - it has pretty much the same footprint as an iPhone 6s. Display diagonal is 5.2 inches, resolution is 1080p, and it's an IPS LCD panel.It's the in-house Kirin 955 chipset powering things, a modified...

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PS4 Remote Play App is available now for Windows & OS X
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/remote-play/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The PlayStation 4 v3.50 update is out and with it, Sony also launched Remote Play for Windows and OS X. The new feature allows you to stream your PS4 games on your desktop PC for when the TV just can't be accessed.Don't hold your breath for some stunning visuals, as the default quality of the video stream is 540p @ 30fps. Provided your PC is top notch and internet connection rock solid, 720p @ 60fps is the highest you can go. In comparison, optimized PS4 titles can run at 1080p@60fps. Finally, Sony could also be improving its PS4 controllers drivers for the PC in the near...

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Meizu m3 note goes official with aluminum unibody, fingerprint sensor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-m3-note-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Meizu held an unveiling event today in Beijing andfinally made the eagerly-anticipated m3 note official. The Chinese manufacturer's "m" lineup has a very distinct reputation for delivering quality budget-friendly offers, like the m1 note and its m2 note successor, both of which delivered outstanding value for money. In a first for the "m" line, the new offer features an 6000 series aluminum unibody. On the hardware side of things, the phone comes with a 5.5-inch, FullHD display, rather typical for the family with a 2.5D front glass. The front comes in black and white colors...

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Huawei P9 leaks one last time, black version shows up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-black/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Mere hours before announcement, the Huawei P9 showed up one last time unofficially, in black on this occasion.Unlike early leaks, this new image now features the Leica branding on the dual camera on the back of the device. The collaboration between the two companies was announced a couple of months ago and last week it was confirmed that the P9 will already reap the benefits.The shape of the fingerprint sensor has also been finalized to a rectangle with rounded corners. The circular design we saw earlier may have been an abandoned prototype, or might be used on the P9 Max....

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Vivaldi browser now out of beta
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vivaldi-1/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg We first heard of Vivaldi back when it was released in beta form early last year. The browser is now finally out of beta, and available for Windows, OS X, and Linux.Vivaldi is a browser by Vivaldi Technologies, an Oslo-based company founded by the former co-founder and CEO of Opera Software, Jon von Tetzchner. Vivaldi tries to build on what made Opera so popular with some people in the first place, a ton of features and customizability, before Opera decided to strip it away of everything and become overly simplistic.Vivaldi includes features such as tab stacking, where you can...

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Deal: $600 for black or gold Factory Unlocked Galaxy S7 at Newegg
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/deal-galaxy-s7-newegg-600-bucks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There is definitely something special about the Galaxy S7. It isn't often that a phone is sold for discounts and promotions not even a month after its original release. Let's not forget the buy-one-get-one free promotion that all major US Carriers have been participating in.But this is a different promotion, the international factory unlocked version (SM-G930F) of the Galaxy S7 can be purchased directly from Newegg for only $600. This is a phone whose retail price is well above Apple's introductory flagship price of $650 (for 16 measly GB) and a phone of which has only been released last...

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PSA: Siri-lock screen flaw leaves your contacts and photos vulnerable (iOS 9.3.1)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/siri-d-touch-lock-screen-flaw-bypass/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Siri isn't exactly the most loved feature of the iPhone among many users. She/He sometimes doesn't hear you correctly, and often infuriates users who try to use Siri and end up disabling it altogether.Now here is where 3D Touch comes in. It wasn't included in the iPhone SE, so we still don't know if it's because Apple intends to phase it out in the future, or if the iPhone SE was meant to be an inferior model to the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S+3D touch enables a serious flaw present in iOS 9.3.1 on the iPhones 6S and 6S+ that lets anybody who can get their hands on your iPhone to access...

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Reminders are finally coming to Google Calendar's web version
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-calendar-web-reminders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last December Google introduced a new Reminders feature in its Calendar apps for both Android and iOS. And now the feature is finally ready to be rolled out to the web version of Google Calendar as well.In a way overdue move, Google will add the functionality at some point later this week. Once you get Reminders in Google Calendar for web, you can fully take advantage of this neat feature. Reminders you create in Inbox for Gmail, Google Keep, or the Google app on your mobile device will also show up in Google Calendar.Obviously, reminders you create in the Google Calendar app for...

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Android Marshmallow doubles its market share in a month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/state-of-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest release of Google's mobile operating system has managed to double its market share within the last month. Marshmallow is now installed on 4.6% of all Android devices out there, whereas back in March it was sitting at 2.3%. That's some pretty convincing growth, even if it does come from a low number obviously.In April, Lollipop has grabbed 35.8% of the market, which interestingly is 0.3% less than last month - so perhaps some of Marshmallow's gains have been made at the expense of Lollipop. Moving on, KitKat now has 33.4% market share, down 0.9% from March.The three...

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LG G Pad X 8.0 lands at T-Mobile in mid-May
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/t-mobile-lg-gpad-x-80/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile is getting ready to launch a new LG tablet, according to a leak that's been outed today by none other than Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks). The G Pad X 8.0 will land in the magenta carrier's portfolio at some point in mid-May. It will follow similar G Pad X-branded mid-range slates that have already been launched by both AT&T and Verizon.T-Mobile's G Pad X 8.0 will have an 8-inch 1,920x1,200 touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 615 SoC (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core CPU), and a couple of 5 MP cameras - one on the front, one on the back. Keeping things running will be a 4,650 mAh...

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BlackBerry Priv receives permanent price cut in the US and Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/priv-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Good news if you've been eyeing the Android-powered BlackBerry Priv but haven't bought one yet. Starting today the price of a Priv sold by BlackBerry unlocked has just been dropped in the US and Europe. And this is no limited time type of deal - it's a permanent price cut.That said, it's not the biggest of reductions. In the US you'll save $50 compared to the launch price, while in Continental Europe you'll be asked to pay €50 less than before. The £50 price cut from the UK that we reported on last month has been made official on this occasion too.So, from today an unlocked and...

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LG trademarks G5 SE in South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-g5-se-trademark/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In a move that could easily be categorized as simply copying an idea Apple had first, LG has trademarked the name G5 SE in its native South Korea. So it looks like at least someone in the world views the SE suffix as great branding. Apple should probably be flattered, but we assume it's going to become pretty angry if LG actually launches a smartphone called G5 SE.That's one big "if", naturally, as at this point we have no more information to go on aside from the aforementioned trademark filing itself. Obviously LG could in the end choose not to go the SE route for a new device. Then...

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WhatsApp now offers full end-to-end encryption to all of its 1 billion users
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/whatsapp-encryption/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, it's happened. As predicted last month, WhatsApp has now finalized its multi-year long effort to bring end-to-end encryption to all aspects of the service, and to all of its users. The number of those, by the way, has grown to over 1 billion. That makes the Facebook-owned app essentially the second most popular social network after Facebook itself, which has around 1.5 billion users.End-to-end encryption has showed up in WhatsApp for Android back in 2014, but from this point on it will work on any of the platforms on which the app is present (iOS, Android, Windows, S60, S40, and...

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The HP Spectre 13.3 is a 10.4mm razor-sharp laptop that you can actually get with a diamond finish
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/hp-specter-13.3-laptop/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is not particularly easy to shine at an event like the New York Times International Luxury Conference, but this year HP managed to turn some heads with what it claims to be the thinnest laptop in the world.At this year's event, hel in Versailles, France, HP showcased the Spectre 13.3, which measures the razor-thin 10.4mm! If you can't put that into perspective, imagine the girth of an AAA battery, or better yet, a stack of eight Pennys.By comparison, the new MacBook is about 13.1mm thick and the 14-inch LG gram is about 12.7 mm. Speaking of the latter, the HP Spectre 13.3 is...

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IKEA VR Experience lets you test drive kitchens before you buy them
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ikea-vr-experience/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg IKEA has made a VR Experience app to help potential kitchen buyers with their decision. The IKEA VR Experience, which is available on Steam, lets you see the company's kitchen design offerings from different perspective and allows you to change the colors of the cabinets and drawers with literally a click.What's even cooler is the option to modify your height down to 100cm tall and experience the kitchen like a child would. The VR Experience is currently in a pilot program, which will continue until August and is available for the HTC Vive.IKEA also counts on the VR Experience...

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GSMArena

07-04-16, 19:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6-image/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just one day after having announced the m3 note, Meizu's management is now officially teasing the oft-leaked Pro 6. Well, perhaps not as much teasing as actually revealing it. That's because the first official image showing the Meizu Pro 6 has surfaced today, and it basically confirms the design we've seen so far in all the leaks.As you can see, we only get a look at the back of the handset, but there's no reason for us to think the front will look any different than what was already portrayed through leaks. Standing out on the back is the arrangement of the laser autofocus and the LED...

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Sony SmartWatch 3 is getting the Marshmallow update right now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-smartwatch-3-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sony SmartWatch 3 is now receiving the Marshmallow update, aka Android Wear 1.4. In about a week, all SW3 users should have gotten the new update, which pushes Google that much closer to updating all Android Wear smartwatches to the new version (isn't it nice when OS updates are centralized like that?).The 1.4 update brings support for calls using a loudspeaker (for those watches that have one), dictating messages for chat apps (Hangouts, WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat and a few more) and additional gesture support.PS: The update will arrive over the air, but if you need it now, you...

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Domino's launches 'Zero Click' pizza ordering app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/dominos-app/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Domino's has launched a new app on iOS and Android, that takes all the work and effort out of ordering a pizza. With Zero Click, you can order your favorite pizza simply by opening the app.The app saves your favorite pizza and all the other information required to send you the pizza. Once that is done, you just have to open the app. It waits for ten seconds so you can cancel if you opened the app accidentally, and then automatically places the order for the pizza you have set in your profile. It then displays your order info.It is a very convenient way to order pizza if you're...

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Huawei Honor 5C may launch next week with upgraded chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-honor-5c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Honor 5X will soon receive a more affordable sibling, the Huawei Honor 5C. The info is limited, but we're looking at a brand new design and an upgraded chipset compared to its predecessor, the 4C.The chipset will be a big upgrade - going from Kirin 620 to Kirin 950. That's the same chipset that powers the Mate 8 and substitutes four of the CPU cores for powerful Cortex-A72s, not to mention the more powerful GPU.The new chipset also brings LTE (which was omitted on the 4C). It's speedy LTE Cat. 6 for up to 300Mbps downloads.The final piece of info is a date, "4.13," which...

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Huawei P9 benchmarked, Kirin 955 put to the test
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-benchmarked/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei P9 is powered by an in-house Kirin 955 chipset. Not a full 10 more than the Kirin 950 inside the Mate 8, the designation leads you to believe than not much is changed, and that's indeed the case. The Kirin 955 SoC features an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A72 cores clocked at up to 2.5GHz (compared to the 2.3GHz of the Kirin 950's), and four Cortex-A53 cores ticking at up to 1.8GHz (same as Kirin 950). The GPU is again a quad-core Mali-T880 MP4.We ran a few benchmarks on the P9 and the results are in. Oddly enough, the Kirin 955 trails behind the 950 in multi-core...

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Samsung Gear 360 costs $350, is coming soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-gear-360-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg "VR" has been the buzzword at tech events this year and since all the major headsets are heading to consumers soon, the battlefield moved to 360? cameras. Samsung demoed the Gear 360 cam at its MWC announcement alongside the Galaxy S7, but we've been waiting until now for the price.At $350 it's not very pricey for a brand-name action camera (it features IP53 certification). Note that the Samsung Gear 360 is not on sale yet, it's marked "Coming soon" with no exact date of launch. Still, considering the LG 360 Cam is $200, the Samsung Gear 360 is almost double the cost.Source |...

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Samsung's Q1 earnings guidance suggests a 10.4% growth in profit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-q1-earning-guidance/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung seems to be looking at an exceptionally good first sales quarter this year. The Korean giant just published its earnings guidance for the three month period in question and it suggests consolidated sales of KRW49 trillion ($43.3 billion), which is a notable year-over-year increase over the KRW47.1 trillion ($40.7 million) in Q1 2015.As for consolidated operating profit, Samsung now expects a figure of KRW6.6 trillion or about $5.7 billion, which constitutes a 10.45% increase over last year. Needless to say, these numbers aren't final, but it is definitely safe to say that...

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We have Huawei P9 camera samples, check them out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The collaboration between Huawei and Leica paid off big time with the Huawei P9 and its unique camera setup. In case you missed it, it has two 12MP sensors - one for color and one black and white - which serve both to improve low-light performance and to create digital bokeh effects.We've collected all the samples we shot on Page 3 of our hands-on. Here's a quick taste:Huawei P9 samples: Daylight • Monochrome • Low-light • BokehWe have a couple of shots with the Huawei P9 Plus as well, but we didn't spend much time with it. Check out its samples here.The dual-camera...

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SIM-free Apple iPhone SE sells out in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-se-out-of-stock/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple may have underestimated the interest the iPhone SE will generate in the US. The SIM-free version of the phone is now sold out on Apple's website with the earliest shipping estimated pointing to the end of April.Carriers, however, have some stock if you are okay to sign a new contract or renew an old one. IN general the $399 16GB iPhone SE has a slightly better availability than the $499 64GB model, but then again it's understandable why the memory-limited version doesn't get much interest.Shortage supply is also seen in Honk Kong, where the earliest availability for...

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Lumia 650 launched in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lumia-650-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has launched the Lumia 650 Dual SIM in India, the newest phone to be launched in the country running Windows 10 after the 950 and 950 XL.The Lumia 650 Dual SIM is a budget device, packing a 5-inch 720p OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 chipset, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage (expandable to 200GB), 8MP rear/5MP front cameras, 2000mAh battery, and Windows 10 out of the box.The phone is priced at INR 15,299 ($230) and will be available in black and white color options.

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OnePlus One's Marshmallow update in final testing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-one-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Marshmallow update for the OnePlus One is not only in the works, but is in its final testing stage. OnePlus co-founder took it to Twitter to share the good news.Marshmallow for the One is in the final testing stage. Can't give ETA as it depends on other parties, but should be very soon.— Carl Pei (@getpeid) April 6, 2016Android 6.0 was promised to One users back in November last year, with a planned release date in Q1 2016, which obviously didn't happen. At this point it's still not entirely clear when the update will actually make it to the masses, as it's dependent on...

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TSA apparently paid more than $300K for an iPad app that randomly decides left or right
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/tsa-apparently-paid-300k-for-ipad-app-that-randomly-decides-left-right/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When it comes do building apps, developers need extensive training in order to build even the simplest applications.A developer named Kevin Burke submitted a request for the information regarding the iPad deployment and the app that randomizes an arrow to point either left or right for passengers to go through regular security or a faster TSA Pre-check The information was available thanks to the Freedom of Information Act which allows anyone the right to certain aspects of Government information when requested. In any case, it took a while for anyone to reply, and finally, the TSA's...

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Want your iPhone SE to look like an iPhone 6? Check out these modders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-se-modification-to-look-like-iphone-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Some modders at ComputerBild decided that the iPhone SE was stuck in a body much too old to be sold as a new phone. We don't blame them, the iPhone 5 was introduced in fall of 2012 so it's about 3 and a half years old.These modders decided to buy an aftermarket housing for an iPhone 5(S) from AliExpress that you can use to effectively replace the iPhone SE's outdated exterior. The new housing they chose features the iPhone 6(S)'s curvier appearance and it's even outfitted with fake antenna lines.Though, in order to perform this modification, you will have to say "goodbye" to...

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You can now contact Newegg support via Facebook Messenger
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/newegg-provides-support-via-facebook-messenger/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Facebook has been doing a lot of construction behind the scenes. Particularly, Facebook's Messenger has gained a lot of integration with different apps lately, gained GIF support, phone and video call support, and third party plug-ins like with Spotify and Uber are among the improvements made.Facebook was also in talks of developing an infrastructure for businesses to communicate with their customers. Newegg is among the first companies to use Messenger for Business. All customers need to need to do to speak to a representative is to start a conversation with Newegg via...

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Our Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge video review is up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge stars in our latest video review, and in more than one ways. We shot the entire video of the Galaxy S7 Edge on a Galaxy S7 Edge to show you the depth of field from the insanely wide f/1.7 aperture.But there's more to a good video than simply quality - the Galaxy S7's Pro mode came in quite handy. With it we were able to pinpoint manual focus, shutter speed and ISO and even fine tune the white balance depending on the light in the scene.As for the more detailed, written review - here you go.

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Facebook bets big on live video, gives it a new tab in its mobile apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/facebook-live-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Facebook is going all-in with live video broadcasts. The social network has announced that it's expanding its live video feature, just a few months after it was made available to everyone. The new stuff will be seen in the Facebook apps for Android and iOS "over the coming weeks", as the rollout completes.First off, you'll see a new tab in the app, in between the one for friend requests and the one housing notifications. This new video tab will let you discover live videos that others are broadcasting. What you'll see here are (obviously) videos from your friends and celebrities you...

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HTC 10 camera teaser says it will be "the best ever smartphone for shooting photos and videos"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-camera-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Even though its next flagship smartphone has basically been leaked dozens of times already, HTC is continuing its teaser campaign for the handset. Soon the number of teasers put out for the HTC 10 will equal the number of leaks and rumors we've seen about it, at this rate.Anyway, the newest HTC 10 teaser is a video once again, and this time around the main focus is the upcoming phone's camera. Is it a coincidence that HTC chose to release this teaser today of all days, mere hours after Huawei took the wraps off its camera-centric flagship duo for 2016? It's impossible to say, but the...

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T-Mobile Arena opens in Vegas, here's a first look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/t-mobile-arena-opens-in-vegas/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Las Vegas' newest arena has T-Mobile's name on it, and magenta lights as far as the eye can see. It's huge at 650,000 square feet (~60,385 square meters) and deep rather than wide, in order to give the best views of the arena below from any seat. The arena is also able to accommodate 20,000 visitors.#BingeOn, #MusicFreedom & NOW our customers are also entertainment VIPs in Vegas! @TMobileArena 1st look by @AskDeshttps://t.co/TZ1H70mdEN— T-Mobile (@TMobile) April 6, 2016T-Mobile Product Manager @askdes gives us a first look at the new arena and tells us about some of the perks that...

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Huawei Watch for women listed as "coming soon" on the Google Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-watch-women-coming-soon-to-play-store/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At CES, Huawei held an announcement that its Huawei Watch was going to be redesigned as a smartwatch for women. The watch would be available in two models for women: the Watch Elegant, and the Watch Jewel. The Watch Jewel is the one encrusted with Swarovski Crystals all the way around the bezel.On the Google Store, we can now see the page for Huawei Watches for women and the site has only put it up as "Coming Soon". There is still no word on when these watches will officially start shipping to customers. Even Huawei's official website only shows you a link to sign up for notifications....

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LG G5 gets an awesome 8/10 repairability score from iFixit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-g5-ifixit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG's new flagship offer is anything, but traditional. regardless of how you view the rather unorthodox design approach of the Korean OEM, it appears to have at least one clear advantage over many of its direct competitors - repairability.According to the good folks over at iFixit, the LG G5 is a breeze to open up and repair, especially compared to most glued and tightly-sealed unibody handsets of late. It is arguably irrelevant whether the phone's "modular" design contributes directly to the pleasant repair experience or simply facilitates the continuation of an old LG valued...

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GSMArena

08-04-16, 19:24

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-ois-selfie/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HTC promises amazing camera on its upcoming HTC 10 flagship and a tweet sent out too early may have revealed part of this generation's innovation - OIS on the selfie camera.The company was one of the first to add Optical Image Stabilization on the main camera with the HTC One, but Nokia had it earlier. This will be a first, though.The tweet was sent out by Kisha Bari, an internationally recognized photographer. The Twitter account has since been restricted.Source (Google Cache) | Via

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Meizu Pro 6 will be announced on April 13 in Beijing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pro6-april-13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following the recent appearance of the Meizu Pro 6, the company officially announced the phone will be revealed on April 13. The invite reveals the launch will be held in Beijing.We'll know officially what the Pro 6 is all about. Going by rumors we are expecting a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front-facing snapper, Samsung's Exynos 8890 chipset, 4 or 6GB of RAM, and a 3,500 mAh battery.Just the other day Meizu announced the m3 note.Via

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Galaxy S7 edge (Exynos) vs. iPhone 6s speedtest
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/exynos-s7-edge-6s-speedtest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In another round of head-to-head speed tests, the folks over at PhoneBuff have pitted the Exynos-powered Samsung Galaxy S7 edge against the Apple iPhone 6s Plus. The Galaxy S7 with a Snapdragon heart lost miserably the previous time around, but then the Snapdragon vs. Exynos test clearly showed the edge Samsung's chip has.Well, apparently not enough to beat the iPhone 6s Plus. Apple's smartphone still manages to win the race, though the margin is much smaller this time. Additionally, the Galaxy S7 edge does a much better second lap compared to its first - returning to the apps,...

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iPhone SE now available in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-se-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Right on schedule, the iPhone SE is now available for purchase in India. The phone is available offline as well as online through Flipkart and Infibeam.The iPhone SE is available in two variants; the 16GB is priced at INR 39,000 ($585) and the 64GB at INR 49,000 ($735). The phone is available in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold.The iPhone SE is the latest iPhone from Apple, that packs the hardware of the iPhone 6s into the smaller body of the iPhone 5s. You get the same 4-inch display but now with the faster A9 chip, 12 megapixel iSight camera with 4K video, Apple Pay,...

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Samsung IRIS CAM module spotted in import documents
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-iris-cam/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Iris scanning technology has been a long-standing rumor with Samsung flagships. Going as far back as the Galaxy S5, numerous sources claimed that the technology is ready to ship with the Korean giant's next best thing. And, the statement has been reiterated ever since for almost every Galaxy S and Note models.Now, in a new development, there might finally be some tangible evidence that Samsung is close to implementing iris technology. A tracking entry in Zauba indicates something called an IRIS CAM has been shipped from South Korea to India. This could be indicative that Samsung...

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Microsoft Lumia 950 falls to ?344 in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lumia-950-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Surprising no one, the Microsoft Lumia 950 gets another price cut in the UK. This time, it's a pretty solid discount and the 5.2" Windows flagship now costs ?344 from Amazon UK.In January it was ?400, then down to ?380 in February. The current price is the lowest yet, significantly discounted from the ?420 that Microsoft's official store is asking for it. Carphone Warehouse is still charging ?400 for it.Amazon also has an ok deal on the Lumia 950 XL - ?450 (down from ?470 offer from Microsoft).Source | Via

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 N910C gets Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-note-4-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Android Marshmallow is seeding to the Exynos-powered version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, with reports of the OTA arrival coming in from various parts of the world. So far, we've gotten tips from Poland, India and the US, and the screenshots below come from Turkey (though the device is running on a Polish ROM).From what we gather, the firmware is in the whereabouts of 1.3GB (a little bit less than the Sprint Marshmallow build for the Note 4) and brings the OS version to 6.0.1. The users in the Turkish forum (source link below) report that the Screen off memo feature from the Note5...

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Alcatel and TCL to launch Xess in US April 22 - the perfect kitchen accessory
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/alcatel-xess-best-kitchen-accessory-launch-in-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We saw the Xess at CES back in January and it was called the Xess Slate, it seems like Alcatel dropped the Slate from the name and TCL, Alcatel's parent company TCL, decided to put its own brand on it instead.The Xess will launch in the US on April 22 for a price of $500. It is essentially a large tablet that is almost a touch PC. It acts as a control center for the home, in a way. The way it presents itself is more of a household appliance than a tablet for consuming media.The Xess is powered by a 1.5 GHz Mediatek processor paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage,...

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New alleged Moto X spotted in public with a fingerprint scanner on the front
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-leaks-of-moto-x-in-the-wild/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Now is about that time. Everyone is over with MWC. Samsung, LG, and HTC duke it out in the beginning of the year, then Motonovo- wait, what should we call it now? Let's call it Moto for now. We are still far away from Moto's usual launch timeframe of around late-Summer to early-Fall.The picture of a leaked photo submitted to HelloMotoHK shows just enough of what we might want to know about such a device. This device was spotted on what looks to be either public transit, like a train, or even a coffee shop? Maybe? I don't know, we are just speculating here.The top corner of the...

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Reports say Facebook users aren't posting as many personal updates
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/reports-say-facebook-posts-have-declined/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg I don't know about you, but lately my Facebook feed has been nothing but re-shared memes, videos, and click-bait articles. Facebook has been so focused on selling its platform for companies and organizations to advertise on, that users feel overwhelmed with all the irrelevant content that appears on their feeds and don't even find it worth sharing personal updates anymore.According to a report from TheInformation, five and a half percent of overall posts declined from mid-2014 to mid-2015 while the amount of personal updates on Facebook has dropped 21 perfect in the same period. Since...

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Reddit finally releases its own Official App for Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/reddit-releases-official-app-for-android/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Redditors everywhere know that the only way to have a somewhat cohesive Reddit experience on a smartphone would be to compare the bunch of third-party apps available on the Play/App Store. These apps were always unofficial readers for Reddit and didn't offer a predictable UI or functionality.Ever since Reddit's popularity was on the rise the past few years, many developers who were also fans of the site have taken it upon themselves to create their own Reddit client because other clients were not as good as they'd hoped. They also must have been tired of waiting for Reddit to release an...

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Hermes bands for the Apple Watch will be available separately starting at $340
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-watch-hermes-bands/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple Watch Hermes collection has already been available for many months now, both in stores and online. Yet what if you fancy one of those Hermes bands for the Apple Watch but don't want to buy it attached to an Apple Watch? Well, the two companies have actually thought of that possibility.And from April 19 onwards you'll be able to purchase the Hermes bands separately, sans Apple Watch. The Single Tour versions of the bands will start at $340, while the Double Tour models will cost $490 (and are limited to the 38mm smartwatch). The 42mm Cuff design will set you back $690 and will...

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Asus Zenfone Zoom and Zenfone 2 Laser getting sizable updates
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/asus-zenfone-zoom-2-laser-ota/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Asus delivered a pair of updates for two of its handsets -the Zenfone Zoom, bearing the model number ZX551ML and the other for the Zenfone 2 Laser ZE601KL.Sadly, the packages in question do not bring Android Marshmallow. They still add a bit of extra functionality and address some significant issues, especially in the case of the Zenfone Zoom. The software bears a version identifier of 2.26.40.72(MR3.2) and according to the official change notes cited below, most tweaks are within the phone's modem and the camera. If we may also note, it is quite refreshing to see a properly kept...

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Sony SmartWatch 3 is getting the Marshmallow update right now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-smartwatch-3-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sony SmartWatch 3 is now receiving the Marshmallow update, aka Android Wear 1.4. In about a week, all SW3 users should have gotten the new update, which pushes Google that much closer to updating all Android Wear smartwatches to the new version (isn't it nice when OS updates are centralized like that?).The 1.4 update brings support for calls using a loudspeaker (for those watches that have one), dictating messages for chat apps (Hangouts, WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat and a few more) and additional gesture support.PS: The update will arrive over the air, but if you need it now, you...

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Domino's launches 'Zero Click' pizza ordering app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/dominos-app/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Domino's has launched a new app on iOS and Android, that takes all the work and effort out of ordering a pizza. With Zero Click, you can order your favorite pizza simply by opening the app.The app saves your favorite pizza and all the other information required to send you the pizza. Once that is done, you just have to open the app. It waits for ten seconds so you can cancel if you opened the app accidentally, and then automatically places the order for the pizza you have set in your profile. It then displays your order info.It is a very convenient way to order pizza if you're...

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Huawei Honor 5C may launch next week with upgraded chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-honor-5c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Honor 5X will soon receive a more affordable sibling, the Huawei Honor 5C. The info is limited, but we're looking at a brand new design and an upgraded chipset compared to its predecessor, the 4C.The chipset will be a big upgrade - going from Kirin 620 to Kirin 950. That's the same chipset that powers the Mate 8 and substitutes four of the CPU cores for powerful Cortex-A72s, not to mention the more powerful GPU.The new chipset also brings LTE (which was omitted on the 4C). It's speedy LTE Cat. 6 for up to 300Mbps downloads.The final piece of info is a date, "4.13," which...

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Huawei P9 benchmarked, Kirin 955 put to the test
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-benchmarked/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei P9 is powered by an in-house Kirin 955 chipset. Not a full 10 more than the Kirin 950 inside the Mate 8, the designation leads you to believe than not much is changed, and that's indeed the case. The Kirin 955 SoC features an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A72 cores clocked at up to 2.5GHz (compared to the 2.3GHz of the Kirin 950's), and four Cortex-A53 cores ticking at up to 1.8GHz (same as Kirin 950). The GPU is again a quad-core Mali-T880 MP4.We ran a few benchmarks on the P9 and the results are in. Oddly enough, the Kirin 955 trails behind the 950 in multi-core...

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Samsung Gear 360 costs $350, is coming soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-gear-360-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg "VR" has been the buzzword at tech events this year and since all the major headsets are heading to consumers soon, the battlefield moved to 360? cameras. Samsung demoed the Gear 360 cam at its MWC announcement alongside the Galaxy S7, but we've been waiting until now for the price.At $350 it's not very pricey for a brand-name action camera (it features IP53 certification). Note that the Samsung Gear 360 is not on sale yet, it's marked "Coming soon" with no exact date of launch. Still, considering the LG 360 Cam is $200, the Samsung Gear 360 is almost double the cost.Source |...

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Samsung's Q1 earnings guidance suggests a 10.4% growth in profit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-q1-earning-guidance/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung seems to be looking at an exceptionally good first sales quarter this year. The Korean giant just published its earnings guidance for the three month period in question and it suggests consolidated sales of KRW49 trillion ($43.3 billion), which is a notable year-over-year increase over the KRW47.1 trillion ($40.7 million) in Q1 2015.As for consolidated operating profit, Samsung now expects a figure of KRW6.6 trillion or about $5.7 billion, which constitutes a 10.45% increase over last year. Needless to say, these numbers aren't final, but it is definitely safe to say that...

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GSMArena

09-04-16, 19:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-v10-t-mobile-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Everyone seems to be getting Marshmallow these days, and even if the general reaction is "well, about time", it's still great that more phones get to be running on Google's latest OS version. The LG V10 is already a member of that club, but these being regional and carrier-specific matters, the rollout has so far taken place in South Korea and in Turkey, as well as Verizon's units in the US.Apparently, T-Mobile will follow suit next week, wacky product manager Des Smith has disclosed on Twitter. Well, about time.Guess who should start seeing #Android #Marshmallow next week! #LGV10...

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LeEco Le 2 clears TENAA - 5.5" FullHD display, 10-core CPU, Android 6.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le-2-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The LeEco Le 2 has been certified by Chinese telecom regulator TENAA, and we're being treated to a detailed list of specs as well as the usual mug shots.Photos first, the smartphone looks nothing like the one in a leak we had a month ago. Okay, the front may be similar, but the back is entirely different, and a lot more consistent with the Le Max Pro we saw a couple of months ago.Setting design aside, the LeEco Le 2 (which carries the parent company LeTV branding) comes with a 5.5-inch FullHD display. The chipset inside appears to be the Helio X20 - core count field says 10, and...

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Sony Xperia Z2, Z3 and Z3 Compact are getting official Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-xperia-z2-z3-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony is delivering on its promise dating back to October last year to bring Android Marshmallow to the Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact. After a Beta build was released a month ago, users of the smartphones are starting to receive the official update.The firmware, carrying a build number 23.5.A.0.570, brings the OS version to the latest 6.0.1, and includes the February Android security patch as well as the latest camera app interface.Now, there are the usual caveats, though. For one, only three models are getting the update for now, specifically the D6503 Z2, the...

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Meizu Pro 6 rumored to come with a 10-LED flash
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6-10-leds/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Dual-LED smartphone flashes are ubiquitous, and triple-LED ones are also fairly popular. That is, to the extent the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, and also the Lenovo Vibe Shot, are popular.How about 10 LEDs, though. That's how many of those the upcoming Meizu Pro 6 will have, if the latest rumor turns out to be true. A photo of the future flagship that was officially released the other day (the one below) does indeed show a ring around the laser autofocusing window - a ring, which was obviously going to house the flash, as there isn't one to be found anywhere else.But 10 LEDs? The Pro...

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Silk White OnePlus One now back in stock, why would you want a 16GB phone though?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-silk-white/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is proud to announce the return of the Silk White color option for the One smartphone. The alternative to the Sandstone Black is now back in stock, in time for the Marshmallow update.We've got some good news to brighten up your Friday. The OnePlus One Silk White is back! https://t.co/Za1eTUSZT1 pic.twitter.com/q5LXsLkJBY— OnePlus (@oneplus) April 8, 2016The thing is, the white model comes with only 16GB of built-in storage, and built-in storage is all the storage you get with the OnePlus One, as it doesn't have a microSD slot for expansion.If you can live with that...

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62% of current Apple Watch owners plan to upgrade to the next one
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-watch-survey/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Market research specialists at Fluent have conducted a survey among Americans asking them about their thoughts on the Apple Watch a year after release. Some of the numbers have turned out quite intriguing.For starters, 197 of the 2,578 people that took part in the online survey actually own an Apple Watch, that rounds up to 8%. An equal percentage had a different smartwatch, meaning half of smartwatches in the US are indeed Apple Watches. More importantly though, 62% of current owners plan to upgrade to the next model, which no one has seen or heard of yet. Talk about brand...

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OnePlus One Marshmallow update now seeding
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-one-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We reported on the Marshmallow update for the OnePlus One being in final testing the other day, in the words of company co-founder Carl Pei, and he gave a rather vague promise that the rollout will start "very soon". Well, those who read that as "maybe another month left to go" will be pleasantly surprised today.Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is beginning to roll out for the OnePlus One, the company has shared in a post on its own forum. Cyanogen is ready to push the CM 13.0 release with internal designation ZNH0EAS26M to OnePlus' first ever smartphone.As is customary with all such...

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Another leak of the HTC 10 shows the handset in white
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-leak-before-event-on-april-12/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There is no doubt that HTC is really excited about the HTC 10 that it has been teasing the device left and right since the beginning of this year. This time, however, a photo was leaked through Chinese micro-blogging network Weibo.Apparently someone who had their hands on a final unit in white, took a picture of it laying atop a greasy laptop keyboard. The unit shown had Chinese software on it but looks just like another Chinese unit that was also leaked earlier last month.What is different about this unit was that it was white. We'd only seen units with black faces so at least we...

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You can buy an Honor 5X for just $1, there's a catch though
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-5x-for-1-dollar-but-theres-a-catch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor wants to sell you the Honor 5X, a mid-range phone with flagship features, for only $1. The Honor 5X is already pretty cheap with its $200 price tag even at launch. Honor/Huawei is holding sales on every eighth minute of every hour starting at 10:08 this morning (Central Standard Timezone) until the last sale which starts at 21:08.You have to be really quick to get this phone at just $1. I just tried to get it myself and found myself too late after just 15 seconds past 18:08. I refreshed the page and saw the "Add to cart" button. After I clicked it, I got a message that the item was...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will be water and dust resistant, report says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/note-6-ip68/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far, we've heard that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will come with 6GB of RAM, a 5.8-inch touchscreen (presumably keeping the QHD resolution), a 12 MP rear camera, and 64 or 128GB of storage (maybe even 256GB).And now a new piece of the puzzle is reportedly revealed. According to a new report, the Note 6 will be IP68 certified. That means it will be dust tight and just as water resistant as the Galaxy S7 - being able to withstand submerging into up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes.The phone could also sport an iris scanner, as revealed earlier today by an intriguing...

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Blackberry is reportedly switching focus to mid-range handsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/blackberry-shift-to-midrangers/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg During an interview with The National, CEO of BlackBerry, John Chen admitted that the first Android-powered BlackBerry may have been set too high for customers. Indeed, the BlackBerry Priv must have turned customers off when they found out about its near-$700 price tag. BlackBerry intended to aim the BlackBerry Priv at enterprise customers, or for a more business oriented lifestyle.Chen also told The National that BlackBerry plans to release two mid-range devices this year. One will feature a physical keyboard like the Priv, while the other one will be an all-touchscreen phone. My guess...

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HTC 10 will have great battery life, new teaser promises
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-battery-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Believe it or not, we are now just four days away from the official unveiling of the oft-leaked, oft-rumored, and much-teased HTC 10 smartphone. Now that we're getting closer and closer to the big day, HTC is ramping up its teaser campaign posting new videos every other day.All of HTC's teasers so far have done a great job at overpromising things (be they related to the camera, audio capabilities, and now battery life), so we're left hoping the actual device won't underdeliver in any of those respects.Our engineers are so obsessed w/ battery life we've turned it into a science. You'll...

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Huawei MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro gets the leaked press render treatment
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-mediapad-t2-10-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in February right before Huawei's MWC event an upcoming tablet by the Chinese manufacturer got leaked. However, the MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro, for that's its name, wasn't actually made official that time around. Huawei has yet to acknowledge it, but the slate has been leaked again today - so maybe its announcement is close by.The new MediaPad has received the leaked press render treatment, with official-looking shots depicting it from a few angles.Alongside the new images we also get a confirmation of its specs, which were first outed in February. The MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro will...

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Apple iPhone SE review: Reminiscence
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/apple-iphone-se/-347x151/thumb2.jpg Apple didn't come up with a new design for the smaller iPhone SE. Instead, they've reused the old iPhone 5s with new internals. It's an odd move, which we witness for the first time - it's like reusing the same looks of a phone model third generation in a row. And that from the company, that practically invented the two-year phone redesign cycle.

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Car-sharing service launched by BMW in Seattle
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bmw-launches-car-sharing-service-in-seattle/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Car-sharing, while still not widely popular, is on the rise. Services like Car2Go or ZipCar have proven that people have a desire for renting a car for shorter amounts of time. Things like free gas and insurance are great perks, especially when renting a car.When renting a car in the traditional sense: one is responsible for gas and insurance in addition to the actual daily renter's fee. Some drivers only want to rent a car for one or two trips. Car-sharing services prosper well in a place like New York City or San Fransisco, where apartment dwellers don't even have driveways, it's...

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Meizu Pro 6 will be announced on April 13 in Beijing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pro6-april-13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following the recent appearance of the Meizu Pro 6, the company officially announced the phone will be revealed on April 13. The invite reveals the launch will be held in Beijing.We'll know officially what the Pro 6 is all about. Going by rumors we are expecting a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front-facing snapper, Samsung's Exynos 8890 chipset, 4 or 6GB of RAM, and a 3,500 mAh battery.Just the other day Meizu announced the m3 note.Via

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Galaxy S7 edge (Exynos) vs. iPhone 6s speedtest
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/exynos-s7-edge-6s-speedtest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In another round of head-to-head speed tests, the folks over at PhoneBuff have pitted the Exynos-powered Samsung Galaxy S7 edge against the Apple iPhone 6s Plus. The Galaxy S7 with a Snapdragon heart lost miserably the previous time around, but then the Snapdragon vs. Exynos test clearly showed the edge Samsung's chip has.Well, apparently not enough to beat the iPhone 6s Plus. Apple's smartphone still manages to win the race, though the margin is much smaller this time. Additionally, the Galaxy S7 edge does a much better second lap compared to its first - returning to the apps,...

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iPhone SE now available in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-se-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Right on schedule, the iPhone SE is now available for purchase in India. The phone is available offline as well as online through Flipkart and Infibeam.The iPhone SE is available in two variants; the 16GB is priced at INR 39,000 ($585) and the 64GB at INR 49,000 ($735). The phone is available in silver, space gray, gold, and rose gold.The iPhone SE is the latest iPhone from Apple, that packs the hardware of the iPhone 6s into the smaller body of the iPhone 5s. You get the same 4-inch display but now with the faster A9 chip, 12 megapixel iSight camera with 4K video, Apple Pay,...

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Samsung IRIS CAM module spotted in import documents
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-iris-cam/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Iris scanning technology has been a long-standing rumor with Samsung flagships. Going as far back as the Galaxy S5, numerous sources claimed that the technology is ready to ship with the Korean giant's next best thing. And, the statement has been reiterated ever since for almost every Galaxy S and Note models.Now, in a new development, there might finally be some tangible evidence that Samsung is close to implementing iris technology. A tracking entry in Zauba indicates something called an IRIS CAM has been shipped from South Korea to India. This could be indicative that Samsung...

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GSMArena

10-04-16, 19:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/carved-review/-184x111/thumb.jpg Motorola was the first to make the wooden cases more than just an exclusive accessory available to select few. Sure, the Moto G and Moto X wooden panels looked beautiful, but a piece of wood isn't the thing that sells phones.Three years ago we were all about the faux-leather cases and panels. We witnessed many a phone by Samsung come with such design, but it was the LG G4 and it real leather back that did it best. Now however we are back to arguing between glass and metal, and buying silicone or plastic cases/skins, the market needed something fresh. And here is where Carved thinks it...

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Weekly poll: Huawei P9 and P9 Plus - hot or not
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-huawei-p9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The phones everyone's talking about this week - Huawei P9 and its bigger and more capable bro, the P9 Plus. The headline in both of them are their dual cameras, but they're not one dimensional, the two of them.Dual polls it is. The thing is the P9 Plus has everything the P9 does, and then some. Hot as the P9 may be, we fear the Plus might not get the attention it deserves, if they go at it together.Starting with the P9 (manufacturers should probably think of monikers for the plain non-Plus-Max-edge models so us tech journos can have it easy), we're already getting the full package -...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 14
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Now, who would have thought - just when the Galaxy S7 returned to its customary number one spot last week, and you'd expect it to stay there for a while and out of nowhere comes the Galaxy J3 (2016) to claim the crown. And not only that, but the Galaxy J7 takes number two, leaving the S7 in third spot (just by a few hundred hits, but still).The iPhone SE is slowly slipping down the chart, and after it entered in number one four weeks ago, we now find it in 4th. The Xiaomi Mi5 has made way for two phones, the Galaxy J5 and Redmi Note 3, which have moved a spot up together, while the...

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Poll results: Samsung Galaxy S7 retains lead over LG G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-results-g5-vs-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The rematch produced the same outcome, nearly down to the last percent. After the LG G5 submitted to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge a month ago, it had another go over the past week, this time at the Samsung Galaxy S7 (flat).The results are in and for the most part they're identical - only the G5 has an extra one in a hundred this time and the distribution is 43% to 57%, still in the Galaxy's favor. Apparently that's the best the G5 can do, even though it brought friends to the fight.Whether the general public is not yet ready for all that modularity, or the S7 is just the better overall...

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Week 14 in review: Huawei P9 the single hottest topic
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There's no doubt about it - the Huawei P9 stole the show this week. Its announcement was the top story of the week. But it happened on Thursday and that gave it plenty of time for various leaks before that, all gathering plenty of attention.And then when it did get official, you flocked to read about its performance and also to check out its first camera samples. A Huawei P9 lite may not have made the cut to the keynote, but it did make a live appearance, you can have a look now if you missed it.The HTC 10 is approaching too, and it also made for an interesting read. This week it...

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Edge will soon block non-essential Flash content on the page
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/edge-flash/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has announced that the future versions of Edge will be less tolerant to stray Flash content on web pages.The browser will soon be updated to automatically pause all non-essential Adobe Flash content on the page; this includes animations and ads. Only essential content, such as videos and games will play automatically. This will reduce power consumption and improve performance, especially on tablets and ultrabooks.Last year, Google announced a similar change in Chrome, and later dropped support for Flash ads entirely couple of months back.Microsoft will be providing the...

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Hasselblad announces 100MP H6D-100c and 50MP H6D-50c
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/hasselblad-100c/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Hasselblad, maker of high-end modular medium format cameras, has announced the new H6D-100c and the H6D-50c, the former with an amazing 100 megapixel CMOS sensor and the latter with 50 megapixel CMOS sensor. Other than the high still resolution, the 100c can also do 4K video in RAW, a first for a medium format camera, while the latter can only do 1080p30.Both cameras have shutter speeds that go from 60 minutes to 1/2000th of a second, increased ISO range (up to 12800 on 100c), 15 stop dynamic range on 100c and 14 stops on 50c, 1.5fps burst mode on 100c and 2.5fps on the 50c, USB 3.0...

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LeEco Le 2 clears TENAA - 5.5" FullHD display, 10-core CPU, Android 6.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le-2-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The LeEco Le 2 has been certified by Chinese telecom regulator TENAA, and we're being treated to a detailed list of specs as well as the usual mug shots.Photos first, the smartphone looks nothing like the one in a leak we had a month ago. Okay, the front may be similar, but the back is entirely different, and a lot more consistent with the Le Max Pro we saw a couple of months ago.Setting design aside, the LeEco Le 2 (which carries the parent company LeTV branding) comes with a 5.5-inch FullHD display. The chipset inside appears to be the Helio X20 - core count field says 10, and...

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Sony Xperia Z2, Z3 and Z3 Compact are getting official Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-xperia-z2-z3-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony is delivering on its promise dating back to October last year to bring Android Marshmallow to the Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact. After a Beta build was released a month ago, users of the smartphones are starting to receive the official update.The firmware, carrying a build number 23.5.A.0.570, brings the OS version to the latest 6.0.1, and includes the February Android security patch as well as the latest camera app interface.Now, there are the usual caveats, though. For one, only three models are getting the update for now, specifically the D6503 Z2, the...

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Meizu Pro 6 rumored to come with a 10-LED flash
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6-10-leds/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Dual-LED smartphone flashes are ubiquitous, and triple-LED ones are also fairly popular. That is, to the extent the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, and also the Lenovo Vibe Shot, are popular.How about 10 LEDs, though. That's how many of those the upcoming Meizu Pro 6 will have, if the latest rumor turns out to be true. A photo of the future flagship that was officially released the other day (the one below) does indeed show a ring around the laser autofocusing window - a ring, which was obviously going to house the flash, as there isn't one to be found anywhere else.But 10 LEDs? The Pro...

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Silk White OnePlus One now back in stock, why would you want a 16GB phone though?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-silk-white/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is proud to announce the return of the Silk White color option for the One smartphone. The alternative to the Sandstone Black is now back in stock, in time for the Marshmallow update.We've got some good news to brighten up your Friday. The OnePlus One Silk White is back! https://t.co/Za1eTUSZT1 pic.twitter.com/q5LXsLkJBY— OnePlus (@oneplus) April 8, 2016The thing is, the white model comes with only 16GB of built-in storage, and built-in storage is all the storage you get with the OnePlus One, as it doesn't have a microSD slot for expansion.If you can live with that...

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62% of current Apple Watch owners plan to upgrade to the next one
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-watch-survey/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Market research specialists at Fluent have conducted a survey among Americans asking them about their thoughts on the Apple Watch a year after release. Some of the numbers have turned out quite intriguing.For starters, 197 of the 2,578 people that took part in the online survey actually own an Apple Watch, that rounds up to 8%. An equal percentage had a different smartwatch, meaning half of smartwatches in the US are indeed Apple Watches. More importantly though, 62% of current owners plan to upgrade to the next model, which no one has seen or heard of yet. Talk about brand...

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OnePlus One Marshmallow update now seeding
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-one-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We reported on the Marshmallow update for the OnePlus One being in final testing the other day, in the words of company co-founder Carl Pei, and he gave a rather vague promise that the rollout will start "very soon". Well, those who read that as "maybe another month left to go" will be pleasantly surprised today.Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is beginning to roll out for the OnePlus One, the company has shared in a post on its own forum. Cyanogen is ready to push the CM 13.0 release with internal designation ZNH0EAS26M to OnePlus' first ever smartphone.As is customary with all such...

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Another leak of the HTC 10 shows the handset in white
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-leak-before-event-on-april-12/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There is no doubt that HTC is really excited about the HTC 10 that it has been teasing the device left and right since the beginning of this year. This time, however, a photo was leaked through Chinese micro-blogging network Weibo.Apparently someone who had their hands on a final unit in white, took a picture of it laying atop a greasy laptop keyboard. The unit shown had Chinese software on it but looks just like another Chinese unit that was also leaked earlier last month.What is different about this unit was that it was white. We'd only seen units with black faces so at least we...

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You can buy an Honor 5X for just $1, there's a catch though
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-5x-for-1-dollar-but-theres-a-catch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor wants to sell you the Honor 5X, a mid-range phone with flagship features, for only $1. The Honor 5X is already pretty cheap with its $200 price tag even at launch. Honor/Huawei is holding sales on every eighth minute of every hour starting at 10:08 this morning (Central Standard Timezone) until the last sale which starts at 21:08.You have to be really quick to get this phone at just $1. I just tried to get it myself and found myself too late after just 15 seconds past 18:08. I refreshed the page and saw the "Add to cart" button. After I clicked it, I got a message that the item was...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will be water and dust resistant, report says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/note-6-ip68/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far, we've heard that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will come with 6GB of RAM, a 5.8-inch touchscreen (presumably keeping the QHD resolution), a 12 MP rear camera, and 64 or 128GB of storage (maybe even 256GB).And now a new piece of the puzzle is reportedly revealed. According to a new report, the Note 6 will be IP68 certified. That means it will be dust tight and just as water resistant as the Galaxy S7 - being able to withstand submerging into up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes.The phone could also sport an iris scanner, as revealed earlier today by an intriguing...

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Blackberry is reportedly switching focus to mid-range handsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/blackberry-shift-to-midrangers/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg During an interview with The National, CEO of BlackBerry, John Chen admitted that the first Android-powered BlackBerry may have been set too high for customers. Indeed, the BlackBerry Priv must have turned customers off when they found out about its near-$700 price tag. BlackBerry intended to aim the BlackBerry Priv at enterprise customers, or for a more business oriented lifestyle.Chen also told The National that BlackBerry plans to release two mid-range devices this year. One will feature a physical keyboard like the Priv, while the other one will be an all-touchscreen phone. My guess...

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HTC 10 will have great battery life, new teaser promises
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-battery-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Believe it or not, we are now just four days away from the official unveiling of the oft-leaked, oft-rumored, and much-teased HTC 10 smartphone. Now that we're getting closer and closer to the big day, HTC is ramping up its teaser campaign posting new videos every other day.All of HTC's teasers so far have done a great job at overpromising things (be they related to the camera, audio capabilities, and now battery life), so we're left hoping the actual device won't underdeliver in any of those respects.Our engineers are so obsessed w/ battery life we've turned it into a science. You'll...

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Huawei MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro gets the leaked press render treatment
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-mediapad-t2-10-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in February right before Huawei's MWC event an upcoming tablet by the Chinese manufacturer got leaked. However, the MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro, for that's its name, wasn't actually made official that time around. Huawei has yet to acknowledge it, but the slate has been leaked again today - so maybe its announcement is close by.The new MediaPad has received the leaked press render treatment, with official-looking shots depicting it from a few angles.Alongside the new images we also get a confirmation of its specs, which were first outed in February. The MediaPad T2 10.0 Pro will...

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GSMArena

11-04-16, 19:32

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lg-g5/lifestyle/-347x151/gsmarena_016.jpg The LG G5 is definitely a product of bold and fresh ideas. It has the looks of a brand new flagship, the heart of a dragon and an adventurous dual camera setup suited for every occasion. But there's more than what meets the eye, the Magic Slot.

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LG G5 latest promo video focuses on the 360 Cam
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-360promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG 360 Cam is one of the more interesting "Friends" accessories that the company launched alongside the G5. LG's latest promo video shows how much effort has been poured into making the 360 Cam easy to use.Not that we didn't already know that, but the little green cat mascot is just too adorable to miss.The LG 360 Cam costs $200 and as we found out during our MWC 2016 hands-on, it supports up to 2K video, and the content can be viewed on any Cardboard and YouTube 360 compatible device. It has a 1,200mAh battery for up to 70 minutes of video recording.As you can see in the...

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Verizon Galaxy S6 edge+ gets Marshmallow, Note5 receives minor update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/s6edgeplus-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon has started rolling out updates to Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 devices on its network. While the update to the former brings Marshmallow, the Note5 update is a minor one that is aimed at fixing connectivity issues that cropped up after the handset received Android 6.0 last month.Aside from the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions, the Galaxy S6 edge+ update also includes Wi-Fi calling support, as well as some camera and Edge panel improvements. It bumps the software version to MMB29K.G928VVRU2BPC2.The...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge software update improves touch and stability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/s7-update-touch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is pushing a firmware update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. According to the changelog, the user experience is improved thanks to better palm rejection and overall better touch handling.Additionally, Samsung has added a feature that tries to correct shapes that appear distorted in skewed photos. It's an added option in the camera settings. Lastly, the changelog lists the traditionally improved stability and bug fixes.The software build number is XXU1APD1 and the update is 156MB in size. Expect the update for your phone to be come available in the next week or two....

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Sony rumored to announce Pink Xperia Z5 Premium tomorrow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pink-xperiaz5-premium/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Three months after the pink Sony Xperia Z5 went official, there are rumors that the Japanese company will also announce a pink version of the Xperia Z5 Premium smartphone.Sony Xperia Z5 in pinkAs for when the pink Xperia Z5 Premium will be unveiled, rumors say it is expected to happen on April 12, i.e, tomorrow. Sadly, there is currently no information on exactly which regions will get the new color, although reports say Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China are on the list.Via

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HTC 10 promo video leaks ahead of announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-promo-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 is getting unveiled tomorrow, but why wait? You can watch a leaked promo video right now. The video doesn't show what we didn't already know (the design of the 10 has leaked many times before), still it gets up close and personal with the aluminum unibody of the upcoming flagship.Recent teasers promise great battery life, amazing camera (perhaps including an OIS-enabled selfie camera) and more. The announcement will be tomorrow, but it's going to get very late if you live east of the Atlantic so you may have to wait until Wednesday for the official deets.Source (in...

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Samsung Gear S2 Band Adapter now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/gears2-band-adaptor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Gear S2 Band Adapter - which makes it possible for users of the Samsung smartwatch to swap their current rubber wristband with any standard watch band - has been officially launched.The adapter, which leaked online last month, is now available for purchase in Europe. Specifically, the device is currently being sold in Germany, where telefon.de has it in stock. Carrying a €25.7 price tag, the Band Adapter is available in white and dark gray color options.The device is expected to hit other European markets as well as North America soon, although the exact date isn't yet...

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Q1 2016 likely to be LG's best quarter in two years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-earnings-guidance/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG has released the official earnings guidance for the January-March quarter, and the numbers reveal that Q1 2016 could well be the best quarter for the South Korean company in the last couple of years.As per the guidance, the company's operating profit for the quarter jumped 66% to 505 billion KRW ($441 million). This is the company's best since Q2 2014 and is well above the 408 billion figure analysts suggested. The forecasted revenue for Q1 2016, however, was 13.4 trillion KRW, down 4.5% year-on-year.The boost in last quarter's earnings is being attributed to growth in sales of...

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HTC to announce two new phones: 10 and 10 Lifestyle
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-leak-before-event-on-april-12/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While there have already been rumors that HTC's upcoming 10 smartphone will have an SD652-powered variant, a new report is suggesting that the flagship will have one more version. The report cites a camera shot shared by someone on Google+, details of which reveal that it's taken by a device dubbed HTC 10 Lifestyle.Keep in mind, however, that there's currently no information on whether the Lifestyle is actually an HTC 10 variant - it could be a completely new device, too. Also not confirmed is whether or not the handset will be unveiled alongside the HTC 10 tomorrow.Meanwhile, the...

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Corning introduces MASTERPIX service for printing on Gorilla Glass
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/corning-masterpix/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Corning has introduced its MASTERPIX service in India. Through this service, customers can get their photos printed on a sheet of Corning Gorilla Glass.The process involves printing the image on a thin sheet of Gorilla Glass using UV-cured inks. Corning claims the prints are scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, easy to clean and of long lasting archival quality.Customers can get their prints in six different sizes, from 4-inch by 6-inch all the way to 55-inch by 48-inch, and in glossy or matte finish. Apart from photographs, MASTERPIX can also be used to make business...

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Meizu Pro 6 fast charging gets a teaser prior to announcement
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pro-6-fast-charging/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Meizu has officially revealed a nice Pro 6 detail in the phone's latest teaser. The Pro 6 will sport fast charging, which is either MediaTek's latest Pump Express Plus found on the Helio X25 chipset or Quick Charge 2.0 that's on the Samsung Exynos 8890 chip.The Meizu Pro 6 fast charging teaser imageThe rumor mill has been generous for the Meizu Pro 6 and the latest crop indicates the phone could sport a 10-LED flash placed below the 21 MP rear camera. RAM is rumored to be either 4GB or 6GB, while internal storage will be available as 128GB option.The display of the Pro 6...

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Huawei Watch launched in India for $346
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-watch-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Huawei has finally launched the Huawei Watch in India. The Watch will be available on Flipkart starting today at 14:00 IST for INR 22,999, which is about $346. This is the base model that comes with a stainless steel body and leather strap, and otherwise retails for $349 in the US.The Huawei Watch has a 1.4-inch fully circular AMOLED display with 286 PPI pixel density with sapphire crystal cover, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 4GB internal storage, 512MB RAM, heart rate monitor, Wi-Fi, microphone and speaker, IP67 water resistance, and a 300mAh battery.

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More HTC 10 images leak ahead of April 12 unveiling
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc10-image-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of more images of HTC's upcoming 10 smartphone - which has already been the subject of several leaks and rumors until now - have leaked online, showing the front as well as back of the black-colored variant.The design, as revealed by this new set of leaked images, is broadly in-line with what we've already seen - a front facing camera as well as a physical home button (that's said to include a fingerprint sensor) and no HTC logo on the front; plus a round camera lens (next to LED flash and the laser focus) and a company logo between antenna lines on the back.As for...

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LG Watch Urbane drops down to $150
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lg-watch-urbane-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, back in January this year, the original LG Watch Urbane received a price cut in the US, and was being sold for $200. In case you missed out on that deal on eBay, and are still interested in purchasing the timepiece, you'll be glad to know that the device's price tag has been slashed further.It's now going for just $150 on the online auction site. That's a solid price cut given the smartwatch's initial launch price of $349. While the deal was available on both gold and silver variants, the latter is currently being shown as out of stock. Shipping is free anywhere in the...

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Sprint won't be carrying BlackBerry Priv after all
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/blackberry-priv-netherlands-spain-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January, at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), BlackBerry CEO confirmed that the Priv - which was an AT&T exclusive in the US at that time - will eventually be available from other major carries, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint.While T-Mobile started selling the device in January itself, it landed on Verizon earlier last month. Sprint customers, on the other hand, have been waiting for the handset all this while. However, sadly, now it looks like the carrier has had a change of heart, with its customer care informing Priv hopefuls that Sprint won't be selling the...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/best-apps-games-49/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week.Hub KeyboardMicrosoft's Hub Keyboard is now on iOS. It is similar to the app we saw on Android. The clipboard feature lets you access more than the latest copied text and gives a list of recently copied items. The documents feature lets you type and paste URL of your Office 365 documents in OneDrive or SharePoint. The contacts feature lets you easily enter contact information by typing their name. The only thing missing in the iOS version is the ability to type text in one language and have it translated...

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Weekly poll: Huawei P9 and P9 Plus - hot or not
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-huawei-p9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The phones everyone's talking about this week - Huawei P9 and its bigger and more capable bro, the P9 Plus. The headline in both of them are their dual cameras, but they're not one dimensional, the two of them.Dual polls it is. The thing is the P9 Plus has everything the P9 does, and then some. Hot as the P9 may be, we fear the Plus might not get the attention it deserves, if they go at it together.Starting with the P9 (manufacturers should probably think of monikers for the plain non-Plus-Max-edge models so us tech journos can have it easy), we're already getting the full package -...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 14
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Now, who would have thought - just when the Galaxy S7 returned to its customary number one spot last week, and you'd expect it to stay there for a while and out of nowhere comes the Galaxy J3 (2016) to claim the crown. And not only that, but the Galaxy J7 takes number two, leaving the S7 in third spot (just by a few hundred hits, but still).The iPhone SE is slowly slipping down the chart, and after it entered in number one four weeks ago, we now find it in 4th. The Xiaomi Mi5 has made way for two phones, the Galaxy J5 and Redmi Note 3, which have moved a spot up together, while the...

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Poll results: Samsung Galaxy S7 retains lead over LG G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-results-g5-vs-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The rematch produced the same outcome, nearly down to the last percent. After the LG G5 submitted to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge a month ago, it had another go over the past week, this time at the Samsung Galaxy S7 (flat).The results are in and for the most part they're identical - only the G5 has an extra one in a hundred this time and the distribution is 43% to 57%, still in the Galaxy's favor. Apparently that's the best the G5 can do, even though it brought friends to the fight.Whether the general public is not yet ready for all that modularity, or the S7 is just the better overall...

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GSMArena

12-04-16, 19:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-g5-se/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We have been hearing about a variant of the LG G5 with a Snapdragon 652 and 3GB RAM headed for Latin America. We have also heard about an LG G5 SE. Turns out, the two are the same. As we had learned before, the only differences between the two is the slower chipset on the SE and 3GB RAM versus 4GB on the standard G5. Everything else about the two phones is similar, including the design, which explains why the Quick Cover we saw before claimed to fit both devices. Apart from Latin America, the phone will also be available in China, and CIS countries. Source

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HTC 10 promo videos detail design and features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Excited about the HTC 10? You'd be glad to hear that the company has outed a plethora of videos for you to see its latest flagship from every angle. Now, you may want to grab some snacks, because it's quite a journey. First, check out what the company's President of Smartphone Connected Devices Chialin Chang has to say about the HTC 10. Now, let's take a look at the phone's design and crafstmanship. Finally, here's a playlist of 7 videos from fans, who share their experience, thoughts and first impressions of the HTC 10. Source

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HTC 10 Lifestyle is the flagship for some unlucky regions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-lifestyle-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The HTC 10 Lifestyle will stand in place of the proper HTC 10 in some parts of the world, India so far confirmed. Much like the LG G5 in certain regions, the HTC 10 Lifestyle comes with a Snapdragon 652 chipset, where the Snapdragon 820 should have been, and it only gets 3GB of RAM and a single 32GB storage option. The other downgrade is LTE speed, but it comes as part of the chipset package. As opposed to the HTC 10's Cat.9 (450Mbps down, 50Mbps up), the 10 Lifestyle only gets Cat.6 (300Mbps/50Mbps). The rest is thankfully all the same. That includes the 5.2-inch QHD Super LCD...

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HTC 10 available now, here are the US and European prices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-available/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Did you see that blur? It was the HTC 10 becoming instantly available - from unofficial to on sale in a blink of an eye. Here are the prices and carrier offers in several countries. Note that there's no storage mentioned so we assume only the 32GB phone is available. USA The unlocked phone goes for $700 and is available in Gray and Silver. The phone is available in AT&T and T-Mobile flavors, but you get no subsidy. UK £570 is the cost, no carrier deals. There is a third color - Gold. Germany Converting to Old Continent banknotes, the HTC 10 costs €700 in Germany. You...

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DxOmark tests HTC 10 camera, tied for the top spot
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-camera-dxomark/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg DxOmark has published an overview of the camera of the just-announced HTC 10, and it immediately takes top spot. That is, tied at number one with the Galaxy S7 edge, both scoring 88 points out of 100. In still shooting the HTC 10 gets praise from DXO Labs for both detail preservation and autofocus speed and accuracy in all conditions. Exposure and noise reduction in low-light have been deemed good, while white balance is only "generally" so. The reviewers are less excited about the corner sharpness (or lack thereof) and the occasional blown out highlights. The video camera...

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HTC 10 arrives with 12MP UltraPixel camera, BoomSound speakers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC went off the right track, but now it's going back to the glory days of the HTC One. The new phone is called HTC 10 and we like to read the "10" in binary, making this the HTC Two in a way. The HTC 10 resurrects the UltraPixel name properly - a 12MP sensor with large pixels (1.55?m), a bright f/1.8 aperture, OIS and Laser AF. The camera can shoot 12-bit RAW, 4K 2160p videos and Hi-Res audio. For the first time ever, the front-facing camera has optical image stabilization too. The camera itself has a 5MP sensor (1.34?m pixels) and f/1.8 aperture. The BoomSound name is reborn...

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Watch the HTC 10 unveiling here
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC decided on telepresence for the unveiling of the new HTC 10 instead of an in-person presentation. The stream starts 1 pm London time, 8 am New York time and 8 pm Taipei time. We'll embed the stream here when it starts available so that it's easier to find. Update: no livestream it seems, but here's a 12 minute announcment video. By the way, several hours after the event is over, HTC will let us play with the 10 unit so we'll have first-hand impressions of the device later on.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 and 8.0 updated with S652 chipsets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-tab-s2-s652/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung covertly launched tweaked versions of its Galaxy Tab S2 tablets, these moving to the Snapdragon 652 chipset. Both tablets will launch with Android 6.0 Marshmallow (the original started with Android 5.0). Both have Super AMOLED screens with an iPad-like 1536 x 2048px resolution, 8MP/1440p cameras and Samsung is selling keyboards if you want a more productive experience. Anyway, the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 is priced at €550 and you get LTE connectivity and 32GB storage. The Tab S2 8.0 tablet starts at €450 for the Wi-Fi only version (32GB) and goes up to €480 if you want...

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Gartner, IDC: PC shipments in decline for Q1 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pc-market-q1/-184x111/thumb.jpg IDC has released PC shipment data for the first quarter of the year and the numbers show the market is still in decline. For the period worldwide PC shipments totaled 60.6 million units, a year-on-year decline of 11.5%. IDC says the decline is due to the early phases of Windows 10 enterprise upgrades as well as weak consumer demand. Gartner also reports similar information for the decline of the PC market, but with a slightly less dramatic 9.5% fall. This is the sixth consecutive quarter in which PC sales are plummeting. Among the main culprits for the fall of PC sales are the soaring...

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Pink Sony Xperia Z5 Premium officially announced
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pink-xperia-z5-premium/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true, as the pink color variant of the Xperia Z5 Premium has been officially announced by Sony. This comes exactly three months after the pink Sony Xperia Z5 was unveiled. The Japanese company made the device official in a tweet: Celebrate style that's strictly on your terms. Introducing #Xperia Z5 Premium Pink. https://t.co/qz1AQMOd55 pic.twitter.com/6WbIPdEdHN— Sony Xperia (@sonyxperia) April 12, 2016 Sadly, nothing else - including the handset's price, launch date, as well as target markets - has been revealed. However, rumors say that the phone will...

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Telegram introduces Bots 2.0, interface changes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/telegram-update/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Popular messaging app Telegram has introduced an update to its bots platform, called Bots 2.0. With this, developers can create more creative bots and users have more functionality at their fingertips. To demonstrate this, Telegram has some new bots. There is the @music bot, which lets you pull up free to share classical music and paste it within the app. The track keeps playing outside of that particular chat and even if you minimize the app. There is also a @youtube bot that lets you search and post YouTube videos. You can connect the bot to your YouTube account for more options....

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First Meizu m3 note flash sale saw 100,000 units getting sold within 7 mins
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/m3note-sales-figure/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Meizu m3 note was made official last week, and it went on sale through flash sale model in the company's home country of China yesterday. Meizu took no time, and has already released the official sales figures for the device, revealing that it sold 100,000 units in the first 7 minutes of the sale. That's definitely an impressive number for a company that sold a total of around 20 million handsets last year. Meizu also revealed that the next flash sale for the device is scheduled for April 18, which is coming Monday. In case you don't already know, the m3 note starts at $125, for...

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Huawei Watch with black leather strap plus stainless steel mesh band - all for $300
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-watch-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Planning to purchase a Huawei Watch with stainless steel mesh band? Here is some good news, you can currently get the combination at discounted rates from Newegg. The online retailer is running a promo that gets you a Huawei Watch with black leather strap and stainless steel mesh band, all for $300. Rest assured, the mesh band is the original one from Huawei that otherwise carries a price tag of $99. So, that's a good $100 savings for you. A quick look at Amazon and Google reveals that the mesh band Huawei Watch model is still priced at $400 there. The free mesh band is a limited...

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Periscope's new Sketching feature lets you highlight stuff in your live streams
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/periscope-new-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Twitter-owned live video streaming service Periscope is currently testing a new feature that lets you temporarily draw on your live streams. This means you can use the feature to quickly highlight stuff that you want to point out to your audience. #Periscope tests letting you draw on top of live video streams https://t.co/ghAb1oTf9v pic.twitter.com/Obm6qDPC3u— Matt Navarra a_ï¸ (@MattNavarra) April 11, 2016 Given that the feature is currently in testing, it's only available to select Periscope beta users, although the company is promising a wider roll-out soon. "We're...

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New rumor says Galaxy Note 6 will be powered by SD823 SoC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news//15/12/galaxy-note5-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The successor to the Samsung Galaxy Note5 - which isn't due anytime soon, but has already been the subject of a few rumors in the last couple of months - will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 823 chipset, according to a new rumor out of China. The rumor - which seemingly lists common specifications for the Galaxy Note 6 as well as an unknown Sony Xperia device and the LG G Flex3 - also suggests a 25MP camera. As for the other specs, previous rumors have suggested 5.8-inch QHD display, 6GB RAM, and 64 and 128GB internal storage options for the Note 6. The handset is also said to...

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Alleged Sony Xperia C6 with 6-inch display leaks online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-c6-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new Sony smartphone - alleged to be the Xperia C6 - has leaked online. The leaked images show a handset with large display (said to be 6-inch), very thin side bezels, and a large front shooter with flash. The phone in question - which is also rumored to offer dual SIM card support and feature a MediaTek chipset - is currently said to be in the testing phase, although there's no confirmation or whether or not it will ever see the light of day. For those who missed, back in February, there were rumors that Sony will unveil a phone dubbed Xperia C6 Ultra at this year's...

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Dropbox announces Facebook Messenger integration
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/dropbox-facebookmessenger/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you're one of those Facebook Messenger fans who use the Dropbox cloud-storage service for storing your photos, videos, and other files, here's some good news: now you can share your Dropbox files directly from the messaging app. To use the new feature, just tap the More button in Messenger, and you'll see Dropbox as an available source. Select that option, and you'll be able to share any Dropbox file without having to leave the Messenger app - this is assuming that you already have the Dropbox app installed on your device. "Videos and images—including animated GIFs—will be...

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New Asus ZenFone 2 update focuses on system stability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/zenfone2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg After the Zenfone Zoom and Zenfone 2 Laser, Asus has now started rolling out an update to its ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) smartphone. The update is aimed at improving system stability, although no official release notes have been posted yet. Rolling out over the air, the update - which weighs in at around 103MB - may take some time before it hits your handset. However, if you are feeling impatient, you can manually check for it by heading to the Settings menu on your handset. Via

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Voice Access App: Use voice to control everything on your Android Phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/voice-access-control-your-android-phone-with-your-voice/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is happy to announce new features coming to Android which greatly improves the way that visually or otherwise impaired users can interact with their devices. For the first time, users can navigate their devices by only using their voices. This feature is available today and all you need to do is download a small app that enables the Voice Access engine that is otherwise baked into Android. We were able to install Voice Access on our Galaxy S7 edge and use our voices to tell the phone what to do, where to go, and what to type. You can sign up to be a tester for this app (which...

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Expect new Apple Watch to look similar to the first one, analyst says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-apple-watch-might-look-the-same/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you've been holding off on purchasing an Apple Watch because you are waiting for the second-generation model, you might be (or might not be) surprised to learn that the new Apple Watch will probably look much like the original one. Apple might be taking a similar approach to the iPhone when it comes to launching a successor meaning we might see something along the lines of ‘Apple Watch S' Ming-Chi Kuo quoted an investors meeting held earlier today where he states that he expects to see "spec improvements with limited changes to form factor design". This is nothing new to Apple as they...

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GSMArena

13-04-16, 19:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/calendar-goals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has updated Calendar for Android and iOS to support goals. Tapping the plus icon in the right hand corner now allows you to add various goals to your daily schedules and best of all - Google automatically finds the best time for them.Calendar is smart enough to automatically reschedule if another event pops up that's in a direct conflict with a goal. Naturally, you can also postpone (defer) a goal, if now's not the time for it.Google also boasts that the Goals feature will learn with time and make even better adjustments to fit your daily schedule.You can expect the update...

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New Amazon Kindle Oasis brings leather covers, better backlight
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/kindle-oasis/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A Voyage takes you to Oasis, naturally. No, these are not my travel plans, Amazon just announced the new Kindle Oasis, an even more premium premium e-book reader.The new design tapers the thickness to just 3.4mm on one end, keeping the other end thicker (kind of looks like a folded magazine). AND YOU GET PAGE TURN BUTTONS BACK... sorry, just not a fan of the touchscreen page flip.Anyway, this curved design allows for premium covers to be magnetically attached (firmly, there are 12 magnets!). The covers are bound in high-quality leather (Black, Walnut, Merlot) and have a built-in...

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USB Type-C Authentication protocol aims to solve some of the standard's issues
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/type-c-authentication/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The USB Implementers Forum together with USB 3.0 Promoter Group have announced a new Authentication Protocol for USB Type-C. The non-profit and the group of companies which includes HP, Intel, and Microsoft among others, have agreed upon a protocol, which lets host systems assess the authenticity of connected devices using 128-bit encryption before any power or data has been transferred.For one, the authentication should help prevent damaged devices by cables, which don't strictly comply with the standard. So far that issue has been taken care of almost personally by Google's own...

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Marshmallow update hits Lenovo A7000
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lenovo-a7000-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a month after the Lenovo K3 Note started receiving it, the Marshmallow update has started rolling out to Lenovo A7000. The update not only brings Android 6.0, but also includes the Android security patch for the month of March.Weighing in at around 1.3GB, the update is being rolled out over-the-air. So, it may take some time before it hits your device. However, if you are feeling impatient, you can manually check for it by heading to the Settings menu on your device.Oh, and make sure you have 2GB of free space on your device before downloading and installing the...

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Meizu PRO 6 unveiled: with 5.2" AMOLED screen with 3D Press
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Meizu PRO 5 launched in September and had monster specs now half a year later the Meizu PRO 6 launches and it's... smaller? Yep, Number 6 comes with a 5.2" screen.As expected it's a Super AMOLED with 1080p resolution, but the size took us by surprise as the PRO 6 was 5.7" and even the MX5 was 5.5". The "killer feature" of the new screen is 3D Press, Meizu's alternative to 3D Touch. In fact, it seems that Apple was the motivation behind going smaller - the iPhone SE did it. Curved Gorilla Glass 3 protects the screen.Meizu PRO 6The Meizu PRO 5 is powered by MediaTek...

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Startup CREO launches its first phone, the Mark 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/creo-mark-1/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg CREO, a Bangalore, India based startup, has launched its first smartphone in the Indian market, the CREO Mark 1. The Mark 1 is a flagship device for the company, and as such comes with all the hardware bells and whistles, but the main focus for the company is the software.The phone comes with what the company calls FUEL OS, which is based on Android. It comes with features such as Sense, a universal search engine that can find anything on the phone and can be evoked by a double tap on the home button, Echo, which is a voicemail service of sorts that can work with any carrier,...

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Deal: Trade-in your Lumia 920/925/1020 and get $150 discount on Lumia 950/950 XL
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lumia-920-925-1020-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft is currently running a promo that allows Lumia 920, 925, and 1020 users to trade-in their phone and get a good $150 discount on the Redmond, Washington-based company's Lumia 950 and 950 XL Windows 10 flagship smartphones.In case you don't know, although the software giant has officially started Windows 10 Mobile roll-out for older devices, the three Lumia's mentioned here are not in the list, meaning they won't be getting the update. Probably, that's why Microsoft has come up with this promo.Anyway, in case you're interested in taking advantage of the deal, you can do so...

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HTC still undecided about HTC 10's India launch, will clear the air soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday, we told you about the HTC 10 Lifestyle, an SD652-powered variant of the Taiwanese company's flagship smartphone HTC 10. Given that the former was listed on the company's India website instead of the latter, we took it as a confirmation of sorts that the latter won't be officially available in India.However, turns out we'll have to wait for sometime before this is officially confirmed, as an HTC spokesperson has said that the HTC 10 Lifestyle listing - and the absence of the HTC 10 - should not be taken as a confirmation that the SD820-powered flagship won't be available in...

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HTC 10 hands-on: First play
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/htc-10/handson/-347x151/gsmarena_010.jpg The HTC 10 is like a great remix of all your favorite songs - the new flagship brings back UltraPixel and BoomSound, but nostalgia is mixed with a much-improved performance. Updated with more content!

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SD820-powered ZUK Z2 Pro tipped to launch next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/zuk-z2-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo-backed ZUK will launch a new smartphone next week - April 21 to be precise. This was revealed by the Chinese company's CEO Chang Cheng on Weibo (China's Twitter). While he didn't reveal the name of the handset, reports say it'll be the Z2 Pro.Meanwhile, a new ZUK phone - dubbed Z2121, and alleged to be the Z2 Pro - was spotted on AnTuTu, revealing some of its key specs. The benchmark listing reveals that the device is powered by Snapdragon 820 SoC, and sports a full HD display.It comes in 3GB as well as 4GB RAM options, while the internal memory is listed as 32GB. The...

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Samsung accidentally reveals version number for Android N
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-emergency-info-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google might have released a developer preview of its upcoming Android OS (currently known as Android N), but the company is yet to officially reveal what exactly will the OS be called, and what version number will it carry.While there have already been some rumors about its official name, looks like now we have a confirmation of sorts as far as Android N's version number is concerned.In the release notes of its MultiWindow feature SDK, Samsung - one of the search giant's high-profile Android partners - has revealed that Android N will be version 7.0. "This version has been...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (32GB, Verizon unlocked) selling for $300
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-note4-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The 32GB Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has received a price cut in the United States, where eBay seller Qualitycellz is currently offering the Verizon unlocked model (N910V) for $299.99. For comparison, Amazon is selling the same model for $350, while Newegg has it listed for $365.While the deal is available on both White and Black colored variants, only the former is available at the moment (the latter is being shown as 'out of stock'). The seller says the device is available in limited quantity - 115 units have been sold as of writing.There's no information on when the promo ends. So,...

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Google Photos for Android gets updated with manual backup feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-photos-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has started rolling out an update to its Photos app on Android that brings a couple of new features, including the ability to manually back up photos. The update bumps the app version to 1.18."Save what you want, when you want with manual backup," the Google Photos team wrote in a Google+ post. To use the feature, first select the photos you want to backup, then tap the three dot over flow menu, and finally choose the "Back up now" option.In addition, the update also brings along the ability to search photos by emoji. The updated app can be downloaded from the Play Store -...

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Verizon Moto X 2014 starts receiving latest Android security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-motox-security-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to Motorola Moto X (2nd gen) devices on its network. As per the release notes, the update brings along the latest Android security patch.Aside from the Android security patch, nothing else seems to be included in the update. As the roll-out has just begun, it may take some time for the update to hit your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can also manually check for the update by heading to the Settings menu on your device.Source

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T-Mobile unboxes the HTC 10 at 10,000 feet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/t-mobile-htc-10-unboxing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While AT&T may want to have nothing to do with the new HTC 10, T-Mobile seems more than happy to offer its customers a chance to buy the Taiwanese company's latest flagship smartphone. T-Mobile is going to start taking orders for the HTC 10 soon, but until that happens the 'un-carrier' decided to do an unboxing of the new device.This isn't your usual unboxing, though. Far from it. In fact, it's following the same idea as the one T-Mobile did for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - that is, make it extreme. Samsung's phones were unboxed underwater, so in TMo's logic it makes perfect sense...

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Facebook's Messenger Platform is now open for bots
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/facebook-messenger-bots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The likes of Skype, Telegram, and Kik aren't alone in their recent embrace of bots. It definitely looks like bots are going to be the new addition to every messaging platform out there, and today Facebook has unveiled bots for its Messenger app.The development of bots will be made easy through the release of the new Facebook Messenger Platform beta, which was announced today at the social network's F8 conference.Chatbots let businesses interact with you through Facebook Messenger, offering customer support, e-commerce features, guidance, content, and interactive experiences. For...

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HTC 10 is already $100 cheaper in the US and Canada with promo code
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-promo-code/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Mere hours ago, HTC launched its latest flagship, the smartphone called 10. And it went up for pre-order immediately, in a move that's not often seen in the mobile world. You're able to pre-order the device from HTC's various online stores for different regions across the world.In the US, the price for an unlocked HTC 10 was $699.99. We say "was" because you can already get it $100 cheaper through a promo code that's just surfaced. So go to HTC's store, add the 10 to your cart, and then enter the promo code HTC1008. You'll see the handset's price magically turning into $599.99. That's...

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Guess the phone: Which high-end phone did we snap this photo with?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/guess-camera-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg Update: The 13MP image was captured with the front-facing camera of the Sony Xperia X. Clues were abundant - so much so that we resorted to deliberately asking you to ignore them, but those who called our bluff were right.Today, we got to spend some quality time with a high-end smartphone, which has already been announced, but is yet to launch on the market. And we're not going to tell you which one it is. Instead, we'll let you ponder on it for a while.Guess the phone that took this shotThe piece of evidence we're ready to give you is a camera sample. Its full native...

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LG wants developers to create some more Friends for the G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-friends-dev-platform/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When you're marketing a smartphone as being 'modular' while only actually offering up one additional plug-in module for it in some markets, you know you've got a problem. And thankfully LG seems to have realized it's in this exact situation with the G5 and its so-called Friends.At the unveiling of the handset, the Korean company also presented two plug-in Friends, the Cam Plus and the Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play (yet only the former will be available in all of the G5's launch markets). Now though it wants developers to come up with more such modules for the G5.For that purpose, LG is...

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HTC 10 has native AirPlay audio streaming support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-airplay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 finally became official earlier today, as you may know, following weeks upon weeks of leaks. One thing about the phone that wasn't leaked, though, has to do with Apple's AirPlay.Specifically, it turns out that the HTC 10 features built-in native support for AirPlay, following in the footsteps of Xiaomi's Android-powered smartphones before it. There's just one big caveat: it's only for audio streaming.Still, while you're in any music app on the HTC 10, just do a three finger swipe-up gesture to bring up the HTC Connect overlay. Since AirPlay support is built in, the...

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GSMArena

14-04-16, 19:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxys6-edgeplus-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has received a price cut in the UK, where retailer Clove is now selling the device for ?490, down ?90 from its usual listed price. The model on offer is a SIM-free, black-colored 32GB variant, and Clove claims that it is compatible with all UK and European networks. A quick look at Samsung's UK website reveals that the same model is being officially sold for ?565.00, ?75 more compared to Clove. However, Amazon UK has the handset listed for ?499, although as of writing, the listing shows that only 1 unit is in stock. Source (Clove) | Samsung UK | Amazon...

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LG G5, Galaxy S7 and Nexus 6P go under chipset stress test to find who's the hottest
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-lg-g5-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG G5 uses a Snapdragon 820 chipset, which is Qualcomm's top dog in the chipset market, offering incredible performance. We already know that Qualcomm managed to fix the bad overheating issues that plagued the predecessor, Snapdragon 810, but to what end? That's what our Swedish colleagues over at NordicHardware.se have tried to find out. They put the LG G5 under CPU and GPU stress tests and compared it against the Galaxy S7 (Exynos 8990) and the Nexus 6P (Snapdragon 810). To do so, 3DMark Slingshot and Geekbench 3 do the heavy lifting, while an app monitors the temperatures reported...

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Japan-exclusive Camillia Red version of HTC 10 looks gorgeous
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-camilla-red/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Smartphone makers are having a Henry Ford moment - you can have a smartphone in any color as long as its black, silver or gold. The HTC 10 was no exception, Carbon Grey, Glacier Silver or Topaz Gold were your options. Still are, probably, unless you live in Japan - KDDI/au is getting an exclusive Camellia Red. Just look at how pretty it is: HTC 10 in Camellia Red We like it better than the Deep Garnet version of the One A9, what do you think? If we're lucky, other regions will get this red option instead of something like Pink. Now if only HTC can get its story straight...

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Apple iPhone SE: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/apple-iphone-se/lifestyle/-347x151/gsmarena_006.jpg The iPhone SE is a perfect fit for a time-saver review, it seems, as Apple didn't come up with a new design or new internals. Instead, the innards come from an iPhone 6s, while the design is a direct copy of the iPhone 5s.

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Huawei Honor 5C gets TENAA certification, sports metal unibody
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-5c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei Honor 5C has passed TENAA certification, but the Chinese regulator has since removed the phone's page from its website. Nevertheless, we have the confirmed details and the Honor 5C looks like a nice addition to the company's mid-range line-up. The Honor 5C is built around a 5.2" 1080p display and has an aluminum body with 2,900 mAh non-removable battery . At the back, there's a fingerprint sensor while above it sits a 13MP camera. Under the hood, the 5C features either a Mediatek Helio X10 or a Snapdragon 625 judging from the listed 2.0GHz octa-core CPU. RAM is 2GB and...

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LG launches K7 and K10 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-k7-k10/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg LG has announced two new budget phones, the LG K7 and the LG K10. The K7 has a 5.0-inch, 854x480 resolution display, Snapdragon 210 processor, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB storage with microSD, 5 megapixel front and rear camera, LTE, Android 5.1, and 2125mAh battery. The K10 has a 5.3-inch, 1280x720 resolution display, Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD, 13 megapixel rear and 8 megapixel front camera, LTE, Android 5.1, and 2,300mAh battery. While the phones themselves don't seem remarkable, these are the first phones by LG to be locally manufactured in...

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After shutting down in Australia, Samsung Milk Music launches in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/milk-music-china/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier last month, there were reports that Samsung is shutting down its Milk Music radio service. Later that month, the shutdown was confirmed, at-least by the Australian Milk Music team. However, looks like Samsung hasn't yet completely given up on the service, as it has now been launched in China. Focusing on local content (over a million tracks accessible) at the moment, the app is currently only available for download on the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S7 edge and the A9 Pro smartphones in China. However, reports say that international content as well as availability on more devices...

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ZUK teases new phone - likely the Z2 Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/zuk-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A teaser image of a new ZUK smartphone was released by the Chinese company's CEO Chang Cheng. The image shows a black-colored sleek-looking phone with what looks like a 2.5D curved display. On the back is a camera sensor, dual tone LED flash, and an apparent laser auto-focus module. The image - which was shared on Weibo - also had an accompanying text that read: Tremble xx5, x9, xxx6. So, without directly naming the Xiaomi Mi 5, Huawei P9, and the Meizu Pro 6, Cheng is claiming that the upcoming ZUK phone is a better alternative. Cheng recently revealed that the Lenovo-backed...

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Meizu m3 headed our way, stops by TENAA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-m3-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new unannounced Meizu smartphone has cropped up on Chinese regulator TENAA's website. What looks like a successor to the popular Meizu m2 brings duly updated specs in a similarly looking body. The possible Meizu m3 comes with a 5-inch 720p LCD, much like the model it replaces. An undisclosed chipset with an 1.5GHz octa-core processor (versus the quad-core in the m2) powers the smartphone, paired with 2GB of RAM. Internal storage is 16GB, expandable by up to 128GB via microSD. There's a 13MP primary camera on the back of the smartphone, while selfies are being handled by a 5MP unit...

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Marshmallow beta begins rolling out to BlackBerry Priv
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/priv-marshmallow-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Over a week after BlackBerry started accepting applications for the Priv Marshmallow beta program, the beta update has started hitting the company's debut Android smartphone. As for the roll-out, the Canadian company said that the update will be made available to a small batch of testers first, and if no critical issues are reported, all beta testers will get the update by the end of this week. If you've signed up for the Priv Marshmallow beta, head to the BlackBerry Beta Zone (link shared below) for details on preparing your unit or making it ready to receive the update. Via |...

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LG's new Rolly Keyboard 2 rolls up along five key rows
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-rolly-2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember the LG Rolly Keyboard? A wireless portable keyboard that could be folded into an easy-to-carry stick. Well, a successor to that device has been unveiled. Appropriately dubbed Rolly Keyboard 2, the new keyboard contains several improvements over its predecessor. While the first-gen Rolly had four rows of keys, the successor rolls up along five. LG has also added a tab at the bottom that the company claims makes it easier for users to open the keyboard. While using the same Bluetooth tech, the Rolly 2 is capable of pairing up to 3 three devices, compared to 2 devices on the...

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Wait, what? HTC's India website now lists HTC Lifestyle as SD820-powered
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-lifestyle-sd820/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just when we thought the SD652-powered HTC Lifestyle would be available in India instead of the company's SD820-powered flagship HTC 10, HTC released a statement effectively saying that nothing is yet confirmed, and it will make an official announcement in this regard soon. And now, while we were waiting for the announcement, the Taiwanese company quietly changed the Lifestyle's specs on its India website, making them similar to the HTC 10. A quick look at the specs sheet suggests the chipset has been changed to Snapdragon 820. Similarly, the memory configuration has also been changed from...

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New Nvidia Shield Tablet K1 update brings Android 6.0.1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/shield-tablet-k1-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Nvidia has started rolling out a new update to the Shield Tablet K1 that adds Vulkan support and brings Android Marshmallow version 6.0.1 to the tablet. Aside from the Android 6.0.1 goodies, the update - which bumps the software version to 1.2 - also includes Android security patch for the month of March, as well as several other features, improvements, and bug fixes. Here's the complete change-log: • Supports the new Vulkan API for high-efficiency access to SHIELD's graphics hardware • Adds Android 6.0.1 changes including: ________Repositioned Navigation Buttons in Landscape...

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US may not get 64GB HTC 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-no-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you might already know, HTC's latest flagship - the HTC 10 - comes in 32GB and 64GB storage options. However, if you are in the US, and are planning to buy the 64GB variant when it becomes available, there is some bad news: US may not get the higher memory model. This was effectively confirmed by HTC's Senior Global Online Communications Manager Jeff Gordon while replying to a user query on Twitter. Keep in mind, however, that the HTC 10 supports expandable memory. So, storage should not be a big problem even if you go for the 32GB model. As for the device's US availability,...

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Mystery phone revealed: Sony Xperia X's front-facing camera shoots great selfies
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/guess-camera-revealed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We came up with a puzzle for you to solve yesterday and here's the answer - the 13MP image was captured with the front-facing camera of the Sony Xperia X (sans Performance, but the two cameras are actually identical). Clues were abundant - so much so that we resorted to deliberately asking you to ignore them. Well, those who called our bluff were right, there were plenty of correct answers in the comments, but we didn't expect less from our knowledgeable readership. The selfie camera of the Xperia X shoots images up to 4,160 x 3,120px resolution - fairly common for a midranger's...

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LG is now selling batteries and charging cradles for the G4, G3, and V10 for $15 each, $10 when bundled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-battery-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG is holding an interesting limited time deal for accessories in the US, as it turns out. You can save 60% when you buy a replacement battery, 50% when getting a charging cradle, and a whopping 70% when combining the two into a bundle. The smartphone models for which you can purchase these accessories at such steep discounts are the G4, G3, and V10. Do note however that only the battery is available for the G3. No matter which one you pick, each battery or charging cradle now costs only $15. But when you pair a cradle with a battery for the same device, you'll only pay $20 total....

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New version of the Kindle Fire HD 8 is apparently in the works at Amazon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-kindle-fire-8-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazon might be looking to add a new 8-inch tablet to its Kindle Fire-branded lineup soon. The new slate will intriguingly be mostly lower-end than the currently available Kindle Fire HD 8, so perhaps it's actually going to be a more affordable version of that. Some of the new tablet's specs have been leaked because someone put a prototype through the paces of GFXBench. The device is identified as Amazon KFGIWI, as you can see. The only thing that's higher-end here than in the Kindle Fire HD 8 is the RAM amount, now 1.5GB compared to 1GB. The new device has an 8-inch 1,280x800...

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Samsung Galaxy J7, LG Stylo 2, and Kyocera Hydro Reach launch at Boost and Virgin Mobile on Friday
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/boost-virgin-three-new-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This Friday will be a very busy day for Sprint's prepaid brands, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile. The former will see no less than three new smartphones launching on April 15, while the latter will have to go with two out of three. The trio in question consists of the Samsung Galaxy J7, LG Stylo 2, and Kyocera Hydro Reach. The Galaxy J7 arriving at Boost and Virgin isn't this year's iteration, instead it looks to be last year's model, but it does have a couple of upgrades compared to the internationally available unit. Namely, it sports 2GB of RAM, and it's also running Android 6.0...

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Android N Developer Preview 2 is out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/android-n-preview-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A month or so ago Google surprised the mobile world by launching the first developer preview of Android N way earlier than expected. And now the search giant is pushing out Android N Developer Preview 2 to those who've installed the first one. While technically this is the third developer preview release for Android N, the second one came immediately after the first and was only meant to fix some bugs. Today's Android N Developer Preview 2 packs in some new features as well. Apps can define intent shortcuts, which users can then add to their launcher to get stuff done quicker. For...

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HTC 10 promo code nets you 10% discount in the UK, buy the phone for just ?512.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC seems to be on somewhat of a discount spree for its just-unveiled new flagship, the 10. Yesterday some promo codes were outed for the North American markets which took the phone's price down by a cool $100 or CAD 100, respectively, mere hours after the launch. And today the promo code mania has hit the UK. Only in this case you're not getting a fixed amount off the normal price of the device, instead you're treated to a 10% reduction. So you can now buy the HTC 10 for just ?512.99, a nice ?57 less than its ?569.99 recommended asking price. All you need to do is go to HTC's UK...

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GSMArena

15-04-16, 19:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest company to jump into the VR field is Huawei. The Chinese smartphone maker has unveiled the aptly named Huawei VR today in its home country, which is a headset that requires a phone to be used, much like Samsung's Gear VR.The Huawei VR is compatible with the P9 and P9 Plus, but also the Mate 8. Since Huawei has only gone with 1080p screens for all of these devices, image quality is bound to be less crisp than what can be achieved with a Gear VR and Galaxy S7 or S6. Then again, the Huawei VR does have a neat trick up its sleeve: a 360-degree sound field to go with the 360-degree...

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Apple orders 100 million Samsung OLED panels for the 2017 iPhone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/iphones-samsung-oled-panel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to the latest rumors, Apple has made an order to Samsung for 100 million 5.5" OLED panels in 2017. The displays are supposedly going to make their way to the 2017 iPhone Plus. The timing for the order indicates that the OLED screens will skip the iPhone 7 and only make it to the iPhone 7S.The information comes from a source cited by the Chinese edition of the WSJ and it also points out that Samsung has set aside a production line at its Asan plant for the order. While the information about future iPhone models using a Samsung-made OLED panel is not new, it was previously...

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Gionee debuts budget-minded Pioneer P5 Mini
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/gionee-p5-mini/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Gionee has launched Pioneer P5 Mini in India.The P5 Mini is a budget smartphone and comes with basic specifications. It has a 4.5-inch 854x480 resolution IPS LCD, quad-core Mediatek MT6580M, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage with microSD, 5 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, dual SIM, 1850mAh battery, and Android 5.1 Lollipop with Amigo 3.1 UI on top.The P5 Mini is available in five different colors, and is priced at INR 5349 ($80).Source

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High-Res headphones not coming with US, Canadian HTC 10s
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-no-headphones-us/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg US buyers typically get the best price for new gadgets, but that brings about its own sort of issues. The HTC 10 will not be available in 64GB form in the US and you won't get the High-Res headphones either.The HTC USA and HTC Canada Twitter accounts have both confirmed that the new flagship will not have the premium headset included. Going by the T-Mobile unboxing, at least it will come with Quick Charge 3.0 charger.@Ima_Legend191 The earbuds won't be included in box for the USA unlocked HTC 10 but will be available to purchase on our website soon.— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) 14 April...

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Z2 Pro coming on April 21, ZUK confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/zuk-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true, as the new ZUK phone that the company will unveil on April 21 is indeed the Z2 Pro. This was revealed in a set of official teasers.In case you missed, the company had recently teased a new smartphone (image shown below), which in all likelihood is the Z2 Pro.As for the specs, the Z2 Pro is rumored to be powered by Snapdragon 820 SoC, and sport a full HD display. It'll come in 3GB and 4GB RAM options and will have 32GB of internal memory. The phone will have 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front shooter. It will run Android 6.0.1 out of the...

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Google Drive for Mac/PC now allows selective syncing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-drive-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has updated its Drive client for Mac and PC with the ability to selectively sync folders and sub-folders. You'll now also be able to deselect folders, upon which they'll be removed from your system but will still remain accessible in your Drive.While you can already delete your Drive stuff directly from your computer, the latest update adds a warning that pops up when you are removing files/folders that are shared with other people, minimizing accidental deletes.The new features have started rolling out, and google says the roll-out will continue over the next week or...

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YU Yureka Note (YU6000) launched with 6-inch display, 4,000mAh battery
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/yu-yureka-note-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the YU6000, which was spotted on GFXBench last November? The device has reportedly been launched by the company in India - and it's called the Yureka Note. While it isn't officially listed online, a couple of leaked pictures suggest it's available for purchase through offline channels.Specs-wise, the device is powered by a 64-bit octa-core 1.5GHz processor, and sports a 6 inch Full HD IPS Display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It has 3GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a large 4,000mAh battery with Quick Charging support.In terms of camera, the...

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Huawei P9 Lite spotted listed on European retailer's website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/p9-lite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei P9 Lite, which was last spotted in a hands-on preview recently, is yet to be announced by the company. However, the device has now been spotted listed on a retailer's website in Europe.Romanian retailer Cel.ro has already listed the device, offering up black, gold and white color variants for around $305 or a‚¬270. Specs-wise, the handset is powered by a HiSilicon Kirin 650 chipset, and sports a 5.2-inch full HD IPS display.The model on offer has 2GB and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 3,000mAh battery. In terms of camera, the Huawei P9 Lite features...

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Verizon offering up to $300 to those trading-in their old phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-trade-in-event/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon has launched a national trade-in event where-in it's offering up to $300 to those trading-in their old phone and purchasing a new Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5, Motorola Droid Turbo 2, or iPhone 6S (16GB) on a device payment plan.To be precise, a maximum trade-in amount of $312 is on offer, and eligible handsets include the Droid Turbo, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge/edge+, HTC M9, iPhone 6/6Plus, LG G4, and LG V10. Those upgrading their device will also get 3 months of HBO NOW for free.An important thing worth mentioning here is that should you choose, you can also...

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Make your first 3 Samsung Pay purchases between April 15 and May 10, and get a $30 gift card
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-pay-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember last month's Samsung Pay promo for the Galaxy S7/S7 edge owners? Well, the company has again launched a similar promo, although this time it's aimed at those who haven't used the company's mobile payment's service yet.If you're in the US, have already installed and registered for Samsung Pay, but are yet to use it, this promo is for you. It says that those making their first three Samsung Pay purchases between April 15 and May 10 will be eligible for a $30 gift card.The promo is open to owners of the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, S6 active, and Note5....

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Xperia X series pre-orders on the Sony Xperia Store will come with an "exclusive offer"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-x-family/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg Sony has announced that its brand new Xperia X series of smartphones will soon be available for pre-order from the Xperia Store. The announcement came in the form of an email which the company sent out to those who had registered their interest in the devices.In the email, Sony also said that pre-orders will come with an "exclusive offer," although the company didn't reveal what exactly the offer would be.The exclusive offer - going by the email - will only be available on Xperia X and XA pre-orders (as well as on the Xperia Ear accessory), meaning those pre-ordering the Xperia X...

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You can now design your own case for the Nexus 6P and 5X
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-live-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Google has announced custom Live Cases for the Huawei Nexus 6P and the LG Nexus 5X. These are snap cases that you get to design yourself. For each case you want, you choose either a favorite photo to put on it, or a special place on a map.After you pick the image or place, you can add filters (dozens are available). And when you buy a Live Case you also get a live wallpaper based on the image or map you used for it. If you've chosen a photo for the case, then you'll see a slideshow of images you've picked from Google Photos. If you went with the map option for the case, the live...

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Huawei P9 Max may have been spotted in a benchmark rocking a 6.9-inch screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-max-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has already introduced three members of the P9 family, the 'vanilla' P9, the P9 Plus, and the P9 Lite. However, there may actually be a fourth one coming soon, a P9 Max to act as the successor to the P8max from last year.As such, you'd expect it to sport a huge touchscreen, and if the unknown Huawei device spotted in the GFXBench database actually turns out to be the P9 Max, then it definitely won't disappoint.It's got a 6.9-inch 1080p display, a 16 MP rear camera, an 8 MP selfie snapper, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of built-in storage. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow of...

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LG G5, Galaxy S7 and Nexus 6P go under chipset stress test to find who's the hottest
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/t-mobile-lg-g5-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG G5 uses a Snapdragon 820 chipset, which is Qualcomm's top dog in the chipset market, offering incredible performance. We already know that Qualcomm managed to fix the bad overheating issues that plagued the predecessor, Snapdragon 810, but to what end? That's what our Swedish colleagues over at NordicHardware.se have tried to find out.They put the LG G5 under CPU and GPU stress tests and compared it against the Galaxy S7 (Exynos 8990) and the Nexus 6P (Snapdragon 810). To do so, 3DMark Slingshot and Geekbench 3 do the heavy lifting, while an app monitors the temperatures reported...

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Japan-exclusive Camillia Red version of HTC 10 looks gorgeous
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-camilla-red/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Smartphone makers are having a Henry Ford moment - you can have a smartphone in any color as long as its black, silver or gold. The HTC 10 was no exception, Carbon Grey, Glacier Silver or Topaz Gold were your options.Still are, probably, unless you live in Japan - KDDI/au is getting an exclusive Camellia Red. Just look at how pretty it is:HTC 10 in Camellia RedWe like it better than the Deep Garnet version of the One A9, what do you think? If we're lucky, other regions will get this red option instead of something like Pink. Now if only HTC can get its story straight...

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Apple iPhone SE: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/apple-iphone-se/lifestyle/-347x151/gsmarena_006.jpg The iPhone SE is a perfect fit for a time-saver review, it seems, as Apple didn't come up with a new design or new internals. Instead, the innards come from an iPhone 6s, while the design is a direct copy of the iPhone 5s.

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Huawei Honor 5C gets TENAA certification, sports metal unibody
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-5c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei Honor 5C has passed TENAA certification, but the Chinese regulator has since removed the phone's page from its website. Nevertheless, we have the confirmed details and the Honor 5C looks like a nice addition to the company's mid-range line-up.The Honor 5C is built around a 5.2" 1080p display and has an aluminum body with 2,900 mAh non-removable battery . At the back, there's a fingerprint sensor while above it sits a 13MP camera.Under the hood, the 5C features either a Mediatek Helio X10 or a Snapdragon 625 judging from the listed 2.0GHz octa-core CPU. RAM is 2GB and...

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LG launches K7 and K10 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-k7-k10/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg LG has announced two new budget phones, the LG K7 and the LG K10.The K7 has a 5.0-inch, 854x480 resolution display, Snapdragon 210 processor, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB storage with microSD, 5 megapixel front and rear camera, LTE, Android 5.1, and 2125mAh battery.The K10 has a 5.3-inch, 1280x720 resolution display, Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD, 13 megapixel rear and 8 megapixel front camera, LTE, Android 5.1, and 2,300mAh battery.While the phones themselves don't seem remarkable, these are the first phones by LG to be locally manufactured in...

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After shutting down in Australia, Samsung Milk Music launches in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/milk-music-china/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier last month, there were reports that Samsung is shutting down its Milk Music radio service. Later that month, the shutdown was confirmed, at-least by the Australian Milk Music team. However, looks like Samsung hasn't yet completely given up on the service, as it has now been launched in China.Focusing on local content (over a million tracks accessible) at the moment, the app is currently only available for download on the Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S7 edge and the A9 Pro smartphones in China. However, reports say that international content as well as availability on more devices...

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GSMArena

16-04-16, 19:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-360-wallpapers/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG has released a whole bunch of 360-degree spherical wallpapers for you to enjoy on your brand new G5 smarphones. "Spherical wallpapers?" you exclaim in confusion, with a firm belief in your head that walls do generally tend to be flat.Well, these are meant for your phone and your phone can be oriented in any arbitrary direction plus it has a gyroscope. Depending on its orientation you'd be served the respective portion of the spherical image and it will keep panning around as you move.At this point there are 12 such wallpapers available, shot at exotic locations throughout...

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6.4" Xiaomi Max front panel leaked - truly massive
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-max-screen-panel/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Barely hours ago we told you about a future Xiaomi phablet, which after an online poll the company decided to name Xiaomi Max. Meanwhile a couple of photos have surfaced, and they seem to be coming straight from the production line.The shots depict the device's front panel and it's nothing short of colossal. If we're still going to call it a phone, that is - as tablets go it's tiny.Alleged Xia0mi Max front panelCompact side bezels, capacitive keys on the chin, earpiece and sensor array - the panel looks very much in line with Xiaomi's design language. Unlike the current...

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Verizon wants you to try Android Pay, offering 2GB of free data to those who do it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-androidpay-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon is currently running a promo where-in customers who'll start using Google's mobile payments service Android Pay will get a total of 2GB data for free. "Tap anywhere in stores Android Pay is accepted and receive 1 GB of free data," the carrier said in a blog post. "On your third tap, we'll throw in another free gig."The free data that Verizon is offering will be applied to your account for a total of two billing cycles. The promo - which runs through June 14 - is only available to the carrier's postpaid subscribers with The Verizon Plan or The MORE Everything Plan.You can...

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Latest Galaxy S7/S7 edge update hits the UK too, Shape correction included
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-s7-update-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg An update for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which first rolled out in certain regions early this week, has now made it to the UK. The new firmware is arriving on both unlocked and carrier units as we speak.In terms of features, the update brings shape correction for skewed photos - a toggle to be found in the camera settings. The S7 edge also gets improved palm rejection - the flat S7 doesn't really need it.There's the usual unspecified bug fixes and stability and performance improvements. Additionally, the new firmware includes the latest available Android security patch,...

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OnePlus offering discounts up to $240 through its newly-launched trade-in program
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-tradein/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has launched a new smartphone exchange program where-in those trading-in their old smartphone for a OnePlus device will be entitled to receive discounts up to INR 16,000, which translates into around $240 at current exchange rates.The offer is valid on the purchase of the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2, as well as the OnePlus X. Needless to say that the $240 discount is the maximum that one get can get - the actual amount will depend upon your smartphone's actual condition, age, as well as functional defects (if any).OnePlus has partnered with ReGlobe for the exchange and buy-back...

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Apple's order reduction for iPhone parts extends into April-June quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-parts-orders-nikkei/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's reduced iPhone production will extend into the April-June quarter, Nikkei reports, citing parts suppliers from Japan. Component orders were reduced by 30% for the previous quarter and the same volumes will be kept for this one.A recent analysis projected a continuing downward trend in iPhone sales, and this seems to be the generally agreed upon direction, following a first year-on-year decline in shipments since the original iPhone's launch in 2007, reported in January. The latest iPhone SE is also not expected to reverse the trend.Apple iPhone 6sRealistically...

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OS X being rebranded as MacOS? Apple drops another hint
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/osx-macos-rebranding/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Is Apple re-branding OS X as MacOS? Well, it definitely seems so. Last month, MacOS was spotted in the name of an OS X framework file, and now the Cupertino-based company has dropped another hint at the possible change.Recently, in a web-page - describing the company's efforts for the Earth Day 2016 - on its official website, Apple mentioned the new name for a brief period, before reverting it back to OS X. Here's is the paragraph in question:"To model customer use, we measure the power consumed by a product while it is running in a simulated scenario. Daily usage patterns are...

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Upcoming Xiaomi phablet to be called Max, said to sport 6.4-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-max-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week, Xiaomi ran a poll to determine the name of its next phone. Of the four options available - Xiaomi Pro, Xiaomi Plus, Xiaomi Big, and Xiaomi Max - the last one received the most number of votes, while the one prior to that came in second.Going by the name options that were available, it'd be reasonable to assume that the device in question is a large phone (phablet), possibly the largest Xiaomi. Sadly, nothing else has been officially revealed.As for the rumors, they say that the phablet will be larger than the 5.7-inch Xiaomi Mi Note, with some even suggesting a display...

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New SmartBand 2 update makes sure you don't sit still for too long
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/smartband-2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has rolled out an update to the SmartBand 2 SWR12 companion app that brings along several new features. Prime among them is a feature dubbed Get moving which reminds you to do some activity whenever it detects you've been sitting still for too long.As you might already know, the SmartBand 2 comes with an advanced heart rate sensor. With the update, you'll now be able to use the device as a heart rate monitor with third-party fitness applications as well. Other features that the update brings along include the ability to automatically enter the Stamina mode when battery is...

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Samsung C-series phone (SM-C5000) now spotted on Geekbench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-c-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Remember the Samsung SM-C5000 whose existence was confirmed last month by the Indian import-export website Zauba? Well, the device has now been spotted on Geekbench, revealing some more of its specifications.The listing shows that the handset is powered by a Snapdragon 617 chipset with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 405 GPU. In addition, it was also revealed that the phone has 4GB RAM, and runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.For those who missed, the SM-C5000's Zauba listing had revealed a 5.2-inch display, and an INR 13,625 ($205) price tag. Aside from this device, a C7000 model is also...

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Nexus 5X and 6P receive $50 price cut
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nexus-5x-6p-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're in the United States, and are planning to purchase the LG-made Google Nexus 5X or the Huawei-made Google Nexus 6P, here is some good news: both devices have received official price cuts in the country.Prices for both handsets have been slashed on Google Store by $50, meaning the Nexus 5X is now available starting at $299, while the Nexus 6P now starts at $449. The discount will be applied at the checkout phase of your purchase.For those planning to take advantage of the deal, you'll be glad to know that the deal runs through May 6, meaning you have some time at...

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Alleged Motorola Moto G4 Plus leaks online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4plus-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new Motorola phone has been leaked online, courtesy of the usually reliable leakster @evleaks. The leaked image of the device - allegedly dubbed Moto G4 Plus - shows only the bottom portion of the front-panel, revealing a physical home button.Moto G4 Plus pic.twitter.com/zPvlEkE2X5— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April 15, 2016Sadly, nothing else - including specs, pricing, and availability - was revealed. However, it'd be safe to assume that the device will feature a fingerprint sensor given that an executive from Lenovo (which owns Motorola Mobility) had earlier this year revealed that...

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Huawei P9 review: Ascension
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-p9/-347x151/thumb.jpg Huawei pulled the wraps on its next flagship in London in early April. But do you know what's better than London? Shooting London with the Huawei P9. The city looks magical throughout the P9's Leica lens and the phone feel fabulous throughout your eyes. Yes, the Huawei P9 has a lot going on and all of it seems promising.

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Deal: Pebble Time for $90 at Meh.com, Only April 15!
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pebble-watch-meh-com-90-bucks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The current-generation Pebble wearable, also known as the Pebble Time, is now available for only $90 through discount online retailer Meh.com. The Pebble Time took the original design language from the original Pebble Watch that came out with a successful Kickstarter campaign with new features like a color screen, microphone input, and new and quirky animations which add to its character.The Pebble Time retailed for $250 this past summer and has since dropped every once in a while. The Pebble Time is currently available from Amazon for $122 with Prime shipping. If you'd like to...

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EXCLUSIVE: Huawei P9 Lite Eurozone pricing revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/p9-lite-price-belgium/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Huawei P9 Lite is probably going to become official soon, and it might even go on sale shortly after that. Earlier today we showed you how one Romanian online retailer has already listed the handset, and thus gave us an idea about its pricing. While over there the P9 Lite will be yours for around €270, it turns out the phone will be slightly more expensive in Eurozone countries.The image you can see below has been sent in by an anonymous tipster. It represents an inventory listing for the three color versions of the P9 Lite coming soon to French retailer Fnac's branches in...

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Apple orders 100 million Samsung OLED panels for the 2017 iPhone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/iphones-samsung-oled-panel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to the latest rumors, Apple has made an order to Samsung for 100 million 5.5" OLED panels in 2017. The displays are supposedly going to make their way to the 2017 iPhone Plus. The timing for the order indicates that the OLED screens will skip the iPhone 7 and only make it to the iPhone 7S.The information comes from a source cited by the Chinese edition of the WSJ and it also points out that Samsung has set aside a production line at its Asan plant for the order. While the information about future iPhone models using a Samsung-made OLED panel is not new, it was previously...

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Gionee debuts budget-minded Pioneer P5 Mini
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/gionee-p5-mini/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Gionee has launched Pioneer P5 Mini in India.The P5 Mini is a budget smartphone and comes with basic specifications. It has a 4.5-inch 854x480 resolution IPS LCD, quad-core Mediatek MT6580M, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage with microSD, 5 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, dual SIM, 1850mAh battery, and Android 5.1 Lollipop with Amigo 3.1 UI on top.The P5 Mini is available in five different colors, and is priced at INR 5349 ($80).Source

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High-Res headphones not coming with US, Canadian HTC 10s
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-no-headphones-us/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg US buyers typically get the best price for new gadgets, but that brings about its own sort of issues. The HTC 10 will not be available in 64GB form in the US and you won't get the High-Res headphones either.The HTC USA and HTC Canada Twitter accounts have both confirmed that the new flagship will not have the premium headset included. Going by the T-Mobile unboxing, at least it will come with Quick Charge 3.0 charger.@Ima_Legend191 The earbuds won't be included in box for the USA unlocked HTC 10 but will be available to purchase on our website soon.— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) 14 April...

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Z2 Pro coming on April 21, ZUK confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/zuk-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true, as the new ZUK phone that the company will unveil on April 21 is indeed the Z2 Pro. This was revealed in a set of official teasers.In case you missed, the company had recently teased a new smartphone (image shown below), which in all likelihood is the Z2 Pro.As for the specs, the Z2 Pro is rumored to be powered by Snapdragon 820 SoC, and sport a full HD display. It'll come in 3GB and 4GB RAM options and will have 32GB of internal memory. The phone will have 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front shooter. It will run Android 6.0.1 out of the...

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GSMArena

17-04-16, 20:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mcflip-review/-184x111/thumb.jpg The dawn of the microUSB may be upon us, but it still has a few years before it's properly phased out. While the USB Type-C allows reversible plugs, it's yet to be come the most popular, let alone the only standard.Many new smartphones, among other gadgets, available today on the market still prefer the microUSB plugs either to maintain backwards compatibility or simply because it's a smaller plug. Just look at the Galaxy S7 series.And we all know the inconvenience of trying to plug a microUSB cable the wrong way. Best case scenario - it's annoying. Worst case - you can irreversibly...

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New phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/phone-of-week/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This week saw some quite interesting additions to our smartphone database and most of them boast a flagship status. Here's a quick recap in case you've missed any of them. HTC 10 and HTC 10 Lifestyle. Meizu finally revealed the highly anticipated PRO 6, while Micromax has the Canvas 6 and Canvas 6 Pro E484 to pride itself with.Naturally, let's start with the star of the week - the HTC 10 is the company's flagship for 2016, while the HTC 10 Lifestyle is a toned down version. Thet both offer a 5.2" Super LCD 5 of QHD resolution (1,440 x 2,560px) with a curved edge Gorilla Glass. The...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 15
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung's Galaxy J-series smartphones have asserted their dominance for yet another week, and they've grabbed first and second spot. On top we have Galaxy J3 (2016), while last year's J7 is runner-up. The iPhone SE has reversed its downward trend, which has seen it drop from top to 4th spot in the weeks following its announcement, and joins the J's on the podium.It's come to the wrong neighborhood though, some might say, with yet another Galaxy J phone (the J) right on its heels. At least the J2 has been staying off the chart for a while. The Galaxy S7 has dropped two spots, this...

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Weekly poll: HTC 10 - hot or not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-htc-10/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The HTC 10 is the last to join this spring's flagship party, with the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 announced some two months ago, and already widely available. Even the Huawei P9 beat the HTC 10 to it by a week. So it begs the question is the 10 fashionably late, or just late?The Koreans will give it a nod for the QHD resolution on its Super LCD 5(who's counting) - HTC didn't make the jump from FullHD last year, but 2017 would have been too late. They share the same heart too, at least in some parts of the world - the Snapdragon 820.The Taiwanese company also takes Samsung's approach...

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Week 15 in review: HTC 10 wherever you look, Meizu Pro 6 goes official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 was announced earlier this week and there's no way you could have missed it. On the odd chance you have, you can bring yourself up to speed here in our weekly recap, where the 10 is prominently featured.It didn't go without a bit of controversy, as HTC also made official a second, lower-specced model - the 10 Lifestyle. Product diversity is all good, but initial signs pointed that some markets may be getting just the Lifestyle and not the proper 10, and said markets protested. A few quiet updates of HTC product pages and some emails later, and the HTC 10 may actually make it to...

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Poll results: New Huawei P9 duo gets super warm reception
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-results-huawei-p9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Bright future ahead for the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus if our poll results are any indication. Both phones got an overwhelmingly positive reception with the Plus only a tiny bit ahead of its plain brother.So, dual-cameras, premium metal build, fingerprint sensor, fast processor vs. no 4K video recording? That's 4 to 1 in favor, which is exactly what the P9 gets. Well, yes, admittedly we picked arbitrary pros and con for that statement, but the ratio still stands.In more precise figures, the Huawei P9 gathers 78% of upvotes and we'll go ahead and count that as a sign of approval for dual...

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Outlook app now available on Android Wear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/outlook-android-wear/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Outlook mail app for Android is now available for Android Wear.You will now be able to see your notifications, read your emails, reply with preset messages or use voice dictation from your Android Wear device.The update is now available to download on the Play Store.Source • Via

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6.4" Xiaomi Max front panel leaked - truly massive
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-max-screen-panel/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Barely hours ago we told you about a future Xiaomi phablet, which after an online poll the company decided to name Xiaomi Max. Meanwhile a couple of photos have surfaced, and they seem to be coming straight from the production line.The shots depict the device's front panel and it's nothing short of colossal. If we're still going to call it a phone, that is - as tablets go it's tiny.Alleged Xia0mi Max front panelCompact side bezels, capacitive keys on the chin, earpiece and sensor array - the panel looks very much in line with Xiaomi's design language. Unlike the current...

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Verizon wants you to try Android Pay, offering 2GB of free data to those who do it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/verizon-androidpay-offer/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon is currently running a promo where-in customers who'll start using Google's mobile payments service Android Pay will get a total of 2GB data for free. "Tap anywhere in stores Android Pay is accepted and receive 1 GB of free data," the carrier said in a blog post. "On your third tap, we'll throw in another free gig."The free data that Verizon is offering will be applied to your account for a total of two billing cycles. The promo - which runs through June 14 - is only available to the carrier's postpaid subscribers with The Verizon Plan or The MORE Everything Plan.You can...

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Latest Galaxy S7/S7 edge update hits the UK too, Shape correction included
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-s7-update-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg An update for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which first rolled out in certain regions early this week, has now made it to the UK. The new firmware is arriving on both unlocked and carrier units as we speak.In terms of features, the update brings shape correction for skewed photos - a toggle to be found in the camera settings. The S7 edge also gets improved palm rejection - the flat S7 doesn't really need it.There's the usual unspecified bug fixes and stability and performance improvements. Additionally, the new firmware includes the latest available Android security patch,...

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OnePlus offering discounts up to $240 through its newly-launched trade-in program
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oneplus-tradein/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has launched a new smartphone exchange program where-in those trading-in their old smartphone for a OnePlus device will be entitled to receive discounts up to INR 16,000, which translates into around $240 at current exchange rates.The offer is valid on the purchase of the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2, as well as the OnePlus X. Needless to say that the $240 discount is the maximum that one get can get - the actual amount will depend upon your smartphone's actual condition, age, as well as functional defects (if any).OnePlus has partnered with ReGlobe for the exchange and buy-back...

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Apple's order reduction for iPhone parts extends into April-June quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-parts-orders-nikkei/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's reduced iPhone production will extend into the April-June quarter, Nikkei reports, citing parts suppliers from Japan. Component orders were reduced by 30% for the previous quarter and the same volumes will be kept for this one.A recent analysis projected a continuing downward trend in iPhone sales, and this seems to be the generally agreed upon direction, following a first year-on-year decline in shipments since the original iPhone's launch in 2007, reported in January. The latest iPhone SE is also not expected to reverse the trend.Apple iPhone 6sRealistically...

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OS X being rebranded as MacOS? Apple drops another hint
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/osx-macos-rebranding/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Is Apple re-branding OS X as MacOS? Well, it definitely seems so. Last month, MacOS was spotted in the name of an OS X framework file, and now the Cupertino-based company has dropped another hint at the possible change.Recently, in a web-page - describing the company's efforts for the Earth Day 2016 - on its official website, Apple mentioned the new name for a brief period, before reverting it back to OS X. Here's is the paragraph in question:"To model customer use, we measure the power consumed by a product while it is running in a simulated scenario. Daily usage patterns are...

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Upcoming Xiaomi phablet to be called Max, said to sport 6.4-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-max-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week, Xiaomi ran a poll to determine the name of its next phone. Of the four options available - Xiaomi Pro, Xiaomi Plus, Xiaomi Big, and Xiaomi Max - the last one received the most number of votes, while the one prior to that came in second.Going by the name options that were available, it'd be reasonable to assume that the device in question is a large phone (phablet), possibly the largest Xiaomi. Sadly, nothing else has been officially revealed.As for the rumors, they say that the phablet will be larger than the 5.7-inch Xiaomi Mi Note, with some even suggesting a display...

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New SmartBand 2 update makes sure you don't sit still for too long
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/smartband-2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has rolled out an update to the SmartBand 2 SWR12 companion app that brings along several new features. Prime among them is a feature dubbed Get moving which reminds you to do some activity whenever it detects you've been sitting still for too long.As you might already know, the SmartBand 2 comes with an advanced heart rate sensor. With the update, you'll now be able to use the device as a heart rate monitor with third-party fitness applications as well. Other features that the update brings along include the ability to automatically enter the Stamina mode when battery is...

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Samsung C-series phone (SM-C5000) now spotted on Geekbench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-c-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Remember the Samsung SM-C5000 whose existence was confirmed last month by the Indian import-export website Zauba? Well, the device has now been spotted on Geekbench, revealing some more of its specifications.The listing shows that the handset is powered by a Snapdragon 617 chipset with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 405 GPU. In addition, it was also revealed that the phone has 4GB RAM, and runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.For those who missed, the SM-C5000's Zauba listing had revealed a 5.2-inch display, and an INR 13,625 ($205) price tag. Aside from this device, a C7000 model is also...

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Nexus 5X and 6P receive $50 price cut
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nexus-5x-6p-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're in the United States, and are planning to purchase the LG-made Google Nexus 5X or the Huawei-made Google Nexus 6P, here is some good news: both devices have received official price cuts in the country.Prices for both handsets have been slashed on Google Store by $50, meaning the Nexus 5X is now available starting at $299, while the Nexus 6P now starts at $449. The discount will be applied at the checkout phase of your purchase.For those planning to take advantage of the deal, you'll be glad to know that the deal runs through May 6, meaning you have some time at...

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Alleged Motorola Moto G4 Plus leaks online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4plus-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new Motorola phone has been leaked online, courtesy of the usually reliable leakster @evleaks. The leaked image of the device - allegedly dubbed Moto G4 Plus - shows only the bottom portion of the front-panel, revealing a physical home button.Moto G4 Plus pic.twitter.com/zPvlEkE2X5— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April 15, 2016Sadly, nothing else - including specs, pricing, and availability - was revealed. However, it'd be safe to assume that the device will feature a fingerprint sensor given that an executive from Lenovo (which owns Motorola Mobility) had earlier this year revealed that...

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Huawei P9 review: Ascension
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/huawei-p9/-347x151/thumb.jpg Huawei pulled the wraps on its next flagship in London in early April. But do you know what's better than London? Shooting London with the Huawei P9. The city looks magical throughout the P9's Leica lens and the phone feel fabulous throughout your eyes. Yes, the Huawei P9 has a lot going on and all of it seems promising.

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GSMArena

18-04-16, 20:12

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/sony-xperia-x-handson/-347x151/thumb.jpg Sony invited us over to Tokyo to give us a glimpse of the upcoming Xperia X - the pioneer in the company's new lineup that puts an end to 6 generations of Xperia Z flagships.

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Oppo tops offline sales in China thanks to the F1 Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-f1-is-the-international-r9/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg March has been quite a successful month for Oppo. The company boasts it has taken the first spot in offline sales in China thanks to the soaring interest for the F1 Plus (R9 in China). The data is gathered by independent research company Sino MR. The analysis shows that the company sold 180,000 units on the first day of sales (March 24). Just four days later, the number of Oppo R9 phones sold was topping 400,000. Following Oppo in terms of sales volume for March is Vivo and Apple with 12.1% and 11.2%, respectively. Huawei is fourth with 9.4%, but its sub-brand Honor is also doing...

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Two Sony camera sensor factories in Japan halt operations due to earthquake
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-building/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Sony's image sensor production plant in Kyushu Island has been closed due to the recent deadly earthquakes in the country. The Kumamoto Prefecture factory is the second of Sony's image sensor plants to halt its operation after the one in the Kyushu city of Nagasaki. If the plants don't resume operations, it could be problematic for both Sony and its partners who count on it for CMOS sensors. Currently, nearly 40% of the market uses the company's image sensors. Happily, a Sony spokesman has told Reuters that there won't be immediate disruption in the supply since Sony has some...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 for T-Mobile getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/t-mobile-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon and AT&T unleashed the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update onto their Samsung Galaxy Note5 users in March and towards the end of the same month, Sprint joined in as well. Now it's time for T-Mobile to do its thing - the update is available Over The Air and it weighs in at 1,420MB so make sure to download it over Wi-Fi. Downloading the Marshmallow update for T-Mobile's Galaxy Note5 The update brings the usual Marshmallow goodies and makes the some changes to the pre-installed app package - Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp are getting the boot. Source

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Moto G (4th gen) leak shows fingerprint reader on the front
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier this year we got a blurry look at the 2016 edition of the Moto G and it took this long to get a clearer view of the upcoming mid-ranger. You can clearly see the fingerprint that Lenovo SVP Chen Xudong promised. The fingerprint is square-shaped and positioned on the front, it's not entirely clear if it works as a button or not. The official word from Lenovo is that all Moto-branded phones will have fingerprint readers and we saw the outline of one in a "Moto G4 Plus" leak, so perhaps were in for a more diversified lineup this year (instead of just the E/G/X trio). Moto G...

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DJI announces the Matrice 600 aerial photography drone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/dji-m600/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg DJI has announced its newest and most proficient aerial photography drone, the Matrice 600. The Matrice 600 is the most powerful drone DJI ever made and is designed to lift your heavy camera rig along with a gimbal mount. The six rotor system can lift a maximum payload of 6kg, and has full support for DJI's own Zenmuse Z15 series and the brand new Ronin-MX gimbal designed to work specifically with the M600 in the air. The M600 uses the new A3 flight controller and Lightbridge 2 video transmission technology to transmit 1080p video at up to 5 kilometers distance. The A3 flight...

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Huawei P9 Leica camera setup is made by Sunny Optical Technology
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-cameras/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A key feature of the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus is their dual-camera setup, featuring Leica-certified optics. Recent information regarding the two cameras reveal they are made by Sunny Optical Technology of China, which is a camera manufacturer authorized by Leica. This is the first time the Germany-based Leica is cooperating with a Chinese OEM. If this first endeavor proves successful, it's quite possible to see more Leica camera tech in future smartphones. In our Huawei P9 review we concluded that the phone has one of the best camera setups on the market. The dynamic range is high...

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Amazon Prime monthly subscriptions now available; Prime Video launched as standalone service
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/amazon-prime-monthly/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a fan of Amazon's Prime delivery service, but don't like the fact that it's only available as an annual subscription, here is some good news: the online retailer has rolled out a monthly subscription for it. There are, however, a couple of important facts worth knowing about the new subscription. Firstly, it costs $10.99/month, meaning around $130 a year, which is way more when compared to the current $99 a year annual subscription. And secondly, the new monthly subscription does not include the Amazon Prime Video service, which is currently included in the $99 yearly...

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Metallic design, May launch tipped for Samsung's C series smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-c-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, Samsung is working on a new 'C' series of smartphones, with the SM-C5000 being spotted on Zauba last month and on Geekbench recently, revealing some of its key specs. Now, thanks to a new report, we know a bit more about the new series. The report says that the C series will feature thin metallic bodies, and is expected to launch in the month of May (next month). As for the launch markets, the phones are expected to be exclusive to China. Aside from the SM-C5000, a C7000 model is also said to be in the works, although not much is known about it at the moment....

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New Nubia Z11 Mini teasers focus on device's camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nubia-z11-teasers/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Nubia (the ZTE sub-brand) has released a couple of new teasers of its upcoming Z11 Mini smartphone. The teasers focus on the device's camera, with one of them confirming that the phone will come with an updated NeoVersion camera system, and saying that it will be "Simply Beautiful." Another teaser - which the Chinese company shared on its Facebook page - features a jumping cheetah being snapped, effectively conveying that the device's camera will be very fast. Meanwhile, the company's GM Ni Fei revealed that the camera will come with a new feature dubbed Clone Mode, although he...

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Ecuador earthquake: US carriers offering free call/text services to the country
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ecuador-us-carriers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Ecuador this past weekend, killing around 250 (the number may still go up), several of the major US carriers have announced free call/text services to the South American country. The list currently includes T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. While the former's offer runs through Sunday, April 24, the latter two are offering free call/message services until April 23 and April 22, respectively. Carrier subsidiaries like MetroPCS, GoSmart Mobile, WalMart Family Mobile, Boost Mobile, and Virgin Mobile USA are also...

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Android N to have pressure sensitive display support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/android-n-pressure/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is working on adding pressure sensitive touchscreen support in Android N. According to The Verge, who reached out to Google, the company confirmed that this will be baked into the OS due to demand from OEMs who want to implement the feature in their devices. Having an OS-level support means the manufacturers won't have to do it on their own (as Huawei does right now) and it will also have better support from third party developers. The latest developer preview of Android N has a hint of this ability in the new "setDynamicShortcuts(List)" feature. With this, shortcuts on your...

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MicFlip Reversible microUSB cable review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mcflip-review/-184x111/thumb.jpg The dawn of the microUSB may be upon us, but it still has a few years before it's properly phased out. While the USB Type-C allows reversible plugs, it's yet to become the most popular, let alone the only standard. Many new smartphones, among other gadgets, available today on the market still prefer the microUSB plugs either to maintain backwards compatibility or simply because it's a smaller plug. Just look at the Galaxy S7 series. And we all know the inconvenience of trying to plug a microUSB cable the wrong way. Best case scenario - it's annoying. Worst case - you can irreversibly...

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New phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/phone-of-week/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This week saw some quite interesting additions to our smartphone database and most of them boast a flagship status. Here's a quick recap in case you've missed any of them. HTC 10 and HTC 10 Lifestyle. Meizu finally revealed the highly anticipated PRO 6, while Micromax has the Canvas 6 and Canvas 6 Pro E484 to pride itself with. Naturally, let's start with the star of the week - the HTC 10 is the company's flagship for 2016, while the HTC 10 Lifestyle is a toned down version. Thet both offer a 5.2" Super LCD 5 of QHD resolution (1,440 x 2,560px) with a curved edge Gorilla Glass. The...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 15
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung's Galaxy J-series smartphones have asserted their dominance for yet another week, and they've grabbed first and second spot. On top we have Galaxy J3 (2016), while last year's J7 is runner-up. The iPhone SE has reversed its downward trend, which has seen it drop from top to 4th spot in the weeks following its announcement, and joins the J's on the podium. It's come to the wrong neighborhood though, some might say, with yet another Galaxy J phone (the J) right on its heels. At least the J2 has been staying off the chart for a while. The Galaxy S7 has dropped two spots, this...

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Weekly poll: HTC 10 - hot or not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-htc-10/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The HTC 10 is the last to join this spring's flagship party, with the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7 announced some two months ago, and already widely available. Even the Huawei P9 beat the HTC 10 to it by a week. So it begs the question is the 10 fashionably late, or just late? The Koreans will give it a nod for the QHD resolution on its Super LCD 5(who's counting) - HTC didn't make the jump from FullHD last year, but 2017 would have been too late. They share the same heart too, at least in some parts of the world - the Snapdragon 820. The Taiwanese company also takes the same approach as...

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Week 15 in review: HTC 10 wherever you look, Meizu Pro 6 goes official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 was announced earlier this week and there's no way you could have missed it. On the odd chance you have, you can bring yourself up to speed here in our weekly recap, where the 10 is prominently featured. It didn't go without a bit of controversy, as HTC also made official a second, lower-specced model - the 10 Lifestyle. Product diversity is all good, but initial signs pointed that some markets may be getting just the Lifestyle and not the proper 10, and said markets protested. A few quiet updates of HTC product pages and some emails later, and the HTC 10 may actually make it to...

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Poll results: New Huawei P9 duo gets super warm reception
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-results-huawei-p9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Bright future ahead for the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus if our poll results are any indication. Both phones got an overwhelmingly positive reception with the Plus only a tiny bit ahead of its plain brother. So, dual-cameras, premium metal build, fingerprint sensor, fast processor vs. no 4K video recording? That's 4 to 1 in favor, which is exactly what the P9 gets. Well, yes, admittedly we picked arbitrary pros and con for that statement, but the ratio still stands. In more precise figures, the Huawei P9 gathers 78% of upvotes and we'll go ahead and count that as a sign of approval for dual...

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Outlook app now available on Android Wear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/outlook-android-wear/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Outlook mail app for Android is now available for Android Wear. You will now be able to see your notifications, read your emails, reply with preset messages or use voice dictation from your Android Wear device. The update is now available to download on the Play Store. Source • Via

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GSMArena

19-04-16, 20:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-x-premium/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This February Sony bid farewell to its Z line of smartphones as it introduced the new Xperia X, Xperia X Performance, and Xperia XA. And now it seems like a new member will be added to the X family at some point in the near future.We're talking about the Xperia X Premium, which according to a new rumor is going to be the successor to the Z5 Premium from last year. That particular device was the first smartphone to sport a display capable of showing 4K content, and if this report is accurate then the X Premium's main differentiator will be the screen too.Namely, it's said to come...

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Apple refreshes the MacBook and MacBook Air laptops
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/macbook-rose/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Without much fanfare, Apple today released a small hardware refresh of its MacBook 12" and MacBook Air notebooks.The refreshed MacBook now sports sixth-generation Intel Core M, which can be configured with either 1.1GHz or 1.3GHz clock speed. The RAM is also upgraded from 1600MHz to the faster 1866MHz and the Intel HD 515 GPU promises 25% better efficiency. And, yes, there's a new rose gold color available to mark the slight bump in specs.Thanks to the latest components, the battery life has been increased to 10 hours web browsing and 11 hours of continuous video playback. Prices...

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Marshmallow for Samsung Galaxy S5 to be more widely available as update starts hitting model SM-G900F
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nearly a month after Samsung started rolling out the Marshmallow update to the Galaxy S5, the most widely available model (SM-G900F) of the South Korean company's 2014 flagship has begun receiving the update.Currently, the update - which brings Marshmallow version 6.0.1 - is hitting units in SriLanka, with European and other SM-G900Fs likely to get it soon.Given that the roll-out has just begun, it may take some time for the update to hit your Galaxy S5. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can manually check for it by heading to the Settings menu on your device.Via

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Samsung developing a 1/1.7" camera sensor for upcoming flagships
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Samsung is in the development of a large 1/1.7" CMOS sensor that'll be put to use in the company's upcoming flagships, according to information obtained by PhotoRumors. The new sensor is purported to have an aperture as wide as f/1.4 and would be in the 18-24MP range.According to the report, Samsung is on a mission to step up its camera game even further and has an aggressive roadmap. The company is also working on a new compact 1/2.3" sensor, but its use isn't known yet.Finally, Samsung's long-term game is to lure NX camera users to switch to its smartphones and part of the...

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IHS: Xiaomi shipped 14.8 million phones in Q1 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/xiaomi-mi-5-india/-184x111/thumb.jpg According to IHS Technology's analyst Kevin Wang, Xiaomi has managed to sell 14.8 million smartphones in the first quarter of 2016. This number includes sales outside China as well. For the same period last year, the company managed to ship roughly the same number of phones - 14.98 million. While it's certainly not the growth the company hoped for, it's not too shabby either. In 2015, Xiaomi sold 70 million units and didn't meet its own expectations of 80 million units.Xiaomi started 2016 on a strong note with the Mi 5 and the Redmi 3 Pro. The 6.4" Xiaomi Max is also expected...

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Samsung's Good Lock is a smart, feature-loaded lockscreen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-good-lock/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Remember a few years ago when lockscreens had shortcuts and widgets and multiple screens? Well, these over-stuffed kind of lockscreens have fallen out of favor now, but if you miss the glory days, you should look at Samsung's new app - Good Lock.It's a lockscreen replacement that is not 100% sure whether it wants to replace the lock screen or the home screen. It has shortcuts - frequently used but also recent apps.It has widgets and quick toggles too:One thing I do like is the advanced notification actions - they are treated almost like calendar events, you can save...

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Nubia Z11 mini unveiled with 5" 1080p screen, 16MP camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nubia-z11-mini-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ZTE's sub-brand Nubia has a new member - the Nubia Z11 mini. The phone features a 5" screen (the term "mini" has grown) and has a strong focus on photography.The main camera uses a 16MP Sony IMX298 sensor (same as Xiaomi Mi 5 and Huawei Mate 8). It's behind an f/2.0 lens and offers phase-detection autofocus and "3D noise reduction."You get RAW DNG shooting mode and ISO that goes up to 12,800 (ZTE is promising no added noise, but we don't buy it). For video shooting, the camera maxes out at 1080p.There's an 8MP selfie camera too, with large 1.4?m pixels and 80? lens (with a...

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Motorola Moto 360 Sport gets $70 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/moto-360-sport-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sport variant of the second generation Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch has received a price cut in the United States, where Amazon currently has the timepiece listed for around $230, down from the $300 price tag the watch usually carries.A quick look the Motorola's US website reveals the same $300 price tag for the device, meaning the deal indeed saves you around $70. What's worth mentioning, however, is that only the black colored model is being offered at discounted rates - white and flame options are still $300.Interested in the deal? Head to the Source link below and grab a...

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After SM-C5000, another Samsung C series handset (SM-C7000) spotted
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-c-geekbench//-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy C5 SM-C5000, which is said to be part of a new 'Galaxy C' series smartphone line-up from Samsung, has already been the subject a few leaks and rumors until now. Aside from this device, the South Korean company is also said to be working on another C series handset dubbed Samsung Galaxy C7 SM-C7000.Now, the SM-C7000 has been spotted on Antutu, revealing some of its key specifications. As per the listing, the device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 625 chipset, and sports a full HD display. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is listed as 32GB.The camera...

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Report says Google Play saw over 11 billion app downloads last quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-play-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report, the Google Play Store - which hosts a total of around 2 million apps - saw more than 11 billion app downloads (11.1 billion to be precise) in the last quarter, an increase of around 6.7% compared to the figure reported during the same time last year.Of the most downloaded apps, the top three included Facebook Messenger, Facebook, and Snapchat. Candy Crush Jelly Saga and Pandora rounded up the top five.The report also notes that the Play Store's Gaming category - despite growing less than 1% year-on-year - was five times larger than the Tools category....

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Verizon HTC 10 will be up for pre-orders starting April 29
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has announced that it will begin accepting HTC 10 pre-orders on April 29. In addition, the carrier revealed that on the same day the device will also be on display at its retail stores for those interested in having a hands-on preview."Verizon will start pre-orders for the HTC 10 on April 29," the company said in a statement. "In addition, Verizon Wireless stores will host exclusive in-store previews on April 29 to give consumers and media a hands-on look at the HTC 10. Verizon will be the first wireless carrier to offer the HTC 10." There was, however, no word on the...

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Marshmallow update starts hitting T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxys6-edgeplus-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Shortly after the Samsung Galaxy Note5 on T-Mobile started receiving it, the Marshmallow update has begun hitting T-Mobile Galaxy S6 edge+ variants as well. While the update brought Android 6.0 to the former, the latter gets Android 6.0.1.Weighing in at 1.34 GB, the update bumps the software version to G928TUVU2DPD1. As you'd expect, the update brings along the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions.Given the fact that the update has just begun rolling, it may take some time before it hits your device. However, if you're...

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BlackBerry Priv currently available for just $450
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/blackberry-priv-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're in the United States, and are planning to purchase BlackBerry's debut Android smartphone (the Priv), here is some good news: for a limited time, the device has received a solid price cut.Daily Steals currently has the handset listed for $450, down from the $700 price tag that it usually carries there. A quick look at the Canadian company's official US online store reveals a price tag of $650, so the deal saves you at-least $200.The model on offer is AT&T branded, although unlocked, meaning you'll be able to use it with other GSM carriers as well. As we've already told...

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CREO Mark 1 with 5.5-inch QHD display is now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/creo-mark1-available/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Mark 1, which was unveiled by India-based startup CREO last week, is now available for purchase in the country. The device is listed on the company's official website, and among online retailers, Flipkart is selling it.As for the price, the device carries a tag of INR 19,999 (around $300). Those purchasing the handset from CREO's website will also be able to get a custom message engraved on the side of their unit. The engraving option will be free for the first 2,000 orders.For those who don't already know, the Mark 1 is powered by MediaTek's Helio X chipset, and sports a...

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Google Play Music officially adds podcasts
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-play-podcasts/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google started testing the addition of a dedicated podcasts section to its Play Music service back in February, but it was a very limited rollout at that moment. Today though, after months of testing, podcasts are finally available for everyone. Well, not quite - for now that's everyone in the US and Canada.The new feature should already be available inside the Web version of Google Play Music, and it's rolling out in stages to Android devices.Google says it's made finding interesting podcasts easy in the interface, with contextual suggestions such as "Learning something new",...

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LeEco Le 2 (or Le Max 2) shows up in a benchmark with 6GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le2-6gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After launching the first Snapdragon 820-powered smartphone a few months back, LeEco (formerly known as LeTV) has been busy working on its next top of the line device. We've seen this leaking quite a few times, either in images, official certifications, or benchmarks.The handset could be called Le 2, Le 2 Pro, or even Le Max 2, the exact moniker unfortunately hasn't been conclusively leaked. And now it turns out that the Le 2 (let's call it that) will come in no less than three hardware versions.One will sport 3GB of RAM, another will come with 4GB of memory, but the highest-end...

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Oppo tops offline sales in China thanks to the F1 Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oppo-f1-is-the-international-r9/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg March has been quite a successful month for Oppo. The company boasts it has taken the first spot in offline sales in China thanks to the soaring interest for the F1 Plus (R9 in China). The data is gathered by independent research company Sino MR.The analysis shows that the company sold 180,000 units on the first day of sales (March 24). Just four days later, the number of Oppo R9 phones sold was topping 400,000.Following Oppo in terms of sales volume for March is Vivo and Apple with 12.1% and 11.2%, respectively. Huawei is fourth with 9.4%, but its sub-brand Honor is also doing...

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Two Sony camera sensor factories in Japan halt operations due to earthquake
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-building/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Sony's image sensor production plant in Kyushu Island has been closed due to the recent deadly earthquakes in the country. The Kumamoto Prefecture factory is the second of Sony's image sensor plants to halt its operation after the one in the Kyushu city of Nagasaki.If the plants don't resume operations, it could be problematic for both Sony and its partners who count on it for CMOS sensors. Currently, nearly 40% of the market uses the company's image sensors. Happily, a Sony spokesman has told Reuters that there won't be immediate disruption in the supply since Sony has some...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 for T-Mobile getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/t-mobile-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon and AT&T unleashed the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update onto their Samsung Galaxy Note5 users in March and towards the end of the same month, Sprint joined in as well.Now it's time for T-Mobile to do its thing - the update is available Over The Air and it weighs in at 1,420MB so make sure to download it over Wi-Fi.Downloading the Marshmallow update for T-Mobile's Galaxy Note5The update brings the usual Marshmallow goodies and makes the some changes to the pre-installed app package - Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp are getting the boot.Source

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GSMArena

20-04-16, 20:23

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/translator-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has rolled out a new update to its Translator app on Android. The update brings some new features - including the ability to translate image text - as well as regular bug fixes. "Translate words within images - convert from 21 languages or choose automatic language detection," the release notes for the update say. In addition, users running Android Marshmallow on their devices will now be able to translate text without leaving their current app. And finally, language packages - that allow you to use the service even when you're not connected to the Internet - are now...

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Alcatel POP 7 LTE is only $130 at T-Mobile, available now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/alcatel-pop-7-lte-available-on-tmobile/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile stores all over the US are gearing up for the launch of the Alcatel POP 7 LTE tablet. Alcatel brings you affordable hardware to get you connected and the company's newest 7 inch tablet comes with Android Marshmallow right out of the box. Marshmallow brings features like improved battery life, Google Now on Tap, and overall performance optimizations. POP 7 LTE Key Features Include: 7-inch Display (1024x600 pixels) with Oleophobic Coating 1.1GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Quad-Core Processor Android 6.0 Operating System 5MP Fixed-Focus Main Camera + 2MP Fixed-Focus Front Camera 1GB...

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Smartphone buyer's guide: April 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/buyers-guide-april-2016/-347x151/gsmarena_004.jpg The major releases for the first half of 2016 are out, time to see what's worth spending your hard earned cash on. For all the flagship goodness we saw at the MWC (and other events), there's an equal measure of amazing entry-level and midrange handsets out there.

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Sony Xperia Ear hands-on
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-xperia-ear-handson/-184x111/thumb.jpg Sony Xperia Ear was announced back at the MWC as part of the new Xperia accessory lineup. It went official with three more devices - the Xperia Eye clip camera, the tiny Xperia Projector, and the Xperia Agent hub for home automation. The Xperia Ear is the first of these to make it to the market. It's a smart headset capable of recognizing voice commands or head gestures, and answer with voice input. It comes with a rather big box, but that's actually a portable battery pack that can recharge the Ear once. The Xperia Ear packs enough battery juice to last you a day, so with the...

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The European Commission charges Google for abuse of dominant position
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/european-comission-google-antitrust/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The European Commission has released a preliminary view that accuses Google of breaching EU antitrust rules by abusing its dominant position on the market. According to the Commission, Google has been imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators. The State of Objectitions sent to Google say that the company has implemented a strategy on smartphones and tablets to preserve and strengthen its dominance in internet search. The reason behind this view is that Google Search is the preinstalled, set as the default, and in some cases exclusive search service...

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Nextbit Robin visits DxO Labs, scores an 81
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nextbit-robin-dxo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Good thing you're getting those 100GB of cloud storage with the Nextbit Robin smartphone, as you may just wish to load it all up with photos. Or, in other words, the Robin's 13MP camera posted an 81 overall score on DxO Mark. The reviewers praised the one-of-a-kind smartphone for detail preservation in both daylight and low light, and for its vivid color reproduction. "A standout performance for autofocus" too, rated at a solid 90. The folks at DxO Labs were less impressed with the Robin's occasionally inaccurate white balance and somewhat limited dynamic range. In video...

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Here are LeEco's USB Type-C headphones with lossless audio
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-cdla/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LeEco thinks that analog audio connectors like the 3.5mm audio jack are a thing of the past and starting with the new Le trio is moving to an all-digital solution called CDLA. This stands for Continual Digital Lossless Audio and has already been certified by the Music Association of China. Headphones will be plugged into the USB Type-C port, which will stream lossless audio to a decoder chip inside the headphones themselves. One benefit of this setup is that it simplifies noise reduction - analog headphones typically need batteries to power the electronics necessary for noise reduction...

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Stamina mode is back with Marshmallow update rolling out for Japanese Xperia Z5's
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-xperia-z5-marshmallow-stamina/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony's iconic Stamina battery saving mode marks a return in the latest Marshmallow update rolled out by Japanese carrier NTT docomo. The new firmware is arriving as we speak on current flagship models Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, and Z5 Premium, as well as on the Xperia Z4 (a Japanese-exclusive name of the global Xperia Z3+). Earlier Sony Marshmallow builds had the feature removed, instead letting Android do the dozing on its own. Putting inactive apps to sleep is only part of what Stamina does, though - turning off functions like Wi-Fi and mobile data to save power is also among its...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) already available for purchase in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxyj7-j5-2016-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg When the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and Galaxy J5 (2016) were made official last month, there was no word on whether or not they'll be available outside of China. There have been reports since that the new J5 will be launched in Europe soon and now we learn the J7 is already on sale in the region. Samsung Spain currently has the device listed on its official website for €299, and it's in stock, too. Curiously though, the model listed on the Spanish website has a screen resolution of 1280 x 720 (HD) and 2GB RAM, compared to the full HD display and 3GB RAM that were revealed when the...

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Intel announces huge layoffs, affecting 11% of total workforce
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/intel-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Massive job cuts are coming at Intel. The world's largest PC chip-maker has announced that it will lay off nearly 12,000 employees globally, which translates into around 11% of the California-based company's total workforce. The firm - which had a total of about 107,300 employees at the end of last year - said that majority of those on the layoff list will be notified within the next couple of months, while noting that the job cut process may take almost a year to complete. Intel expects this restructuring will help the company save a total of $750 million in 2016, with the figure...

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LeEco unveils Le Max 2 with 6GB RAM and Snapdragon 820
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le2-pro2-max2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LeEco brought out the big guns - a trio of Le phones with large screens, gobs of processing power and advanced cameras. There's one thing lacking though - a 3.5mm audio jack, the USB Type-C port takes over. LeEco Le Max 2 This is the leader of the pack with a 5.7" QHD screen (1,440 x 2,560px) and a Snapdragon 820 chipset coupled with the impressive 6GB RAM. The phone runs a current Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EUI 5.5. For storage you get a choice of 32GB and 64GB. Note that only the 64GB model comes with 6GB RAM, the 32GB option has "only" 4GB. The camera is a 21MP shooter with an...

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4K PlayStation 4 codenamed 'NEO', is very much real
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ps4-neo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There have been rumors of a 4K capable PlayStation 4 for a while now. According to sources at Giant Bomb, the console is very much real, and is codenamed NEO. The main differences between the current PS4 and the NEO is the higher CPU and GPU clock speed and higher memory bandwidth. The other specifications are seemingly the same. The 8-core Jaguar CPU will be clocked ay 2.1GHz instead of 1.6GHz, the the AMD GPU gets double the compute units ay 36 at 911MHz, and the 8GB GDDR5 gets bandwidth boost from 176GB/s to 218GB/s. Sony requires the game developers to make every game for both, the...

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Second-gen Google Chromecast and Chromecast Audio launched in India for $50
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/chromecast-india-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has launched the second-gen Chromecast as well as the new Chromecast Audio dongles in India. The devices - which were unveiled back in September last year - are currently listed on the company's India website carrying a price tag of INR 3,399 each, which translates into around $50 at current exchange rates. Clicking the 'Buy' button on the official site gives you an option to purchase the dongles from third party online-only retailers including Flipkart, Snapdeal, and Paytm, as well physical retailers such as Reliance and Croma. The Mountain View, California-based company is...

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New Moto G4 Plus render leaks, shows off the complete device
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4plus-new-render/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week, Evan Blass - who goes by the Twitter handle @evleaks - shared an image alleged to be of the Motorola Moto G4 Plus. The image, however, revealed only the bottom portion of the device's front-panel. Now, the leakster has shared another image of the handset, and this time it shows off the complete front as well as back of the device. Agreed. https://t.co/yBX6xW1AOC pic.twitter.com/rw8dhBYHxK— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April 19, 2016 The image reveals a square-shaped fingerprint sensor on the front, and a camera setup (including an apparent laser autofocus module) with vertical...

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Samsung Pay coming to Singapore this quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsungpay-singapore/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has announced that its mobile payments service - Samsung Pay - will be launched in Singapore in the second quarter of this year (which has already begun), making the city-state the first market in Southeast Asia where the service will be available. "We are extremely excited that Singapore is the first market in Southeast Asia to roll out Samsung Pay," said Injong Rhee, EVP and Head of R&D, Software and Services of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. "Singapore's connectivity and openness are ideal conditions for our new mobile service to thrive, together with...

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Dual-camera sporting Honor V8 to be unveiled next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-v8-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei's sub-brand Honor will launch a new smartphone next month. The Chinese company released an official teaser image confirming that a device named V8 will be unveiled on May 10. While nothing else was explicitly revealed by the company, the teaser image does indicate that the handset will sport a dual camera setup. As for the other specs, rumors say the Honor V8 will be powered by the home-grown Kirin 950 chipset, while RAM will be 4GB. The camera department is said to be handled by two 12MP units similar to the way it is in the case of the Huawei P9, but sans Leica lens. The...

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New 'Pink Gold' color variant of Galaxy S7 and S7 edge launched
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-s7-pink-gold/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has launched a new Pink Gold color variant of its newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. The new color has been released today in Samsung's home country of South Korea, with the company saying that it will soon be available in select other markets as well. "Pink Gold was chosen as it, like the other colors available for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, is a natural color that provides a sense of comfort," Samsung said in a blog post. "These hues glitter and shimmer as if illuminated from inside their glass surfaces." In case you aren't in the know, both the flagship...

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13-inch MacBook Air gets 8GB RAM as standard
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/macbook-air-ram/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple upgraded it's new MacBook yesterday with faster Skylake processors, bigger battery, and a new rose gold color, but there's also something for those looking to buy the more versatile MacBook Air. The 13-inch model now comes with 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory as standard. Back when the machine was updated in mid-2015, the 13-inch model always came with 4GB RAM as standard on all models, with 8GB being an option that you had to choose while purchasing from the Apple Store. Not only is 4GB too less now to be a worthwhile option, it could also not be upgraded in countries that don't have...

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Google releases Annual Security Report, harmful app installs have drastically dropped
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-releases-security-report-for-android-app-installs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has been cracking down on potentially harmful apps being installed from the Play Store, so much so that currently, as of Google's latest security report, only 0.15% of Android devices have been able to successfully install PHAs or potentially harmful apps. Google first started the initiative in which several OEMs became participants in. Stagefright was the first real security problem that faced Android since the beginning of the Android Platform. The vulnerability took advantage of a bug present in the method used to preview multi-media messages received through an SMS...

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Moto G (4th gen) now leaks in hands-on video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday we saw some leaked images depicting Motorola's upcoming 4th generation Moto G, and today the device has leaked yet again. This time around however we're treated to a brief hands-on video of the handset. The video does a good job of showing us all of the new Moto G's angles, but one thing is missing in this representation of the phone - the fingerprint scanner that we saw on the front in yesterday's shots. Otherwise though, the design is identical, so we assume that the prototype in the video is simply an earlier iteration of the device, and the fingerprint reader was only...

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GSMArena

21-04-16, 20:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-s13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At its grand event today, Acer has announced the Aspire S 13, a new laptop that wants to compete with the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air, but also Dell's XPS 13. And it wants to do all that while being significantly cheaper than its competitors.The Aspire S 13 will have a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display, which can optionally be touch-enabled. You can configure it with up to 8GB of RAM as well as up to a 512GB SSD, and an optional battery will make it allegedly last a whopping 13 hours on a charge (the default power pack only nets you 9 hours of usage). Powering the thing are Intel's 6th...

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Acer unveils Switch Alpha 12 detachable PC with liquid cooling
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-switch-alpha/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Acer is holding a pretty big event today, and one of the things it's announced is the Switch Alpha 12, a "detachable PC" as the Taiwanese company calls it. It's a 2-in-1 device that can be used either as a tablet or as a laptop, and it runs Windows 10 as you'd expect.The Switch Alpha 12 has a 12-inch 2,160x1,440 touchscreen, and it's powered by 6th generation Intel Core processors (a choice of i3, i5, or i7). You can configure it with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, as well as Intel's RealSense 3D camera.The device is fanless despite using proper i-series chips from Intel, and...

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Acer Liquid Zest Plus is official with a 5.5-inch display and a 5,000mAh battery
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-liquid-zest-plus/-184x111/thumb2.jpg Acer held a press event today in New York and announced a couple of laptops and a smartphone - the Acer Liquid Zest Plus.Acer shared some of the key specs of the Liquid Zest Plus on stage - a 5.5" HD display, a 13MP camera with something they call tri-focus, and a massive 5,000 mAh battery capable of quick charging. Tri-focus means the snapper relies on all types of AF used today - laser, contrast and phase detection.We managed to find some more specs of the device - it runs on MediaTek's MT6735 chip with a quad-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A53, Mali-T720 GPU and 2GB of RAM. There is 16GB...

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Android N Developer Preview now available on Sony Xperia Z3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-z3-android-n-dev-preview/-184x111/thumb.jpg Android N is yet to be officially named later this year, but it was already detailed last month. It offers multi-window (split-screen) multitasking, improved Doze mode, better notification handling among others.The Android N Developer Preview was seeded to Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Pixel C in early March. The Preview even saw its first firmware update in mid-March.Surprisingly, Sony made the Android N Preview available to the Xperia Z3 model earlier today. If you own the D6603 or D6653 flavors of the Xperia Z3, then you can easily install and run Android...

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Watch Xiaomi Mi 5 crack and pop under pressure
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-mi-5-bend-test/-184x111/thumb.jpg JerryRigEverything has come up with somewhat a standardized durability test for smartphones and he does it quite often. He first tests the scratch endurance of the shell, then the flame resistance of the screen, and finally - the bend test.Xiaomi Mi 5 uses two Gorilla Glass 4 pieces on its front and rear side and their scratch resistance is on par with the rest if the flagship crop. Its camera is protected by a sapphire piece, which is resistant to scratches, too.The aluminum is rather easy to scratch - that's for sure. But as it turns out the Mi 5 lacks a secondary metal chassis to...

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Oppo F1 Plus now available for purchase in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/f1-plus-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Oppo F1 Plus - which is the international version of the company's recently-launched R9 smartphone - is now available for purchase in India. The device carries a price tag of INR 26,990, which translates to around $407 at current exchange rates.As for availability, the handset can be purchased in stores across several regions in the country, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. The device is also available for purchase online (Amazon.in), but at INR 27,790, it's slightly pricey there.The global roll-out of the F1 Plus started earlier this month. The Chinese variant...

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Samsung plans to produce 2nd-generation 10nm chips this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/exynos-7880-7650/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung Semiconductor executives have held a special invite-only meet-up with potential new customers in Silicon Valley. The reason behind the event is the announcement of plans for a new and cheaper 14-nanometer manufacturing process.Re/Code cited Kelvin Low, Samsung Semiconductor senior director, who also said that a second-gen 10-nanometer chipmaking technology will be operational later this year. The new 10nm process will offer 10% better performance than the one before it.The battle for the top spot in the mobile semiconductor sector is heating up. TMSC is rumored to have the...

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Samsung Gear 360 goes on pre-order in South Korea and Europe, costs €350
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/gear-360-price/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung Gear 360 camera was introduced back at the MWC in Barcelona as part of the Galaxy S7 lineup of accessories. The exact pricing and availability was left out of the announcement, but it seems the sales of the round fella will be kicking off very soon.The Gear 360 camera is now available on pre-order in South Korea, Samsung's homeland. It costs KRW 399,300 (€320) and will be released on April 29. Those who pre-order the VR camera will also receive a 5,100 mAh battery pack for free.Samsung Gear 360 is already available on pre-order in the Netherlands, too. A retailer there has...

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ZUK Z2 Pro is official: Snapdragon 820 and 6GB of RAM for $420
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/zuk-z2-pro-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lenovo subsidiary ZUK just pulled the wraps off the Z2 Pro smartphone, oft-rumored over the past weeks. What sounds like a second model, rather than a successor to the existing Z1, was unveiled at a dedicated event in China.For starters, the ZUK Z2 Pro comes with a smaller 5.2-inch display, as opposed to the 5.5-inch Z1. It also makes a switch from IPS LCD to AMOLED, but resolution remains FullHD.On the inside we find the latest Snapdragon 820 chipset - while ZUK settled with the aging S801 for the Z1, the Z2 Pro gets the proper flagship treatment. And in line with this concept,...

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Samsung ships twice as many smartphones as Apple in Q1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/global-shipments/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Smartphone adoption is reaching a saturation point and global shipments fell 1.3% year on year and 18.6% down quarter on quarter, for a total of 292 million units. The info comes from global market research firm TrendForce.Leader Samsung moved up the ladder, going up 5.7 percentage points in market share compared to Q1 last year. It shipped 81 million units, which is actually up quarter on quarter (usually, the holiday quarter, Q4, is the strongest).Launching the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge earlier than competing flagships helped sales. The affordable J-series has found success in...

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Samsung Z3 is 20% off in India, going for $105
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-z3-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The best Tizen phone and, uh, also the third one ever (not counting watches), the Samsung Z3, is currently 20% off in India on the Big Three etailers - Amazon, Snapdeal and Flipkart.The phone goes for a hair under INR 7,000 ($105), having launched at INR 8,500 ($130) in October last year.Snapdeal has the Black, Silver and Gold versions, so does Flipkart (but the silver one is a smidgen pricier). Amazon is running low on Gold units, which are the only ones under INR 7,000, Silver and Black cost a couple of hundred INR more.Via

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Samsung Galaxy A (2016) promo videos are out - A for You
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-a-series-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has just posted a set of videos on YouTube promoting this year's Galaxy A-series under the tagline "A for you" (A4U, millennials?). From the A3 (2016) to the A9 (2016) they all share the same glass/metal build, and that's the first thing the PR team has highlighted.Almost the entire range has the same camera too - they all rock the 13MP f/1.9 unit with OIS, save for the A3, which has been denied stabilization. That won't stop you from photographing kittens, though.And they all have the fingerprint sensor in their home buttons, allowing them to support Samsung Pay -...

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Opera integrates free VPN in its developer channel
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/opera-vpn/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Opera has baked a free VPN service into the browser's developer channel and you can take advantage of it right away. The VPN is unlimited and you won't have to pay a dime to use it.Virtual Private Networks are used to add a layer of privacy to web browsing and allow you to bypass geolocation restrictions on popular websites. Opera cites the Global Web Index, according to which 38% of users online use VPNs to access entertainment content, and 30% to keep their anonymity while browsing.Check out Opera's promo video for its new VPN feature.The Opera preview version gives you...

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First Xiaomi Max render leaks
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-max-render/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week, we told you about the existence of a Xiaomi phablet dubbed Max. Shortly thereafter, another leak surfaced online allegedly showing off the front panel of the device. And now, the first render of the handset has been leaked.The image shows a device with thin bezels, a hardware home button (which wasn't there in the front panel leak, and might house a fingerprint sensor), and volume and power buttons on the right side. Design-wise the phone looks quite similar to the Chinese company's Mi 5 flagship.As for the specs, nothing much is known at the moment, except the rumored...

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Facebook Messenger gains group calling feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/facebook-group-calling/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Facebook has announced that it's rolling out a new feature to its Messenger app that'll allow users to connect with their group through a VoIP-based group call.The announcement came in the form of a Facebook post from Messenger chief David Marcus, who also noted that the update is expected to hit the app's iOS and Android clients in the next 24 hours."From any group conversations, just tap on the phone icon to initiate a group call. You can then manage individual participants on the next screen," he explained in the post. The new feature allows you to talk to up to 50 of your...

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Huawei P9 Lite now spotted at TENAA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/p9-lite-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei P9 Lite - which is yet to be announced by the company, but is already available for purchase in some European markets - has now been spotted on the website of Chinese telecommunication authority TENAA, suggesting an imminent launch in the Asian country.The listing reveals that the device is powered by an octa-core 2.0Ghz chipset, and sports a 5.2-inch 1080p display. It comes with 3GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,900mAh battery.In terms of camera, the P9 Lite features a 13MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. Measuring 146.8?72.6?7.5 and...

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Google will soon start displaying live TV listings in search results
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-live-tv-listings/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has announced that it will soon start showing live TV listings in search results. This means, in future, when you'll search for a TV show on Google, the results will also contain a list of channels on which the show will be aired along with the date and time information."So now when you're looking for The Big Bang Theory, we'll not only show you the apps and sites where you can find the latest episode, but also show which channel you can turn your tv to later in the evening or week to catch it live," Google said in a blog post.Aside from this, the Mountain View,...

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Motorola slashes Moto X Pure Edition price by $50 for limited time
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-x-pure-edition-for-300/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg If you are a Motorola fan, and are in the market for a good mid-range smartphone, here is some good news for you: the company has given its Moto X Pure Edition smartphone a decent price cut, although for a limited time only.The device - which was launched in September last year, and is also known as the Moto X Style outside the US - is currently listed on Motorola's US site for $349.99, down $50 from its usual price of $399.99.Although third-party retailers like Amazon are also selling the handset for around $350, getting it from Motorola will give you the benefit of customizing...

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Sony rumored to launch Xperia M Ultra with 6-inch display, 23MP/16MP camera combo
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-m-ultra/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a new rumor out of China, Sony will launch a new smartphone dubbed Xperia M Ultra. Specs-wise, the device is said to be powered by Snapdragon 652 chipset, and sport a 6-inch full HD display.The device will have 3GB RAM and 32GB internal memory, and pack in a large 4,280mAh battery. The camera department will be handled by a 23MP rear unit and a 16MP selfie shooter. It is also said to feature a USB Type-C port and a fingerprint sensor.Aside from the the Xperia M Ultra, the Japanese company is also rumored to launch the successor to last year's Xperia C5 Ultra -...

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Google Chrome's mobile app now has over 1 billion monthly users
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/chrome-mobile-billion/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has revealed that the Chrome browser mobile app now has more than 1 billion active monthly users. With this, Chrome for mobile has joined other Google apps - including the Google Play store, Maps, Search, and YouTube - in the 1 billion+ club.The milestone comes just five months after Chrome for Android and iOS hit the 800 million users mark. The search giant, however, did not reveal the total number of users on each mobile platform, although it would be reasonable to assume that Android leads the race.The Mountain View, California-based company in-fact released a complete...

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GSMArena

22-04-16, 20:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/jxd-s192-gaming-tablet/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Android gaming tablets have been struggling for relevance for ages. Remember when the Wikipad got a PlayStation certification in 2012? Probably not, but Nvidia isn't giving up and it has gotten several manufacturers to believe in the Tegra dream.JXD S192 "retro" gaming tablet playing some classic gamesJXD unveiled the S192 tablet and put it up on pre-order as a "retro" gaming console. As a side note: JXD S192, really? Acer at least called gaming tablet "Predator." Nvidia calls its own tablet "Shield." Archos went with the obvious "GamePad." The S192 name sounds boring and...

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April security update starts hitting Galaxy Note5 units in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the latest Android security update to Galaxy Note5 units in India. As per the change-log, the update also includes some performance and stability-related improvements as well as generic bug fixes.Weighing in at around 19MB, the update bumps the firmware version to N920GDDS2BPD2, and brings up the device's Android security patch level to April 2, 2016. Reportedly, Galaxy Note5 model SM-N920G is receiving the same firmware in Nepal and Sri Lanka as well.Given that software updates are usually rolled out in phases, it may take time for this one as well...

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Xiaomi teases Mi Max
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-max-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday, we reported on a render of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi Max phablet, after revealing that the phone indeed exists a few days prior to that. Xiaomi today released a teaser image of the phone revealing just a small portion of it.The point of the image is to show that the phone can fit comfortably into jeans pocket, but considering the rumors of a 6.4-inch display, we find that somewhat hard to believe.Other things worth noting is the missing Mi logo up front, something that has been around on Xiaomi phones since the beginning, and the new Baymax-style design of the...

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Apple drops the iPhone prices in Japan by 10%
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-10-drop-japan/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple has lowered the prices of all iPhones sold officially in Japan by 10%. There is no official statement on the reason for the price cut, but it should be most probably due to exchange rate changes.The iPhone models currently in circulation are iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, and the iPhone 6s Plus. If you are interested in their new and old prices in Japan, here they come.iPhone 6s 16GB: JPY 78,800 (previously JPY 86,800)iPhone 6s 64GB: JPY 89,800 (previously JPY 98,800)iPhone 6s 128GB: JPY 101,800 (previously JPY 110,800)iPhone 6s Plus 16GB: JPY 89,800...

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Crossy Road gets four player local multiplayer
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/crossy-road-multiplayer-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Crossy Road on Android has got a fun little update that a lot of you should appreciate. The game now supports local multiplayer.Now, up to four people can join in the same game over a local Wi-Fi network and play against each other. The one who goes the farthest wins. The gameplay is similar to that on the Apple TV version, where you can push other players into traffic or water, and even block them from moving, which makes this a bit more fun than just moving forward.The multiplayer is only available on Android for now. Unfortunately, it does not work over Bluetooth, so you have...

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Motorola Affinity in testing, could be the next Moto E
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/moto-fingerprint-sensors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg First details regarding of the upcoming 3rd generation Moto E have surfaced thanks to import documents on Zauba. Codenamed "Affinity", the phone is listed to have a 5" display and a price of just $78.While it's clear that this price isn't the device's retail one, it's an indication that the "Affinity" is a low-budget device. The current Moto E (2nd gen) sports a 4.5" display, so the upcoming model will presumably grow in size.Presumably, the Moto E (3rd gen) will be larger in order to accommodate a fingerprint scanner. As a Lenovo exec said earlier in January, all 2016 Moto...

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Xiaomi to launch its own mobile payments service in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/xiaomi-sales-2015/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has announced that it will launch its own mobile payments service. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer - which is the biggest player in its home market - will partner with the country's national bank card association China UnionPay for the service.According to the company's CEO Lei Jun, Xiaomi Pay - or whatever it will be called - will be a Near Field Communication (NFC)-based mobile payments solution, just like Apple Pay.Currently, the Chinese mobile payments market is dominated by local players such as Alibaba and Tencent. Another well known Chinese smartphone vendor...

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Microsoft sold only 2.3 million Lumia devices in fiscal Q3, down 73% year-on-year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-950-uk-discount-again/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has released its Q3 fiscal 2016 earnings report, revealing that it sold only 2.3 million Lumia phones in the quarter.The figure is down 73% compared to the same quarter last year, when the Redmond, Washington-based company sold a total of 8.6 million Lumias. Compared to last quarter, when the company sold 4.5 million Lumia units, the number is down around 50%.Microsoft also revealed that the sales of non-Lumia units stood at 15.7 million units, down from the 24.7 million figure it reported the same time last year. Talking of phone revenue, it was down $662 million, which...

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Honor 5X to get Marshmallow update soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-5x-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei's sub-brand Honor has announced that its 5X smartphone will start getting the Android Marshmallow update soon, although no specific date was revealed. The announcement came in the form of a tweet from the brand's US Twitter handle.It's sweet. It's fluffy. And it's coming soon to Honor 5x. #YouReady? pic.twitter.com/uUI06QlMAm— Honor USA (@Honor_USA) April 22, 2016Running Android 5.1 Lollipop, the Honor 5X launched in the United States back in January this year, carrying a $200 price tag. It has been available in gold, silver, and grey color options from HiHonor, Amazon and...

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Facebook will now also take account of time users spend reading stuff clicked from News Feed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/facebook-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In an effort to further improve its service, Facebook has yet again updated it News Feed ranking algorithm. The social networking company says that the algorithm will now also take into account the amount of time users spend reading/watching stuff they click from their News Feeds."We are adding another factor to News Feed ranking so that we will now predict how long you spend looking at an article in the Facebook mobile browser or an Instant Article after you have clicked through from News Feed," Facebook said in a press release."We will not be counting loading time towards this —...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 to go on open sale in India next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/redmi-note-3-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has announced that its Redmi Note 3 smartphone will be available for purchase in India without any registrations next week - the open sale will kick start on April 27 at 2PM.The announcement came in the form of tweet from the Chinese company's India unit. The tweet contains a link to mi.com/in, suggesting that the open sale will only be hosted on Xiaomi's India website.https://t.co/S0qbbVlM73 - More #RedmiNote3 stocked, no registrations required for next sale! Get it 27 April, at 2pm pic.twitter.com/zXVoWNNsCG— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) April 21, 2016As for the device,...

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Samsung rolls out minor bug-fixing update to Galaxy S7/S7 edge units in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started pushing out a minor update to its latest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - in India. Weighing in at 1.06MB, the update includes some bug-fixes as well as stability and performance-related improvements.This update to the latest Galaxy phones follows the one that the South Korean company started pushing out earlier last week, bringing touch and stability-related improvements as well as shape correction for skewed photos and latest Android security patch.Given that this new bug-fixing update has just started rolling out, it may take sometime...

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Sprint's Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and S5 Sport start getting Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-note-edge-march/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sprint has started rolling out Marshmallow update to Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy S5 Sport units on its network. The update brings Android version 6.0 to both devices.The Note Edge update also includes latest Android security patches as well as some other bug fixes. The updates are being rolled out in phases, with the Note Edge process completing on May 2 and the S5 Sport process wrapping up on May 11.In case you haven't received the update notification yet, you can also manually check for the update by heading to the Settings menu on your handset.Source 1 2

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Huawei Honor V8 to cost $308, more details uncovered
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-v8-more-details/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Huawei started teasing the launch of its next Honor-branded device. The Honor V8 will become official at an event on May 10, and it will emulate the dual-camera setup of the recently unveiled P9. This will consist of two 12 MP units. The Honor V8 has also been rumored to come with the Kirin 950 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and a fingerprint sensor. Today rumors out of China paint a clearer picture.The handset will apparently have a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, an 8 MP selfie camera, a 3,000 mAh battery, and a USB Type-C port. Its price in China should be around CNY 2,000, which at the...

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Moto G4 and G4 Plus may get announced on June 9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The upcoming fourth generation of Motorola's Moto G smartphone has been leaking a lot lately, which could mean it's getting ever closer to being officially introduced.It turns out that may actually be the case. At the launch of the ZUK Z2 Pro today, Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing said Motorola will be outing a new and exciting device on June 9.Unfortunately he didn't go into more detail, but given the increasing number of leaks about the Moto G4, we assume it can only be this model that will be announced. That said, do keep in mind that we might see two G-branded models this year - a...

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Amazon Kindle Fire 7 gets three new colors, 16GB version for $69.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/kindle-fire-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazon is upgrading its most basic Kindle Fire tablet today, if ever so slightly. The 7-inch device now gets three additional color versions you can pick from when buying one. Aside from the existing black model, it's now also being offered in blue, magenta, and tangerine hues.What's more, a new iteration with 16GB of built-in storage has been revealed. The 8GB model will stay on sale for $49.99, while the new SKU with double the storage is priced at $69.99.Everything else about the tablet has remained the same. This is still one of the cheapest slates out there, but do keep in...

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AT&T's LG V10 is now being updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/att-lg-v10-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far, the LG V10 has received its update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow internationally, but also for units sold by both Verizon and T-Mobile. And now it's finally time for those V10 handsets sold by AT&T to taste the latest version of Android too.According to a report, the rollout of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for AT&T's V10 has already commenced. As this is a staged over-the-air outing, it may be a few days before every AT&T V10 out there receives that coveted update notification. If you're impatient, you can of course manually check for the update by going to the About phone area...

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Acer outs Predator 17X gaming laptop, Predator G1 gaming desktop
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-new-predator/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Gamers haven't been forgotten at Acer's event today. Specially for them, the Taiwanese company unveiled two new computers.First off, the Predator 17X laptop, one that can be used with both the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive VR headsets. It comes with a 17.3-inch screen that can go up to 4K resolution. If you go nuts with the configuration options, you can also choose an Intel Core i7-6820HK processor, 64GB of DDR4 RAM, and three SSDs in RAID 0. You get customizable RGB lighting for the keyboard, and the device has the full Nvidia GTX 980 graphics card, and not the 980M as you'd expect to...

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Acer says its new Chromebook 14 for Work is the fastest ever
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-chromebook-14-for-work/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg New Windows-powered 2-in-1s and laptops aren't everything that Acer has announced at its event today. Also present was the new Acer Chromebook 14 for Work, a device which the Taiwanese company claims is the fastest Chromebook on the market.That's seriously doubtful given the specs of Google's newest Chromebook Pixel, but Acer seems to believe in what it says. The odd thing is that the company hasn't actually revealed the detailed spec list for the new Chromebook, so we can't really assess these claims.All Acer's willing to disclose about the Chromebook 14 for Work is that it...

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GSMArena

23-04-16, 20:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/p9-lite-price-belgium/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg If you recall, last year, Huawei CEO Richard Yu effectively said that he's not in favor of QHD displays on smartphone as he thinks it's difficult for humans to distinguish between Full HD and QHD displays. However now, he seems to have changed his mind.Huawei's latest P9 - comes with full HD displayAnd the reason is VR. "Last year I would certainly not buy a 2K device as the power consumption was high and the difference to my eyes non-existent. But now I have changed my mind and my next phone will be 2K as I like VR!," he noted in a post on Weibo.It's worth mentioning that by...

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Silver Galaxy S7/S7 edge to be available in Netherlands starting May
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/silver-galaxy-s7-netherlands/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung's latest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - were launched globally last month on March 11. Although the devices come in several color options, the complete range is not yet available in several markets.One such market is the Netherlands, where the Silver color option wasn't available. However, that was until now, as the variant is now listed on the websites of several Dutch retailers, including Cool Blue, Mobile, and Belsimpel.Interested users can place their orders right now, and the phone should be delivered in the first week of May - a delivery date of...

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Telus announces Marshmallow rollout dates for Galaxy S5 and Note 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/telus-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg If you are a Samsung Galaxy S5 or Galaxy Note 4 user on Telus, you'll be glad to know that the carrier has announced Marshmallow rollout dates for the devices. As always, the announcement came in the form of a revision to the company's software update schedule.As per the information revealed, the Galaxy S5 will start getting the update on May 2, while the Note 4 will be getting it beginning May 16. In addition to Marshmallow, the update will also include monthly Android security patch.Keep in mind that the dates mentioned in the update schedule are approximate and subject to...

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Report says HTC 10 Australian launch set for early next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in Australia, and are waiting for HTC's latest flagship 10, here is some good news: the device will reportedly land there in less than a couple of weeks from now - May 3 to be precise.As for the price, the report says the device will carry a tag of AUD 1,080, "which puts it approximately AUD 100 less than Samsung's Galaxy S7, and almost AUD 200 less than the Galaxy S7 Edge." There was, however, no word on carrier deals.Via

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The National Traffic Safety Administration is tweeting people to stop texting and driving
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/texting-and-driving-tweets-from-nhtsa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Let's face it, texting and driving is really dangerous no matter how good you think you might be at "multitasking". Would you juggle knives while texting? Well, you get the point.The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA is attacking the problem the best way it possibly can. By targeting those who openly admit to texting and driving on Twitter, and there seems to be a lot of drivers who do! The NHTSA is actually tweeting directly at these drivers and putting them on the spot.Um, agreed @Domie_D23. Please realize you're putting yourself and others in danger, and a...

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This modder got 64GB of internal storage on his Nexus 5 by replacing the eMMC chip
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nexus5-increased-internal-storage-to-64-gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg XDA member KApetz2 decided he loved every bit of his Nexus 5 so much, but hated that he didn't have more than 32GB of internal storage. So he did what every modder does, he took matters into his own hands and bought a 64GB eMMC chip and changed the damn memory himself.KApetz2 bought a 64GB chip online and figured he could swap out the memory chip in the logic board and gain double the internal storage space. This, however, is not the case. While it is not physically impossible to swap such a chip, it is, however, not as simple as it sounds. The firmware in the device needs to know...

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HTC 10 gets its first UK operator partner in Three, pre-orders are up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-three-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 has gone up for pre-order in many markets (including the UK) from the moment it was announced on April 12. However, no operator partners have been announced for the UK, and over there the phone was only offered SIM-free and unlocked up until today.Now Three has stepped forward and officially became the first operator partner for the HTC 10. The network is already taking pre-orders for the device.You'll pay ?49 for the 10 upfront if you get it with a plan that costs ?38 per month (the price goes up by ?5 if you don't use a recurring method for paying, keep that in...

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Microsoft will reduce OneDrive free storage to 5GB starting on July 27
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/onedrive-5gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year there was a bit of a kerfuffle involving Microsoft's cloud storage service, OneDrive. The company announced plans to cut free storage from 15GB to 5GB, and also get rid of the additional 15GB camera roll bonus altogether.A big backlash followed, and just a few weeks later Microsoft backtracked somewhat. It allowed users to keep their 15GB + 15GB free allotment if they went to a special page and clicked on a big blue "Keep your free storage" button by January 31, 2016.But what if you've had a OneDrive free account since at least last year and didn't bother to go through the...

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BlackBerry Priv is now $100 cheaper when bought sans contract from AT&T
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/att-priv-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's some good news for fans of the BlackBerry Priv who use AT&T as their carrier. The company has decided to make BlackBerry's first Android smartphone cheaper than it was before, and not by an insignificant amount.If you purchase the handset outright, you now need to pay only $639.99, whereas before the price was $739.99. So that's a nice $100 saved. And the situation is the same overall if you choose to employ the AT&T Next installment plans. Using this method, you pay nothing upfront then followed by 30 monthly payments of $21.34, 24 monthly installments of $26.67, or 20 monthly...

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Oppo F1 Plus review: Selfie-propelled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/oppo-f1-plus/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg It has only been a few short months since Oppo released the original Oppo F1, the self-proclaimed "Selfie Expert". Now, if the F1 Plus is not the fastest upgrade this industry has seen, it must at least be in the running.

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Best Buy offers $200 off the Apple Watch, $70 off iPad mini 2, and $75 off iPad Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/best-buy-apple-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you've been meaning to buy an Apple Watch but so far haven't for whatever reason, you may be happy to find out that Best Buy is currently running a promotion on Apple's first wearable.This weekend only you can save $200 on certain Apple Watch models. For example, the stainless steel Apple Watch with Milanese Loop band now costs $449 (for the 38mm wearable), or $499 (if you go with the bigger 42mm unit). Or you can get the stainless steel watch with a black sport band for $349 (38mm) or $399 (42mm).The smartwatch isn't the only Apple product that receives a discount through this...

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Sony Xperia X will be available in the UK on May 20, XA on June 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-x-xa-uk-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony announced the Xperia X, XA, and X Performance back at MWC in February. We then saw the first two of the devices going up for pre-order at one UK retailer last month, though unfortunately actual release dates for them weren't available then.Well, they are now. Amazon has also started taking pre-orders for the Xperia X and Xperia XA, and while the prices are a tad higher than those we told you about in March, what's important here is that both phones have a release date attached.The Sony Xperia X will be out in the UK on May 20, while the lower-end XA will debut on June 10. Amazon...

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Huawei P9 ad stars Henry Cavill and Scarlett Johansson, seems to be all about the camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has now uploaded the first official TV ad for the P9 to its YouTube channel. The good news? It stars Henry Cavill (think Superman) and Scarlett Johansson. The not so good news? Well, it's pretty hard to understand what the whole thing is about. Or what the point is.Anyway, the P9 is shown in the ad, and basically it's taking pictures most of the time. And with the text at the end prominently saying "co-engineered with Leica", it's clear that Huawei wants to tout the P9's superior photographic abilities.We also expect the Chinese smartphone maker to keep talking about the...

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Samsung is testing two Galaxy Note 6 versions, one has a curved screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-note-6-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Since Samsung is going to launch the Galaxy Note 6 this year, perhaps in August or even earlier, it's understandable that the Korean company would already be testing prototypes. Interestingly though, a report that allegedly comes from a reliable source claims Samsung has created two different Note 6 versions, yet will decide upon one of them before the unveiling, and the other model will not be launched. The Galaxy S6 edge+ from last year will not get a successor in 2016, so basically the Note 6 will serve double duty, both as the follow-up to the Note5 but also the S6 edge+.Hence it...

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April security update starts hitting Galaxy Note5 units in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the latest Android security update to Galaxy Note5 units in India. As per the change-log, the update also includes some performance and stability-related improvements as well as generic bug fixes.Weighing in at around 19MB, the update bumps the firmware version to N920GDDS2BPD2, and brings up the device's Android security patch level to April 2, 2016. Reportedly, Galaxy Note5 model SM-N920G is receiving the same firmware in Nepal and Sri Lanka as well.Given that software updates are usually rolled out in phases, it may take time for this one as well...

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Xiaomi teases Mi Max
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-max-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday, we reported on a render of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi Max phablet, after revealing that the phone indeed exists a few days prior to that. Xiaomi today released a teaser image of the phone revealing just a small portion of it.The point of the image is to show that the phone can fit comfortably into jeans pocket, but considering the rumors of a 6.4-inch display, we find that somewhat hard to believe.Other things worth noting is the missing Mi logo up front, something that has been around on Xiaomi phones since the beginning, and the new Baymax-style design of the...

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Apple drops the iPhone prices in Japan by 10%
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-10-drop-japan/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple has lowered the prices of all iPhones sold officially in Japan by 10%. There is no official statement on the reason for the price cut, but it should be most probably due to exchange rate changes.The iPhone models currently in circulation are iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, and the iPhone 6s Plus. If you are interested in their new and old prices in Japan, here they come.iPhone 6s 16GB: JPY 78,800 (previously JPY 86,800)iPhone 6s 64GB: JPY 89,800 (previously JPY 98,800)iPhone 6s 128GB: JPY 101,800 (previously JPY 110,800)iPhone 6s Plus 16GB: JPY 89,800...

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Crossy Road gets four player local multiplayer
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/crossy-road-multiplayer-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Crossy Road on Android has got a fun little update that a lot of you should appreciate. The game now supports local multiplayer.Now, up to four people can join in the same game over a local Wi-Fi network and play against each other. The one who goes the farthest wins. The gameplay is similar to that on the Apple TV version, where you can push other players into traffic or water, and even block them from moving, which makes this a bit more fun than just moving forward.The multiplayer is only available on Android for now. Unfortunately, it does not work over Bluetooth, so you have...

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Motorola Affinity in testing, could be the next Moto E
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/moto-fingerprint-sensors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg First details regarding of the upcoming 3rd generation Moto E have surfaced thanks to import documents on Zauba. Codenamed "Affinity", the phone is listed to have a 5" display and a price of just $78.While it's clear that this price isn't the device's retail one, it's an indication that the "Affinity" is a low-budget device. The current Moto E (2nd gen) sports a 4.5" display, so the upcoming model will presumably grow in size.Presumably, the Moto E (3rd gen) will be larger in order to accommodate a fingerprint scanner. As a Lenovo exec said earlier in January, all 2016 Moto...

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GSMArena

24-04-16, 20:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-screen-size/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg What's the ideal size for a smartphone? It's a question so uncertain that for the last couple of years all manufacturers have adopted a two-size strategy. Samsung did it way back when with the Galaxy Note - a larger, updated Galaxy S. Apple sees things differently, it launches the iPhone and iPhone Plus simultaneously, so the Plus model isn't an upgrade but instead an option. Other manufacturers are doing it too, even if they name the phones different things instead of tacking on a Note, Plus, Pro, Max, Ultra, XL or to the name of the larger phone. Case in point, Huawei has the 5.5"...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 16
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J-series' rule in our Top 10 trending chart continues for another week. For the third time in a row it's the Galaxy J3 (2016) in the top spot and last year's J7 joins it in second - a very close second, too. But even if we are sort of used to this top duo, this week's chart is memorable for Samsung's affordable lineup for another reason. There's a total of 4 J-series models on the trending list, two from last year, and two of the (2016) lineup. It's the Galaxy J5 that we find in 4th, where it seems to have settled after climbing one spot from the 5th it held two...

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Weekly poll results: HTC 10 got overwhelming approval
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-htc-10/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In last week's poll we asked you if the HTC 10 is one hot piece of tech or a futile attempt by the company to warm the hearts of fans. Happily for the Taiwanese, 82% or 14,873 of you think the HTC 10 is pretty cool. That's probably the highest approval rating we've seen and it really bodes well for the future of the 10. However, if people buy it or not is what really matters for the company, which has been struggling to turn a profit for quite some time now. Nevertheless, it's not because of the lack of trying. The HTC 10 sports one of the best chipsets on the market as well as a...

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Week 16 in review: Le Max 2, ZUK Z2 Pro, and Nubia Z11 mini announced
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola's Moto G is perhaps the company's most popular smartphone, and all three generations of it have been hugely successful, though it was the first one that made the greatest splash. Well, a new one seems to be headed the same path - the Moto G (4th gen), or possibly Moto G4, or Moto G4 Plus. But even if the Moto G4 was the star in a few of our stories over the week, it was the LeEco Le Max 2 that shined the brightest. And with 6GB of RAM and a 21MP Sony IMX230 camera, we can see how this Snapdragon 820-powered 5.7-incher may be destined to succeed. Even more so with a price tag...

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Marshmallow starts hitting Galaxy S5 units in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has finally started rolling out the Marshmallow update to Galaxy S5 units (model SM-G900I) in India. The update brings Android version 6.0.1, and bumps the firmware version to G900IDDU1CPD1. Needless to say, post update, Galaxy S5 users in India will be able to access the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions. It is, however, currently not known whether or not anything else is included in the update. This comes just days after Galaxy S5 model SM-G900F started receiving the Marshmallow update in the neighboring country of...

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Silver Galaxy S7/S7 edge to be available in Netherlands starting May
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/silver-galaxy-s7-netherlands/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung's latest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - were launched globally last month on March 11. Although the devices come in several color options, the complete range is not yet available in several markets. One such market is the Netherlands, where the Silver color option wasn't available. However, that was until now, as the variant is now listed on the websites of several Dutch retailers, including Cool Blue, Mobile, and Belsimpel. Interested users can place their orders right now, and the phone should be delivered in the first week of May - a delivery date of...

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Telus announces Marshmallow rollout dates for Galaxy S5 and Note 4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/telus-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg If you are a Samsung Galaxy S5 or Galaxy Note 4 user on Telus, you'll be glad to know that the carrier has announced Marshmallow rollout dates for the devices. As always, the announcement came in the form of a revision to the company's software update schedule. As per the information revealed, the Galaxy S5 will start getting the update on May 2, while the Note 4 will be getting it beginning May 16. In addition to Marshmallow, the update will also include monthly Android security patch. Keep in mind that the dates mentioned in the update schedule are approximate and subject to...

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Report says HTC 10 Australian launch set for early next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in Australia, and are waiting for HTC's latest flagship 10, here is some good news: the device will reportedly land there in less than a couple of weeks from now - May 3 to be precise. As for the price, the report says the device will carry a tag of AUD 1,080, "which puts it approximately AUD 100 less than Samsung's Galaxy S7, and almost AUD 200 less than the Galaxy S7 Edge." There was, however, no word on carrier deals. Via

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The National Traffic Safety Administration is tweeting people to stop texting and driving
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/texting-and-driving-tweets-from-nhtsa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Let's face it, texting and driving is really dangerous no matter how good you think you might be at "multitasking". Would you juggle knives while texting? Well, you get the point. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA is attacking the problem the best way it possibly can. By targeting those who openly admit to texting and driving on Twitter, and there seems to be a lot of drivers who do! The NHTSA is actually tweeting directly at these drivers and putting them on the spot. Um, agreed @Domie_D23. Please realize you're putting yourself and others in danger, and a...

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This modder got 64GB of internal storage on his Nexus 5 by replacing the eMMC chip
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nexus5-increased-internal-storage-to-64-gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg XDA member KApetz2 decided he loved every bit of his Nexus 5 so much, but hated that he didn't have more than 32GB of internal storage. So he did what every modder does, he took matters into his own hands and bought a 64GB eMMC chip and changed the damn memory himself. KApetz2 bought a 64GB chip online and figured he could swap out the memory chip in the logic board and gain double the internal storage space. This, however, is not the case. While it is not physically impossible to swap such a chip, it is, however, not as simple as it sounds. The firmware in the device needs to know...

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HTC 10 gets its first UK operator partner in Three, pre-orders are up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-three-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC 10 has gone up for pre-order in many markets (including the UK) from the moment it was announced on April 12. However, no operator partners have been announced for the UK, and over there the phone was only offered SIM-free and unlocked up until today. Now Three has stepped forward and officially became the first operator partner for the HTC 10. The network is already taking pre-orders for the device. You'll pay £49 for the 10 upfront if you get it with a plan that costs £38 per month (the price goes up by £5 if you don't use a recurring method for paying, keep that in...

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Microsoft will reduce OneDrive free storage to 5GB starting on July 27
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/onedrive-5gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year there was a bit of a kerfuffle involving Microsoft's cloud storage service, OneDrive. The company announced plans to cut free storage from 15GB to 5GB, and also get rid of the additional 15GB camera roll bonus altogether. A big backlash followed, and just a few weeks later Microsoft backtracked somewhat. It allowed users to keep their 15GB + 15GB free allotment if they went to a special page and clicked on a big blue "Keep your free storage" button by January 31, 2016. But what if you've had a OneDrive free account since at least last year and didn't bother to go through the...

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BlackBerry Priv is now $100 cheaper when bought sans contract from AT&T
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/att-priv-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's some good news for fans of the BlackBerry Priv who use AT&T as their carrier. The company has decided to make BlackBerry's first Android smartphone cheaper than it was before, and not by an insignificant amount. If you purchase the handset outright, you now need to pay only $639.99, whereas before the price was $739.99. So that's a nice $100 saved. And the situation is the same overall if you choose to employ the AT&T Next installment plans. Using this method, you pay nothing upfront then followed by 30 monthly payments of $21.34, 24 monthly installments of $26.67, or 20 monthly...

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Oppo F1 Plus review: Selfie-propelled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/oppo-f1-plus/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg It has only been a few short months since Oppo released the original Oppo F1, the self-proclaimed "Selfie Expert". Now, if the F1 Plus is not the fastest upgrade this industry has seen, it must at least be in the running.

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Best Buy offers $200 off the Apple Watch, $70 off iPad mini 2, and $75 off iPad Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/best-buy-apple-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you've been meaning to buy an Apple Watch but so far haven't for whatever reason, you may be happy to find out that Best Buy is currently running a promotion on Apple's first wearable. This weekend only you can save $200 on certain Apple Watch models. For example, the stainless steel Apple Watch with Milanese Loop band now costs $449 (for the 38mm wearable), or $499 (if you go with the bigger 42mm unit). Or you can get the stainless steel watch with a black sport band for $349 (38mm) or $399 (42mm). The smartwatch isn't the only Apple product that receives a discount through this...

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Sony Xperia X will be available in the UK on May 20, XA on June 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-x-xa-uk-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony announced the Xperia X, XA, and X Performance back at MWC in February. We then saw the first two of the devices going up for pre-order at one UK retailer last month, though unfortunately actual release dates for them weren't available then. Well, they are now. Amazon has also started taking pre-orders for the Xperia X and Xperia XA, and while the prices are a tad higher than those we told you about in March, what's important here is that both phones have a release date attached. The Sony Xperia X will be out in the UK on May 20, while the lower-end XA will debut on June 10. Amazon...

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Huawei P9 ad stars Henry Cavill and Scarlett Johansson, seems to be all about the camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-p9-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has now uploaded the first official TV ad for the P9 to its YouTube channel. The good news? It stars Henry Cavill (think Superman) and Scarlett Johansson. The not so good news? Well, it's pretty hard to understand what the whole thing is about. Or what the point is. Anyway, the P9 is shown in the ad, and basically it's taking pictures most of the time. And with the text at the end prominently saying "co-engineered with Leica", it's clear that Huawei wants to tout the P9's superior photographic abilities. We also expect the Chinese smartphone maker to keep talking about the...

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Samsung is testing two Galaxy Note 6 versions, one has a curved screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-note-6-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Since Samsung is going to launch the Galaxy Note 6 this year, perhaps in August or even earlier, it's understandable that the Korean company would already be testing prototypes. Interestingly though, a report that allegedly comes from a reliable source claims Samsung has created two different Note 6 versions, yet will decide upon one of them before the unveiling, and the other model will not be launched. The Galaxy S6 edge+ from last year will not get a successor in 2016, so basically the Note 6 will serve double duty, both as the follow-up to the Note5 but also the S6 edge+. Hence it...

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GSMArena

25-04-16, 20:51

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/macbook-2016-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week Apple silently refreshed the 12-inch MacBook introduced in 2015. The new model gets a rose gold color option to keep up with the times, but also a sixth-generation Intel Core M processor, 1866MHz RAM, and the more efficient Intel HD 515 GPU. And now the teardown experts over at iFixit have decided to open up the new model and see what's different on the inside. Truth be told, that's not much, but some of the minor changes are interesting. The new MacBook looks identical to its predecessor from last year, and even their model number is the same: A1534. However, the EMC...

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Microsoft outs Word Flow keyboard for iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/word-flow-ios/-184x111/thumb.jpg Microsoft has just released Word Flow, its once exclusive Windows Phone keyboard, for Apple's iOS. The keyboard is known for its fast typing capabilities and excellent recognition skills. The world's record for fast typing has been done exactly on Word Flow. Anyway, Word Flow is currently available as a free app on the US App Store. Once it completes its beta period Microsoft should make it available to everyone. The Word Flow supports various themes or custom user backgrounds, features probably taken from Microsoft's purchase of SwiftKey. The iOS keyboard supports one-hand...

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Philips S653H shows up in promo material, flaunts a metal body
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/philips-s653h/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Philips S653H is a 5.5-inch handset headed for official release, only it's not quite there yet. It's getting closer though, judging by some leaked official images that we're being treated to. The S653H has a FullHD IPS display inside a sleek metal body. The company is really proud of the phone's design, as evidenced by one of the slides highlighting its 6.95mm thickness. Philips' take on antenna bands isn't among the subtle ones. Instead, the designers took the approach of "we can't avoid those, let's make them an accent". Another prominent feature on the back is the fingerprint...

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VAIO's Windows 10-powered Phone Biz is now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vaio-phone-biz-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember the Phone Biz, which was announced by erstwhile Sony brand VAIO back in February this year? Well, the device is now available for purchase, although currently only in Sony's home country of Japan. The 5.5-inch, Win10-powered handset went on pre-order last month, and shipments have now begun. If you missed the pre-order opportunity, you'll be glad to know that phone is also available for purchase from the VAIO store. What's worth mentioning is that the Phone Biz is listed on VAIO's website for JPY 59,184 (around $535), which is different (and considerably up) from the JPY...

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de Grisogono already working on a limited edition Samsung Gear S3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/gear-s3-de-grisogono/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's probably no surprise that Samsung is working on the third generation Gear S watch, but we get the first official confirmation by way of a de Grisogono official. The Swiss jeweler created a diamond-studded version of the S2 watch and now reveals that it's working on doing the same with the Samsung Gear S3 at a Conde Nast Luxury conference that took place in Seoul last week. No details on the S3 watch itself were given and to be fair, digital specs are not exactly de Grisogono's specialty. Samsung Gear S2 de Grisogono limited edition The jeweler did reveal that it handcrafts...

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ZTE Nubia X8 with Snapdragon 823 and 6GB RAM leaks in promo photos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nubia-x8-823/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The ZTE Nubia X8 has a long track record of leaks over the past 12 months and now we get another glimpse of the 6 incher. According to the latest information, ZTE will launch the Nubia X8 in three variants: Entry model: Snapdragon 820, 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 1080p resolution display Mid model: Snapdragon 820, 4GB of RAM, 32GB/64GB storage, QHD resolution display Flagship: Snapdragon 823, 6GB of RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, UHD resolution display Nubia X8 leaked promo images All models will have similarly sized 6.44" displays. There's no information when the...

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Pink Sony Xperia Z5 Premium now available in Taiwan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-z5-premium-pink-taiwan/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg A couple of weeks ago Sony unveiled a Pink version of its Xperia Z5 Premium smartphone, but there was no word on price or launch date. Now you can actually buy one, at least you can if you are in Taiwan. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium in Pink The pink 4K flagship is available today at NTD 24,900 ($770, Â€685) from the Sony Stores in the country. Online prices are even cheaper - Yahoo Shopping Mall, PCHome24h and momo Shop offer it at NTD 20,900 ($645, Â€575). The first to order will get a free Hello Kitty case (while supplies last). A free Hello Kitty case with Pink Z5...

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All Apple Watch apps required to use native SDK from June 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/watchos-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has informed the developers that all Apple Watch apps will be required to use the native SDK starting June 1. The native SDK is what allows the Apple Watch apps to run natively on the Watch itself, unlike the original watchOS SDK that would run the apps on the phone and then stream it to the watch over Bluetooth, which was the main reason for the slow performance of third party apps on the Apple Watch. With watchOS 2.0, Apple announced native apps but the older SDK and apps were still supported. Starting June 1, that will no longer be the case. This should finally force...

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In Canada, Microsoft gives a free Lumia 950 if you buy a Lumia 950 XL
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lumia-950-xl-free-950/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, this is one way to boost tumbling sales numbers - Microsoft's Canadian store is throwing in a free Lumia 950 with the purchase of a Microsoft Lumia 950 XL. That's right, get the big one for CAD 850 and get the small one for free. You probably don't need both, so presumably, you have to find a friend that wants one and split the two between yourselves. This deal seems exclusive to Canada, the US store just offers a free year of Office 365, same goes for the Euro stores. Although, finding a friend that wants to fly to Canada may be easier than finding a friend that wants a...

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ZTE Blade L5 Plus launched with 5-inch display, 8MP camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/blade-l5-plus-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new ZTE smartphone dubbed Blade L5 Plus was launched today. The entry level device is powered by a MediaTek MT6580 chipset, and sports a 5-inch HD display. The handset comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,150 mAh battery. The Blade L5 Plus features an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front shooter. Running Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, the phone comes in gray and white color options. It measures 143x72x8.3mm and weighs in at 160g. The Blade L5 Plus has been launched in China. In addition, the device is also available for purchase in Thailand,...

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Lenovo Tab3 7 is now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lenovo-tab3-7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Tab3 7 from Lenovo, which debuted at the MWC in February, is now available for purchase. The Wi-Fi version of the tablet is now listed on Lenovo's official website in Greece. It carries a tag of Â€79, which translates to around $90 at current exchange rates. The Lenovo Tab3 7 is powered by a 1.0GHz quad-core processor, and sports a 7-inch (1024 x 600 pixel resolution) display, while RAM is set at 1GB. An important note here is that the currently available version of the Tab3 7 is apparently not exactly same as the device announced by the company at MWC. As per the listing,...

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Meizu m3 goes official: new chipset but same $92 price
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-m3-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Meizu has just announced the successor to its entry-level m2 smartphone. The new Meizu m3 carries a lot of the traits of the existing model, including the $92 base price, while offering a few minor upgrades. One of those is the chipset, a Mediatek MT6750 with an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU (4x1.5GHz, 4x1.0) replaces the MT6735 with a half the cores. There are two versions, the base one with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage, and a higher-specced one with 3GB/32GB. There's a microSD slot for expansion either way. The polycarbonate body still holds a 5-inch 720p display, but...

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Lenovo Vibe K5 now available for pre-order in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vibe-k5-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Lenovo Vibe K5, which was unveiled alongside the Vibe K5 Plus back in February at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC), is now available to pre-order in Europe. Specifically, pre-orders are currently live in Greece, with the device carrying a price tag of Â€199. This comes over a month after the Chinese company launched the Plus variant of the smartphone in India. Given that the Vibe Plus carries a price tag of INR 8,499 ($126) in the Asian country, the Â€199 tag for the standard K5 seems a bit on the higher side. Specs-wise, the Vibe K5 is powered by a Snapdragon 415 chipset,...

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Xiaomi Mi Max to be officially unveiled on May 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-max-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi Max, which the company recently started teasing officially, is set to be unveiled on May 10, which is around a couple of weeks from now. This was revealed by the Chinese company in a post on Weibo. There has been very little information available related to the device's specs all this while, but that's not the case anymore as the handset has now been spotted on bench-marking website GFXBench, revealing several of its key specs. Although the listing confirms a whopping 6.4-inch display, other information like full HD display, and hexa-core 1.8Ghz CPU (Snapdragon...

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Xiaomi CEO teases next-gen Mi Band
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-band2-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Looks like the next-gen Xiaomi Mi Band could soon be launched as the Chinese company has started teasing the device. The image, which was shared by none other than CEO and co-founder Lei Jun, show a wearable device with a display. This is a major upgrade over the company's previous Mi Band versions - Mi Band and Band 1S - that didn't have a screen. In addition, the teased image also shows a round, physical button, and the device being attached to a rubber strap. There was, however, no information on the specifications of the device, the price tag it'll carry, as well as its launch...

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Huawei Honor V8 spotted on TENAA with 5.7-inch display and 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-v8-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei's upcoming Honor V8 smartphone, which has been the subject of a few teasers and rumors until now, has now been spotted on the website of Chinese regulatory TENAA, revealing most of its key specifications. Three variants of the device have been certified by the government agency: the KNT-AL10, KNT-TL10, and KNT-AL20. While the first two only differ in color options, the third variant features an upgraded processor, display, and internal memory. Specs-wise, the KNT-AL10 and KNT-TL10 are powered by a 2.3GHz octa-core CPU and sport a 5.7-inch full HD display. RAM is 4GB, while...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/best-apps-games-50/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week. Billy Billy is an easy way to keep track of your online subscriptions. Add the various services you are subscribed to and the app will help you keep track of your expenses. Choose from the hundreds of existing services within the app or add your own. Billy will also notify you when a bill is due. iOS Giphy Giphy, the internet's largest library of GIFs (geef? jeef??), now has an Android app. All the GIFs you will ever need, and many, many more now in the palm of your hand. iOS Â•...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 16
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J-series' rule in our Top 10 trending chart continues for another week. For the third time in a row it's the Galaxy J3 (2016) in the top spot and last year's J7 joins it in second - a very close second, too. But even if we are sort of used to this top duo, this week's chart is memorable for Samsung's affordable lineup for another reason. There's a total of 4 J-series models on the trending list, two from last year, and two of the (2016) lineup. It's the Galaxy J5 that we find in 4th, where it seems to have settled after climbing one spot from the 5th it held two...

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Weekly poll results: HTC 10 got overwhelming approval
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-htc-10/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In last week's poll we asked you if the HTC 10 is one hot piece of tech or a futile attempt by the company to warm the hearts of fans. Happily for the Taiwanese, 82% or 14,873 of you think the HTC 10 is pretty cool. That's probably the highest approval rating we've seen and it really bodes well for the future of the 10. However, if people buy it or not is what really matters for the company, which has been struggling to turn a profit for quite some time now. Nevertheless, it's not because of the lack of trying. The HTC 10 sports one of the best chipsets on the market as well as a...

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GSMArena

26-04-16, 20:52

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pro-5-ubuntu-available/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in February, Meizu and Ubuntu announced the latest product of their long-running cooperation - the Ubuntu-powered version of the Meizu PRO 5. And now this smartphone has finally gone on sale.You can pick one up from JD's English website, if you agree to shell out $369.99. Sure, Meizu may have already announced the Pro 6, which acts as a successor of sorts to the PRO 5 (despite being smaller), but that model only runs Android for now (and there hasn't yet been word of an Ubuntu version).So if you'd like to purchase what is still the most powerful Ubuntu phone ever, then the Meizu...

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Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact receives Marshmallow update too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xperia-z3-tablet-compact-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier this month, Sony finally started to send out the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the devices in the Xperia Z3 family, with one notable exception - the Z3 Tablet Compact. Back then the company didn't say anything about the Marshmallow release for the slate, which understandably angered its owners. But all's well that ends well, as they say. Today the rollout of the new Android iteration has started for the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact as well.The new build coming your way over-the-air has the version number 23.5.A.0.570. It's currently making its way to both LTE-capable...

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'Project Infinite' from Dropbox brings on-demand file sync to desktop
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/project-infinite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Dropbox is working on something called Project Infinite, which should make working with large number of files a lot easier, even if you don't have the space for them on your hard drive.Currently, Dropbox on desktop works by syncing all the files between your desktop and cloud storage, which can take up a lot of space on your hard drive. With Project Infinite, you can see all the files in your cloud account within the Dropbox folder on your PC or Mac, but the files won't actually be saved on your computer. These files will show up with a cloud icon next to them, whereas the synced...

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BlackBerry Priv gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bb-priv-marshmallow-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg For the few of you that have one, BlackBerry has released the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Priv. This is for devices sold in the US and Canada (STV100-1) as well as the UK and France (STV100-4). For carrier devices (STV100-2 and 3), the update will launch May 3.The update brings the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, which improves battery life. BlackBerry added additional security to the phone and says it works with carriers so they can provide monthly security updates.The Hub is more secure with S/MIME email signing and encryption. It also supports Slack (a...

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Marshmallow starts hitting LG Class (a.k.a Zero)
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/class-zero-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has started pushing out the Marshmallow update to its Class smartphone (which is more widely known as the LG Zero). Currently rolling out in South Korea, it's quite a big update that brings Android 6.0 and a host of changes to the UI.The update optimizes the device's stand-by endurance by limiting data consumption when the phone is left unused for a long time. The Knock Code feature has been improved as well.While app-related security has been enhanced, users will be now also be able to temporarily block notifications and sounds of some or all apps. Moving on, the update also...

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Samsung Deals: Galaxy S7 and S7 edge CA$100 off for Mother's Day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsung-promotions-april-26/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg May 8 - Mother's Day - is approaching and Samsung Canada has an idea for a gift you can buy your mom - a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. To ease your last-minute shopping, Samsung is cutting CA$100 off the price of the phone and throwing in a free Kate Spade case (valued at CA$55). This deal is valid until May 8 (duh).Samsung's Euro divisions are more interested in the Galaxy A3 (2016) and Galaxy A5 (2016). In Italy, you can get a Â€100 discount (valid until May 11). In France, it's a Â€30/Â€50 discount respectively (until May 15). If the Galaxy S6 is more your speed, Samsung France will reimburse...

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Meizu Pro 6 easily taken apart, extensive cooling found inside
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6-disassembly/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The folks over at it168 took apart the Meizu Pro 6 and found few obstacles along the way (so repairs should be easy), plus tons of thermal films and coatings.The initial disassembly is easy-peasy. Undo two screws, take out the card slot and pop out the screen. Be careful, though, two cables connect the screen to the rest of the phone.Digging in further, it168 found a metal plate that helps spread out the heat from the Helio X25 chipset. Additionally, there's a graphite thermal film over the chipset to further facilitate cooling.Meizu Pro 6 has extensive cooling...

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The One lives on - HTC One S9 is official with a 5-inch FullHD display and Helio X10 SoC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-one-s9-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HTC went out and threw a curve ball by launching a smartphone no one was expecting. A couple of weeks after we were treated to the proper flagship HTC 10, we now have the One S9.A unit less than the current top-end number, the new smartphone also gets to keep the One moniker, joining the One M9, A9, E9, X9, with a plus here and there and a Supreme Camera on top.As a member of the previous generation it also has similar styling to the M9 - the bold chamfer on the 10's back is nowhere to be found. In fact, it's very much impossible to tell the S9 apart from the M9 by looking at two...

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Nokia set to acquire Withings for Â€170 million
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nokia-withings/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nokia is not ready to leave the consumer market and while its tablet efforts haven't gone far, it's now moving into the health-tracking business by acquiring Withings.You may know the company for its Activite smartwatches, but the it also produces smart scales, blood pressure monitors, baby monitors, home security cameras and more."With this acquisition, Nokia is strengthening its position in the Internet of Things in a way that leverages the power of our trusted brand, fits with our company purpose of expanding the human possibilities of the connected world, and puts us at the heart...

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ZTE Axon 2 leaked by TENAA, Snapdragon 820 confirmed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/zte-axon-2-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg TENAA has issued an approval for the ZTE Axon 2, which is listed under the codename A2017. From the images submitted to TENAA, the phone looks like similar to its predecessor with a few slight differences. The dual camera setup is gone and below the camera there's a fingerprint scanner. At the front, ZTE has kept the dual grill design on the top and bottom, which is Axon's main design accent.In terms of specs, the ZTE Axon 2 comes with a 5.5" QHD OLED panel and has a Snapdragon 820 chipset between the sheets of the metal unibody. There's 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, expandable...

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Logitech releases Logi BASE stand for the iPad Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/logi-base/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Logitech has launched a new accessory for the iPad Pro, a charging stand to dock your iPad Pro on your desk, kitchen table, or your night stand.The Logi BASE uses the Apple Smart Connector found on both the iPad Pro models instead of the traditional Lightning connector. This means you don't have to think twice before placing the iPad on the dock, and the magnets within the stand will even perfectly align the iPad for you over the connector.The base is made out of aluminum with a rubberized bottom so it doesn't slide around. Only shortcoming is that the base keeps the iPad at a...

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HTC Vive's iOS companion app now available for download
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vive-ios-app/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HTC has finally released the iOS companion app for its Vive virtual reality headset, weeks after the app's Android counterpart arrived on Google's marketplace. Just like its Android app, the Vive's iOS companion app lets you receive calls, text, as well as calendar reminders without leaving the virtual world.However, the iOS version still doesn't include the ability to send preset responses to calls/texts, a feature which is already there in the Android app.It's worth mentioning that the Taiwanese company first published the app on the App Store towards the end of March, but it...

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MIUI 8 to arrive alongside Mi Max on May 10, Xiaomi confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/miui-8/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We already know that the Xiaomi Mi Max - which is said to sport a mammoth 6.4-inch FullHD display - will be unveiled on May 10. However, turns out that Xiaomi will make a couple of more announcements that day - the company has confirmed that the next major iteration of its MIUI ROM as well as the Mi Band 2 will also be unveiled on May 10."Evolving from the first version in 2010, MIUI has served as the operating system for over 150 million across the globe," a post on MIUI forum said. "On May 10, we will introduce you MIUI 8, with the features you always wanted and new designs beyond...

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iPhone Upgrade Program is now available for online purchases as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/iphone-battery-indicator/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you recall, the iPhone Upgrade Program was announced by Apple back in September last year alongside the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. However, it has only been available for purchases made through the company's physical stores.Well, that was until now, as the leasing program is now available for purchases made through Apple's online store as well.For the uninitiated, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program lets you get a new, unlocked phone every year directly from the Cupertino-based company - all you are required to do is to sign a two-year financing agreement and pay a little over $32 a...

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Galaxy S5 Marshmallow rollout in full swing; update now arrives in Italy and Germany
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Marshmallow roll-out for Samsung's Galaxy S5 smartphone seems to be in full swing as the South Korean company has started pushing out the update in Italy and Germany as well. While in Italy, all unlocked S5 units are getting the update, model SM-G900F is currently receiving it in Germany.To recall, the Galaxy S5 Marshmallow update first started rolling out in Samsung's home country of South Korea last month. This was followed by roll-out to SM-G900 models in Sri Lanka and SM-G900I units in India.The update brings Android version 6.0.1, which - needless to say - includes all...

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Samsung Galaxy C7 with 5.5-inch display spotted on GFXBench
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-c-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg We already know that Samsung is working on a new 'C' series of smartphones, with the Galaxy C5 already being the subject a few leaks and rumors until now, and the C7 being spotted on AnTuTu. Now, the latter has been spotted on GFXBench as well, revealing a 5.5-inch display.Before we proceed further, it's worth mentioning that Indian import export site Zauba lists the SM-C7000 with 5.7-inch display - so, there's still a contradiction there.Anyway, moving on, other specs that the GFXBench listing reveals are similar to those revealed by AnTuTu - SD625 SoC, full HD display, 4GB/32GB...

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Benchmark listing reveals 6GB RAM for OnePlus 3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/oneplus-3-coming-q2/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Nearly a month after it was found listed on AnTuTu, the OnePlus 3 has been spotted on a couple of more benchmarking websites, including GeekBench and GFXBench. What's newsworthy here is that the GeekBench listing shows a whopping 6GB RAM for the device.The GFXBench listing, however, is inline with AnTuTu, indicating 4GB RAM for the device. In addition, it also reveals SD820 chipset, 16MP/8MP camera combo, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The display resolution is full HD and the size of screen is 5-inch, which is less than the 5.5-inch size that was being rumored earlier.Coming...

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Moto 360 Sport gets $100 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/moto-360-sport-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sport version of Motorola's 2nd gen Moto 360 smartwatch has received an official price cut in the United States. The device, which usually sells for $300, can now be purchased for just $200.That's a solid $100 discount. However, what's worth mentioning here is that it's only available on the white and orange color variants, meaning those interesting in buying the black version are currently out of luck. The deal runs through May 2.Aside from Motorola, some third party retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo are also offering the same deal - what's more, the latter is even throwing...

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LG G5 video review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/lg-g5-global-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You've probably already read our detailed LG G5 review, but if you've skipped it because of a lack of time, our video review comes to the rescue!In just a tad under six short minutes, you'll know everything about LG's flagship for 2016. Don't worry, we've also covered the LG Friends accessories.In the end, we appreciate the risks LG took with the G5. The phone is a breath of fresh air in the 2016 flagship battle. Even if the LG G5 fails to monetize the innovation behind it, the lessons it brings to the company will be invaluable.

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Android 6.0 Marshmallow starts rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-tab-s2-97-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The original Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 from last year is now finally starting to receive its update to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, more than half a year after that version of the OS got official (and remember this was Samsung's premium tablet offering in 2015).Lateness aside, this is a welcome update of course. Currently Marshmallow is rolling out to the T815 iteration of the device, which is the one that has 4G LTE connectivity. The first country to get it is Germany (for units sold unlocked), but it will hopefully become available in more places soon. After applying the update, you'll be...

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GSMArena

27-04-16, 21:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lg-friends/-347x151/thumb2.jpg LG G5's modularity is the highlight of the company's G5 flagship but is actually more to it. The LG G5 has a few accessories, called LG Friends, which will make your experience complete. They were announced alongside the G5 in Barcelona and were meant to really complete the user experience.

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Meizu m3 records 450,000 pre-orders in a day
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-m3-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Meizu m3 - which was announced a couple of days ago, recorded a total of around 450,000 pre-orders in just 24 hours. This was revealed by an official statement by the Chinese company.Priced at RMB 599 or around $92 (2GB/16GB version) and RMB 799 or around $125 (3GB/32GB version), the device comfortably surpassed the company's Pro 6 flagship in terms of first day pre-orders - the figure for the latter stood at 300,000.The handset will be available for purchase starting April 29 from the Meizu Mall and other official re-sellers in China.Via

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Intel wants to kill the 3.5mm headset jack too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/intel-35mm-jack/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week LeEco unveiled three new Android-powered smartphones that have one interesting thing in common - neither of them features a 3.5mm headset jack. Instead, you're supposed to use the USB Type-C port for all your audio needs.Rumors from Apple's supply chain keep talking about the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus also skipping the 3.5mm slot, this time in favor of audio routed through the Lightning port of course.And now Intel has emerged as another company that wants to kill the 3.5mm headset jack for good - at least when it comes to mobile devices. This port has become ubiquitous in...

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MediaTek Helio X30 posts a smashing Antutu score, built on 10nm process
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/helio-x30-10nm/-184x111/gsmarena_002.JPG Analyst Pan Jiutang revealed on Weibo today the MediaTek Helio X30 chipset will be manufactured using a 10nm manufacturing process. According to him, the Helio X30 will come with ten CPU cores - the Cortex-A35 will be used for non-demanding tasks, while the heavy lifting will be done by the yet unreleased "Artemis".Additionally, the X30 will support up to 8GB of RAM and come with a PowerVR GPU. Jiutang also provides a presentation slide, which shows the MediaTek Helio X30 scores 160,000 points on the Antutu benchmark, beating the Snapdragon 820 by 30,000.MediaTek's plans the...

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LG X Cam details revealed - 13MP 78° + 5MP 120° camera, 5.2" screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-x-cam-officially-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The V10-like LG X screen is already on sale, but it's only now that we get the full details on the LG X Cam. This one is more of an affordable LG G5 as it shares its defining feature - the dual camera setup on the back.It features one 13MP 78° and one 5MP 120° camera (compared to 16MP 78° + 8MP 135° for the G5). There are Pop-out Picture effects similar to the G5.The LG X Cam itself is a slender 6.9mm and features 3D Arc Glass on the front (with a brushed metal look) and curved glass on the back.On the front is a 5.2" 1080p screen, almost the size of the G5 screen (but without...

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Apple Music hits 13M subscribers, up from 11M three months ago
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-music-13m-subscribers/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's hardware business may have taken a hit, but its services business keeps growing. Apple Music, not even a year old yet, grew to 13 million subscribers, up from 11 million three months ago.Chief rival Spotify is at 30 million paying subscribers, Tidal (which also launched about a year ago) is at barely 3 million. Unlike Spotify, Apple Music has no free service and charges $9.99 a month (same as Tidal's base option).Apple Music has exclusives to draw in consumers - Drake, Taylor Swift, Dr. Dre, Nine Inch Nails and others. And, of course, over 1 billion active iDevices for...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 Gold Edition to be available for purchase starting April 29
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi5-gold-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi has announced that the Gold Edition of the Mi 5 will go on sale later this week - April 29 (10 AM). The announcement came on Weibo.The new variant will be available in two different versions: a standard version powered by Snapdragon 820 SoC (clocked at 1.8GHz) with Adreno 530 GPU, and having 3GB/32GB memory configuration, and a higher-specced version powered by an overclocked (2.15GHz) SD820 chipset with Adreno 510 GPU, and having 3GB/64GB memory configuration.As for the price, the standard version will carry a tag of RMB 1,999 (around $305), while the other version will...

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Samsung Gear Fit 2 with GPS leaks, Gear IconX headset too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/gear-s2-iconx/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While the Gear S smartwatches had several launches (and the Gear S3 sort-of confirmed), the Samsung Gear Fit smart band has not been updated since its 2014 launch. The new model peeked out from under the covers, giving us an early glimpse of what's to come.The band still features a curved Super AMOLED display, but the new model will be even curvier to fit better on your wrist. The other major change is the built-in GPS, which will allow the Fit to perform better as a fitness tracker (better accuracy for running and cycling).Curved Super AMOLED display Â• Heart rate monitorAlso,...

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Keyever develops a 3.5" bar Win10 phone with a physical keyboard
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/keyever-windows-10-barphone/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A bit of an oddball of a smartphone coming out of China answers a question we haven't heard asked. A company called Keyever has come up with a design for a smartphone with a bar form factor and a physical keyboard that runs Windows 10.The display on the smartphone is a 3.5-inch AMOLED unit with qHD resolution (540x960px), complete with touch support too. The smartphone is said to be powered by one of Qualcomm's latest 600-series Snapdragons. A generous 3,000mAh battery should be plenty for that display and hardware.Keyever Windows 10 bar phoneIt's the keyboard that...

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Instagram rolls out black and white UI to some users
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/instagram-ui/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram seems to be testing a completely revamped UI for its app. A few users have tweeted about their app turning completely grayscale, save for the images, of course.For most parts, the new design is similar to the current one. What is different is that Instagram has dropped the blue bar at the top and the distinct square buttons at the bottom. The bar at the top is now plain white with black text and icons. The bar on the bottom loses its borders for buttons and instead has simplified iconography. This simplification of icons and monochromatic theme continues elsewhere in the...

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Security updates hit Samsung Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-a8-a3-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has started rolling out security updates to a couple of its A series smartphones, including the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A3. The former (model SM-A800F) is getting the April security patch, with the update bumping the firmware version to A800FXXU1APD1.On the other hand, the Galaxy A3 update - which bumps the firmware version to XXU1BPC2 - brings the security patch for the month of March as well as several stability-related improvements. Currently, only unlocked and Vodafone variants in Europe are getting this update.Unfortunately, none of the updates bring Android Marshmallow....

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LeEco schedules entertainment-related event for May 3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-mumbai-event/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LeEco has great ambitions to be the next tech juggernaut. Previously mostly known in its home country of China, the company has drawn attention to itself with cheap-but-powerful phones and now it has something new in store.What? We'll find out for sure on May 3 when "Entertainment will play in a whole new way."The teaser image of a movie salon is tantalizing. LeEco unveiled a couple of Smart TVs - 4 X50 and 4 X50 Pro, both with 50" 4K, Harman Kardon speakers and Android. Chinese prices were announced, CNY 2,500/2700 for the 16GB/32GB X50 and CNY 3,000 for the X50 Pro. Perhaps the...

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Xiaomi Mi 5 and Redmi Note 3 went on open sale in India, all out of stock
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-mi5-sale-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has just launched the Mi 5 and the Redmi Note 3 on the Indian market and the two smartphones are now available for open sale - no registrations required. That is, no initial registration is required to purchase the phone, you still need a Mi account.The Mi 5 is priced at INR 24,999 ($375), while the Redmi Note 3 goes for INR 9,999 ($150) for the 2GB/16GB version and INR 11,999 ($180) for the higher-specced 3GB/32GB variant.All this is fine and dandy, but a couple of minutes into the process, the two phones were already listed as out of stock. Same goes for the 20,000mAh power...

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Report says Samsung Pay is most-used mobile payments app in South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/verizon-samsung-pay-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With an average usage of 41 times per user, Samsung Pay was the top mobile payments app last month in South Korea, according to a local app ranker WiseApp.It's worth mentioning that the research only took into account Android phone users as iOS usage is said to be pretty low in South Korea. Samsung Pay has a total of 2.59 million users in the country.The service - which is currently available in the US, South Korea, and China, and due to arrive in Singapore this quarter - had a total of 5 million users globally in February.Via

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Apple Q2 2016 financial results show first ever YoY fall in iPhone sales
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/apple-q2-2016/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Apple's 2016 Q2 results (that's the quarter ending in March) are out showing a revenue slowdown for the company. Quarterly revenue was $50.6 billion compared to $58 billion for the same period last year. As a result, net income is also down to $10.5 billion from $13.6 billion from Q2 2015. The reason behind the revenue decrease are the lower iPhone, iPad and Mac sales. iPhone sales declined by 16% compared to Q2 last year (first YoY drop in the iPhone history) from 61.2 million to 51.19 million units. This lead to a drop in revenue of north of $8 billion or 18.42% (from $40.28 billion to...

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Motorola launches Moto 360 Sport in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-460-sport-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Motorola has launched the Moto 360 Sport in India. The Sport is a variant of the second generation Moto 360 with a handful of changes.One of the differences is the AnyLight display, which works as normal LCD indoors and outdoors uses ambient light to illuminate itself, making it perfectly visible under direct sunlight and also saving some power. The Sport also has integrated GPS, so you don't need to carry your phone with you to track your movements. A heart rate sensor is included just like on the regular Moto 360 but the strap is made of silicon and is sweat-resistant.The...

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Full deployment of Droid Turbo 2 Marshmallow update begins
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/droid-turbo-2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola has announced that the company has started "full deployment" of the Droid Turbo 2 Marshmallow update. The announcement - as usual - came in the form of a Google+ post from the company's senior director of software product management David Schuster.But, didn't the roll-out start early last month, you might ask. Well, that's a valid question, which unfortunately Schuster didn't answer in his post directly, although we assume that the term "full deployment" means that not all Droid Turbo 2 units received the update at that time.So yeah, this seems to be (and we really hope...

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Hangouts for iOS updated with sharing extension, low-power mode functionality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/hangouts-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has started rolling out a new update to the iOS version of its Hangouts instant messaging app. The update bumps the version to 9.0 and brings a couple of new features including the ability to share stuff from other iOS apps.The update allows users to share text, links, pictures and video with their Hangouts contacts without leaving the app they are currently using like Safari, Chrome, or Photos. You can choose the Google account you want to use and the contacts you want to share the stuff with.In addition, the app will now also respond to iOS 9's Low Power Mode by...

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Microsoft says will continue supporting Windows 10 Mobile "for many years," new devices coming
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lumia-phone-x/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft's sales numbers might suggest that its Windows 10 Mobile platform is taking its last breaths, but the Redmond, Washington-based company seems to be in no mood to retreat.In an email sent out to several company executives and partners, the executive vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group Terry Myerson has made it clear that the company is committed to the OS platform and is also working on new mobile devices.Here's an excerpt from the email:I understand that you are hearing concerns from certain partners about Microsoft's commitment to the mobile...

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YouTube's mobile app updated with redesigned Home, new recommendation system
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/youtube-updated/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has pushed out a new update to its YouTube mobile apps that throws a new coat of paint on Home as well as brings along a new recommendation system. The update is available for both Android and iPhone."Starting today, when you open the YouTube app on your iPhone or Android phone, you'll experience a redesigned Home, with a clean and simple format that invites you to discover and enjoy," the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post.As for the new recommendation system, it's based on deep neural network technology, and aimed at showing more relevant...

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GSMArena

28-04-16, 21:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-photos-search-bar/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Google Photos app for Android is in the process of receiving a new update today. Version 1.19 should already be available in the Google Play Store, and it comes with a few new features. First off, there's now a dedicated search bar at the top of the app. This replaces the search floating action button that used to be found in the bottom right side of the app. The search bar lets you find things more easily, and if you tap on it and then scroll down you'll get a list of faces, places, and picture types from your library. From this point on, you can customize the movies that...

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HP's new Chromebook 13 is thin and made out of brushed aluminum
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/hp-chromebook-13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HP has unveiled a new Chromebook today. It's called HP Chromebook 13 and was apparently designed in partnership with Google. That kind of shows when you look at it, as its brushed aluminum construction and 12.9mm thinness pretty much scream "high-end". That said, the Chromebook 13 is more of a Chromebook Pixel for the masses, as it starts at just $499. At that price you do get the looks, but only a measly Pentium processor. If you can pay more, then you'll get a choice of Core m3, m5, or m7 CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 3,200x1,800 resolution for the 13.3-inch non-touch display....

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New Nexus 6P version gets benchmarked with Snapdragon 820, 4GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-nexus-6p-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today we once again heard that HTC is the company in charge of building this year's two Nexus-branded smartphones for Google. And now it looks like one of them may have just been spotted in a benchmark's database. An intriguing entry for "google Nexus 6P" is available in Geekbench's online score browser. The name is pretty much identical to the Huawei-made device that's been announced last year, but this Nexus 6P has different hardware. Namely, it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset (not the 810 like the 2015 model), and it comes with 4GB of RAM (up from 3 on the...

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Schematic details the iPhone Pro with dual-camera, Smart Connector
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-pro-schematic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With the 4" iPhone SE out of the gate, the rumor mill turns its attention back to the 5.8" iPhone Pro. A schematic (probably unofficial) shows the dimensions of the rumored Apple flagship. The schematic clearly shows the wider camera assembly - info so far points to a dual-camera setup. Will it be like the LG G5 (wide + narrow) or the Huawei P9 (color + monochrome)? That's unknown at the moment. Another interesting feature on the back is the Smart Connector. Apple debuted the three-pin connector with the iPad Pro and while it allows advanced functionality like connecting a keyboard, it...

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Xiaomi smartwatch coming in H2 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-smartwatch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in March last year, there were reports out of China that Xiaomi is working on its own smartwatch, although no availability details were revealed at that time. Then, there were rumors that it will be unveiled at an event in November - that, we all know, didn't happen. Now, for the first time, Xiaomi has confirmed the existence of the wearable device. The confirmation came from the company's co-founder and VP Liu De, who also revealed that the smartwatch will be made official in the second half of this year. Sadly, he didn't reveal a specific launch date/month as well as any specs...

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Motorola sets event for May 17, likely to present the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-event/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola has sent out press invites for its May 17 event in New Delhi. There, the company is expected to unveil the highly anticipated Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus. The Moto G (3rd gen) was announced in July 2015 making us even more certain the G4 duo will come to light. According to rumors, the Moto G4 will feature a 5.5" display of 1080p resolution. The Snapdragon 410 chipset of the old Moto G will be replaced by an octa-core CPU according to hearsay. RAM is reportedly 2GB The design of the phone is evolved from the previous generation and now has a metal-looking frame, although...

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Huawei Honor 5C is official with a Kirin 650 SoC and 5.2" FullHD display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/honor-5c-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Honor 5C has just been made official in China. The latest from Huawei's sub-brand has a lot in common with the yet unannounced P9 lite, for a price it's unlikely to match. Huawei Honor 5C press images The specsheet starts with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD with FullHD resolution. An in-house Kirin 650 chipset does the number-crunching with an octa-core CPU (4xCortex-A53@2.0GHz + 4xCortex-A53@1.7GHz), paired with 2GB of RAM. Onboard storage is 16GB, expandable by up to 128GB. Imaging is taken care by a 13MP primary shooter with an f/2.0 lens, aided in the dark by a single LED...

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Samsung confirms it's working on standalone VR headset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/samsug-vr-plans/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg At its ongoing developer conference, Samsung confirmed that it's working on a standalone virtual reality headset - one that doesn't rely on a smartphone, PC, or a gaming console to function. Image credit: Shara Tibken/CNET The confirmation came from the South Korean company's head of R&D, Injong Rhee, who said that the device will feature positional tracking. He also noted that features like hand and gesture tracking for the headset are currently being explored, and could be supported in the future. The company's aim is to create a Star Trek-type holodeck. "You enter a holodeck,...

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IDC Q1 2016: Oppo and vivo replace Lenovo and Xiaomi in top-5 smartphone vendors list
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oppo-find-9-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well known Chinese smartphone manufacturers Lenovo and Xiaomi are out of the top five vendors list, and have been replaced by two other - and comparatively lesser known - Chinese firms Oppo and vivo. This was revealed by market research firm IDC in its recently released Q1 2016 numbers. "Along China's maturing smartphone adoption curve, the companies most aligned with growth are those with products serving increasingly sophisticated consumers," said IDC's said Melissa Chau. "Lenovo benefited with ASPs below US$150 in 2013, and Xiaomi picked up the mantle with ASPs below US$200 in 2014...

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Google announces MODE bands for Android Wear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-mode/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg By far the best feature of the Apple Watch is the range of bands available for it, and the beautifully simple mechanism for attaching and removing them. Most Android Wear watches have nothing of the sort, with some not even offering the option to change bands. Google wanted to do something about this, so the company has announced something called MODE bands. These are snap-and-swap watch bands that come in a variety of colors in leather and silicone. The main feature here is the attachment mechanism, which, like the Apple Watch, comes off with just the flick of a...

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Samsung Gear 360 won't be available in US at launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-gear-360-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has confirmed that its Gear 360 camera - which was announced at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) as part of the Galaxy S7 lineup of accessories - will not be available for purchase in the US at launch, which will happen this Friday. The confirmation came following the revelation that the camera will be launched in "select countries" on April 29. There's, however, still no official announcement on the price tag the Gear 360 will carry, although the company's Netherlands website has it listed for Â€349.99. Interested in learning more about the camera? Head to our...

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Samsung records better-than-expected Q1 growth thanks to Galaxy S7/S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/s7-edge-gold-plating/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has announced its Q1 2016 financial results, revealing a 5.7% increase in overall revenue and 12% increase in operating profit. The figures stood at KRW 49.78 trillion ($43.46 billion) and KRW 6.68 trillion ($5.83 billion), respectively, ahead of the KRW 49 trillion ($43.3 billion) revenue and KRW 6.6 trillion ($5.7 billion) operating profit the company's earnings guidance had suggested. "The first quarter saw overall earnings growth led by the early launch and successful sales of the flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 edge," the South Korean company said, while also attributing the...

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HTC Nexus 9 no longer available from Google Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/htc-nexus-9-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC-made Nexus 9 tablet from the year 2014 is now no longer available for purchase from the Google Store. In fact, the device has completely disappeared from the online store, with its listing page now being redirected to the store's home page and no trace of it in search results as well. Currently, Google's own Pixel C is the only tablet available on the company's online store. However, if you were planning to purchase a Nexus 9, you aren't completely out of luck as third party retailers like Amazon still have it in stock. Plus, you can purchase it directly from HTC as...

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Another rumor claims HTC working on next-gen Nexus devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/htc-nexus-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January this year, there were rumors that like 2015, there will be two Nexus phones in 2016 as well, and both will be manufactured by HTC. Now, another rumor has cropped up that not only adds weight to the previous one, but also reveals some new information. The latest rumor comes from the usually reliable leakster @evleaks, who also revealed that the two Android N-powered Nexus devices that HTC is manufacturing are internally being called as the M1 and S1. HTC is building a pair of Android N devices for Google internally dubbed M1 and S1 #nexusÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April...

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Nextbit Robin "cloud phone" receives Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/nextbit-robin-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Nextbit Robin smartphone comes with cloud storage integrated into its customized Android OS. And starting today it also comes running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow underneath Nextbit's additions. The update to the latest version of Google's mobile OS has started rolling out to Robin owners across the globe. It has all the goodies that you'd expect from Marshmallow, but it also comes with the most recent security patches. "Additional processor tuning" should give you better battery life and improved performance, and the all-new audio tuning at the driver level apparently makes the...

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New deal drops unlocked BlackBerry Priv's price to $399.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/priv-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The BlackBerry Priv has certainly seen its fair share of price cuts recently. First, the Canadian company itself permanently slashed $50 off the price of the contract-free device, bringing the recommended amount down to $649. Then, just a few days ago one deal had it for only $450, which is a great price, but not as good as the one we have for you today. Over at Newegg, the unlocked AT&T model of the Priv is currently being sold for $399.99. That's $250 less than usual, so this is clearly one deal you need to take advantage of fast if you're interested in BlackBerry's first Android-running...

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Two upcoming Android-powered BlackBerry devices get pictured
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/blackberry-hamburg-rome/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry's next two Android-running smartphones have been portrayed by a few leaked images today. The handsets are apparently codenamed Hamburg and Rome, respectively, following the Canadian company's long-standing tradition of using cities for its devices' codenames. The Hamburg either doesn't have a physical keyboard at all, or it could be a slider like the already launched Priv. The two leaked images depicting it don't shine any light on that aspect, unfortunately. Still, we do get to see its entire front fascia, as well as two of its dimensions. It will be 146mm long and 78mm...

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Google outs Android TV remote app for iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/android-tv-ios-remote/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Android Wear has been playing nice with iOS devices for a while, and now it's time for Google's other Android spinoff to do the same, sort of. The search giant has released an Android TV app for iOS, which is already available to download from the iTunes App Store. The app lets your iOS device act as your Android TV's remote. It has both a d-pad mode and a touchpad mode, while a microphone button lets you quickly start a voice search. There's also a built-in keyboard with which to input text on your Android TV. You can connect multiple remotes to your TV and use them for multiplayer...

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EE is taking pre-orders for its exclusive White Pearl Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/white-s7-ee/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In the UK, EE has started taking pre-orders for a new color variant of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge. This is called White Pearl and it's a hue that will be exclusive to this particular operator in the UK. So if you live over there and want to grab one of Samsung's newest flagships in white, you'll have to go with EE as your network of choice. You can buy the Galaxy S7 for £9.99 when paired with a Pay Monthly plan that costs at least £45.99. For this amount of cash each month you'll get unlimited minutes and texts as well as 4GB of data. The S7 edge also starts at £9.99 upfront...

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GSMArena

29-04-16, 21:10

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/silver-s7-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While the white color version for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge is exclusive to EE in the UK (and pre-orders have just started), it turns out that the silver hue for the Korean company's flagships is exclusive to Carphone Warehouse.However, if you're a fan of the silver S7 or S7 edge you don't need to wait any more before you purchase either device. They're already available at Carphone Warehouse.If you opt for a Pay Monthly arrangement, the recommended deal for the S7 has it costing £59 upfront with a £36 per month plan. This nets you 10GB of data and unlimited minutes and...

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Google drops Moto 360 Sport from its store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-460-sport-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After dropping the Nexus 9 tablet, Google has now removed the Moto 360 Sport smartwatch from its online store.The Moto 360 Sport is a variant of the Moto 360 second generation that comes with a few changes, such as AnyLight display that uses ambient light outdoors to illuminate itself, built-in GPS, and silicone bands.Unfortunately, it seems people didn't quite find that worth the $300 price tag. In fact, Motorola recently dropped the price to $200 but now Google has gone ahead and removed the device entirely from its store, which is odd as the watch only went on sale back in...

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Two new Sony phones leak through benchmark, one has a 16MP selfie cam
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-sony-phones-benched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Thanks to the entries in an online benchmark database, two upcoming Sony smartphones have been outed today. For now their exact names aren't known, they go only by their model numbers.According to information from GFXBench, the Sony F3216 has a 4.6-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 16 MP selfie snapper, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It's powered by the MediaTek MT6755 Helio P10 SoC, which comes with a 1.9 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Mali-T860 GPU. The prototype tested ran Android 6.0 Marshmallow.Aside from its tiny screen size, this...

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Leica announces M-D (Typ 262) with no LCD
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leica-m-d/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Leica has announced another model in its M-series of digital rangefinder cameras. This one is a bit different though. The Leica M-D (Typ 262) does not feature an LCD on the back like most digital cameras, instead wanting the photographer to focus on the art of composition and framing without being distracted. This is not the first Leica camera to lack an LCD; we saw the M Edition 60 before this forego the display, but the M-D (Typ 262) is the first serial production camera while the M Edition 60 was a limited edition.The M-D only comes with dials to adjust shutter speed, aperture,...

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ZUK Z1 to reportedly land in India as Lenovo Z1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/zuk-z1-sale-aliexpress/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already know that the Z1 smartphone from Lenovo subsidiary ZUK will be launched in India soon - Lenovo has started teasing the device and also sent out media invites for the launch event (date isn't yet confirmed).However, what's new is that the phone could shed the ZUK branding for its India launch. According a report out of China, the ZUK Z1 will be sold in India as the Lenovo Z1. There was, however, no word on why the Chinese company has decided to take this step. Given that the brand Lenovo has pretty good visibility in India, it would be reasonable to assume that the...

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Samsung brings Galaxy J5 (2016) and Galaxy J7 (2016) to South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-j5-j7-korea-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy J5 (2016) and J7 (2016), which were first unveiled late last month in China, have been officially announced by Samsung in its home country of South Korea.Carrying a price tag of KRW 290,000 (around $255) and KRW 363,000 (around $320), respectively, the handsets will be available for purchase from local carrier KT, which will be selling them in the black and gold color options.An important thing worth mentioning here is that the South Korean Galaxy J7 comes with 720p display and 2GB RAM, compared to the full HD display and 3GB RAM that the Chinese version features.In...

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Samsung Gear 360 launched, priced at $350
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-gear-360-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As scheduled, Samsung has launched the Gear 360 camera. The device is now available for purchase in the company's home country of South Korea - it's currently listed online, but will be available in around 450 stores starting next month.Priced at KRW 399,300 (around $350), the camera - which was announced at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) - is currently compatible with the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, and Note5.Aside from South Korea, the device is also expected to made available in select other countries. However, those in the United States are currently...

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LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: A rebel and a stunner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/lg-g5-vs-galaxy-s7/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg This is a battle of innovation versus refinement. LG let the designers off the leash and they went wild on the LG G5. Samsung brought in the perfectionists to polish the Galaxy S7.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 getting May security patch already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/verizon-note-4-android-511/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg April hasn't even ended, and Samsung has already started rolling out the Android security patch for the month of May to its Galaxy Note 4 smartphone. Weighing in at around 380MB, the update is currently rolling out to units in India.There's no clarity on exactly what else the update brings along - the change-log contains generic language like performance and stability improvements, and bug fixes. Rolling out OTA, the update carries a build date of April 22.This comes less than week after the device started receiving April security update in India. That update weighs in at around...

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Samsung says Gear VR users have already consumed over 2 million hours of VR content
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/gearvr-galaxy-deal-bestbuy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has revealed that users of its Gear VR headset have already consumed more than 2 million hours of virtual reality content thus far. The revelation was made by John Pleasants, the company's executive VP of Media Solutions, at SDC 2016.If you calculate, that translates into over 228 years of continuous watching. And given that Samsung is one of the many players in the market, it does give an idea about the kind of interest consumers are having in the VR space.This comes just a day after the South Korean company confirmed that it's working on a standalone virtual reality...

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Lenovo has sold half a million K4 Notes since launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/lenovo-vibe-k4-note/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has announced that half a million units of the K4 Note have been sold since the device was launched in India back in January this year. Aside from this, the Chinese company has also sold 100,000 units of the ANT VR headset.The VR headset was initially bundled with the smartphone, but was sold separately shortly thereafter. However, the company is bringing back the smartphone+headset bundle to celebrate the milestone."To celebrate the milestone of 5 lakh happy customers, Lenovo is bringing back the VR bundle offer," a company spokesperson said. "Customers will be able to...

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Update to Apple Music for Android brings music video support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/apple-music-android-sdcard/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has updated its Apple Music app on Android, bumping it to version 0.9.8. The update brings support for music videos as well as family subscription option."You can now enjoy thousands of music videos on Apple MusicÂ—view popular ones featured in New or search for the music videos from your favorite artists," the Cupertino-based company says in the change-log.As for the Family Membership, it costs around $15 a month and allows up to six members of a family to enjoy the streaming music service together.Source

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Rumor says Huawei Mate 9 will feature 20MP dual camera setup, Kirin 960 SoC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/hauwei-mate-8-unboxing/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It's been just a few months since Huawei launched its Mate 8 smartphone, and rumors about the device's successor have already started pouring in. According to a latest one out of China, Huawei Mate 9 will be powered by the homegrown, and yet-to-be-announced Kirin 960 chipset with octa-core CPU.Huawei Mate 8In addition to the SoC, it was also revealed that the Mate 9 will sport a 20MP dual rear camera setup. This compares to the dual 12MP cameras that the Chinese company's newly-announced P9 and P9 Plus feature.There was, however, no word on whether - like the P9 duo - Leica...

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BBM for Android gains beta video chat support, coming soon to iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bbm-android-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest update of BBM for Android, which should already be out in the Play Store, brings with it a much-requested feature: video chats. BBM has had support for video calls on BlackBerry OS 10, but this is now finally making its way to the two big mobile platforms - a release for iOS is apparently coming soon.Over in the Android app, the video chat functionality is still in beta, and marked as such. Hence, some hiccups may occur. Also, to make sure nothing will break with its backend infrastructure, BlackBerry is currently limiting the rollout of the new feature to the US and Canada....

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Marshmallow is now out for the LG G3 on AT&T and T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/g3-att-t-mobile-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Although Google has already started testing Android N with developers, Android handset makers are still busy updating their wares to Marshmallow. Case in point: LG, and its G3. The flagship smartphone from 2014 is now receiving the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow both on AT&T and T-Mobile, according to multiple reports from owners.T-Mobile's model isn't currently enjoying an over-the-air rollout of the update, so to download and install it you'll need to use LG's desktop software. Even so, the new release may not yet show as being available for everyone.If you bought your G3...

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HP's new Chromebook 13 is thin and made out of brushed aluminum
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/hp-chromebook-13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HP has unveiled a new Chromebook today. It's called HP Chromebook 13 and was apparently designed in partnership with Google. That kind of shows when you look at it, as its brushed aluminum construction and 12.9mm thinness pretty much scream "high-end".That said, the Chromebook 13 is more of a Chromebook Pixel for the masses, as it starts at just $499. At that price you do get the looks, but only a measly Pentium processor.If you can pay more, then you'll get a choice of Core m3, m5, or m7 CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 3,200x1,800 resolution for the 13.3-inch non-touch display....

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New Nexus 6P version gets benchmarked with Snapdragon 820, 4GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-nexus-6p-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today we once again heard that HTC is the company in charge of building this year's two Nexus-branded smartphones for Google. And now it looks like one of them may have just been spotted in a benchmark's database.An intriguing entry for "google Nexus 6P" is available in Geekbench's online score browser. The name is pretty much identical to the Huawei-made device that's been announced last year, but this Nexus 6P has different hardware.Namely, it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset (not the 810 like the 2015 model), and it comes with 4GB of RAM (up from 3 on the...

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Schematic details the iPhone Pro with dual-camera, Smart Connector
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/iphone-pro-schematic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With the 4" iPhone SE out of the gate, the rumor mill turns its attention back to the 5.8" iPhone Pro. A schematic (probably unofficial) shows the dimensions of the rumored Apple flagship.The schematic clearly shows the wider camera assembly - info so far points to a dual-camera setup. Will it be like the LG G5 (wide + narrow) or the Huawei P9 (color + monochrome)? That's unknown at the moment.Another interesting feature on the back is the Smart Connector. Apple debuted the three-pin connector with the iPad Pro and while it allows advanced functionality like connecting a keyboard, it...

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Xiaomi smartwatch coming in H2 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-smartwatch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in March last year, there were reports out of China that Xiaomi is working on its own smartwatch, although no availability details were revealed at that time. Then, there were rumors that it will be unveiled at an event in November - that, we all know, didn't happen.Now, for the first time, Xiaomi has confirmed the existence of the wearable device. The confirmation came from the company's co-founder and VP Liu De, who also revealed that the smartwatch will be made official in the second half of this year.Sadly, he didn't reveal a specific launch date/month as well as any specs...

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GSMArena

30-04-16, 21:12

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/m9-t-mobile-marshmallow-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Three of the Big Four carriers in the US have already rolled out Marshmallow to the HTC One M8 and M9 units on their network. So we can say the Marshmallow update for AT&T-branded M8 and M9s is already delayed. Worse still, it has been revealed that the update has been hit by further delays. The revelation was made by the Taiwanese company's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter. HTC One M8 & M9 AT&T owners - there's been a slight delay on M OS. We're in lab but looking at approval within the next couple weeks.Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) April 29, 2016 The reason behind the...

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Xiaomi's new Mi Bunny is a smartwatch aimed at kids, costs under $50
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mi-bunny/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Waiting for a Xiaomi smartwatch? Well, your wait is over, and you know what, it costs only $46. Whaaat? Not so fast - it's not actually the one most of us are waiting for - it's for kids, silly. Yes, Xiaomi has launched a kid-focused smartwatch dubbed Mi Bunny (cute, isn't it?). The device offers connectivity options including WiFi and Bluetooth, along with GPS/GLONASS tracking. It also features an SOS button pressing which sends the GPS location of the device along with a few seconds of audio recording. Also known as the Mitu Watch, the device sends alerts when the wearer moves...

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AdDuplex: Lumia 535 pips Lumia 520 to become most popular WP device
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/adduplex-april/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg After being the most popular Windows Phone device for almost 3 years, the Lumia 520 has finally been dethroned. According to latest data from market research firm AdDuplex, the Lumia 535 has now claimed the top spot. The Lumia 535 now has a market share of 12.5%, ahead of 11.3% claimed by the Lumia 520. The Lumia 630, 640, and 635 round up the top-5 with the first two claiming 8.3% share each while the latter claiming a share of 6.3%. The report also revealed some other interesting statistics. For example, Microsoft manufacturers over 97% of WP devices now, with around 80% of them...

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Lumia 950/950 XL could get 'double tap to wake' feature if there's enough demand for it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-950-uk-discount-again/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has dropped hints that the 'double tap to wake' feature - which, gives you an alternative for using the unlock key to wake up your phone - could be added to the Lumia 950/950 XL smartphones. Replying to a user query on Twitter about bringing the feature to the Windows-10 powered flagship device, Microsoft's Gabriel Aul said that it's a common request, and asked the user to upvote it in Feedback Hub. @RayVanEe Double tap on 950 is a common request, upvote it in Feedback Hub!Â— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) April 29, 2016 While that's certainly not a confirmation per se that the...

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Will.i.am's Dial smartwatch now available to pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/william-watch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember musician will.i.am's Dial smartwatch which was unveiled back in February this year? Well, the timepiece is now available to pre-order - Three UK currently has the device listed on its website with an estimated delivery date of May 13. As for the price, it's available on a 2-year contract where-in you'll be required to pay £49.00 up front, followed by a monthly payment of £24.00 for 24 months. The plan includes 500MB data and 100 minutes of talk time each month. Of course, there are other plans as well. To refresh, Dial is the musician's second attempt at wearables after the...

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Meizu MX6 now tipped for H2 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mx6-china-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're eagerly waiting for the successor to Meizu's MX5 smartphone, looks like your wait isn't going to end anytime soon. The device, which was previously rumored to be made official in April-May time-frame, is now said to be launching in H2, 2016. The latest rumor comes out of Meizu's home country of China, and if it's true, we'll have to wait at-least a couple of more months for the device. Being the subject of only a handful of rumors so far, the MX6 (which is what the device is likely to be called) is said to be powered by a MediaTek Helio X20 SoC with 10-core CPU and...

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Lenovo starts rolling out Vibe P1 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vibep1-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lenovo has started rolling out the Marshmallow update to its Vibe P1 smartphone, which was launched late last year. The Chinese company announced the roll-out in a post on its official forums. "We expect Marshmallow to be rolling out for the Vibe P1, P1A42, over the next few days," the post said. However, comments left by users following the aforementioned announcement post suggest that the update has already started hitting units in India. Given that the OTA roll out has just begin, it may take some time for the update to hit your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you...

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Second-gen Moto 360 and Moto 360 Sport get $50 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-360-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a Motorola fan and are in the market for a smartwatch, here is a deal for you: the company's second-gen Moto 360 and Moto 360 Sport watches will soon be available at discounted prices in the United States. The discount - $50 on both devices - is being offered by Verizon, and will be available starting next month (May 1 to be precise), with the deal running for the whole of the month. The carrier currently has the Sport version listed for $300, so it will be available for $250 post discount. As for standard Moto 360, the 46mm variant with metal band for example will be...

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HTC 10 will be available at Sprint on May 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sprint-htc-10-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It looks like Verizon may have some kind of short-term exclusivity on the HTC 10 for the US carrier market. Mere hours ago the company nicknamed Big Red started taking pre-orders for the device, with a "ship by" date of May 5. And now Sprint has officially announced availability details for the HTC 10 too, and it turns out it will launch the smartphone later than Verizon. The HTC 10 will be out at Sprint starting on May 13. Price-wise, the only information that the Now Network has put out so far is with regard to purchasing the device on an installment plan. The HTC 10 will be $0 down...

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Upcoming LG K series smartphones get benchmarked with Snapdragon 430
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-kseries-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG is working on adding new members to its K family of smartphones. This has been made obvious by a couple of listings in a benchmark's online database. Someone has tested both the LG K530 and the K535 in Geekbench, and this has resulted in us finding out a few of their most important specs, courtesy of the benchmark's info tab. The K530 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 430 chipset (which has a 1.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Adreno 505 GPU), aided by 2GB of RAM. The prototype tested ran Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The processor's clock speed actually shows up as 1.4 GHz in the...

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32GB Moto X (2nd Gen) is now down to $199.99 unlocked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-x2-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 2nd generation Moto X is undoubtedly very old at this point. In fact, in just a few months it turns two. That's a lot in the mobile world, as you may know. That said, this was a top of the line offering when it came out, so even today it can measure up to the best mid-rangers out there in terms of performance. Oh, and from this point on it can do the same in price, too. Motorola is currently offering up the 2nd gen Moto X for $199.99 carrier-free, and we're talking about the version with 32GB of storage. This is quite the price drop even compared to its previous level of...

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HTC 10 goes on pre-order at Verizon, Bell is exclusively selling it in Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-verizon-bell/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Right on its previously announced schedule, today Verizon has started taking pre-orders for the HTC 10. The phone is available for a limited time for $100 off its usual price, but only if you grab one using a device installment plan. If you do go that route, you'll pay nothing upfront, then followed by 24 monthly installments of $22.83. That all adds up to around $548, compared to the $648 full retail price. Verizon promises that pre-ordered HTC 10 units will be delivered to you by May 5. Up north in Canada, as you may know already, Bell is the exclusive carrier partner for the HTC...

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HTC starts Mother's Day promo for the One M9 and One A9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-mothers-day-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC is getting ready for Mother's Day with a special sale that's already available at its US online store. The offer is clearly targeted toward people wanting to gift a new smartphone to their mothers. You get a choice between the pink HTC One M9 and the "deep garnet" HTC One A9. The M9 can be had in unlocked form for $399, which is down $250 from its initial pricing of $649. You can pick up an unlocked One A9 for $389, which is $110 less than before. The One A9 version for Sprint is also available as part of this Mother's Day deal, but the price is the same as for the unlocked unit,...

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Google drops Moto 360 Sport from its store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-460-sport-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After dropping the Nexus 9 tablet, Google has now removed the Moto 360 Sport smartwatch from its online store. The Moto 360 Sport is a variant of the Moto 360 second generation that comes with a few changes, such as AnyLight display that uses ambient light outdoors to illuminate itself, built-in GPS, and silicone bands. Unfortunately, it seems people didn't quite find that worth the $300 price tag. In fact, Motorola recently dropped the price to $200 but now Google has gone ahead and removed the device entirely from its store, which is odd as the watch only went on sale back in...

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Two new Sony phones leak through benchmark, one has a 16MP selfie cam
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-sony-phones-benched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Thanks to the entries in an online benchmark database, two upcoming Sony smartphones have been outed today. For now their exact names aren't known, they go only by their model numbers. According to information from GFXBench, the Sony F3216 has a 4.6-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 16 MP selfie snapper, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It's powered by the MediaTek MT6755 Helio P10 SoC, which comes with a 1.9 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Mali-T860 GPU. The prototype tested ran Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Aside from its tiny screen size, this...

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Leica announces M-D (Typ 262) with no LCD
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leica-m-d/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Leica has announced another model in its M-series of digital rangefinder cameras. This one is a bit different though. The Leica M-D (Typ 262) does not feature an LCD on the back like most digital cameras, instead wanting the photographer to focus on the art of composition and framing without being distracted. This is not the first Leica camera to lack an LCD; we saw the M Edition 60 before this forego the display, but the M-D (Typ 262) is the first serial production camera while the M Edition 60 was a limited edition. The M-D only comes with dials to adjust shutter speed, aperture,...

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ZUK Z1 to reportedly land in India as Lenovo Z1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/zuk-z1-sale-aliexpress/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already know that the Z1 smartphone from Lenovo subsidiary ZUK will be launched in India soon - Lenovo has started teasing the device and also sent out media invites for the launch event (date isn't yet confirmed). However, what's new is that the phone could shed the ZUK branding for its India launch. According a report out of China, the ZUK Z1 will be sold in India as the Lenovo Z1. There was, however, no word on why the Chinese company has decided to take this step. Given that the brand Lenovo has pretty good visibility in India, it would be reasonable to assume that the...

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Samsung brings Galaxy J5 (2016) and Galaxy J7 (2016) to South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-j5-j7-korea-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy J5 (2016) and J7 (2016), which were first unveiled late last month in China, have been officially announced by Samsung in its home country of South Korea. Carrying a price tag of KRW 290,000 (around $255) and KRW 363,000 (around $320), respectively, the handsets will be available for purchase from local carrier KT, which will be selling them in the black and gold color options. An important thing worth mentioning here is that the South Korean Galaxy J7 comes with 720p display and 2GB RAM, compared to the full HD display and 3GB RAM that the Chinese version features. In...

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Samsung Gear 360 launched, priced at $350
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/samsung-gear-360-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As scheduled, Samsung has launched the Gear 360 camera. The device is now available for purchase in the company's home country of South Korea - it's currently listed online, but will be available in around 450 stores starting next month. Priced at KRW 399,300 (around $350), the camera - which was announced at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) - is currently compatible with the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, and Note5. Aside from South Korea, the device is also expected to made available in select other countries. However, those in the United States are currently...

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GSMArena

01-05-16, 21:20

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-agent-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Sony invited us to its Tokyo headquarters not so long ago and there the company showed us wondrous gadgets. One of them was the Sony Agent - a personal assistant for your home.Right now, there are more unknowns than known things about it. Sony hasn't decided on a final design and a release date remains unclear. But the company is adamant that it strongly plans for this product to go out in the market, as it would be quite helpful to assisting with the management of your busy schedule.Sony's currently on the lookout for potential partners, who'd like to expand the Agent's...

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Week 17 in review: iPhone 7 to be waterproof, HTC One S9 launched
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Not the dullest of weeks this last one. For one we had a rather unexpected high-profile launch - the HTC One S9 went official out of the blue, bringing us another One, just when we thought the name had been buried with the arrival of the HTC 10.A couple of announcements came out of China too - the Honor 5C and the Meizu m3 made the headlines too, because who doesn't like affordable midrangers. It's not just the official releases that gathered a lot of interest, though. The next iPhone is always a hot topic, regardless of what time of the year it is. This week we had another source...

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Weekly poll: HTC 10: would you get it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-buy-yes-no/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You've never been as spoiled for choice as you would be in 2016 going out on the lookout for a flagship smartphone. Not only do the established brands offer top notch devices, but also upcoming names from China are making their best products ever.HTC, as a veteran in the smartphone world, was struggling to out a compelling offering in the past few years, but now with the 10, it's back in the game. In HTC's tradition, the 10 has a metal unibody, BoomSound stereo speakers and UltraPixel camera and an ample 5.2" QHD display.All of HTC's effort, however, will be to waste if people don't...

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New phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/phone-of-week/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This week HTC raised some eyebrows with its reluctance to let go of the One series. It unveiled the HTC One S9, which is decidedly less exciting than it sounds.It's essentially a mid-range phone in a One M9 body. Yes, the stereo speakers are back on the front, but the rest a bit of a disappointment after the big promise of the HTC 10 and especially at this price - Â€500!The phone has a 5" 1080p screen, a Helio X10 chipset with 2GB RAM, 13MP camera, a measly 9.24GB left from the 16GB storage. The fingerprint reader has gone missing too. At this point, the One A9 is so much...

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Acer Liquid Z630S hands-on
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-liquid-z630s-handson/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We already got a chance to handle the Acer Liquid Z630S briefly at last year's IFA in September, but we're not ones to shy away from an opportunity to examine a phone at headquarters. So when one presented itself, we grabbed it. That said, we didn't do our full battery of tests - instead, we'll just share a few impressions gathered in a setting way calmer than a venue floor.Acer Liquid Z630S at a glance: Body: Polycarbonate all around, removable back, Screen: 5.5" IPS LCD, 720p resolution (267ppi) OS: Android 5.1 Lollipop Chipset: Mediatek MT6753, octa-core Cortex-A53 at...

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Weekly poll results: The best screen size is between 5" and 5.3"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/poll-screen-size/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After a week of voting, there's a clear favorite for the best smartphone screen size. It falls somewhere between 5" and 5.3", where well-known flagships fall - LG G5, Samsung Galaxy S7, Sony Xperia Z5, Huawei P9 and many more fall in that size range, which took half of the votes.The other half is almost evenly split between the sub-5" genre and the 5.4" to 5.7" segment, with a preference for the larger phones. The 5.8" and over juggernauts scored a lowly 6%, showing actual consumer demands lag behind the ambitious sizes that Android manufacturers are pushing.Apple iPhone...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 17
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) has surrendered its number one spot in our Top 10 trending chart this week, making way for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. The Chinese phablet powered to the top after being way down in 7th just two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the world has stood still for most of the others, especially in the middle of the chart. We need to scroll down to number 7, to find the Galaxy J7 (2016) move 2 spots up from it's last week's 9th. The Galaxy S7 edge has slipped into 8th, where it normally stands - last week's 7th was a one-off. The Lenovo Vibe K4 Note inches ahead, after...

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GSMArena giveaway: Enter to win an HTC 10, get discount codes on cases
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/spigen-s7-giveaway/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg The HTC hype has been real lately, so we bring you our latest giveaway where you can enter for a chance to win an HTC 10, courtesy of our friends over at Spigen. They will also toss in a case bundle for the lucky winner!The HTC 10 has been getting a lot of hype lately. HTC did a great job of building it up with its later-than-usual release and months of teasing prior to that. The HTC 10 really is a compelling little phone which definitely stands up with the other competitors.The HTC 10 unit will be provided by Spigen and will be fulfilled once it becomes available in...

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Xiaomi's new Mi Bunny is a smartwatch aimed at kids, costs under $50
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mi-bunny/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Waiting for a Xiaomi smartwatch? Well, your wait is over, and you know what, it costs only $46. Whaaat? Not so fast - it's not actually the one most of us are waiting for - it's for kids, silly. Yes, Xiaomi has launched a kid-focused smartwatch dubbed Mi Bunny (cute, isn't it?).The device offers connectivity options including WiFi and Bluetooth, along with GPS/GLONASS tracking. It also features an SOS button pressing which sends the GPS location of the device along with a few seconds of audio recording.Also known as the Mitu Watch, the device sends alerts when the wearer moves...

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AdDuplex: Lumia 535 pips Lumia 520 to become most popular WP device
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/adduplex-april/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg After being the most popular Windows Phone device for almost 3 years, the Lumia 520 has finally been dethroned. According to latest data from market research firm AdDuplex, the Lumia 535 has now claimed the top spot.The Lumia 535 now has a market share of 12.5%, ahead of 11.3% claimed by the Lumia 520. The Lumia 630, 640, and 635 round up the top-5 with the first two claiming 8.3% share each while the latter claiming a share of 6.3%.The report also revealed some other interesting statistics. For example, Microsoft manufacturers over 97% of WP devices now, with around 80% of them...

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Lumia 950/950 XL could get 'double tap to wake' feature if there's enough demand for it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/lumia-950-uk-discount-again/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has dropped hints that the 'double tap to wake' feature - which, gives you an alternative for using the unlock key to wake up your phone - could be added to the Lumia 950/950 XL smartphones.Replying to a user query on Twitter about bringing the feature to the Windows-10 powered flagship device, Microsoft's Gabriel Aul said that it's a common request, and asked the user to upvote it in Feedback Hub.@RayVanEe Double tap on 950 is a common request, upvote it in Feedback Hub!Â— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) April 29, 2016While that's certainly not a confirmation per se that the...

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Will.i.am's Dial smartwatch now available to pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/william-watch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember musician will.i.am's Dial smartwatch which was unveiled back in February this year? Well, the timepiece is now available to pre-order - Three UK currently has the device listed on its website with an estimated delivery date of May 13.As for the price, it's available on a 2-year contract where-in you'll be required to pay £49.00 up front, followed by a monthly payment of £24.00 for 24 months. The plan includes 500MB data and 100 minutes of talk time each month. Of course, there are other plans as well.To refresh, Dial is the musician's second attempt at wearables after the...

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Meizu MX6 now tipped for H2 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/mx6-china-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you're eagerly waiting for the successor to Meizu's MX5 smartphone, looks like your wait isn't going to end anytime soon. The device, which was previously rumored to be made official in April-May time-frame, is now said to be launching in H2, 2016.The latest rumor comes out of Meizu's home country of China, and if it's true, we'll have to wait at-least a couple of more months for the device.Being the subject of only a handful of rumors so far, the MX6 (which is what the device is likely to be called) is said to be powered by a MediaTek Helio X20 SoC with 10-core CPU and...

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Lenovo starts rolling out Vibe P1 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/vibep1-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lenovo has started rolling out the Marshmallow update to its Vibe P1 smartphone, which was launched late last year. The Chinese company announced the roll-out in a post on its official forums."We expect Marshmallow to be rolling out for the Vibe P1, P1A42, over the next few days," the post said. However, comments left by users following the aforementioned announcement post suggest that the update has already started hitting units in India.Given that the OTA roll out has just begin, it may take some time for the update to hit your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you...

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Second-gen Moto 360 and Moto 360 Sport get $50 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-360-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a Motorola fan and are in the market for a smartwatch, here is a deal for you: the company's second-gen Moto 360 and Moto 360 Sport watches will soon be available at discounted prices in the United States.The discount - $50 on both devices - is being offered by Verizon, and will be available starting next month (May 1 to be precise), with the deal running for the whole of the month.The carrier currently has the Sport version listed for $300, so it will be available for $250 post discount. As for standard Moto 360, the 46mm variant with metal band for example will be...

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HTC 10 will be available at Sprint on May 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sprint-htc-10-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It looks like Verizon may have some kind of short-term exclusivity on the HTC 10 for the US carrier market. Mere hours ago the company nicknamed Big Red started taking pre-orders for the device, with a "ship by" date of May 5.And now Sprint has officially announced availability details for the HTC 10 too, and it turns out it will launch the smartphone later than Verizon. The HTC 10 will be out at Sprint starting on May 13.Price-wise, the only information that the Now Network has put out so far is with regard to purchasing the device on an installment plan. The HTC 10 will be $0 down...

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Upcoming LG K series smartphones get benchmarked with Snapdragon 430
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lg-kseries-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG is working on adding new members to its K family of smartphones. This has been made obvious by a couple of listings in a benchmark's online database. Someone has tested both the LG K530 and the K535 in Geekbench, and this has resulted in us finding out a few of their most important specs, courtesy of the benchmark's info tab.The K530 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 430 chipset (which has a 1.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and the Adreno 505 GPU), aided by 2GB of RAM. The prototype tested ran Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The processor's clock speed actually shows up as 1.4 GHz in the...

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32GB Moto X (2nd Gen) is now down to $199.99 unlocked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-x2-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 2nd generation Moto X is undoubtedly very old at this point. In fact, in just a few months it turns two. That's a lot in the mobile world, as you may know. That said, this was a top of the line offering when it came out, so even today it can measure up to the best mid-rangers out there in terms of performance. Oh, and from this point on it can do the same in price, too.Motorola is currently offering up the 2nd gen Moto X for $199.99 carrier-free, and we're talking about the version with 32GB of storage. This is quite the price drop even compared to its previous level of...

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HTC 10 goes on pre-order at Verizon, Bell is exclusively selling it in Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-verizon-bell/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Right on its previously announced schedule, today Verizon has started taking pre-orders for the HTC 10. The phone is available for a limited time for $100 off its usual price, but only if you grab one using a device installment plan.If you do go that route, you'll pay nothing upfront, then followed by 24 monthly installments of $22.83. That all adds up to around $548, compared to the $648 full retail price. Verizon promises that pre-ordered HTC 10 units will be delivered to you by May 5.Up north in Canada, as you may know already, Bell is the exclusive carrier partner for the HTC...

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GSMArena

03-05-16, 21:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-headset-jack/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far almost every rumor that's talked about the upcoming iPhone 7 has mentioned that Apple's next smartphone will get rid of the 3.5mm headset jack, instead relying on the Lightning port for audio transmission. This has been repeated so many times that by now it's pretty much accepted as fact - but that may not have been wise, as it turns out.Today a leaked shot purportedly showing the iPhone 7's innards comes to contradict all of those previous reports. That's because the part shown does in fact feature the connection to the 3.5mm headset jack, even if overall it looks pretty different...

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HTC smartwatch has its release pushed yet again, this time to early June
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-watch-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've been waiting for too long for HTC's upcoming smartwatch to "turn the industry on its head", as the company's CEO once said. First it was tipped to arrive in February. That then turned into April, which came and went without an HTC smartwatch announcement.So you may be wondering what's going on. Well, it turns out that the wearable's release has been pushed yet again - this time to early June.According to famed leakster Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks), the watch will be out during the week that starts on June 6 and ends on June 12. Unfortunately no other details have been...

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Android 6.0.1 starts hitting Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/tabs2-8-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update to the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 in the UK. The update, which bumps the firmware version to T710XXU2CPD9, also brings along the Android security patch for the month of April.What's worth mentioning here is that units with model number SM-T710 (WiFi version from 2015) are currently receiving the update. As always, you can either wait for the update notification, or manually check for the update by heading to your device's Settings menu.This comes around a week after the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 from last year started receiving...

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Xiaomi Mi Max and Mi Band 2 leak before May 10 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-mi-max-band/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is holding its Beijing event in a week, on May 10, where the company will announce the Mi Max smartphone and the Mi Band 2. Photos of the two have emerged showing the devices beforehand.The Xiaomi Mi Max will feature a flat, metal frame and the traditional for the company capacitive buttons under the screen. The specs of the phone include a 6.4" 1080p display, a Snapdragon 650 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.The camera duo is a 16MP snapper at the back and a 5MP at the front.As for the Mi Band 2, it will feature a similar design to its predecessor, but with...

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The latest three Samsung Galaxy S7 ads are a joy to watch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/s7-ads-three/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The evolution of Samsung smartphones and the sophistication of their hardware design has carried over to the company's marketing department. The latest batch of Galaxy S7 ads is tastefully made and is quite enjoyable to watch. Gone is the tacky way that Samsung did its advertising, generally by mocking its competitors.The latest three ads manage to tell a story in a beautiful way and, as you can imagine, the Galaxy S7 is at the core of it.The ads boast the phone's water resistance, Samsung Pay, and the S7's camera low-light prowess. Check the videos below.Source

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HTC Desire 830 is official with BoomSound and 5.5" 1080p screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/desire-830/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg HTC has just announced the Desire 830 for the Taiwanese market. The phone replaces the Desire 820 in the company's mid-range offerings and is made from plastic. Audio lovers will be glad to know that BoomSound speakers are present and are on the top and bottom of the phone's 5.5" 1080p display.The Desire 830 measures 157.5 x 78.9 x 7.79 mm and has the sides, speakers as well as the camera ring in an accent colors. Currently, HTC offers the phone in blue and red colors.Regarding specs, the Desire 830 sports a MediaTek Helio X10 chipset with a 1.5GHz octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM...

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Deal: Buy Galaxy S7/S7 edge and get heavy discount on Gear VR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gs7-gearvr-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you're a virtual reality enthusiast in India, and are planning to purchase one of Samsung's newest flagship smartphones, here's a deal for you: the company is offering heavy discount on its Gear VR headset to those who purchase the GS7/GS7 edge this month.The deal brings down the price of the headset to just INR 990 (around $15). This compares to the INR 8,200 (around $125) price tag the headset carries on Flipkart (although it's currently out of stock there) and INR 13,787 (around $210) tag on Amazon India.The offer is available on purchases made within May 1 and May 31, with...

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LeEco introduces new content ecosystem in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/leeco-content/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LeEco has introduced a new content ecosystem for its devices in India. Called the Ecosystem Membership Program, it will let customers access local and international movies, TV shows, and music on their LeEco devices.The program includes collaboration with three media companies. The TV show service, called Le Live, comes in partnership with YuppTV, and will let customers view channels such as Sony Entertainment, NDTV, Gemini Movies, 9X Tashan, Sun TV, Times Now, Nickelodeon, Colors, and others, in multiple Indian languages. The movie service is called Le Vidi, and is done in...

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Motorola Moto X Pure Edition gets a $100 price cut
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/moto-x-pure-edition-for-300/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg If you recall, we told you a about a Motorola deal last month that took $50 off the company's Moto X Pure Edition smartphone. Now the company has sweetened the deal further by dropping the phone's price to $300 ($100 off).Other third party retailers like Amazon still have the device listed for around $350, meaning you get to save at-least an extra $50 if you avail the deal. And not to mention the benefit of customizing your unit with the company's Moto Maker tool.The deal runs through May 9, or Monday next week - so, it's apparently a Mother's Day promo. Head to the Source link...

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Google brings Play Store carrier billing to India; Idea customers get it first
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/google-play-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has announced that it will be launching the Play Store carrier billing feature in India soon. The feature will initially only be available to customers of local carrier Idea Cellular, although it'd reasonable to assume other major carriers will also make it the whitelist eventually."We are in the process of adding direct carrier billing to Google Play in India on Idea Cellular so that people can more easily pay for their favorite content," a Google spokesperson said. "We will have more news to share soon."Apparently, the feature - which lets you pay for your digital...

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Benchmark listing purportedly reveals 3GB RAM variant of Meizu Pro 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a month after the Meizu Pro 6 was announced, a purported variant of the device has been spotted on GeekBench. The listing reveals a Pro 6 variant with 3GB RAM, compared to the 4GB RAM that the standard model packs.Other specs revealed by the listing - including Helio X25 chipset and Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS - are the same as the original model.So, does that mean we're looking at a 'lite' version of the Pro 6? Well, we're not sure, given that the new variant appears to be only differing in the amount of RAM. Plus, the date of the listing - March 22, which is a few...

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Latest Sprint Galaxy S7 update optimizes battery life, brings along April security patch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-s7-selling-well/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new update has started hitting Samsung Galaxy S7 units on Sprint. As per the change log, the update brings along optimizations related to the device's battery life, as well as improvements related to the performance of voice over WiFi.In addition, the update - which weighs in at around 142MB and bumps the software version to G930PVPU2APD3 - also includes the monthly security patch for the month of April. It isn't yet confirmed whether or not the edge variant of the Galaxy S7 is also getting the same update.Like we always say, it may take some time for OTA update to hit your...

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Google Keyboard 5.0 update brings lots of new features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-keyboard-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has released v5.0 of the Google Keyboard, and this is a big one.The UI gets lots of little changes. You can now enable borders for keys so it doesn't look like one plain surface. Google dropped the old Holo themes and the light and dark Material Design themes are the only ones available.Google moved the emoji button inside the special character menu. There is also a new numpad button there now, which shows the numbers arranged in a traditional layout but the old row of numbers is also available. There is also a one handed mode now, which shifts the keys to either side...

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Update brings camera and WiFi-related improvements to HTC 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/spigen-s7-giveaway/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg HTC's newest flagship - the HTC 10 - is yet to go on sale but that hasn't stopped the Taiwanese company to roll out an update to the device. Weighing in at around 85MB, the update is currently hitting the handset's European units.As for what all it includes, the change-log notes that there are some improvements related to the phone's camera as well as WiFi connectivity. In addition, the update - which bumps the software version to 1.30.401.1 - also brings along some general bug fixes.Here's the complete change-log:- Improved WiFi connectivity, including Smart MIMO- Camera:...

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The Rock made an alarm clock app for your phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/the-rock-alarm/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Why wake up to your phone making beeping sounds every morning, when you can wake up to The Rock actually saying "beep beep" instead?Yeah, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has made an alarm clock app called The Rock Clock, and it's a bit odd (or fun, depending upon how you see it).The app is goal oriented, so you can type the name of the project you need to perform or choose from one of the preset options such as 'gain five pounds of muscle', 'lose ten pounds of non-muscle', 'learn a new language', etc. Then you can choose an end date for the project or skip it. After that you set the...

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HTC 10 review: Greatest hit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/htc-10/review/-347x151/main02.jpg The HTC 10 is everything an HTC fan has been longing for. A full smartphone package experience without compromise. The problem with this idea is that it doesn't exist, there will always be some phone with a better camera or better battery or a larger display. But we can always look at this idea subjectively and find the right balance between what the phone offers versus compromises you might be making.

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Deal: Unlocked BlackBerry Priv for $380 on eBay
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/deal-blackberry-priv-380-bucks-ebay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg BlackBerry was in a hole that it kept digging deeper and deeper for itself. Finally the BlackBerry Priv was its final hope. BlackBerry found it harder and harder to stay relevant in a market oversaturated with Apple and Android smartphones and lack of app support drove customers away from the platform. So BlackBerry (formerly known as Research In Motion) decided if you can't beat Â‘em, join Â‘em. And that's just what it did with the BlackBerry Priv, the first BlackBerry phone to run Google's Android operating system.The BlackBerry Priv received a lot of attention for putting Android...

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AT&T starts pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Tab E 8.0 on May 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/att-tab-e-details/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg AT&T has just announced that it will offer Samsung's 8-inch Galaxy Tab E to its customers. The carrier will begin taking pre-orders for the device on May 6, which is this coming Friday.You'll be able to pick one up for $0 down, then followed by 20 monthly payments of $10. This means the full retail price of the tablet has been set at $200, so if you want to grab one by shelling out the entire sum upfront, that's how much you'll need to have.AT&T has not said when the Galaxy Tab E will start shipping, so it could be a while. The tablet comes with an 8-inch 1,280x800 touchscreen,...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 6 will have USB Type-C connector, rumor says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-6-usb-type-c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this point Samsung is just a few months away from unveiling the Galaxy Note 6, so understandably the number of rumors regarding it is starting to rise.The latest mumbling says in no uncertain terms that the successor to the Note5 will have a USB Type-C port, which will thus make its first ever appearance in the Korean company's portfolio. It will replace the ever-prevalent microUSB connector. What isn't as clear is which standard Samsung will use alongside the port itself - USB 3.1 or an older one.Anyway, if Samsung wants to continue its VR push (and there's no reason not to), then...

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GSMArena

04-05-16, 21:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-music-revamp/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple Music app for iOS is going to receive a big redesign as well as some new features. The big revamp will be officially introduced during the company's WorldWide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. The new version of the app will then be released in beta alongside iOS 10 to developers and eager consumers, ahead of its official launch in the fall when the new iteration of iOS hits too.Thanks to a few unnamed sources we get to find out some of the details of the redesign. Reportedly, the app will choose a simpler overall design, with more black and white in it (both in backgrounds...

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LG Stylo 2 is headed to Cricket, arrives on May 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-stylo-2-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Having already launched at Sprint's prepaid brands (Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile) last month, the LG Stylo 2 is now on its way to AT&T's Cricket brand.As this is also a prepaid carrier, you won't need to sign a long-term contract to grab the phone when it becomes available online and in stores on May 13.The handset is priced at just $169.99. Then again, it is a mid-ranger so don't expect flagship specs. The unique selling point of the Stylo 2 therefore has to be its built-in stylus - not something usually seen in this price range.The Stylo 2 has a 5.7-inch 720p touchscreen,...

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Save 20% on a Samsung Gear VR headset if you act fast
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-vr-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The newest version of Samsung's Gear VR headset is compatible with all of the company's flagships starting with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge (and yes, that includes the S7 and S7 edge of course). While the device was offered for free to those who pre-ordered either of the S7 handsets, the pre-order period has long been over.The Gear VR is usually priced at $99.99, but you can now get one for 20% less. If you choose to act fast, that is - because a limited quantity is available at this price.All you need to do is go to eBay and purchase yours for just $79.99, from a seller with a very...

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Lenovo Z1 (ZUK Z1) India launch confirmed for May 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lenovo-z1-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true - the ZUK Z1 will indeed land in India as Lenovo Z1. This was confirmed by Lenovo in a Facebook post where-in the company also revealed the device's India launch date: May 10.The ZUK moniker, however, hasn't completely been dropped, as the Chinese company is marketing the device in India as 'powered by ZUK.' The image shared by Lenovo also confirms that the Z1 will be running the Cyanogen OS in India - we've already told you why it's important as far as Indian smartphone market is concerned.There was no revelation on the pricing front, but that...

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Alleged Samsung Galaxy A4 spotted on Zauba
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-c-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Looks like Samsung may soon update its 'Galaxy A' line-up of smartphones with a new member. A device carrying a model number of SM-A430U has been spotted on India's import tracking website Zauba, with reports alleging that it's the Galaxy A4.Given the fact that the South Korean company usually follows a set format for model numbers (for example, the second-gen Galaxy A3 is A310F, Galaxy A5 is A510F, and Galaxy A7 is A710F), if anything, A430U is enough to suggest that it could very well be the Galaxy A4.Sadly, the Zauba listing doesn't reveal anything else, especially in terms of...

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Nextbit Robin now available on Amazon, $100 off for limited time
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nextbit-robin-amazon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Kickstarter star Nextbit Robin has been available through the company website for some time. Starting today, the phone will also be available through Amazon in the US.As an introductory offer, the phone is being sold at $299, a cool $100 off from the usual price. The offer is only available from May 4 till May 10. Both the colors are available for purchase.Source Â• Amazon

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Huawei G9 Lite and MediaPad M2 7.0 go official in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g9-lite-mediapad-m2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei G9 Lite is now official in China, alongside the MediaPad M2 7.0 tablet.The Huawei G9 Lite is a localized version of the P9 Lite for the Chinese market. As such, it sports a 5.2" 1080p screen and is powered by the company's Kirin 650 chipset with a 2.0GHz octa-core CPU and 3GB of RAM. The same configuration is also present on the Honor 5C. Internal storage is 16GB and is expandable.Huawei has included a fingerprint reader on the back of the G9 Lite and above it, there's a 13MP camera. The front holds an 8MP snapper with f/2.0 aperture. The phone's battery is 3,000mAh and...

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Pebble Time Steel gets £60 price cut in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/pebbletimesteel-uk-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Pebble Time Steel smartwatch has received a solid price cut in the United Kingdom. The wearable device - which was launched last year, and is a more premium version of the standard Pebble Time - is now listed for £139.99 on Amazon UK.This means the deal saves you a total of £60, as the timepiece is being officially sold by the company for £199.99 in the country. A quick look at the Amazon listing reveals that the discount is available on all three color variants - black, silver, as well as gold.Those interested in availing the discount can head to the Source link...

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T-Mobile LG G3 Marshmallow update now rolling out OTA as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/lg-g3-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, we told you about the availability of T-Mobile LG G3 Marshmallow update last week, although it was only available through LG's desktop software at that time. The good news is that its over-the-air roll out has begun as well.The change-log posted on the magenta carrier's website, however, doesn't reveal much about the update, except that it bumps the software version to D85130d, and brings Android Marshmallow (version 6.0 as we learned last week) as well as some WiFi calling-related improvements.As is the case usually with OTA roll-outs, it may take some time before...

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Production issues force Xiaomi to delay Mi Band 2 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-band2-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg For those who are eagerly waiting for the next-gen Mi Band from Xiaomi, there's some bad news: the wearable device's launch has been pushed back. This was announced by none other than the Chinese company's CEO Lei Jun on Weibo.The Mi Band 2 was set to be made official on May 10, alongside the Mi Max and MIUI 8.0. While Xiaomi might still go ahead and unveil the device as per the schedule, the release has been delayed by a month, as noted by Jun in his post.As you might already know, the device - which Xiaomi officially started teasing early last week - differs from its successors...

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Android Marshmallow hits 7.5% adoption rate; Lollipop slightly down at 35.6%
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/marshmallow-list/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has released the Android platform distribution numbers for the month of May, revealing that the latest iteration of its mobile OS - Marshmallow - is now powering 7.5% of all active Android devices worldwide.That's quite a notable jump for Marshmallow given that its share was 4.6% last month. Lollipop, meanwhile, held on to the top spot with 35.6% share, slightly down from 35.8% in April. KitKat also saw a decrease in share from 33.4% last month to 32.5% this month.All the other previous iterations including Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Ginger Bread also saw their...

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Sony Xperia X Performance is priced from Â€699, launches in July
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-performance-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pre-orders for two of the three members of Sony's Xperia X family are nothing new in Europe, at least when it comes to the UK - we've seen these launching back in March. But those only cover the Xperia X and XA, since the X Performance will not be sold in the UK (or Germany).If you've been anxious to find out how much the top of the line X Performance (pictured below) is going to cost, you'll be happy to know that this information is finally public. The price for a SIM-free and unlocked unit in Europe is set at Â€699 in France and the Netherlands, and Â€729 in Italy and Spain.Sony...

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New benchmark has the Galaxy J2 (2016) coming with 2GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/j2-2016-new-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is working on refreshing the Galaxy J2 from last year with a new, 2016 version. We've seen this upcoming model in the Geekbench database yesterday, and that has revealed a couple of its specs. Now though the Galaxy J2 (2016) has also been spotted at AnTuTu, another Android benchmark.This means more of its specs have been outed. The phone will feature a 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie snapper, and 16GB of built-in storage. Interestingly, this prototype got benchmarked sporting 2GB of RAM, whereas the one from yesterday only has 1.5GB. This probably means...

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Lenovo Vibe S1 gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/vibe-s1-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo has been one of the slower companies when it comes to updating its products to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but the Chinese smartphone maker isn't stopping. Following the release of the update for the A7000, K3 Note, and Vibe P1 over the past few months, today Lenovo has started sending out the Marshmallow bits to the Vibe S1.So far the update has been spotted in the United Arab Emirates and India, but it's sure to make it to other territories in due course. Your phone will pop up a notification once the new software is ready to download and install.That said, you might want to...

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Sony releases a bunch of new videos for the Xperia X family
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony is currently in the process of getting ready to release the three members of its Xperia X family, which were unveiled at MWC in February: the Xperia X, X Performance, and XA.As part of those preparations, the Japanese company has uploaded a lot of videos about these three devices to its YouTube channel today. Some are official ads which you're undoubtedly going to see on a TV station near you in the future, while others are design stories, and some focus on specific features of the phones.The Xperia X Performance leads the way with a design video:The Xperia X has its own...

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HTC smartwatch has its release pushed yet again, this time to early June
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-watch-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've been waiting for too long for HTC's upcoming smartwatch to "turn the industry on its head", as the company's CEO once said. First it was tipped to arrive in February. That then turned into April, which came and went without an HTC smartwatch announcement.So you may be wondering what's going on. Well, it turns out that the wearable's release has been pushed yet again - this time to early June.According to famed leakster Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks), the watch will be out during the week that starts on June 6 and ends on June 12. Unfortunately no other details have been...

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Android 6.0.1 starts hitting Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/tabs2-8-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update to the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 in the UK. The update, which bumps the firmware version to T710XXU2CPD9, also brings along the Android security patch for the month of April.What's worth mentioning here is that units with model number SM-T710 (WiFi version from 2015) are currently receiving the update. As always, you can either wait for the update notification, or manually check for the update by heading to your device's Settings menu.This comes around a week after the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 from last year started receiving...

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Xiaomi Mi Max and Mi Band 2 leak before May 10 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-mi-max-band/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is holding its Beijing event in a week, on May 10, where the company will announce the Mi Max smartphone and the Mi Band 2. Photos of the two have emerged showing the devices beforehand.The Xiaomi Mi Max will feature a flat, metal frame and the traditional for the company capacitive buttons under the screen. The specs of the phone include a 6.4" 1080p display, a Snapdragon 650 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.The camera duo is a 16MP snapper at the back and a 5MP at the front.As for the Mi Band 2, it will feature a similar design to its predecessor, but with...

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The latest three Samsung Galaxy S7 ads are a joy to watch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/s7-ads-three/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The evolution of Samsung smartphones and the sophistication of their hardware design has carried over to the company's marketing department. The latest batch of Galaxy S7 ads is tastefully made and is quite enjoyable to watch. Gone is the tacky way that Samsung did its advertising, generally by mocking its competitors.The latest three ads manage to tell a story in a beautiful way and, as you can imagine, the Galaxy S7 is at the core of it.The ads boast the phone's water resistance, Samsung Pay, and the S7's camera low-light prowess. Check the videos below.Source

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GSMArena

05-05-16, 21:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/verizon-lg-gpadx83-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the Marshmallow update to LG G Pad X8.3 units on its network. The update brings Android 6.0, and bumps the software version to VK81522A.The Verizon support page (hit the Source link at the bottom) for the update lists all the changes included in the update such as Now on Tap, Runtime Permissions, Silent Mode, Do Not Disturb, Direct Share, and Screenshot Deleting.Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take some time for the OTA notification to pop up on your device. However, if you are feeling impatient, you can manually check for...

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Gear Fit 2 and Gear IconX images have been spotted on Samsung's website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-gear-fit-2-iconx-pics/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month a leak showed us the upcoming Samsung Gear Fit 2 fitness tracker, and also the Gear IconX fully wireless headphones that are probably going to get announced alongside the new Fit. And now it looks like someone was able to spot official images of the two devices on Samsung's own SHealth website.Unfortunately no details about the Gear Fit 2 or the Gear IconX were published with the pictures, but at least we can now be sure what these products will look like.The Gear Fit 2 (seen above) comes with a new textured strap and looks a tiny bit more like a smartwatch than its...

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Galaxy C5 leaks in pictures for first time, shows off metal body
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-image-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember the Samsung SM-C5000 (allegedly the Galaxy C5), which has got its specs leaked at-least a couple of times so far? Well, the device has now leaked in live photos, making it the first image leak of the handset.The leaked images clearly show a metallic body, something which is in line with some of the rumors we've heard so far.To recap, the Galaxy C5 is going to be powered by a Snapdragon 617 SoC with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 405 GPU, and sport a 5.2-inch display. RAM will be set at 4GB, and the device will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out-of-the-box.Aside...

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Update brings new 'Discover' view on Onedrive for Android and Web
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/onedrive-discover-view/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has updated the OneDrive for Android and Web with a new 'Discover' view. According to the company, the new feature lets content find you, instead of you looking for it. Basically, the Discover view suggests stuff that's relevant to you, and it does that based on the knowledge of the work you are doing and the people with whom you engage."We're introducing a Discover view, which uses the Office Graph to suggest relevant and trending files from Office 365 (similar to Delve)," the Redmond, Washington-based company said in a blog post.The feature, as we've already told...

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Xiaomi Mi Max receives TENAA certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Just five days before the official announcement, the Xiaomi Mi Max gets the certification green light from TENAA. Alongside it, we also get to see the phone in clear new photos from the front and back.The certification information confirms the specifications we already knew from previous leaks. The phone packs a large 6.4" IPS LCD of 1080p resolution. The phone will be available in two variants - 2GB RAM / 16GB of storage and 3GB RAM / 32GB storage. Both versions have a Snapdragon 650 chipset with a hexacore CPU and Adreno 510 GPU.At the back, there's a fingerprint sensor, a...

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Samsung beats Apple again as a smartphone market leader in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/galaxy-s7-vs-iphone-6s/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg According to analysts company Counterpoint Research, Samsung is now the top dog in the US smartphone market. The last time Samsung outpaced Apple was 11 months ago, but now thanks to strong sales of the Galaxy S7, the company is again leading.According to the research company, Samsung has a 28.8% market share in March, while Apple is second with 23%. Not only did the good sales performance of the Galaxy S7 play a strong role, but also the iPhone SE didn't exactly fly off the shelves as Apple hoped.LG is third with 17.1% market share and is increasingly gaining on Apple. Mind...

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Opera gets native ad-blocker in latest version
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/opera-adblock/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Opera has released version 37 of its desktop and mobile browser and it now includes a native ad-blocker.Now, with a flick of a switch from the settings, you can block all ads within the browser without having to download any extension. Opera claims that since you are not using any extension, the browser uses less memory compared to other browsers. Also, Opera blocks ads using native code and at the engine level for efficient, fast page loading.Opera recently added native VPN functionality in the developer channel of the browser. This feature is not yet available in the stable...

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Vine now available on Windows 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/vine-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter has released the Vine app for the Windows 10 platform. This includes all the devices, from smartphones to tablets and even on desktop.Vine has had an app for the Windows Phone platform, but this new version is designed from the grounds up for the newer Windows 10 platform. The app has a black theme throughout, unlike on iOS and Android, and lets you upload even from desktop. One annoyance, though, is that the app has a tendency to automatically move on to the next Vine after one finishes playing, and there is no way to disable this right now.This is the only Vine app...

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Oppo R9 Plus' 128GB variant is now available for purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/r9plus-128gb-model-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the Oppo R9 Plus, which was unveiled alongside the R9 back in March this year, comes in both 64GB and 12GB storage variants, only the former has been available for purchase so far. However now the 128GB version has also gone on sale.The model is currently available for purchase in China, where it carries a price tag of RMB 3,599, which translates into around $555 at current exchange rates. The 64GB variant, for comparison, is priced at around $510 in China.Both the R9 and the 64GB R9 Plus went on sale in China in March itself, with the company selling a total of 180,000 on...

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Marshmallow beta starts hitting T-Mobile Priv units
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bb-priv-marshmallow-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg While the Priv Marshmallow update has already started rolling out in the US and Canada, T-Mobile is yet to launch the update for units on its network. As the wait is on for the final update, a beta Marshmallow build has meanwhile started hitting those T-Mobile Privs that signed up for the testing program.Specifically, the beta update is currently hitting T-Mobile Priv variants with model number STV100-1. In addition units in the US, the build is also rolling out to STV100-3 units in Canada (carrier variants) and Asia pacific region.As for the size, it's a hefty update, weighing in...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB, dual-SIM) currently available for $650 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, back in March, we told you about an eBay deal that took $100 off the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. In case you missed that deal, here is some good news: the same seller 232tech is back with a new promo, selling the device for just $650 this time.That's again a discount of around $100. However, the model on offer this time is the dual-SIM one, and comes with a UK-standard phone charger. It doesn't come with a US warranty and is not compatible with CDMA carriers. Only gold color option is currently available.Also keep in mind that that unlike US models (which pack in the...

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HTC 10 pre-orders have started shipping in the US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Inline with what HTC's Senior Global Online Communications Manager Jeff Gordon said last week, the Taiwanese company has started shipping pre-orders for its newest flagship - the HTC 10 - in the United States.We've got good news: if you pre-ordered an #HTC10, they've now started shipping. We're fulfilling orders as they were received.Â— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 4, 2016Given that this announcement was made directly by HTC, it'd be reasonable to assume that the company is talking about pre-orders placed through its own online store. A quick look at the firm's official website reveals...

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Xperia Z2, Z3 and Z3 Compact getting Marshmallow in India and Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-xperia-z2-z3-marshmallow-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Nearly a month after it started rolling out in select regions worldwide including the US, the Marshmallow update for Sony's Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3, and Xperia Z3 Compact smartphones has now started hitting units in India and Canada.Aside from the usual Marshmallow goodies (including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions), the update also includes enhanced privacy settings, new camera interface, as well as Xperia Messaging and Direct Share features.Given than the update has just started rolling out in these regions, it may take some time before it hits your device....

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HTC 10 storage read/write speeds are below average with other 2016 flagships
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-10-scores-below-other-flagships-in-read-write-tests/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When working with the HTC 10, we noticed something peculiar. The time that it took to transfer sample photos from HTC 10 to our PC definitely felt much slower than transferring photos from the LG G5 or the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. We thought it'd be interesting to measure how these phones perform in reading and writing speeds on the internal memory. The HTC 10 uses the more conventional Embedded Multi-Media Controller (eMMC) 5.1 NAND memory, which, when compared to Samsung's Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 2.1 NAND, is significantly lower in read/write performance than the newer UFS 2.1...

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Motorola Moto X Force review: Handle without care
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/motorola-moto-x-force/-347x151/thumb6.jpg Want a flagship smartphone with all the bells and whistles but you're not good at keeping an expensive piece of equipment out of trouble? Motorola to the rescue. The Moto X Force is a shock and water-proof flagship, with high-performance hardware, impressive camera and a clean Android experience.

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T-Mobile will offer the rugged Kyocera DuraForce XD from May 11
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-kyocera-duraforce-xd/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile is getting ready to sell its first rugged Android smartphone, according to a press release put out today by Kyocera, a company that has specialized in exactly such offerings lately.May 11 is when the Kyocera DuraForce XD will make its debut at the magenta carrier. The handset has so far been available from AT&T, which started selling it in January. Over at T-Mobile, the DuraForce XD will be priced at $449.99. That's the standard retail price, but we assume you'll also be able to pick up the device on an installment plan. If that's the case, expect to pay nothing upfront, then...

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Galaxy S7 and S7 edge update on T-Mobile brings FM radio support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-s7-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile has started rolling out a new update for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units it's sold. This new release brings with it support for FM radio playback, as well as some bug fixes and performance improvements. Perhaps the most important of those have to do with the functionality of the power and volume keys - bugs in this area should have been eradicated.The new software also incorporates the May security patches, so it will make your device more secure too. The update comes in at around 164MB, and it's going out over-the-air. You should receive a notification about it...

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LG Stylo 2 is headed to Cricket, arrives on May 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-stylo-2-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Having already launched at Sprint's prepaid brands (Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile) last month, the LG Stylo 2 is now on its way to AT&T's Cricket brand.As this is also a prepaid carrier, you won't need to sign a long-term contract to grab the phone when it becomes available online and in stores on May 13.The handset is priced at just $169.99. Then again, it is a mid-ranger so don't expect flagship specs. The unique selling point of the Stylo 2 therefore has to be its built-in stylus - not something usually seen in this price range.The Stylo 2 has a 5.7-inch 720p touchscreen,...

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Save 20% on a Samsung Gear VR headset if you act fast
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-vr-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The newest version of Samsung's Gear VR headset is compatible with all of the company's flagships starting with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge (and yes, that includes the S7 and S7 edge of course). While the device was offered for free to those who pre-ordered either of the S7 handsets, the pre-order period has long been over.The Gear VR is usually priced at $99.99, but you can now get one for 20% less. If you choose to act fast, that is - because a limited quantity is available at this price.All you need to do is go to eBay and purchase yours for just $79.99, from a seller with a very...

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GSMArena

06-05-16, 21:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxyc5-more-images/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a day after the Samsung Galaxy C5 leaked in pictures for the first time (showing off its metal body), a new set of images - alleged to be of the same device - has leaked online. Take a look: Giving a more eye-pleasing view, these new images also confirm a metal body (something that has already been rumored before). As for the device's specs, rumors suggest Snapdragon 617 SoC, 5.2-inch display, 4GB RAM, and Android 6.0. The Galaxy C5 is expected to be launched this month. Source (in Chinese)

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Vivo V3Max review: Simplified Chinese
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/vivo-v3max/-347x151/thumb3.jpg Vivo enjoyed a good run with the X-series in 2015 and even snatched the world's slimmest phone title with the local Chinese version of the X5Max. In 2016, the company is obviously trying to carry that momentum into the midrange with the V-series.

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Huawei P9 teardown by iFixit yields 7 out of 10 repairability score
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-p9-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The teardown experts at iFixit are at it again. The handset that's gone through the procedure this time is the Huawei P9. The Chinese company's latest flagship manages to bag a 7 out of 10 repairability score in the end, which is identical to the result of the iPhone 6s. On the other hand, keep in mind that Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have only managed to score a measly 3 out of 10. So the P9 is obviously more easily repairable than what Huawei clearly thinks its main competitor is (the S7). This has been achieved by using modular components with spring contacts, "thoughtful cabling",...

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Galaxy Note 6 'Lite' rumored with SD820 SoC, 1080p display, and 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-6-usb-type-c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a couple of weeks ago, there were reports that Samsung is testing two Galaxy Note 6 versions - one with flat screen, and the other with curved edges. While there's no word on which of the two will see the light of the day (or if both will be launched), a new rumor is claiming that a scaled-down variant is in the works as well. Thankfully, the rumor also reveals some of the specs of this new variant: SD820 chipset, 1080p display resolution (size remains 5.8-inch), and 4GB RAM. It's funny that with this kind of specs, we're calling it a scaled-down or 'Lite' version, but the fact...

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New Samsung Gear Fit 2 renders leak showing three color versions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-fit-2-new-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this point it's pretty much a given that Samsung will launch the Gear Fit 2 in the coming weeks or months. The fitness tracker that's going to be the successor to the original Gear Fit from 2014 has first been leaked last month, followed yesterday by an image of it spotted hanging out on an official Samsung website. And today prolific leaker Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks) has released some new renders of the upcoming device. These show three color versions for the Fit 2, though it's unclear whether they are going to be all of the hues of the tracker, or if it will be offered in...

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LG's G5 and V10 phones receive NIAP certification for enterprise and military use
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-v10-cert/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has announced that its G5 and V10 phones are now certified by the U.S. National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP). This means that both devices have been deemed fit for use in security-focused environments like enterprise and military. "With the growing importance of higher security in business these days, we believe a firm security platform is a must for mobile workplace devices," said Chris Yie, vice president and head of marketing communications for LG Mobile Communications Company. "This certification is confirmation that LG smartphones are among the most secure mobile...

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Coolpad Note 3 Plus launched in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/coolpad-note-3-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg CoolPad has launched the new Note 3 Plus in India. Well, "new" seems a bit of a stretch, since it is essentially the same Coolpad Note 3 but now with a FullHD display. The rest of the phone is identical, with the similarly sized 5.5-inch display, MediaTek MT6753 SoC, 3GB RAM, 16GB storage, 13 megapixel rear camera, fingerprint sensor, and a 3000mAh battery. The Coolpad Note 3 Plus will be available exclusively on Amazon for INR 8999 ($135). The phone will be available in champagne white and gold. Source

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Those who pre-ordered HTC 10 will also get "small token of appreciation"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pre-ordered the HTC 10? You'll be glad to know that shipments have already begun. However, there's one more good news: your HTC 10 unit will be shortly followed by a "small token of appreciation" from the Taiwanese company. Only those who placed their pre-orders on HTC's official website are eligible for the surprise. Sadly, at the moment, HTC isn't revealing what the gift would be, although the wait isn't long as the company says the package will be delivered in the next couple of weeks. So, are we looking at those High-Res headphones that HTC has already confirmed aren't coming to...

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Google executive: Android One still drawing interest; more devices coming
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-android-one/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google launched the Android One program back in 2014 with an aim to bring smartphones to the masses. It's 2016 now, and to say the least, the initiative has not been the kind of success the company would have hoped for. However, that doesn't mean Google is giving up on its Android One efforts. According to Mike Hayes, Director, Business Development, Android & Chrome Partnerships, the initiative is still drawing interest from several OEMs around the world. He also said that the company is taking a broader view of its hardware business, with Android One becoming a part of it. "So you...

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Verizon releases the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016), yours for $109.99 sans contract
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-j3-2016-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Verizon has started selling a new Samsung smartphone. We're talking about the Galaxy J3 (2016), a device that should also reach AT&T tomorrow, and has been out at Sprint's prepaid brands since January. Big Red has managed to be faster than its main competitor, however. It's offering the phone for fans of prepaid plans, so there's no long-term contract to sign when you buy the J3. It's priced at $109.99, which isn't bad considering its specs. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a 5-inch 720p Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, a 2 MP selfie shooter, the...

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HTC launches the One M9 Prime Camera Edition in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-one-m9-prime-camera-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sure, it has a new flagship smartphone on the way in the 10, but HTC has now decided to launch a new version of last year's top of the line offering. It's called HTC One M9 Prime Camera Edition, and so far it's only surfaced in Poland, where it became official today. This model borrows the looks of the One M9 from 2015, but changes a few of its specs. For example, the rear camera is now a 13 MP f/2.0 unit, with optical image stabilization. Furthermore, the chipset used is MediaTek's Helio X10, which has a 2.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU. Finally, the RAM and storage amounts have been cut...

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HTC 10 isn't doing very well in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-10-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg On April 25, HTC started taking pre-reservations for the 10 smartphone in China. And today a new report out of that country claims the company's new handset hasn't been doing well at all. In the first eleven days of the pre-reservation campaign, two of the biggest online commerce platforms in China (JD and TMall) have only managed to achieve a combined total of 251 bookings for the device. That's not a typo and not meant to be 251,000 or anything like that, mind you - just 251. The pre-reservations will be open until May 8, yet at this point it definitely feels impossible for HTC's...

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Netflix intros cellular data usage controls for its Android and iOS apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/netflix-data-usage/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Netflix's apps for both Android and iOS have already received updates that bring with them a new and very useful feature. There's a new option to be found in the App Settings section, namely Cellular Data Usage. This basically lets you change the bitrate of your video streams for when you're watching Netflix over your mobile data connection. There are a few options to pick from. The default is Automatic, which is around 600Kb/s, or three hours of streaming per gigabyte of data used. If you don't like this setting, you can go with Low (that's 4 hours per GB), Medium (2 hours per GB),...

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GSMArena HTC 10 giveaway: the lucky winner has been drawn!
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/spigen-s7-giveaway/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The winner is: Kevin N. A HTC 10 just found its new owner! The flagship is heading off to California where Kevin N. is eagerly awaiting his gift, courtesy of Spigen. We'd like to thank the 3,500+ users who took part in the giveaway with over 24,000 entries. We wish them better luck next time. Those that didn't win can still take advantage of the promo codes that the Giveaway sponsor Spigen so kindly provided. HTC 10 Cases & Codes Thin Fit Case / Gunmetal @ $5.99 / Code: INX9LDAZ / Link: HERE Rugged Armor Case / Black @ $5.99 / Code: 9QOVDNXY / Link: HERE Ultra...

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Sony Xperia X Performance might actually make it to the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-performance-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far Sony's official stance has been that the Xperia X Performance will not be sold in the UK or Germany. Ever. The company hasn't explained this baffling move in any reasonable manner, but the reason for the decision may not matter after all. That's because it turns out that you might actually be able to purchase an Xperia X Performance from the UK after it launches in July. And we're not talking about grey market imports here, no. You could in fact be able to grab an Xperia X Performance that has made it to the UK through the official channels. This information comes from a Sony...

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Gear Fit 2 and Gear IconX images have been spotted on Samsung's website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-gear-fit-2-iconx-pics/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month a leak showed us the upcoming Samsung Gear Fit 2 fitness tracker, and also the Gear IconX fully wireless headphones that are probably going to get announced alongside the new Fit. And now it looks like someone was able to spot official images of the two devices on Samsung's own SHealth website. Unfortunately no details about the Gear Fit 2 or the Gear IconX were published with the pictures, but at least we can now be sure what these products will look like. The Gear Fit 2 (seen above) comes with a new textured strap and looks a tiny bit more like a smartwatch than its...

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Galaxy C5 leaks in pictures for first time, shows off metal body
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-image-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember the Samsung SM-C5000 (allegedly the Galaxy C5), which has got its specs leaked at-least a couple of times so far? Well, the device has now leaked in live photos, making it the first image leak of the handset. The leaked images clearly show a metallic body, something which is in line with some of the rumors we've heard so far. To recap, the Galaxy C5 is going to be powered by a Snapdragon 617 SoC with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 405 GPU, and sport a 5.2-inch display. RAM will be set at 4GB, and the device will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. Aside...

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Update brings new 'Discover' view on Onedrive for Android and Web
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/onedrive-discover-view/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has updated the OneDrive for Android and Web with a new 'Discover' view. According to the company, the new feature lets content find you, instead of you looking for it. Basically, the Discover view suggests stuff that's relevant to you, and it does that based on the knowledge of the work you are doing and the people with whom you engage. "We're introducing a Discover view, which uses the Office Graph to suggest relevant and trending files from Office 365 (similar to Delve)," the Redmond, Washington-based company said in a blog post. The feature, as we've already told...

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Xiaomi Mi Max receives TENAA certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Just five days before the official announcement, the Xiaomi Mi Max gets the certification green light from TENAA. Alongside it, we also get to see the phone in clear new photos from the front and back. The certification information confirms the specifications we already knew from previous leaks. The phone packs a large 6.4" IPS LCD of 1080p resolution. The phone will be available in two variants - 2GB RAM / 16GB of storage and 3GB RAM / 32GB storage. Both versions have a Snapdragon 650 chipset with a hexacore CPU and Adreno 510 GPU. At the back, there's a fingerprint sensor, a...

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GSMArena

07-05-16, 21:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nvidia-gtx-1080/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg NVIDIA has taken the wraps off its next generation flagship graphics cards, the GTX 1080 and the cheaper GTX 1070.The main attraction here is that both the cards are based on NVIDIA's new Pascal architecture and manufactured using 16nm FinFET process, which makes it more efficient, 3x compared to the previous Maxwell architecture, and also smaller, while packing in 7.2 billion transistors.The GTX 1080 comes with 2560 CUDA cores, up from 2048 on the 980. It is clocked at 1607MHz, with a boost clock of 1733MHz. The card is also overclockable with the new GPU Boost 3.0.One of...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 retained its lead as the most popular phone in our database for a second week in a row. The Chinese phablet is clearly on the short list of a lot of people currently, which helped it keep above the Galaxy J7 once more. The Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J3 (2016) have traded places, but are still here to make it 3 Galaxy J phone in the top 4 of the chart. The fastest climber is Lenovo K4 Note, which has moved from 8th to 6th place and has managed to split the Galaxy S7 duo. The best spec'd Galaxy J member - the J7(2016) has slipped a position to 8th, while the...

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Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) can now be purchased from AT&T too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-j3-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Verizon started selling the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016). And today Big Red's largest competitor has done the exact same thing, right on the schedule it announced back in April.The phone manages to be $1.99 more expensive if bought from AT&T than if you'd grab one from Verizon, when comparing its full retail price at both carriers. That's $169.99 if you choose AT&T, and $168 at Big Red. However, Verizon is offering it with a prepaid plan for just $109.99, while AT&T is giving you the device installment plan option to use alongside a service agreement.If you go this route,...

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Asus will announce the ZenFone 3 series on May 30
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zenfone-3-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's a well known fact that Asus loves announcing new devices during Computex, the expo held each summer in Taipei, Taiwan. And this year will be no different. In fact, we should expect a barrage of Zen-branded products from the Taiwanese company to be showcased at this year's show, which takes place from May 31 to June 4.But before that, on May 30, Asus will hold a big event during which it's going to make its newest devices official. This has been made clear by a big countdown timer that's already very visible on Asus' official website.Asus is expected to make the ZenFone 3...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 is now available at Cricket for $129.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lumia-650-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Cricket has finally started selling the Microsoft Lumia 650. This is an affordable smartphone that was announced back in mid-February, which is also when we first found out that it would be heading to AT&T's prepaid brand.Then last month the release date was unveiled by the carrier as being May 6. And here we are. You can now jump over to Cricket's website and purchase the Lumia 650 for $129.99. This being a prepaid brand, that obviously means you don't need to sign a long-term contract when buying the phone.The Microsoft Lumia 650 comes with a 5-inch 720p OLED touchscreen, an 8...

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If you're a student you pay 50% less for Apple Music for up to four years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-music-student-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ahead of its much talked about redesign coming this fall alongside the iOS 10 release, Apple Music has today received a new special pricing tier. The service is now offering half off its monthly subscription rate, but only if you are a student.In the US, this works out to $4.99 per month if you qualify, instead of the usual $9.99 charged by Apple. But the new rate isn't only available in the States, it's also out in other countries, including the UK, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. While the normal tier's pricing may differ between territories, no matter where you...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 active gets shown in leaked images on its way to AT&T
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/s7-active-att-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in March a few leaks and rumors spoke about Samsung prepping a Galaxy S7 active smartphone, which was supposedly on its way to AT&T. That made sense, since that particular carrier has offered both of Samsung's "Active" versions of its flagships in the past - we're talking about the S6 active and the S5 Active.And today from Vietnam come some leaked images that confirm that hypothesis once more. The Galaxy S7 active is shown in the shots you can see below, as made obvious from the branding on its back. Also there is AT&T's logo sitting below the camera, so it's clear that there will...

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Vivo V3Max review: Simplified Chinese
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/vivo-v3max/-347x151/thumb3.jpg Vivo enjoyed a good run with the X-series in 2015 and even snatched the world's slimmest phone title with the local Chinese version of the X5Max. In 2016, the company is obviously trying to carry that momentum into the midrange with the V-series.

More... (http://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_v3max-review-1436.php)

Huawei P9 teardown by iFixit yields 7 out of 10 repairability score
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-p9-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The teardown experts at iFixit are at it again. The handset that's gone through the procedure this time is the Huawei P9. The Chinese company's latest flagship manages to bag a 7 out of 10 repairability score in the end, which is identical to the result of the iPhone 6s. On the other hand, keep in mind that Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have only managed to score a measly 3 out of 10.So the P9 is obviously more easily repairable than what Huawei clearly thinks its main competitor is (the S7). This has been achieved by using modular components with spring contacts, "thoughtful cabling",...

More... (http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p9_teardown_by_ifixit_yields_7_out_of_10_repairability_score-news-18121.php)

Galaxy Note 6 'Lite' rumored with SD820 SoC, 1080p display, and 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-6-usb-type-c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a couple of weeks ago, there were reports that Samsung is testing two Galaxy Note 6 versions - one with flat screen, and the other with curved edges.While there's no word on which of the two will see the light of the day (or if both will be launched), a new rumor is claiming that a scaled-down variant is in the works as well.Thankfully, the rumor also reveals some of the specs of this new variant: SD820 chipset, 1080p display resolution (size remains 5.8-inch), and 4GB RAM.It's funny that with this kind of specs, we're calling it a scaled-down or 'Lite' version, but the fact...

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New Samsung Gear Fit 2 renders leak showing three color versions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-fit-2-new-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this point it's pretty much a given that Samsung will launch the Gear Fit 2 in the coming weeks or months. The fitness tracker that's going to be the successor to the original Gear Fit from 2014 has first been leaked last month, followed yesterday by an image of it spotted hanging out on an official Samsung website.And today prolific leaker Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks) has released some new renders of the upcoming device. These show three color versions for the Fit 2, though it's unclear whether they are going to be all of the hues of the tracker, or if it will be offered in...

More... (http://www.gsmarena.com/new_samsung_gear_fit_2_renders_leak_showing_three_color_versions-news-18119.php)

LG's G5 and V10 phones receive NIAP certification for enterprise and military use
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-v10-cert/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has announced that its G5 and V10 phones are now certified by the U.S. National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP). This means that both devices have been deemed fit for use in security-focused environments like enterprise and military."With the growing importance of higher security in business these days, we believe a firm security platform is a must for mobile workplace devices," said Chris Yie, vice president and head of marketing communications for LG Mobile Communications Company. "This certification is confirmation that LG smartphones are among the most secure mobile...

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Coolpad Note 3 Plus launched in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/coolpad-note-3-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg CoolPad has launched the new Note 3 Plus in India. Well, "new" seems a bit of a stretch, since it is essentially the same Coolpad Note 3 but now with a FullHD display.The rest of the phone is identical, with the similarly sized 5.5-inch display, MediaTek MT6753 SoC, 3GB RAM, 16GB storage, 13 megapixel rear camera, fingerprint sensor, and a 3000mAh battery.The Coolpad Note 3 Plus will be available exclusively on Amazon for INR 8999 ($135). The phone will be available in champagne white and gold.Source

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Those who pre-ordered HTC 10 will also get "small token of appreciation"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pre-ordered the HTC 10? You'll be glad to know that shipments have already begun. However, there's one more good news: your HTC 10 unit will be shortly followed by a "small token of appreciation" from the Taiwanese company.Only those who placed their pre-orders on HTC's official website are eligible for the surprise. Sadly, at the moment, HTC isn't revealing what the gift would be, although the wait isn't long as the company says the package will be delivered in the next couple of weeks.So, are we looking at those High-Res headphones that HTC has already confirmed aren't coming to...

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Google executive: Android One still drawing interest; more devices coming
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-android-one/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google launched the Android One program back in 2014 with an aim to bring smartphones to the masses. It's 2016 now, and to say the least, the initiative has not been the kind of success the company would have hoped for.However, that doesn't mean Google is giving up on its Android One efforts. According to Mike Hayes, Director, Business Development, Android & Chrome Partnerships, the initiative is still drawing interest from several OEMs around the world.He also said that the company is taking a broader view of its hardware business, with Android One becoming a part of it. "So you...

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Verizon releases the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016), yours for $109.99 sans contract
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-j3-2016-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Verizon has started selling a new Samsung smartphone. We're talking about the Galaxy J3 (2016), a device that should also reach AT&T tomorrow, and has been out at Sprint's prepaid brands since January.Big Red has managed to be faster than its main competitor, however. It's offering the phone for fans of prepaid plans, so there's no long-term contract to sign when you buy the J3.It's priced at $109.99, which isn't bad considering its specs. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a 5-inch 720p Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, a 2 MP selfie shooter, the...

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HTC launches the One M9 Prime Camera Edition in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-one-m9-prime-camera-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sure, it has a new flagship smartphone on the way in the 10, but HTC has now decided to launch a new version of last year's top of the line offering. It's called HTC One M9 Prime Camera Edition, and so far it's only surfaced in Poland, where it became official today. This model borrows the looks of the One M9 from 2015, but changes a few of its specs.For example, the rear camera is now a 13 MP f/2.0 unit, with optical image stabilization. Furthermore, the chipset used is MediaTek's Helio X10, which has a 2.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU. Finally, the RAM and storage amounts have been cut...

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HTC 10 isn't doing very well in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-10-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg On April 25, HTC started taking pre-reservations for the 10 smartphone in China. And today a new report out of that country claims the company's new handset hasn't been doing well at all.In the first eleven days of the pre-reservation campaign, two of the biggest online commerce platforms in China (JD and TMall) have only managed to achieve a combined total of 251 bookings for the device. That's not a typo and not meant to be 251,000 or anything like that, mind you - just 251.The pre-reservations will be open until May 8, yet at this point it definitely feels impossible for HTC's...

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Netflix intros cellular data usage controls for its Android and iOS apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/netflix-data-usage/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Netflix's apps for both Android and iOS have already received updates that bring with them a new and very useful feature. There's a new option to be found in the App Settings section, namely Cellular Data Usage.This basically lets you change the bitrate of your video streams for when you're watching Netflix over your mobile data connection. There are a few options to pick from. The default is Automatic, which is around 600Kb/s, or three hours of streaming per gigabyte of data used.If you don't like this setting, you can go with Low (that's 4 hours per GB), Medium (2 hours per GB),...

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GSMArena

08-05-16, 21:50

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-buy-yes-no/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC desperately needs its new flagship to work if it's to overcome its financial difficulties and according to your feedback the 10 might be just what the doctor ordered. After the review went live 68% of you said they'd be willing to get the HTC 10, which bodes well for its market prospects.The approval rating has dropped a bit since the announcement - back when it launched 84% of you said that the HTC 10 is a hot piece of hardware. Still a two-out-of-three approval rating is excellent and certainly better than what most other flagships get in these polls.Hopefully, HTC will...

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Week 18 in review: HTC Desire 830 debuts, OnePlus 3 specs detailed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It certainly wasn't the most eventful of weeks, but we still saw an announcement from a major manufacturer and a bunch of interesting rumors. A few nicely made promo videos also made it to the list of our most popular articles. Understandably, the HTC Desire 830 announcement captured the spotlight - the new mid-range leader of the Taiwanese company was the only actual hardware we got this week. Meanwhile the Sony Xperia X Performance got its EU launch detailed with pricing and July launch confirmed. The OnePlus 3 specs got detailed, while a glimmer of hope appeared that the next...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 retained its lead as the most popular phone in our database for a second week in a row. The Chinese phablet is clearly on the short list of a lot of people currently, which helped it keep above the Galaxy J7 once more. The Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J3 (2016) have traded places, but are still here to make it 3 Galaxy J phone in the top 4 of the chart. The fastest climber is Lenovo K4 Note, which has moved from 8th to 6th place and has managed to split the Galaxy S7 duo. The best spec'd Galaxy J member - the J7(2016) has slipped a position to 8th, while the...

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Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) can now be purchased from AT&T too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-j3-att/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Verizon started selling the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016). And today Big Red's largest competitor has done the exact same thing, right on the schedule it announced back in April.The phone manages to be $1.99 more expensive if bought from AT&T than if you'd grab one from Verizon, when comparing its full retail price at both carriers. That's $169.99 if you choose AT&T, and $168 at Big Red. However, Verizon is offering it with a prepaid plan for just $109.99, while AT&T is giving you the device installment plan option to use alongside a service agreement.If you go this route,...

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Asus will announce the ZenFone 3 series on May 30
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zenfone-3-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's a well known fact that Asus loves announcing new devices during Computex, the expo held each summer in Taipei, Taiwan. And this year will be no different. In fact, we should expect a barrage of Zen-branded products from the Taiwanese company to be showcased at this year's show, which takes place from May 31 to June 4.But before that, on May 30, Asus will hold a big event during which it's going to make its newest devices official. This has been made clear by a big countdown timer that's already very visible on Asus' official website.Asus is expected to make the ZenFone 3...

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Microsoft Lumia 650 is now available at Cricket for $129.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lumia-650-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Cricket has finally started selling the Microsoft Lumia 650. This is an affordable smartphone that was announced back in mid-February, which is also when we first found out that it would be heading to AT&T's prepaid brand.Then last month the release date was unveiled by the carrier as being May 6. And here we are. You can now jump over to Cricket's website and purchase the Lumia 650 for $129.99. This being a prepaid brand, that obviously means you don't need to sign a long-term contract when buying the phone.The Microsoft Lumia 650 comes with a 5-inch 720p OLED touchscreen, an 8...

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If you're a student you pay 50% less for Apple Music for up to four years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-music-student-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ahead of its much talked about redesign coming this fall alongside the iOS 10 release, Apple Music has today received a new special pricing tier. The service is now offering half off its monthly subscription rate, but only if you are a student.In the US, this works out to $4.99 per month if you qualify, instead of the usual $9.99 charged by Apple. But the new rate isn't only available in the States, it's also out in other countries, including the UK, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. While the normal tier's pricing may differ between territories, no matter where you...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 active gets shown in leaked images on its way to AT&T
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/s7-active-att-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in March a few leaks and rumors spoke about Samsung prepping a Galaxy S7 active smartphone, which was supposedly on its way to AT&T. That made sense, since that particular carrier has offered both of Samsung's "Active" versions of its flagships in the past - we're talking about the S6 active and the S5 Active.And today from Vietnam come some leaked images that confirm that hypothesis once more. The Galaxy S7 active is shown in the shots you can see below, as made obvious from the branding on its back. Also there is AT&T's logo sitting below the camera, so it's clear that there will...

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Vivo V3Max review: Simplified Chinese
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/vivo-v3max/-347x151/thumb3.jpg Vivo enjoyed a good run with the X-series in 2015 and even snatched the world's slimmest phone title with the local Chinese version of the X5Max. In 2016, the company is obviously trying to carry that momentum into the midrange with the V-series.

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Huawei P9 teardown by iFixit yields 7 out of 10 repairability score
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-p9-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The teardown experts at iFixit are at it again. The handset that's gone through the procedure this time is the Huawei P9. The Chinese company's latest flagship manages to bag a 7 out of 10 repairability score in the end, which is identical to the result of the iPhone 6s. On the other hand, keep in mind that Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge have only managed to score a measly 3 out of 10.So the P9 is obviously more easily repairable than what Huawei clearly thinks its main competitor is (the S7). This has been achieved by using modular components with spring contacts, "thoughtful cabling",...

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Galaxy Note 6 'Lite' rumored with SD820 SoC, 1080p display, and 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-6-usb-type-c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a couple of weeks ago, there were reports that Samsung is testing two Galaxy Note 6 versions - one with flat screen, and the other with curved edges.While there's no word on which of the two will see the light of the day (or if both will be launched), a new rumor is claiming that a scaled-down variant is in the works as well.Thankfully, the rumor also reveals some of the specs of this new variant: SD820 chipset, 1080p display resolution (size remains 5.8-inch), and 4GB RAM.It's funny that with this kind of specs, we're calling it a scaled-down or 'Lite' version, but the fact...

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New Samsung Gear Fit 2 renders leak showing three color versions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-fit-2-new-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At this point it's pretty much a given that Samsung will launch the Gear Fit 2 in the coming weeks or months. The fitness tracker that's going to be the successor to the original Gear Fit from 2014 has first been leaked last month, followed yesterday by an image of it spotted hanging out on an official Samsung website.And today prolific leaker Evan Blass (also known as @evleaks) has released some new renders of the upcoming device. These show three color versions for the Fit 2, though it's unclear whether they are going to be all of the hues of the tracker, or if it will be offered in...

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LG's G5 and V10 phones receive NIAP certification for enterprise and military use
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-v10-cert/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has announced that its G5 and V10 phones are now certified by the U.S. National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP). This means that both devices have been deemed fit for use in security-focused environments like enterprise and military."With the growing importance of higher security in business these days, we believe a firm security platform is a must for mobile workplace devices," said Chris Yie, vice president and head of marketing communications for LG Mobile Communications Company. "This certification is confirmation that LG smartphones are among the most secure mobile...

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Coolpad Note 3 Plus launched in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/coolpad-note-3-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg CoolPad has launched the new Note 3 Plus in India. Well, "new" seems a bit of a stretch, since it is essentially the same Coolpad Note 3 but now with a FullHD display.The rest of the phone is identical, with the similarly sized 5.5-inch display, MediaTek MT6753 SoC, 3GB RAM, 16GB storage, 13 megapixel rear camera, fingerprint sensor, and a 3000mAh battery.The Coolpad Note 3 Plus will be available exclusively on Amazon for INR 8999 ($135). The phone will be available in champagne white and gold.Source

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Those who pre-ordered HTC 10 will also get "small token of appreciation"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-uk-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pre-ordered the HTC 10? You'll be glad to know that shipments have already begun. However, there's one more good news: your HTC 10 unit will be shortly followed by a "small token of appreciation" from the Taiwanese company.Only those who placed their pre-orders on HTC's official website are eligible for the surprise. Sadly, at the moment, HTC isn't revealing what the gift would be, although the wait isn't long as the company says the package will be delivered in the next couple of weeks.So, are we looking at those High-Res headphones that HTC has already confirmed aren't coming to...

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Google executive: Android One still drawing interest; more devices coming
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-android-one/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google launched the Android One program back in 2014 with an aim to bring smartphones to the masses. It's 2016 now, and to say the least, the initiative has not been the kind of success the company would have hoped for.However, that doesn't mean Google is giving up on its Android One efforts. According to Mike Hayes, Director, Business Development, Android & Chrome Partnerships, the initiative is still drawing interest from several OEMs around the world.He also said that the company is taking a broader view of its hardware business, with Android One becoming a part of it. "So you...

More... (http://www.gsmarena.com/android_one_still_drawing_interest_says_google_executive-news-18113.php)

Verizon releases the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016), yours for $109.99 sans contract
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-j3-2016-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Verizon has started selling a new Samsung smartphone. We're talking about the Galaxy J3 (2016), a device that should also reach AT&T tomorrow, and has been out at Sprint's prepaid brands since January.Big Red has managed to be faster than its main competitor, however. It's offering the phone for fans of prepaid plans, so there's no long-term contract to sign when you buy the J3.It's priced at $109.99, which isn't bad considering its specs. The Galaxy J3 (2016) has a 5-inch 720p Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, a 2 MP selfie shooter, the...

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HTC launches the One M9 Prime Camera Edition in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-one-m9-prime-camera-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sure, it has a new flagship smartphone on the way in the 10, but HTC has now decided to launch a new version of last year's top of the line offering. It's called HTC One M9 Prime Camera Edition, and so far it's only surfaced in Poland, where it became official today. This model borrows the looks of the One M9 from 2015, but changes a few of its specs.For example, the rear camera is now a 13 MP f/2.0 unit, with optical image stabilization. Furthermore, the chipset used is MediaTek's Helio X10, which has a 2.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU. Finally, the RAM and storage amounts have been cut...

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GSMArena

09-05-16, 22:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/opera-ios-vpn/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month Opera integrated a VPN straight into the developer channel of its desktop browser. And today the company is releasing a similar tool for iOS.In fact, Opera has launched a new app for iPhones and iPads, which will bring you a free and unlimited VPN. You can choose between five virtual locations: the US, Canada, Germany, Singapore, and the Netherlands for your stealth browsing needs.The app is already available in the iTunes App Store in "select markets". The VPN service is powered by SurfEasy, a VPN company that Opera acquired last year. SurfEasy has had an iOS VPN app...

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Specs leak for the two Moto X models coming this year with modular backplates
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-x-details/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in December an image leaked that was purported to be of the next-gen Moto X. It didn't look very credible, being outed so far in advance of the phone's unveiling, but a subsequent leak from just a few hours ago has confirmed the design of the next Moto flagship, which will come with a full metal jacket.Now though a new report comes to shed some light on the specs. First off, though, consider this - the phones depicted in the renders you can see below aren't the same handset in two different color versions. In fact, they're two different smartphones. And both will carry Moto X...

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Pebble smartwatches receive price cuts in Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/pebble-time-round/-184x111/main.jpg Pebble's smartwatch line-up has received price cuts in Canada where retailer Best Buy is currently selling the company's Classic, Time, and Round watches at discounted rates.The Pebble Time is listed for $149.99 on the retailer's website, down $50 from the price tag it usually carries there. The Pebble Time Steel is also down $50 on Best Buy - now available for $249.99.Moving on, the Round has received the biggest price cut - it's going for $179.99 on Best Buy, down $100. And finally, the Classic is now available for $79.99 from the retailer, down $40 from the tag it usually carries...

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Yu teases a new flagship
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/yu-new-flagship/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a month after launching the Yureka Note, Micromax subsidiary Yu Televentures has confirmed that it will launch a new flagship smartphone this month. The confirmation came in the form of the following teaser image.However, no information was revealed about the device being teased. It's worth mentioning that Yu CEO Rahul Sharma already revealed the launch time frame for the device last week. In a post on the company's official forums, he had said:"Excited to tell you all that our next device is round the corner and its nothing short of Incredible. It's insanely beautiful...

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Alleged OnePlus 3 shows up in live images
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-live-images/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus isn't strictly following a one-year update cycle for its top-end smartphones, the One was announced in April 2014, and the 2 went official in July 2015. So whenever the OnePlus 3 arrives, it'll be on time, but rumors point to the end of this month.Anyway, an alleged working unit of the OnePlus 3 has surfaced in the hands of a user, who shared the experience on Weibo. The rear appears to be the typical sandstone affair, though perhaps with a touch finer texture, or at least that's what the low-res spy shot suggests.What's not at all in line with previous models is the camera...

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HTC Q1 results are in: drastic revenue fall of 64%
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/htc-onem10-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC posted audited financial results for Q1 2016 today confirming the massive 64% drop in revenue year-over-year. Revenue for the period starting January 1 until March 31 was a catastrophic $463 million (NT$14.8 billion) compared to Q1 2015's $1.3 billion (NT$41.52 billion).Operating loss for the quarter stands at $150 million (NT$4.8 billion) compared to a profit of $11.6 million (NT$360 million) for the same period last year.HTC was late to the 2016 flagship rumble by a few months and, as a result, the HTC 10 sales aren't included in the earnings report. Revenue from the Vive...

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Apple iPhone 7 measurements the same as the 6s
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-dimensions/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iPhone SE launched some debate over phone size, but the Apple iPhone 7 will be exempt from it - measurements from a schematic show the new model will match the size of the 4.7" iPhone 6s down to a tenth of a millimeter.On the diagram, the 7 measures 138.30 x 67.12mm. The thickness is not given, but the 6s is 7.1mm - Apple's thinnest phone yet, but not its thinnest device (the iPod Touch is 6.1mm).The 3.5mm audio jack appears to be safe, but that was never an issue for thickness (as the iPod shows). For the sake of the battery, we'd be okay if Apple kept the 7.1mm thickness of...

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Samsung Galaxy C5 photos leak yet again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-more-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg All-metal phones are in vogue and Samsung seems to be working to meet demand. The Samsung Galaxy C5 leaked yet again, giving us a frontal and an over the shoulder views of the new chassis.Unfortunately for metal fans worldwide, the C5 will probably launch in China first and there's no talk of when it might expand to other markets.Samsung Galaxy C5 (leaked photos)The Galaxy C5 specs start off promising with a 5.2" 1080p screen (LCD or AMOLED is unknown), 4GB of RAM and Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but the Snapdragon 617 chipset puts it in Galaxy A5 (2016) territory rather than an...

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Samsung launches Galaxy J5 and J7 2016 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/j5-j7-india/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Samsung has launched the 2016 edition of the Galaxy J5 and J7 in India.The Galaxy J5 2016 has a 5.2-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD support, 13 megapixel rear/5 megapixel front camera with f1.9 aperture and LED flash on both sides, dual SIM support, 3100mAh battery, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.The Galaxy J7 2016 has a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7870 chipset, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD support, 13 megapixel rear/5 megapixel front camera with f1.9 aperture and LED flash on both...

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Verizon's Droid Maxx 2 starts receiving Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/droid-maxx-2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Droid Maxx 2, which Verizon and Motorola unveiled back in October last year along with the Droid Turbo 2, has started receiving the Marshmallow update.The update comes in two parts, with the first one bringing software version 24.64.3, while the second one bumping the version to 24.64.4.As expected, the update brings along all the usual Marshmallow goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions - head to the Source link below for the complete list.The roll-out began over the weekend, so there are chances that it may take some time before the...

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Next-gen DROID and Moto X images leak
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-x-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg A trio of images featuring two of Motorola's upcoming devices were leaked on Google+ by user hellomotoHK. One of them is the next DROID for the US carrier Verizon, and the other the next generation Moto X.Starting with the DROID, the first thing that you notice is the back with the striped pattern. It seems for once Motorola and Verizon will offer some sort of customizable back plate instead of the same old boring black designs that DROID devices have always had. The back also has a raised camera, with a design similar to the Moto 360, where the bottom bit is cut off from the rest...

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Android 6.0-based CyanogenMod 13 nightlies now available for Galaxy Note II and Note 10.1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/cm-13-nexus10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Alternative Android OS developer Cyanogen has released the CyanogenMod 13 nightlies for the Samsung Galaxy Note II and the Galaxy Note 10.1. The builds brings Android 6.0 Marshmallow to these four-year-old devices.An important thing worth mentioning here is that the CM-13 builds are only available for the Verizon version of the Galaxy Note 10.1, and the GSM-LTE, Sprint, as well as Verizon variants of the Galaxy Note II.While most of you might already know, it's still worth stressing that nightlies aren't usually stable - you may encounter bugs. Also, installing them can not only...

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Upcoming Honor V8 shows its dual camera setup in leaked live images
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor-v8-leaked-images/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei's upcoming Honor V8 smartphone - which has already been certified by Chinese telecommunication authority TENAA, and is set for a May 10 unveiling - has now leaked in a couple of live images.The first image (shown below) focuses on the device's dual rear-camera setup.The second image, on the other hand, gives a complete view of the device's back.The device's dual rear camera is also said to support dynamic 360-degree photos. Here's a sample:As for the specs, the handset's TENAA listing revealed two Honor V8 variants, differing in processor, display, and...

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Rumor says Surface Book 2 with 4K display and USB-C port coming next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/surfacebook-preorders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new rumor, the successor to the last year's Microsoft Surface Book will be launched in June. Incidentally, it is the same month in which Apple could also announce the MacBook Pro 2016.Microsoft Surface BookAs for specs, the Surface Book 2 is said to sport a 4K display, up from the 3000x2000 pixel resolution its predecessor features. In addition, the device will also feature a USB-C port.The new Surface Book is also rumored to come with Intel's next-gen 'Kaby Lake' line of processors, although some reports say that the chipset line-up won't hit the market until...

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New Zauba listing reveals 5.5-inch screen for Samsung Galaxy A4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-c-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Samsung SM-A430U - which is alleged to be the Galaxy A4, and was first spotted on India's import/export tracking website Zauba last week - will have a 5.5-inch screen. This was revealed by a new listing on the website.Sadly, nothing else was revealed by this new listing, except of course the price tag. However, as you might already know, the pricing information revealed by Zauba listings aren't usually correct, although it may give a broader idea about the segment in which the device in question falls.Source | Via

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/best-apps-games-52/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week.QuikQuik is a video editing app by GoPro. The app lets you combine photos and video clips, add transitions, effects, filters, and text and create videos out of them. Quik does not require a GoPro and can work with any photos and videos on your phone.iOS Â• AndroidAnnotableAnnotable is an excellent annotation app for iOS that should fill the gap left by the demise of Skitch. Annotable does everything Skitch did, and in almost the same way, and also a few things extra. This includes the...

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Week 18 in review: HTC Desire 830 debuts, OnePlus 3 specs detailed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It certainly wasn't the most eventful of weeks, but we still saw an announcement from a major manufacturer and a bunch of interesting rumors. A few nicely made promo videos also made it to the list of our most popular articles. Understandably, the HTC Desire 830 announcement captured the spotlight - the new mid-range leader of the Taiwanese company was the only actual hardware we got this week. Meanwhile the Sony Xperia X Performance got its EU launch detailed with pricing and July launch confirmed. The OnePlus 3 specs got detailed, while a glimmer of hope appeared that the next...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 retained its lead as the most popular phone in our database for a second week in a row. The Chinese phablet is clearly on the short list of a lot of people currently, which helped it keep above the Galaxy J7 once more. The Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J3 (2016) have traded places, but are still here to make it 3 Galaxy J phone in the top 4 of the chart. The fastest climber is Lenovo K4 Note, which has moved from 8th to 6th place and has managed to split the Galaxy S7 duo. The best spec'd Galaxy J member - the J7(2016) has slipped a position to 8th, while the...

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GSMArena

10-05-16, 22:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/jeff-koons-nexus-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month Google launched live cases for the Nexus 5X and 6P, letting you custom design them to better fit your personality and tastes. And today the search giant is back with a limited edition run of live cases designed by world-renowned artist Jeff Koons.Three models are up for grabs, all of them portrayed below on a Nexus 6P. They feature sculptures inspired by Koons' Gazing Ball series, and each case is individually numbered.As with all live cases, you will also get a live wallpaper to match. For the Jeff Koons cases, we're talking about his first ever live-action video...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) gets fully revealed in leaked renders, specs outed too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/tab-a-101/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is getting ready to add a new member to its Galaxy Tab A family of slates in the near future. It will be called Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016), and unsurprisingly you'll see it sporting a 10.1-inch touchscreen.The Wi-Fi-only iteration of this device will bear the model number SM-T580, while the LTE-capable unit will be the SM-T585. In fact, we've seen the T585 in a benchmark back in March, which is how a few of its specs got made public. Now a new leak brings us official renders for the tablet, as well as a full picture of its innards.The Tab A 10.1 will have 1,920x1,200...

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Honor V8 launched: dual 12MP cameras, 5.7" display, Kirin 950 SoC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor-v8-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Huawei just pulled the wraps off the Honor V8 flagship at a launch event in China. The smartphone brings some Huawei goodness to the Honor sub brand, namely the top-end Kirin 950 chipset and the dual-camera setup on the back (though no Leica branding here).The Honor V8 sports a 5.7-inch display and you get to choose between FullHD and QHD resolution - Huawei finally caved in, after long refusing to go beyond 1080p. Both variants use IPS panels and have a 2.5D glass on top.The Kirin 950 chip we already mentioned comes with an octa-core CPU (4xCortex-A72 + 4xCortex-A53 clusters)....

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Samsung unveils 256GB microSD card, shipping in June for $249.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-256gb-microsd/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A year and a bit after SanDisk unveiled its 200GB behemoth of a microSD card, Samsung has managed to best that. The Korean company today has announced a 256GB microSD card, which is UHS-I, Class 10 (U3) compatible.The card uses "advanced V-NAND technology" to achieve a maximum read speed of 95MB/s and a write speed of up to 90MB/s. That's pretty much in the same ballpark as SanDisk's aforementioned 200GB model - but you do get more storage space, obviously.Samsung's product can store up to 12 hours of 4K video recordings, up to 33 hours of 1080p video, or 46 hours of 720p footage,...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 Active shows up on GFXBench, now with 5.5" display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s7-active-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, which first emerged in late March and was allegedly pictured in the wild recently, gets another confirmation of its existence. This latest round of intel comes from the GFXBench database and features detailed specs, though they do need to be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.For one, this alleged Galaxy S7 Active is listed with a 5.5-inch display, and initial import listings in India clearly stated 5.1 inches. The live images also depicted a device with a flat front, and we all know how this year's Samsung flagship with a 5.5-inch display is the...

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Samsung launches new 'Asiana' variant of Galaxy S7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s7-asiana/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has launched a new variant of its Galaxy S7 flagship in South Korea. Dubbed Galaxy S7 Asiana, the device is aimed at customers of the Asian country's second largest airline company Asiana Airlines.So, what's new in the S7 Asiana? Well, it's exactly same as the standard S7 in terms of specs. However, there are some changes on the software side. For example, it's a Knox-customized version that's tweaked for better in-flight usage.In addition, the device features an Asiana Airlines-themed booting screen, as well as comes pre-loaded with an app that makes it easy for you to...

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Marshmallow starts hitting Galaxy S5 Plus as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s5-plus-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With the Galaxy S5 smartphone receiving the Marshmallow update in several regions around the world, Samsung - it seems - has now shifted its attention to the Plus variant, as the update is now available for units (SM-G901F) in Germany.Launched back in 2014 as a Snapdragon 805-powered variant of the Galaxy S5 flagship, the S5 Plus received the Android Lollipop update back in March last year. The latest update brings Android version 6.0.1 to the device, and bumps the build number to G901FXXU1CPE1.Currently, the update is only available through Samsung Smart Switch. However, it...

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HTC Desire 628 photos and specifications leak
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/desire-628-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Leaked photos of the HTC Desire 628 have surfaced thanks to a new leakster @the_maligant. We can also take a look at the specs of the company's upcoming mid-range smartphone.The Desire 628 will feature a 5" display of 720p resolution with what appear to be BoomSound speakers surrounding it from the top and bottom. The plastic unibody is housing a MediaTek MTK6753 chipset with a 1.3GHz octa-core CPU and 3GB of RAM.The HTC Desire 628 in purple and redAt the back, there's a 13MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture and a 2,200mAh battery. The front-facing camera is 5MP and the phone...

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Lenovo launches ZUK Z1 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z1-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Lenovo has launched the ZUK Z1 in India. Although a bit old at this point, considering the phone was announced back in September last year, Lenovo has gone for aggressive pricing, which should make it less of an issue.The ZUK Z1 has a 5.5-inch 1080p LCD, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage (non-expandable), 13 megapixel rear/8 megapixel front camera, fingerprint sensor, dual SIM support, USB Type-C on USB 3.1 Gen 1 (aka USB 3.0), 4100mAh battery, and Cyanogen OS 12.1 running on top of Android Lollipop.The ZUK Z1 is priced at INR 13,499 ($202) and will be...

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MIUI8 is official with fresh look and late June availability
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/miui8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following the official unveil of the Xiaomi Mi Max, the company also showcased the latest MIUI 8.All stock apps now feature a new, colorful redesign but alongside the fresh coat of paint, there are some interesting new features.Here's a quick look at the changelog as announced at the event:Multi-window support: some apps like WeChat and QQ will support multi-window user interface to make use of the available screen.New Xiaomi font: The company has made a custom Chinese font to offer better mobile reading. It contains 27,533 characters.Wallpaper carousel: the app...

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Xiaomi unveils iHealth box, 10,000mAh battery, shows new Mi Band
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-accessories/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Xiaomi showcased three accessories alongside the Mi Max, but details are pretty scarce at the moment. The new generation Mi Band was on stage, but that's all we got.Then there's the 10,000mAh battery. It measures 12.6mm thick and has a USB Type-C (which can charge the battery or charge a phone) and a regular USB port. The battery will cost CNY 150 ($23/Â€20).The Xiaomi iHealth box will measure biometric data, display it on its 4.3" color screen and send it to your phone over Wi-Fi. I don't trust Google Translate enough to tell what kind of biometric data the iHealth tracks, but...

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Xiaomi Mi Max with 6.44" screen, Snapdragon 652 unveiled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi Mi Max is what budget-minded fans of huge screens have been waiting for. And we do mean huge - 6.44" from corner to corner. That screen is housed in a metal unibody that measures 7.5mm thick. The size, plus the massive 4,850mAh battery, push the weight to a hefty 203g.There are three versions in total. The top version has a Snapdragon 652 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 128GB storage. There's a 3GB/64GB option as well. The most affordable model uses the Snapdragon 650 instead and has 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage.Xiaomi Mi MaxThe difference in chipset is two extra Cortex-A72...

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'Made in India' iPhones could soon be reality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Rumors about Apple opening up a factory in India (in the state of Maharashtra) aren't exactly new. However, latest reports are suggesting that talks between the Cupertino-based company's biggest manufacturer Foxconn and the Indian government are in advanced stages, and "the deal is close to being signed."Reports say Foxconn is looking for a 1,200 acre plot of land in the state, and has already identified multiple locations to choose from. The total cost of the project would be around $10 billion, and the manufacturing unit - which will be exclusive to Apple products - will start...

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New OneDrive for iOS update brings instant previews through Peek and Pop support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/onedrive-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has started rolling out a new update to its OneDrive's iOS client, bumping it to version 7.1. The update brings a new Peek and Pop feature, as well as some other improvements."Have an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus? Give your folders and files an extra hard tap (not too hard) and get instant previews of the content via Peek and Pop support," the software giant explains in the change-log.In addition, the app has been updated with new UI color scheme. The change-log also mentions a 'crash on open' issue, with the company saying that it's a known bug and will be resolved soon. "In...

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Microsoft Lumia 950 currently going for £350 in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/lumia-950-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 950 has received a price cut in the UK, where it's currently available for around £350, down from its launch price of £500. Both Amazon and Debenhams Plus are currently offering the device at discounted rates.What's worth mentioning here is that the deal is only available on the black colored model irrespective of whether you are purchasing the phone from Amazon or Debenhams Plus. The same model is listed on Microsoft UK store for £399.99.If you've been tracking Lumia 950's price in the UK, you'd probably know that £350 is not the lowest the device has dropped...

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Xiaomi teases Mi Max again, says it will offer full-day battery life
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-battery-life/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has said that its upcoming Mi Max smartphone, which sports an all but official 6.4-inch FullHD display, will offer at-least 24 hours of battery life. The company also claimed that despite its large display, the device will feel comfortable in hands.Large displays should still feel comfortable to the grip, & give at least a full-day battery to get through the day! pic.twitter.com/JVEdmt6uJlÂ— Mi (@xiaomi) May 9, 2016As you might already know, the Mi Max is set to be officially announced by the company today. The phablet, which has been the subject of some leaks and rumors in...

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Verizon offering BOGO deal on LG G5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/g5-canada-price/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you are in the US, and are in the market for a couple of flagship smartphones, here's a deal for you: Verizon is currently running a buy-one-get-one promo on LG's latest G5 flagship smartphone. The promo is open to both new and existing customers.To avail the offer, head to Verizon's website, and order two G5 smartphones with monthly device payments. Thereafter, head to a dedicated website (link at the bottom) with your order confirmation details and use promo code G5-APRILPROMO to complete the redemption process.Once you're done with all this, you'll receive a Visa prepaid...

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Honor 5X lands in Canada as Huawei GR5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor5x-canada/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Over three months after launching in the US, the Honor 5X has landed in Canada, although with a different name: Huawei GR5. Local carrier Rogers has the device in stock, and is selling it for CAD 0 on a regular 2-year contract or CAD 375 outright.The Honor 5X was first announced back in January at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Aside from the US and now Canada, the device is also available in Europe, where it landed shortly after its US launch.Although the device currently runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box, it was recently announced that the handset will start...

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Periscope announces new search feature, permanently available broadcasts
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/periscope-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In April Facebook basically unveiled that it's going all-in with its new-ish live video broadcasting abilities, giving this feature its own tab in its own app even. And now about a month later, Twitter-owned Periscope is announcing a few new features of its own, ones that are meant to keep it relevant in this space following the rival social network's moves. All of these things are landing in Periscope's mobile apps "in the coming weeks".First off, Periscope broadcasts will live on forever on a user's profile. The current rule is that they go away after 24 hours, but the world has...

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Samsung Galaxy J7 and LG K10 land at T-Mobile on May 18, leak says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-j7-k10-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile is reportedly getting ready to add two more Android devices to its portfolio. These are the Samsung Galaxy J7 and the LG K10. According to a couple of leaked internal documents from the carrier, both of these will be launched on May 18, which is next Wednesday.The Galaxy J7 oddly isn't this year's model, but the one from 2015. That said, it does come with certain improvements compared to the internationally available handset. T-Mobile's version sports 2GB of RAM (up from 1.5), and it comes with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow preinstalled. The other specs aren't different from the J7...

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GSMArena

11-05-16, 22:02

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nubia-z11-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far ZTE has officially announced just one member of the Nubia Z11 family, namely the Z11 Mini (which got official in April). But it looks like the company is busy working on two additional Z11-branded phones, which should be unveiled in the near future.Both of these have recently been certified for sale in China by TENAA, that country's FCC equivalent. And like always in these cases, that means we're treated to a few pictures of each device, along with a list of their most important specs.First off we have the Nubia Z11, seen above. This sports a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a...

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Instagram changes its logo, updates the design of its apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/instagram-logo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram has announced a big update for its mobile apps today. This affects users on both Android and iOS, and the newest version of the app should have already been offered to you as an update through the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.The first thing you'll notice once you install the new iteration is that the app has a different icon. Instagram has gone through a lot of ideas until it settled on the colorful new logo you can see below.Not only the main Instagram app has received a new icon - the same treatment has been applied to Layout, Boomerang, and Hyperlapse, the...

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Android marks largest EU growth in two years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-ios-kantar/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Analysts from Kantar Worldpanel have the mobile OS market share numbers for Q1 2016 and they show the largest growth of Android in two years. Google's mobile OS grew by 7.1% points to 75.6% in the EU5 (UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain). In China, Android rose nearly 6% points to 77%, while in the US its market share is 65.5%, up by 7.3% points.Android's market share in China is going up year-over-yearLauren Guenveur, a mobile analyst for Kantar Worldpanel, says that Android's growth comes not just from one or two players, but from different brands and ecosystems, which vary...

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Moto X 2016 prototype promises Shattershield AMOLED screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-x-2016-front/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Next-gen Motos have been occupying the rumors section these past few days. The flagship of the line, the Moto X 2016, was previously seen in leaked renders, but now the front of a prototype has been caught on camera.Like the upcoming Moto G, the X will have a 5.5" display. It will reportedly resemble the Moto X Force/Droid Turbo 2 display - AMOLED, with Shattershield protection.You can also see the square fingerprint reader, a design feature it shares with the G model. Two round holes above the screen suggest a front-facing flash like on the Moto X Style. Also note the "Moto" logo,...

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Windows 10 Mobile Cumulative Update for May is out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/windows10-phone-update-may/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has released the Windows 10 Mobile Cumulative Update for May. The firmware update brings the software version to 10.0.10586.318.Here's the changelog from Microsoft.Reliability, performance and stability improvements.Fix for a problem that could result in unexpected battery drain while the phone screen is off._Improvements to the update system to prevent phones getting into a state where attempting to take an update may lead to errors 0x800f081f or 0x80070570._Fix for a problem that caused some phones to finish the initial setup wizard with an incomplete set of app...

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Samsung Galaxy C5 passes Bluetooth certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-bluetooth/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy C5 - which has been the subject of several leaks and rumors so far - has now received certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), indicating an imminent launch.Multiple image leaks have already confirmed a metallic body for the device. Rumors say that it will be powered by a Snapdragon 617 chipset, and sport a 5.2-inch 1080p display. RAM is 4GB, while OS is Android 6.0 Marshmallow.The phone expected to go official in China sometime this month. There's, however, currently no information on if and when it will be launched outside of the world's...

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ZTE CEO teases upcoming Axon 2 flagship
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/axon-2-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A teaser image of ZTE's upcoming Axon 2 flagship was shared by the Chinese company's CEO Zeng Xuezhong on Weibo. While the device's TENAA listing already revealed the front and the back of the device, the new teaser image focuses on the phone's bottom, and compares it with the bottom of the iPhone 6s and the Huawei P9.One can't help but notice the minimalistic design (sans any screws and speaker) that differentiates the Axon 2 from the other two flagship smartphones. However, it's worth mentioning that this design is not new to ZTE phones, as - for example - the Axon and Axon Elite...

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Google now provides OTA images for Nexus devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nexus-ota-images/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Serial flashers (not that kind) are already aware of Google's factory images for Nexus devices, that let you download the full ROM and flash it to your Nexus device. The downside to doing this was you needed an unlocked bootloader, and doing that would wipe your device.Enter OTA binary image files. These allow you to sideload the image to your device with adb through recovery without having to bother with the bootloader. This means you can upgrade easily without having your data wiped (although it wouldn't hurt to backup, just in case).As before, these are only available to Nexus...

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The Samsung Gear Fit 2 may launch as soon as next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-fit-2-soon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's next-gen fitness band may arrive sooner than expected - as soon as next month. The Samsung Gear Fit 2 is spearheaded by SVP Rhee In-jong, who also leads Samsung Pay.The new band will add GPS to existing formula as well as the bio-processor Samsung announced late last year. The processor goes beyond the usual heart rate tracking, it promises to measure body fat and skeletal muscle mass. It's questionable how accurate those measurements will be, but the GPS will definitely improve run and biking tracking.The Gear Fit 2 will use an updated 1.84" Super AMOLED screen that...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) is now official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-tab-a-101-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) has made the next logical step from yesterday's full reveal, and is now official. As you can imagine, the final specs are entirely the same as the ones leaked yesterday.That means a 10.1-inch display with 1,920x1,200 pixel resolution. The technology is Samsung's own PLS (Plane to Line Switching), a variation of the popular IPS panels.Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016)On the inside, an octa-core 1.6GHz processor churns, and even if it's not mentioned explicitly in the press release, it more than likely means the Exynos 7870 with 8...

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Update hitting unlocked HTC 10 units in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/spigen-s7-giveaway/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg HTC has started rolling out an update to its newly-launched 10 smartphone in the US. As per the change-log, the update brings enhancements related to camera performance and WiFi stability, as well as improvements related to system stability.The update (which is currently only hitting unlocked units of the device) might appear to be similar to the one that was rolled out early last week in Europe, but is certainly more heavier than the latter - it weighs in at around 395MB, compared to the 85MB European update.It bumps up the software version to 1.53.617.5, and also brings along...

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WhatsApp launches native Mac OS and Windows apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/whatsapp-desktop-app/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Turns out the rumors were true, as WhatsApp has now officially announced a new desktop app. "Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device," the company said in a blog post.Available for Windows (version 8 and up) and Mac OS (version 10.9 and up), the app stays synced with WhatsApp on your mobile device, allowing you to communicate with other WhatsApp users in your list while your handset remains in your pocket."Because the app runs natively on your desktop, you'll have support for native...

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Meizu m3 note lands in India for $150
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/m3note-sales-figure/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A month after it went on sale in China, the m3 note from Meizu has landed in India, making it the first country outside of China where the device has been officially made available. The handset is listed on Amazon India for INR 9,999, which translates into $150 at current exchange rates.What's worth noting, however, is that the phone is not immediately available for purchase - the listing reveals that the first flash sale is scheduled for May 31, with registrations opening later today. Also keep in mind that the Chinese company has brought the 3GB/32GB variant to India.The m3...

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Xperia X Performance to land in Japan next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-performance-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sony Xperia X Performance might be slated for a July release elsewhere, but - as it turns out - folks in the company's home country of Japan will not have to wait that long. That's because Sony Japan has confirmed that the handset is scheduled for a mid-June launch there.Au, (or au by KDDI) will be selling the handset at launch. What's worth mentioning, however, is that the model (SOV33) that will go on sale in Japan is not exactly same as the global variant - for example, the SOV33 packs in a 2,570mAh battery, compared to the 2,700mAh one offered by the global model.Source |...

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Verizon Galaxy Note5 and S6 edge+ receiving latest security patches
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/verizon-note5-s6edgeplus-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to Samsung Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ units on its network. The update brings latest Android security patches as well as some improvements and bug fixes.For the Galaxy Note 5 specifically, the update includes a fix for the false "No SIM card detected" pop-up notifications. It also improves audio routing for incoming video and voice calls for both devices."You can now answer video calls as just a voice call, and when you do, call audio is routed to the earpiece by default," the change-log says. "Video call audio will come from the...

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Google Cardboard lands on company's online stores in UK, France, Germany, and Canada
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-cardboard/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Over a couple of months after Google officially started selling the Cardboard VR viewer in the US, the company has expanded the availability of the device to a handful of more countries, including the UK, Canada, France, and Germany.As for price, the Google Cardboard carries a tag of CAD $20 in Canada, while in the UK and Germany/France, it sets you back Â£15 and Â€20, respectively. Those purchasing a couple of units will only need to shell out a total of CAD 35, Â£25 and Â€30, respectively.There's no information on if and when the Mountain View, California-based company plans to...

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Mass Marshmallow roll-out for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 N910F is now under way
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-4-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is another step closer to completing its originally promised Android Marshmallow update schedule, as Marshmallow has started hitting N910F Galaxy Note 4 units around Europe. Now that most owners of the Exynos-based N910C model as well as many carrier versions of the handset already have their Android 6.0 OTA, this new wave of updates for the popular Snapdragon 805 version of the two year old phablet is one of the final steps in the Marshmallow update cycle for older Note devices.Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Marshmallow OTAThe package in question weighs in at about 1.3GB and...

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Samsung Gear 360 pre-orders start in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-360-uk-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's Gear 360 was unveiled in February and just like its name implies it's a digital camera that can record 360-degree videos for that VR look that's so trendy these days. The device has subsequently become available in the company's home country of South Korea, and we've also seen it priced in the US and on pre-order in continental Europe.Now the Gear 360 is up for pre-order in the UK, from just one retailer at the moment. MobileFun is offering up the camera in exchange for £299.99 of your hard earned cash. Shipping is reportedly going to happen around mid-June, but a less vague...

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Huawei's Honor Band A1 is a fitness tracker with a UV sensor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor-band-a1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Honor V8 isn't the only new product that Huawei has announced today at its event in China. The smartphone is joined by the Honor Band A1, a fitness tracker with a twist.As you'd expect, it's capable of tracking your exercise time, distance walked or ran, steps taken, calories burnt, as well as the amount and quality of your sleep (this last function also works for very short naps apparently). Where the Honor Band A1 stands out from the crowd is in its embedded UV sensor, which measures the radiation levels around you and recommends you a suitable sunscreen to use.That's not...

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Alleged Moto G4 front panel reveals 5.5-inch 1080p display and fingerprint scanner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-g4-front-panel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At an event on June 9, Lenovo is probably going to unveil the 4th generation Moto G (and possibly even the 4th gen Moto X too). As we get closer to that date, we're starting to see more and more leaks about Motorola's upcoming smartphones.Case in point: today the alleged front panel assembly for the Moto G4 has been spotted on eBay, offered to whoever might be interested in purchasing it. This item, if genuine, thankfully gives us an idea of the phone's screen size and resolution.According to the writing on the connector that can be seen on the back of the screen assembly, this is...

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GSMArena

12-05-16, 22:11

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gboard/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Google just released a new keyboard for iOS. Sorry, not keyboard, but Gboard! The name comes from the deep integration with Google Search - the keyboard lets you google info, GIFs, emojis and more without leaving iMessage (or any other app that needs a keyboard). It's an interesting way around the limited multitasking on phones - you don't need to leave the current app to look up information, saving you a couple of app switches. Instead, you hit the Google icon and search... anything! Google's extensive search results can find restaurant info, flight times, news articles,...

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KGI: All iPhone 7 Plus versions to feature dual-camera setup
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-plus-dual-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg According to the latest report by Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his predictions on the upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the company's 5.5" flagship is likely to feature a dual-camera setup. Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo believed Apple would only equip the top-of-the-line iPhone 7 Plus with dual cameras. However, because of the positive customer reaction towards the LG G5 and Huawei P9 for their camera setup, Apple has changed its mind. Purported iPhone 7 schematic on the left and an iPhone 7 Plus on the right The change of plans would also mean that Apple will include 3GB of RAM in all...

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A massive 18.4" Lenovo tablet with QHD screen found in benchmark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lenovo-pb2-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Recently we've seen a few Android-powered tablets that are the size of an all-in-one PC. Lenovo seems to be working on one such tablet - the PB2-690N. That's clearly not the final name, but the "PB1" is the 6.8" Phab Plus. This could be the sequel, but it's a monster movie. According to GFX Bench, the new tablet will have an 18.4" screen with 2,560 x 1,440px resolution. That's better than Samsung's 18.4" Galaxy View (1080p) and Alcatel's 17.3" Xess (1080p screen also). The new Lenovo will be powered by the Snapdragon 652 chipset - evidenced by its octa-core design, which includes...

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Xiaomi Mi Band 2 coming early next month, CEO confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-band2-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Mi Band 2 was initially set to be unveiled during the May 10 event alongside the Mi Max and MIUI 8. However, production issues forced the company to delay the device's unveiling, with the company's CEO Lei Jun saying that the release has been pushed by a month. Now, Jun has again given an update on the fitness tracker, revealing an 'early June' unveiling for it. Although no specific date was mentioned, it'd be reasonable to assume that the wearable will be announced in the first week of June. As for Mi Band 2's capabilities, rumors say it'll provide several fitness-related...

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Asus ZenFone 3 to arrive in June and target the mid-range, says CEO
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zefone-3-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems that the Asus Zenfone 3 launch will happen a bit later than expected - company CEO Jerry Shen says the new generation will be unveiled in June. They will target the mid-range market, but the average selling price will go up compared to previous generations. Asus expects the Zenfone 3 Max to make up two-thirds of total shipments, the base Zenfone 3 and Zenfone 3 Deluxe will make up the other third. The CEO noted an important shift in chipsets - 90% of Zenfone 3s will be powered by a Qualcomm chipset and 10% by MediaTek. Asus was one of the few that used Intel chipsets, but the...

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LG Action Cam LTE shoots 4K, can also live stream
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-action-cam-lte/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg LG G5, meet your new best friend - the LG Action Cam LTE. This camera has its own LTE/3G connection so that it can livestream your adventures, complete with location tracking thanks to the built-in GPS. The camera uses a 12.3MP sensor with 1.55µm pixels (sounds a lot like the new Nexus camera). The lens is very wide - 150°, wider than the 135° of the LG G5. It can shoot 4K @ 30fps video, 1080p @ 60fps and 720p @ 120fps (note that live streaming is limited to 720p @ 30fps). The camera is IP67 rated - it can go under a meter of water for half an hour - and its 1,400mAh battery promises 4...

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ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser gets Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zenfone-2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ASUS has finally pushed out the Marshmallow update for the ZenFone 2 Laser. The cool thing about the update is that not only does it update the phone to the latest version of Android, and everything that comes with it, but it also removes a ton of bloatware that ASUS phones usually tend to come with. List of apps removed from the phone include Omlet, Data Transfer, Photo Frame, ASUS Backup, Dr. Safety, What's Next, Party Link, Remote Link, PC Link, Yahoo Shopping, EZ Ding, TripAdvisor, Zinio, iReader, Dr.Eye, Google+, Puffin Browser, Mirror, ASUS Email, ASUS Calendar, and ASUS...

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Microsoft to pull the plug on Sunrise Calendar app in August
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sunrise-shutting-down/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sunrise Calendar app, which was acquired by Microsoft last year, will be shut down on August 31. The news was delivered by the Sunrise team in a blog post. The entire team is now working on Outlook, meaning Sunrise Calendar is no longer a priority for Microsoft. "Unfortunately, as all good stories go, there's a sad bit to it: we're not able to support and update Sunrise anymore," the Sunrise team said in a blog post. "For this reason, we'll be removing Sunrise from the app stores in the next few days. On August 31, we'll officially shut down the app and it will stop working all...

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Sharp Aquos Zeta will come with Ricoh-certified camera and waterproof body
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sharp-aquos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following the Leica-Huawei partnership, Sharp is teaming with premium camera company Ricoh. Ricoh has given its blessing to the upcoming Sharp Aquos Zeta in the form of official certification. Sharp's upcoming flagship will feature a waterproof body housing a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 3GB of RAM. At the front of the Aquos Zeta is a 1080p IGZO display of an yet unconfirmed size. The back camera is 22.6MP and with its certification from Ricoh ought to be competing with the best in the market. Sadly, there's no information just how much Ricoh is involved with the development of...

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Rumor says Google's standalone VR headset will be unveiled next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/google-cardboard-star-wars/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, back in February this year, there were reports that Google is working on a standalone VR headset. While the company never officially confirmed the existence of such a device, a new rumor is suggesting that the headset will be unveiled next week during the search giant's annual I/O conference. The rumor came in the form of a tweet from entrepreneur and former tech journalist Peter Rojas, who also said that the headset - allegedly dubbed Android VR - will be better than Samsung's Gear VR, but not as good as Rift or Vive. Android VR will definitely be announced next week,...

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Marshmallow rollout for AT&T One M8 and One M9 will begin today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/m9-t-mobile-marshmallow-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Marshmallow update for HTC One M8 and One M9 units on AT&T's network will start rolling out today. This was announced by the Taiwanese company's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter. HTC One (M8 & M9) AT&T owners! Thank you for your patience. Marshmallow OS is approved, OTA to start tomorrow!!Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) May 11, 2016 If you recall, back in April, Versi had revealed a "slight delay" in the roll-out, saying that they expect to receive the approval for the update within a couple of weeks. So, in that context, the update roll out is bang on time. However, given...

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Pebble launches its smartwatch line-up in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/pebble-time-round/-184x111/main.jpg If you are in India and are a fan of Pebble smartwatches, you'll be glad to know that the company has now officially launched its smartwatch line-up in the country. Models ranging from Pebble Classic to Pebble Time Round are all now available for purchase from Amazon. "We already ship tens of thousands of units to India, but we had to get on the ground," said Eric Migicovsky, Founder and CEO of Pebble. He added that India will be the company's fifth largest market. As for price, the Pebble Time is listed for INR 9,999 ($150), while the Steel variant costs INR 15,999 ($240). The...

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Slated for May 17 unveiling, next-gen Moto G phones will be exclusive to Amazon in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's already all but official that Motorola will unveil the next-gen Moto G phones - the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus - at an event set for May 17 in India. And now, the company has confirmed that the device will be exclusive to Amazon in the country. "Amazon.in is the one of the best online marketplaces in India and we are glad to announce that we have exclusively partnered with Amazon India for our next Motorola smartphone," said Amit Boni, Country Head, Motorola Mobility India. Separately Amazon India also confirmed the news on Twitter: @Moto_IND We've heard the same! ❤...

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Galaxy Note 6 tipped for August launch in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-6-usb-type-c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The successor to Samsung's Galaxy Note5 smartphone has been the subject of several leaks and rumors for the past few months now. However, what we didn't hear so far is the possible launch time-frame for the device. Well, that changes now, as the usually reliable leakster @evleaks has revealed an August launch for the Galaxy Note 6 in the United States. In fact, he pin points the week of August 15. Samsung Galaxy Note 6 US release scheduled for week of August 15th.Â— Evan Blass (@evleaks) May 11, 2016 To refresh, rumors say the Galaxy Note 6 will be powered by a Snapdragon 823 SoC,...

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HTC 10 vs. LG G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7: Camera Shootout
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/htc-10-vs-lg-g5-vs-s7-edge/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg Cameras are just about the only thing in a smartphone that gets a meaningful upgrade each year and we keep a close eye on that. HTC was late to the Galaxy S7 vs. LG G5 party, though, so let's have a do-over!

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HTC 10 arrives at T-Mobile on May 18 with free rapid charger and Ice View case
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-10-t-mobile-details/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The HTC 10 will become available at T-Mobile on May 18, the magenta carrier has announced today. And if you're among the first people to purchase HTC's new flagship smartphone from T-Mobile, you'll receive a couple of free gifts apparently worth $85 in total. If you buy an HTC 10 from May 18 to May 24, you'll also get a free rapid charger and Ice View case, T-Mobile says. You'll be able to pick up the phone for $0 upfront, followed by 24 monthly installments of $28.34. The full retail price of the handset is $679.99. As you may already know, the HTC 10 comes with a 5.2-inch QHD...

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Shared albums in Google Photos get comments, smart suggestions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-photos-shared-album-comments/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Shared Albums feature in Google Photos is getting smarter and more useful in the near future, when the rollout of the app's newest versions will be complete on Android and iOS. In Google Photos 1.10 for iOS and 1.20 for Android, people who join an album can now add comments to photos and even to the album itself. There's still no way to Like or +1 anything, though. Additionally, the service now makes it easier for you to add your own photos to an album someone else has shared with you. That's because you now get smart suggestions for which photos to add to such a shared album -...

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YU's next smartphone is called Yunicorn, will be unveiled on May 19
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/yu-yunicorn-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of days ago YU started teasing its next smartphone, that was said to launch later this month. Well, it hasn't been long and its name has been revealed, along with the date of the official announcement. It turns out YU's next device will be called Yunicorn, and it will be unveiled at an event in New Delhi on May 19. This will apparently be "the phone that will redefine flagships", according to the official event invite which you can see below. YU's Yureka Note was launched just last month, and now the Micromax spinoff is ready for yet another device. The Yunicorn might be...

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Google Translate now works in any app on Android 4.2 or newer, iOS gets offline mode
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-translate-all-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last year a new and very useful feature made its debut in Google Translate for Android, namely the system-wide support for quick translations. Unfortunately, this has so far only worked on devices running version 6.0 Marshmallow of Google's OS. That all changes today. From this point on, the simplified in-app translation functionality can be used on any device running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean or newer. Whenever you select a bit of text (in any app on your phone or tablet), a translation button will instantly pop up. If you tap on it it will open into an overlay that will show you the...

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GSMArena

13-05-16, 22:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/desire-820-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HTC's Desire 820 smartphone from 2014 has started receiving the Marshmallow update. The update brings Android version 6.0.1 as well as the version 7.0 of the Taiwanese company's Sense UI. It's, however, currently not clear exactly which regions are getting the update.Software updates, as you might already know, are usually rolled out in phases, so it may take time before the OTA notification pops up on your device. Meanwhile, if you're feeling impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu.Thanks for the tip Rupak Thapa!

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Huawei P8 Lite receives Android 6.0 Marshmallow in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-p8-lite-android/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Huawei has officially launched Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the P8 Lite. The release of the firmware update was announced on the company's Polish fan page.Weighing at 1.5GB, the software update for the P8 Lite will come first to those with unlocked smartphones as carrier ones will have to wait for the firmware approval and testing.In any case, the update is already seeding in Germany and Poland, but it should be available in the rest of Europe very soon.Follow the source link below if you want to get to the nitty-gritty and download the firmware update and apply it...

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OnePlus 3 leaks, shows off its USB Type-C port
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We're due for another OnePlus flagship and the OnePlus 3 dutifully leaks from multiple sources. This one shows the front - which looks very much like the current model.We also get a peek at the bottom, where the speaker grill and the USB Type-C port live. The sandstone finish seems to be gone (we won't weep for it). On the front, the Home key houses a fingerprint sensor as before. OnePlus 3 leaked photosThe OnePlus 3 is expected to have a 5" 1080p screen, run on a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4GB or 6GB RAM and a price tag of over $300.Source

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Windows 10 Mobile to get fingerprint support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/windows-10-fingerprint/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft will be adding support for fingerprint sensors in Windows 10 Mobile. This will be part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update expected to arrive in July.Windows 10 currently includes a feature called Windows Hello, which uses facial recognition to unlock the device but lacks native fingerprint reader support. The first device to include support for it will be the HP Elite x3, with more devices coming in later.Windows 10 Anniversary Update is also expected to bring other features, such as Windows Ink for writing in digital ink on top of your apps, smarter Cortana, and improved...

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Samsung Galaxy A8 Marshmallow update coming soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-a8-a3-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A8 from last year was launched running Android 5.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box. However, recent developments indicate that the Android Marshmallow build for the device will start rolling out soon.The dual-SIM variant of the device (SM-A800F) has received Wi-Fi Certification, and the listing clearly mentions it as running Android 6.0.While not an official confirmation of any sorts, a Wi-Fi certification running a newer OS is usually an indication of an imminent roll-out of the update. If you own a Galaxy A8, and are eagerly waiting for try Marshmallow on your device,...

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Opera adds power saving mode to developer channel
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/opera-power-saving/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After adding VPN support to the developer channel recently, Opera has now added a power saving mode. With the feature enabled, Opera claims an increase of 50% battery life on your laptop, compared to Google Chrome.The way the feature works is by disabling or reducing certain aspects of the browser. For example, the activity in background tabs is reduced, CPU wake times are reduced, unused plug-ins are automatically paused, framerate is reduced to 30 fps, hardware acceleration is forced for all video playback, and browser theme animations are paused.In Opera's tests, with the...

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Rumor says Meizu Pro 6's Exynos 8890 variant will cost $460
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you might already know, the Helio X25-powered Meizu Pro 6 was made official last month. But if you recall, back in March this year, a leaked document revealed the existence of an Exynos 8890-powered variant of the device. Now, more details about the variant have been leaked.Meizu Pro 6According to rumors out of Meizu's home country of China, the device will come with 4GB RAM and feature a dual curved screen. As for price, the phone will carry a tag of $460 - for comparison, the 64GB standard Pro 6 costs around $430.Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed...

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ZTE Zmax Pro rumored with fingerprint sensor, 6-inch screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zte-zmax-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a new report, ZTE is working to update its Zmax line-up with a new phone. Dubbed ZTE Zmax Pro, the device is said to be powered by Snapdragon 617, and sport a 6-inch full HD display.ZTE Zmax 2RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 32GB. The camera department is handled by a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. The handset is also said to feature a fingerprint sensor. While there was no information on pricing, the report did note that the Zmax Pro will be available from T-Mobile.To refresh, the Zmax line-up currently consists of the Zmax and Zmax 2 (shown above)....

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Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update starts hitting Nvidia Shield Tablet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/shield-tablet-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nearly a month after the Nvidia Shield Tablet K1 started receiving it, the Marshmallow update has started hitting the original Shield Tablet as well, bringing Android 6.0.1 as well as the Android security patch for the month of March.A quick look at the release notes (click the Source link below) suggests that it's exactly the same update that hit the Shield Tablet K1 last month. The update should hit your device soon (if it hasn't already). Meanwhile, you can also manually check for it by heading to the Settings menu on the tablet.Source

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AT&T launches LG Phoenix 2 with quad-core SoC, Android 6.0 Marshmallow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-phoenix-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Update: Turns out the device is actually the LG K8 marketed as Phoenix 2 for AT&TOriginal story below:AT&T has updated its GoPhone prepaid lineup with a new LG phone. Dubbed Phoenix 2, the device is powered by a quad-core chipset with 1.3GHz processor, and sports a 5-inch HD display.The handset comes with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,125mAh battery. In terms of camera, the phone features an 8MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. OS is Android 6.0 Marshmallow, while color options include black.Carrying a $99.99 price tag, the Phoenix 2 -...

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AT&T Galaxy S7 and S7 edge getting May security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-s7-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Several users are reporting that AT&T has started rolling out the latest security update to Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units on its network. The update bumps the device's security patch level to the month of May.The carrier is yet to update its official website with details of the ongoing roll-out, so we aren't sure at the moment what else (if at all) is included in the update.Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take some time before the OTA notification pops on your device. However, if you are feeling impatient, you can also manually check for the update...

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New Evernote update brings better Google Drive integration
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/evernote-google-drive/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Evernote has pushed out a new update to its Web and Android apps that is aimed at tightly integrating the note-taking service with Google Drive, effectively allowing users to easily access their Drive files in Evernote."With this integration, Evernote customers can add any file in Drive to their notes without leaving Evernote," the company said in a blog post. The update also brings along thumbnail previews and a rich viewing experience for added files."And any changes to files in Google Drive will dynamically update in Evernote."The functionality is still in Beta, and - as...

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ZTE's upcoming flagship to be called Axon 7; unveiling set for May 26
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/axon-7-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While we were expecting it to be called the Axon 2, ZTE's next flagship will in fact be called the Axon 7. This was revealed after the company sent out invites for an event set for May 26. The invite clearly mentions the Axon 7 moniker.Now, exactly why ZTE decided to call the Axon successor as Axon 7 is currently not known. Perhaps, the Chinese company wants the device to be seen as a direct competitor to the Galaxy 7 or the upcoming iPhone 7. Or there could a different reason altogether.Anyway, moving on, the invite also contains a caption "Listening to the heart of power,"...

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Google job listed for drivers to test self-driving cars in Arizona
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/self-driving-cars-google-job-listing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you live near Arizona and would like to receive up to $20 per hour, you should check out the job listing found on HireArt. Google is looking for good drivers to test self-driving card who would be constantly alert to take-over in the event the car might do something incorrectly.Google is growing its self-driving vehicle program in Chandler, Arizona and what better way to test self-driving cars than to make sure every car has a human operator inside. The operators must have clean driving records and are expected to provide detailed reports both verbally and written as to the...

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YouTube is testing a messenger so you never have to leave the app to share a video
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/youtube-wants-to-make-a-messenger/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is ridiculous the amount of users that watch YouTube on a daily basis. And YouTube plans to leverage even more users with a new messaging service that will reassure viewers that they'll never need to leave the app just to share a video.This is a smart move on YouTube's end as all of its videos are currently being shared with other social networks like Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. YouTube is losing out on valuable airtime to these other networks so the video giant would love to keep you within its virtual app borders. So, imagine if YouTube (eventually) had its own social network which...

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KGI: All iPhone 7 Plus versions to feature dual-camera setup
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-plus-dual-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg According to the latest report by Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his predictions on the upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the company's 5.5" flagship is likely to feature a dual-camera setup. Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo believed Apple would only equip the top-of-the-line iPhone 7 Plus with dual cameras. However, because of the positive customer reaction towards the LG G5 and Huawei P9 for their camera setup, Apple has changed its mind.Purported iPhone 7 schematic on the left and an iPhone 7 Plus on the rightThe change of plans would also mean that Apple will include 3GB of RAM in all...

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A massive 18.4" Lenovo tablet with QHD screen found in benchmark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lenovo-pb2-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Recently we've seen a few Android-powered tablets that are the size of an all-in-one PC. Lenovo seems to be working on one such tablet - the PB2-690N.That's clearly not the final name, but the "PB1" is the 6.8" Phab Plus. This could be the sequel, but it's a monster movie.According to GFX Bench, the new tablet will have an 18.4" screen with 2,560 x 1,440px resolution. That's better than Samsung's 18.4" Galaxy View (1080p) and Alcatel's 17.3" Xess (1080p screen also).The new Lenovo will be powered by the Snapdragon 652 chipset - evidenced by its octa-core design, which includes...

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Xiaomi Mi Band 2 coming early next month, CEO confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-band2-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Mi Band 2 was initially set to be unveiled during the May 10 event alongside the Mi Max and MIUI 8. However, production issues forced the company to delay the device's unveiling, with the company's CEO Lei Jun saying that the release has been pushed by a month.Now, Jun has again given an update on the fitness tracker, revealing an 'early June' unveiling for it. Although no specific date was mentioned, it'd be reasonable to assume that the wearable will be announced in the first week of June.As for Mi Band 2's capabilities, rumors say it'll provide several fitness-related...

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Asus ZenFone 3 to arrive in June and target the mid-range, says CEO
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zefone-3-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems that the Asus Zenfone 3 launch will happen a bit later than expected - company CEO Jerry Shen says the new generation will be unveiled in June.They will target the mid-range market, but the average selling price will go up compared to previous generations. Asus expects the Zenfone 3 Max to make up two-thirds of total shipments, the base Zenfone 3 and Zenfone 3 Deluxe will make up the other third.The CEO noted an important shift in chipsets - 90% of Zenfone 3s will be powered by a Qualcomm chipset and 10% by MediaTek. Asus was one of the few that used Intel chipsets, but the...

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GSMArena

14-05-16, 22:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/yi-4k/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi has launched the updated version of the YI Action Camera, the YI 4K Action Camera, which, as you can tell, now records in 4K.The YI 4K has a 12 megapixel Sony IMX377 sensor, that can also shoot stills in native resolution along with 4K video. The lens is a seven element piece with 155 degree viewing angle and f2.8 aperture. The six axis gyroscope enables the electronic image stabilization. On the back is a 2.19-inch touchscreen LCD.Along with 4K at 30fps, the camera can also record in 2.5K at 30fps or 1440p at 60fps. If you want slowmotion, you can either record at...

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Acer Liquid X2 review: Switchboarding
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/acer-liquid-x2/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg Liquid X2, Acer called it, when it clearly should have been the Acer Liquid X3. Now, we understand how the smartphone comes to replace the X1, but how did they miss out on a chance to name a triple-SIM device the X3, even if it skips a digit? Yes, the Acer Liquid X2 has multiple SIM slots, three of them.

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HTC 10 lands on Sprint for $624
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-three-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As scheduled, HTC's newest flagship smartphone - the HTC 10 - is now available for purchase from Sprint. The carrier is selling the device for $200 on a regular two-year contract, and $624 outright.Those opting for the monthly payment model will have to pay zero-down with 24 monthly payments of $21 each. It's worth mentioning that paying on monthly basis in fact helps you save $120 on the total price of the device.As for color options, Sprint is currently only offering the glacier silver option. Interested in purchasing? Head to the Source link below.Source

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Deal: Motorola Moto X (2014) going for $150 until May 17
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-x2-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a Motorola fan, and are in the market for a a solid (though not necessarily latest) budget Android smartphone, here's a deal for you: the second-generation Moto X from 2014 can currently be purchased for $150.We're talking about the 32GB variant of course, which is already discounted to $200 on Motorola's official US website. To get the extra $50 off, you'll have to enter the coupon code SPRINGISHERE during checkout.Interested in availing the deal? Head to the Source link below. The promo runs through May 17, which is next Tuesday.Source | Via

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HTC 10 review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/htc-10/review/-347x151/main03.jpg Every year phone manufacturers make the ultimate attempt at creating the perfect smartphone. HTC is no different and in 2016 presents us the 10 - its version of a full smartphone package experience without compromise.

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Xiaomi Mi Max scores over 8 million registrations for its first sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-registrations/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi Max - which was unveiled earlier this week in China, and is all set to go on its first flash sale next week on May 17 - has got over 8 million people interested in buying it at launch.This was revealed by the Chinese company in a post on Weibo (China's Twitter). To put the number in context, the company's Mi 5 smartphone received 14 million registrations for its first flash sale, although keep in mind that the handset falls in the flagship category, unlike the Mi Max.Note that only the 32GB SD650 model will go on sale on May 17. And in case you're wondering about the...

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Samsung announces Charm's availability details
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-charm-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember the Charm fitness tracker which Samsung unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC)? Well, the South Korean company has now announced the availability details of the wearable.The tech giant says that the device is already available for purchase in Korea, Italy, France and Russia, and will soon also be launched in select other markets.While not explicitly mentioned anywhere in Samsung's post, the included images do indicate that these availability details are only for the squarish variant - for those who aren't in the know, a rectangular variant of the Charm also...

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Sony pulls the plug on Xperia C and M series as well, to focus squarely on X series
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-c-m-series-dead/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Back in February this year, Sony officially confirmed that the company's Xperia Z series of smartphones is dead. And now, it's all but official that the Xperia C and M series have also been killed by the Japanese company.Leaked Sony Mobile presentation slides clearly show that all future Sony phones - including flagship models - will be from the new Xperia X series. This will be the case at least until 2018.The leak (specifically the slide shown below) also makes it clear that the 'X' logo will be aggressively used by Sony in all kind of promotions and advertisements....

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Motorola XT1622 and XT1642 pass through FCC, could be Moto G4 and G4 Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of unknown Motorola phones have been certified by FCC. The devices in question carry model numbers of XT1622 and XT1642, suggesting that these could very well be the upcoming Moto G4 and G4 Plus given that last year's Moto G3 was the XT1540.The Moto G4 has also been spotted on benchmarking site Geekbench, revealing some of its key specs, including Snapdragon 617 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.An alleged front panel of the device leaked a few days ago, revealing 5.5-inch 1080p display as well as a fingerprint scanner. Both Moto G4 and G4 Plus are set to...

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Android Pay's UK launch around the corner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/android-pay-on-play-store/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in February this year, there were reports that Google's mobile payments service Android Pay is coming to the UK in the month of March. But, as we all know, that didn't happen.However, now it looks like the launch is imminent as a fast food chain - Pret A Manger - has started advertising that they accept payments through Android Pay."According to employees at this particular Pret store, the We now accept Android Pay tags arrived overnight and have been displayed in stores from this morning, suggesting Android Pay will be imminently available to UK customers," a Telegraph...

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New update brings latest security patches to Droid Turbo
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/droid-turbo-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to the Droid Turbo from 2014. The update brings along latest Android security patches as well as some call performance-related improvements.Sadly, the Android version remains at Lollipop, meaning no Marshmallow still. What's even worse is that there's currently no information as to when the device will get the Marshmallow update.Anyway, coming back to the latest security update, it has just started rolling out. So, it may take some time before the OTA notification pops up on your device. Meanwhile, if you're feeling impatient, you can...

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Sprint entices new customers with a free year of Amazon Prime for 40GB plan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sprint-to-offer-free-year-of-amazon-prime/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sprint is now offering a special offer for those customers who want to sign up for Sprint's Better Choice XXL plan. At a $99 value, customers can get one free year of Amazon Prime which, of course, gives you access to Amazon's legendary two-day free shipping, Amazon's video library, and Amazon's music subscription in addition to a bunch of other perks that Amazon Prime customers can receive.Sprint's Better Choice XXL plan gives subscribers 40GB of shared data for $99 plus taxes and device (access) fees. These Better Choice plans from Sprint do not change overages for going over your data...

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UK wants to let drivers carry virtual licenses in Apple Wallet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/uk-virtual-drivers-license-in-apple-wallet/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The United Kingdom is in the process of researching and testing the use of Apple Wallet as a valid driver's license. Drivers will only need to use their phones to pull up their drivers' licenses instead of carrying around a physical version.This could mean that really soon, more and more people will only need to carry keys and a phone and will no longer need to worry about carrying a physical wallet. However, availability of Apple Pay is what is still slowing this down from becoming a reality.So here's a little prototype of something we're working on #drivinglicence...

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Huawei P8 Lite receives Android 6.0 Marshmallow in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-p8-lite-android/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Huawei has officially launched Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the P8 Lite. The release of the firmware update was announced on the company's Polish fan page.Weighing at 1.5GB, the software update for the P8 Lite will come first to those with unlocked smartphones as carrier ones will have to wait for the firmware approval and testing.In any case, the update is already seeding in Germany and Poland, but it should be available in the rest of Europe very soon.Follow the source link below if you want to get to the nitty-gritty and download the firmware update and apply it...

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OnePlus 3 leaks, shows off its USB Type-C port
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We're due for another OnePlus flagship and the OnePlus 3 dutifully leaks from multiple sources. This one shows the front - which looks very much like the current model.We also get a peek at the bottom, where the speaker grill and the USB Type-C port live. The sandstone finish seems to be gone (we won't weep for it). On the front, the Home key houses a fingerprint sensor as before. OnePlus 3 leaked photosThe OnePlus 3 is expected to have a 5" 1080p screen, run on a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4GB or 6GB RAM and a price tag of over $300.Source

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Windows 10 Mobile to get fingerprint support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/windows-10-fingerprint/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft will be adding support for fingerprint sensors in Windows 10 Mobile. This will be part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update expected to arrive in July.Windows 10 currently includes a feature called Windows Hello, which uses facial recognition to unlock the device but lacks native fingerprint reader support. The first device to include support for it will be the HP Elite x3, with more devices coming in later.Windows 10 Anniversary Update is also expected to bring other features, such as Windows Ink for writing in digital ink on top of your apps, smarter Cortana, and improved...

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Samsung Galaxy A8 Marshmallow update coming soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/galaxy-a8-a3-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A8 from last year was launched running Android 5.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box. However, recent developments indicate that the Android Marshmallow build for the device will start rolling out soon.The dual-SIM variant of the device (SM-A800F) has received Wi-Fi Certification, and the listing clearly mentions it as running Android 6.0.While not an official confirmation of any sorts, a Wi-Fi certification running a newer OS is usually an indication of an imminent roll-out of the update. If you own a Galaxy A8, and are eagerly waiting for try Marshmallow on your device,...

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Opera adds power saving mode to developer channel
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/opera-power-saving/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After adding VPN support to the developer channel recently, Opera has now added a power saving mode. With the feature enabled, Opera claims an increase of 50% battery life on your laptop, compared to Google Chrome.The way the feature works is by disabling or reducing certain aspects of the browser. For example, the activity in background tabs is reduced, CPU wake times are reduced, unused plug-ins are automatically paused, framerate is reduced to 30 fps, hardware acceleration is forced for all video playback, and browser theme animations are paused.In Opera's tests, with the...

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Rumor says Meizu Pro 6's Exynos 8890 variant will cost $460
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/meizu-pro-6/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As you might already know, the Helio X25-powered Meizu Pro 6 was made official last month. But if you recall, back in March this year, a leaked document revealed the existence of an Exynos 8890-powered variant of the device. Now, more details about the variant have been leaked.Meizu Pro 6According to rumors out of Meizu's home country of China, the device will come with 4GB RAM and feature a dual curved screen. As for price, the phone will carry a tag of $460 - for comparison, the 64GB standard Pro 6 costs around $430.Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed...

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GSMArena

15-05-16, 22:22

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-benchmarks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sony Xperia X is powered by a Snapdragon 650 - Qualcomm's new and highly popular mid-range chipset. To be honest, we tend to prefer its 652 sibling.Don't be fooled by their name, these are the true successors to the Snapdragon 810. They use the Cortex-A72 CPU core, faster and more powerful than the A57 it replaces. The Snapdragon 650 has two of them, the 652 has four, both add four Cortex-A53 cores for low-power needs.Better still, the GPU is part of the Adreno 5 series, a 510 to be exact. It's miles ahead of the Adreno 405 that's used in lower-end Snapdragon 6-series chipsets. It...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 19
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 remains undisturbed at the top for a third week in a row keeping ahead of struggling long-time champ Samsung Galaxy J7. Okay, "struggling" might be an overstatement for a phone that remains on top of its successor, which has been around a couple of months now.The Galaxy J7 (2016) seems to be gaining momentum though, jumping five spots from 8th last week to a podium finish this time around. And look at all those other Galaxy J's - the J5 from last year, and the J3 (2016) are only giving up a spot to let the J7 (2016) slide in, but no strangers are...

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Weekly Poll: Which is the best Android smartphone?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/weekly-poll-best-smartphone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg By the end of this month, all high-profile Android flagships should be available for purchase. You'll get to vote with your wallet, but let's do a dry run and vote for free - vote for your favorite flagship.There's some difference in strategy - Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi launched their big and small flagships simultaneously while others like LG, HTC and Sony have launched the smaller models, leaving the big guns for the second half.So - Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. Huawei P9 and Huawei P9 Plus. Xiaomi Mi 5 and Xiaomi Mi Max. HTC 10. LG G5. Sony Xperia X...

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Week 19 in review: 6.44" Xiaomi Mi Max unveiled, iPhone 7 and OnePlus 3 rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Big screen lovers rejoiced this week - the massive Xiaomi Mi Max was unveiled. The 6.44-inch device (Xiaomi just had to be that precise) still passes for a phone nowadays even though others are pushing for the return of 4-inchers (you know who).The iPhone 7 didn't stay in hiding this week either, with rumors suggesting that all of the 7 Plus models will have a dual-camera setup, and not just an alleged top version. Meanwhile, schematics put the dimensions of Apple's upcoming smartphones very much in line with the existing models, and ongoing talks may lead to made-in-India...

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WhatsApp testing video call feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/whatsapp-video-calling/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg It wasn't too long ago that WhatsApp added voice call functionality to its app. Naturally, the company now wants to take it one step further, and introduce video calling.The latest beta for Android shows an option to video call whenever you try to call someone. Unfortunately, as of now it seems the feature is not enabled to all users, with some getting the 'Video Calling is unavailable at this time' error message, however, some other users are reporting using it.The feature is currently in testing phase then, and it probably won't be too long before we see it being enabled for...

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Acer Liquid X2 review: Switchboarding
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/acer-liquid-x2/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg Liquid X2, Acer called it, when it clearly should have been the Acer Liquid X3. Now, we understand how the smartphone comes to replace the X1, but how did they miss out on a chance to name a triple-SIM device the X3, even if it skips a digit? Yes, the Acer Liquid X2 has multiple SIM slots, three of them.

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HTC 10 lands on Sprint for $624
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/htc-10-three-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As scheduled, HTC's newest flagship smartphone - the HTC 10 - is now available for purchase from Sprint. The carrier is selling the device for $200 on a regular two-year contract, and $624 outright.Those opting for the monthly payment model will have to pay zero-down with 24 monthly payments of $21 each. It's worth mentioning that paying on monthly basis in fact helps you save $120 on the total price of the device.As for color options, Sprint is currently only offering the glacier silver option. Interested in purchasing? Head to the Source link below.Source

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Deal: Motorola Moto X (2014) going for $150 until May 17
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-x2-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a Motorola fan, and are in the market for a a solid (though not necessarily latest) budget Android smartphone, here's a deal for you: the second-generation Moto X from 2014 can currently be purchased for $150.We're talking about the 32GB variant of course, which is already discounted to $200 on Motorola's official US website. To get the extra $50 off, you'll have to enter the coupon code SPRINGISHERE during checkout.Interested in availing the deal? Head to the Source link below. The promo runs through May 17, which is next Tuesday.Source | Via

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HTC 10 review: Time-saver edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/htc-10/review/-347x151/main03.jpg Every year phone manufacturers make the ultimate attempt at creating the perfect smartphone. HTC is no different and in 2016 presents us the 10 - its version of a full smartphone package experience without compromise.

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Xiaomi Mi Max scores over 8 million registrations for its first sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-registrations/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi Max - which was unveiled earlier this week in China, and is all set to go on its first flash sale next week on May 17 - has got over 8 million people interested in buying it at launch.This was revealed by the Chinese company in a post on Weibo (China's Twitter). To put the number in context, the company's Mi 5 smartphone received 14 million registrations for its first flash sale, although keep in mind that the handset falls in the flagship category, unlike the Mi Max.Note that only the 32GB SD650 model will go on sale on May 17. And in case you're wondering about the...

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Samsung announces Charm's availability details
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-charm-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember the Charm fitness tracker which Samsung unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC)? Well, the South Korean company has now announced the availability details of the wearable.The tech giant says that the device is already available for purchase in Korea, Italy, France and Russia, and will soon also be launched in select other markets.While not explicitly mentioned anywhere in Samsung's post, the included images do indicate that these availability details are only for the squarish variant - for those who aren't in the know, a rectangular variant of the Charm also...

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Sony pulls the plug on Xperia C and M series as well, to focus squarely on X series
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-c-m-series-dead/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Back in February this year, Sony officially confirmed that the company's Xperia Z series of smartphones is dead. And now, it's all but official that the Xperia C and M series have also been killed by the Japanese company.Leaked Sony Mobile presentation slides clearly show that all future Sony phones - including flagship models - will be from the new Xperia X series. This will be the case at least until 2018.The leak (specifically the slide shown below) also makes it clear that the 'X' logo will be aggressively used by Sony in all kind of promotions and advertisements....

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Motorola XT1622 and XT1642 pass through FCC, could be Moto G4 and G4 Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/moto-g4-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of unknown Motorola phones have been certified by FCC. The devices in question carry model numbers of XT1622 and XT1642, suggesting that these could very well be the upcoming Moto G4 and G4 Plus given that last year's Moto G3 was the XT1540.The Moto G4 has also been spotted on benchmarking site Geekbench, revealing some of its key specs, including Snapdragon 617 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.An alleged front panel of the device leaked a few days ago, revealing 5.5-inch 1080p display as well as a fingerprint scanner. Both Moto G4 and G4 Plus are set to...

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Android Pay's UK launch around the corner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/android-pay-on-play-store/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in February this year, there were reports that Google's mobile payments service Android Pay is coming to the UK in the month of March. But, as we all know, that didn't happen.However, now it looks like the launch is imminent as a fast food chain - Pret A Manger - has started advertising that they accept payments through Android Pay."According to employees at this particular Pret store, the We now accept Android Pay tags arrived overnight and have been displayed in stores from this morning, suggesting Android Pay will be imminently available to UK customers," a Telegraph...

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New update brings latest security patches to Droid Turbo
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/droid-turbo-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Verizon has started rolling out a new update to the Droid Turbo from 2014. The update brings along latest Android security patches as well as some call performance-related improvements.Sadly, the Android version remains at Lollipop, meaning no Marshmallow still. What's even worse is that there's currently no information as to when the device will get the Marshmallow update.Anyway, coming back to the latest security update, it has just started rolling out. So, it may take some time before the OTA notification pops up on your device. Meanwhile, if you're feeling impatient, you can...

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Sprint entices new customers with a free year of Amazon Prime for 40GB plan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sprint-to-offer-free-year-of-amazon-prime/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sprint is now offering a special offer for those customers who want to sign up for Sprint's Better Choice XXL plan. At a $99 value, customers can get one free year of Amazon Prime which, of course, gives you access to Amazon's legendary two-day free shipping, Amazon's video library, and Amazon's music subscription in addition to a bunch of other perks that Amazon Prime customers can receive.Sprint's Better Choice XXL plan gives subscribers 40GB of shared data for $99 plus taxes and device (access) fees. These Better Choice plans from Sprint do not change overages for going over your data...

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UK wants to let drivers carry virtual licenses in Apple Wallet
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/uk-virtual-drivers-license-in-apple-wallet/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The United Kingdom is in the process of researching and testing the use of Apple Wallet as a valid driver's license. Drivers will only need to use their phones to pull up their drivers' licenses instead of carrying around a physical version.This could mean that really soon, more and more people will only need to carry keys and a phone and will no longer need to worry about carrying a physical wallet. However, availability of Apple Pay is what is still slowing this down from becoming a reality.So here's a little prototype of something we're working on #drivinglicence...

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Huawei P8 Lite receives Android 6.0 Marshmallow in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-p8-lite-android/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Huawei has officially launched Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the P8 Lite. The release of the firmware update was announced on the company's Polish fan page.Weighing at 1.5GB, the software update for the P8 Lite will come first to those with unlocked smartphones as carrier ones will have to wait for the firmware approval and testing.In any case, the update is already seeding in Germany and Poland, but it should be available in the rest of Europe very soon.Follow the source link below if you want to get to the nitty-gritty and download the firmware update and apply it...

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GSMArena

16-05-16, 22:24

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-gs7-gearvrdeal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in Europe, and are planning to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, here is some good news: you will get the Gear VR headset at a "special price" should you decide to buy it along with the handset. Not only this, you'll also get free access to exclusive premium games and experiences, including Anshar Wars 2, Darknet, Drift, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Ocean Rift and Starchart. In the UK, select companies including O2, Dixons Carphone, and Vodafone are offering the deal. Available via Samsung's online store and selected carrier and retail partners, it's a limited...

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Windows 10 Mobile update to launch on July 29
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/win-10-anniversary-july-29/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft launched the big Windows 10 update titled "Threshold" back on July 29 2015 and now another big yearly update is on the cards - "Anniversary." As you can guess, it's scheduled for the 1-year anniversary of Threshold. That's not just a guess based on the name either, a leaked timeline shows the update will indeed arrive on July 29. Leaked Windows 10 update timeline So, what does Anniversary bring to Windows 10 Mobile? Continuum is getting some cool changes - it will add support for touch-enabled external screens, it will be able to send the image to screens connected to...

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21st century dad problems: capturing tween pop videos for the Gear VR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-vr-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg VR's rebirth has experienced its fair share of delays and now faces a different problem - there's very little content. While Oculus and Vive will focus on at-home gaming, Samsung's Gear VR can be used on the go and it pairs nicely with the Gear 360 camera. It can be used to capture photos and videos that you can "teleport" into with the Gear VR and compatible Galaxy handset. Of course, some sacrifices might have to be made to acquire the 360° video: Source | Via

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Android Marshmallow now available for the Galaxy S5 LTE-A
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s5-ltea-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE-A model for South Korea was released in South Korea a few months after the Galaxy S5 premiere. It comes with a more powerful Snapdragon 805 chipset and faster LTE connectivity. The G906 (LTE-A) model is exclusive to South Korea, while the G901 (Plus) was released in Europe and Singapore. Now that we refreshed your memories for this rather obscure smartphone, we have some good news. The South Korean model (the G906) is now getting Android Marshmallow update with lots of under the hood optimizations. If you own this model you should have an update waiting for...

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Get a free Galaxy Grand Prime with your S7 or S7 edge order at T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-free-grand-prime/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile has a new deal for you if you'd like to buy a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge but feel like receiving something for free alongside that device. Hence, for a limited time if you order one of Samsung's latest flagships you'll also get a Galaxy Grand Prime smartphone (pictured below), which will be free - with a catch though. As is usually the case with carrier deals involving the word "free", you'll get the amount you spent on the Grand Prime back on a prepaid MasterCard. The Galaxy S7 can be yours for $0 upfront and 24 monthly payments of $27.92, or $669.99 if you prefer to pay...

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Apple iPhone 7 and its box caught by paparazzi
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It's the season for iPhone 7 leaks and the forecast is for minimal changes - the phone will be the same size, but the antenna setup has been redesigned. You can see the new design in this leaked photo. There's just the one camera - the two-camera setup is reserved for the Plus models. This is the Gold color option, by the way, I know the colors of the photo are off, but it is. Apple iPhone 7 in Gold (leaked photos) Then there's this alleged photo of the retail box. It's particularly blurry, but you can still make out the text - "iPhone 7 Rose Gold 64GB." Alleged photo of...

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Play Store update improves beta download experience
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/play-store-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While it has been possible to sideload beta versions of apps on your Android device, it usually involved downloading them from the developer website or through some Google+ group. With the latest Play Store update, however, things are about to get a lot easier for those who frequently install beta apps. To take advantage of these features, you will need to sign up as a beta tester. You will get a prompt when you open Play Store and you can accept to become a beta tester. Once you do that, you will see beta apps on the store. These apps will be clearly marked as (Beta) at the end...

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Video calling feature removed from WhatsApp's latest Android beta release
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/whatsapp-back-brazil/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just days after there were reports that some users are noticing (with some among them even using) a new video calling feature in WhatsApp, the functionality has been removed from the app's latest beta release (v2.16.81) on Android. While there was no official word on why the feature was removed, it'd be reasonable to assume that the company wanted to do some early testing, and that video calling on WhatsApp is not currently ready for a wider roll-out. As of now, there's also no information (not even rumors) on when the company plans to launch the feature, although we expect that to...

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Lenovo Vibe C with 5-inch display and quad-core SoC spotted online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lenovo-vibe-c/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lenovo has apparently updated its Vibe series of smartphones with a new device. Dubbed Lenovo Vibe C, the handset is powered by a quad-core chipset, and sports a 5-inch 720p display. As for other specs, the phone comes with 1GB RAM and up to 32GB expandable internal memory, and runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The camera department is handled by a 5MP rear unit and 2MP front shooter. A 2,300mAh battery is there to keep the lights on. The 4G-capable device is available for pre-order from Croatian e-tailer eKupi, which is selling it for around $105. Shipments begin May 18. Thanks for...

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Xiaomi Mi Max now up for international pre-orders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mi-max-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi Max - which was officially unveiled earlier last week, and is all set to go on its first flash sale in China tomorrow - is now also up for international pre-orders. Online retailer Gearbest has started accepting pre-orders for the device, and will start shipping it from June 21. As for price, the variant with 3GB/32GB memory and SD650 chipset is listed for $325.89, while the 3GB/64GB/SD652 version costs $359.89. The 4GB/128GB model with Snapdragon 652 SoC, on the other hand, will set you back $499.89. For comparison, these models cost $230, $261, and $307 respectively...

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EU antitrust case: Google could get slapped with whopping Â€3 billion fine
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/google-ios-keyboard/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The European Commission could ask Google to shell out around a whopping Â€3 billion in fines in the ongoing EU antitrust case where it is accused breaching rules by abusing its dominant position in the online search market. "Sources close to the situation said officials aimed to make an announcement before the summer break and could make their move as early as next month, although cautioned that Google's bill for crushing competition online had not been finalized," a recent Telegraph report said. A fine to the tune of Â€3 billion - if at all that happens - will become the toughest...

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Samsung Galaxy J2 (2016) is now FCC certified
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/j2-2016-new-bench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The next-gen Samsung Galaxy J2 smartphone, which has been the subject of a couple of leaks this month, has apparently been certified by the FCC. Specifically, the listing - which is currently inaccessible due to some technical reasons - just reveals model number SM-J210F and a 1,500mAh battery (really?), but the former is enough for us to assume that the handset in question is the Galaxy J2 (2016). In case you missed, the phone has already been spotted in Geekbench and AnTuTu benchmarks, revealing most of its key specifications, including Spreadtrum SC8830 SoC with quad-core 1.5 GHz...

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New Telegram update brings ability to edit sent messages
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/telegram-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Popular messaging app Telegram has rolled out a new update that - among other things - brings along the ability to edit messages after they've been sent. The new feature - which can be used within 2 days after posting a message - works across all Telegram chats, including groups as well as one-on-one conversations. "Simply tap and hold on a message, then press Â‘Edit'. If you're on desktop, press the up arrow button to edit your last message," the company explained in a blog post. "The messages will display a small Â‘edited' label so that it's easy to tell which were altered." In...

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Alleged Moto G4 press render leaks ahead of unveiling
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/motog4-render-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new press render alleged to be of Motorola's upcoming smartphone the Moto G4 has leaked online. The leak - which shows off the front of the device - comes courtesy of the usually reliable tipster @evleaks. Surprised there was so much confusion here. Thought quoting the G4 Plus leak would make it obvious that it's the G4. https://t.co/dVa8wcR0oTÂ— Evan Blass (@evleaks) May 15, 2016 As for the 'confusion' @evleaks is referring to in the tweet, it's worth mentioning that the leakster first tweeted the image saying "Say hello to your little bro," and linking to one of his earlier...

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Best Apps and Games of the Week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/best-apps-games-53/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg These are some of the best apps and games that came out this week. Gboard Gboard is a keyboard by Google for iOS. It integrates Google Search within the keyboard, so you don't have to switch back and forth between your current app and your browser. By having the search engine built-into the keyboard, you can not only search for things such as addresses, images, and videos but can also instantly paste them in the app you are currently typing in. iOS Dark Sky Dark Sky is a weather app, previously exclusive to iOS, but now also available on Android. Dark Sky...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 19
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 remains undisturbed at the top for a third week in a row keeping ahead of struggling long-time champ Samsung Galaxy J7. Okay, "struggling" might be an overstatement for a phone that remains on top of its successor, which has been around a couple of months now. The Galaxy J7 (2016) seems to be gaining momentum though, jumping five spots from 8th last week to a podium finish this time around. And look at all those other Galaxy J's - the J5 from last year, and the J3 (2016) are only giving up a spot to let the J7 (2016) slide in, but no strangers are...

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Weekly Poll: Which is the best Android smartphone?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/weekly-poll-best-smartphone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg By the end of this month, all high-profile Android flagships should be available for purchase. You'll get to vote with your wallet, but let's do a dry run and vote for free - vote for your favorite flagship. There's some difference in strategy - Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi launched their big and small flagships simultaneously while others like LG, HTC and Sony have launched the smaller models, leaving the big guns for the second half. So - Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. Huawei P9 and Huawei P9 Plus. Xiaomi Mi 5 and Xiaomi Mi Max. HTC 10. LG G5. Sony Xperia X...

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Week 19 in review: 6.44" Xiaomi Mi Max unveiled, iPhone 7 and OnePlus 3 rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Big screen lovers rejoiced this week - the massive Xiaomi Mi Max was unveiled. The 6.44-inch device (Xiaomi just had to be that precise) still passes for a phone nowadays even though others are pushing for the return of 4-inchers (you know who). The iPhone 7 didn't stay in hiding this week either, with rumors suggesting that all of the 7 Plus models will have a dual-camera setup, and not just an alleged top version. Meanwhile, schematics put the dimensions of Apple's upcoming smartphones very much in line with the existing models, and ongoing talks may lead to made-in-India...

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WhatsApp testing video call feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/whatsapp-video-calling/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg It wasn't too long ago that WhatsApp added voice call functionality to its app. Naturally, the company now wants to take it one step further, and introduce video calling. The latest beta for Android shows an option to video call whenever you try to call someone. Unfortunately, as of now it seems the feature is not enabled to all users, with some getting the 'Video Calling is unavailable at this time' error message, however, some other users are reporting using it. The feature is currently in testing phase then, and it probably won't be too long before we see it being enabled for...

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GSMArena

17-05-16, 22:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/s7-active-gold/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg By now you probably know that a Samsung Galaxy S7 active is in fact in the works and it's coming soon to AT&T. The extremely rugged handset has been spotted in some live images already, and a benchmark run from a few days ago made sure that we know most of its specs too. So what next, you wonder? That would be a couple of leaked official press renders, of course. They show a previously unseen color version, which is probably the result of Samsung wanting to bring the oh-so-popular 'gold' hue to its line of rugged devices. The result, though, may not immediately be thought of as 'gold' by...

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Samsung may supply 60% of AMOLED displays for new iPhones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-samsung-amoled/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Information continues to trickle out that Apple is looking to switch from LCD to AMOLED displays, starting with the larger iPhone Plus model. Samsung, having the most mature AMOLED manufacturing line, will reportedly provide 60% of AMOLED displays used by Apple. The company made a huge investment - between $6.64 billion and $7.47 billion - that should see manufacturing capacity grow to 45,000 units a month in order to meet the order of 100 million displays for next year. Apple's multiple source strategy means that another company - LG, say insiders - will build around 30% of the AMOLED...

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Newly-unveiled Xperia XA Ultra landing in Canada this summer
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-xa-ultra-canada/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony has announced that the newly-unveiled mid-range Xperia XA Ultra smartphone - which features 6-inch full HD display, Mediatek Helio P10 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow - will be available in Canada "this summer." That's inline with the July launch time-frame which was revealed when the device was made official earlier today. Sadly, the handset's pricing information is still a mystery. Color options include Black, White, and Lime Gold. Other Xperia X series smartphones including the Xperia X Performance, Xperia X and Xperia XA will also be landing in Canada in the...

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Moto G4 Play completes the Moto G4 Family
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-g4-play-ofic/-184x111/thumb.jpg Lenovo announced two new Moto smartphones earlier today - the Moto G4 and the Moto G4 Plus. Those are an upgrade over the popular Moto G3 lineup from last year and brings bigger displays, faster chipsets, and better snappers. There is another Moto G4 phone announced shortly after those two - the Moto G4 Play. Basically, it's last year's Moto G3 with a refined design and it's splash-proof. The Moto G4 Play features a 5" 720p display and runs on the Snapdragon 410 chipset with 2GB of RAM. The 410 chip packs a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 306 GPU. The rest of the...

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Upcoming ZTE Axon 7 will be available in US as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/axon-7-us/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We already know that ZTE's upcoming Axon series phone is called the Axon 7. We also know that the device will be made official on May 26. And given that its predecessor Axon was launched in the US, there was little doubt that the Axon 7 will also land there. However, now it looks like that the handset's US launch has been made official by ZTE. The company published a full page ad (shown below) in the Wall Street Journal thanking its user-base in the country as well as giving them a glimpse of a phone which clearly resembles the upcoming Axon 7. There's currently no information...

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Exclusive: Lenovo Moto G4 Plus hands-on, camera samples too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-g4-plus-handson/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After a long round of rumors, the eagerly anticipated Lenovo Moto G4 and G4 Plus were just announced at a dedicated event. Being the lucky folks that we are, we have the Moto G4 Plus here at the office for a few quick first impressions. Lenovo Moto G4 Plus at a glance Plastic build, removable back cover 5.5-inch FullHD display, 401ppi Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 chipset: quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Adreno 405 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 3GB/32GB, 4GB/64GB 16MP primary camera, f/2.0 aperture, phase detection and laser autofocus, dual-LED...

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Xiaomi sells 600,000 Redmi Note 3 units
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/redmi-note3-india-record/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi has announced that it has sold a total of 600,000 Redmi Note 3 units in India within a period of 60 days. The announcement came in the form of a Facebook post from the Chinese company's VP Hugo Barra, who described it as their "biggest record yet." The device was launched in India back in March this year, carrying a price tag of INR 9,999 ($148) for the 16GB model and INR 11,999 ($178) for the 32GB model. And as you might already know, the model available in India is powered by SD650. The device recently went on open sale in the country, but was out of stock within a couple...

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Oppo R9's monthly production volume stands at 2 million units, way more than Xiaomi Mi 5 and Huawei Mate 8
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oppo-r9-production/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a report out of China, Oppo is producing an impressive number of R9 units each month. The report - citing IHS research director Kevin Wang's revelation - notes that the Chinese company is currently churning out a whopping 2 million R9s per month. The monthly production volume of the Xiaomi Mi 5 and Huawei Mate 8 was also revealed - while the former stands at 700,000 units, the latter is comparatively higher at 900,000. The R9 was made official in March, while the Mi 5 was officially unveiled in February this year. The Mate 8, on the other hand, has been available since...

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Lenovo Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus unveiled with 5.5" 1080p screens
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-g4-g4-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Goodbye Motorola, Hello Moto! The first two phones under the "Lenovo Moto" have been unveiled and they are the successors to the Moto G (3rd gen). Yes, successors, plural. Screens have grown larger and sharper - 5.5" 1080p - after staying at 5" 720p for the 2nd and 3rd generations. The processing power has doubled with a higher-end Snapdragon chipset, the camera and memory have been improved as well. Lenovo Moto G4 Plus Rather than "Turbo", this one is a "Plus" and in its high spec option, the Moto G4 Plus places in the upper echelons of the mid-range segment. The 5.5"...

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ZUK Z2 Pro with 6GB RAM is now available for pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2pro-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nearly a month after it was officially announced, the Lenovo ZUK Z2 Pro - which is powered by Snapdragon 820 chipset, and comes with whopping 6GB RAM and 128GB internal memory - is now available for pre-orders in China. The phone costs RMB 2,699, which is $415 at current exchange rates. It's worth mentioning that currently only the white ceramic variant is on sale - those interested in the black version will have wait a while longer. Actual availability comes in exactly one week - on May 24. The downgraded version of the phone that has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage will be available for...

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Xiaomi pips Apple to become world's No. 2 wearable vendor; Samsung's back in top 5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/IDC-q3-wearables/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Market research firm IDC has released its latest (Q1 2016) stats for the worldwide wearables market, revealing that Xiaomi is now the number two player in the business, surpassing Apple which is now at the third position. While Fitbit continued to be the top vendor, Garmin also retained the fourth spot. What's worth mentioning here is that Samsung has made a come back in the top 5 list, something which the report credits to the success of the company's Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic smartwatches. Overall, the market continued to grow, although growth in Q1 2016 slowed down a bit...

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Moto G4 Plus retail box leak confirms octa core CPU, 5.5-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/motog4-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Motorola Moto G4 and G4 Plus are just a few hours away from their official unveiling, but looks like there's no stopping the leaks related to the devices, with the latest one bringing us the retail box of the Plus variant. The front of the box confirms that the Plus variant comes with a square shaped fingerprint sensor, while the back reveals some of the phone's key specs, including octa-core CPU, 5.5-inch full HD display, 2GB/32GB memory configuration, 16MP/5MP camera combo, and 3,000mAh battery. In addition, a couple of live images of the Moto G4 Plus have leaked as well,...

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Bloomberg: Photos and links could soon be out of purview of Twitter's 140-char limit
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/15/12/twitter-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like users will soon be able to compose and send longer tweets. According to a latest report from Bloomberg, the micro-blogging company is considering keeping photos and links out of the purview of the service's 140-char limited. Currently, links consume at-least 23 characters. The change, which the report says could happen as soon as in the next couple of weeks, is being seen as part of Twitter's ongoing effort to make its service more flexible. If you recall, the company removed the 140-character limit on Direct Messages last year. Earlier this year, there were rumors that...

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Sony Xperia XA Ultra hands-on: First look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/sony-xperia-xa-ultra/preview/-347x151/gsmarena_103.jpg Big-screen lovers rejoice! Meet the 6-inch Sony Xperia XA Ultra, the replacement for the popular Xperia C5 Ultra.

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Sony Xperia XA Ultra is official with a 16MP OIS selfie camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xa-ultra-official/-184x111/gsmarena_200.jpg Sony has just made the Xperia XA Ultra official. The phone packs a huge 6" 1080p display resulting in a pixel density of 367ppi. That edge-to-edge display is encased in a metal frame, which is quite nice for a mid-range offering. Under the hood, the Sony Xperia XA Ultra features a Mediatek Helio P10 chipset and 3GB of RAM, which help it run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Internal storage is 16GB, but is easily expandable with the microSD card slot on board. Sony Xperia XA Ultra press images The phone features two cameras and each sports an LED flash by its side....

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Marshmallow beta update for Sony devices brings back STAMINA Mode
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-marshmallow-update-to-bring-stamina-mode-back/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony's Marshmallow Beta has recently been updated and will bring back one of Sony customers' favorite power saving features: STAMINA mode. Which automatically shuts down app processes when they are not in use. This feature was first removed from Sony's first Android Marshmallow builds. Most likely because they were working on getting the feature working correctly. Some users have said that this newest version of STAMINA mode does not offer the same customizability as the Lollipop version of Android VS the latest Marshmallow. But, hey, this isn't the final version of the product yet. It...

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Pokemon Go U.S. Beta is live, sign up form available now
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/pokemon-go-field-test-open-in-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you've been following Nintendo's moves in the mobile industry for the last couple of years, you'll know that Nintendo has been thinking about entering the mobile gaming industry and so far it already has two games out on the iOS and Android mobile platforms, namely Pokemon Shuffle and Miitomo. The most anticipated mobile game for Nintendo is Pokemon Go, conceived by the same developers that created Ingress, a giant online game of capture-the-flag, to use the same geography based technology in the newest and biggest online community of Pokemon trainers in the real...

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Windows 10 Mobile update to launch on July 29
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/win-10-anniversary-july-29/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft launched the big Windows 10 update titled "Threshold" back on July 29 2015 and now another big yearly update is on the cards - "Anniversary." As you can guess, it's scheduled for the 1-year anniversary of Threshold. That's not just a guess based on the name either, a leaked timeline shows the update will indeed arrive on July 29. Leaked Windows 10 update timeline So, what does Anniversary bring to Windows 10 Mobile? Continuum is getting some cool changes - it will add support for touch-enabled external screens, it will be able to send the image to screens connected to...

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21st century dad problems: capturing tween pop videos for the Gear VR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-vr-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg VR's rebirth has experienced its fair share of delays and now faces a different problem - there's very little content. While Oculus and Vive will focus on at-home gaming, Samsung's Gear VR can be used on the go and it pairs nicely with the Gear 360 camera. It can be used to capture photos and videos that you can "teleport" into with the Gear VR and compatible Galaxy handset. Of course, some sacrifices might have to be made to acquire the 360° video: Source | Via

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GSMArena

18-05-16, 22:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-vr-daydream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Coming with the final Android N release later this summer is Daydream. This is essentially the name for Google's new VR platform that will be part of Android itself.Daydream will be the home of VR content inside Android. There will be a Daydream version of the Google Play Store, and it will contain all the VR-ready apps. You'll use this in VR mode, and whenever you are in Daydream you can easily go back to the list of your VR-capable apps. Among those you'll find Street View, YouTube, Play Movies, and Google Photos, but also many games as you'd expect. When inside Daydream, your...

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Give Google your Android N name suggestion
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-home/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Android N is coming and is under heavy development. However, Google doesn't have an official name for the latest Android version just yet. This is where it would like your help.Interestingly, you can offer a name that's not a dessert, but as you'd imagine, it's preferable. While thinking of a name, check out the funny video Google did to promote the project.If you have an idea on your mind, check out the source link and share your name idea for Android 7.0 N. Don't forget to share it in our comments section, too.My idea name is Nougat.Source

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New Android N Developer Preview release is out with automatic updates
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-n-preview-3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google usually announces a new version of Android at its annual developer conference called I/O. This year, however, we've already seen two Android N Developer Preview releases, so the search giant doesn't have anything new to announce - or does it?Today the company is pushing out the third big release of the Android N Developer Preview. According to the company, this is the first "beta quality" iteration of the next OS version, so you may even get away with installing it on your main device without any nastiness (then again, "beta" doesn't mean "bug free", keep that in...

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Google Home becomes official as the search giant's Amazon Echo competitor
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-home/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The recent rumors were true, as it turns out. At its developer conference today, Google has announced Home, a device that's basically its response to Amazon's highly successful Echo line of smart Bluetooth speakers.Like Amazon's offerings, Google Home will take voice commands from you (including letting you search, naturally), it will talk back to you, and it's also a speaker. So you can play some music on it if you want.Unlike the Echo, Google Home supports the Google Cast protocol, so you can even send stuff to it from your phone, tablet, or laptop. You can also tell it to play...

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Sony Xperia X battery life
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-battery/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xperia Z brand was a mark of Methuselah-like battery life, but now fans are a little antsy - the Z-series is no more, the X-series replaces it. Has the battery gene carried over?The Xperia X has definitely lost some capacity - the Z3 had 3,100mAh, the Z5 had 2,900mAh, the Xperia X has 2,620mAh. Even the Xperia Z5 had 2,700mAh, so it falls to a new chipset and newer components (the screen largely) to cut back on their power use and make up the difference.Before we use up the battery, we have to charge it first. The Sony Xperia X supports fast charging, but you'll have to bring your...

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T-Mobile starts selling the HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy J7 and LG K10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-10-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As promised, T-Mobile has started selling the flagship HTC 10 as well as the mid-range Samsung Galaxy J7 and LG K10. The HTC 10 is offered without a downpayment with a 2-year contract for $28.34 per month. By getting the HTC 10 before May 10, T-Mobile will gift you an Ice View case and Rapid Charger.The HTC 10 is also offered sans a contract for $679.99. Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy J7 is cheaper at $10/month for 2 years or $239.99 full retail. The LG K10 is up for grabs at $6.68 for the same period, while its retail price is $164.99.The two midrangers are aslo going to be sold...

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Samsung Pay has rung up 1 trillion KRW ($850 million) in transactions in South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/verizon-samsung-pay-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has announced that its mobile payments service Samsung Pay has processed a total of over 1 trillion KRW ($850 million) in transactions in its home country of South Korea. The milestone comes nine months after the service was launched in the country."Samsung Pay is changing the way consumers pay and we will continue to add the best services to create a differentiated mobile payment culture," a company spokesperson said.The service made its US debut in September last year, and roughly six months after that, Samsung announced that over 5 million users have signed up for the...

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Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 now available in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-mediapad-available-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 is available for purchase in the UK starting today. So far Currys has exclusivity on the tablet, and only the Standard edition is available, listed at £249.99.Standard in this case means 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, while the Premium edition has an extra gig of RAM and four times the storage, plus support for the M-Pen stylus. This one will have a retail price of £329.99, but is nowhere to be found on the retailer's website.Both versions come with a 10.1-inch IPS display with 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution, Kirin 930 chipset with an octa-core...

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Alcatel Flash Plus 2 goes official, to cost $160 in Asia
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/alcatel-flash-plus-2/-184x111/thumb.jpg Alcatel (owned by TCL) has been very consistent with the Flash brand. The first Alcatel Flash went official back in September 2014 while the Flash 2 was announced a year later in September 2015. The Flash Plus model, an expansion of the original Flash, was introduced in May 2015 and this May we are getting its refresh with the Alcatel Flash Plus 2.Enough with the history lesson, though. The Alcatel Flash Plus 2 is an all-metal smartphone, which is great news for a mid-ranger. It features a 5.5" 1080p display and runs on the Helio P10 chipset with an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor (4x...

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Marshmallow update starts rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Tab A
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-tab-a-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has started rolling out the Marshmallow update to Galaxy Tab A. The update, which brings Android version 6.0.1 and bumps the build number to T550XXU1BPE1, is currently hitting the 9.7-inch Wi-Fi model (SM-T550) in France.Aside from the usual Marshmallow goodies - including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions - it isn't yet known what else (if at all) the update brings along. It is currently only available via Samsung Smart Switch, although OTA roll out shouldn't be far off.Via

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Invite reveals Samsung Galaxy C series launching on May 26
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Because Samsung hasn't run out of letters in the Latin alphabet, it's getting ready to launch the Galaxy C on May 26 (that's next Thursday). The event will take place in China, so expect a China-only launch.So far we've seen two devices leak - the Galaxy C5 and the Galaxy C7. They will come with 1080p screens (5.2" and 5.5" respectively) Android 6.0 Marshmallow and a generous 4GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 617 chipset (C5) or its replacement, the Snapdragon 625 (C7).Going by these specs, the new Galaxy C series will be above the E and J, but below the A and S series. Source | Via

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Connecting people once more: Nokia phones, tablets are coming back
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nokia-is-back/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nokia is back! The former phone king officially announced its plan to return to the world of phones, smartphones and tablets. And to answer your burning question - yes, it will be Android smartphones and tablets!This move will include the formation of a new company - HMD global Oy, a newly founded company based in Finland that will be headed Arto Nummela as CEO, who was a senior Nokia exec in the past and currently manages a big chunk of Microsoft's phone divisions.Nokia will take a seat on the board of directors of HMD and will set standards for performance and brand requirements so...

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iTunes update brings UI changes, music deletion bug fix
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/itunes-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple released an update for iTunes that brings with it some UI changes.You now see the return of the sidebar that shows your library folders and playlists. The icons for various sections, such as music, movies, tv shows, etc. have been replaced with the previous drop down menu. The current playlist is now a separate buttons outside the play area. Lastly, on Windows, the menu bar is now permanently visible.According to TechCrunch, the update also includes bug fixes for the music deletion issue that some users were facing, where their entire local iTunes library was deleted...

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Report says Motorola planning to ditch Moto X lineup in favor of new 'Moto Z' branding
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-x-details/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg While Sony moved from 'Z' to 'X,' Motorola is apparently planning to make a switch in the opposite direction. According to a new report, the Lenovo subsidiary is planning to update its Moto X line-up with a new 'Moto Z' branding. If true, this would mean that there won't be any Moto X branded phones in the future.Remember the two Motorola devices (shown below) - code-named Vector Thin and Vertex - that leaked early last week? The report notes that those will be called the Moto Z Style and Moto Z Play, respectively.Further, the change will also affect Verizon's Droid line-up, where...

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YouTube Red now also available in Australia and New Zealand
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/youtube-red/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After launching it in the US last year, Google has expanded the availability of the YouTube Red ad-free subscription service to a couple of more countries - the service is now available in Australia and New Zealand as well.Apparently, the search giant hasn't yet made a formal announcement in this regard, just the YouTube help pages were updated with the new locations. Also, it isn't yet clear how much the service will cost in these new regions.To refresh, aside from being ad-free, YouTube Red also lets you save videos on your mobile for viewing offline, as well as supports...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 Active leaks with a camo paintjob
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s7-active-camo/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active leaked yesterday painted in an unfortunate color scheme, here's another look - the camo paint job is much more palatable.We have seen it before, about a week ago, but then it sported an AT&T logo on the back (as did yesterday's leak). This one does not, however, meaning this is the international model.Samsung Galaxy S7 Active (leaked render)Going by leaked benchmarks, the Galaxy S7 Active will have a bigger screen than the base S7 - 5.5" QHD, like the S7 edge without the edge - a Snapdragon 820 chipset and a 12MP camera.Considering the current...

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Always on Display for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge receives update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/always-on-display-updated-galaxy-s7-and-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Always-on display feature on the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge is new to the smartphone world. This year, phone makers like LG and Samsung decided to bake in software features that let the screen stay permanently on with minimal information constantly on display such as time, date, and basic notifications.Samsung has updated its Always on Display feature by allowing users to customize the range of time that the feature should be active. Now users can only have their Samsung Galaxy S7s only stay permanently on for an allotted amount of time per day such as the full shift at work, or...

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New update hitting Galaxy Note 4 units in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/verizon-note-4-android-511/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started rolling out a new update to the Galaxy Note 4. Weighing in at around 525MB, the update carries a build number of N910GDTU1DPE1. It's not clear exactly what the update brings along - the change-log is pretty generic, saying stability and performance-related improvements and bug fixes.In case you missed, Galaxy Note 4 units in India have already received security patches for the Month of May.As is usually the case, it may take some time before the update hits your device. Meanwhile, if you're feeling impatient, you can check for it manually by heading to your...

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Sony Xperia Z5 down to $500 at Best Buy, B&H, and Amazon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-z5-price-cut-at-best-buy-amazon-bhphoto/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With Sony's new Xperia X lineup almost here for the summer, the Xperia Z5 is slowly but surely finding its way down the price ladder. The phone that originally retailed on sale on Best Buy for $600 is now $100 off the original retail price. With Sony's incoming Xperia X phones already around the corner, it doesn't feel like Z5 has had enough time to mature.Anyway, Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo have all listed the Xperia Z5 in all three colors: white, graphite black, and gold, all unlocked and ready to activate on any GSM network for $500. It's worth noting that B&H Photo also carries...

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Marshmallow starts hitting AT&T Galaxy S6 and S6 edge
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/android-6-samsung-s6/-184x111/thumb.jpg AT&T has finally started rolling out the Marshmallow update to Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge units on its network. Weighing in at around 1.5GB and carrying a build number of MMB29K.G920AUCU3CPD6, the update brings along Android version 6.0.1.The update also includes several other changes, such as video calling support and full preload for Amazon. While Keeper, AT&T Live, FB Messenger have been removed, AT&T Mail and YP Mobile have been moved to a Virtual Preload.Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take some time before the OTA notification pops up on your...

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GSMArena

19-05-16, 22:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/chrome-os-sales-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg For the first time since Chrome OS was launched, devices running Google's operating system have outsold Apple's Macs in the US in the first quarter of this year. The data comes from IDC, though an exact number for Chrome OS device sales hasn't been given.That said, Mac OS computer sales are estimated to be around 1.76 million for Q1 2016, so Chrome OS device makers have probably sold almost 2 million units during the same time frame. IDC notes however that most of those Chrome OS sales have gone to schools, where they are apparently very popular.Chromebook laptops, Chromebase...

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Meizu Pro 6 Edge or Pro 7 with curved screen shows up, may launch in H2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-pro-6-edge-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The double curved screens made popular by Samsung with its recent edge-branded smartphones are starting to catch on even among competing manufacturers, it seems. Case in point: Meizu. The Chinese company is working on its own 'edge' handset, which might launch in the second half of this year. The existence of the phone has apparently been confirmed by Meizu CEO Huang Zhang.An image supposedly depicting the handset has been leaked in China, and you can see it below. The phone will either be called Meizu Pro 6 Edge or Pro 7. It's expected to cost at least $450, and will run Meizu's upcoming...

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A black ZUK Z2 hides in the dark, teaser reveals similar design to the Z2 Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-black/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The ZUK Z1 from last year was followed up last month with the ZUK Z2 Pro. If you've been wondering where's the non-Pro, stay calm - it's coming. Senior vice president of Lenovo Group (ZUK's parent company) has shared an image of the ZUK Z2 on Weibo disclosing a few design details.The almost pitch-black render requires some adjustment to actually reveal the phone but once that's done, we're given a glimpse of the metal frame and 2.5D front glass. A hardware home button and a Type-C USB port have been borrowed from the Z2 Pro.Image as shared on Weibo Â• With shadows...

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SHIELD TV update to bring YouTube 4K60 support, Netflix HDR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/shield-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg SHIELD TV owners have a major update to look forward to from NVIDIA.Two of the major features coming is 4K at 60fps and HDR video, that should help you get the very best out of your Ultra HD Premium TV. The 4K60 support will be available on the YouTube app, which means you can watch all the latest 4K gaming videos the way they were captured. The HDR support will be available on apps like Netflix, which currently has a growing library of HDR content. The SHIELD TV will be the first smart TV box to have support for this feature. Other than that, VUDU will also be now available to stream in...

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Nextbit's cloud-focused Robin landing in India next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/nextbit-robin/-184x111/thumb.jpg A couple of weeks after announcing that it has received necessary approvals to sell the device in India, Nextbit has started sending invites for a May 25 event where it will launch the cloud-focused Robin smartphone.Originally, the India launch was scheduled for April-end, but it got delayed. The device started shipping to Kickstarter backers in the country last week, and starting May 25, it will be available to the general public as well.There's currently no information on how much the handset will cost in India. In the US, it carried a $399 price tag at launch. To refresh,...

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Asus Zenfone 3 details leak: 3 sizes, metal frames, 23MP cams on some
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zenfone-3-details/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The third-generation Zenfone is coming and a comprehensive leak gives us a lot of juicy details. For starters, there will be three models ranging from $110 to $370 based on size and features.The models will be divided by screen size: 4.5", 5" and 5.5" (there's a chance the last one will be 6" instead). The screens will be covered with 2.5D Gorilla Glass 4. Some will get in on the back too and a brushed spiral pattern is reported along with five glossy color options - White, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold and Black.Asus Zenfone 3 out in the wildThe new Asus Zenfone 3 handsets will be...

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Google Keyboard 5.1 gets theme support
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-keyboard-51/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday, Google released Android N Developer Preview 3. One of the inclusions is the new Google Keyboard 5.1.The main addition here is the presence of themes. You can choose from a bunch of solid color themes for the keyboard. There is also an option to set any image of your choice as a background for the keyboard.5.1 also brings support for the new emoji that are included in Android N. The previous versions of Google Keyboard could not access the new emoji, meaning you can see them but couldn't type them, and this update fixes that.Android Police has an APK for the update,...

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Axon 7's first teaser video focuses on device's sound quality
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/axon7-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ZTE has released first teaser video for its upcoming Axon 7 flagship smartphone. The video - which is aimed at showcasing the device's sound quality - shows close-up of an animated character playing piano on stage. But as the camera zooms out, it's revealed that the animated movie is in fact being played on the Axon 7.If you recall, the invite image that the company sent out for the device's launch event also contained a caption "Listening to the heart of power." Although we told you it could be something related to the device's audio output, we weren't really sure about it at that...

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Samsung Pay in the US now supports loyalty, membership cards
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-pay-loyalty-cards/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung Pay is expanding fast - both in supported territories and in features. The latest addition to the service helps you pay less - with the addition of loyalty and membership cards (US-only for now).The feature is pretty simple - it shows a barcode on the screen and that the cashier can scan just like a regular barcode. This allows you to carry as many cards as you want - an average American family has 30 loyalty cards, which is impractical to lug around (so often you forget to take them and miss out on deals and savings).Of course, once those savings are applied you can just...

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Exclusive: Apple iPhone 7 renders appear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We received exclusive Apple iPhone 7 renders from a reputable source in the case-making business. The renders you see below are based on actual 3D technical drawings of the upcoming iPhone 7. However, colors and materials are not official but made up.Since the renders are based on technical drawings of the device, the buttons, camera placement and all functional elements are in their correct locations. The color scheme and actual materials might differ slightly, but knowing Apple's style these are also likely correct.Apple iPhone 7 rendersInterestingly, Apple has...

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Resident Evil 5 comes to NVIDIA SHIELD TV
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/resident-evil-shield/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Capcom has launched a mobile version of the Resident Evil 5 game, which was released on PC and consoles back in 2009. The game is exclusively available on NVIDIA SHIELD TV, and no other Android device, not even NVIDIA's other SHIELD devices.The game comes in at a massive 3.7GB download and expands to 5.5GB after installing, which should take a sizable chunk out of your storage. The game is limited to 720p resolution, however, which shouldn't really be a big deal since you sit away from the TV screen.The game is currently priced at $9.99 with an included 33% discount, so expect the...

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Gionee brings 5,020mAh battery toting Marathon M5 Plus to India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/gionee-marathon-m5-plus-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Gionee Marathon M5 Plus - which features Mediatek MT6753 SoC and a 6-inch display, and packs in a 5,020mAh battery - has been launched in India, five months after it was launched in the company's home country of China.In India, the device will be available across retail outlets, and online exclusively through e-tailer Flipkart, which has it listed for INR 26,999 (or around $400 at current exchange rates). Color options include Champagne Gold and Polar Gold."We are thrilled to bring the M5 Plus to India. The device is a perfect reflection of a beautifully crafted powerhouse,"...

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Samsung Galaxy C5 with octa-core CPU and 5.2-inch display clears TENAA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy C5 - which has already been the subject of several leaks, and is expected to be unveiled on May 26 along with the Galaxy C7 - has now been spotted on the website of Chinese telecommunication authority TENAA, confirming some of its key specs.The listing reveals that the device is powered by an octa-core processor (two variants - 1.5GHz and 1.2GHz - are mentioned), and sports a 5.2-inch full HD display. It has 4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB internal memory options.The camera department is handled by a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. A 2,600mAh battery is there to...

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Play Store and Android apps headed to Chrome, Google announces
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-apps-chrome/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's not like we didn't already know it, but Google has now officially confirmed that Android apps will be available on Chrome through the Play Store. The confirmation came in the form of a session description on the website of the company's I/O 2016 conference.The description has apparently been pulled, but not before it was captured by tech media. Here it is:Today we announced that we're adding the best mobile app experiences in the world, Android apps and the Google Play store, to the best browser in the world, Chrome! Come to this session and test your Android apps for Chrome...

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BlackBerry 'Hamburg' spotted on GFXBench with SD615 SoC, 5.2-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/blackberry-hamburg-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you recall, late last month, we told you about a couple of upcoming Android-powered BlackBerry devices - codenamed Hamburg and Rome. Well, the former has now been spotted on GFXBench, revealing some of its key specifications.As per the listing, the device is powered by Snapdragon 615, and sports a 5.2-inch full HD display. It comes with 3GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, and features a 12MP rear camera and 8MP front shooter.The handset carries a model number of STH100-x, and runs Android 6.0.1 out of the box. There is currently no information on exactly when the device will be...

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Google Cardboard app downloads hit 50 million milestone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/cardboard-app-downloads/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has announced that a total of over 50 million VR apps for its Cardboard platform have been downloaded from the Play Store so far. The announcement was made by the company's head of VR Clay Bavor at the ongoing I/O 2016 conference.The figure stood at 25 million back in January this year, meaning the number of Cardboard app downloads has doubled in the past four months. "We think that's pretty good for what is, after all, just a piece of cardboard," Bavor said.Although Bavor didn't reveal the exact number of Cardboard units that have been shipped globally until now, he did...

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Netflix launches fast.com, a simple speed test website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/netflix-launches-fast-speedtest-competitor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Netflix wants you to keep tabs on how fast your internet connection is. That's why it trademarked and launched a data speed test site that launches instantly as soon as you enter the website www.fast.com. This is likely to help customers who are having trouble with their internet connections to identify the issues fast.While we still have speedtest.net, there are still many people who cannot understand what the speed test is actually measuring or how to even start a speed test using Speed Test's interface. Netflix has so much internet traffic already but believes it's still up to the task...

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YU Yunicorn unveiling delayed to May 31
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/yunnicorn-launch-delayed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Micromax subsidiary YU Televentures has postponed the unveiling of its upcoming Yunicorn flagship smartphone. The device, which was earlier scheduled to be made official on May 19 (today), will now be announced on May 31.Apparently, the reason behind the delay is lack of media coverage - May 19 has been chosen as "vote counting day" by the Election Commission of India (several states in the country went for elections recently), so obviously the media will be focusing there.Coming back to Yunicorn, YU is marketing it as "the phone that will redefine flagships." Not much is known...

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Google to make it easier to discover apps in Beta
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-to-improve-beta-app-experience-on-play-store/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Signing up for an app that's in Beta has always been a cumbersome process. You'll usually be invited to try a Beta app through a link that puts you on a whitelist to download the latest build of such apps. The problem with this model that has been plaguing it for a while, is that the system always took several moments for the Beta request to go through before you could even download the application.Google is taking new steps in order to make it simpler for people to discover new apps in Beta by putting these apps in the search results for the general public to download and access. This...

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Google says you'll soon be able to use Android Auto without a compatible car
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-auto-to-work-without-compatible-radio/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google I/O brought the announcement that might make many Android using drivers pretty happy. Google has announced that soon the Android Auto app will be fully accessible through your phone's screen and will no longer require an actual radio compatible with the platform. All you would need in order to use Android Auto is to hook up your audio to your car via 3.5mm auxiliary jack or Bluetooth streaming.Google has also announced new features to the platform such as voice activation and Waze integration. But the bigger news is that Google has allowed for car-makers to customize Android Auto...

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GSMArena

20-05-16, 22:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/ara-ship-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After a few delays, it looks like Google's much-hyped Project Ara modular smartphone is almost ready to ship. The device will be out for developers to try sometime this fall, while consumers will be able to get their hands on it at some point next year. To celebrate the news, the search giant has created a new promo video for Project Ara. It obviously plays on the Ara's modular strengths, though it looks like some of those small modules are actually going to be pretty easy to lose. According to a report, around 30 people inside Google are already using Ara prototypes as their...

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AT&T expands BOGO offer to 12 devices, including the HTC One A9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/att-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg AT&T's had quite a few Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deals this year - be they for the Galaxy S7 or LG G5, for example. But today the carrier has announced an unprecedented expansion of its BOGO deal, which now covers a whopping dozen smartphone models. Here's the full list - you can buy either one of these and get another one for free: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung Galaxy S6 active, Samsung Galaxy Note5, LG G5, LG V10, Microsoft Lumia 950, HTC One A9 (pictured below), and Kyocera DuraForce. The...

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Meizu MX6 will have two RAM and storage versions, new report claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-mx6-versions/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg That Pro 6 or Pro 7 with a double curved touchscreen isn't the only device that Meizu is going to launch at some point in the second half of this year. It will be joined in the Chinese company's portfolio by the MX6, obviously the successor to the MX5 from last year. Although we've already heard a few mumblings about the MX6's specs, today a new report from China comes to shed some light on the two hardware versions it will allegedly have. Accompanying the info is the image you can see below. It's not clear if this is supposed to depict the upcoming MX6 or not, though. If it is, then...

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Sony Xperia X review: Rated X
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/sony-xperia-x/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg There's a shift of command in the house of Xperia. The Sony Xperia X and its two siblings are taking over from the Xperia Z. A dynasty has come to an end. We hear the C and M families are being put out to pasture as well, soon it will be all X top to bottom.

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LG G5 pre-bookings to start May 21 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-india-pre-booking/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has announced that its flagship device, the modular LG G5, will go on pre-bookings starting May 21 in India. The pre-bookings will go from May 21 till May 30. Customers eager to buy the phone will be able to pre-book from retail outlets, LG branded stores, and online exclusively through Flipkart. As a bonus, LG is giving away a LG CAM Plus - a camera grip for the G5 that gives you a better grip as well as physical buttons for the camera, and also includes a built-in battery to extend the battery life of your phone - to everyone who is pre-booking the G5 in India. You can...

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ZUK Z2 to come with an Exynos 8890 inside, the tease continues
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-exynos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The teasing of the ZUK Z2 by high-ranking company officials continues. After the render shared yesterday by a Lenovo VP, today it is the ZUK CEO that took it to Weibo to share that the Z2 will be powered by Samsung's Exynos 8890 chipset (best known from its starring role in the Galaxy S7). With a hat tip to Meizu VP Li Nan for thinking alike, ZUK's Chang Cheng has labeled the SoC "good" after spending a day with the smartphone. So far Meizu has been the only manufacturer to use Samsung chipsets, other than the Korean company itself, hence the pleasantries between the two Chinese...

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Android N seamless updates not coming to existing devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/seamless-updates-fail/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google announced a bunch of new features in the upcoming Android N during the Google I/O keynote, one of which was seamless updates. With this, new Android devices running N will be able to download the updates in the background and the next time you restart the device you will be running the new version. Turns out, the key word here is 'new'. According to Android Police, the seamless update features won't be coming to existing Android devices. The feature requires two partitions, one offline and one online, and it installs the update on the offline partition and then switches it to...

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Uber offering $10 off when you pay using Android Pay
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/uber-androidpay-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Ride sharing service Uber is currently running a promotion where-in it's offering $10 off a ride if you pay using Google's mobile payments service Android Pay. To avail the deal, first download the Android Pay app from the Play Store and set up the service (if you haven't done that already). Then open your Uber app, and enter "ANDROIDPAY" promo code in the Promotions section of your app. The offer - which is valid for a single trip (per account) requested via UberBLACK, UberX, UberSELECT, or UberPOOL options - is limited to the US only, and expires May 31. Source | Via

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Leak reveals native call and SMS blocking feature in the works for Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/windows10-call-sms-block/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft is working on adding native call and SMS blocking capability to the Windows 10 Mobile platform. This was revealed by a leaked set of screenshots that show an app named ID & Filter offering the aforementioned functionality. "ID & Filter provides info about numbers known to send spam, and shows caller ID info about businesses who contact you," says the app description. ID & Filter also allows you to block calls from a specific category of business, such as advertising, real estate, couriers, finance, and taxi. There's currently no information on when the app will be released...

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Another Priv Marshmallow beta build starts rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bb-priv-marshmallow-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg BlackBerry's debut Android smartphone Priv has started receiving yet another Marshmallow beta update, making it the fourth beta build that has been rolled out to the device. The update weighs in at 1.8GB. Like it has been the case previously as well, the update is not hitting all Priv variants - this time around models STV100-1 (purchased from ShopBlackBerry or Amazon), STV100-3 (Canadian carrier variants and those available within Asia-Pacific), and STV100-4 (available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) are getting the new beta build. It's worth mentioning that BlackBerry has...

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Microsoft's Bing continues to gain US market share
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/bing-us-share/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Market research firm comScore's latest report reveals that Microsoft's Bing is continuing to gain market share in the United States, although slowly and steadily. On the other hand, market leader Google's share has dropped a bit. The latest numbers reveal 21.6% market share for Bing, up slightly from the previously revealed 21.4% share. Google, meanwhile, saw its market share dipping from 64.0% to 63.8% during the same time period. Yahoo came in at number three with 12.2% share, while Ask Network and AOL rounded up the top 5 with 1.5% and 0.9% share, respectively. In case you don't...

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Google releases list of Chromebooks that will support Android apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/chromebooks-supporting-playstore/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With Google confirming Play Store's arrival on Chromebooks, we're sure most of you will be waiting to know exactly which Chromebooks will support Android apps. Well, the wait is over as the Mountain View, California-based company has released the list. The list of Chromebooks that Google says will work with Android apps starting next month currently includes Acer Chromebook R11, Asus Chromebook Flip, and of course Google Chromebook Pixel (2015). The search giant also released a long list of Chromebooks that will get the Play Store later this year (head to the Source 2 link below)....

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Lenovo picks at our nostalgia with a RAZR ad for June 9th Moto event
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lenovo-teases-date-with-motorola-razr-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg I am confused as I write this. Before reading ahead, you need to see the same video that left me with a baffled look on my face. I feel as if I just got back from my own high school days once filled with acne, confused teenagers, long hair, and Motorola RAZRs. The video is titled "Moto 06.09.16", likely the date for a new phone to launch or to hold an unveiling event. Lenovo quietly released this ad, on Motorola Mobility's YouTube channel, set in a high school with a bunch of adolescents living through their high school phases. The ad starts with a girl sending a text message to...

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OnePlus CEO says upcoming OP3 feels good to hold
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-press-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In an apparent attempt to create hype around the device, OnePlus CEO Liu Zuohu (aka Pete Lau) has said that the company's upcoming OnePlus 3 smartphone feels good to hold. He made the comment in a post on Weibo (China's Twitter). This came just days after the usually reliable leakster @evleaks shared a press render of the OnePlus 3, showing the handset in all its glory. As for specs, rumors say that the OP3 is powered by Snapdragon 820 chipset, and sports a 5.5-inch 1080p display. The device is said to come in two RAM variants - 4GB and 6GB - with 32GB and 64GB internal memory,...

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Google confirms it is developing VR headset and controller
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-confirms-vr-headset/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, when Google announced Daydream VR platform at the ongoing I/O 2016 conference a couple of days ago, the company revealed that it has created a reference design for a virtual reality headset as well as a controller that will be shared with partners. While that gave an impression that Google itself won't be launching such a product, the search giant has now confirmed otherwise. The confirmation came from Google's VR division head Clay Bavor who said that the Mountain View, California based company is developing its own VR headset and controller. Sadly, he didn't reveal...

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Meizu Pro 6 Edge or Pro 7 with curved screen shows up, may launch in H2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-pro-6-edge-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The double curved screens made popular by Samsung with its recent edge-branded smartphones are starting to catch on even among competing manufacturers, it seems. Case in point: Meizu. The Chinese company is working on its own 'edge' handset, which might launch in the second half of this year. The existence of the phone has apparently been confirmed by Meizu CEO Huang Zhang. An image supposedly depicting the handset has been leaked in China, and you can see it below. The phone will either be called Meizu Pro 6 Edge or Pro 7. It's expected to cost at least $450, and will run Meizu's upcoming...

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A black ZUK Z2 hides in the dark, teaser reveals similar design to the Z2 Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-black/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The ZUK Z1 from last year was followed up last month with the ZUK Z2 Pro. If you've been wondering where's the non-Pro, stay calm - it's coming. Senior vice president of Lenovo Group (ZUK's parent company) has shared an image of the ZUK Z2 on Weibo disclosing a few design details. The almost pitch-black render requires some adjustment to actually reveal the phone but once that's done, we're given a glimpse of the metal frame and 2.5D front glass. A hardware home button and a Type-C USB port have been borrowed from the Z2 Pro. Image as shared on Weibo Â• With shadows...

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SHIELD TV update to bring YouTube 4K60 support, Netflix HDR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/shield-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg SHIELD TV owners have a major update to look forward to from NVIDIA. Two of the major features coming is 4K at 60fps and HDR video, that should help you get the very best out of your Ultra HD Premium TV. The 4K60 support will be available on the YouTube app, which means you can watch all the latest 4K gaming videos the way they were captured. The HDR support will be available on apps like Netflix, which currently has a growing library of HDR content. The SHIELD TV will be the first smart TV box to have support for this feature. Other than that, VUDU will also be now available to stream in...

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Nextbit's cloud-focused Robin landing in India next week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/nextbit-robin/-184x111/thumb.jpg A couple of weeks after announcing that it has received necessary approvals to sell the device in India, Nextbit has started sending invites for a May 25 event where it will launch the cloud-focused Robin smartphone. Originally, the India launch was scheduled for April-end, but it got delayed. The device started shipping to Kickstarter backers in the country last week, and starting May 25, it will be available to the general public as well. There's currently no information on how much the handset will cost in India. In the US, it carried a $399 price tag at launch. To refresh,...

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GSMArena

21-05-16, 22:53

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s7-edge-bug-fixes-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Outside of the typical monthly schedule, which brings in the latest Android security patch, Samsung has released new firmware updates for the current flagships Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The timing is extraordinary, but then so is the nature of the updates. Unlike the usual generic release notes that cite unnamed bug fixes and performance improvements, these latest releases address very specific issues. The first one on the list is perhaps the one that's hardest to understand, but the summary is that screen clarity when using Always On Display has been improved. Other things...

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Deal: Lumia 640 now $30 on Cricket, $10 if you're switching carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lumia-640-30-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Cricket Wireless is now offering the Microsoft Lumia 640 for $29.99 with a new activation. That number changes to a nominal $9.99 if you bring your number from another carrier. If you go for the more recent Lumia 650, you'll need to pay $119.99 and there's no number transfer benefits. Microsoft Lumia 640 The offer is valid with any of the carrier's available plans, except the basic Talk and Text plan. The plans range from $40 to $70 a month with $5 off of that each month if you enable the Auto Pay option. Source 1 Source 2 | Via

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Apple CEO shares plans for the company's future in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-tim-cook-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's CEO Tim Cook is on an official visit in India, meeting up with the government and carriers to talk about the company's future in the country. Amidst those talks he went for an exclusive interview on NDTV, where he shared Apple's plans for making a move on the Indian market. For one, Apple sees India as having an "enormously bright future" and it's one Apple wants to be a part of. "We're here for a thousand years" were the exact words. Tim Cook sees the rollout of 4G as key to both India's future and Apple's part of it. Tim Cook was clear that he sees talent in India, and...

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Samsung Pay partners with Alipay in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-pay-alipay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has partnered up with Ant Financial Services Group, the Chinese company behind the Alipay online payment service. The collaboration will now allow payments with users' Alipay accounts on select Samsung smartphones. Users need to register their Alipay accounts into Samsung Pay and simply swipe upward from the locksreen, homescreen or even standby to bring up an Alipay QR code for the merchant to scan. Samsung Pay was launched in China in the end of March and the service has gotten positive reception since. Supported handsets include the current flagships Galaxy S7, S7...

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Sony behind on iPhone 7 camera sensor production, LG steps in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-lg-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple may be going to LG as a primary supplier of dual-camera modules for initial batches of the iPhone 7, Japanese analysts from Nomura Securities have been quoted as saying. Sony, which was originally meant to be the main vendor, is facing lower-than-expected yield, as well as having to deal with the aftermath of the Kumamoto earthquakes in April, which affected the company's production facilities in the region. Additionally, Nomura Securities predicts that Apple will opt for an optically stabilized camera on the regular-sized 4.7-inch iPhone 7, and not just the 7 Plus model. Both...

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Sprint plays the BOGO game too with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sprint-iphone-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few hours ago AT&T announced a big expansion of its Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) offer, which is now available for a whopping 12 smartphones. Notably absent from that list, however, are any Apple devices. Not to worry, though. If you don't mind having Sprint as your carrier, there's a new BOGO deal to be had for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus too. Here's how it works. If you're a Sprint customer you need to have a line that's eligible for an upgrade, and you'll also have to add a new line. New customers will be required to add two lines, as you'd expect. You can take advantage of the...

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Nubia exec teases Z11 Max with 83.27% screen-to-body ratio
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nubia-z11-max-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE's nubia sub-brand has already announced the Z11 mini, the first member in its Z11 family. And earlier this month we've seen the other two devices in the line getting certified for sale in China by TENAA. So both the Z11 and the Z11 Max should become official soon. In the meantime, Ni Fei, nubia's general manager and co-founder, has decided to start teasing the Z11 Max. He's done so on Weibo by posting the image you can see below. The render of the upcoming Z11 Max is accompanied by a claim that should bring very good news to people who love big displays on phones but hate...

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Xiaomi drone launches on May 25
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-drone-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is officially getting into the drone business. The Chinese company has announced an event for May 25, which is next Wednesday. At this event it will present its first ever drone, which we assume will be called something along the lines of Mi Drone. The event invite has the picture you can see below on it, helpfully revealing some of the drone's design elements. Recent rumors have mentioned that this device won't be as cheap as Xiaomi's other wares, in fact it could cost as much as CNY 3,999 (that's about $610 or Â€543 at the current exchange rates). The drone may in fact be...

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AT&T expands BOGO offer to 12 devices, including the HTC One A9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/att-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg AT&T's had quite a few Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deals this year - be they for the Galaxy S7 or LG G5, for example. But today the carrier has announced an unprecedented expansion of its BOGO deal, which now covers a whopping dozen smartphone models. Here's the full list - you can buy either one of these and get another one for free: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung Galaxy S6 active, Samsung Galaxy Note5, LG G5, LG V10, Microsoft Lumia 950, HTC One A9 (pictured below), and Kyocera DuraForce. The...

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Meizu MX6 will have two RAM and storage versions, new report claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-mx6-versions/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg That Pro 6 or Pro 7 with a double curved touchscreen isn't the only device that Meizu is going to launch at some point in the second half of this year. It will be joined in the Chinese company's portfolio by the MX6, obviously the successor to the MX5 from last year. Although we've already heard a few mumblings about the MX6's specs, today a new report from China comes to shed some light on the two hardware versions it will allegedly have. Accompanying the info is the image you can see below. It's not clear if this is supposed to depict the upcoming MX6 or not, though. If it is, then...

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Sony Xperia X review: Rated X
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/sony-xperia-x/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg There's a shift of command in the house of Xperia. The Sony Xperia X and its two siblings are taking over from the Xperia Z. A dynasty has come to an end. We hear the C and M families are being put out to pasture as well, soon it will be all X top to bottom.

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LG G5 pre-bookings to start May 21 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-india-pre-booking/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has announced that its flagship device, the modular LG G5, will go on pre-bookings starting May 21 in India. The pre-bookings will go from May 21 till May 30. Customers eager to buy the phone will be able to pre-book from retail outlets, LG branded stores, and online exclusively through Flipkart. As a bonus, LG is giving away a LG CAM Plus - a camera grip for the G5 that gives you a better grip as well as physical buttons for the camera, and also includes a built-in battery to extend the battery life of your phone - to everyone who is pre-booking the G5 in India. You can...

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ZUK Z2 to come with an Exynos 8890 inside, the tease continues
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-exynos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The teasing of the ZUK Z2 by high-ranking company officials continues. After the render shared yesterday by a Lenovo VP, today it is the ZUK CEO that took it to Weibo to share that the Z2 will be powered by Samsung's Exynos 8890 chipset (best known from its starring role in the Galaxy S7). With a hat tip to Meizu VP Li Nan for thinking alike, ZUK's Chang Cheng has labeled the SoC "good" after spending a day with the smartphone. So far Meizu has been the only manufacturer to use Samsung chipsets, other than the Korean company itself, hence the pleasantries between the two Chinese...

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Android N seamless updates not coming to existing devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/seamless-updates-fail/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google announced a bunch of new features in the upcoming Android N during the Google I/O keynote, one of which was seamless updates. With this, new Android devices running N will be able to download the updates in the background and the next time you restart the device you will be running the new version. Turns out, the key word here is 'new'. According to Android Police, the seamless update features won't be coming to existing Android devices. The feature requires two partitions, one offline and one online, and it installs the update on the offline partition and then switches it to...

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Uber offering $10 off when you pay using Android Pay
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/uber-androidpay-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Ride sharing service Uber is currently running a promotion where-in it's offering $10 off a ride if you pay using Google's mobile payments service Android Pay. To avail the deal, first download the Android Pay app from the Play Store and set up the service (if you haven't done that already). Then open your Uber app, and enter "ANDROIDPAY" promo code in the Promotions section of your app. The offer - which is valid for a single trip (per account) requested via UberBLACK, UberX, UberSELECT, or UberPOOL options - is limited to the US only, and expires May 31. Source | Via

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Leak reveals native call and SMS blocking feature in the works for Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/windows10-call-sms-block/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft is working on adding native call and SMS blocking capability to the Windows 10 Mobile platform. This was revealed by a leaked set of screenshots that show an app named ID & Filter offering the aforementioned functionality. "ID & Filter provides info about numbers known to send spam, and shows caller ID info about businesses who contact you," says the app description. ID & Filter also allows you to block calls from a specific category of business, such as advertising, real estate, couriers, finance, and taxi. There's currently no information on when the app will be released...

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Another Priv Marshmallow beta build starts rolling out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/bb-priv-marshmallow-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg BlackBerry's debut Android smartphone Priv has started receiving yet another Marshmallow beta update, making it the fourth beta build that has been rolled out to the device. The update weighs in at 1.8GB. Like it has been the case previously as well, the update is not hitting all Priv variants - this time around models STV100-1 (purchased from ShopBlackBerry or Amazon), STV100-3 (Canadian carrier variants and those available within Asia-Pacific), and STV100-4 (available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) are getting the new beta build. It's worth mentioning that BlackBerry has...

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Microsoft's Bing continues to gain US market share
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/bing-us-share/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Market research firm comScore's latest report reveals that Microsoft's Bing is continuing to gain market share in the United States, although slowly and steadily. On the other hand, market leader Google's share has dropped a bit. The latest numbers reveal 21.6% market share for Bing, up slightly from the previously revealed 21.4% share. Google, meanwhile, saw its market share dipping from 64.0% to 63.8% during the same time period. Yahoo came in at number three with 12.2% share, while Ask Network and AOL rounded up the top 5 with 1.5% and 0.9% share, respectively. In case you don't...

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Google releases list of Chromebooks that will support Android apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/chromebooks-supporting-playstore/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With Google confirming Play Store's arrival on Chromebooks, we're sure most of you will be waiting to know exactly which Chromebooks will support Android apps. Well, the wait is over as the Mountain View, California-based company has released the list. The list of Chromebooks that Google says will work with Android apps starting next month currently includes Acer Chromebook R11, Asus Chromebook Flip, and of course Google Chromebook Pixel (2015). The search giant also released a long list of Chromebooks that will get the Play Store later this year (head to the Source 2 link below)....

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GSMArena

22-05-16, 23:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-n-chrome-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google added the ability to run apps side by side in Android N but so far we could only run different applications side by side, which means if you wanted, say, two browser windows side by side, you'd have to install a separate browser alongside Chrome to do that. Well, Android N Developer Preview 3 fixes exactly that. Now, you will be able to run Chrome windows alongside each other. With a new option in the Chrome menu, you can move a tab to the space next to your current window, which then creates another instance, and then you can use it to open other tabs. The OS remembers...

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Zopo Speed 8 benchmarked, all 10 cores of it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zopo-speed8-benchmarks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We met with the Zopo Speed 8 at MWC, and it was our first encounter with the Mediatek Helio X20 chipset, which boasts a 10-core CPU. We now have a final unit at the office for some more tinkering, and you can see how we might be eager to run some benchmarks to see what all the fuss is about. Just a quick reminder, the Mediatek Helio X20 (or MT6797, for the more technically inclined) features a deca-core CPU with a couple of Cortex-A72 cores clocked at up to 2.3GHz, four Cortex-A53's at 2.0GHz and another four Cortex-A53's, which can can only go as high as 1.4GHz. On board the Speed 8 there...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 20
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Announced this week, the Lenovo Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus were quick to enter the Top 10 trending chart. And while the Moto G4 settled into a modest 8th spot the Plus shot straight to Number 1, knocking the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 out of the way. Other than that the chart looks very much the same as last, with the usual suspects arranged in the same fashion, only a spot down. This means four Samsung J-series models followed and the Galaxy S7 occupy the positions from 3rd to 7th. The Moto G4 is, again, in 8th, while the ZUK Z1 has inched a spot ahead into 9th. Another one from Samsung,...

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Weekend poll: Sony Xperia X, Hot or Not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony officially announced that the Xperia Z series is no more and the unofficial talk is that the other Xperia lines have been cut. Only the new Xperia X will live on. In a way, Sony has come full circle as the Xperia X1 was the first to bear that name. But did Sony throw out the baby with the bathwater? The Sony Xperia X is our first full-time encounter with the X series (we saw the XA and X Performance shortly at MWC and we did a preview of the XA Ultra). And as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. The phone very much looks and feels like it's a...

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Weekend poll results: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge voted Best Android phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/best-android-smartphone-poll/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Last week we asked you to pick the Best Android smartphone from the 2016 roster and the vote was very definitive - the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is the fan favorite by a landslide. The runner up is the HTC 10, which along with the S7 edge left all other phones in the dust. Including the smaller Galaxy S7, which was edged out by the Sony Xperia X Performance. The next close fight was the Xiaomi Mi 5 and the LG G5, the Xiaomi came out on top eventually. It's bigger sibling, the Mi Max didn't, get as much love, but it did top the Huawei duo. Great stuff from our Top 3. Samsung's...

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Week 20 in review: Moto G4 announced, iPhone 7 renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In one of the busiest weeks of late we saw the announcement of the 4th generation Moto G, now in three flavors. The Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus and Moto G4 Play became official on Tuesday and we also got a chance for a brief hands-on. We were also given an exclusive look at the upcoming iPhone 7, courtesy of a casemaker, while the box of Apple's next-gen smartphone was pictured in the wild. Back to official news, Sony announced the 6-inch Xperia XA Ultra with a 16MP stabilized selfie camera. Meanwhile, Nokia changed ownership once again, and is now in the hands of Chinese manufacturer...

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Oculus Store update prevents games from running on non-Rift hardware
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oculus-revive/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oculus pushed an update to its games store that requires users to have a Rift connected to download games. Previously, one could download any of the Rift exclusive titles from Oculus' store even without owning a Rift, which enabled users to run the games on the HTC Vive using third party software like Revive. However, with the latest update, the store now requires users to have a Rift to download the games. It doesn't precisely stop you from running it on other devices, but you will also need to have a Rift along with the Vive to be able to download the games. This is in stark...

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Deal: Lumia 640 now $30 on Cricket, $10 if you're switching carriers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lumia-640-30-cricket/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Cricket Wireless is now offering the Microsoft Lumia 640 for $29.99 with a new activation. That number changes to a nominal $9.99 if you bring your number from another carrier. If you go for the more recent Lumia 650, you'll need to pay $119.99 and there's no number transfer benefits. Microsoft Lumia 640 The offer is valid with any of the carrier's available plans, except the basic Talk and Text plan. The plans range from $40 to $70 a month with $5 off of that each month if you enable the Auto Pay option. Source 1 Source 2 | Via

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Apple CEO shares plans for the company's future in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-tim-cook-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's CEO Tim Cook is on an official visit in India, meeting up with the government and carriers to talk about the company's future in the country. Amidst those talks he went for an exclusive interview on NDTV, where he shared Apple's plans for making a move on the Indian market. For one, Apple sees India as having an "enormously bright future" and it's one Apple wants to be a part of. "We're here for a thousand years" were the exact words. Tim Cook sees the rollout of 4G as key to both India's future and Apple's part of it. Tim Cook was clear that he sees talent in India, and...

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Samsung Pay partners with Alipay in China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-pay-alipay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has partnered up with Ant Financial Services Group, the Chinese company behind the Alipay online payment service. The collaboration will now allow payments with users' Alipay accounts on select Samsung smartphones. Users need to register their Alipay accounts into Samsung Pay and simply swipe upward from the locksreen, homescreen or even standby to bring up an Alipay QR code for the merchant to scan. Samsung Pay was launched in China in the end of March and the service has gotten positive reception since. Supported handsets include the current flagships Galaxy S7, S7...

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Sony behind on iPhone 7 camera sensor production, LG steps in
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-lg-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple may be going to LG as a primary supplier of dual-camera modules for initial batches of the iPhone 7, Japanese analysts from Nomura Securities have been quoted as saying. Sony, which was originally meant to be the main vendor, is facing lower-than-expected yield, as well as having to deal with the aftermath of the Kumamoto earthquakes in April, which affected the company's production facilities in the region. Additionally, Nomura Securities predicts that Apple will opt for an optically stabilized camera on the regular-sized 4.7-inch iPhone 7, and not just the 7 Plus model. Both...

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Sprint plays the BOGO game too with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sprint-iphone-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few hours ago AT&T announced a big expansion of its Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) offer, which is now available for a whopping 12 smartphones. Notably absent from that list, however, are any Apple devices. Not to worry, though. If you don't mind having Sprint as your carrier, there's a new BOGO deal to be had for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus too. Here's how it works. If you're a Sprint customer you need to have a line that's eligible for an upgrade, and you'll also have to add a new line. New customers will be required to add two lines, as you'd expect. You can take advantage of the...

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Nubia exec teases Z11 Max with 83.27% screen-to-body ratio
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nubia-z11-max-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE's nubia sub-brand has already announced the Z11 mini, the first member in its Z11 family. And earlier this month we've seen the other two devices in the line getting certified for sale in China by TENAA. So both the Z11 and the Z11 Max should become official soon. In the meantime, Ni Fei, nubia's general manager and co-founder, has decided to start teasing the Z11 Max. He's done so on Weibo by posting the image you can see below. The render of the upcoming Z11 Max is accompanied by a claim that should bring very good news to people who love big displays on phones but hate...

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Xiaomi drone launches on May 25
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-drone-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is officially getting into the drone business. The Chinese company has announced an event for May 25, which is next Wednesday. At this event it will present its first ever drone, which we assume will be called something along the lines of Mi Drone. The event invite has the picture you can see below on it, helpfully revealing some of the drone's design elements. Recent rumors have mentioned that this device won't be as cheap as Xiaomi's other wares, in fact it could cost as much as CNY 3,999 (that's about $610 or Â€543 at the current exchange rates). The drone may in fact be...

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AT&T expands BOGO offer to 12 devices, including the HTC One A9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/att-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg AT&T's had quite a few Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deals this year - be they for the Galaxy S7 or LG G5, for example. But today the carrier has announced an unprecedented expansion of its BOGO deal, which now covers a whopping dozen smartphone models. Here's the full list - you can buy either one of these and get another one for free: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, Samsung Galaxy S6 active, Samsung Galaxy Note5, LG G5, LG V10, Microsoft Lumia 950, HTC One A9 (pictured below), and Kyocera DuraForce. The...

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Meizu MX6 will have two RAM and storage versions, new report claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-mx6-versions/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg That Pro 6 or Pro 7 with a double curved touchscreen isn't the only device that Meizu is going to launch at some point in the second half of this year. It will be joined in the Chinese company's portfolio by the MX6, obviously the successor to the MX5 from last year. Although we've already heard a few mumblings about the MX6's specs, today a new report from China comes to shed some light on the two hardware versions it will allegedly have. Accompanying the info is the image you can see below. It's not clear if this is supposed to depict the upcoming MX6 or not, though. If it is, then...

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Sony Xperia X review: Rated X
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/sony-xperia-x/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg There's a shift of command in the house of Xperia. The Sony Xperia X and its two siblings are taking over from the Xperia Z. A dynasty has come to an end. We hear the C and M families are being put out to pasture as well, soon it will be all X top to bottom.

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LG G5 pre-bookings to start May 21 in India [Update: Price]
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-india-pre-booking/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has announced that its flagship device, the modular LG G5, will go on pre-bookings starting May 21 in India. The pre-bookings will go from May 21 till May 30. Customers eager to buy the phone will be able to pre-book from retail outlets, LG branded stores, and online exclusively through Flipkart. As a bonus, LG is giving away a LG CAM Plus - a camera grip for the G5 that gives you a better grip as well as physical buttons for the camera, and also includes a built-in battery to extend the battery life of your phone - to everyone who is pre-booking the G5 in India. You can...

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GSMArena

23-05-16, 23:12

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-drone-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week we found out that Xiaomi plans on launching its first ever drone this Wednesday, on May 25. Back then the Chinese company only outed the official invite for the grand unveiling, but today it's taking things up a notch with the first teaser video for the drone. It all looks pretty standard for a drone in this day and age, with four rotors and a spherical camera that moves whichever way you want it to. The Xiaomi drone has been rumored to sport 4K video recording capabilities (at 30fps), and gesture-based controls (as well as a dedicated app for controlling it). It might...

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Galaxy S7 active has full specs leaked, may launch on June 10
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/s7-active-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In a similar fashion to what happened last year with the Galaxy S6 active, the Samsung Galaxy S7 active will be exclusive to AT&T. The upcoming highly ruggedised version of Samsung's flagship smartphone has been featured in quite a few leaks so far, and today's brings us its full list of specs. The device will be bulkier than the vanilla S7, as you may expect by simply looking at it. That obviously has to do with making it more rugged, but it's also clearly related to its battery capacity. See, while the S6 active shocked last year with a 3,500 mAh cell, its successor will take things even...

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Samsung Gear Fit 2 leaks again in even more hands-on pictures
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-fit-2-new-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Gear Fit 2 could become available at some point in June, according to a report from not long ago. The upcoming wearable has been leaking a lot lately. We've already seen it in official press renders, a couple of hands-on images, and it's even been confirmed by Samsung on one of its websites. Today what we have are a bunch of new hands-on type shots of the fitness band, which look like they may have been taken from a promotional set that's being prepared by Samsung for the launch. The Gear Fit 2 seems to be able to track your runs on a map, thanks to its built-in GPS...

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Sony Xperia XA Ultra now available to pre-order in UK for £299
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-xa-ultra-canada/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Sony Xperia XA Ultra, which was unveiled just last week, is now available to pre-order in the UK. Unlocked Mobiles currently has the device listed on its website for £298.98 (including taxes), which translates into around $430 at current exchange rates. Pre-orders can be placed for all three color options (Lime Gold, White, and Black), and deliveries are expected by late next month - June 27 to be precise. In case you missed, Sony has already confirmed that the phone - which features 6-inch full HD display, Mediatek Helio P10 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow - will...

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Loop VR Headset is the vehicle for the OnePlus 3 launch, VR shopping this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-loop/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last year OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 2 smartphone in a VR launch event for which the company had previously sent out cardboard VR headsets. Well, for the OnePlus 3 launch the company is now giving away 30,000 of its Loop VR headsets (shipping's on you). The Loop VR headset has been co-developed with AntVR, OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei writes in a blog post, to provide "a more robust, immersive and comfortable experience". The headset will transport you to OnePlus' space station (called The Loop), where you'll not only be able to watch the announcement, but also order the OnePlus 3...

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New leak reveals Sony F3311 is Xperia E5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/new-sony-phones-benched/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the two Sony phones - the F3216 and F3311 - that were spotted listed on GFXBench last month? While the former was recently officially unveiled as the Xperia XA Ultra, the latter is yet to be announced by Sony. However, thanks to a new leak, we now have some information on what the F3311 will be officially called. The handset was recently spotted in an official Russian Customs report, where it's mentioned as the "F3311/Xperia E5." As you might already know, Sony's Xperia E series only features budget devices, and given that the F3311's spec-sheet currently reads 4.6-inch...

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Galaxy S7 edge the size of a building is Samsung's latest ad in Moscow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-ad-moscow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you thought the 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge was too large, multiply that 500 times and you'll get the size of Samsung's latest ad of the dual-edge smartphone. Installed on the facade of a building in the Sokol district of Moscow, the LED signage measures 80 meters tall and 40 meters wide. As Samsung is keen to point out, the ad can be seen from up to 2.2km away. Located between two road arteries, the giant S7 edge gets to be seen by 800,00 people a day. We gather the spot wasn't a coincidence then. If you can't go and check it out on site, you can always settle for the video below,...

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YU open sources OS, releases Marshmallow beta builds today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/yu-project-highway/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg YU has announced that it will be open sourcing the OS on its smartphones and inviting developers to download and contribute to the new YU-OPEN-OS. As part of the new Project Highway, YU will be "curating source codes from multiple drop points, such as Google's AOSP repos, Chipset Vendors Repos, Various ROMs (where the community developers contribute), Internal YU customization and finally creating one manifest which will be able to support all YU based devices and other Android devices too." Also, users with Yureka, Yureka Plus, Yuphoria, and Yunique will be able to download a beta...

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Nubia Z11 Max to be unveiled on June 7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nubia-z11-max-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Nubia Z11 Max is scheduled for announcement on June 7, a new teaser image featuring new-found brand ambassador Cristiano Ronaldo reveals. The event will take place in the Beijing National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube). Nubia Z11 Max launch date poster The 5-inch Nubia Z11 mini was announced a month ago, and now it's the Max' turn, the phablet sporting a 6-inch display. We're yet to hear official plans for the 5.5-inch vanilla Z11. Anyway, we know pretty much all there is to know about the Z11 Max from its TENAA listing - FullHD resolution, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage...

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New teaser reveals Snapdragon-powered ZUK Z2, May 31 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-snapdragon/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just days after ZUK CEO effectively revealed that the company's upcoming Z2 smartphone will be powered by Samsung's Exynos 8890 chipset, a new teaser has been spotted on Weibo, throwing up more questions than answers as it features a Qualcomm Snapdragon logo instead. There's, however, no information on exactly which Snapdragon SoC is there, although SD652 and SD820 are currently being rumored. While there's no confirmation on this, it could be possible that ZUK is preparing two variants of the Z2. Aside from information on chipset, the teaser also reveals that the handset will be...

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ASUS launches new ZenFone Max in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zenfone-max/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ASUS has launched an updated version of the ZenFone Max in India. One of the changes in the new model is the upgrade to an octa-core Snapdragon 615 chipset. The phone also comes in two variants with 2GB or 3GB RAM options, and has 32GB storage common across both with microSD support up to 64GB. Other features such as 5.5-inch 720p display, 13 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera are carried over from previous phone but the new model will come with Android 6.0.1 out of the box. The main feature here still is the 5000mAh battery, that ASUS claims will give three...

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Make your first Samsung Pay purchase and get $20 gift card
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-pay-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg After similar promos in March and April, Samsung is back with a new Samsung Pay promo. This time, the South Korean company is offering a free $20 gift card to those who make their first Samsung Pay purchase within two weeks from now - or until June 6 to be precise. While most Samsung Pay compatible credit and debit cards are eligible for this offer, there are a few exceptions. The promo's terms and conditions say: "private label (PLCC) cards and Bank of America Visa Debit Cards added to Samsung Pay before March 31, 2016," are not eligible for this offer. For the gift card, you have...

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Deal: Buy Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and get 32-inch Samsung smart TV free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxys7-free-tv/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are in the United States, and are planning to purchase Samsung's newest flagship smartphone (the Galaxy S7 or S7 edge), here is a deal for you: Best Buy is offering a free Samsung smart TV with each handset. The TV in question is a 32-inch LED Smart HDTV, and the promo is available only when you buy/lease and activate the handset on a 2-year contract, Sprint Lease, or monthly installment plan for Verizon Wireless, AT&T or Sprint. There's also an option to upgrade to a 48-inch Samsung Smart HDTV, but for that you need to pay an extra $250. While the promo is available both...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro could be headed outside of China
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/a9-pro-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) - which was launched back in March this year, and is currently officially only available for purchase in China - could soon be landing in other markets worldwide. While the device launched in China carries a model number of SM-A9100, a Samsung SM-A910F has been spotted listed on India's import/export tracking website Zauba. While there's no confirmation on exactly which regions will get the Galaxy A9 Pro, a polish retailer is has reportedly already started accepting pre-orders for the device, suggesting that Europe is on the...

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Screen-size limit for Win10 Mobile devices raised to 9-inches
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/16/02/lumia-950-uk-discount-again/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has updated the minimum hardware requirements for its Windows 10 Mobile platform, allowing the OS to be installed on devices with screen-size up to 9-inches. Previously, the limit was 8-inches. Another change that the Redmond, Washington-based company has introduced is that auto-flash has been made mandatory. Aside from the mobile platform, the hardware requirements for Windows 10 OS have also been tweaked - head to the Source link below for more details. Source | Via

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ZTE Grand X Max 2 launched with dual rear camera setup, 6-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zte-grandxmax2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ZTE has launched a new smartphone in the US. Dubbed ZTE Grand X Max 2, the device - which comes with a large 6-inch display and dual rear camera setup - is now available for purchase from AT&T's prepaid subsidiary Cricket. Other specifications of the handset include full HD display, 1.5GHz octa-core processor (Snapdragon 617 SoC), 2GB/16GB memory configuration, and 3,400mAh battery. It features dual rear (13MP + 2MP) cameras and a 5MP front shooter. The phone is 4G compatible, features Quick Charge 2.0, offers USB Type-C connectivity, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box....

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Zopo Speed 8 benchmarked, all 10 cores of it
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zopo-speed8-benchmarks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We met with the Zopo Speed 8 at MWC, and it was our first encounter with the Mediatek Helio X20 chipset, which boasts a 10-core CPU. We now have a final unit at the office for some more tinkering, and you can see how we might be eager to run some benchmarks to see what all the fuss is about. Just a quick reminder, the Mediatek Helio X20 (or MT6797, for the more technically inclined) features a deca-core CPU with a couple of Cortex-A72 cores clocked at up to 2.3GHz, four Cortex-A53's at 2.0GHz and another four Cortex-A53's, which can can only go as high as 1.4GHz. On board the Speed 8 there...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 20
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Announced this week, the Lenovo Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus were quick to enter the Top 10 trending chart. And while the Moto G4 settled into a modest 8th spot the Plus shot straight to Number 1, knocking the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 out of the way. Other than that the chart looks very much the same as last, with the usual suspects arranged in the same fashion, only a spot down. This means four Samsung J-series models followed and the Galaxy S7 occupy the positions from 3rd to 7th. The Moto G4 is, again, in 8th, while the ZUK Z1 has inched a spot ahead into 9th. Another one from Samsung,...

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Weekend poll: Sony Xperia X, Hot or Not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Sony officially announced that the Xperia Z series is no more and the unofficial talk is that the other Xperia lines have been cut. Only the new Xperia X will live on. In a way, Sony has come full circle as the Xperia X1 was the first to bear that name. But did Sony throw out the baby with the bathwater? The Sony Xperia X is our first full-time encounter with the X series (we saw the XA and X Performance shortly at MWC and we did a preview of the XA Ultra). And as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. The phone very much looks and feels like it's a...

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GSMArena

24-05-16, 23:21

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/verizon-s6-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Verizon has started pushing out a new update to the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge units it's sold. The new release is software version VRU4CPD2 for both devices, and you can manually check for its availability on your S6 or S6 edge (pictured below) by going to Settings > About device > Software updates, in case you haven't already received a notification about it.The update comes with the May security patches, but also fixes Google Play app update and download issues, some Visual Voice Mail access problems, and it even removes the Amazon Music app (less bloatware isn't something you see...

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Google Cast offers include: 3 months of YouTube Red for $1, HBO Now trial, and more
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-cast-offers-may-2016/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg If you already have a Chromecast or Chromecast Audio, chances are you had no idea that Google constantly offers promotions for you to get started on their subscription-based services like YouTube Red and Google Play Music. Google is currently showing 4 different offers in the "offers" tab in the Google Cast (Chromecast) app.Chromecast users can get a 2 month free trial of Pandora One, a 1 month free trial of HBO Now, a 90 day free trial of unlimited Google Play Music, or you can get 3 months' worth of YouTube Red which gives you access to All of YouTube with zero-ads, as well as exclusive...

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Samsung Galaxy C5 is now portrayed in leaked press renders
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-press-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy C5, part of the new C series from Samsung, has been leaking a lot lately, and today is no different. The phone has already been spotted in TENAA's usual low-quality pictures, and also in not one, not two, but three rounds of hands-on images. So you might be wondering how long you have to wait before you see it in official press renders.In turns out there's no waiting needed anymore, because that's exactly what's been leaked today. The renders you can see below show the C5 in gold, being very proud of its all-metal construction.Apparently the Galaxy C5 should become...

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Get a Lumia 950 XL and Microsoft Display Dock for just $499 until May 30
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lumia-950-xl-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft is back with yet another price cut for one of its high-end Lumias. This time we're talking about the US and the Lumia 950 XL.You can purchase the bigger 950 model from Microsoft's online store for just $499 until May 30, and that's $150 less than its recommended retail price. It's also slightly cheaper than it's been back in February through another special offer (though that time from a third party retailer).But wait, there's more. If you get a Lumia 950 or 950 XL until June 30, you also receive a free Microsoft Display Dock, which lets you use the much-hyped Windows 10...

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Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 unveiled with heart rate monitors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/pebble-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday we told you about an intriguing countdown that took over Pebble's official website, and today the mystery has been revealed. It turns out that the company has unveiled not one, not two, but three new products, two of which are smartwatches.The Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 are successors to the original Pebble smartwatch and the first Pebble Time, as you'd expect from the naming. Both new models bring a heart rate monitor this time around, allowing for even more comprehensive fitness tracking.The Pebble 2 (shown above) costs $99 and will ship in September. It has a...

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OnePlus 3 specs confirmed by new leak
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-press-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few hours ago we saw the first selfie captured by the upcoming OnePlus 3, and now a list of the phone's basic specs has been outed by none other than famed leakster Evan Blass.According to him, the next OnePlus flagship smartphone will come with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 16 MP rear camera, the Snapdragon 820 chipset, 64GB of storage, as well as NFC support.NFC was notably absent from the OnePlus 2, so it's good to see it included here. Blass has previously mentioned that the display will be of the AMOLED variety, and that the handset will ship with a 3,000 mAh...

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New update hitting T-Mobile Galaxy S7/S7 edge units
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-s7-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few weeks after rolling out an update that brought along support for FM radio playback, T-Mobile has started pushing out another update to Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units on its network.Weighing in at around 43MB, the update doesn't bring along any new features but does include some security related improvements - "Google Security update" as per the change-log. Reportedly, the update fixes a critical software issue that, if exploited, can erase the complete memory of your handset.As is the case usually with OTA roll-outs, it may take some time for the update to hit your device....

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OnePlus 3 selfie camera sample released
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-selfie-sample/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus marketing campaign is picking up speed, with new bits on the OnePlus 3 being released daily. We already have a pretty official-looking "leaked" render from last week, and yesterday it was revealed that you'd be able to purchase the new smartphone in VR.OnePlus 3 selfie sample (click for full size)Today we're being treated to a sample photo shot with the OnePlus 3's front camera. Shared by company founder and CEO Liu Zuohu on Weibo, the single image is obviously taken in some pretty dim lighting, so it shouldn't be judged too harshly. It's also been subjected to...

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will.i.am launches i.am+ EPs Bluetooth earphones exclusively on Apple Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/william-eps/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Musician will.i.am, more commonly found these days releasing tech products than music albums, has come up with yet another device - a pair of Bluetooth wireless earphones.The i.am+ EPs, as they are called, are a pair of single cord in-ear earphones that run behind your neck like the Jaybird X2 or the Plantronics Backbeat. But while these two are designed to be used during workouts, the EPs are meant for casual listening, as they don't have a secure fit design or sweat resistance.What you get instead is a spun metal finish on the back of each speaker that resembles vinyls. A...

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FC Barcelona Edition of the Oppo F1 Plus leaked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oppo-r9-barcelona/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo's partnership with Spanish football club Barcelona is a few days away from entering its second year. In 2015 it gave us the Oppo R7 Plus FC Barcelona edition, and today we hear that the Oppo F1 Plus (or Oppo R9 as it's known on its home market in China) will get the same treatment.Whether it will be marketed as R9 or F1 Plus (after all it should be available globally, so the latter might make more sense), the limited edition will be available in red or gray color schemes, a new leak reveals. On top of the exclusive paint jobs, the club's logo and an inscription on the back will tell...

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Thinner, lighter MacBook Pro expected later this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/macbook-pro-thinner/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple's MacBook Pro is expected to get a major revamp later this year, according to 9to5Mac.One of the changes is a thinner and lighter design. The current MacBook Pro design has been around since 2012 and is due for a refresh. The new design is said to draw inspiration from the new MacBook, and will also feature new metal injection molded hinges.Another change is said to be the addition of an OLED panel, that will replace the row of function keys above the keyboard. These will display different functions, and should change according to application. A TouchID sensor is also...

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LG trademarks the X5 moniker, cheaper G5 maybe?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-x5-trademark/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has recently filed for a trademark on the X5 moninker with the Korean intellectual property rights authority. It's not just the name that's being registered, there's also a logo, with a notched X and a smaller 5 to go with it.LG's X-series currently has the X cam and the X screen models, the two positioned somewhere in the midrange. Meanwhile, the LG G5 SE exists, but it's an alternative to the proper G5 for certain markets, and not really a model to be sold parallel to the G5.It would make sense then for the LG X5 to be a more affordable version of the G5, inbetween the the...

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Facebook Live can now stream continuously for 24 hours
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/facebook-live-to-allow-continuous-24hour-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Facebook has been working on Live video feeds for a little while now. Over the past couple of months, Facebook has launched the Facebook Live feature which notifies you when anyone on your friends list starts a live video feed.Up until recently, the maximum amount of time you were allowed to stream live video was just 90 minutes. Today, Facebook has changed these rules and will now allow continuous video streams that well surpass the original 90 minute time limit. The initial downside of being able to host longer Live streams is that viewers won't be able to advance or rewind the live...

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Sony confirms Xperia E5, shows off the device
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-e5-revealed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a couple of days after the 'Xperia E5' moniker leaked, Sony has officially confirmed the existence of the device in a Facebook post. Not only this, the company also released the first official render of the handset, showing off both the front as well as back of the device.Update: The post has since been taken down.In case you missed, the Sony Xperia E5 leak from a couple of days ago effectively revealed that it's the Sony F3311 that was spotted on GFXBench last month. The benchmark listing had revealed MediaTek's MT6735 chipset, 4.6-inch 720p display, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB...

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Amazon will no longer honor refunds for dropped price after purchase
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/amazon-no-longer-granting-partial-refunds-for-price-drops/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg No longer are the days that Amazon would honor you a partial refund if the price of the item drops within a week of purchasing it. The only cases where the partial refund will still be offered is with TVs sold from the online retailer.This news came about with to price-tracking services and customers posting on Reddit. There were a bunch of online services that would automatically contact Amazon on your behalf in case there was a price drop within a reasonable amount of time soon after purchase. These services are what likely have made Amazon change its mind about such...

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Password-free logins coming to Android by end of year, Google confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-password-free/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, back at last year's I/O conference, Google introduced us to Project Abacus, an effort aimed at ditching passwords-based logins in favor of a completely different system that takes into account various factors including your typing and walking patterns, location, and voice.Well, the company has now given a heads-up on the project, revealing that the new password-free system will be made available to Android developers by 2016 end.But before that, the project - which has been under testing at over 30 universities in the US - will be tested by "several very large financial...

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LeEco India sends out media invites for June 8 event; Le 2 and Le Max 2 expected
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le2-pro2-max2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LeEco (formerly LeTV) has started sending out media invites for a product launch event set for June 8 in India. While the invite doesn't say anything about the product(s) that'll be launched, it'd be reasonable to expect that the Le 2 along with its Pro variant as well as the Le Max 2 are coming.The phones were unveiled in China last month, and went on sale a week later. A total of one million units were up for grabs, and reportedly, the complete inventory was sold in just two hours.The Le Max 2 is the leader of the pack. It is powered by Snapdragon 820 chipset, and sports a...

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Lyft now lets you schedule a car ahead of time
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lyft-will-allow-scheduling-of-rides/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lyft has been in direct competition with Uber for a while. The hot pink driving service and Uber are constantly competing for the lowest fare in cities all around the world. Apparently a highly requested feature for Lyft users is a scheduler that allows you to perfectly schedule a car to await you within minutes of a specified time.This feature comes in handy especially when punctuality might be a priority such as leaving to the airport or leaving to arrive to an event on time. This feature has already been used by another rideshare service called Gett in New York City and Lyft is...

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Skype's iOS client updated with ability to save video messages
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/skype-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has rolled out a new update to Skype's iOS app, bumping it to version 6.16. It's a small update that includes what the software giant is calling "big improvements" as well as a new feature.The big improvements the Redmond, Washington-based company is talking about are related to how Skype works with external microphones, interfaces and devices.As for the new feature, you can now save video messages to your device, and then share them with your contacts or on social media. Head to the Source link below to grab the updated Skype app.Source

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Rumor says Meizu MX6 set to launch on June 20
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-mx6-versions/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new rumor out of China is claiming that the upcoming Meizu MX6 smartphone will be made official next month - June 20 to be precise. That's broadly in-line with the already-rumored H2 2016 launch time-frame for the device.Specs-wise, the MX5 successor is said to be powered by a MediaTek Helio X20 chipset, and sport a 1080p display. Latest rumors say there'll be two RAM variants - 3GB and 4GB - with 32GB and 64GB internal memory, respectively.The camera department will be handled by a 20.7MP rear unit and an 8MP front-facing snapper. The phone is also said to pack in a 4,000 mAh...

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GSMArena

25-05-16, 23:24

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/samsung-galaxy-j5-2016/-347x151/thumb2.jpg The Galaxy J5 (2016) is the centerpiece of the company's mid-range portfolio for year. With its predecessor becoming a huge hit in developing markets, the company really needs the 2016 model to come out good and help keep Chinese makers at bay.

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TripAdvisor for Android now gives you two free months of Google Play Music
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/tripadvisor-play-music/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you want to use Google Play Music for free for a while and can't access the Google Cast offer we told you about yesterday (say, because you don't have a Chromecast), here's another opportunity for you. Though it has to be said, it does come as an effect of a very odd partnership.See, the TripAdvisor app for Android has teamed up with Google Play Music in order to provide you with "the soundtrack for your next trip". This means you'll see locally-themed music stations based on the destination of your choice right inside the TripAdvisor app.So you essentially now have access to...

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Another Asus Zenfone 3 version runs GFXBench, has its specs revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/asus-zenfone-3-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in January, we saw two upcoming Asus devices getting benchmarked using GFXBench, a process which revealed most of their specs, as is always the case with such prototypes. Those are still probably going to be two distinct Zenfone 3 models, and today a third has surfaced in the exact same benchmark's database.For now it's known only as the Asus Z016D. Its screen size is wrongly reported by GFXBench (this happens a lot) - yet if we assume that it meant 13.8 centimeters instead of inches then the phone sports a 5.5" display, which would make a lot more sense.Anyway, its...

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All OnePlus smartphones receive price cuts
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/op-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus announced today that it's slashing the prices of all the devices in its existing smartphone line-up. This means that the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 as well as the OnePlus X are now all available at discounted rates.Specifically, the 64GB OPO is now going for $249, while the 64GB OP2 and the OPX (Onyx variant) are now available for $299 and $199, respectively.If you've purchased a OnePlus device within the last 14 days, there's good news for you too, as you can contact the company's customer support to request a refund of the price difference. Head to the Source link below for...

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Samsung's next phablet will be called Galaxy Note 7 instead of Note 6, new report claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-note-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new report out of Samsung's native South Korea now claims that the company's next flagship phablet will not be called Galaxy Note 6, as everyone expected. Instead, Samsung will allegedly go with Galaxy Note 7, skipping the number 6 entirely.The main reasoning behind this move apparently has to do with consistency. Samsung wants all of its flagships released in the same year to have the same number - so if this pans out, in 2016 we'll have the S7, S7 edge, and Note 7. That way there's no chance of some consumers assuming that a Note 6 is a generation older than the S7 edge, for...

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ZUK Z2 goes through TENAA ahead of its May 31 unveiling, images and specs outed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo subsidiary ZUK unveiled the Z2 Pro last month, and the official announcement of the non-Pro Z2 is scheduled for May 31. ZUK has been outing a teaser here and there for the past few days, trying to build hype for the device.And now the Z2 has been certified for sale in China by TENAA, the country's FCC equivalent. As usual, this means we get to see what the phone looks like, but also the exact hardware it's packing.The Z2 will come with a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen with 2.5D curved glass on top, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 3 or 4GB of RAM, 32 or 64GB of non-expandable...

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Xiaomi Mi Drone promises 4K aerial video on a budget
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-mi-drone-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With power banks, fitness trackers, action cameras and even a smart air purifier under its name, Xiaomi is definitely not afraid to span out into various markets and try new things. The Chinese giant's latest announcement is a perfect testament to that. The Mi Drone hardly comes as a surprise and has been discussed and teased for some time now, but, frankly, that doesn't make it any less exciting.As promised, Xiaomi's first forray into the fast-growing UAV business was officially unveiled today and with video capture capabilities at up to 4K resolution, it definitely looks promising....

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Huawei Honor V8 teardown reveals hardware similar to P9's
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/huawei-honor-v8-teardown/-184x111/thumb.jpg Huawei Honor V8 went official two weeks ago and it's one of the most interesting devices the company has outed lately. The V8 is an all-metal smartphone with a 5.7" IPS display, powered by the latest Kirin chipset, and featuring a dual 12MP camera setup on its back - one monochrome and one color sensor. Sounds familiar?The difference with the P9, besides the screen estate, is that you can get the V8 with a 1080p display, or for the first time ever in a Huawei phone - with a Quad HD screen. Depending on the resolution Kirin 950 with 32GB storage or Kirin 955 with 64GB storage will be...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab Iris with biometric technology lands in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-galaxy-tab-iris-india/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Samsung has been investing heftily in its local India research and development divisions lately and consequently, more and more interesting offers and innovations, tailor-made for the fast-growing market have started to appear. The latest such device is the newly announced Samsung Galaxy Tab Iris, which as its name suggests, is equipped with specialized iris-recognition technology.The model is meant to be used with certain biometric-based services within the government, like Aadhaar - a centralized biometric and demographic database, operated by the Unique Identification...

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iPhone 7 cases fit the iPhone 6s inside, showing no major change in design
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In case it wasn't abundantly clear already, new cases for the iPhone 7 show that the new phone will not bring a new design. These cases were photographed at an event in London by Pocket Lint. They are built by accessory maker Cygnett for the 7 (based on specs available to the company), but the cases themselves are demoed with an iPhone 6s inside (note the antenna lines).The official unveiling of the iPhone 7 is still a long way off and these could possibly be decoys. However, leaked dimensions show the new phone will be the same size as its predecessor and Apple's security in...

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Google is working on Android for the Raspberry Pi 3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/raspberry-pi-android/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Raspberry Pi computers have some Android support already, but the main focus is on Linux. This may change as Google seems to have opened an official Android code repository for the Pi 3.What could this mean? The Nexus Player is gone and probably not coming (not even in Raspberry form), but a Chromecast alternative (at similar price) is within reach.Education is a big focus for the Pi Foundation and Linux is the right tool for that job. For multimedia (another popular use for Pis), Android offers a more user-friendly UI and many multimedia apps, including Kodi, Netflix and Hulu...

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Official Samsung Galaxy C5 renders leave little to the imagination
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-galaxy-c5-offic-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's new "C" line of devices has been an almost constant presence in the rumor mill lately and the Galaxy C5 is shaping up as its first ambassador. After quite a few hands-on leaks and a quick visit to TENAA, there is hardly any mystery left surrounding the device, expected to officially arrive in the next few days.Samsung Galaxy C5 goldSamsung Galaxy C5 pink goldThis is even more true after today's abundant batch of leaked high-res renders of the device in all four colors - gold, pink gold, gray and silver. Every possible angle is...

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Samsung refutes reports claiming it's done with Android Wear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-ditch-androidwear/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just days after a Fast Company report claimed that Samsung's association with Google's Android Wear platform is over, the South Korean tech giant has issued a formal statement refuting the claim."We disagree with Fast Company's interpretation," the company said. "Samsung has not made any announcement concerning Android Wear and we have not changed our commitment to any of our platforms."Gear LiveWhile the statement does clear the air (for the time being at-least) on the issue, any reports/rumors of Samsung's break-up with the wearable platform cannot be just dismiss as hot air...

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Microsoft calling phone division employes to Espoo, may be closing down operations
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/microsoft-closing-down-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nokia-backed HMD global Oy may not have much trouble hiring as there's trouble brewing in Espoo. As of yet unconfirmed reports indicate that Microsoft is transporting workers from Tampere to the Espoo headquarters and many of them will return without a job.Microsoft just announced that 1,850 jobs will be cut - 1,350 of those in Finland (Microsoft Mobile Oy) and 500 around the world. Employees at Microsoft Oy, a separate sales subsidiary will not be affected.Microsoft already closed down the R & D center in Salo after cutting 2,300 jobs in Salo, Tampere and Espoo last year (this is...

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Twitter to stop counting user names, images and links in 140 characters
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/twitter-140/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ever since day one, Twitter always counted everything within the text box in its 140 character limit. This meant that if you were replying to someone their user names would eat up part of your 140 characters. Similarly, if you included a URL or uploaded a picture, the link will also take up part of the 140 characters.This is going to change in the coming months. Twitter has announced four changes that should let you get the most out of the 140 characters.First, usernames within a reply tweet won't count towards the characters. This means even if you're replying to one or multiple...

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Nextbit Robin now available in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nextbit-robin-available-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After a few delays, it seems Nextbit finally came through and made good on its promise to release the Robin smartphone in India. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the cloud-focused device is now out for the general public - sales are expected to kick off exclusively on Flipkart on May 30 for INR 19,999 or about $297. This includes both the Mint and Grey color options. It is worth noting that the handset has already been available on Amazon for a few weeks with international shipping, so you can check that out if you live outside India.If you are not in the know about the...

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Marshmallow update starts hitting Nvidia Shield Tablet LTE as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/shield-tablet-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg When Nvidia started rolling out the Marshmallow update to the Shield Tablet K1 back in April this year, it said that the original Shield Tablet - including LTE models - will also get the update in a few weeks.In-line with that time-frame, the original Shield Tablet started receiving the update a couple of weeks ago, and now the update has started hitting the LTE variants of the tablet as well, at-least in the US.The update brings Android 6.0.1, and includes Android security patch for the month of March, as well as several other features, improvements, and bug fixes. Head to the...

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Sony expects 20% drop in smartphone shipments this year
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-m-ultra/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony has published its forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, revealing that it expects to ship a total of 20 million smartphones in the year, down nearly 20% from the 24.9 million figure it managed in the year prior.The Japanese company says that the expected drop in sales is due to "a reduction in mainly mid-range smartphone unit sales reflecting an increased focus on high value-added models, as well as a reduction in smartphone unit sales in unprofitable geographical areas where downsizing measures were implemented during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016."Sales...

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Chromecast and Chromecast Audio receive $5 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/chromecast-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has given its Chromecast and Chromecast Audio dongles a price cut in the US. The devices, which usually carry a price tag of $35, are now available for $30 on the Google Store.A quick look at some third party retailers including B&H, Target, and Best Buy reveals that the discount isn't only limited to the Mountain View, California-based company's online store.The Google Store promo runs through May 29, and presumably, that should be the case with third-party retailers as well. Interested in availing the deal? Head to the Source link below.Source (Google Store)

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Report says Meizu m3 metal variant coming next month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-m3-metal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a new report out of China, a metal variant of Meizu's m3 smartphone will be made official next month - June 13 to be precise. The new variant will not only feature a metallic design, but will also run Android (version 5.1) instead of YunOS that powers the standard version, the report notes.The m3 Metal (or whatever it will be called) was also recently spotted on TENAA, revealing specs similar to the m3, including octa-core processor, 5-inch 720p display, 2GB/3GB RAM and 16GB/32GB storage options, and 13MP/5MP camera combo. A 3,000mAh battery will be there to keep the...

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GSMArena

26-05-16, 23:24

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-z-droid-edition-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's already been revealed that this year Motorola will unveil a successor each for the Moto X Style and Moto X Play from 2015, yet this time around they will bear Moto Z branding. While the Moto Z Style and Moto Z Play will be available internationally (and possibly unlocked in the US), let's not forget about the company's ongoing partnership with Verizon for Droid-branded handsets.What you see below is the 2016 entry in the Droid hall of fame, the successor to the Droid Turbo 2 from 2015. It will probably be called Moto Z Droid Edition, and it's likely to share its specs with the Moto Z...

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Skype 7.0 for Android brings a new tablet interface
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/skype-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest update for Skype's Android app introduces a Material Design style to tablets, following a similar revamp for phones from last year. In Skype 7.0 for Android, the tablet UI has been changed from the ground up. It's now complete with a floating action button, and a multi-pane view when you're using your tablet in landscape mode (as seen in the screenshot below).You can also send messages and files and check your latest conversations even while you're in a video or voice call. The new iteration of the app brings Skype's improved universal search to Android tablets too, which makes...

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Samsung is still world's largest SSD maker
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-ssd/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The latest report from storage market tracking company TrendFocus shows that Samsung remains the top dog in the SSD market. According to the report, a total of 30.77 million SSDs were shipped during Q1 2016, an increase of 32% from the same period last year.The company has over 40% market share and for Q1 2016 shipped 12.93 million SSDs compared to 9.42 million last year. SanDisk follows with 12.8% of the market while Lite-On is third with 11.4% market share.Samsung's SSD business includes not only selling products to PC makers like Lenovo, Apple and HP, but also directly to...

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Samsung Galaxy C7 goes official as well - SD625 SoC, 5.7-inch display, and 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c7-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following the Samsung Galaxy C5, the Galaxy C7 has been made official as well. The device is powered by Snapdragon 625 SoC with octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 506 GPU, and sports a 5.7 inch full HD display.The handset has 4GB RAM and comes in 32GB and 64GB expandable internal memory options. In terms of camera, the phone features a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. A 3,300mAh battery (with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 support) is there to keep the lights on.Measuring 156.6 x 77.2 x 6.7mm and weighing in at 165g, the Galaxy C7 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow...

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Upcoming Moto Z will have MotoMod modular case accessories
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/moto-z-motomods/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Lenovo is preparing to launch a follow-up to the Moto X range of smartphones with the soon-to-come Moto Z. The new flagship is going to sport interesting snap-on accessory cases, dubbed MotoMods, which today have been leaked by @evleaksEach case is semi-modular and has distinct function - there's one with an extra battery inside, while another will have stereo speakers and a built-in pico projector.The third one on the right is camera-oriented and has a dedicated camera sensor, lens and flash. Rumors suggest the range will consist of "adventure," "theater," "stereo," "power,"...

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ZTE just launched a VR headset to go with Axon 7
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zte-vr-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The ZTE Axon 7, just announced today, boasts quite a serious flagship-grade specs sheet. And if you are aiming for the top, you better go all out, a lesson the Chinese OEM seems to be putting into practice with the ZTE VR.Details about the virtual reality headset are still mostly unavailable, but going by the official render ZTE has provided, there isn't really much room for surprises. It looks to be ZTE's take on the Samsung Gear VR - more or less a holder to place the Axon 7 a few inches away from your face and let it do most of the heavy lifting.Just like the Samsung Gear...

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Samsung Galaxy C7 inspected by TENAA, feast on specs and photos
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c7-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A week after the C5, the Samsung Galaxy C7 also passes through TENAA. This gives us nice, clean photos of the device and detailed, accurate specs.The phone boasts a 5.7" Super AMOLED screen with 1080p resolution. On it you'll get to watch a TouchWizzed version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow (with a roomy 4GB of RAM), which runs on an octa-core processor (Snapdragon 625 chipset according to rumors). Storage is a choice between 32GB and 64GB, a microSD is slot available too.Samsung Galaxy C7 (photos by TENAA)The Galaxy C7 will have a 16MP main camera with 1080p video capture...

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The ZTE Axon 7 is now official and aiming for the big leagues
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zte-axon-7-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE hasn't really been shy when it comes to the new Axon. Originally thought to bear the logical Axon 2 moniker, the device cleared TENAA all the way back in April and has been exciting fans with its specs and premium appearance since. Well, today, as promised, the device was finally made official as the ZTE Axon 7. That's a rather odd choice for a second in-line device with a 5.5-inch display, but hey, 7 seems to be the number to have this year, considering the Samsung Galaxy S7, upcoming iPhone 7 and perhaps even a Galaxy Note 7.ZTE Axon 7 Quartz GreyOdd naming...

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New Apple patent might reinvent the walkie-talkie
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-walkie-talkie-patent/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yes, you read it right and yes, the idea does sound silly on the surface. Still Apple has pulled off even stranger reinvention stunts in the past, so, we have to at least give the newly uncovered patent the benefit of the doubt.The document in question outlines a "Point-to-point ad hoc voice communication", which, taking into consideration the diagrams as well, seems to boil down to using a short range communication technology, like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to establish a voice link between individuals on a peer-to-peer basis. So, the walkie-talkie analogy is a perfect fit, but we can only...

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Samsung Galaxy C5 official - 6.7mm thick, all metal mid-ranger
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-c5-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy C5 just burst on the scene and online stores in China are already accepting pre-orders (the actual sales are scheduled to start on June 6).The Galaxy C5 is a slender metal mid-ranger, it's just 6.7mm thick. It also has a 5.2" Super AMOLED screen (1080p resolution) and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Home button below the screen is a fingerprint reader.Samsung Galaxy C5 in gold and rose goldYou get a better camera than the A5 (2016), a 16MP f/1.9 shooter on the back and an 8MP f/1.9 camera on the front. The chipset is fairly similar - Snapdragon 617...

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WhatsApp rated world's most popular Android messaging app; BBM least downloaded
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/whatsapp-back-brazil/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report from digital analytics firm Similar Web - which analyzed Android data from a total of 187 countries - WhatsApp is the most popular app in the world, claiming 109 countries, or 55.6% of those surveyed.Some of the countries where the Facebook-owned messaging service leads are Brazil, Mexico, India, Russia, and many other countries in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.The second spot was claimed by the Facebook Messenger app, claiming a total of 49 countries including Australia, Canada, and the US. So, in all, there are more than 150 countries...

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5.7-inch LG Stylus 2 Plus unveiled in Taiwan
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-stylus-2-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has announced the Stylus 2 Plus phablet in Taiwan, though announced may be an overstatement. Had it not been for a TENAA certification, the smartphone would have gone unnoticed for who knows how long.LG Stylus 2 Plus at TENAA (as LG G535)The Stylus 2 Plus is undoubtedly the better phablet, compared to the already announced Stylus 2. Its 5.7-inch display gets a proper FullHD resolution and the phone is powered by a more powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 430. This means an octa-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, versus half the number of cores in the Stylus 2. 3GB of RAM and...

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Leak reveals Samsung is working on a Gear VR controller
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gear-vr-controller/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Oculus Rift shipped with an Xbox controller, soon the Samsung Gear VR will have a controller of its own too. Instead of reusing a console controller like the Oculus, Samsung designed a custom device.The advantage of going bespoke is that the controller snugly fits inside the Gear VR headset when not in use, making it easier to transport (and portability is the Gear VR's main advantage).The controller itself bears the Oculus logo and has a single analog stick, four action buttons and two shoulder buttons. It connects to the phone over Bluetooth and reportedly weighs a hefty 300g...

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Samsung teases Batman-themed Galaxy S7 limited edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-s7-batman/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's not like Bruce Wayne to be late to the party, but here we are. Back in February, we heard of a 'Batman v Superman' themed Samsung Galaxy S7 edition that would debut alongside the movie.Only now Samsung is releasing teasers of such a limited edition. It seems like the cross-promotion isn't tied to the movie, but to the Injustice: Gods Among Us game.The first teasers feature the Bat logo and promise a "new device." You can see a tantalizing flash of the logo on a box too, but still nothing on customizations to the actual Galaxy S7 phone.Injustice is about to be served....

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SD820-powered HTC 10 arrives in India for $790, One X9 launched as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc10-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As scheduled, HTC has officially announced its newest flagship smartphone, the 10, in India. The device carries a price tag of INR 52,990, which translates into around $790.While HTC has already cleared the air on this, it's still worth mentioning that the it's the same global variant - which is powered by Snapdragon 820 and has 4GB of RAM - that has been launched in India.For the uninitiated, after the device was officially unveiled by HTC early last month, there were reports that some regions - including India - will get a downgraded variant (dubbed HTC 10 Lifestyle)...

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HTC stops manufacturing Nexus 9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/nexus-9-ded/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After the Nexus Player got axed, it's now the turn of the ill-fated Nexus 9 tablet. HTC has confirmed to CNET that the company is stopping the manufacturing of Google's latest Nexus tablet.The Nexus 9 was announced back in October 2014 alongside the Nexus 6. Being the second Nexus device manufactured by HTC, long after the very first Nexus One, there was some excitement around it. However, the tablet got almost universally panned in reviews, particularly for its poor build quality and quality control issues, not to mention the high price that didn't sit well with consumers who are...

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OxygenOS 3.0.1 beta for OP2 now available for download
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-2-beta-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nearly a couple of months after releasing Marshmallow-based OxygenOS 3.0 beta for the OP2, OnePlus has made available another beta community build - OxygenOS 3.0.1. It's not available over-the-air though (just like it was the case last time) - you have to download it from the company's website."We appreciate everyone's feedback from the first community build. With your help we have been able to better optimize the build and improve several key areas," OnePlus says on the build's download page.As for the changes included in the update, the company lists enhanced Doze mode,...

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LG G5's India launch set for June 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-india-pre-booking/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The LG G5 is officially landing in India on June 1. The South Korean company has started sending out media invites of the launch event that will take place in the country's capital city of New Delhi.In case you missed, the handset is already up for pre-order in the world's second-largest smartphone market, where it is currently a Flipkart exclusive online. As for price, the phone carries a tag of INR 52,990 ($785).Via | LG G5 (Flipkart)

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Xiaomi Mi Band 2 launch set for June 7, CEO confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/mi-band2-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you recall, earlier this month, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun revealed that the company's Mi Band 2 wearable will be made official sometime in "early June." However, looks like now we have the exact launch date of the device, and the revelation - this time as well - has come from none other than Jun himself.During a QA session following the unveiling of the company's Mi Drone, when he was asked about the fitness tracker, Jun revealed that the device will go on sale on June 7, meaning the wearable will be unveiled on or before that date.If you aren't already aware, the Mi Band 2 was ...

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OnePlus 3 clears TENAA with 5.5-inch display, 4GB RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/op3-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus' upcoming flagship smartphone - the OnePlus 3 - has been certified by Chinese telecommunication authority TENAA. As is the case usually, the device's listing on the government agency's website reveals some of its key specs.The TENAA listing reveals that the OP3 is powered by quad-core 2.15GHz processor (likely Snapdragon 820 SoC), and sports a 5.5-inch full HD display. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is 64GB. A 3,000mAh battery is there to keep the lights on.In terms of camera, the handset features a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. Measuring 152.6×74.6×7.3mm and...

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GSMArena

27-05-16, 23:25

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/apple-echo-competitor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Since Amazon's Echo line of smart wireless speakers has been a lot more successful than anyone anticipated, it makes sense that now every big company in the tech space wants to put out a competitor for the Alexa-touting devices. Google announced its foray into this space at the I/O conference last week, and now it appears that Apple is working on such an offering of its own.According to a new report this device might interestingly sport a built-in camera, and facial recognition features will ensure the gadget knows exactly who is talking to it at any given time. This would obviously let...

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ZTE Axon 7 to cost $449 in the US, Â€409 in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/axon-7-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday ZTE took the wraps off the Axon 7, its new flagship smartphone. And while we got the full list of its specs, and quite a few official images, the company remained mum on the pricing of the handset.However, a report from its home country of China now comes to settle things in that regard too. According to this yet-unconfirmed claim, the Axon 7 will start at $449 in the US and Â€409 in Europe, in unlocked form of course.For those prices you'll get the version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. You'll obviously have to pay more for the top of the line model that sports 6GB...

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Accelerated Mobile Pages have landed in Google's app for iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest version of the Google app for iOS (which you can already find in the iTunes App Store) is all about speed. The app itself is now much faster than it was before, on iPhones and iPads alike. Opening the app as well as searching, you'll see that everything loads quicker. So much so, in fact, that Google says its app's users will save a combined 6.5 million hours this year.Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) are now available inside the Google app for iOS, which means getting to certain content on the web will now be a lot faster too. That's because news articles from many publishers...

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T-Mobile starts Buy One, Get One free deal for all Samsung smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-samsung-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile has had a Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deal for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge back in March, yet now it's relaunching it while also making it bigger than ever. See, from today onwards you can do the BOGO thing for every single Samsung smartphone that T-Mobile is currently offering.This means you can mix and match by picking from the S7 and S7 edge, but also the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, Note5, J7, Grand Prime, and Core Prime. As usual with these things, some caveats apply.The first smartphone has to be grabbed using an installment plan, while the second one can use that...

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Meizu m3 note review: To the metal
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/meizu-m3-note/-347x151/thumb.jpg We guess many users have always looked forward to the Meizu Note lineup. The m1 note (also known as Blue Charm Note in China) started it all - it boasted a big screen and an overall great package for the price. The m2 note simply widened the LTE network coverage and enabled memory expansion. The latest Meizu m3 note builds upon that with a faster processor, a bigger battery and a more premium, all-metal design.

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Honor 5X is now just $159.99 unlocked
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor-5x-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Over in Europe you can now get the Honor 5X by Huawei with a 60-day return policy (at least if you act before June 8), as we told you yesterday. On the other hand, if you're in the US and crave the smartphone, you're treated to a pretty substantial price reduction - in terms of percentage points, that is.As of now the Honor 5X is offered by Newegg for 20% off its normal price of $199.99. So you can grab a unit for just $159.99, saving $40 in the process. That may not be very much, but this was a very affordable phone to begin with.One thing you do have to keep in mind is that there's...

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Two new Xiaomi phones pass through TENAA
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-redmi3-note3-successors-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has really been working hard latel as evident by the recent announcement of the Mi 5 flagship, as well as the Mi Max in an ongoing effort to expand to new foreign markets. To keep the proverbial wheels turning, two new Xiaomi devices were just spotted over at TENAA, both bearing the Mi logo on the back, as well as the company's current design language.The devices are yet to be squarely identified and named, but the units numbered 2016030 and_2015115 do look quite a bit like the Xiaomi Redmi 3 and the Redmi Note 3, respectively. So, it is a good guess that we are looking at...

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Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus diagrams reveal a Smart Connector on board
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg New diagrams allegedly show the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus measurements and ports and fuel fresh excitement for the upcoming devices. The schematics reveal the new crop of Apple flagships will be 1mm thicker than the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Potentially, this could translate into a larger battery, but there's no confirmation of this just yet.As per the diagrams, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be just as wide and tall as their predecessors. Interestingly, the iPhone 7 Plus will have a dual camera setup whereas the iPhone 7 will only have a single sensor at the...

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Samsung Pay Mini coming to other Androids, iPhone and desktop
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-pay-mini/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is building a version of Samsung Pay for non-Galaxy Androids and iPhones dubbed "Samsung Pay Mini." This app will handle online payments only (that is you can't use the phone to pay in-store). There are plans to add desktop support (PC and Mac) later on.Pay Mini already supports several cards: Samsung Card, Lotte Card, and Hana Card. Others, like KB Card, are considering joining the party.The app can be secured with a fingerprint reader where available or with just PIN or password elsewhere.So far online payments account for less than 20% of Pay transactions, so Pay...

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Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017) revealed by TENAA - 5.1" sAMOLED phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-j3-2017-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg You have a 2016 phone? That's cute. Here's the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017), as detailed by TENAA. No, not a typo, it seems that Samsung already has an entry-level phone for next year ready to go.There are two versions - SM-J3110 (probably the global version) and SM-J3119 (the China Telecom).The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5.1" Super AMOLED screen - 720p for the international version and 1080p for the special China Telecom version. The rest seems pretty identical - Android 5.1 Lollipop (really, in 2017?), quad-core processor (1.2GHz), 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage with...

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Jolla announces Jolla C and a new Sailfish Community Device Program
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/jolla-c/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Jolla, a young Finnish company founded by ex-Nokia and MeeGo employees, has launched its second smartphone, the Jolla C.The phone is part of the new Sailfish Community Device Program meant for developers, who will get access to exclusive live community sessions, invitations to community events, and the phone itself.The phone will come with a stock version of Sailfish OS 2.0 with no third-party applications installed. On the hardware side you get a 5.0-inch 720p IPS LCD, quad-core 1.3GHz Snapdragon 212, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD support, 8 megapixel rear/2 megapixel...

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This software promises to bring Force Touch to any smartphone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/force-touch-software/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The perfect "clickbait" isn't it? Well, that's exactly what we thought as well, until we took a second look at the YouTube demo video, courtesy of the University of Michigan computer engineers (official channel and everything).It sounds almost too good to be true, but the technology does look pretty plausible and the creator - Yu-Chih Tung could actually be on to something big, despite skipping to mention the Huawei Mate S in his list of force-sensitive mobile phones. That small error, however, can be easily forgiven once you hear just how ingenious his squeeze and forceful touch...

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Acer's 5,000mAh battery totting Liquid Zest Plus to go on sale in July
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/acer-liquid-zest-plus/-184x111/thumb2.jpg Acer has announced that its Liquid Zest Plus smartphone, which was made official last month, will go on sale in the month of July. The device will carry a price tag of $199 in the US, and will cost Â€199 in the EMEA region.It's worth mentioning that when the device was unveiled, it's price for the US market was announced to be $250. There's currently no information on why the company decided to drop the price, although it could well be because of the delay between the unveiling and the launch.Anyway, for under $200, you get a phone powered by MediaTek's MT6735 chipset with...

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Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB, dual-SIM) now going for $630 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/sprint-galaxy-s7-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge was going for $650 on eBay. However, if you missed that deal, here is some good news for you: the device is now available for $630 on the online auction site.The model on offer is G935FD, which means it's a dual-SIM model, but is not a US variant. For the uninitiated, unlike US models (which pack in the SD820 SoC), international Galaxy S7/S7 edge models are powered by the latest Exynos SoC.Another point worth mentioning here is that the device is not compatible with CDMA carriers such as Sprint and Verizon, and only...

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New Xperia Marshmallow beta coming next week; ability to transfer apps to SD card in tow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/sony-xperia-z3-z3-compact-z2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony will roll out a new Xperia Marshmallow beta build some time next week. According to the Japanese company, the update - which will bump the build number to 23.5.A.1.203 - includes as many as 400 fixes and improvements.From what is currently known, the update will introduce a new functionality that'll allow you to transfer all apps to your device's SD card. As for the fixes, the list includes solution to an 'Unknown call/private number' bug as well as Calendar app crashes.Needless to say, only devices participating in the Xperia Beta program - including the Xperia Z2 (D6503),...

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Samsung announces Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gs7-edge-injustice-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Shortly after teasing it, Samsung has officially announced the limited edition Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition smartphone. Dressed completely in black, the device features gold detailing and a Batman logo on the back."We are excited to partner with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and offer a special edition of Galaxy S7 edge for fans of Injustice: Gods Among Us," the South Korean company said in a press release. "Samsung always seeks to provide the best mobile gaming experience for its users, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to the game's fans."Aside from the...

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Chromecast Audio currently available for just £15 in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/chromecast-audio-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's Chromecast Audio dongle has received a price cut in the UK, where retailer Curry's PC World currently has the device listed for just £15, which translates into a solid 50% discount given that the Google Store is selling it for £30.The retailer is also offering the Google Chromecast at discounted rates - £25.00, down £5 compared to what Google is selling it for. However, other third-party retailers like Argos and Tesco are offering the same discount as well.In case you missed, recently, both Chromecast and Chromecast Audio received a $5 price cut in the US as...

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Verizon HTC 10 set to receive new update starting May 27
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/spigen-s7-giveaway/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg If you are on Verizon and own an HTC 10, here's some news for you: a new software update will be rolling out to HTC 10 units on Verizon's network starting May 27. This was announced by HTC's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter.Verizon HTC 10 owners! We have the approval for the MR update that includes camera improvements and additional fixes. OTA to start tomorrow.Â— Mo Versi (@moversi) May 26, 2016As for what changes the update will bring along, Versi mentions "camera improvements and additional fixes." Apparently, it's the same update that started rolling out to unlocked...

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Deal: Buy HTC 10 and get RE Camera free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-10-re-camera-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are an HTC fan and are in the market for a new smartphone, here is a deal for you: as part of its Memorial Day Sale, the Taiwanese company is offering an RE Camera unit for free with each purchase of its newest flagship smartphone the 10.Not only this, the RE Camera itself has been discounted by 60%. And if that's not enough, there's a 40% discount on accessories as well. The offer is only available in the US, and valid from 9 pm PT on May 26 to 11:59 pm PT on May 30.Head to the Source link below for more information on the deals.Source

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Honor 7 and Honor 5X now come with a 60-day return policy in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor-60-day-returns/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei is so confident that its Honor sub-brand creates great phones that people don't want to part with that it's temporarily changing its returns policy on its European online store.The store is available in the UK, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland - so if you're in any of these countries you can buy an Honor direct from Huawei.And if you choose the Honor 7 or Honor 5X by June 8, you'll get a 60-day return window - but only in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. That's much more than the usual 14-day period for...

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GSMArena

28-05-16, 23:35

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mystery-sony-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has been busy with a lot of re-imagining within its smartphone lineup lately. With the "Z" series now officially in the history books and the introduction of the new "X" moniker in its place, with devices like the Xperia X and X Performance, as well as another new Xperia XA lineup, hearing about new and mysterious Sony devices is hardly an isolated occurrence.However, that doesn't make these discoveries any less exciting and the same goes for the Sony 24UJ95LH34QX77B1, recently spotted in the GFXBench database. The model bears quite a lot of similarity to the Xperia X Performance....

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Not sure what Amazon's Alexa service is all about? Echosim.io lets you test it online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/amazon-echo-tester-online/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Even if you are not particularly interested in the whole digital assistant, AI, home automation scene, chances are that you are at least somewhat familiar with projects like Microsoft's Cortana or Apple's Siri. Amazon's Alexa or Echo might also sound familiar, but, due to their novice and still conceptual and developing nature, there remain slightly unapproachable by many users. However, with both Google and Apple already lining up their own offers for the emerging market niche, powerful services like Amazon's Alexa and their hardware implementations might just be the next big thing in the...

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Android Wear 2.0 update? Here is a handy list of what we currently know
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-wear-early-update-list/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google came prepared for I/O 2016 and packed the keynote with a few exciting announcements. Many of these, however, like the new Daydream VR platform in Android left us wondering about availability and support. The same goes for Android Wear 2.0, which was showcased on stage in an impressive presentation of new features, but we never got word on whether and when we will experience it on our smartwatch.In the absence of any official support list, as of yet the only solution is to deduce and hunt around for fragmented information. This is exactly what user konrad-iturbe on Reddit...

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LINE messaging app crosses 500 million downloads on Play Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/line-500million/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LINE communications app has hit the 500 million downloads milestone on Google Play. With this, the app has made to the list that currently includes some biggies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Skype.The app - which is developed by a Japanese company, and is currently mostly popular in Asian regions only - is said to have a total of 700 million users. This compares to WhatsApp's 1 billion user base and Facebook Messenger's 900 million monthly users.LINE recently received an update that brought along the ability to make group voice calls to chat groups of up to 200...

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OnePlus 3 passes through FCC, specs confirmed once again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus3-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we approach June 14 - currently believed to be the release date for the OnePlus 3, we are naturally starting to see more bits and pieces of information about the upcoming handset with every passing day. After a few trustworthy leaks, followed by the obligatory appearance at TENAA and even a selfie camera sample all accounted for, we currently have quite a bit of info on the upcoming flagship.All that is left now is to simply wait it out until the phone's release and luckily, the aforementioned June 14 date might not be far off, as the OnePlus 3 (A3000 and A3003 model numbers)...

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Pebble Time currently going for just £79 in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pebble-watch-meh-com-90-bucks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pebble might have unveiled the next-gen Pebble Time, but if you are in the UK, and are still considering purchasing the original variant, you'll be happy to know that the smartwatch has received a 50% price cut.Amazon UK currently has the device listed on its website for just £79, down £70.99 from its official price of £149.99. For those doing the math, this translates into a discount of 47%.What's worth mentioning, however, is that the £79 price is only for the black color variant - the red version costs £82.99, while the white model carries a price tag of £81.99. For comparison,...

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Deal: Buy one Verizon Desire 526, get a second free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/verizon-desire526-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you are an HTC fan, and are in the market for a couple of low-end smartphones, here is a deal for you: Verizon is currently offering a buy one get one free (BOGO) deal on the Taiwanese company's Desire 526 smartphone. The promo was revealed by HTC itself in a tweet.Through this weekend, score two #Desire526 phones for the price of one at @Verizon: https://t.co/rzSFs3ZTms pic.twitter.com/oEwdc3C55HÂ— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 27, 2016As for price, the device carries a tag of $120 sans contract. Alternatively, you can also make it yours by paying $5 each month for a total of 24 months....

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Google says existing smartphones likely won't work with its Daydream VR platform
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-vr-daydream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Has Google's new Daydream VR platform caught your fancy? Are you waiting to try it on the smartphone you own? Well, sadly, you are out of luck as Google has said that existing smartphones will "most likely" not work with the Android-powered VR platform."I can tell you that there will most likely not be any retroactively Daydream-ready phones," said the Mountain View, Califronia-based company's VR division head Clay Bavor."We want to hold a very high quality bar, and for that to happen all of the components need to be just right. So, to VR fans, I would say, hold off for a few...

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Google Photos turns one, boasts 13.7 petabytes of uploads
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/google-photos-100m/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Google's photo hosting and sharing service has turned a year old, and to celebrate, the Mountain View, California-based company has shared some interesting information related to the service."Now 200 million of you are using Google Photos each month," Google said in a blog post. 'We've delivered more than 1.6 billion animations, collages and movies, among other things.""You've collectively freed up 13.7 petabytes of storage on your devices - it would take 424 years to swipe through that many photos! We've also applied 2 trillion labels, and 24 billion of those have been for ......

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LG G Pad III 8.0 launched with octa-core CPU, 8-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-gpad-8-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG has launched a new tablet. Dubbed G Pad III 8.0, the device is powered by an octa-core processor, and sports an 8-inch (1920 x 1200 pixel resolution) display. It offers 16GB of storage (expandable up to 2TB), and features a 5MP rear camera.Measuring 210.7 x 124.1 x 7.9mm and weighing in at 309g, the tablet runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The LG G Pad III 8.0 is available for purchase in Canada, where Rogers and Fido are currently offering it for CAD 240, or around $185. As per Rogers, the tablet is targeted towards "youth and young adults looking for the best value device that...

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Honor 5A and 5A Plus receive TENAA certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor5a-5aplus/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of new Huawei Honor devices - allegedly dubbed Honor 5A and 5A Plus - have been certified by Chinese telecommunication authority TENAA. The Honor 5A is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz processor, and sports a 5-inch HD display.It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal memory, and packs in a 2,200mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a 13MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. Offering 4G LTE support, the handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box.Moving on to the Honor 5A Plus, the device is powered by an octa-core 1.8GHz CPU, and sports a 5.5-inch HD...

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Samsung built a 5.5 inch 4K smartphone screen for VR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-4k-smartphone-display-for-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember when just a few short years ago, the smartphone industry was shifting from 720p (1280x720px) to 1080p (1920x1080px) displays and we thought: What for? We don't need so much resolution just to read text and see pictures off the screen, right?Well, no one would have predicted at that time that we'd be sticking our phones into VR headsets to enjoy an immersive virtual reality experience powered by our everyday smartphones and the displays they power.The demand for 4K (3840x2160px) has since sky-rocketed. Especially with Google recently announcing its VR platform called Daydream...

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Google Photos APK breakdown reveals Nexus users may get unlimited full-res uploads
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-photos-nexus-unlimited-original-res-storage/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's good news for Nexus Owners that love taking a lot of photos and videos. According to Android Police, an APK breakdown reveals code that suggests Nexus device users can upload an unlimited amount of original quality photos that will not count against their Google Drive storage allotment.This would be most beneficial to Nexus device owners as they do not have the option of memory expansion for storing pictures, videos and media. It makes sense for Google to provide this nice gesture as 4K TVs and media become more common in consumers' households.Remember that Google...

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Jawbone reportedly stopped producing both fitness trackers and Bluetooth speakers
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/jawbone-stops-production-of-speakers-and-ftiness-trackers/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A report from Tech Insider says that Jawbone has already stopped producing its UP line of fitness bands and has already sold them to a third-party reseller. The same report says Jawbone has been struggling to sell its UP bands and needed to resell the inventory in order to stay afloat.It has already been more than a year since Jawbone's newest UP4 band was released and so far there hasn't been any word of a successor to the UP4. Besides, we don't know if Jawbone will keep making such fitness bands anymore.To add insult to injury, the same report also states that Jawbone is...

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Microsoft promo shaves $150 off the prices of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/surface-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This isn't the first limited time price cut that Microsoft applies for the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, and it clearly won't be the last. It is a pretty sweet deal however, so if you've been eyeing either of these devices it would be a pity not to take advantage of it while it lasts.Through Microsoft's online store, you can now buy select Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book models for $150 less than before. This means that, for example, the Surface Pro 4 with 128GB of storage, Core i5 processor, and 4GB of RAM can be yours for just $849 (was previously $999).Get the tablet with the...

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ZTE Axon 7 to cost $449 in the US, Â€409 in Europe
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/axon-7-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday ZTE took the wraps off the Axon 7, its new flagship smartphone. And while we got the full list of its specs, and quite a few official images, the company remained mum on the pricing of the handset.However, a report from its home country of China now comes to settle things in that regard too. According to this yet-unconfirmed claim, the Axon 7 will start at $449 in the US and Â€409 in Europe, in unlocked form of course.For those prices you'll get the version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. You'll obviously have to pay more for the top of the line model that sports 6GB...

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Accelerated Mobile Pages have landed in Google's app for iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/google-ios-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest version of the Google app for iOS (which you can already find in the iTunes App Store) is all about speed. The app itself is now much faster than it was before, on iPhones and iPads alike. Opening the app as well as searching, you'll see that everything loads quicker. So much so, in fact, that Google says its app's users will save a combined 6.5 million hours this year.Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) are now available inside the Google app for iOS, which means getting to certain content on the web will now be a lot faster too. That's because news articles from many publishers...

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T-Mobile starts Buy One, Get One free deal for all Samsung smartphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-samsung-bogo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile has had a Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deal for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge back in March, yet now it's relaunching it while also making it bigger than ever. See, from today onwards you can do the BOGO thing for every single Samsung smartphone that T-Mobile is currently offering.This means you can mix and match by picking from the S7 and S7 edge, but also the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, Note5, J7, Grand Prime, and Core Prime. As usual with these things, some caveats apply.The first smartphone has to be grabbed using an installment plan, while the second one can use that...

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Meizu m3 note review: To the metal
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/meizu-m3-note/-347x151/thumb.jpg We guess many users have always looked forward to the Meizu Note lineup. The m1 note (also known as Blue Charm Note in China) started it all - it boasted a big screen and an overall great package for the price. The m2 note simply widened the LTE network coverage and enabled memory expansion. The latest Meizu m3 note builds upon that with a faster processor, a bigger battery and a more premium, all-metal design.

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GSMArena

29-05-16, 23:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news//16/03/idol-4pro-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg The Alcatel Idol4 Pro, which has been the subject of a handful of leaks already, has now received Wi-Fi certification from the WiFi Alliance (WFA), suggesting that the Windows 10-powered phone will launch soon.What's worth mentioning here is that the device that has been certified is a T-Mobile variant. This could mean that the handset will only be available in the US, at-least at launch.It's rumored spec-sheet currently reads SD820 SoC, 6-inch full HD display, 20MP rear camera, and 64GB storage. There's currently no information on how much it will cost.Via

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HTC One M9+ Prime Camera Edition goes official with MediaTek Helio X10 SoC, 5.2-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/htc-onem9plus-pce-india/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg After announcing the One M9 Prime Camera Edition earlier this month in Germany, HTC has made official a new variant of the device - dubbed One M9+ Prime Camera Edition. The new phone is currently listed on HTC's India eStore.Specs-wise, the One M9+ PCE is powered by a MediaTek Helio X10 SoC, and sports a 5.2-inch full HD display. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 2,840mAh battery.The camera department is handled by a 13MP rear unit and an HTC UltraPixel front shooter. Measuring 15.09 x 7.19 x 0.96cm and weighing in at 168g, the handset...

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Six weeks with the Huawei P9
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/six-weeks-p9/-184x111/thumb.jpg IntroSo, I am an iPhone guy, but most of the time I use an Android secondary phone. I was downgrading from iPhone 6s Plus to iPhone SE as I came to terms with the fact that big phones aren't my thing when the Huawei P9 arrived for a review.A week later as I was wrapping up our Huawei P9 review, and I've decided to make the Huawei P9 my primary smartphone and see how things would go from there. Here are the reasons behind my decision.First - the dual-camera and Leica software. I really liked the color profiles, the B&W camera, and rich manual settings, and the mode that...

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New devices of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/new-devices-of-the-week/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The past week was jam-packed with new device announcements. Samsung's even added a brand new Galaxy "C" family to its lineup.The Korean giant kicked things off within its new metal lineup with the Galaxy C5 and shortly after, the Galaxy C7. Both can be considered mid-range offers and the only difference between the otherwise indistinguishable "C" pair is the size (5.2-inches and 5.7-inches), as well as a small processor upgrade.Moving on to another exciting release - ZTE Axon 7. With all the bells and whistles, like a 5.5-inch AMOLED QHD display, Snapdragon 820 SoC and up to 6GB...

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro international variant now surfaces in Wi-Fi certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/a9-pro-china//-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Samsung SM-A910F that was spotted on Zauba earlier this month? The device is alleged to be the international variant of the Galaxy A9 Pro (SM-A9100) that was launched in March. The latest news is that the phone has received Wi-Fi certification from the WiFi Alliance (WFA).Not only the standard model, but a dual-SIM model of the device is also now Wi-Fi certified, effectively suggesting that their launch isn't far off.There's currently no information on the pricing as well as exactly which regions will get the Galaxy A9 Pro, although Europe seems to be on list...

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LG G5 currently going for under $500 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-india-pre-booking/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The LG G5 has received a price cut in the US. The device is currently available for under $500 ($496 to be specific) on eBay. For comparison, third party retailers and carriers are selling the modular smartphone for somewhere between $575 and $700.What's worth mentioning here is that the model on offer comes with LG warranty, but is only compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, meaning those on CDMA carriers are out of luck. Available color options include gold, pink, silver titan.International shipping is available as well. For more information on the deal, as well as...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge getting June security update already
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-battery-life/-184x111/gsmarena_016.jpg While June hasn't even begun, the Android security update for the month has already started hitting the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone. Specifically, the update is being rolled out to units on carrier Orange in Spain.This is not the first time a Samsung device has started getting a monthly security update in advance - the Galaxy Note 4 started receiving the May security update towards the end of April. There's currently no information on what else (if at all) the latest Galaxy S7 edge update includes.As is usually the case with OTA rollouts, it may take some time for the update...

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Weekly poll: Are you running Android 6.0 Marshmallow?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/weekly-poll-android-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg According to Bloomberg, Google is keeping track of how fast vendors update their phones to the latest Android version. These stats are private right now, but the search giant is reportedly considering making them public as a way to pressure laggards into hurrying up.So, with Android 7.0 N looming we have to ask - does your phone have 6.0 Marshmallow?All recent flagships launched with 6.0 (some heavily customized, but still), some mid-rangers too. Others were swiftly updated from Lollipop (usually 2015 flagships). And then there are the commoners, who trudge along with 5.0...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 21
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Nothing much happened this week in our Top 10 charts - the Moto G4 Plus holds a tight grip on 1st place. The regular Moto G4 (formerly 8th) tumbled out of the charts.The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 held on to second place. Third is the Samsung Galaxy J7, after that is its successor, the Galaxy J7 (2016). Basically, the top four phones in our charts have 5.5" screens, which suggests this is the most popular screen size at the moment..news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center;}.news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%;}.news-item a {...

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Weekly poll results: Sony Xperia X gets a lukewarm reception
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-poll/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A "meh" resounded in the voting hall when we asked you, our readers, to vote on the Sony Xperia X. "Good phone, bad price" seems to be the consensus.Some (rightfully) felt that that the X-series isn't a huge improvement over the Z-series it's meant to replace. That's for the Xperia X, though, people still expressed hope for the Xperia X Performance.As we noted in our review, the price of the X cannot stand. It's higher than the Xperia M5 (which is arguably just as good a phone) and is higher even than the Xperia Z5 (not to mention Galaxy S7, LG G5, ...).So now we play the...

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Asus Zenpad Z8 leaks with SD650 SoC, 8-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/asus-zenpad-z8-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new Asus tablet - dubbed Zenpad Z8 - has leaked courtesy of the usually reliable leakster @evleaks who posted an image of the device along with some of its key specifications on Twitter.The leak says the tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 650 chipset, and sports an 8-inch (1536x2048 pixel resolution) display. It has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable internal memory. The camera department is handled by an 8MP rear unit and a 1.8MP front shooter.According to @evleaks, the tablet is headed to Verizon. There was, however, no word on when it would be launched and what price tag it...

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Not sure what Amazon's Alexa service is all about? Echosim.io lets you test it online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/amazon-echo-tester-online/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Even if you are not particularly interested in the whole digital assistant, AI, home automation scene, chances are that you are at least somewhat familiar with projects like Microsoft's Cortana or Apple's Siri. Amazon's Alexa or Echo might also sound familiar, but, due to their novice and still conceptual and developing nature, there remain slightly unapproachable by many users. However, with both Google and Apple already lining up their own offers for the emerging market niche, powerful services like Amazon's Alexa and their hardware implementations might just be the next big thing in the...

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Android Wear 2.0 update? Here is a handy list of what we currently know
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-wear-early-update-list/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google came prepared for I/O 2016 and packed the keynote with a few exciting announcements. Many of these, however, like the new Daydream VR platform in Android left us wondering about availability and support. The same goes for Android Wear 2.0, which was showcased on stage in an impressive presentation of new features, but we never got word on whether and when we will experience it on our smartwatch.In the absence of any official support list, as of yet the only solution is to deduce and hunt around for fragmented information. This is exactly what user konrad-iturbe on Reddit...

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LINE messaging app crosses 500 million downloads on Play Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/line-500million/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LINE communications app has hit the 500 million downloads milestone on Google Play. With this, the app has made to the list that currently includes some biggies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Skype.The app - which is developed by a Japanese company, and is currently mostly popular in Asian regions only - is said to have a total of 700 million users. This compares to WhatsApp's 1 billion user base and Facebook Messenger's 900 million monthly users.LINE recently received an update that brought along the ability to make group voice calls to chat groups of up to 200...

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OnePlus 3 passes through FCC, specs confirmed once again
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus3-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we approach June 14 - currently believed to be the release date for the OnePlus 3, we are naturally starting to see more bits and pieces of information about the upcoming handset with every passing day. After a few trustworthy leaks, followed by the obligatory appearance at TENAA and even a selfie camera sample all accounted for, we currently have quite a bit of info on the upcoming flagship.All that is left now is to simply wait it out until the phone's release and luckily, the aforementioned June 14 date might not be far off, as the OnePlus 3 (A3000 and A3003 model numbers)...

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Pebble Time currently going for just £79 in UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/pebble-watch-meh-com-90-bucks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pebble might have unveiled the next-gen Pebble Time, but if you are in the UK, and are still considering purchasing the original variant, you'll be happy to know that the smartwatch has received a 50% price cut.Amazon UK currently has the device listed on its website for just £79, down £70.99 from its official price of £149.99. For those doing the math, this translates into a discount of 47%.What's worth mentioning, however, is that the £79 price is only for the black color variant - the red version costs £82.99, while the white model carries a price tag of £81.99. For comparison,...

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Deal: Buy one Verizon Desire 526, get a second free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/verizon-desire526-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you are an HTC fan, and are in the market for a couple of low-end smartphones, here is a deal for you: Verizon is currently offering a buy one get one free (BOGO) deal on the Taiwanese company's Desire 526 smartphone. The promo was revealed by HTC itself in a tweet.Through this weekend, score two #Desire526 phones for the price of one at @Verizon: https://t.co/rzSFs3ZTms pic.twitter.com/oEwdc3C55HÂ— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 27, 2016As for price, the device carries a tag of $120 sans contract. Alternatively, you can also make it yours by paying $5 each month for a total of 24 months....

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Google says existing smartphones likely won't work with its Daydream VR platform
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/android-vr-daydream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Has Google's new Daydream VR platform caught your fancy? Are you waiting to try it on the smartphone you own? Well, sadly, you are out of luck as Google has said that existing smartphones will "most likely" not work with the Android-powered VR platform."I can tell you that there will most likely not be any retroactively Daydream-ready phones," said the Mountain View, Califronia-based company's VR division head Clay Bavor."We want to hold a very high quality bar, and for that to happen all of the components need to be just right. So, to VR fans, I would say, hold off for a few...

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Google Photos turns one, boasts 13.7 petabytes of uploads
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/10/google-photos-100m/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Google's photo hosting and sharing service has turned a year old, and to celebrate, the Mountain View, California-based company has shared some interesting information related to the service."Now 200 million of you are using Google Photos each month," Google said in a blog post. 'We've delivered more than 1.6 billion animations, collages and movies, among other things.""You've collectively freed up 13.7 petabytes of storage on your devices - it would take 424 years to swipe through that many photos! We've also applied 2 trillion labels, and 24 billion of those have been for ......

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GSMArena

30-05-16, 23:42

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/youtube-red-chromecast/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is feeling very generous these days, it seems. As you may know, if you already have a Chromecast, you can get three months of YouTube Red for just $1. But what if you don't own the bestselling streaming dongle? Not to worry, for Google's apparently got you covered even then. If you subscribe to YouTube Red you might actually receive a Chromecast for free, courtesy of Google. The company has started sending out an email to some YouTube Red subscribers letting them know that they can claim a free Chromecast, by way of a special link to the Google store. This link is part of the email...

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Xiaomi tops China market share chart in April, sells three times more phones than Apple
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xiaomi-china-market-share/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is once again the leader of the Chinese smartphone market, which incidentally is also the biggest in the world. Not only that, but Xiaomi has managed to achieve a record-breaking 26% market share in April, according to research conducted by a local firm. This result was proudly shared on Weibo by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. The second best selling brand in China is Honor with 15.7% of the market, though if we count it together with parent brand Huawei that jumps to 23.7%, so pretty close to the No.1. Coming in third is LeEco, which has climbed to 10.5% of the market in record time...

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OnePlus wants 30 of you to review the OnePlus 3 before anyone else
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-3-peer-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Lab is a new initiative by OnePlus through which it wants to receive feedback about its next smartphone from people interested in reviewing a OnePlus 3 before anyone else. Sound interesting to you? Well then, all you need to do is go to this page and register. Then keep your fingers crossed. OnePlus will select 30 people from those who sign up, and will send them a OnePlus 3 each. This isn't going to be a random draw however, those 30 people will be carefully selected by the OnePlus team. In the application form, there's a 500 word field that you can use to explain why you should be...

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Honor 8 reportedly coming soon as the most beautiful smartphone from Huawei's sub-brand
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/honor-8-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest rumor from China states that a new Honor-branded device is coming soon. This will apparently complement the recently unveiled Honor V8 in Huawei's portfolio, sporting a smaller screen. The Honor 8 could thus be the successor to the Honor 7 from last year. It will reportedly come with a 5.2-inch display, Huawei's Kirin 950 or Kirin 955 chipset, 4GB of RAM, a 12 MP dual camera setup on the rear, and a USB Type-C port. Wireless charging will be supported, and the phone will have an IR blaster and a battery capacity north of 3,000 mAh. Its back will be covered by 2.5D curved...

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Galaxy S7 gets the Putinphone do-over, costs up to $27,000
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/putin-phone-s7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Russian phone customization experts at Caviar are at it again, revealing the newest Putinphone. This one's based on Samsung's Galaxy S7, and like all other Putinphones before it comes with President Putin's face engraved on the back. And, to give your handset that extra shot of bling it so desperately needed, one version of the S7-based Putinphone features 190 actual rubies around Putin's face (as seen in the image below). Everything else on the back is gold, and only three of these "Caviar Samsung Supremo Putin Rubino" models will be made. You can be the lucky owner of one for the...

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Asus has a VR headset of its own, with leather straps no less
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/asus-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today is a big day for Asus, as the Taiwanese company has unveiled three new smartphones, a MacBook killer, and a few Surface Pro competitors. There is however another product that it's working on, but which hasn't been officially announced for whatever reason. And yes, it's a VR headset. Recently we've seen a lot of smartphone makers also showing VR headsets - ZTE did so just last week, for example. So it looks like Asus simply couldn't miss bringing its own take to this nascent market. Unfortunately no official details about the headset are known at this point, even if it was...

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The Netherlands will get Pink Gold Galaxy S7 and S7 edge via T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/pink-galaxy-s7-netherlands/-184x111/thumb.jpg Samsung unveiled new Pink Gold options for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge a few days ago. The two new flavors are available for purchase in South Korea, but Samsung promised other "select" markets to get them soon. The first of those markets will be the Netherlands. T-Mobile will be offering both Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in Pink Gold on June 23. You can pre-order them now, and you will receive a free 64GB microSD card. There is no info if this color will be a T-Mobile exclusive for the Netherlands but it's highly unlikely. The other carriers should be offering the Pink...

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Samsung releases updates for Game Tools and Game Launcher
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/game-tools-samsung-update/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Game Tools and Game Launcher apps was introduced with the TouchWiz version inside the Galaxy S7 series. Samsung Game Launcher is a new app/service, which groups all of your games at one place. It has a few powerful tricks, some of them a must have for avid games. It offers power-saving modes, DND mode, and option to turn on/off the Game Tools transparent key. The Game Tools can lock your capacitive keys, capture videos with in-game audio or external sound, among others. Today Samsung released updates for both apps and we bet all of their fans will find the updates very...

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MediaTek Pump Express 3.0 battery charging tech goes 0 to 70% in 20 minutes
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/pump-express-3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg MediaTek showcased its latest battery charging tech dubbed Pump Express 3.0 at Computex 2016. The new fast charging method promises to juice up your phone's battery from 0 to 70% in just 20 minutes. Mere 5 minutes of charging will give you an hour of talk time, too. The company says its latest charging tech has higher charging speeds as well as efficiency resulting in lower phone temperatures during charging. The way it manages this is through bypassing the charging circuit inside the phone and routes the electrical current from the adapter directly to the battery. While this does...

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Microsoft Lumia 950 XL drops to Â€415 in Germany
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/lumia-950-xl-us-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL has dropped to around Â€400 in Europe. Specifically, it's currently available for Â€415 in Germany, where Amazon is selling the device at that price. That's a considerable price cut given that the phone's launch price in Germany was Â€700, not to mention that it's been only six months since the device launched there. Its smaller cousin - the Lumia 950 - is listed on Amazon for around Â€355. Officially, both devices are being sold for Â€629 and Â€499, respectively. Ever since their launch, the Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones have received frequent price cuts in...

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HTC smartwatch delayed yet again; Is it ever coming out?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/htc-smartwatch-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg "When HTC comes out with a smartwatch, we will turn the industry on its head." That's what CEO Cher Wang said in February this year - tall claims indeed. Whether or not the device will be a game changer is a different question, what HTC seems to be really struggling at the moment is to fix a launch date for the device. At a time when technology changes every year, we're hearing rumors of an HTC smartwatch since 2013. The recent ones suggested that the wearable - allegedly dubbed HTC One - will be launched in April this year. However, as we all know, that didn't happen. The usually...

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Researcher: iPhone 7 will come with 32GB storage as standard
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-7-32gb/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've seen photos of iPhone 7 boxes snapped in secret and paid some attention to the storage. We've seen a 64GB box, but that seems too ambitious. Still there's hope Apple will ditch the 16GB minimum. Kevin Wang, the Director of Market Reasearch at IHS Technology has done "supply chain research," which showed that 32GB storage and 2GB RAM will be the new base. We're already at 2GB RAM, the iPhone 6s was first, then the iPhone SE confirmed it. The storage is great news, though, 16GB isn't nearly enough for a modern flagship (especially one with 4K video capture support). What...

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Sony launches Xperia X and Xperia XA in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-india/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Sony has launched the new Xperia X and Xperia XA in India. The Xperia X is priced at INR 48,990 ($729), which is the same as Galaxy S7 in India. The Xperia XA, on the other hand, is priced at INR 20,990 ($312). To put the pricing in perspective, the Xperia X has a 5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 650 processor, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage with microSD support, 23 megapixel rear camera, 13 megapixel front camera, dual SIM support, fingerprint sensor, and 2620mAh battery. The Xperia XA on the other hand has a 5-inch 720p display, MediaTek Helio P10 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage...

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ARM unveils Mali-G71: new architecture with an eye on VR
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mali-g71/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Here's a side of GPU to go with that new Cortex-A73 processor. The Mali-G71 makes the transition to a new architecture, Bifrost (the T880 it replaces and all the way to T6xx used Midgard, used as early as 2012 for the Nexus 10). The G71 focuses on two things - Vulkan and VR. Vulkan is the new graphics API, which aims to provide high performance on both desktops and mobiles. For VR, the new GPU supports the multiview API, essentially a fast, standardized way to render the scene twice - once for each eye. Since the difference in what each eye sees is small, there's plenty of room for...

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Oppo F1 Plus FC Barcelona Edition is official, is actually blue
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oppo-f1-plus-barcelona-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo has officially announced the FC Barcelona Edition of the F1 Plus. The smartphone comes in blue attire with red accents, contrary to the leak from last week, which suggested red and gray color schemes. In addition to the bright blue color, the Oppo F1 Plus FC Barcelona Edition also has an 18K gold-plated logo of the club. User interface customizations in the typical blue and red stripes are present too. Oppo F1 Plus FC Barcelona Edition It's not just the phone that's special, there's a dedicated protective case with laser-printed signatures of Lionel Messi,...

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Asus ZenBo is a companion robot aimed at the elderly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/asus-zenbo/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Asus chairman Jonney Shih started the company's keynote at Computex 2016 with the unveil of the ZenBo household companion. The ZenBo is a rather cute, distinctly Wall-E-looking little robot, which can communicate with you as well as do a plethora of services at your whim. The ZenBo can do most of the things that Amazon Echo does and can answer you most queries via voice commands. It can also give you recipe recoommendations, buying stuff online, logging into accounts and take photos. In this rather lengthy video, Asus demonstrates how the Zenbo can become a part of a family's...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and Mi 5 to be available sans registrations in India starting June 1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/xiaomi-mi5-sale-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has announced that its Redmi Note 3 and Mi 5 smartphones will be available for purchase without any registrations in India starting next month. The announcement was made by the Chinese company's India head on Twitter. Good news Mi Fans: #RedmiNote3 will be available via open sale starting 1st June 10am, on Mi. com, @amazonIN, @Flipkart & @snapdeal. :)Â— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) May 30, 2016 #Mi5 - from 1st June 10 am onwards, Mi 5 will be available via open sale on Mi. com. No registrations required, buy anytime :) @XiaomiIndiaÂ— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) May 30,...

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Transformer 3, Pro and Mini are the latest 2-in-1 PCs from ASUS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/transformer-3-pro-mini/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg The new line-up of ASUS Transformer 3 2-in-1 PCs are in. The company made the Transformer 3 Pro, Transformer 3 and Transformer 3 Mini official today, each covering a certain price range. Transformer 3 Pro The Transformer 3 Pro is the most powerful of the three and features a 12.6" display with a 2880 x 1920 resolution and 275 ppi pixel density. Under the hood, there's an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 1TB PCIe SSD and 16GB of 2133MHz RAM, similarly to the ZenBook 3. ASUS Transformer 3 Pro At the back, there's a 13MP camera in addition to a fingerprint sensor. The body...

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GSMArena

30-05-16, 23:42

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/cortex-a73/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg ARM introduced a new CPU design - Cortex-A73 (aka Artemis), a small but important upgrade over the current A72 found in most flagship and upper mid-range smartphones and tablets. Perhaps the key change is size - the new design is physically 25% smaller than the one it replaces. This will allow chipset makers to create hexa-core designs (2x A73 + 4x A53) that are the same size as an octa-core A53 processor. This means you get a huge single-core performance boost at the same cost (the cost of silicon chips is proportional to their size). Basically, ARM sees chipsets like the Snapdragon...

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Asus ZenBook 3 is a serious threat to the MacBook with a 11.9mm thin body
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zenbook-3-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Prepare to start hating your laptop, as Asus has just unveiled the ZenBook 3. The company is calling it "the world's most prestigious laptop" and it certainly looks the part judging from the photos. The hardware is packed in an 11.9mm aerospace-grade aluminum alloy chassis, which weighs just 910 grams. With a 12.5" 1080p screen, the ZenBook 3 is the company's highest screen-to-body ratio of its laptop line-up with 82%. It's also covered in Gorilla Glass 4 for extra protection. Asus accents that the ZenBook 3 is thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air and the MacBook. You can spec...

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GSMArena

31-05-16, 23:54

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/weeview-eye-plug/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A neat accessory currently being showcased at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan is Weeview's Eye-Plug. This is essentially a camera on a stick. You plug it into the USB Type-C port of your Android smartphone, and it lets you shoot 3D videos. It does the 3D capture thing by using both its own camera as well as your handset's, working together to record footage you can then view in a Google Cardboard headset. And because it goes into the USB Type-C port, you can plug it in either facing the front of the phone or its rear. So yes, you can do 3D selfie videos too if you want to. Additionally,...

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Big iPhone redesigns will only happen once every three years from now on, report claims
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/iphone-lifecycle-change/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg According to a new report out of Asia, Apple is going to make a change in its iPhones' lifecycles. Up until now, the company sort of emulated Intel's tick-tock model - one year we'd see a new design, and then the next year's models would only feature refined innards, keeping the looks. This has most recently been the case with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, of course - keeping the design of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus while sporting better hardware on the inside. So you might have expected the iPhone 7 to bring with it a big redesign, but all the rumors and leaks we've seen about it so far...

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Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter cables spotted at Computex might confirm iPhone 7 ditching the headphone jack
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lightning-to-35mm-adapters/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Computex is currently in full swing in Taipei, Taiwan, and some enterprising folks have spotted an intriguing accessory on display there. As portrayed in the image below, it's an adapter cable that's meant to plug into Apple's Lightning port, and it features a good old analog 3.5mm headset jack at the other end. It has a three-button remote control, and apparently comes with a built-in amplifier too. The company that's showing this product, Tama, has already listed a similar accessory on its website - that one has the buttons on the same end as the headset jack. The fact that...

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OnePlus devices to be officially available at Amazon, OnePlus 2 is first up in the UK
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/oneplus-amazon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Those dreaded invites have long been history for both the OnePlus 2 and the OnePlus X, as you've been able to order either device from the Chinese company's own online store at any point in the past few months. But what if you love Amazon so much that you must make all of your purchases there? Thankfully OnePlus is now happy to serve you too. In a first, the company will officially start selling all of its devices through the mega-retailer. This is an unprecedented move from OnePlus, but it's one that's sure to make grabbing one of its products easier for a lot of people. At the...

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Mophie launches new iPhone battery cases with wireless charging
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/mophie-wireless/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Always dreamt of wireless charging your iPhone even though Apple hasn't built in the necessary tech yet? Well then, this is for you. Battery case experts Mophie have now launched a new range of such accessories for Apple's smartphones - and they have wireless charging support. They're anything but cheap though. If you get both the battery case and the wireless charging base for the iPhone 6 or 6s, for example, you need to pay $99.95, while the amount goes up to $129.95 if you have the iPhone 6 Plus or 6s Plus. You can also purchase a vent-mounted wireless charging plate for your car, or a...

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Alleged rose gold iPhone 7 rear case leaks showing single camera, new antenna lines
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/pink-iphone-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest iPhone 7 leak comes from China (as do most of them really). A picture showing what is purported to be the handset's rear casing has been leaked, and you can see it to the left. This is the shell for the rose gold color version of the upcoming iPhone, which means Apple won't give up on the pinkish hue this year. You can see the revised antenna lines on the leaked case. The position of these lines up with what basically every single leak and rumor about the iPhone 7's design has said so far, so at this point it's hard not to believe that this is what Apple is going for with...

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Facebook Messenger is getting optional end-to-end encryption soon, rumor says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/facebook-messenger-encryption/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the Facebook-owned messaging apps already offers end-to-end encryption to all of its users - we're talking about WhatsApp. However, the social network's other such service, namely Facebook Messenger, has yet to make that step. But according to a new rumor, it's only a matter of time. Facebook apparently plans on adding an opt-in end-to-end encryption feature to Messenger at some point "in the coming months", three people close to the project have said. Facebook Messenger may not have the reach of WhatsApp, but it's still used by more than 900 million people, so this move will...

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Meizu Blue Charm Metal 2 swings by TENAA with a Helio P10 chip
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/meizu-metal-2-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Meizu is preparing to launch the Blue Charm Metal 2 (or internationally Meizu Metal 2) and is one step closer as the phone has passed TENAA certification. As it's usually the case, some of the Metal 2's specifications have also appeared along the way. The phone sports a Helio P10 chip with an 1.8GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The phone will have a second version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. At the back, there's a 13MP camera with dual-LED flash, teamed with a 5MP front-facing camera. Inside the all-metal body, Meizu has fitted a 4,000mAh...

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Sony Xperia X Performance hands-on: First look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/sony-xperia-x-performance/hands-on/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg If you were upset that the Xperia X "only has a Snapdragon 650" and "the Xperia X isn't water resistant anymore", as many of our readers have, fear no more. The Sony Xperia X Performance is here to cover all of these bases in the same compact footprint.

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TENAA now lists 6GB RAM version for the OnePlus 3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/onepus3-6gb-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus 3 - third installment of the self-proclaimed "flagship killer" is now close to an official release. Even if the suggested June 14 unveiling doesn't doesn't take place, one is imminent, considering OnePlus's recent search for 30 early reviewers. Regardless of the exact date, the OnePlus 3 is coming, well, at least, its announcement is and thanks to numerous leaks and certifications from both TENAA and the FCC, we already have a pretty good idea what to expect. In a new development, fans might still be treated to a 6GB RAM option for the phone, as was originally believed...

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LG X Power with 4,100mAh battery and X Style quietly unveiled
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/lg-x-power-x-style/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's been a busy day today with multiple phone launches, which now include two additions to LG's X family. The LG X Power and LG X Style were quietly unveiled in Ukraine. LG X Power This phone gets its name from the sizeable battery - with 4,100mAh in the tank, you can go a long time between charges. The LG X Power features a 5.3" IPS screen with 720p resolution (277ppi). It has a modest processing power, though, a MediaTek MT6735 chipset (quad Cortex-A53 at 1.14GHz, Mali-T720) with 2GB of RAM. There's 16GB of built-in storage, expandable via microSD cards. LG X Power The...

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Samsung Gear Fit 2 specs confirmed, expected this June
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/samsung-gear-fit2-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems like such a long time ago now, but back in 2014, when Samsung unveiled the original Gear Fit smart wearable, its 1.84-inch was kind of a mind-blowing experience with its smooth and slick curve. The device did decently in the market and ever since, fans have been looking forward to another fitness-oriented Samsung tracker to follow in its steps. The Gear Fit 2 definitely fits the bill and it has been popping up in various leaks and renders lately. Now, a fresh batch of info on the wearable finally reveals its hardware specs and even offers a new glimpse at its design and...

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Sony Xperia X Performance comes to the US on July 17 at $700, other X's too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/xperia-x-pricing-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has detailed the availability and pricing of its new X lineup for the US. Breaking up with the carrier model, the smartphones will be sold by major retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H, instead. Sony Xperia X Performance The Xperia X will be the one to pave the way, with a release date set for June 26, and a price tag of $550. If you want to go on either side of the X in terms of price and features, you'd need to wait until July 17, when the Xperia XA and Xperia X Performance will become available, at $280 and $700, respectively. And then a whole month after the pioneer,...

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Marshmallow update starts hitting Verizon Galaxy S5
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the Marshmallow update to Samsung Galaxy S5 units on its network. The update brings Android version 6.0 and bumps the software version to MMB29M.G900VVRU2DPD1. Aside from the usual Marshmallow goodies - including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions - the update also brings along Wi-Fi calling, update to app icons, Ultra High Quality Audio and Android for Work. The carrier has published a list of pre-loaded apps with their version numbers - head to the Source link below to take a look. Other major carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint...

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Edge version of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 appears in import listing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-note6-edge-zauba/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy Note6 (or perhaps Note7) is the next big thing we're expecting from Samsung, likely some time in August. A couple of versions are rumored to be in development and we now have some tangible (sort of) proof of the potential curved-screen version, courtesy of a customs import listing on the Zauba website. Mind you, it's not the actual phone that's entered India, but a metal mask for mobile phone production line, whatever that may be. It is the quoted model name that gives grounds for interpretation - SM-N935G. Samsung Galaxy Note5 The current Galaxy Note5 carries a model...

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Intel announces the 10-core i7-6950X Extreme Edition CPU
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/core-i7-extreme/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Intel announced today at Computex its first 10-core CPU. The Core i7-6950X Extreme Edition runs at 3GHz, but can boost up to 3.5GHz and has 25MB of cache. The boost is controlled by the company's new Turbo Boost 3.0 technology. To put it in perspective, Intel says the new CPU is 35% faster than the last-gen Core i7-5960X and twice as fast in 3D rendering than the quad-core i7 6700K. Naturally all of this goodness will cost you an arm and a leg. The fastest CPU that Intel has ever made in the company's own words carries a price tag of $1,723. Source

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ZUK Z2 brings great power and battery, ISOCELL camera too
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The ZUK Z2 arrives tactfully late after the Z2 Pro. It has a metal frame and a honking big battery, Android 6.0 Marshmallow and a Snapdragon 820 chipset, all served up at CNY 1,800 ($275/Â€245). The ZUK Z2 has a slightly smaller screen than the Pro version - 5" 1080p - which is covered with 2.5D Curved glass. The phone is slightly thicker, 8.5mm vs. 7.5mm, but comes with a bigger battery, 3,500mAh vs. 3,100mAh. Quick Charge 3.0 is supported over the USB Type-C port (80% in 1 hour), but you can also grab a wireless charging pad for CNY 300. ZUK Z2 The Z2 is powered by a...

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Xiaomi creates Warcraft theme for Mi phones right on time for the movie launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/warcraft-xiaomi-theme/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Blizzard is stirring up nostalgia for Warcraft fans who finally got their wish - Blizz cinematics extended to a feature-length film. Xiaomi can help you get in the mood for the film with a theme for your Mi phone. The theme swaps app icons with items from the movie, a lockscreen with a greeting by Durotan and a "punch" unlock sound and many other details from Warcraft lore. via GIPHY You can download the Theme from Xiaomi's Mi Store. The Warcraft movie officially premiered last week but is still expanding globally. You can check IMDb for a premiere date in your country. Source

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Sony Xperia E5 goes official with 5" 720p display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/sony-xperia-e5-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After undergoing the thorough leak treatment, the Sony Xperia E5 was just made official today, without too much fuss. The handset can now be found on the company's website, along with a confirmation of its previously rumored specs. Just as expected, the Sony Xperia E5 is equipped with a 5-inch 720p display and powered by Mediatek's MTK6735 with four 1.3GHz Cortex-A53 cores. There's 1.5GB of RAM, plus 16GB of expandable storage to finish the picture of an entry-level device. On the physical side of things, the Xperia E5 measures 144 x 69 x 8.2 mm and weighs in at 147g, which...

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Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon Wear 1100 chipset with rich connectivity
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/snapdragon-wear-1100/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Qualcomm painted a picture of what chipsets mid-range phones will use in the future, now here's what smartwatches will use. The Snapdragon Wear 1100 will be used in smart wearables that don't need the full power of the Wear 2100 that was unveiled in February. The new chipset has every connectivity option a smart watch or band may possibly need. There's LTE and 3G with global band support (Cat. 1), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the iZat location engine for multi-system global positioning, cell-ID positioning with geo-fencing. The Snapdragon Wear 1100 chipset supports Power Save...

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GSMArena

02-06-16, 00:00

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/apple-wwdc-date-june-13/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has sent press invitations for its annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) where the company announces new products, projects, software, hardware, computers and new features for its existing products.What we are expecting to see from WWDC this month is maybe something (but perhaps nothing at all) regarding the rumors about a new MacBook Pro lineup with OLED displays and a touch sensitive tool bar over the keyboard. We are also going to hear about the next mobile iOS version iOS 10. Apple might also rename OS X to just MacOS.We should also definitely be seeing the...

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Samsung offers free Gear VR headset for everyone who buys a Galaxy smartphone before June 19
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/free-gear-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung bundled the Gear VR headset for free for those who pre-ordered its Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones earlier this year, and now the company is back with a very similar offer.If you buy a Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, or Note5 handset in the US from today and until June 19 you're eligible to receive a free Gear VR from Samsung. You have to purchase the device from "a participating retailer" on a device installment plan, a 2-year contract plan, lease, or by just paying the whole amount outright.Then, make sure you claim your free Gear VR by going to this website...

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Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 receives Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/verizon-tab-s2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Following the release of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for its version of the Galaxy S5 yesterday, Verizon has now started pushing out the newest iteration of Google's mobile operating system to the Galaxy Tab S2 units it's sold. We're talking about the 9.7-inch tablet here, the one which first got the update internationally back in April.The new software version that Verizon is now rolling out is MMB29K.T817VVRU2BPE1. Of course you'll find all the usual Marshmallow goodies inside, including Doze Mode and App Standby, the new permissions system, and Google Now On Tap. On top of all...

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OnePlus ditches invites for the OnePlus 3
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oppo-3-no-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei disclosed that the OnePlus 3 will be released invite-free right from launch day. The company is going to soon announce the phone on June 14. He also reminded that the OnePlus 3 will be available for purchase exclusively through the Loop VR app during the first two hours after launch. After that, everyone will be able to order one.The OnePlus 3's specs we know so far include: 5.5-inch AMOLED 1080p screen, return of NFC support, Snapdragon 820 CPU paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, 64GB of on-board storage, rear camera, a 3,000mAh battery, and a...

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Xiaomi Mi Band 2 goes on pre-sale before rumored June 7 launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/miband-2-presale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is currently on a pre-sale at Chinese online store TinyDeal. The upcoming fitness tracker was hinted to go on sale on June 7 by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun.TinyDeal lists the Mi Band 2 to ship after July 26, which is almost two months after the alleged announcement of the tracker. The price of almost Â€45 is noticeably more than the Mi Band 1s, which retails for $40 before discounts.In the listing, the fitness tracker is said to have an LCD touchscreen and a heart rate monitor, but more technical specifications are missing.Source | Via

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Samsung's 512GB SSD is fast and tiny - postage stamp tiny
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-nvme-ssd/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung just announced a new SSD that's tiny in physical size but huge in capacity. The chip offers up 512GB storage and is the first ever to offer NVMe in a BGA package.256GB and 128GB options are also available. The SSDs promise sequential read speeds of up to 1,500MB/s, write speeds up to 900MB/s and IOPS of 190K and 150K respectively.The chip, dubbed PM971-NVMe, measures a mere 20 x 16 x 1.5mm and weighs a gram. In that minuscule package, Samsung managed to fit 512GB LPDDR RAM, a Samsung controller and an impressive 16 48-layer 256-gigabit V-NAND flash chips.Samsung...

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MIUI 8 open beta is now available for download
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/miui-8-beta-download/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest major release of Xiaomi's popular mobile OS has been in the works for some time now. As originally promised, after two weeks or so of closed beta testing, the ROM is now available for download, so you can get it and test it on your Xiaomi device for yourself.Currently, there are builds for the Mi 2, Mi 2S, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 5, Mi Note and Mi Max. For any of these, you can hit the source link and download a copy right now. According to the original release schedule, a Developer ROM should be made available on June 17, which will also add support for the Mi 4C, Mi 4S, as...

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LG G5 launched in India, priced at $785
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lg-g5-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has launched its flagship smartphone, the G5, in India. The phone is priced at INR 52,990, which is about $785.The G5 has a modular design that allows you to swap out the base with other attachments, such as the LG CAM Plus camera grip or the LG Hi-Fi Plus module by B&O, the latter of which is not available in India. The battery in each of these modules is removable and user replaceable.Other than that the G5 also has a 5.3-inch, 1440p display, Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, dual rear camera with 16 megapixel main camera and 8 megapixel wide angle camera,...

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AMD just announced its "Bristol Ridge" and "Stoney Ridge" 7th Generation APUs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/amd-new-7thgen-apus/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As expected, AMD had some big announcements lined up for Computex this year. The company officially unveiled its new, 7th generation APU lineup for use in notebooks. The new family is actually divided into two segments - high-end, codenamed "Bristol Ridge" and low-end - "Stoney Ridge". Both are based on updated Excavator cores. These are largely similar to the ones employed in the 6th gen Carrizo models, improving even further on what was widely held as AMD's best take on APUs since the original Bulldozer architecture.The Excavator updates in question are numerous and cover...

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Samsung to hold a NYC event tomorrow, Gear Fit 2 likely become official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/june-2-samsung/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung sent out invites for its press event tomorrow in New York. Looking at the invite below, we can safely assume part of the conference will be dedicated to the Gear Fit 2 and Gear IconX Bluetooth earbuds.The minimalist invite for tomorrow's eventWe're a bit puzzled by the "Create with Galaxy" part. Since it's a bit early for the Galaxy Note 6 to launch, we're inclined to think Samsung will unveil a tablet.The Samsung Gear Fit 2 is said to come with a 1.55-inch Super AMOLED display, with a resolution of 216 x 432 pixels - quite detailed for the size. Under the hood is a...

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AMD announces RX 480, first graphics card based on Polaris architecture
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/rx-480/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg AMD has announced its new RX series of graphics cards, based on their brand new Polaris macro-architecture, and the first card to be released is the RX 480.The biggest talking point here is the price, which is $199 for the 4GB model. This is part of AMD's big push for VR where they are trying to get more people to experience VR by bringing down the price of PC hardware. The RX 480 is being touted as the cheapest VR-ready graphics card out there right now. Even if you're not into VR, what it means is that you can still get excellent 1080p performance out of this card for that...

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Sony Xperia X officially goes on sale in Europe, here are the prices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/xperia-x-sale-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Sony Xperia X has gone on sale in several countries on the Old Continent. The UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Poland get a taste of Sony's new premier smartphone line, while others are still in the pre-order stage.We checked the local Sony sites and collected the pricing and color options. Most regions get White, Black, Rose Gold and Lime Gold, though the UK has to settle for only one gold option.Keep in mind that these are the prices from the official Sony store, soon you may able to get a better deal from local retailers (some of which have already been offering the...

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LG brings G Pad III 8.0 to South Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/gpadIII8-korea/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG G Pad III 8.0, which was launched in Canada a few days ago, has arrived in the company's home country of South Korea as well. The tablet carries a price tag of KRW 330,000 in the Asian country, which translates into around $275 at current exchange rates.Some of the device's key specs include octa-core 1.5GHz processor, 8-inch (1920 × 1200 pixel resolution) display, 2GB/32GB memory configuration, 5MP/8MP camera combo, 4,800mAh battery, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.The G Pad III 8.0 is expected to land on T-Mobile and AT&T in the United States.Source

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Lenovo K4 Note starts receiving Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/k4note-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lenovo has announced that it has started rolling out the Android Marshmallow update to K4 Note units in India. The announcement came in the form of a tweet from the Chinese company's India subsidiary.K4 Note owners, rejoice! We're rolling out the Android Marshmallow update to you starting today. #KillerNote2016 pic.twitter.com/Id0h48OaxSÂ— Lenovo India (@Lenovo_in) June 1, 2016Some of the other Lenovo devices that have received the Marshmallow update in the recent months include the K3 Note, A7000, and Vibe P1. And now you can add the K4 Note to the list. There's, however, no...

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Oppomart lists the ZUK Z2 for $299 well ahead of launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zukz2-listed-on-oppomart-before-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The ZUK Z2 was just announced and one of the first retailers to list it is oppomart.com who has it for a price of $299. Though the listing details all the specs and product photos, the item is shown as "out of stock".The ZUK Z2 features the latest Qualcomm CPU Snapdragon 820 with 4GB of RAM, a 5 inch LCD 1080p screen, Android Marshmallow out of the box with ZUI 2.0, fingerprint scanner, 3,500mAh battery, Adreno 530 graphics, 13MP rear camera with a Samsung ISOCELL sensor with phase detection AF, an 8PM front camera, 4K video, and an impressive 960fps slow motion video...

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Jawbone refutes rumors, says not exiting fitness wearable market
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/jawbone-layoffs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Late last week, there were reports that Jawbone has stopped producing its UP line of fitness bands, triggering rumors that the company is exiting the fitness wearable market. Now, the firm has issued a statement refuting all such rumors.Here's the complete statement:Speculation that Jawbone is exiting the wearables business or going out of business altogether is false. This speculation appears to emanate from wrongful insinuations made in a blog post in which the reporter has since posted a "Correction." Unfortunately, other media picked it up before the reporter posted a...

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LG Stylus 2 Plus launched, global availability details revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/stylus2plus-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The LG Stylus 2 Plus - which was spotted listed on TENAA and locally unveiled by the company in Taiwan last month - has now been officially launched. Specs-wise, the device is powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core processor, and sports a 5.7-inch full HD display.It comes in 2GB/3GB RAM and 16GB/32GB internal memory options as well as 13MP/5MP or 16MP/8MP camera configuration. The exact memory and camera configuration will vary depending on the region where the device is being sold.Moving on, the Stylus 2 Plus comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box, and packs in a 3,000mAh...

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Rumor says three new Oppo devices (including a flagship) coming in June
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/oppo-find-9-june/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new rumor out of China, Oppo will announce a total of three new phones this month, including a flagship. Promo images of these handsets have also been leaked, but they don't reveal much as devices are blurred.The rumor also reveals the unveiling dates - two devices will be made official on June 2 (tomorrow), while one will be announced on June 6.One of the Oppo devices that's already said to be launching in June is the Find 9. Its rumored spec-sheet reads Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4K-capable display, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It is also rumored to feature the...

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T-Mobile sells most smartphones of any carrier in the US in Q1
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/tmobile-sold-more-smartphones-than-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This is a big deal because just over three years ago, T-Mobile was the number 4 carrier in the US. Nobody even wanted to deal with switching carriers because every carrier, including T-Mobile, had stopped offering unlimited data and their plans become so unclear. While Sprint was the only carrier at the time that offered unlimited data, its network was so bad in some areas, there wasn't even contest.T-Mobile has beaten the US largest wireless carrier: Verizon, in the number of smartphones sold in Q1 of the US mobile market. Metro PCS and T-Mobile, combined, sold 22.9% of smartphones while...

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vivo X7 leaks in images, said to replace Xshot
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/vivo-x7-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The vivo Xshot was announced way back in 2014. While there have been a few rumors/reports about a successor to the device, those were mostly in 2015. Now, a new report out of China seems to have some fresh information on the matter.The report claims that there won't be a direct successor, and the Xshot will be replaced by a new device dubbed vivo X7. Not only this, it also contains a leaked image of the latter.Sadly, there's no information on the specs, although the report does say that the X7 will be made official by vivo by the end of this month. So, if that's the case, expect...

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GSMArena

03-06-16, 00:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/pebble-core-alexa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month when it announced its two newest smartwatches, Pebble also made the Core official. This is the company's first non-smartwatch product. It resembles the iPod Nano, and Pebble bills it a "capable fitness device that lets you leave your phone at home", as it comes with built-in 3G connectivity as well as Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi. It also has a 3.5mm jack to plug headphones into when you feel like listening to music (which it can stream over 3G or Wi-Fi). The Core unfortunately won't be out until 2017, but when it does ship it will do so with built-in support for Amazon's Alexa...

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New update brings back Stamina Mode for the Xperia Z5 family
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news//16/06/z5-family-new-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's back! Stamina Mode has made a return to Sony's Xperia Z5 family of devices, after having been removed when the updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow started going out. Now a new software update, with build number 32.2.A.0.224, is in the process of rolling out to Sony's Xperia Z5, Z5 Dual, and Z5 Compact (and the Z5 Premium should follow soon). This one will make your phone run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, but most importantly for those who love long battery life it brings back Stamina Mode, Sony's own interpretation of a low power consumption state. The new Stamina settings are...

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Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet now comes with a metal shell, 64GB storage
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news//16/06/amazon-fire-10-aluminum/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Amazon spruced up its Fire HD 10 tablet with a new Silver Aluminum option. The metal option is priced the same as the Black and White plastic incarnations of the tab. Also, there's a new storage option - 64GB - that is available with the aluminum shell only. That one costs $290 with special offers, $305 without. The cheapest option is the 16GB model (there's a microSD card slot) for $230 (with special offers). Other than finish and storage, the specs of the Amazon Fire HD 10 have not changed. It has a 10.1" screen with 1,280 x 800px (149ppi), a quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM, Dolby...

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Moto G4 Plus hands-on: First look
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/motorola-moto-g4-plus/preview/-347x151/thumb01.jpg Motorola deserves credit for turning the budget Android phone market on its head back with the original Moto G. But since then a lot has happened and many new overeager disrupters have joined the game.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note7 edge might feature a dual-camera setup
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-galaxy-note5-dual-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The next in line in Samsung's iconic phablet family has been flooding the rumor mill and captivating everybody's curiosity for quite some time now. And as August draws near, so does Samsung's typical announcement window for Note devices and with that, more and more details are starting to slip through the cracks. The latest industry insider scoop on the upcoming Note hints at a dual main camera setup. According to the source, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) is already working on said system and it will, allegedly, be ready to make its debut on the Note7 or perhaps its rumored...

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OmniVision has a new 1.55-Micron sensor to power high-end smartphone cameras
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/omnivision-ov16860/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OmniVison has become a household brand name when it comes to sensors and chances are you have used a device equipped with one of its sensors. The new Motorola Moto G 4 Plus, for instance, utilizes the company's 1/2.4-inch OV16860 16MP sensor with some impressive results, but it should pale in comparison with the new OV12890. It is a 1/2.4-inch type 12MP sensor, which fits into a 10 x 10 x 6 mm camera module, making it ideal for use in new high-end smartphone offers. The sensor is capable of capturing 12MP stills at a rate of 45 fps, as well as 1080p video at up to 240 fps and 4K...

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Galaxy Note5 voted America's most loved phone, iPhone 6s Plus comes second
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news//15/12/galaxy-note5-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung must be feeling quite proud of the Galaxy Note5 after the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) pronounced it America's favorite smartphone. The organization gave the Note5 86/100 points in its nationwide poll. The iPhone 6s Plus received 85/100 points, leaving it in a second place. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 4 share third place with 84 points. The iPhone 6s is fourth just one point below. Here's the complete ranking below. Interestingly, Samsung isn't the most reliable smartphone brand according to the poll. Nevertheless, it's close by to Apple, which is...

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Samsung Pay lands in mainland Europe starting with Spain
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-pay-spain/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ¡Hola! ¿Cuánto cuesta? Samsung Pay is launching in Spain, finally getting a foothold on the mainland after the UK launch. Research showed that among Spaniards aged 35 to 65, 64% pay with a credit or debit cards for most or even all of their purchases. And they have to carry more than two cards to do it. At launch, partner banks are CaixaBank and imaginBank, Abanca and Banco Sabadell will join soon. Here are just some of the venues that will accept Samsung Pay: Cepsa, Cervecería La Sureña, Domino's Pizza, El Corte Inglés, Fridays, Ginos, Grupo DIA, MediaMarkt, Mercadona, Phone House,...

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A 4.3" Xiaomi mini spotted in the wild, allegedly with S820 chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/xiaomi-super-mini/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The fate of compact flagships hangs in the balance as Sony killed off the Xperia Z brand and the fabled Z Compact. Does Xiaomi hold the salvation for fans of petite but powerful phones? A rumor attached to a photo details a 4.3" Xiaomi that will be powered by the Snapdragon 820 chipset. The screen will have 720p resolution, which shouldn't be a problem (wasn't for the Compacts). The unnamed Xiaomi mini is expected to have a 13MP main camera on the back and a fingerprint sensor on the front. Additional specs include 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The price is rumored to be CNY 1,800...

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SanDisk announces new Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drives
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/sandisk-drive/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg SanDisk has announced the second generation of its SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB Type-C flash drives. The new drives come with an updated design and higher capacity models. The drives, for those not aware, feature a sliding design, with a USB Type-A connector on one end and a Type-C on the other. This allows you to plug in the drive to your computer whether you have a standard Type-A connector or the new MacBook with a Type-C connector. The Type-C connector also allows the drive to be plugged in and used with newer Android devices being launched. The drives are based on USB 3.1...

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X-Men themed LG X phones coming soon to Europe and the Americas
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lg-x-men/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Superheroes dominate the movie theaters and soon they will conquer mobile phones as well. LG is cross-promoting its X-series of phones with the new X-Men movies. These "themed" phones will launch in July for Europe, the US and Latin America. The two new phones from yesterday - LG X Power and LG X Style - are linked to Professor X ("Long Lasting Power") and Mystique ("Fabulously Flawless Looks") respectively. LG X Power, Professor X Â• LG X Style, Mystique The first duo - LG X Cam and LG X Screen - are Cyclops ("Extraordinary vision") and Nightcrawler ("Agile and...

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The $23 Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is now official
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/xiaomi-mi-band-2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After quite a few leaks and even a couple of early pre-sales events, Xiaomi's latest fitness tracker was officially unveiled today. Despite its name, the Mi Band 2 is actually the third installment of the extremely popular wearable, but offers a major upgrade over its predecessors. The Mi Band 2 now comes with a lot more tech on board. On top of the already familiar step counter, sleep tracker, heart-rate measurement and notification alerts, the accessory now has an OLED display instead of the usual three LED array and a round physical button on the front. This allows the Mi Band 2...

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Huawei P9 gets a gold bath from Goldgenie
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/goldgenie-huawei-p9/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Goldgenie has started offering its customary precious metal plating service for the Huawei P9. The options include 24K Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum. Price is set at £1500, phone included, but we gather there will be differences depending on which coating you actually choose. Half of the sum needs to be deposited for Goldgenie to start melting the metals. The P9 is the latest in the line of Huawei flagships, and comes with a 5.2-inch FullHD display and in-house Kirin 955 chipset. Its headline feature is the dual camera on the back - a Leica-branded 2x12MP setup with one...

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Windows insiders can now use notification syncing from mobile to PC
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/windows-insider-notification-sync/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft recently unveiled a few interesting features in the latest Windows 10 Preview Build. If you are subscribed to the Insider program, getting the latest build 14356 should enable the notification syncing feature, that the Microsoft has been hinting at for quite some time. It allows Cortana on your mobile device (Windows 10 Mobile or Android) to send its notifications to the PC. In order for this to work on Google's mobile OS, however, you need to get Cortana version 1.7.1 or higher, a link for which can be found in the source. If everything goes smoothly and requirements are...

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Google Hangouts updated with support for Direct Share
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/hangouts-directshare/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has pushed out a new update to its Hangouts messaging app that brings along support for Direct Share, a feature that the company introduced in the Android Marshmallow OS. As the name suggests you can now directly share stuff - including photos, videos, or even links - with the Hangouts contacts whom you frequently interact. This is the only major change included in the update, which is currently rolling out to Hangouts for Android. Via | Google Play

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Verizon Galaxy Note 4 starts getting Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/note-4-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Shortly after rolling out the Marshmallow update to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, Verizon has now started pushing out the update to Galaxy Note 4 units on its network. It bumps the software version to N910VVRU2CPD1. The update brings Android 6.0.1, meaning all the usual Marshmallow goodies are included. In addition, it also beings along other features/improvements such as Wi-Fi calling, update to app icons, Ultra High Quality Audio and Android for Work. Head to the Source link below for more information on the update. As is usually the case with OTA roll-outs, it might take some...

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LG's rumored G Pad X 8.0 tablet is now official, available for purchase from T-Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lg-gpadx-8-tmobile/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in April this year, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks leaked an LG tablet - dubbed G Pad X 8.0 - saying that it'll be landing on T-Mobile around mid-May. Well, although a bit late, the device has indeed been launched by the magenta carrier. Specs-wise, the G Pad X 8.0 is powered by an octa-core 1.5GHz processor (Snapdragon SoC), and sports an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 pixels display. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. Both front and rear cameras are 5MP. T-Mobile has the tablet listed for $240, although...

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HTC's "token of appreciation" for early HTC 10 adopters is a USB Type-C cable
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/htc10-free-usbc-cable/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you recall, early last month, we told you that those who purchased the HTC 10 from the company's official website are being promised a "small token of appreciation" by HTC. While, at that time, the company didn't reveal what the gift would be, turns out it's a free USB Type-C cable. In addition to that, these lucky HTC 10 owners are also getting HTC's UH OH protection at no extra cost - for those who aren't aware, the protection program makes you eligible for a free replacement unit should the unthinkable happens to your phone within a year of purchase. Via

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Facebook Messenger lands on Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/messenger-win10m/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you are a Facebook fan and own a Windows 10 Mobile handset, here's some good news for you: the social networking company has finally made its Messenger app available on the mobile platform. The app - which is currently in beta, meaning it may contain some bugs - is now listed on the Windows Store and can be downloaded from there. Following is a list of features included in the app: Get notifications so you never miss a message See when you have messages waiting for you with a live tile Send photos, videos, GIFs and more Bring your conversations to life with...

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Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe with SD823 SoC rumored to be landing in some Asian markets this August
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/zf3deluxe-sd823-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the recently-announced Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe packs in a Snapdragon 820 SoC, a new rumor is claiming that the Taiwanese company will soon launch a Snapdragon 823 variant of the device as well. For the uninitiated, the SD823 chipset is the same as the S820 model, except that the quad-core Kryo CPU will run on a higher clock. The rumor says the new variant will be available in certain Asian markets - including Philippines and India - in the month of August. There was, however, no word on exactly how much the device will cost. The standard ZenFone 3 Deluxe, in case you don't...

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GSMArena

04-06-16, 00:04

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/instagram-apocalypse/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in March Instagram created a rift in the time-space continuum when it announced that it was going to test a new, algorithmic way of sorting its users' photo feeds. This came after years upon years of greatly coveted reverse-chronology, so understandably many were very, very upset. Celebrities mostly, but still.In the meantime the backlash died down, but it's likely to be revived starting today. The reason for it going undead has to do with Instagram letting us know that the new, algorithm-based feed is now rolling out to everyone. That's right, every single Instagram user will from...

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Huawei plans to launch a new Honor smartphone in Europe on June 20
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/honor-launch-june-20/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Huawei has started sending out media invites for a "virtual launch" that will be taking place on June 20. At that point, the Chinese company's Honor sub-brand will be unveiling a new and "exciting" product in Europe.This will apparently be "fast, robust, and affordable", as you can see from the invite pictured below.What isn't very clear is whether this event will be used by Honor to launch an entirely new smartphone, say the recently rumored Honor 8, or just mark the European arrival of one that's already out in China (we're thinking of the Honor V8 here). Since the words...

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Nexus 6P is now at least $80 cheaper, 128GB model costs as much as the one with 32GB used to
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nexus-6p-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest high-end Nexus is a lot cheaper now than usual. Several retailers are offering the Huawei Nexus 6P for $80 off its normal price, so you can grab the 32GB model for $419.99, the one with 64GB for $469.99, and the 128GB iteration for $569.99.You can take advantage of these prices at Best Buy, B&H, Newegg, and Amazon (but in this case only for the silver model for whatever reason). Oh, and if you buy from Newegg through eBay you can have the 128GB version for just $499.99.On top of the discount itself, B&H will give you a pair of free screen protectors, as well as a $50 gift...

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AT&T's Lumia 640 and Verizon's Lumia 735 get Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lumia-640-735-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Starting today, two more smartphones are receiving updates to Windows 10 Mobile. We're talking about the AT&T version of the Microsoft Lumia 640 and Verizon's Lumia 735 model. Both of them are now in the process of being updated to Windows 10 Mobile over-the-air.Obviously as is always the case the rollout is happening in phases, so a few days (if not more) will pass before everyone who owns one of this phones gets the much anticipated update notification.If you have AT&T's Lumia 640, go to the Upgrade Advisor app if you want to manually check for the new software. If you own Verizon's...

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Snapchat quietly acquired Seene, a 3D imaging app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/snapchat-acquired-seene/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Snapchat, a photo sharing app of giant proportions, has quietly purchased another app that lets users post 3D images that are generated with a standard smartphone's camera. Seene, the name of the app, is much structured like Instagram where users can post a feed of their own 3D images created within the app.According to TechCrunch, the purchase was said to have happened about two months ago.This is one of those apps that are pretty cool, but easily forgotten about if the technology is not applied on a larger scale. Here is where Snapchat comes in. It must be really interested in the...

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Lyft and Uber are testing grocery deliveries with Walmart
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/walmart-testing-driving-service-with-uber-and-lyft/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Walmart has already been hard at work testing and rolling out its online grocery pickup service offered in San Jose, California and Denver, Colorado. The company is currently preparing to test Walmart grocery deliveries by teaming up with Uber and Lyft.The company is going to begin piloting the delivery service in Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix Arizona. In addition, Sam's Club (Walmart-owned wholesale chain) has already started its own delivery program with Business partners out of Miami.Here is how the delivery process works: First, the customer in one of the test area locations...

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Huawei is making another Nexus this year, exec says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/huawei-new-nexus/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember that odd Nexus 6P that got benchmarked in April with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset on board? Well, it doesn't look all that odd anymore.Yesterday evening in South Africa Huawei launched its P9 series, and during an interview at the event Charlene Munilall, the Chinese company's general manager in the country made a very interesting statement.Asked about the Nexus line and why it's not available in South Africa, at one point she bluntly stated the following: "We're doing the Nexus again this year, by the way".Now obviously there's still a small chance that this is...

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Deal: Spigen cases for iPhone 6(S) and 6(S) Plus for $4
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/spigen-case-codes-june-2016/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you've found yourself with a raggedy iPhone case, fear no more. We are offering our readers heavy discounts on iPhone 6(S) and iPhone 6(S) Plus cases, courtesy of Spigen USA.To take advantage of these discounts, all you need to do is copy the code of the case you'd like and paste it into the promo code option upon checkout.These codes are active right now and all the cases below can be had for just $4 with Prime shipping. Discounted cases are available until supplies last. All codes will expire tonight, June 3, at midnight Pacific Time. iPhone 6(S):Ultra Hybrid - Crystal...

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Moto X Pure Edition and Moto 360 Sport bundle gets a $350 discount
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-x-350/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Every once in a while, Motorola has some hard-to-resist offers and today we get another one. The company is selling the Moto X Pure Edition and Moto 360 Sport as a bundle for $400. That's the 64GB version of the phone, which rounds up to $350 off the regular price!In order to activate the discount, you'll have to add the Moto X Pure Edition and a white or orange Moto 360 Sport. Then, apply the "CLASSOF2016" and "JUNEMOTO360" promo codes.The Moto X Pure Edition (2015) is the equivalent of the Moto X Style for North America, and the brand's current flagship offering for the...

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Lumigon T3 is the first phone with a night vision camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lumigon-t3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lumigon is a small Danish outfit that designs distinctive phones and its new model, the T3, marks a world's first for smartphones - it has a night vision camera.Unlike the thermal camera on the CAT S60, the Lumigon T3 has a 4MP night vision camera backed by two IR LEDs. It allows you to take photos and videos in complete darkness (and the IR light the camera uses is invisible to the naked eye so you can be sneaky). An action key can quickly enable a function - say the camera or the flashlight.The T3 is built from marine-grade 316 stainless steel and evolves the utilitarian design...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 6 recreated based on leaked blueprints
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-note-6-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Leaked blueprints courtesy of @OnLeaks combined with the 3D skills of uSwitch have resulted in a 3D render of what the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 might look like.The sketches show a dual-curved screen, similar to the Galaxy S7 edge. The S Pen sheath in the lower right makes this definitely a Note device, though. The screen is somewhere between 5.7" and 5.8" big.A surprising swap has occurred at the bottom - a shiny new USB Type-C takes over from the tired microUSB 2.0. If this pans out, it will be a first for Samsung.A 3D render of the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 (based on leaked...

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VLC 2.0 for Android is out - now with network browsing
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/android-vlc-player-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After what seemed like age-long testing, VLC for Android 2.0 has graduated to stable release. Some things do take a long time to perfect, just remember how long Gmail had its "beta" subtitle and when it comes to LVC, there is definitely a reputation to live up to.The main highlight of VLC 2.0 is its eagerly-anticipated network browsing feature, which is finally added to the mix. As fans would expect, it offers quite a versatile list of supported protocols, including Windows shares, UPnP, NFS, FTP and SFTP. Another major milestone achieved through version 2.0 is the merge between...

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Meizu Blue Charm Metal 2 will be unveiled on June 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/meizu-metal2-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We were already in the know about Meizu's intention to release a successor to the m1 metal, named the Meizu Blue Charm Metal 2 or simply Meizu Metal 2 . The first solid confirmation of that came in the shape of a TENAA certification from a few days ago. It appears that the Chinese manufacturer has decided to move things along quickly and has already sent out invitations for the official unveiling event.The event will take place in China on June 13 at 14:00 local time. However, the insider source for the invitation itself has also shared some very different specs from the ones...

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Apple re-releases iOS 9.3.2 for 9.7-inch iPad Pro
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/ipad-pro-932/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has re-released the iOS 9.3.2 update exclusively for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro users.For those not aware, Apple released the update to all the supported devices two weeks ago but some of those with the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro had their devices bricked by the update, to the point where Apple had to replace their units. Apple since then pulled the update for the specific device and only now is releasing it again so those lucky enough to not update their devices can now update safely.Apple also published a support document in case you get a specific error while updating your...

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Bing for Android now lets you search by image
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/bing-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has pushed out a new update to the Android app of its Bing search engine. According to the change-log, the update includes a handful of changes, including the ability to search by image.With the update, now you can perform searches based on a picture taken from within the app - in results, Bing will display similar images available online. The feature is already there in Bing's iOS app. In addition, the update also brings along a feature called 'Touch query,' which the company says lets you get "new suggestions for image and video search by tapping the separate words." Aside...

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Play Store prompts you to uninstall apps if your storage is full
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/google-play-uninstall/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg It seems Google sneaked in a useful feature in the Play Store app when no one was looking. Previously, when you ran out of storage, you would just be informed that the storage is full. This would then prompt you to run around all over the place, deleting things.With this feature, which we are not sure when it was added, Play Store now presents a list of installed apps so you can delete them immediately instead of going over to the app manager to uninstall them.Uninstalling apps is an age-old advice that everyone gives whenever someone complains about their phone running slow...

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First official teaser video for the OnePlus 3 is out
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/op3-video-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus has outed a video teaser of its upcoming OnePlus 3 smartphone. Released by OnePlus India on YouTube, it's just a 6-second video that doesn't reveal anything specific about the device's design or its specs.However, what it does reveal is that the device will be made official on June 14 (10:00 PM), which is not inline with the June 15 date confirmed by OnePlus China recently. It might simply be the case of the Chinese launch coming a day later than the international one. Aside from this, the teaser also tells us that the phone will be an Amazon exclusive.In case you...

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Facebook cans seven-months-old Notify app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/11/facebook-notify/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, back in November last year, Facebook launched a new iOS app dubbed Notify. The app was all about notifications - notifying you about things you care about or have interest in.Now, around seven months after the launch, Facebook has decided to pull the plug on the app. The company says the app's functionality will be integrated into other Facebook products, such as Messenger.Here's the complete statement from the company:Starting on Wednesday, we will begin integrating Notify functionality into other Facebook products, like Messenger, and will be removing Notify...

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Huawei to launch Daydream-capable phone this fall
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/p9-lite-price-belgium/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg While it's Nexus 6P smartphone is already Daydream-supported (although only for development purpose currently), Huawei has revealed that it will launch a new Daydream-capable phone this fall.The revelation was made by Huawei's director Richard Yu (who heads the Chinese company's consumer electronics division) in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.In addition, he said that the firm's partnership with German optics specialist Leica - which started with the P9 smartphone - is a long term alliance which is expected to continue at-least for the next five years.Yu also hinted...

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Officially arriving on June 15, OnePlus 3 to go on flash sale on June 6
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/op3-flash-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg OnePlus has announced that a total of 1,000 units of its upcoming OnePlus 3 smartphone will be up for grabs on June 6 (coming Monday) in China. That's just over a week before the device is scheduled to be officially unveiled.So, does that mean some people will be able to get their hands on the phone even before it's officially unveiled? Well, no, as the orders will begin shipping on the announcement day itself.As for the price, the company says these limited units will be available for RMB 2,999 each (around $455). However, interestingly, this is not the final price. The actual...

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GSMArena

05-06-16, 00:13

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/htc-selfie-contest/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HTC's latest guerilla marketing campaign is all about that perfect selfie. The company recently launched a new contest that may land you a free HTC 10. All you have too do is upload your best selfie at the source link and keep your fingers crossed. Oh, you also have to be over 18 and live in the US and to participate.#PutYourselfInOurSelfie, as HTC is calling it, seems be after raw material for a video, undoubtedly to promote the HTC 10 and its OIS-enabled front-facing shooter. There are even instructions for you to follow on the website and it appears you can enter as many of your...

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There will probably be no new hardware at WWDC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/wwdc-2016-no-hardware/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you were hoping to see the iPhone 7 at WWDC 2016 on June 13, chances are, you will get disappointed. In fact, industry insiders hint that the Worldwide Developers Conference will adhere to its original purpose and stick to software and software alone. This means, most-likely leaving the iPhone announcements on their usual September schedule, but also probably skipping on any new MacBook Pro with an OLED touch display above the keyboard, that has been floating around in the rumor mill.However, this definitely doesn't mean that there are no new announcements to get excited...

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Microsoft FlashBack might hold the key to VR on mobile devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/microsoft-flashback-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Virtual reality is definitely a buzz word for 2016. This is not to say that the concept is new, far from it, but this year it finally feels like the technology is getting there and catching up to our vision. But ambitious projects like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive share a common dependence on an overwhelming abundance of processing power, with the new generation of GPUs from both Nvidia and AMD struggling to come through. Even mobile projects like Samsung's Gear VR rely on the very best hardware smartphones have to offer and struggle with its limitations respectively.Microsoft Research is...

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Another batch of OnePlus 3 live images surfaces online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus3-live-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is definitely no stranger to viral marketing and it is no wonder the upcoming OnePlus 3 has been stirring up so much excitement online. The Chinese manufacturer has steadily been feeding us one detail at a time, whether it is a press render, leaked specs and more recently, a short teaser video. But now that the unveiling is officially set for June 15 and the dreaded invite system allegedly ditched for good, fans really have a big event to look forward to and thus, understandably, are digging even deeper to get new info on the handset before launch.The latest scoop comes in...

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Twitter is testing a new Ad Carousel that allows companies to group and showcase user tweets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/twitter-promoted-tweet-carousel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter first hinted at its new ad unit idea during CES 2016, but didn't really go into too much detail. Now, a few months later, it seems the social giant is already putting the finishing touches on what it officially calls Promoted Tweet Carousel, as the feature has already been spotted by users in the wild.The way the new ad works is quite clever and ties in well with the core trend-oriented model of Twitter itself. It allows advertisers to group various tweets into a single swipeable unit and promote it as an advertisement. The real trick, however, is that these tweets can come form...

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Win10-powered HP Elite x3 spotted with fingerprint scanner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/hp-elite-x3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Windows 10-powered HP Elite x3 smartphone that was unveiled back in February during this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC)? Well, the device was spotted at the ongoing Computex 2016, and looks like it has gained a fingerprint scanner.This shouldn't come as a surprise as HP had noted during the phone's unveiling that there's a rear fingerprint sensor, just that the units shown off at the MWC didn't have it.As for the Elite x3's availability, HP has already said that it will be available this summer, although we're yet to hear an exact date or month. The device,...

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Use Facebook's mobile Web app for chatting? You'll need Messenger app soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/facebook-chat-mobile/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nearly a couple of years after removing the messaging feature from its main app, Facebook has revealed that soon users of its mobile Web app too will also need the standalone Messenger app for accessing the chat functionality.Those using the mobile Web app are currently getting the following notice:While the feature hasn't been disabled as of now, it surely won't be long when Messenger will be your only mode of communication with your Facebook contacts on mobile.The reason behind the move is obvious: the social networking company wants its Messenger app to grow. The app...

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LeEco Le Max 2 6GB RAM variant goes up for pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le2-pro2-max2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, the LeEco Le Max 2 - which was unveiled back in April this year - comes in 4GB as well as 6GB RAM variants. But, only the 4GB variant has been available for purchase all this while. That, however, will soon change as the company has started accepting pre-orders for the 6GB version.Pre-orders can be placed on the Chinese company's official online store, with deliveries expected in next 2-3 weeks, meaning you should be able to get your hands on the device by this month's end.It's worth mentioning that the device is expected to land in India next week (June...

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ZUK Z2 scores more than 6 million registrations for its first sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, the ZUK Z2 - which was made official in China earlier this week - is set to go on sale on June 7. The device is currently up for registration, and the company has now revealed that the total number of registrations has already crossed the 6 million mark.While that's certainly impressive, do keep in mind that the number only represents those who have registered for the sale (not actually pre-ordered the handset), and needless to say, registrations do not necessarily translate to sold units.To refresh, some of the key specs of the device include SD820 SoC,...

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New Microsoft Band 2 update brings ability to track heart rate zones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/microsoft-band2-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Band 2 as well as its Health companion app has received a new update, bumping the firmware version to 2.0.4737.0 and the app version to 2.3.20602. The update brings a couple of new features, including the ability to track heart rate zones.The software giant explains the new Heart Rate Zones feature as: "Track your heart rate zones on Band: Improve your workout health with notifications for heart rate zones. When you're at 80% maximum heart rate, the heart rate on Band turns orange. At 90%, it turns red."In addition, the update also adds Cortana support to Health...

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Recently launched LG Stylus 2 Plus and last year's Galaxy On5 landing in US this month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/stylus2plus-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a few days ago, LG launched the Stylus 2 Plus smartphone in Taiwan. At that time, the company said that the phone will land in key markets in Asia, South America, Europe and North America in the weeks to come.Now, thanks to a leaked MetroPCS Q2 in-store pricing grid, we have some information on when the device will land in the US.Reportedly, the Stylus 2 Plus will be launched in the country as Stylo2 Plus, with the leak revealing that T-Mobile's prepaid subsidiary will start carrying the handset on 27th of this month. As for price, it will carry a tag of $149.In addition,...

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New Galaxy Note 6/7 render reveals device's dimensions, dual-edge screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/note6-dimensions-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We've already taken a look at 3D sketches depicting what the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6 (or Note 7) might look like. And now, a new render of the device has been leaked revealing the device's dimensions.The next Note is here: Curved screen, different dimensions.153mmX74.5X7.8 #Note6 #Samsung #Leak @AndroidAuth pic.twitter.com/1NnWUqczTHÂ— Shai Mizrachi (@ShaiMizrachi) June 3, 2016The leak comes courtesy of @ShaiMizrachi, who has provided some credible information in the past. It reveals that the handset will be 7.8mm thick, 153mm in height, and 74.5mm in width. This compares to...

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Acer Chromebook 14 and Chromebook 11 (2016) now available for purchase from Google Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/chromebook-googlestore/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has started selling the Acer Chromebook 14 as well as the 2016 edition of the Chromebook 11 through its official online store in the US and Canada. While the former carries a price tag of $300, the latter sets you back $180.The Chromebook 14 is powered by a quad-core processor, and sports a 14-inch 1080p display. It comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB internal memory. The Chromebook 11 (2016), on the other hand, is powered by a dual-core processor, and sports an 11.6-inch 1366x768 pixel resolution display. RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 16GB.Both Chromebooks come with free...

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Samsung Gear Fit 2 goes on pre-order for $179.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/gear-fit-2-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Samsung finally made the Gear Fit 2 official after many leaks about the new wearable made their way across the internet. And just like the company promised, the fitness band is now up for pre-order in the United States.Getting a Gear Fit 2 will set you back exactly $179.99. Shipping is free, and it's expected to happen in 7 to 10 business days, so you won't have a lot of waiting to do until the wearable arrives at your doorstep - compared to other pre-order periods, at least.As you may know already, the Gear Fit 2 comes with a 1.5-inch 216x432 Super AMOLED touchscreen, an...

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Huawei plans to launch a new Honor smartphone in Europe on June 20
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/honor-launch-june-20/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Huawei has started sending out media invites for a "virtual launch" that will be taking place on June 20. At that point, the Chinese company's Honor sub-brand will be unveiling a new and "exciting" product in Europe.This will apparently be "fast, robust, and affordable", as you can see from the invite pictured below.What isn't very clear is whether this event will be used by Honor to launch an entirely new smartphone, say the recently rumored Honor 8, or just mark the European arrival of one that's already out in China (we're thinking of the Honor V8 here). Since the words...

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Nexus 6P is now at least $80 cheaper, 128GB model costs as much as the one with 32GB used to
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nexus-6p-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The latest high-end Nexus is a lot cheaper now than usual. Several retailers are offering the Huawei Nexus 6P for $80 off its normal price, so you can grab the 32GB model for $419.99, the one with 64GB for $469.99, and the 128GB iteration for $569.99.You can take advantage of these prices at Best Buy, B&H, Newegg, and Amazon (but in this case only for the silver model for whatever reason). Oh, and if you buy from Newegg through eBay you can have the 128GB version for just $499.99.On top of the discount itself, B&H will give you a pair of free screen protectors, as well as a $50 gift...

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AT&T's Lumia 640 and Verizon's Lumia 735 get Windows 10 Mobile
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lumia-640-735-windows-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Starting today, two more smartphones are receiving updates to Windows 10 Mobile. We're talking about the AT&T version of the Microsoft Lumia 640 and Verizon's Lumia 735 model. Both of them are now in the process of being updated to Windows 10 Mobile over-the-air.Obviously as is always the case the rollout is happening in phases, so a few days (if not more) will pass before everyone who owns one of this phones gets the much anticipated update notification.If you have AT&T's Lumia 640, go to the Upgrade Advisor app if you want to manually check for the new software. If you own Verizon's...

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Snapchat quietly acquired Seene, a 3D imaging app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/snapchat-acquired-seene/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Snapchat, a photo sharing app of giant proportions, has quietly purchased another app that lets users post 3D images that are generated with a standard smartphone's camera. Seene, the name of the app, is much structured like Instagram where users can post a feed of their own 3D images created within the app.According to TechCrunch, the purchase was said to have happened about two months ago.This is one of those apps that are pretty cool, but easily forgotten about if the technology is not applied on a larger scale. Here is where Snapchat comes in. It must be really interested in the...

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Lyft and Uber are testing grocery deliveries with Walmart
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/walmart-testing-driving-service-with-uber-and-lyft/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Walmart has already been hard at work testing and rolling out its online grocery pickup service offered in San Jose, California and Denver, Colorado. The company is currently preparing to test Walmart grocery deliveries by teaming up with Uber and Lyft.The company is going to begin piloting the delivery service in Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix Arizona. In addition, Sam's Club (Walmart-owned wholesale chain) has already started its own delivery program with Business partners out of Miami.Here is how the delivery process works: First, the customer in one of the test area locations...

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GSMArena

06-06-16, 00:13

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/best-apps-games-55/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Cleanz Cleanz is a simple photo management app for iOS that takes the pain out of deleting images from your library. It adopts the Tinder method of swiping through images; swipe down to delete an image and swipe up to keep it. You can go through a bunch of photos quickly through this method and delete the ones you want. Surely beats using the clunky stock Photos app in iOS. iOS Live Focus Live Focus lets you shoot first and focus later. You can choose to adjust focus points after capturing an image or have the entire image in focus. The app also features...

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Weekly poll: Best new phone of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/weekly-poll-best-new-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This week saw a surge in phone announcements. The newcomers span a wide range of sizes, capabilities and price tags. You can get more familiar with them in our New phones of the weeks article. We picked out the eight most interesting phones and we're curious to see what you think of them. Which one is 'best'? Clearly we don't mean the best specs, pricier phones tend to have an advantage there. Then again, the ZUK Z2 offers a great deal on a Snapdragon 820 chipset, a great battery and an ISOCELL camera. LG and Sony focused on more affordable devices this week. The LG X Power has...

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ZOPO Speed 8 review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/zopo-speed-8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, the ZOPO Speed 8 finally made it to the office. Not ringing a bell? Well, we can't really blame you, but if you have heard of the of the first officially launched 10-core CPU device, this is the one. Naturally, the first thing we did was put all 10 of them through our benchmark routine and while the results were impressive, the numbers weren't really as spectacular as we had expected even in multi-core scenarios. The appearance of the Meizu Pro 6 also didn't help the general excitement levels about the Speed 8 and its Helio X20, since we saw the overclocked MT6797T Helio X25...

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Week 22 in review: Asus Zenfone 3 and OnePlus 3 rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The past few days were pretty busy - we were bombarded with announcements. Asus definitely managed to stand out, thanks to its new ZenFone3 lineup - the new family already has a basic, Delux and Ultra model on offer. Naturally, in traditional Asus fashion, we expect a lot more Zenfone 3 variants and modifications down the road and word is already out of a possible Snapdragon 823 powered Delux model, said to hit Asia in August. Continuing down the list of announced handsets, we find the ZUK Z2. An ISOCELL camera, Snapdragon 820 SoC and 4GB of RAM sound almost too good to be true for...

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Weekly poll results: our readers are rolling in Marshmallows!
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/poll-results-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week we asked you if your phone is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. After all, Android N is already on Nexus devices (as a developer preview) and Marshmallow will soon become the "old" version. The poll results show that a respectable 56% of our readers are running Marshmallow. Of those, the majority received it as an upgrade, but 12% of users got it out of the box. These results are way above average - Google's numbers show that globally only 7.5% of Android users are on version 6.0. Well done, readers! That still leaves a big chunk, 37%, on Android 5.1 Lollipop or earlier....

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New phones of the week: LG, Asus, Sony, ZUK and Jolla!
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/new-phones-jan-15/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Wow, this was a long week! In the span of just 7 days an impressive number of new phones were unveiled - here's what you might have missed. LG LG is building up the X-series and co-opted the new X-Men movie to promote them. This week welcomed two new additions, doubling the number X phones, but the X-Men promos show there are two more on the way. The LG X Power (the alter ego of Professor X) has a huge 4,100mAh battery, a 5.3" 720p screen and a MediaTek chipset. It has an 8MP selfie cam and a 13MP main camera. The LG X Style (Mystique) bets on looks rather than power. It has a...

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Microsoft announces Outlook watch face for Android Wear
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/outlook-android-wear/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Microsoft has announced a new watch face for Android Wear. The watch face comes as part of the Outlook app and should increase the utility of your Android Wear device if you're an Outlook user. One of the features of the new watch face is that marks the edges of the watch dial corresponding to events in your calendar. It also color codes them to the different calendars you may have added to your Outlook app. This way you can see when a certain event will be, over the course of the next 12 hours, by just glancing at your watch. Other than the subtle coloring, the watch face will...

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There will probably be no new hardware at WWDC 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/wwdc-2016-no-hardware/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you were hoping to see the iPhone 7 at WWDC 2016 on June 13, chances are, you will get disappointed. In fact, industry insiders hint that the Worldwide Developers Conference will adhere to its original purpose and stick to software and software alone. This means, most-likely leaving the iPhone announcements on their usual September schedule, but also probably skipping on any new MacBook Pro with an OLED touch display above the keyboard, that has been floating around in the rumor mill. However, this definitely doesn't mean that there are no new announcements to get excited...

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Microsoft FlashBack might hold the key to VR on mobile devices
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/microsoft-flashback-vr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Virtual reality is definitely a buzz word for 2016. This is not to say that the concept is new, far from it, but this year it finally feels like the technology is getting there and catching up to our vision. But ambitious projects like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive share a common dependence on an overwhelming abundance of processing power, with the new generation of GPUs from both Nvidia and AMD struggling to come through. Even mobile projects like Samsung's Gear VR rely on the very best hardware smartphones have to offer and struggle with its limitations respectively. Microsoft Research is...

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Another batch of OnePlus 3 live images surfaces online
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus3-live-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is definitely no stranger to viral marketing and it is no wonder the upcoming OnePlus 3 has been stirring up so much excitement online. The Chinese manufacturer has steadily been feeding us one detail at a time, whether it is a press render, leaked specs and more recently, a short teaser video. But now that the unveiling is officially set for June 15 and the dreaded invite system allegedly ditched for good, fans really have a big event to look forward to and thus, understandably, are digging even deeper to get new info on the handset before launch. The latest scoop comes in...

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Twitter is testing a new Ad Carousel that allows companies to group and showcase user tweets
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/twitter-promoted-tweet-carousel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter first hinted at its new ad unit idea during CES 2016, but didn't really go into too much detail. Now, a few months later, it seems the social giant is already putting the finishing touches on what it officially calls Promoted Tweet Carousel, as the feature has already been spotted by users in the wild. The way the new ad works is quite clever and ties in well with the core trend-oriented model of Twitter itself. It allows advertisers to group various tweets into a single swipeable unit and promote it as an advertisement. The real trick, however, is that these tweets can come form...

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Win10-powered HP Elite x3 spotted with fingerprint scanner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/hp-elite-x3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Windows 10-powered HP Elite x3 smartphone that was unveiled back in February during this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC)? Well, the device was spotted at the ongoing Computex 2016, and looks like it has gained a fingerprint scanner. This shouldn't come as a surprise as HP had noted during the phone's unveiling that there's a rear fingerprint sensor, just that the units shown off at the MWC didn't have it. As for the Elite x3's availability, HP has already said that it will be available this summer, although we're yet to hear an exact date or month. The device,...

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Use Facebook's mobile Web app for chatting? You'll need Messenger app soon
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/facebook-chat-mobile/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nearly a couple of years after removing the messaging feature from its main app, Facebook has revealed that soon users of its mobile Web app too will also need the standalone Messenger app for accessing the chat functionality. Those using the mobile Web app are currently getting the following notice: While the feature hasn't been disabled as of now, it surely won't be long when Messenger will be your only mode of communication with your Facebook contacts on mobile. The reason behind the move is obvious: the social networking company wants its Messenger app to grow. The app...

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LeEco Le Max 2 6GB RAM variant goes up for pre-order
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/leeco-le2-pro2-max2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, the LeEco Le Max 2 - which was unveiled back in April this year - comes in 4GB as well as 6GB RAM variants. But, only the 4GB variant has been available for purchase all this while. That, however, will soon change as the company has started accepting pre-orders for the 6GB version. Pre-orders can be placed on the Chinese company's official online store, with deliveries expected in next 2-3 weeks, meaning you should be able to get your hands on the device by this month's end. It's worth mentioning that the device is expected to land in India next week (June...

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ZUK Z2 scores more than 6 million registrations for its first sale
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/zuk-z2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, the ZUK Z2 - which was made official in China earlier this week - is set to go on sale on June 7. The device is currently up for registration, and the company has now revealed that the total number of registrations has already crossed the 6 million mark. While that's certainly impressive, do keep in mind that the number only represents those who have registered for the sale (not actually pre-ordered the handset), and needless to say, registrations do not necessarily translate to sold units. To refresh, some of the key specs of the device include SD820 SoC,...

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New Microsoft Band 2 update brings ability to track heart rate zones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/microsoft-band2-uk-price-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Microsoft Band 2 as well as its Health companion app has received a new update, bumping the firmware version to 2.0.4737.0 and the app version to 2.3.20602. The update brings a couple of new features, including the ability to track heart rate zones. The software giant explains the new Heart Rate Zones feature as: "Track your heart rate zones on Band: Improve your workout health with notifications for heart rate zones. When you're at 80% maximum heart rate, the heart rate on Band turns orange. At 90%, it turns red." In addition, the update also adds Cortana support to Health...

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Recently launched LG Stylus 2 Plus and last year's Galaxy On5 landing in US this month
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/stylus2plus-launched/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a few days ago, LG launched the Stylus 2 Plus smartphone in Taiwan. At that time, the company said that the phone will land in key markets in Asia, South America, Europe and North America in the weeks to come. Now, thanks to a leaked MetroPCS Q2 in-store pricing grid, we have some information on when the device will land in the US. Reportedly, the Stylus 2 Plus will be launched in the country as Stylo2 Plus, with the leak revealing that T-Mobile's prepaid subsidiary will start carrying the handset on 27th of this month. As for price, it will carry a tag of $149. In addition,...

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New Galaxy Note 6/7 render reveals device's dimensions, dual-edge screen
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/note6-dimensions-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We've already taken a look at 3D sketches depicting what the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6 (or Note 7) might look like. And now, a new render of the device has been leaked revealing the device's dimensions. The next Note is here: Curved screen, different dimensions.153mmX74.5X7.8 #Note6 #Samsung #Leak @AndroidAuth pic.twitter.com/1NnWUqczTHÂ— Shai Mizrachi (@ShaiMizrachi) June 3, 2016 The leak comes courtesy of @ShaiMizrachi, who has provided some credible information in the past. It reveals that the handset will be 7.8mm thick, 153mm in height, and 74.5mm in width. This compares to...

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Acer Chromebook 14 and Chromebook 11 (2016) now available for purchase from Google Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/chromebook-googlestore/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has started selling the Acer Chromebook 14 as well as the 2016 edition of the Chromebook 11 through its official online store in the US and Canada. While the former carries a price tag of $300, the latter sets you back $180. The Chromebook 14 is powered by a quad-core processor, and sports a 14-inch 1080p display. It comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB internal memory. The Chromebook 11 (2016), on the other hand, is powered by a dual-core processor, and sports an 11.6-inch 1366x768 pixel resolution display. RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 16GB. Both Chromebooks come with free...

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GSMArena

07-06-16, 00:28

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nexus-5x-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week we told you about a few very good deals to be had on the Huawei Nexus 6P. But what if you're after the smaller of the two Nexuses that Google announced last year? Well, it turns out you're in luck too, at least today.An eBay seller with more than 99% positive feedback has decided to offer the 32GB version of the LG-made Nexus 5X for just $274.99 unlocked. That's $125 less than the phone's recommended retail price, and with 32GB of storage you have a chance of using the device for more than a couple of weeks until it fills up.Do keep in mind that there's a limited quantity of...

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Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) is in the works, import listing reveals
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-on7-2016-zauba/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg So far we've seen quite a few 2016 refreshes of Samsung smartphones, and it now looks like there's another one in the pipeline. The Korean company is working on the Galaxy On7 (2016), which will come to replace the original On7 from last year.This has been revealed by Indian import tracking website Zauba, as you can see in the image below. Several different parts for the Samsung SM-G610F have been imported into the subcontinent, for testing and evaluation purposes. And since the On7 from 2015 has the model number SM-G600, this is clearly its successor.Thankfully these listings...

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Xiaomi Mi Max review: Hulked up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-max/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_008.jpg Goodbye Alexander Bell, hello Tim Berners-Lee and Ray Tomlinson. The inventor of the telephone would not have approved of the hulking 6.44" but the Xiaomi Mi Max is the kind of device the pioneers of WWW and email would love it.

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Samsung Galaxy S7 active is official with larger battery, exclusive to AT&T
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/s7-active-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung and AT&T just unveiled the carrier-exclusive Galaxy S7 active. The rugged version of the Galaxy S7 keeps the flagship's internals, but under a robust shell, that's not afraid of the elements.The Galaxy S7 active touts a Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. The 5.1" QHD display is shatter-resistant thanks to an added layer of polycarbonate and the added bulk in the phone's design is in parts thanks to the 4,000mAh battery inside.Samsung Galaxy S7 active official imagesThe Galaxy S7 active also has a fingerprint scanner in the home...

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Gionee S6 Pro detailed by TENAA: 5.5" 1080p AMOLED, S652 chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/gionee-s6-pro-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In November last year, Gionee unveiled the S6 and soon there will be a pro version. The Gionee S6 Pro is coming on June 13 in China and it really cranks up the specs.The metal unibody will now be filled with the popular Snapdragon 652 chipset with 4GB of RAM. The 5.5" display will have 1080p resolution, up from 720p. The Android version was bumped to 6.0 Marshmallow too and a 64GB storage option has been added (there's a microSD slot if you need more).Gionee S6 Pro (photos by TENAA)All this made the Gionee S6 Pro a bit thicker - from 6.9mm of the regular S6 to 7.6mm. It...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 22
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The star of the Moto G4 Plus faded a bit last week as the phone ceded its top position to the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and fell to 3rd. Meanwhile, new challengers appeared - a duo of Zenfones.The base Asus Zenfone 3 occupies the 7th spot, a 5.5" phone with Snapdragon 625 and a 16MP camera. The Zenfone 3 Deluxe, a higher end device with 5.7" screen, Snapdragon 820 and a 23MP camera with 4-axis OIS is a step above in 6th.The 6.8" Zenfone 3 Ultra (with 3's chipset and 3 Deluxe's camera) is nowhere to be seen in the Top 10 charts. We'll see if the Zenfones will climb to the top next...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 official photos leak prior to launch
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/tab-s3-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter leak aficionado @evleaks has tweeted what appear to be official images of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. The upcoming slate passed TENAA certification last month and should be released soon.Specifications have also been detailed, as both the 9.7" and 8" variants of the Galaxy Tab S3 leaked in February.The Galaxy Tab S3 will launch with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It will have 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 8MP/1080p main camera and 2MP/1080p selfie. 150Mbps LTE will be an option. The chipset is a Snapdragon 652, which has four Cortex-A72 and four A53 CPU...

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Moto Z backs to add X-like class with leather, wood and more
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-backs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo is doing a major rebrand of Motorola - from dropping the "Motorola" name itself (in favor of "Lenovo Moto") to dropping the Moto X as a flagship. The new Moto Z will feature a modular design, which among other things will be used to easily customize the back.Several backs were photographed - from "ballistic nylon" (like the Moto X Force) through leather and a couple of wood options.Motorola's modular Project Ara stayed at Google when Lenovo bought the company, but it seems the new owner is not impartial to modular designs.This one is distinct from both Ara's and LG's...

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Bose announces new wireless noise-cancelling and sports headphones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/bose-quietcomfort/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Bose has announced four new products today, two of which are noise-cancelling and two for sports wear.The first is the QuietComfort 35, a wireless variant of the popular QuietComfort 25. The two are nearly identical, except now they are completely wireless and you get 20 hours of battery life with the Bluetooth enabled, or more if you choose to use a cable. The QuietComfort 35 is priced at $350.Next is the QuietControl 30, which is a pair of wireless earphones that sit behind your neck. The QuietControl 30 is the first of its kind to feature adjustable noise...

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Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro goes official with quad-core CPU, 5-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-j3-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has announced a new phone dubbed Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro. Listed on the South Korean company's China website, the device is powered by a quad-core 1.2GHz processor and sports a 5-inch HD display. It has 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory.In terms of camera, the handset features an 8MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. Measuring 142.2 x 71.3 x 8mm and weighing in at 139g, the phone runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, packs in a 2,600mAh battery, and offers support for dual-SIM and 4G LTE.As for price, the Galaxy J3 Pro carries a tag of RMB 999 (about $150), while color...

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Microsoft Lumia 550 currently going for $99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/lumia-550-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Windows 10-powered Microsoft Lumia 550 has received an official price cut in the US, where it's now available for under $100 ($99 to be precise), down from its usual price of $139.That's a price cut of $40, which translates into a discount of nearly 30%. What's worth mentioning here is that the said discount is on the black color variant of the device - in fact, the white model currently isn't even listed on the online Microsoft Store.Interested in availing the deal? Head to the Source link below. The promo runs through June 11.Source

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Xperia Ear landing in Canada this summer, Sony confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/sony-xperia-ear-handson/-184x111/thumb.jpg Remember the Xperia Ear that Sony unveiled back in February at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC)? Well, the company has now revealed some information on the accessory's Canadian launch.According to Sony Mobile North America's Senior Director of Marketing Don Mesa, the device will land in Canada this summer - "late summer" to be precise. So those in the country waiting for the device can expect it to be launched withing the next 2-3 months.To refresh, the Xperia Ear - as the name suggests - is essentially an earpiece. Its selling point, however, is that it also doubles as...

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Marshmallow starts hitting Galaxy S5 (Exynos variant) in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-s5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a couple of months after rolling it out to the Snapdragon variant in the country, Samsung has started pushing out the Marshmallow update to the Exynos variant of the Galaxy S5 (SM-G900H) in India.Bringing along Android 6.0.1, the update is rolling out over the air (OTA), as well as available through the South Korean company's Smart Switch software for PCs. You can also manually check for it by heading to the Settings menu on your device.Via

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Marshmallow-based CyanogenMod 13 nightlies now available for several new devices including OP2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/cm-13-nexus10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Alternative Android OS developer Cyanogen has released the Marshmallow-based CyanogenMod 13 nightly builds for a number of new devices. The list includes the OnePlus 2, Yu Yureka, Moto X Pure, Oppo R5 and R5s, and the Xperia Tablet Z.The nightlies bring Android version 6.0 to these devices. Keep in mind that the builds may contain bugs as they usually aren't stable. Plus, installing them may not only result in a bricked device, but also void your handset's warranty.In case you missed, the OnePlus 2 has already started receiving the official Marshmallow update.Source 1 2 |...

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LG G5 lands in Taiwan as G5 Speed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/g5-india-pre-booking/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg LG has launched its G5 flagship smartphone in Taiwan. Carrying a model number of LG-H858, the device costs TWD 23,900 in the country, which translates into around $740 at current exchange rates.While it's essentially the same version that's available in most other regions around the world (except that it supports 3 carrier aggregation), the phone doesn't carry the standard 'G5' moniker in Taiwan - it has been launched as the 'G5 Speed' instead. The handset is currently exclusive to local carrier Chunghwa Telecom.This comes just days after the phone landed in India, where it...

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Huawei Watch gets $100 price cut in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/huawei-watch-india/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you are in the US and are in the market for a smartwatch, you'll be glad to know that the Huawei Watch has received a decent price cut in the country. The device - specifically the black leather variant - is currently listed for $250 on Best Buy.That's down $100 from the wearable's usual price tag at the online retailer. A quick look at the Get Huawei store also reveals a $350 price tag for the model, meaning purchasing from Best Buy will indeed save you $100. Amazon, meanwhile, has the variant listed for around $318.Source | Get Huawei | Amazon

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OnePlus 2 finally starts getting Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/oneplus-2-beta-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already know that OnePlus has been beta testing the OP2 Marshmallow update for over a couple of months now. If you recall, late last month, the company said that the official roll-out will begin within a couple of weeks. Now, inline with that time-frame, the final update has started hitting the device.Rolling out as OxygenOS 3.0.2, the update - that brings along Android version 6.0.1 - was announced by OnePlus yesterday. It's an an incremental rollout (like it's usually the case), with the Chinese firm saying that all OP2 units will get the update in 48 hours.Aside from the...

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Weekly poll: Best new phone of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/weekly-poll-best-new-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg This week saw a surge in phone announcements. The newcomers span a wide range of sizes, capabilities and price tags. You can get more familiar with them in our New phones of the weeks article.We picked out the eight most interesting phones and we're curious to see what you think of them. Which one is 'best'?Clearly we don't mean the best specs, pricier phones tend to have an advantage there. Then again, the ZUK Z2 offers a great deal on a Snapdragon 820 chipset, a great battery and an ISOCELL camera.LG and Sony focused on more affordable devices this week. The LG X Power has...

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ZOPO Speed 8 review
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/zopo-speed-8/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Well, the ZOPO Speed 8 finally made it to the office. Not ringing a bell? Well, we can't really blame you, but if you have heard of the first officially launched 10-core CPU device, this is the one.Naturally, the first thing we did was put all 10 of them through our benchmark routine and while the results were impressive, the numbers weren't really as spectacular as we had expected even in multi-core scenarios. The appearance of the Meizu Pro 6 also didn't help the general excitement levels about the Speed 8 and its Helio X20, since we saw the overclocked MT6797T Helio X25 inside...

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GSMArena

08-06-16, 00:30

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nextbit-robin-cheaper/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The much-hyped Nextbit Robin "cloud phone" first became available at Amazon last month, which is also when it received a celebratory $100 price cut. That offer, however, was only valid until May 10, after which the Robin's price went back up to the normal level of $399. Now here's some good news for you if you wanted to buy a Robin but don't want to spend that much on it. Amazon is currently selling it for $299 again, so it's $100 cheaper than usual this time around too. Unlike last month, there's no telling how long this deal will last, so make sure you act fast if you're interested in...

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Latest Pebble Time update brings weather app, more accurate health tracking, and fire emoji
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/pebble-weather/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Pebble has announced the latest software update for its existing smartwatches. Version 3.13 brings with it a dedicated weather app, improvements to Pebble Health, and the fire emoji. While that last one is self-explanatory, let's dive into the others a bit. The new weather app is powered by The Weather Channel and it shows you the current temperature and conditions, highs and lows for the day, as well as the next day's forecast. Its settings are managed through the Apps tab of the Pebble mobile app for Android or iOS. Pebble watches should now be better at counting your steps...

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ZTE nubia Z11 Max is now official with 6-inch screen, Snapdragon 652
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nubia-z11-max-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Right on schedule, ZTE has made the nubia Z11 Max official today. It's the second device in the Z11 series to be unveiled, following the Z11 mini. Now the only rumored member of this family that hasn't yet been outed remains the Z11. The Z11 Max comes with a 6-inch 1080p touchscreen with Gorilla Glass 3, a 16 MP rear camera with Sony IMX298 sensor, f/2.0 aperture, sapphire glass protection, and dual-tone LED flash, as well as an 8 MP selfie shooter with an f/2.4 aperture and 80-degree wide-angle capture. Powering the handset is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 652 chipset, which boasts 4...

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New HTC Vive orders are shipping within three days
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/htc-vive-faster-shipping/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The HTC Vive is finally shipping within a reasonable time frame at this point. After many delays upon delays when it came to actually sending people the VR headsets they ordered, HTC has announced today that from now on Vive orders are being shipped within three days, worldwide. Now this doesn't mean you'll have the Vive at your doorstep three days after you placed the order - just that it will leave HTC's warehouse in that time frame. Which is still a lot better than what the situation was earlier this year. The HTC Vive went on sale in April, but back then you could expect to wait...

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Samsung Galaxy Note7 might not launch running Android N
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/note7-android6/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Note7 (which is what the much anticipated Note6 is apparently going to end up being called) has been in the news a lot lately, and that's to be expected considering the fact that it should be out in less than two months. Just today we've had a confirmation of sorts regarding the Note7 name, and now a prototype has seemingly been caught browsing the web. And this has revealed the fact that Samsung is currently testing Note7 units running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and not Android N. The image you can see above portrays the user agent string of the Samsung SM-N930A,...

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Twitter for Android now looks like an Android app
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/twitter-android-redesign/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Thanks to a comprehensive redesign, Twitter's app for Android now finally looks like an Android app. The social network has announced that a new update for its app is now in the process of rolling out on Android through the Google Play Store. When this version will be on your device, you'll get a new and much more fluid design, filled with elements from Google's Material philosophy - such as smooth animations all-round and that floating action button in the bottom right area of the app. You can also swipe between sections now, so you can quickly move between your Home timeline,...

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Android 6.0 Marshmallow now seeding on Sprint's HTC Desire 626s
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/desire-626s-android-6/-184x111/thumb.jpg The HTC Desire 626 was released back in early 2015 with 5" 720p display, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, 16GB storage, and a 13MP main camera. Its Android OS in charge was KitKat. The 626 legacy spawned into two different models - the Desire 626s and 626G+. The 626G+ model is pretty much the same as the original one, but downgrades the CPU to 32-bit Cortex-A7 and halves the memory. The 626s on the other hand also downgrades the CPU and halves the storage, but it also reduces the camera resolution - 8MP on the back and just 2MP for selfies. The Desire 626s was launched last summer with...

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Oysters SF is the most advanced Sailfish OS phone to date
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oysters-sf/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Are you ready to meet the most advanced Sailfish phone? I'll pretend I didn't hear the "What's Sailfish?" questions. And - surprise! - the phone doesn't come from Jolla, the maker of the OS, but from one of its partners. That's partners, plural. There's the Intex Aqua Fish and now the Oysters SF. What sets the Oysters SF apart are better specs. It has an octa-core processor (MediaTek MT6753, 64-bit Cortex-A53 at 1.3GHz), while the Jolla C and Aqua Fish have quad-core processors (32-bit Cortex-A7 at that). And you get a bigger 3,000mAh battery. Oysters SF, a Sailfish-powered...

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Survey says almost all Apple users have tried Siri, but only 3% in public
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/siri-usage/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The concepts of social norms and acceptable behavior are so odd and fickle that certain trends often border with the illogical. Most of us wouldn't hesitate to have a conversation in public, knowing all too well that it could be overheard by others. But, when an AI, rather than a real person sits at the receiving end of said conversation, the social stigma is through the roof. This, of course, is no new information and is most-likely the main reason why we don't rely more on constantly-improving personal assistants like Google Now, Microsoft Cortana or Apple's Siri. A new survey...

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Teaser image confirms the Samsung Galaxy Note7 name
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/note7-name/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg How does this go again? 1, 360, One? One, One (M8), One M9? Zenfone 4, 5, 6... 2, 3..? We swear tech companies are really bad at counting up, now it seems Samsung is having a go. We've already heard talk that the new Note will be "Galaxy Note7" to match the Galaxy S7. Now there's this image to back up the claims. We have doubts as to its authenticity as it will take 5 minutes to replicate in Photoshop. That doesn't mean the rumor itself is false, however. Either way, things are going to get awkward next year as there is already a Galaxy Note 8.0. Here the number indicates size...

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Microsoft Surface Pro 5 to launch in Spring 2017 with Intel Kaby Lake processors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/surface-pro-5-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to leaked information, Microsoft is going to launch the Surface Pro 5 in the Spring of 2017. Previously, the hybrid tablet was anticipated to launch next month but, reportedly, Microsoft is waiting on Intel to finish work on its next-gen 14nm Kaby Lake processors. Thanks to the new manufacturing process, the new CPUs will draw less power and the overall battery performance will be improved. The Surface Pro 5 will also tout 16GB of RAM, but don't hold your breath on a 4K resolution display just yet. The GPU choices Microsoft faces right now include the new Nvidia Pascal or...

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OnePlus 3 drives by GFX Bench, confirms 6GB of RAM
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-gfx/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg You don't need an invite, but you do have to wait - the OnePlus 3 is not official yet, but teasers are already out and several leaks have provided plenty of spoilers. The phone passed through GFX Bench and confirmed some of the more salient specs from TENAA. Specifically, the 6GB of RAM paired with a Snapdragon 820 chipset. There's more - a 5.5" 1080p screen (AMOLED, says TENAA), 16MP main camera weight 4K video and an 8MP/1080p selfie cam, 64GB of storage and Android 6.0 with Oxygen OS. You can see some "in the wild" photos here, they show a metal unibody and the fingerprint...

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Tizen Alliance numbers thin out, now down to only four members
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/tizen-alliance-getting-smaller/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Tizen is hardly a dominating platform, but the resource-friendly OS has been enjoying an admirable level of enthusiasm and high hopes from at least a few major tech industry players. The Tizen Alliance has always been at the core of this endeavor to further the development of the OS and ideally build it up as a viable alternative to the likes of Android or iOS. However, upon closer observation, it turns out enthusiasm within the organization has been rapidly fading over the last few years. At its peak, the Tizen Alliance had 10 active members (KT, Fujitsu, NTT Docomo, Orange...

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ZUK Z2 sales start today, stock unlikely to last long
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/zuk-z2-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Lenovo ZUK Z2 sales start today and the company is expecting to have a blast considering the huge interest and over 6 million registrations it has received. At first, ZUK will be selling the device directly, but international resellers will also be offering it in the coming weeks. The phone costs $273 (CNY 1799) and is a lot cheaper than the ZUK Z2 Pro, which comes at $350 (CNY 2299). But that doesn't mean you're not getting a very capable phone for your money. The Z2 is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset, a jump of several generations over the S801 in the original ZUK. You get...

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Bowers and Wilkins and Burberry collaborate to create T7 Gold Edition
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/t7-gold-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Bowers & Wilkins and Burberry, two very high profile luxury brands, have joined forces to create a special version of the former's T7 Bluetooth speaker. Called the T7 Gold Edition, the main difference between this and the standard T7 is the option of cases that come with the speaker. Designed by Burberry in England and hand-finished in Italy, the cases come in a choice of either black leather or tan suede, with suede lining on the inside to protect the speaker. The speaker itself has a black and gold color theme. Other than that, the speaker is absolutely identical to the...

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ZTE Blade A2 launched with octa-core CPU, 5-inch display
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/blade-a2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ZTE has launched a successor to last year's Blade A1 smartphone. Appropriately dubbed Blade A2, the device is powered by a MediaTek MT6750 chipset with octa-core 1.5GHz processor, and sports a 5-inch HD display. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, and packs in a 2,500mAh battery. In terms of camera, the handset features a 13MP rear unit with Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) and a 5MP front shooter. The phone has a fingerprint sensor on the back (claimed to unlock the device in just 0.3 seconds), offers support for 4G LTE and hybrid dual SIM, and runs Android 5.1...

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Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition to cost a whopping $1230 in Russia
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-s7-edge-injustice-edition-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition? It is extravagant limited edition model, created in collaboration with DC Comics and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment and was announced by the Korean giant last month. Wituh a slick all black exterior and a golden Batman logo on he back, it's a geek's dream phone, yet it is clearly targeted at well-off fans of the 2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us game or the caped crusader in general. This is made plainly clear by its astronomical RUB 79,990 price tag revealed today. This translates to roughly $1230 and while it is worth...

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Samsung reportedly working on two foldable smartphones; MWC 2017 unveiling tipped
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/samsung-foldable-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We already knew that Samsung is working on a phone with foldable display (internally dubbed Project Valley) and will launch it sometime next year. Now, a new report from Bloomberg reveals that not one but two such devices are in the works at the South Korean company. The report notes that one of the two devices "folds in half like a cosmetic compact," while the other sports a 5-inch screen in folded form, with the display size increasing to as large as 8-inch when the handset is unfolded. The report also says that one or both devices could be unveiled at next year's Mobile World...

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Xperia X series landing in Canada starting June 23
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/xperia-x-family/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg The Canadian launch dates for Sony's new Xperia X line of smartphones have been announced. The Xperia X Performance, Xperia X, Xperia XA, and Xperia XA Ultra are all coming to the country where they'll be available for purchase from Bell, Rogers, Virgin Mobile, WIND Mobile, and Videotron. The Xperia X Performance will be available from Bell and Rogers starting June 23 and July 14, respectively. While the former will have graphite black and white color options, the latter will only sell the black variant. The Xperia XA will land on Bell and Virgin Mobile June 23, while WIND Mobile...

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Instagram update adds share sheet support on iOS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/instagram-share-sheet/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram has finally updated its app to add support for feature that Apple introduced to iOS back in 2014. You can now finally share images to the Instagram app from within Photos or other apps on iOS, using the iOS share sheet extension. You will have to enable the Instagram app from the share sheet menu first and then you will see the app in the Share option. Right now, sharing an image from other apps to Instagram does let you add caption and post the image, but you can't edit it in anyway. The funny thing is, Apple showed this feature working within Instagram app in...

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GSMArena

09-06-16, 00:31

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lg-k8-v/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has announced its very own take on the internationally available LG K8 smartphone today. It's called K8 V ("V" for Verizon, get it?), and it will go up for pre-order tomorrow, on June 9.The device sports a different design from the vanilla K8, and some specs are modified too. The K8 V has a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie shooter, a 1.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, 16GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD), and a 2,125 mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.It has a more squared look compared to the international model, and...

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LeEco Le Max 2 review: L'etranger
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/leeco-le-max-2/-347x151/thumb2.jpg To get the disclaimers out of the way, this is obviously not coming straight from Beijing's Latin Quarter. Although a certain penchant for all things French is not entirely incredible, you can bet LeEco has a keener eye on neighboring India - probably its biggest potential source of revenue after the home market.

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alcatel Idol 3 is now receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/alcatel-idol-3-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Those who own alcatel's Idol 3 will be happy to know that the official rollout of the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update is now underway. This has been revealed by alcatel's Twitter account, though it's made no mention of whether both the 4.7" and 5.5" models are covered - so we assume they are.The new software will first be headed to those units that have been purchased in the US in unlocked form. There's currently no word on when Marshmallow will make it to other locations.According to several Reddit users who have already installed the update, the Idol 3 is much smoother in...

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Google's Project Fi carrier gets improved coverage by adding US Cellular
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/project-fi-us-cellular/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google's Project Fi experimental carrier is improving its network coverage. Whereas up until this point Fi acted as a MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) using Sprint's and T-Mobile's infrastructure, now it has added US Cellular into the mix.Thus you should get better coverage where US Cellular is available, which right now means 23 states. Over there US Cellular apparently offers 4G LTE coverage for 99% of its subscribers, both urban and rural.As before, Project Fi will always choose to use the network that has the best coverage where you happen to be at any given moment. Google...

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Bluetooth 5 is coming soon with better range and speed for low energy transmissions
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/bluetooth-5/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) is currently busy working on the next generation of the wireless transmission standard. This will be called Bluetooth 5 and will be officially unveiled on June 16, according to Mark Powell, the SIG's Executive Director.Bluetooth 5 will bring with it two times more range and four times faster speeds for low energy (LE) transmissions compared to already available standards. What's more, it will also "provide significant new functionality for connectionless services like location-relevant information and navigation". This means Bluetooth 5...

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OnePlus teases the OnePlus 3 with four camera samples
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/onepus3-6gb-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus 3, the next flagship killer, should be going official any moment now. OnePlus is publishing various teasers and gives us minor details with each day. We already know it will be available for purchase at pop-up events in select cities worldwide. We've even seen it pose for the camera in the wild.The OnePlus 3 specs became public thanks to the GFXBench's database - it should pack a 5.5" 1080p AMOLED screen, run on the Snapdragon 820 chip with 6GB of RAM, and feature a 16MP main snapper.Today OnePlus is teasing the OnePlus 3 camera capabilities via its official Twitter account....

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New Withings Body Cardio smart scale measures essential heart stats
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/withings-body-cardio/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Withings (recently bought by Nokia) has a new smart scale out. The Withings Body Cardio adds heart rate measurements to the usual weight-based readings, plus one unique measurement - Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV).Essentially, as your heart pumps blood, a wave propagates through your arteries. The speed of these waves indicates the condition of your arteries - high speed means stiff arteries (which could lead to heart and cardiovascular illness) and low speed means good health.You can use the Health Mate app to check of your PWV is optimal for your age and if not, give you tips on...

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Get a Chromecast Audio for £15 in the UK today
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/chromecast-audio-uk-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg £15 can't really buy you much in terms of interesting gadgets nowadays, but from time to time, great deals do come along. If you are in the UK, you probably don't want to miss out on a Chromecast Audio for only £15. That is half off its original price and when you factor in the free delivery as well, the deal starts to sound sweet enough even to buy one on impulse and let it sit around until you figure out a use for it or pass it on as a perfect tech gift.The offer is live now, but only online. You can, however, still opt for click and collect if you really want to get it form a...

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Nexus 5X currently going for just $269 in US
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/nexus-5x-india-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The LG-made Google Nexus 5X has received a price cut in the US, where Daily Steals has it listed for just $269. That's a discount of $80 if you compare it with the price at which Google is officially selling the handset.The model on offer is a 32GB variant that's black in color, and according to the listing, the promo is only available for the next 4 days. So, if you're planning to avail the deal, you might want to act fast.It's worth mentioning that the Huawei-made Nexus 6P is also currently at-least $80 cheaper.Source

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Leaked teaser talks of 10x optical zoom for the Moto Z flagship
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-teaser-10x-zoom/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Leaked teasers for the Lenovo Moto Z reveal the phone may be capable of 10x optical zoom. I'm guessing this will be done through an add-on module, rather than with the main camera.Here's the teaser image, which features a short poem in Chinese.Rough translation: 10x optical zoom incomingAnd here's a rough translation into English:You can shoot the entire night skyCan also lock a shining starYou can take the whole seaAlso chasing the rising sun# Let the imagination #Moto 16 magnetic points, with 10 times optical zoomEternal freeze every extreme beauty#Tech...

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Snapchat overhauls UI
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/snapchat/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Snapchat has redesigned the UI of its iOS and Android apps. The redesign puts more focus on the live stories and Discover with some new UI elements.When you open the app you will notice new buttons at the bottom for the three sections of the app, the main camera interface, your private chats, and your timeline. The icons at the bottom shrink when you move away from the camera section but remain visible regardless of the section you are in.The timeline mode now sees larger view for the content partner tiles for the Discover section. The live stories are now positively huge and...

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Samsung Galaxy Note7 may feature an iris scanner
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/galaxy-note-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The rumors about the next Galaxy Note are thriving these days and we suspect they will be multiplying with IFA growing near (traditionally held in early September). Some of the latest leaks revealed Samsung's idea to call the next phablet Galaxy Note7 in order to identify it with the S7 series.The previous intel suggested the Galaxy Note7 will pack a 5.8" Super AMOLED screen with 1440p resolution, Snapdragon 823 chipset with 6GB of RAM, a 12MP main snapper, and 64GB or 128GB expandable storage. Naturally, the Note7 will match the S7 with an IP68 certification for water and dust...

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HTC has finally found a new CFO
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/htc-new-cfo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It is hardly a secret that HTC is losing money and has been doing so for quite some time. In light of this, there is probably no job at the Taiwanese manufacturer currently more important and vital for its survival than CFO. However, as you can imagine, finding someone to undertake such looking for a whopping two years.Today, the search is officially over and Peter Shen is now the Chief Financial Officer and Company Spokesperson. He has former experience at Taiwan-based_Inotera Memories and HP, which will hopefully prove enough training change HTC's trajectory.As for his...

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T-Mobile stops selling BlackBerry Priv on its website
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/deal-blackberry-priv-380-bucks-ebay/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile has confirmed that it has stopped selling BlackBerry's debut Android smartphone Priv through its website. The confirmation came in the form of a reply to a customer's question on Twitter.@newfangled0 Not currently! But you can check out our other phones here: https://t.co/fd8VdBBHQz *CeliePÂ— T-Mobile Help (@TMobileHelp) June 6, 2016What's worth stressing here is that the magenta carrier's tweet says "not currently," meaning the device could be back in future. Anyway, the development has come barely six months after T-Mobile started carrying the phone.The reason behind...

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Opera's battery saver feature is now out of beta and available to all desktop users
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/opera-desktop-battery-saver/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Opera has definitely had its glory days and was once a formidable force on the web browser scene. And even if nowadays its popularity is down to a few loyal fans and few companies have actually contributed as many innovations to the market as Opera has over the years.One of the latest such software features is simply dubbed Battery saver mode, which after lingering in the beta branches of Opera for some time, it is now officially available to all desktop users. This includes versions of Opera for Windows, OS X and Linux. The option is implemented in a really straightforward...

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LeEco launches Le 2 and Le Max 2 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/leeco-2/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg LeEco has launched the Le 2 and the Le Max 2 smartphones in India, which were unveiled earlier this year at an event in Beijing.The Le 2 will replace the previous Le 1s. Like its predecessor it has a full metal body, encasing a 5.5-inch 1080p display. The MediaTek Helio X20 from the Chinese variant has been swapped in favor of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 on the Indian model, and is coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. The Le 2 also has audio-out only through the USB Type-C connector and uses LeEco's CDLA or Continual Digital Lossless Audio technology. The phone also has 16...

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Oppo F1 Plus goes on sale on Amazon France
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oppo-f1-plus-amazon-fr/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg 16MP selfies from France incoming - Oppo just tweeted that the Oppo F1 Plus is now available on Amazon.fr.The asking price is Â€389 (including VAT) and shipping is free. Note that the phone is currently listed as out of stock, I'm guessing someone hasn't flipped the switch yet.With the Oppo F1 Plus, you're in for a 5.5" AMOLED screen (1080p), MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage (with a microSD slot) and a 2,850mAh battery.The camera on the back is a 13MP shooter. Yes, the selfie camera is better than the back camera, even the aperture is brighter - f/2.0...

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Cortana's Android app regains Hey Cortana feature
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/12/cortana-android-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft has pushed out a new update to its Cortana for Android app, bumping it to version 1.8.0.1066. The update - aside from some improvements and optimizations - brings back the Hey Cortana feature.If you recall, the Hey Cortana feature - which lets users invoke the Cortana personal assistant through voice activation - was removed from the app in December last year following reports that it interferes with Google Now's 'Ok Google' functionality.Aside from bringing back Hey Cortana, the update also makes it easier to access to the voice button, and includes some battery-related...

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Teaser reveals June 12 unveiling for Honor 5A
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/honor-5a-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Honor 5A, which (along with its Plus variant) was spotted on the website of China's telecom regulatory authority TENAA late last month, is all set to be made official later this week - June 12 to be precise. This was revealed by a new teaser that Huawei posted on Weibo.The teaser, however, doesn't explicitly say whether the Honor 5A Plus would also be made official on the same day, although ideally that should be the case.To refresh, Honor 5A's spec sheet reads: quad-core 1.3GHz processor, 5-inch HD display, 2GB/16GB memory configuration, 13MP/2MP camera combo, 2,200mAh...

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Slack's voice calling feature begins rolling out publicly
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/slack-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Workplace collaboration software company Slack has announced that the voice calling feature for its team communication service - which has been in beta testing for months now - has started rolling out publicly.On Slack's Windows and Mac desktop apps, the feature can be accessed by clicking the new phone icon in the upper right of the channel header.On the other hand, in the service's mobile apps, the feature can be accessed by tapping "Start a call" option in the app's channel or DM drop-down menu.For group calls - available only to paid teams - whenever a call is...

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GSMArena

10-06-16, 00:40

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lenovo-phab2-and-phab2-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Lenovo World took place today live from San Fransisco where the newly owned Motorola and Lenovo announced a two new smartphone lineups for both the Moto and Lenovo brands. The Lenovo Phab2 Pro is the first consumer phone to incorporate Tango, Google's camera system that is able to detect physical objects in 3D. The other two Lenovo phones don't have Tango built in. For the price, they are compelling devices that give other budget phones a run for their money. Lenovo will release these devices in the US with desire to reach for a better presence in the US mobile market. Like the Lenovo...

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MotoMods help the Moto Z get more battery life, pump out better sounding music, or project onto a wall
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-mods/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg The biggest unique selling point for the newly outed Moto Z and Moto Z Force has nothing to do with the devices themselves. That's because Lenovo thinks it can bring something entirely new to the smartphone party with MotoMods. These are the modular accessories that snap onto the backs of the Z and the Z Force. They connect through those 16 small pins you can see on the lower side of the handsets' rears, and they stay put by the power of magnets. Lenovo has presented a few MotoMods, but it's also asking eager developers to participate and create their own. The simplest of mods are...

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Moto Z and Moto Z Force announced with SD820, 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED displays
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg The rumors were true, as it turns out. Today Lenovo has unveiled not one but two new Moto Z smartphones - the Moto Z and Moto Z Force. These are basically two versions of the same flagship smartphone, where the former is thinner and the latter has a bigger battery and a ShatterShield screen that the company guarantees won't break when you drop it. The Moto Z (seen below) is 5.2mm thin, and it's made from "aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel". It has a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, and 32 or 64GB of expandable storage. The rear camera is...

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Oppo A59 is official, launches in China on June 18
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oppo-a59-official/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg The Oppo A59 just went official in China with sales commencing on June 18. The phone sports a 5.5" IPS display of HD resolution resulting in a pixel density of 267ppi. Under the hood, there's a MediaTek MT6570 chipset with a 1.5GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU, Mali-T860 GPU and 3GB of RAM. Users have 32GB of built-in storage to play with, but there's also a microSD card slot for further expansion. The phone runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, which is quite dated now, but is enhanced by the company's ColorOS 3.0 UI skin. Oppo A59 official images At the back, there's a 13MP...

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Lenovo Phab2 Pro is the first Tango smartphone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/lenovo-phab-2-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As rumored recently, Lenovo has today taken the wraps off the first Project Tango phone. It's the Lenovo Phab2 Pro, and it's been more than a year in the making. This follows the Tango tablet that launched in 2014, after the original Tango announcement earlier that year. The point of Tango is to have an AR experience that 'disappears' into the background, isn't obvious but is useful and helps you do stuff easier and better. Google thinks these AR features are going to become the next GPS, so to speak. The Phab2 Pro has a metal unibody, and you'll be able to buy it in gold or silver....

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HTC unveils $1,200 Vive Business Edition with dedicated customer support line
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/vive-business-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Maybe you're one of those people who looked at the HTC Vive's $799 price and thought "that's way too cheap". In that case, you'll be happy to hear that the Taiwanese company has a solution for you starting today. It's called the HTC Vive Business Edition and it costs $1,200 in the US, Â£849 in the UK, and Â€1,080 in the Eurozone. What do you get for that amount of cash? The exact same package you'd get by paying $799 as a consumer, plus a dedicated customer support line and the ability to buy more than one headset. Seriously, that's it. Like the consumer version, the Vive Business...

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Lenovo Tech World livestream: watch Moto Z, Project Tango and more
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-livestream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Crowds at San Francisco are gathering for the Lenovo Tech World event. It starts in a few hours and promises several exciting launches. Lenovo calls out Project Tango by name and will launch the first Tango-enabled phone to consumers. The goal is to transform VR and AR from something niche to an everyday thing. Then there's the tantalizing line "find out how Moto will transform the smartphone in a snap." If you've been paying attention, you know that's for the Moto Z flagship, which will have a modular design with snap-on modules. If and if you haven't, we have a rumor roundup for...

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France sentences Uber to pay Â€800,000, two executives to pay fines as well
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/uber-rebrand/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Uber has been an active presence in courts all over Europe, and faced bans in Netherlands, France, Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy. Many other countries are still investigating Uber and decisions are yet to be made. In the wake of those struggles the French criminal court has finally come up with a decision - Uber has to pay a Â€800,000 fine, half of it as a suspended sentence. Two of its executives - Uber France CEO Thibaud Simphal and Uber Europe GM Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty - are also fined to pay Â€30,000 and Â€20,000 respectively. Half of those penalties are suspended, too. UberPop has...

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Google to offer developers a better subscription revenue split
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/google-subscription-revenue-split/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today, Apple sort of jumped the gun on its own WWDC event and announced a few rather important changes coming to the App Store and developers. Among these was a new 85/15 revenue split for subscription services, which will replace the current arrangement of 70% for the developer and 30% for Apple. Google was quick to respond and revealed that it is planning to implement the very same split within the Play Store as well. And in an attempt to silence the "copycat" debates that are sure to commence in the comments, we will mention that the search giant claims the feature has been in...

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Lenovo Moto Z: rumor round-up
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-rumor-roundup/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Moto Z flagship will be unveiled in just a few hours on the stage of the Lenovo Tech World event, so it's last call for rumors. Here's a quick summary of everything we've seen so far. First off, obviously, it's Moto Z, the Moto X name has reportedly been retired (at the same time Sony switched from Z to X, weird, huh?). The defining feature of the Moto Z will be its modular design, using MotoMods modules. Unlike Project Ara (which originated at Motorola, but stayed at Google), you only get one module that covers the entire back (with a cutout for the camera). Unlike the LG G5,...

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Martin Hajek concept: iPhone Pro with Pencil, Smart Connector
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/iphone-pro-stylus/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's an interesting idea - what if Pro = Stylus in Apple's mobile world? There's not much precedence for that, just the iPad Pro (and certainly not the Mac(Book) Pro). Still, artist Martin Hajek (known for beautiful 3D renders of Apple products based on leaked blueprints) imagined such a world. The iPhone Pro is shown off with an Apple Pencil. Since the Pencil is 8.9mm in diameter, it can't sheath into the phone Galaxy Note-style. Instead, it may be attached (at least tied) to cases for the Pro. Another feature associated with the iPad Pro is the Smart Connector, which allows...

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More photos of the OnePlus 3 surface
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus3-leaked-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems like OnePlus is determined to squeeze out every last bit of viral hype before it actually releases the OnePlus 3. Then again, it could very well be eager fans behind the recent avalanche of leaks about the flagship. Regardless, with the unveiling officially set for June 15 and the dreaded invite system allegedly ditched for good, we can't help it but hop on the hype train ourselves. OnePlus 3 THere is the latest batch of shots of the OnePlus 3 leaked online. Once again they come courtesy of a Weibo user and this time around look to be official renders, probably...

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Apple announces subscription model, search ads for App Store
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/app-store-changes/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Some big news is coming out of Apple this week regarding the App Store, and it's not even WWDC day yet. In an interview with The Verge and The Loop, Phil Schiller, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing at Apple, laid down some major changes that are coming to the App Store. ("App Store" henceforth in this article will refer to the one on iOS, OS X, and tvOS.) One of the big changes coming is Apple's greater adoption of the subscription based payment model. Right now, only a certain type of apps can use subscription based payment, apps that usually fall under the category of news,...

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Verizon Galaxy Note Edge starts getting Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/galaxy-note-edge-march/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the Marshmallow update to Samsung Galaxy Note Edge units on its network. The update bumps the software version to VRU2CPD1, and brings along Android version 6.0.1. Aside from the usual Marshmallow goodies (such as Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions), the update also includes some other features like Ultra-High-Quality Audio, Android for Work as well as a fresh design. The update has just started rolling out, so it might take some time before it hits your device. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can manually check for it by...

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HP working on Windows 10 Mobile apps, likely for its upcoming Elite x3 phone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/elitex3-win10-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you might already know, the Elite x3 Windows 10 phone from HP is all set for launch this summer, and the company has also started teasing the handset. While the device already boasts of flagship specs, looks like HP is giving special attention to software as well. According to a new leak, the company is developing Windows 10 Mobile apps that are likely aimed at the upcoming handset. One of these apps is known as HP Voice Recorder, and it allows users to record their voice in stereo. The other one - called HP Device Hub - provides latest info about available offers, suggests...

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Windows 10-powered NuAns Neo set for worldwide release
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nuans-neo-global/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember NuAns Neo, a Windows 10 smartphone that was shown off in Japan late last year and debuted at CES in early 2016? Well, the company behind the phone has now announced its plans for the device's global launch, saying that Neo will be available via Kickstarter starting June-end. "The highly anticipated NuAns NEO mobile phone was first spotted at the 2016 Consumer Electronic Tradeshow in Las Vegas in early January," NuAns said. "From that moment on, the curiosity and excitement only grew as consumers in the states waiting for news on the NEO." "We are pleased to report that we...

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Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition available to pre-order in Indonesia
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/s7edge-injustice-edition-indonesia/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The limited edition Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition smartphone is now available to pre-order in Indonesia. The device is priced at IDR 14.999 million, which translates into around a whopping $1135 at current exchange rates. When the phone was officially announced by the South Korean company last month, it was revealed that the products included in the package may differ by markets and mobile operators. Here's what included for Indonesia: Pre-orders will be delivered starting June 24. This comes just a day after the Russian pricing and availability details of the handset...

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Android N's official name to be revealed in a few weeks, Google confirms
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/android-n-emergency-info-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google has confirmed that the official name for the latest version of its mobile OS - currently known as Android N - will be revealed in a few weeks. The confirmation came in the form of a tweet and Google+ post. Thanks for your submissions. We'll reveal the new name in a few weeks! #NameAndroidNhttps://t.co/qLtDZJNe9yÂ— Android (@Android) June 8, 2016 If you recall, at its I/O conference this year, the Mountain View, California-based company announced that it is accepting suggestions for the name. But even before that, the search giant was conducting online polls to finalize the...

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Sony removes Small Apps from its Xperia X series phones
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/sony-small-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you're a fan of Sony's Small Apps feature and are planning to purchase one of the Japanese company's Xperia X series smartphones, there's some bad news: the feature has been removed from the new line-up. Image via: xda-developers This was confirmed by a member of the official Sony Xperia support staff on the company's Mobile Talk forums, saying that "this is according to the specification, and how Google has defined it" - we aren't sure what that means in context of the feature. For those who aren't in the know, Small Apps - as Sony explains - are miniature apps that run on...

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New update brings latest security patches to Nextbit Robin
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/09/nextbit-robin/-184x111/thumb.jpg Nextbit has started rolling out a new update to its cloud-focused Robin smartphone. As per the change-log shared by the company, the update brings along Android security patches for the month of June as well as some improvements and bug fixes. The update includes improvements related to speaker volume. "The minimum volume is much softer and as you increase the volume, it follows a nice linear progression," the change-log says. In addition, the update also improves the stability of the device's camera, and brings along custom ring tones - Patricia by Lauren Loh Sung and Breeze by...

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GSMArena

11-06-16, 00:42

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/youtube-smart-offline/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg YouTube Red already offers offline viewing of YouTube videos but it is more of a necessity in developing countries as data is a costlier operation. Smart Offline will let users queue videos to be scheduled to download overnight, when data costs are off-peak for many Indian mobile providers.Once on the latest version of YouTube, users will be able to tap a download button where they'll be asked if they'd like to Â‘download now' or Â‘save overnight'. Smart Download only works when using data over a cellular connection and not Wi-Fi.YouTube's Smart Offline is rolling out now to...

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Unlocked Moto Z won't work on Verizon or Sprint
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/unlocked-moto-z-wont-work-on-verizon-or-sprint/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon is clearly holding onto dear life for whatever exclusivity plan it has with the Droid brand. Big Red has no intention of letting go any time soon and the phone will even be a Verizon Exclusive for the first couple of months or so of the phones' lives.Droid-Life reports that the unlocked Moto Z will not offer the same ability to pop in a SIM card from any of the four major US carriers as the Moto X Pure edition did. You'll have to buy the phone in either an Unlocked GSM variant or a Verizon variant.Moto Z If you really wanted to, you could buy a Verizon variant of the...

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Moto 360 2nd Gen and Moto 360 get a software update with new features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-360-update-new-fitness-features/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is seeding new firmware updates for the Moto 360 2nd gen and Moto 360 Sport smartwatches. If you didn't get the notification, you just need to manually check for an update.The Android Wear OS is getting new security updates and stability improvements but there is more. Motorola has included some new features for its watches such as a Moto Body app update with new heart-rate features. Here is the changelog:Moto Body enhanced calorie calculation - Moto Body now takes heart rate into account when calculating calories burned.Moto Body heart rate continuous measure - Heart...

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Moto Z to come with unlimited "original quality" Google Photos backups for 2 years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-to-come-with-unlimited-google-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo held its first Moto phone event since completing its acquisition with Motorola. The Moto Z was announced just yesterday with no pricing information and availability coming in September.Both the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid on their respective US product pages show an offer for "Free storage with Google Photos". Note that both these models will be launching as Verizon exclusives while the "Moto Z" (without the Â‘Droid' branding) is not listed on Motorola's US website yet.This news comes in not too long after an APK breakdown of the Google Photos app revealed that...

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New iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases show dual camera and Smart Connector on the bigger model
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/new-iphone-7-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we get ever closer to the fall and thus to Apple's next smartphone unveiling event, more and more rumors and leaks are starting to crop up regarding the upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. And this one is no different.Some new renders showing the two devices inside cases have appeared today. This time the case maker is Olixar, and just one case model has been listed for each phone (in three colors however).iPhone 7 casesSince case makers are usually sent handset schematics ahead of a new product's release (so they can have their accessories on the market in time),...

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AT&T is now selling the Samsung Galaxy S7 active for $794.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/s7-active-out/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few days ago, Samsung made the AT&T-exclusive Galaxy S7 active official after many months of rumors regarding it. And starting today, you can purchase this device from AT&T's online store if you want.There are a few options to choose from when buying it. First off, you can shell out the entire amount upfront, but that's a pretty steep $794.99. Alternatively, the carrier is offering you its Next installment plans. Using these, you can either pay $26.50 per month for 30 months, or $33.13 per month for two years with the so called Next Every Year arrangement. The former variation lets...

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Moto Z Play still in the works, alongside Pro Camera Mod and Adventure Mod
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-still-to-come/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Surely by now you know that yesterday was a big day for Motorola. Lenovo's subsidiary announced the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, as well as the MotoMods that you can snap onto the devices to extend their functionality.However, the third member of the Moto Z family was notably absent from that event. We're talking about the Moto Z Play, codenamed Vertex, which you can see in the image below, to the right of the other two Zs.The Z Play aims to succeed the Moto X Play from last year in Motorola's portfolio, as a more midrange offering compared to the other two. It's been rumored...

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Twitter admits to security breach, it's not the company's servers though
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/twitter-hacked-tips/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter has finally acknowledged "numerous" Twitter account names and password had been indeed stolen. Twitter promises it has taken immediate action to reset those passwords, so the users should be safe.The breach didn't come from Twitter's servers though. According to the company, the hackers made lots of various attacks towards other websites and services which use Twitter plugins and store Twitter data.Here is the official statement:"We've investigated claims of Twitter @names and passwords available on the "dark web," and we're confident the information was not obtained from...

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Huawei aims to become top dog in the smartphone realm by 2021
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/huawei-number-one-by-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's an ambitious goal to say the least, but Huawei does appear determined to become the top smartphone producer on a global scale by 2021. The roadmap was officially shared by chairman Richard Yu at the Converge tech conference in Hong Kong last week. He also had impressive data to fuel said ambitions.Despite the currently shrinking China market, after reaching a critical point of congestion, Huawei still managed a whopping 59% increase in smartphone shipments in Q1 this year. All the while Samsung's numbers for the same period look unchanged and Apple's are 14% down.On a global...

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Apple to retire the Space Gray color for the iPhone 7, replace it with Deep Blue
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/iphone-7-deep-blue/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple is going to announce the new generation of iPhones this September - the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Some are expecting to see an iPhone 7 Pro model to make an appearance, but the picture still isn't clear on that one.One thing all the rumors have in common is the lack of change in the design - the 7th generation iPhones will be staying close to the iPhone 6 series, with minor exterior refinements such as the hidden antenna bands. We are even hearing these design refurbishments will happen for three years in a row from now on.And while we are still in the rumor mill, the rest of...

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Now you can leave video comments on Facebook posts
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/facebook-video-comments/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Facebook has launched a new feature dubbed Videos in Comments. As the name suggests, the feature allows you to to upload a video into comments and replies on posts, something which the company says enables "more engaging and immersive conversations."In a dedicated post, Facebook's Bob Baldwin revealed that the feature was developed at the company's 50th Hackathon early this year."At the hackathon, we coded as quickly as we could all day, and by the evening we could feel the pieces starting to come together. A little past midnight, we had the feature mostly working on both desktop...

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Cyanogen OS 13.1 update is now out with new MOD features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/cyanogen-os-update-mods/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A new Cyanogen OS update is out and it brings about an exciting new feature, called Mods. But, before we dive into the story, one thing that always seems to come up has to be clarified - we are talking about Cyanogen OS, as found on some YU and ZUK devices, as well as the OnePlus One. CyanogenMod, while also making great progress and already utilizing Android 6 Marshmallow in its stable builds, is a whole other OS that the update in question does not concern.Now that that is out of the way, what are mods? Simply put, they are various third-party app features, baked right into the OS...

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Samsung Pay's Singapore launch set for June 16
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsungpay-singapore/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Less than a couple of months after revealing that its mobile payments service Samsung Pay is coming to Singapore in Q2 2016, Samsung has announced the exact launch date. In a press release today, the company said that the service will be available in the Asian country starting June 16."We are excited to bring this service to Singapore consumers and we hope to introduce value-added services to drive and lead innovation in mobile commerce, giving consumers a safer, smarter and better mobile wallet," said Thomas Ko, Vice President and Global Co-General Manager of Samsung Pay at Samsung...

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Vague rumor claims iMessage might be coming to Android
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/imessage-android-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In today's WTF news, there is a rumor that iMessage might be coming to Android.According to a "source familiar with the company's thinking" at MacDailyNews, Apple will be announcing iMessage for Android at WWDC this year. The source then goes on to say that the timings could change and if not WWDC it is "definitely" coming to Android some time this year.iMessage has been exclusive to Apple's devices since launch. It is one of the reasons iPhone owners find it hard to move to Android as they will no longer be able to use iMessage with their friends, and why some people are tempted to...

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New Pebble app tells you what keeps you happy
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/pebble-happiness-app/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Pebble has released a new app that is aimed at helping users better understand how different environments and events impact their mood.Dubbed Happiness App, the application runs a one-week program where-in you are asked some questions - such as where you are, who you're with, and what activities you've done recently - daily on hourly-basis (working hours only).Once the program ends (meaning at the end of the week), you get an email containing detailed results (based on your responses) that - in a nutshell - help you understand exactly what makes you happy. Based on this...

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Galaxy Note5 starts getting June security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/03/verizon-note5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has started pushing out the latest Android security update to its Galaxy Note5 smartphone. Weighing in at around 270MB, the update is currently rolling out to unlocked Note5 units in Australia.The update brings along latest security fixes from both Google and Samsung, including a fix for a critical bug that, when exploited, lets anyone bypass your device's lock screen using a USB cable.Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take some time before it hits your handset. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can also manually check for it by heading to your...

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Android's new Nearby feature notifies you of useful stuff based on your location
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/google-nearby/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google has launched a new feature for its Android operating system that the company says lets users discover things around them. Dubbed Nearby, the feature notifies you about stuff that could be useful to you based on your location/surroundings."The right app at the right moment lets you get more done," the search giant said in a blog post. "For example, at a store, you may want a barcode scanner to check prices and reviews for an item. Or when you're at a museum, an audio tour would enhance the experience as you make your way around the exhibits."Not only this, some Google...

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Samsung Gear Fit2 now available for purchase in select markets worldwide
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/gear-fit2-on-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has announced that its Gear Fit2 fitness band is now available for purchase in select countries around the world. These include the US, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Australia. The company also said that the device "will gradually be launched around the globe."As you might already know, official Gear Fit2 pre-orders went live shortly after the device was made official, while third party retailers like Amazon started taking pre-orders a few days later. As for price, the device carries a tag of $180.The fitness band works with smartphones running Android OS 4.4...

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Canada will only get black variant of Moto Z
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-canada/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lenovo has confirmed that only the Black (with Lunar Gray trim) color variant of its newly-announced Moto Z smartphone will be available in Canada. Other color options for the device include Black (with Rose Gold trim) and Fine Gold.There was, however, no word on the phone's Canadian pricing. As for availability, the Chinese company just said, "Moto Z will be broadly available in Canada at various retailers this fall." For what it's worth, the device is now listed on Motorola's Canada website, but currently, you can only 'Register for updates.'Via | Motorola Canada

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Pre-orders for Blocks modular smartwatch are now live
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/blocks-preorder/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Remember Blocks? The world's first modular smartwatch which was in the news late last year. Well, if the device caught your fancy, you'll be glad to know that it's now available to pre-order.Carrying a price tag of $330, the wearable is available in three color options: onyx black, sunrise red, and marble white. You also get to choose 4 modules from a total of 6 available options, including modules for extra battery, heart rate, GPS, adventure, flashlight, and programmable button. Extra modules cost $35 each.Shipping charges are extra - $11 for the US, and $15 for the rest of the...

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GSMArena

12-06-16, 01:01

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/vibe-k5-13/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Lenovo has announced that it will be launching the Vibe K5 in India on June 13. The phone will be available through Amazon. The Vibe K5 is the younger brother of the Vibe K5 Plus. It has a 5.0-inch 720p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 415, 2GB RAM, 16GB expandable storage, 13 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, metal body, TheaterMax, dual SIM, and 2750mAh battery. In comparison, the Vibe K5 Plus has a 1080p display and Snapdragon 616. No pricing has been announced yet but considering the Vibe K5 Plus is available for INR 8,499 ($127), the...

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Exynos 8890-powered clamshell from Samsung in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-flip-phone-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is not giving up on the clamshell form factor and is working on a successor to last year's flagship-grade W2016 model (internal name SM-2016). Exclusive to China, that one had a retail price as much as two Galaxy S6's. The SM-2017 model, codenamed "Veyron" (yes, like the Bugatti), will come with updated chipset - replacing the Exynos 7420 of last year's model is the reigning performance champ Exynos 8890. The camera department appears borrowed from the current Galaxy S7 - a 12MP primary shooter, and a 5MP front facing unit. Samsung W2016 The display setup remains...

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Apple to source chips from Intel for the next iPhone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/apple-intel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple is going to source the modem for some versions of the iPhone 7 from Intel, Bloomberg reports. The AT&T variant in the US and some versions meant for other markets will get an Intel chip instead of the customary Qualcomm solution. One key market that Qualcomm gets to keep is China - iPhones bound for there will still use a modem by the San Diego-based semiconductor maker. The info has been revealed by industry insiders, who have chosen to remain unidentified. The companies involved haven't commented on the matter. Intel's presence in the mobile chip market has been...

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OnePlus 3 first shipment of 7200 units enters India, declared unit value is $340
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-india-zauba/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The first shipment of OnePlus 3 final units for commercial sale has entered India. The batch totals 7200 pieces at a unit value of INR 22,858 ($341), the Zauba import listing reveals. Now that's obviously not the final retail price, but speculation revolves around INR 25,000 ($370). Even so, the number is still significantly less than the CNY 2,999 ($460) price of the initial 1,000 units sold in China prior to official launch. If the final price in China is anything close to what the Indian customs data states, those 1,000 people will then be refunded the difference....

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First-gen Motorola Moto 360 not going to get Android Wear 2.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-360-1-gen-android-wear-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Android version fragmentation spreads to Google's wearable platform as well. The recently revealed major update to Android Wear, v2.0, won't be coming to the Motorola Moto 360 (1st gen), Motorola Support tweeted. The bad news was revealed sort of mistakenly, as a reply to a user who was asking when the first-gen Moto 360 will be getting the security and features update, which hit the second-gen Moto 360 some hours ago. @timo_capa Unfortunately, Moto360 1 Gen will not receive the new update 2.0Â— Motorola Support (@Moto_Support) June 10, 2016 On a more positive note, the...

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Major third-party retailers are now selling Xiaomi Mi 5 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-5/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg When the Xiaomi Mi 5 launched in India back in April this year, it was available online only through the Chinese company's India online store Mi.com. But that's no longer the case, as major third-party retailers have now also started selling the handset. Xiaomi's India subsidiary recently confirmed this in a tweet, revealing that the device is now also listed on Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, and TataCLIQ. More choices - #Mi5 now available on https://t.co/D3b3Qt4Ujl and at @amazonIN @Flipkart @snapdeal @TataCLiQ! pic.twitter.com/z0E8IPU6pnÂ— Mi India (@XiaomiIndia) June 9, 2016 A...

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Amazon offering gift cards with select Sonos products
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/amazon-sonos-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you're planning on purchasing a Sonos product, you might want to check out the deals Amazon is currently offering on the speaker company's devices. The discount being offered is in the form of gift cards of varying amount depending on what you purchase. The Sonos 5.1 Home Theater System is priced at $1,796 and comes with a $140 Amazon gift card, while the Sonos 3.1 Home Theater System sets you back $1,398 and comes with a $100 gift card. Then there are other products like Sonos Play:1, Play:3, and Play:5 that cost $199, $299, and $499, and come with gift cards worth $20, $30, and...

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Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition South Korea launch set for June 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gs7-edge-injustice-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you are in South Korea, and are waiting for Samsung's Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition smartphone, you'll be glad to know that the device will go on sale in the country starting June 13, or coming Monday. What's worth mentioning is that only 1,000 units will be on offer, and you'll only be able to purchase the handset through Samsung's online store. As for the price, the phone will carry a tag of KRW 1.199 million, which translates into around $1025 at current exchange rates. The first 30 buyers will also get a Batman Injustice version figure along with the package, which...

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Following Google and Samsung, LG launches its own security bulletin
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g5-useragent-data/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Following the footsteps of Google and Samsung, LG has launched a security bulletin of its own, where the South Korean company will publish updates about security issues in its products and services. Currently the page contains information related to the May security update, with a link to Google's own bulletin. The issues are categorized according to severity: Critical, High, Moderate, and Low. There's even a section that lists issues specific to LG devices, although there's nothing in it this month. Source | Via

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PlayStation 4 'Neo' officially confirmed, but won't be unveiled at E3 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ps4-neo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 4K-capable PlayStation 4, which has been the subject of rumors and leaks for quite some time now, has been officially confirmed by Sony. The confirmation came from the president and group CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Andrew House. "It is intended to sit alongside and complement the standard PS4," House said. "We will be selling both [versions] through the life cycle." He further added that "all games will support the standard PS4 and we anticipate all or a very large majority of games will also support the high-end PS4." House also confirmed the device's current...

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Motorola on Moto X line-up: It is "alive and well"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-force-carphone-300/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, last month, there were reports that Motorola is planning to ditch its Moto X lineup in favor of a new 'Moto Z' branding. While the company did unveil a couple of Z series phones this week (Moto Z shown below), it has now confirmed that Moto X phones aren't dead. Here is the full statement from Motorola: Moto X is alive and well. In fact, Moto X Force recently launched in multiple new markets around the world. Moto X and Moto Z do share some great qualities, but they ultimately provide different experiences and make our portfolio more robust for consumers looking for...

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Amazon to launch its own streaming music service, report says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/amazon-music-service/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like the competition in the streaming music market is all set to heat up, once again. According to a new report from Reuters, Amazon is preparing to launch its own streaming music service that will rival similar offerings from existing players like Apple and Spotify. Nothing much is currently known about the service, except that it will cost $9.99 per month (which is pretty much a standard these days), and Amazon is currently finalizing licenses with labels. As for its launch, a "late summer or early fall" timeline is being suggested. The report notes that the upcoming service is...

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Verizon Galaxy S7 and S7 edge getting June security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-s7-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the latest security update (for the month of June) to Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units on its network. The update bumps the software version to G930VVRU2APE1. It isn't yet known if any other changes are included in the update as Verizon's site just says "the current software update gives you the most up to date Android security patch on your device." As is usually the case, it may take some time for the OTA notification to pop up on your device. Meanwhile, if you feel patient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's...

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Honor 5A Plus specs revealed by GFX benchmark
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/honor-5a-plus-spotted-on-gfxbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor is expected to release two new phones during an event to take place this Sunday June 12. The Huawei-owned company is going to announce the Honor 5A and Honor 5A Plus. The Honor 5A Plus was spotted on the popular benchmarking software GFXBench complete with specs. The alleged device features Android 6.0 with Huawei's EMUI, 5.5 inch 720p screen, a Snapdragon 615 octa-core 1.5GHz CPU, Adreno 405 graphics, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 12MP rear camera sensor with 1080p video recording. The same device was seen in a TENAA certification document just last month along with...

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Unlocked Moto Z won't work on Verizon or Sprint
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/unlocked-moto-z-wont-work-on-verizon-or-sprint/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon is clearly holding onto dear life for whatever exclusivity plan it has with the Droid brand. Big Red has no intention of letting go any time soon and the phone will even be a Verizon Exclusive for the first couple of months or so of the phones' lives. Droid-Life reports that the unlocked Moto Z will not offer the same ability to pop in a SIM card from any of the four major US carriers as the Moto X Pure edition did. You'll have to buy the phone in either an Unlocked GSM variant or a Verizon variant. Moto Z If you really wanted to, you could buy a Verizon variant of the...

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Moto 360 2nd Gen and Moto 360 get a software update with new features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-360-update-new-fitness-features/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is seeding new firmware updates for the Moto 360 2nd gen and Moto 360 Sport smartwatches. If you didn't get the notification, you just need to manually check for an update. The Android Wear OS is getting new security updates and stability improvements but there is more. Motorola has included some new features for its watches such as a Moto Body app update with new heart-rate features. Here is the changelog: Moto Body enhanced calorie calculation - Moto Body now takes heart rate into account when calculating calories burned. Moto Body heart rate continuous measure - Heart...

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Moto Z to come with unlimited "original quality" Google Photos backups for 2 years
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-to-come-with-unlimited-google-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo held its first Moto phone event since completing its acquisition with Motorola. The Moto Z was announced just yesterday with no pricing information and availability coming in September. Both the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Force Droid on their respective US product pages show an offer for "Free storage with Google Photos". Note that both these models will be launching as Verizon exclusives while the "Moto Z" (without the Â‘Droid' branding) is not listed on Motorola's US website yet. This news comes in not too long after an APK breakdown of the Google Photos app revealed that...

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New iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases show dual camera and Smart Connector on the bigger model
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/new-iphone-7-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we get ever closer to the fall and thus to Apple's next smartphone unveiling event, more and more rumors and leaks are starting to crop up regarding the upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. And this one is no different. Some new renders showing the two devices inside cases have appeared today. This time the case maker is Olixar, and just one case model has been listed for each phone (in three colors however). iPhone 7 cases Since case makers are usually sent handset schematics ahead of a new product's release (so they can have their accessories on the market in time),...

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AT&T is now selling the Samsung Galaxy S7 active for $794.99
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/s7-active-out/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just a few days ago, Samsung made the AT&T-exclusive Galaxy S7 active official after many months of rumors regarding it. And starting today, you can purchase this device from AT&T's online store if you want. There are a few options to choose from when buying it. First off, you can shell out the entire amount upfront, but that's a pretty steep $794.99. Alternatively, the carrier is offering you its Next installment plans. Using these, you can either pay $26.50 per month for 30 months, or $33.13 per month for two years with the so called Next Every Year arrangement. The former variation lets...

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GSMArena

13-06-16, 01:02

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/best-apps-games-56/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg SprightlySprightly is a new Microsoft Garage app. It's like a simpler version of Adobe Spark Post, where you can use images to create catalogs, pricelists, e-cards, flyers, etc. The app comes with multiple images for you to arrange your images and text to create the type of content you want and then share it with everyone.iOS Â• AndroidFlamingoFlamingo is a new Twitter client for Android with beautiful Material Design and all the features you expect in a modern Twitter client (and allowed by Twitter API). The app is currently in beta, so not everything will...

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New phones of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/new-phones-week-23/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It was undoubtedly Lenovo's week, this last one. The company announced a total of 5 smartphones, three under its own brand, and a couple of Moto's. ZTE also launched a handset, the nubia Z11 Max.Moto Z and Moto Z ForceLenovo's flagship models, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force both pack top-class hardware - a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820chipset, 4 gigs of RAM. The Moto Z is crazy thin, at just 5.2mm, while the Moto Z Force is shatter-proof. That's just the start though.Moto ZThe two Moto's support snap-on accessories, which attach to their backs with magnets and...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 23
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/top-10-trending-phones-week-28/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Another week goes by, another week the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 stay on top of our Top 10 trending chart. The Galaxy J7's from this year and the one from last year have traded places, and the new J7 (2016) is now rightfully in second, while the old one has stepped down to 4th. The Moto G4 Plus remains undisturbed in third, and so does the Galaxy J5, in fifth.The couple of Zenfones that entered last week (the Zenfone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL and the Zenfone 3 ZE552KL) are nowhere to be found this week, their 6th and 7th spots taken by the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy J3 (2016), respectively. The iPhone 5s is...

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Moto Z duo: hot or not?
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-z-hot-or-not/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Lenovo announced the Moto Z and Moto Z Force yesterday turning a new page in the company's history. The new devices accent heavily on modularity with a special bunch of addons called MotoMods.As we told you in our Moto Z hands-on, the device feels properly premium, but the deisgn may not be up to everyone's taste. The phone is razor-thin at 5.2mm and there's a good reason for this - Moto didn't want the phone to be thick as a tire when you snap a MotoMod on it.Only a select number of MotoMods were showcased during yesterday's keynote, but they were enough to give us an idea of...

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Week 23 in review: new Moto Z and Samsung Galaxy Note 7 rumors
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/15/07/week-28-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another week is behind us and it certainly was a busy one. The news section was filled device announcements and intriguing leaks. Most of the tech world is still pretty much preoccupied with rumors on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. New renders, blueprints and alleged shots of the device surface practically on a daily basis and rumors, like iris scanner technology are definitely keeping suspense levels at an all-time high.Still Motorola and its parent company Lenovo managed to steal the show with the announcement of the Moto Z duo, as well as the Lenovo Phab2 lineup. The Moto Z and Moto Z...

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Weekly poll results: Zenfone 3 Deluxe voted phone of the week
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/weekly-poll-best-new-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The undisputed phone of the week in the latest edition of our weekly poll is the Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL, for those keeping track). Netting twice as many votes as the second-ranked ZUK Z2, the Zenfone 3 Deluxe has been the choice of 42% of voters - talk about the significance of numbers.The otherwise modest Sony Xperia E5 (okay, what happened to the all-X's concept?), has placed third, proving that top specs don't always matter the most. It's then another Zenfone 3 (the ZE552KL, this time) that's relatively close in the numbers and 4th overall.

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Samsung beta tests new UI in China and Korea
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-beta-design/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is testing a new UI in China and Korea as part of the Galaxy Beta Program. The test is being done on the Galaxy Note5 and called 'New Note UX'.One of the big changes is the lack of app drawer in the launcher. This is a common trend among Chinese OEMs so it's likely Samsung is trying this out to see how it works in East Asian markets. The app icons are shaped uniformly, even for third party apps, which means it is cropping them, another trend among Chinese OEMs trying hard to emulate iOS. It remains to be seen if either of these things will be optional or forced upon...

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Exynos 8890-powered clamshell from Samsung in the works
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-flip-phone-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is not giving up on the clamshell form factor and is working on a successor to last year's flagship-grade W2016 model (internal name SM-2016). Exclusive to China, that one had a retail price as much as two Galaxy S6's.The SM-2017 model, codenamed "Veyron" (yes, like the Bugatti), will come with updated chipset - replacing the Exynos 7420 of last year's model is the reigning performance champ Exynos 8890. The camera department appears borrowed from the current Galaxy S7 - a 12MP primary shooter, and a 5MP front facing unit.Samsung W2016The display setup remains...

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Apple to source chips from Intel for the next iPhone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/apple-intel/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple is going to source the modem for some versions of the iPhone 7 from Intel, Bloomberg reports. The AT&T variant in the US and some versions meant for other markets will get an Intel chip instead of the customary Qualcomm solution.One key market that Qualcomm gets to keep is China - iPhones bound for there will still use a modem by the San Diego-based semiconductor maker.The info has been revealed by industry insiders, who have chosen to remain unidentified. The companies involved haven't commented on the matter.Intel's presence in the mobile chip market has been...

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OnePlus 3 first shipment of 7200 units enters India, declared unit value is $340
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-india-zauba/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The first shipment of OnePlus 3 final units for commercial sale has entered India. The batch totals 7200 pieces at a unit value of INR 22,858 ($341), the Zauba import listing reveals.Now that's obviously not the final retail price, but speculation revolves around INR 25,000 ($370). Even so, the number is still significantly less than the CNY 2,999 ($460) price of the initial 1,000 units sold in China prior to official launch.If the final price in China is anything close to what the Indian customs data states, those 1,000 people will then be refunded the difference....

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First-gen Motorola Moto 360 not going to get Android Wear 2.0
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-360-1-gen-android-wear-2/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Android version fragmentation spreads to Google's wearable platform as well. The recently revealed major update to Android Wear, v2.0, won't be coming to the Motorola Moto 360 (1st gen), Motorola Support tweeted.The bad news was revealed sort of mistakenly, as a reply to a user who was asking when the first-gen Moto 360 will be getting the security and features update, which hit the second-gen Moto 360 some hours ago.@timo_capa Unfortunately, Moto360 1 Gen will not receive the new update 2.0Â— Motorola Support (@Moto_Support) June 10, 2016On a more positive note, the...

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Major third-party retailers are now selling Xiaomi Mi 5 in India
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/xiaomi-mi-5/lifestyle/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg When the Xiaomi Mi 5 launched in India back in April this year, it was available online only through the Chinese company's India online store Mi.com. But that's no longer the case, as major third-party retailers have now also started selling the handset.Xiaomi's India subsidiary recently confirmed this in a tweet, revealing that the device is now also listed on Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, and TataCLIQ.More choices - #Mi5 now available on https://t.co/D3b3Qt4Ujl and at @amazonIN @Flipkart @snapdeal @TataCLiQ! pic.twitter.com/z0E8IPU6pnÂ— Mi India (@XiaomiIndia) June 9, 2016A...

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Amazon offering gift cards with select Sonos products
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/amazon-sonos-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you're planning on purchasing a Sonos product, you might want to check out the deals Amazon is currently offering on the speaker company's devices. The discount being offered is in the form of gift cards of varying amount depending on what you purchase.The Sonos 5.1 Home Theater System is priced at $1,796 and comes with a $140 Amazon gift card, while the Sonos 3.1 Home Theater System sets you back $1,398 and comes with a $100 gift card.Then there are other products like Sonos Play:1, Play:3, and Play:5 that cost $199, $299, and $499, and come with gift cards worth $20, $30, and...

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Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition South Korea launch set for June 13
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/gs7-edge-injustice-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you are in South Korea, and are waiting for Samsung's Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition smartphone, you'll be glad to know that the device will go on sale in the country starting June 13, or coming Monday.What's worth mentioning is that only 1,000 units will be on offer, and you'll only be able to purchase the handset through Samsung's online store. As for the price, the phone will carry a tag of KRW 1.199 million, which translates into around $1025 at current exchange rates.The first 30 buyers will also get a Batman Injustice version figure along with the package, which...

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Following Google and Samsung, LG launches its own security bulletin
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/01/g5-useragent-data/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Following the footsteps of Google and Samsung, LG has launched a security bulletin of its own, where the South Korean company will publish updates about security issues in its products and services.Currently the page contains information related to the May security update, with a link to Google's own bulletin. The issues are categorized according to severity: Critical, High, Moderate, and Low. There's even a section that lists issues specific to LG devices, although there's nothing in it this month.Source | Via

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PlayStation 4 'Neo' officially confirmed, but won't be unveiled at E3 2016
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/04/ps4-neo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 4K-capable PlayStation 4, which has been the subject of rumors and leaks for quite some time now, has been officially confirmed by Sony. The confirmation came from the president and group CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Andrew House."It is intended to sit alongside and complement the standard PS4," House said. "We will be selling both [versions] through the life cycle." He further added that "all games will support the standard PS4 and we anticipate all or a very large majority of games will also support the high-end PS4."House also confirmed the device's current...

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Motorola on Moto X line-up: It is "alive and well"
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/02/moto-x-force-carphone-300/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg If you recall, last month, there were reports that Motorola is planning to ditch its Moto X lineup in favor of a new 'Moto Z' branding. While the company did unveil a couple of Z series phones this week (Moto Z shown below), it has now confirmed that Moto X phones aren't dead.Here is the full statement from Motorola:Moto X is alive and well. In fact, Moto X Force recently launched in multiple new markets around the world. Moto X and Moto Z do share some great qualities, but they ultimately provide different experiences and make our portfolio more robust for consumers looking for...

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Amazon to launch its own streaming music service, report says
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/amazon-music-service/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Looks like the competition in the streaming music market is all set to heat up, once again. According to a new report from Reuters, Amazon is preparing to launch its own streaming music service that will rival similar offerings from existing players like Apple and Spotify.Nothing much is currently known about the service, except that it will cost $9.99 per month (which is pretty much a standard these days), and Amazon is currently finalizing licenses with labels. As for its launch, a "late summer or early fall" timeline is being suggested.The report notes that the upcoming service is...

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Verizon Galaxy S7 and S7 edge getting June security update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/05/t-mobile-s7-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Verizon has started rolling out the latest security update (for the month of June) to Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units on its network. The update bumps the software version to G930VVRU2APE1.It isn't yet known if any other changes are included in the update as Verizon's site just says "the current software update gives you the most up to date Android security patch on your device."As is usually the case, it may take some time for the OTA notification to pop up on your device. Meanwhile, if you feel patient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's...

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GSMArena

14-06-16, 02:02

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/moto-mods-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week Lenovo announced the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, and both phones support the modular MotoMods accessories that snap onto their backs. During that presentation, Motorola's parent company talked about a few such MotoMods, but unfortunately forgot to say anything about how much these will cost. Thankfully then, the My Verizon app has come to enlighten us on the matter, since it's already listing certain MotoMods along with their prices. And we have to tell you, the situation isn't pretty. It turns out that MotoMods will not be cheap at all. Take for example the Insta-Share projector...

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iOS 10 will let users uninstall most pre-installed apps
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/ios10-to-let-users-uninstall-system-apps/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg WWDC brought announcements about all of Apple's platforms and new features coming to them. Although many things were announced, this was one feature that was not explicitly mentioned during the keynote. Many of the core iOS apps have made it to the App Store complete with screenshots and detailed descriptions. Why would core apps make it to the App Store? Well, much like Android did a few years ago, Apple thought it'd be easier to update core apps by releasing them to the App Store. Users that have already downloaded and installed the iOS developer preview are confirming that many...

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40% smaller Xbox One S arrives in August starting at $299
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/xbox-one-s/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The much-anticipated and much-leaked slimmer version of the Xbox One console is now finally official. At E3 today Microsoft took the wraps off the Xbox One S, which is 40% smaller than the original Xbox One. It has 4K support, however this doesn't mean you'll play any 4K games. Instead, this is all about you being able to watch high-res streams from Netflix and Amazon, or 4K Blu-Ray discs. On the other hand, HDR TV sets are supported too, and some games will do the HDR thing - first of which will be Gears of War 4. The Xbox One S has a built-in power supply, so no more unsightly...

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New tvOS update features: new remote app, single sign on, and dark UI
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/tvos-updated-features-from-wwdc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple's WWDC is over and Apple has announced many new changes to their existing portfolio of hardware. Including changes to watchOS, iOS, the newly renamed macOS, and tvOS. Light theme on the left, Dark theme on the right New changes have been made to tvOS' UI including a black theme that seems to work better on a TV in a dark room which is often the case when watching TV, the original light UI also remains so you have the option of choosing between the two. There is also Â‘Live Tuning' which will let users say a command and instantly watch a network's live stream right through...

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Apple announced iOS 10 with 10 major new features
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/apple-ios-10-ofic/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple announced the latest edition of its modile platform today. iOS 10 claims it's the biggest iOS release since its inception and here are the 10 new major features Apple accented on during its presentation: 1. User interface Apple has redesigned the lockscreen. It now supports pick up to wake and has an easier way to access the camera - just swipe left. If you swipe right you'll find your widget page. Just when Android mostly ditched the widgets on the lockscreen Apple is bringing them back. The notification area has been redesigned with new bubble-like...

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macOS Sierra has Siri built-in, improved Continuity, tabs everywhere
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/macos-sierra/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OS X is dead. Long live macOS! Indeed, as part of its WorldWide Developer Conference presentation today, Apple has finally decided to rebrand its desktop operating system. So no more Mac OS X, or OS X - it's macOS now, fitting with the naming scheme of all its other operating systems - iOS, watchOS, tvOS. The new software version that will be powering Macs is called macOS Sierra. Its most important new feature is the fact that it has Siri built-in, but it does come with other nice new things too. You can find Siri both in the top right, on the menu bar, and also in the dock. It can...

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watchOS 3 makes Apple Watch apps launch a lot faster
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/watch-os-3/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At its annual WorldWide Developer Conference today, Apple has officially unveiled watchOS 3. This will be the next iteration of the software that powers the company's first wearable, the Apple Watch. watchOS 3 will finally speed up the app launching process. This is possible because watchOS 3 keeps your favorite apps in memory and background updates are enabled. A new dock is where you can put your favorite apps. Control Center has made it to the Apple Watch too, and you can get to it by swiping up from the bottom of its screen. Replying to messages has gotten easier, since smart...

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Apple App Store now has 2M apps, 130 billion downloads
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/apple-2million-apps/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple's annual WWDC kicked off with some impressive stats as usual. First - the App Store now offers more than 2,000,000 apps for download and those have been downloaded more than 130 billion times. Apple claims it has paid $50 billion to developers, which comes to show the magnitude of the app industry that Apple created. Apple has already announced improved subscription payments for the App Store, which should boost the revenue for developers even more.

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Watch Apple's WWDC keynote live here
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/apple-wwdc-16-stream/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple's annual WWDC event begins today in California. Naturally there will be an opening keynote, where Apple will present its new software advancements such as iOS 10, the next version of Mac OS, Watch OS, tvOS, among others. Apple is also rumored to unveil a refreshed Apple Music and new version of the App Store, smarter Siri with broaden functionality, among others. Some rumors suggest a new MacBook may make appearance, too. Apple will be livestreaming the keynote on its website. You need a Safari browser on any Apple device or a PC with Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge browser....

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OnePlus 3 leaks one last time, live pictures in tow
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-last-leak/-184x111/thumb.jpg OnePlus is going to announce the OnePlus 3 tomorrow, but the next "flagship killer" has been in the rumorlands for months. It's not that we have a lot of things left to learn, but we always appreciate a good leak ahead of launch. Today we got two detailed live pictures for you to enjoy. They confirm the 2.5D front glass and the leaked back from previous leaks. The front key should be doubling as a fingerprint scanner. Lots of previous reports suggest the OnePlus 3 will feature a 5.5" 1080p display and run on the Snapdragon 820 chip with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. You...

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Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML and ZE550ML getting Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/asus-zenfone-2-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Zenfone 2 Laser ZE500KL and Zenfone Max ZC550KL lead the way for Marshmallow updates for the Asus' 2015 lineup and now the Zenfone 2 ZE551ML and ZE550ML are catching up. The Android 6.0 Marshmallow update is rolling out over-the-air. It removes a good deal of bloatware, bugs too, and brings various other improvements. The whole update weighs 1.1GB, so make sure to download it over Wi-Fi. If the OTA update hasn't reached you yet and you really can't wait, you can follow the Source link for download links and instructions for a manual update. Still, I'd recommend waiting - you...

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Samsung shipped 95% of OLED displays this quarter
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/samsung-oled/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OLED shipments are growing - 91.3 million OLED displays were shipped during the first three months of this year. It's largely phones that bear these displays, but some TVs do too. Samsung Display is the dominant force in this market, the Samsung subsidiary shipped 86.7 million displays - accounting for a whopping 95% of the market! Many of those went to Samsung Mobile, but phones from Chinese makers increasingly rely on OLED displays too. Samsung Display is rumored to have struck a supply deal with Apple, which will further boost its sales. Samsung has already invested $1.5 billion...

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Bethesda announces Fallout's Pip-Boy 3000 functional replica, only 5000 to be made
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/pip-boy-new-edition/-184x111/thumb.jpg Fallout 4 was released last year and is still one of the most popular games on the market. It also came in a special Collector's Edition with a wearable Pip-Boy 3000 replica, which has a slot for your smartphone. Once you mount your smartphone (iOS or Android based) you could use the Pip-Boy on your hand instead of invoking the virtual one within the game. Cool, right? Now, Bethesda will be making a limited edition of the Pip-Boy 3000 wearable, but a lot better than the one shipped with the game. The new Pip-Boy replica has its own screen, similar to the one within Fallout 4, and it runs...

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Gionee S6 Pro goes official with a 5.5" screen, Helio P10 chipset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/gionee-s6-pro/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Gionee S6 went official last November with a 5.5" 720p AMOLED display and a MT6753 chip with 3GB of RAM. The device was quite attractive because of its thin and light metal unibody and snappy performance. Today the Gionee introduces a successor to the S6 called the Gionee S6 Pro. It is also built of metal, and features a 5.5" display, but this time around the screen is an IPS one with 1080p resolution. The chipset has been upgraded too, it's the mid-range MediaTek Helio P10 with an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor, Mali-T860MP2 GPU and 4GB of RAM. The Gionee S6 Pro retains the...

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Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/microsoft-acquires-linkedin/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Out of the blue, Microsoft announced that it will acquire LinkedIn for a massive $26.2 billion in an all-cash transaction ($196 per share). Company co-founder and controlling shareholder Reid Hoffman and CEO Jeff Weiner fully support the deal. Weiner will remain as CEO and will report to Microsoft head honcho Satya Nadella. The business-oriented social network boasts 433 million members and is growing 19% year over year. It gets 105 million unique visitors each month and 60% of users go through the newly released app. The network currently hosts 7 million active job listings, which...

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Vivo teases a transparent smartphone
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/vivo-trasnparent-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The future is now, or at least could be, as Vivo officially teased what seems to be a transparent smartphone. The company's new celebrity spokesperson Song Zhongji Obama poses in a promo image posing with a see-through smartphone. The phone in question is probably going to be a part of the Vivo X-series and could be the X7 or X7 Plus. Vivo's spokesperson Song Zhongji Obama holds the upcoming smartphone Vivo smartphones and brand, in general, have been heavily advertised in the recent Captain America 3 movie. In it, Tony Stark (Iron Man) holds a transparent device, which...

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E3 week promo: play the first level of Doom for free
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/doom-free-level/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Bethesda pulled off the impossible and revitalized the game series that pushed the first person shooter into the stratosphere. There was a time when Doom was outselling Windows! The new game, called just Doom to mark a clean start, got stellar reviews, but if you're still unconvinced, you can give the first level a playthrough for free. It's available on Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, so you can try it on any platform. The offer will last only a week, so gather up your courage and don't delay. And if you already have the full game, you'll be pleased to hear that Bethesda has...

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Meizu m3s announced, 16GB version to cost $106
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/meizu-m3s-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Meizu m3s has just been made official - a minor upgrade over the existing m3. Much like the m3, the new model sports a 5-inch 720p display with 2.5D glass. The company claims a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 380 nits of brightness. Computing power comes courtesy of a Mediatek MT6750 chipset (same as on the m3), its octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU in a 4x1.5Gz + 4x1.0GHz configuration. The GPU is is a Mali-T860 unit. There are two RAM/storage combinations, the base one being 2GB/16GB, while the higher-specced one comes with twice the storage and 3GB of RAM. A microSD slot provides an...

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WhatsApp testing quote messages in replies
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/whatsapp-quote-reply/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg WhatsApp is beta testing a new feature that lets you quote a message in your reply, similar to the way you can quote tweets in your replies on Twitter. The feature is included in version 2.16.118 of the beta app, but is currently only available to a handful of users. To use the feature, just long press the message you want to quote, and tap the new, reply-like arrow that appears on the top. The feature will definitely be useful in group chats where it'll let you directly reply to a message that was previously sent. What's more, tapping the quoted message will take your chat screen...

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Meizu Pro 6 spotted in fancy red and pink paintjobs
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/meizu-pro-6-red-pink/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Meizu Pro 6 was announced a couple of months ago, and odd as it may be for a phone coming out of China, there was no Rose Gold option. Meizu is on the road to filling that gap though, as this new set of leaked images reveals. Meizu Pro 6 in Pink (Rose Gold) and Red And while the rose gold is no surprise, the other unit next to it in bright red is the truly striking one, in our book at least. The new colors complement the existing Gray, Silver, and Gold (standard-issue yellow gold). Colors aside, the Meizu Pro 6 comes with a 5.2-inch FullHD pressure sensitive display,...

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GSMArena

15-06-16, 02:06

http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-promo-video-is-on-youtube/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After today's launch, OnePlus released a new promo video showing off the main features of the OnePlus 3 including deisgn, charging and power management, display, and hardware design. The promo video was edited with an urban feel.The video mentions improvements over the OnePlus 2 such as improved speed with improved efficiency. The OnePlus 3 may not stand out among other flagship phones, but well informed buyers can tell you that it's not exactly about that but more about getting better value for your money and the OnePlus 3 will be sure to deliver it.The OnePlus 3 was announced...

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Official OnePlus 3 camera samples reveal a compelling camera
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-official-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus 3 has just gone official with a bit of a shaky announcement. However, the third time is the charm with the OnePlus 3. This time around, the company is doing away with the invite system altogether which is great news for customers as they won't need to wait around for months praying that an invitation will pop up in their inboxes.The OnePlus 3 has a compelling camera if the camera samples posted speak for the newly announced phone. The optical hardware includes a 16MP Sony IMX298 rear sensor which is well equipped with OIS, phase detection AF, LED flash and 4k recording...

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ZTE nubia Z11 will be unveiled on June 28
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/nubia-z11-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE has been announcing the members of its new nubia Z11 family one by one. First to become official was the nubia Z11 mini in April, then earlier this month the Z11 Max was unveiled too. And the series will finally become complete in a few weeks, because the Z11 is due to be outed at a special event on June 28.This has been revealed by ZTE's sub-brand today, along with the teaser image you can see below. Cristiano Ronaldo is there because of the company's partnership with the well-known footballer, which has so far resulted in a special limited edition version of the Z11 Max with his...

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Meizu Pro 5 Ubuntu Edition review: Cute clumsy penguin
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/16/meizu-pro-5-ubuntu/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg The Meizu PRO 5 might be almost a year old now, but it is still a gorgeous and exquisite flagship device. The only real question is, could Meizu have possibly made it better by ditching the tried and true Android and by taking a shot on Ubuntu - a rarity on the smartphone scene to say the least. But, we won't dive into that quite yet.

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Original Samsung Galaxy J5 is now receiving its Marshmallow update
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-j5-marshmallow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The original Samsung Galaxy J5 from last year is now finally in the process of receiving the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Sure, at this point Google's almost launched Android N, but nevertheless it's nice to see even low-end offerings like the J5 get some update love from Samsung - late as it may be.Currently the Marshmallow OTA for the J5 only seems to be going out in India, but surely more territories will follow. The update requires an 874MB download, so make sure you grab it via Wi-Fi. The build number for the new software is J500FXXU1BPF4.According to the official...

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Twitter now lets you retweet or quote tweet yourself
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/twitter-android-redesign/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Here's something for those of you who want to keep reiterating things you've tweeted in the past. From now on, you are able to retweet or quote tweet your own tweets.This has been made official by the social network through a retweet of its own, of course - very much fitting for the purpose. However, you'll need to click through to the Twitter website to view that self-retweet in a nicer fashion compared to the link-only manner in which embedded tweets show this (see below).Now you can easily Retweet or Quote Tweet yourself with just a few taps. Pick an old favorite and give it a try!...

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Vodafone Smart Platinum 7 announced, pre-order to get a free VR headset
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/vodafone-smart-platinum-7/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Celebrating ten years of own-brand phones and 85 million units sold, Vodafone today has announced the Smart Platinum 7. This is the most high-end handset to ever bear the Vodafone brand, and it's essentially a slightly different version of the alcatel Idol 4s that got official at MWC this February.The Smart Platinum 7 has a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, and it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 652 chipset, coming with an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.2 GHz. It has 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a 16...

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 gets an update with lots of improvements
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-note-4-update-eu/-184x111/thumb.jpg The Snapdragon-based Galaxy Note 4 units across Europe are now getting a new firmware update. It's still based on the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS, which was seeded earlier in May.The build date on this one is May 25, here is its change log: Battery usage optimization Improved performance with efficient memory management Improved stabilityThe new update weighs about 340MB and users across Italy, Greece, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, among others, are reportedly receiving it. We have no information about a similar update for the Exynos model of the Note 4...

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Facebook Messenger for Android now supports SMS
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/facebook-messenger-sms/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Facebook Messenger for Android has received an additional feature - support for SMS. You'll be able to send and receive SMS text messages from the app, provided you first set it up as your default SMS app. This is easily done though, and once you turn the feature on your Facebook Messenger communications will remain blue, while SMS messages will show up in purple.The point of this is for you to have to use one less app, at least that's what Facebook seems to think. If you move your SMS use into Messenger, then there's no reason for using another app dedicated to SMS...

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OnePlus 3 goes on sale today priced at $399
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-us-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The mobile world's worst kept secret has finally been properly unveiled by its maker. The OnePlus 3 is now officially official, even though its announcement had been spoiled by Amazon India a few hours ago.While that leak provided us with all possible details about the phone's specs, as well as its price in India, one thing that has so far remained a mystery is how much it's going to cost elsewhere.That will be $399 in the US, CAD 519 in Canada, Â£309 in the UK, and Â€399 in Continental Europe.What's more, the handset will go on sale through OnePlus' website (at this link)...

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HTC 10 gets the June security update in North America
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/htc-10-update-na/-184x111/thumb.jpg The HTC 10 in the USA is now getting a 300MB over-the-air firmware update, which according to the HTC's VP of Product Management includes more than just security patches.The OTA update also comes with camera improvements and "additional fixes". It was first launched for Verizon's HTC 10 units two weeks ago, but it's now available on all unlocked devices across North America.This isn't the first camera tweak that the HTC 10 has received. You can learn more about the 10 in our in-depth review.Source Â• Via

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OnePlus 3 goes official a little early, all specs revealed
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-3-amazon/-184x111/thumb.jpg OnePlus is holding a special press event to unveil the OnePlus 3 later today, but Amazon has already jumped the gun and unveiled the flagship in glorious detail. We are pretty sure you are all familiar with the OnePlus 3 thanks to the numerous leaks throughout the past few months, but here comes the confirmation.The OnePlus 3 features a 5.5" Optic AMOLED display of 1080p resolution protected by a Gorilla Glass 4 and runs on the Snapdragon 820 chip with 6GB of RAM. The Kryo processor cores are clocked at maximum - 2x 2.2GHz and 2x 1.6GHz. OnePlus 3 has an internal storage of 64GB,...

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Apple's iOS 10 to support RAW shooting
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/ios-10-camera-raw/-184x111/thumb.jpg Apple's new iOS 10 brings lots of new features and improvements. The most positive impressions came from unlocking lots of default apps and APIs to developers, which will allow for much better customization and user experience later on.The iOS 10's camera wasn't detailed at the keynote, but as it turns out Apple will be enabling saving the RAW image in DNG format from the camera's hardware. It's not clear whether this will appear as an option in the default camera app, but third-party developers are allowed to use it if they want.RAW shooting on mobiles isn't exactly mainstream, but...

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ZeroLemon's 8,500mAh battery case for Galaxy S7 edge is $60
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/zerolemon-s7-edge/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZeroLemon has introduced a battery case for the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, one with a massive 8,500mAh capacity. The case is listed as $100 usual price but is available for $60 at Amazon US.The case is made of soft TPU so it can absorb hard knocks (but is not waterproof, so watch out for that). You can use the huge external battery to charge a second device too, there's a USB 2.0 port on the side.The case charges the phone at 1.2A, while the secondary USB output is capped at 0.5A. Charging the case itself happens at 2A (charging the phone and case simultaneously will take 7-8 hours at...

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Samsung Galaxy Note7 to be Unpacked on August 2
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-note7-august-2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The next in the line of Galaxy Notes, be it Note7 or Note6, will be announced on August 2, a leaked poster for an upcoming Unpacked event reveals. The date bodes well with previous intel, courtesy of @evleaks, which came out on June 2 and indicated a two-month ETA.The Notes have been coming sooner each year. Going back three generations, the Note 3 was announced on September 25, 2013, the Note 4 showed up on September 3 next year, and the Note5 arrived even earlier, on August 13 last year. So if we are to extrapolate, August 2 makes perfect sense for the Note7.The other...

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Sony PlayStation VR launching on October 13 for $399
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/ps-vr-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg At E3 Sony committed to a launch date and price for the PlayStation VR - October 13, $399 (£350/AU$ 550). The company promised you'll have over 50 game titles to play in VR by the end of the year.This includes big names like Final Fantasy XV, Resident Evil (coming in January), X-Wing VR Mission for Star Wars: Battlefront, Batman: Arkham VR and others.Right now it's not 100% clear if the $399 price tag will include the necessary controllers and camera. Some users already have them (as part of PS Move), but many do not.Sony also unveiled a new controller - VR Aim, which promises...

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Analysts: Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge on track to sell 25M units
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/galaxy-s7-25m/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are a hit - analysts expect the duo will sell a combined 25 million units worldwide. Daishin Securities estimate that around 15 million of those were sold in Q2.All this is expected to push Samsung's profitability above even the spike in Q1, with operating profitability reaching an estimated $3.63 billion for the last three months.The high sales of the flagship duo increased the average selling price - from $217 in the first quarter to $228 in the second. It helps that the Galaxy S7 edge reportedly outsells its smaller (and cheaper) S7...

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Sony Xperia X isn't afraid to get wet despite the lack of certification
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/sony-xperia-x-water-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony hasn't had that much luck when it comes to waterproofing for the past year or so. Ever since the company's "Z" flagship lineup and its ad campaigns got caught up in a major scandal last year, culminating in changes to the waterproof policy, the Japanese giant has been a bit hesitant to market waterproofing on its phones.Looking at Sony's current "X" lineup, only the Sony Xperia X Performance officially has IP68 certification, meaning it can last up to 30 minutes under 1.5 meters of water and is dust proof as well. The basic Xperia X makes no such claims, but a YouTube video, courtesy...

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OnePlus 3 price and specs revealed in premature newspaper ad
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/oneplus-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Looks like someone at Hindustan Times jumped the gun. The major Indian daily newspaper published an ad for the upcoming OnePlus 3 one whole day before the phone got officially announced.The ad doesn't leave much to the imagination. It shows the phone with some basic specifications below, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, fingerprint sensor (which apparently unlocks in 0.2 seconds), 6GB RAM with 64GB storage, 8 megapixel rear camera and 16 megapixel front camera (yes, you read that right). The phone also has something called Smart Capture, Optic AMOLED display, and DASH...

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Xiaomi Redmi 3s is now official with Snapdragon 430 SOC and fingerprint reader
http://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/06/xiaomi-redmi-3s-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is definitely not one to lag behind and since Meizu just updated its competitive offer - the Meizu m3s, it comes as no surprise that an upgraded Xiaomi Redmi 3 was also made official. It bears the Redmi 3s moniker and adds even more value to its affordable asking price.The Xiaomi Redmi 3s is still equipped with a 5-inch, 720p display, fitted inside the same body as its sibling, measuring - 139.3 x 69.6 x 8.5mm and also weighing exactly as much at 144grams. However, there is now a round fingerprint reader on the back of the unit. And the upgrade extends to internals as well....

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GSMArena

01-07-20, 00:16

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/zte-blade-a3v-google-play-console/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A ZTE Blade A3v has appeared on the Google Play Console, model name Z5157V. It’s a simple device, quite similar to the Blade A3 Prime that launched on Yahoo Mobile and Visible earlier this month at just $99. Both of these are Verizon-based MVNO networks by the way and that “v” in the model name suggests that that the new handset is likely on end up on that carrier as well.The phone runs Android 10 on a MediaTek Helio A22 chipset – quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU at 2.0 GHz and a PowerVR GE8300 GPU (660 MHz). It’s connected to 2 GB of RAM, no word on the storage.The screen has 720 x 1,440...

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Apple patents a way to make buttons thinner while providing programmable feedback
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/apple-pivot-button-patent/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple has a grudge against physical buttons, especially the ones that take up too much space. The company has filed a patent that describes the design of a “compact pivoting input device”, which will significantly reduce the internal volume that a button takes.It’s not just space saving, though, this mechanism can offer programmable feedback. Such buttons can be provide different haptic feedback, configured by software, and will also be force-sensitive.The patent gives the iPhone power button as an example, so that’s likely the first use case, but it these devices can find other uses...

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Spotify launches synchronized lyrics in 26 new markets
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/spotify-lyrics-26-markets/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Spotify used to show lyrics in its app, sourcing them from MusixMatch, but that relationship ended in 2016. Now it’s back again – starting today, 26 markets will have a Lyrics button in the Now Playing screen.And those lyrics will be synced with the song, kind of like karaoke. As of a couple of hours ago this feature is available in the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador, Uruguay, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand,...

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Samsung pulls out of IFA 2020
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/samsung-skips-ifa-2020/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg According to news circulating in South Korean media, Samsung will pull out of the upcoming IFA 2020 trade show scheduled to take place in early September. Samsung hasn’t released an official statement but reports claim the Korean tech giant has re-evaluated its plans for mass gatherings in the wake of the ongoing pandemic.Samsung has been a regular attendee at IFA since 1991 with some notable announcements in the past including the launch of the original Galaxy Note back in 2011. Last year we got the Galaxy A90 5G which was the first non-flagship phone in the manufacturer’s lineup to...

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OnePlus Nord will cost under $500, prototypes shown in new video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/oneplus-nord-price-prototypes-reveal/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg The OnePlus Nord will go on a limited pre-sale tomorrow even though there’s no confirmation on its actual launch date. Now, the company posted the first part of its short documentary which details the process behind the creation of the Nord smartphone and it brings several noteworthy bits of information. First off, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed that the upcoming phone will come with a sub $500 price tag. View this post on Instagram A post shared by OnePlusLiteZThing (@onepluslitezthing) on Jun 30, 2020 at 5:01am PDT In addition, we also see two prototypes of the...

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The vivo X50 trio is coming to India soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/vivo-x50-india-teaser-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo’s X50 trio is scheduled to launch in several countries next month after making its debut in China. Actually, the vivo X50 Pro+ is still waiting in the wings, so its global launch may coincide with its launch in China.Retailers in India published a short teaser video, which promises that the X-series is “coming soon”, without going into specifics. Here it is:The three phones – the vanilla vivo X50, the X50 Pro and the X50 Pro+ will also be available in Malysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia in addition to India, but we don’t have a launch date that’s more specific than...

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vivo iQOO Z1x pops up in TENAA database
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/vivo-iqoo-z1x-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg iQOO Z1x has already featured in multiple leaks, and now it makes its first appearance on an official website. It's not vivo's unfortunately, but the V2012A is now on TENAA for preliminary certification. It will support 5G connectivity and we have some basic specs like dimensions and battery capacity.vivo iQOO Z1x on TENAAThe iQOO Z1x will have a 6.57” screen and dual SIM slots. The battery capacity is 4,880 mAh, which is likely the minimum capacity, the typical being 5,000 mAh. Size-wise, we’re looking at a 164.2 x 76.5 x 9.06 mm handset, which is slightly bigger than the vivo...

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Infographic teaches you everything you wanted to know about emojis but were afraid to ask
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/history-of-emoji/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg There are 2,000 year old rocks out there with the letters of the Latin alphabet carved into them. We still use those letters – like on this page – but modern communication has seen the rise of a different type of symbol, the emoji.Where did they come from? The AppInstitute has a beautifully illustrated infographic on the history of emoji (it’s even animated!). The concept is older than you may think, the first “emoticons” appeared in the 19th century. Those were constructed out of regular punctuation marks and look like this :-).Of course, we no longer use punctuation marks, we...

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OnePlus will open Nord pre-orders tomorrow
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/oneplus-nord-pre-oders-start-tomorrow/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg OnePlus managed to build a reasonable amount of hype around its upcoming budget Nord smartphone. We’ve been getting glimpses and teasers aplenty with OnePlus confirming the phone is coming in July and now the company has added a twist to the whole thing. The official @onepluslitezthing Instagram account reveals 100 units of the Nord will be available for pre-order tomorrow. Chances are however that the smartphone itself won't be officially announced and it will be a blind order.OnePlus Nord pre-order teasersThere’s still no word on which regions will be eligible for the...

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MediaTek unveils Helio G35 and G25 chipsets for gaming phones under $100
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/mediatek-helio-g35-g25-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg MediaTek unveiled the Helio G35 and G25 chipsets, which are aimed at gaming smartphones though more specifically gaming phones that cost $100 or less. With that budget in mind, here’s what the two chips offer. Actually, it’s more like different bins of the same chip.The Helio G35 is a 12nm chip with an octa-core processor – but it’s all Cortex-A53 cores (not even the faster A55, let alone A7x cores). They run at 2.3GHz and can be connected to up to 6GB of RAM of the 1,600MHz LPDDR4x variety (the cheaper LPDDR3 is also supported up to 4GB). For storage, eMMC 5.1 is the only option.The...

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Samsung Galaxy Watch3 45mm shown from all angles, more features confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/galaxy-watch3-firmware-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg We've already got some glances of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch3, but this new leak shows it from every possible angle. @evleaks gave us a 360-degree video of 45mm black version of the watch. Meanwhile another leakster - Max Weinbach - got a hold of the firmware which revealed some of the new feature of the smartwatch.For starters, Samsung has a bunch of new watch faces in store for us and some of them are more informative as well. There's also a new Informative Digital Edge that can be customized to show stats of your choice and you can also change color....

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Huawei Mate 40 won't have an under-display front camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/huawei-mate40-ud-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg There was a rumor going around that Huawei's upcoming Mate 40-series will feature the first under-display front-facing camera on the market developed by Visionox but that has now been refuted by popular tipster Digital Chat Station.He claims that he has seen in person and has held an engineering sample of the Mate 40. And unfortunately, there's no under-display selfie camera as we hoped. He didn't give any specifics on whether the phone will use a regular notch or a punch-hole camera design instead.It was always a slim chance seeing how Visionox' solution came a bit too late in...

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Upcoming Moto G 5G appears in first renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/moto-g-5g-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola is about to add another member to its Moto G line and it's going to be the first one with 5G connectivity. The latest leak from Evan Blass gives us our first look at the Moto G 5G. The phone features a tall and narrow display with dual punch-hole cutouts with actual space between the two selfie cams, which will likely be masked through software to display a black bar.We can also spot a side-mounted fingerprint scanner below the volume rocker on the right side while the back features a quad camera setup with a 48MP primary camera. The cameras are housed in a rectangular cutout...

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Realme C11 goes official: Helio G35 SoC, dual rear cameras, and 5,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/realme-c11-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme today announced a new budget smartphone, dubbed Realme C11. It is powered by the Helio G35 SoC, just like the Redmi 9C, which also debuted today.The C11 boots Android 10 with Realme UI on top and has 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage onboard. The smartphone also has a dedicated slot for a microSD card, which allows storage expansion by up to 256GB.The C11 sports a 6.5" HD+ display with a waterdrop notch up top for the 5MP selfie camera. The back of the smartphone has a Geometric Art Design which is new for Realme smartphones and the panel also appears to have a texture that...

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Honor X10 Max full specs sheet and pricing leaked by China Telecom
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/honor-x10-max-specs-china-telecom/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Honor X10 Max is an upcoming smartphone with huge screen, and is scheduled to go official on July 2. The phone was already teased and some specs leaked here and there, but now the full sheet appeared on China Telecom’s website, along with memory options, prices, and proper renders.Honor X10 MaxAs previously revealed by TENAA the X10 Max has a 7.09” LCD on the front, dual cameras on the back, and a big 5,000 mAh battery on the inside. The chipset will be Mediatek Dimensity 800, coupled with 6/8 GB RAM and 64/128 GB storage in three combinations - 6 GB + 64 GB, 6 GB +...

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Google Photos is temporarily turning off backups from messaging apps to save bandwidth
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/google-photos-disable-messaging-media-backup/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A Google employee has just confirmed that the Google Photos app will disable automatic backup & syncing of media from messaging apps.As many people are sharing much more over messaging apps during much of the world’s time-off of work and school amidst COVID-19, Google wishes to save its bandwidth resources that are strained, likely backing up memes, videos, and photos that are shared over messaging apps. It will begin notifying users of the change on the Google Photos app the next time they open the app.Due to COVID-19, people are sharing more photos and videos. To save internet...

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India bans TikTok, WeChat and Xiaomi apps amidst rising tensions with China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/india-ban-59-apps-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Indian Government has announced that it has banned 59 mobile applications, including TikTok, WeChat, and Mi Community. The reason is, as stated in a press release, the Ministry of Information Technology “has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about the misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India”.There were multiple reports from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, the Ministry of...

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Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C announced with notched displays, big batteries and 13MP cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/redmi-9a-9c-official/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Xiaomi offshoot Redmi unveiled the Redmi 9 earlier this month and today the company added two more members to the lineup - Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C.The company hasn't shared the detailed specs sheet of either of these phones at the time of writing this, but it did reveal their key specs through a post on Facebook.The Redmi 9A has a Helio G25 SoC at the helm with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. It sports a 6.53" waterdrop drop notch display of 720p resolution and packs a 5,000 mAh battery.The Redmi 9A comes with a single 13MP camera on the back and a 5MP selfie shooter on the...

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Google Smart Home Summit on July 8 is perfect for announcing the new Android TV Chromecast
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/google-smart-home-summit/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another upcoming Google product that isn't the Pixel 4a has been leaking a lot lately, and that is the upcoming Android TV-powered new Chromecast dongle, codenamed Sabrina. Unlike past Chromecasts, this will run Android TV and thus have that OS' full interface.Not only that, but it will have a smart remote with Google Assistant - which brings us to the fact that the search giant is holding a Smart Home Summit online on July 8.The company hasn't explicitly mentioned that it wants to unveil new hardware on that occassion, but it would be weird if this was just a coincidence. The new...

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Redmi 8 is now getting Android 10 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/redmi-8-android-10/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is very busy with updates to the new MIUI 12 at this point, but the company is also still working on bringing some of its older phones up to Android 10. The latest model to receive an update with this version of the OS is the Redmi 8, launched last October with Android 9 Pie.The update to Android 10 doesn't take the Redmi 8 up to MIUI 12, there's probably going to be a subsequent release for that. So it's still on MIUI 11, version 11.0.1.0 QCNCNXM to be precise.Aside from the Android version bump, this update brings with it the June 2020 security patches, as well as the...

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GSMArena

15-07-20, 12:44

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oneplus-nord-india-pre-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Pre-orders for the OnePlus Nord arriving on July 21 have kicked off in India. Those interested can pre-book one by making a payment of INR499 ($7/€6) on Amazon.in. OnePlus says that limited stock of Nord will be available for pre-orders, and as a part of the pre-order process customers can claim gifts worth up to INR5,000 ($65/€60). Additionally, pre-booking the OnePlus Nord also entitles you to two gift boxes - one with a limited edition OnePlus merchandise, and another with accessories and "special gifts". The first gift box will be delivered to you after you've paid INR499 for the...

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Lenovo Legion arrives for pre-order, key specs confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/lenovo-legion-phone-pre-order/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Lenovo Legion gaming phone will be unveiled on July 22, and today, seven days ahead of the launch, the phone is up for pre-order/reservation in China. The landing page on Lenovo’s website includes some of the key specs of the phone - Snapdragon 865+ chipset and ultra-fast wireless charging. We already know the phone is going to be a horizontally-oriented gaming-centric handset, and the aesthetics of the images confirm the previous leaks. The device will have a mid-frame architecture for better grip and cooling, and will come with a second USB-C port on the long side, so the...

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Oppo officially announces 125W flash charge, 65W AirVOOC wireless flash charge
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oppo-125w-flash-charge-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg Oppo has been spearheading the fast-charging market in the past few years and today the company introduced the mightiest charger for smartphones ever at 125W. At a launch event in China, we saw three new ultra-fast charging solutions - the 65W AirVOOC wireless charge, a pocket-sized 50W mini SuperVOOC charger, and 110W mini flash charger. The 125W flash charge technology is said to charge a 4,000 mAh battery up to 41% in five minutes, while it will need a total of 20 minutes to reach 100%. In order to protect the power cell and the smartphone, the design of the tech comes with three...

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Xiaomi phone with 5G and 120W charger gets certified
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/xiaomi-120w-phone-ccc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The number of companies, joining the 100W+ fast-charging hype train is getting bigger and bigger with every day. Today a Xiaomi smartphone was certified with a 120W charger on 3C (or CCC) - Chinese Compulsory Certification. M2007J1SC on 3C The M2007J1SC device will be able to reach 20V at 6A through the charger which carries the model number MDY-12-ED. We do not have any other specs, aside from the fact that this will be a 5G smartphone, but this is hardly a surprise anymore. Xiaomi is the fourth company or brand that promised a massive increase in charging speeds in the past...

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OnePlus 8, 8 Pro get Android 11 Beta 2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/06/oneplus-8-pro-dxo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus has released the second Android 11 beta for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The company refers to it as the Android 11 Developer Preview 2, but it's actually based on the Android 11 Beta 2. The new beta builds don't bring any new features to the OnePlus 8 duo, but they do come with known issues listed below: All data will be cleared while flashing the build Certain UI screens look less than desirable Some camera functions are not available Some apps may not function as expected System stability issues You can download the beta builds for your OnePlus 8 and 8...

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Google Maps can now use Live View AR to pinpoint your location
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/google-maps-live-view-ar-to-calibrate-location/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg In more densely packed areas of the world, GPS and Wi-Fi aren’t a reliable way to pinpoint your location, which can get frustrating when trying to navigate through a city either on foot or by car. Thanks to a new AR feature, Google Maps users on Android can use the Live View AR to pinpoint exactly where they are and in which direction they are facing. Google Maps launched Live View walking directions almost a year ago, which allowed you do follow walking directions by using your phone’s camera to recognize where you are relative to landmarks and other visual references from Google’s Street...

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Google Play Pass subscription service arrives in more countries, adds yearly payment option
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/google-play-pass-expansion/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last September, Google launched Play Pass, a subscription service for apps and games on the Play Store. For just $4.99 per month you could access over 350 apps and games that are free of ads, in-app purchases, and any upfront payments. Today the service is growing up somewhat, by adding a new yearly payment option. So instead of shelling out $4.99 each month, you can pay $29.99 and get access for an entire year. If you already have Play Pass, you can "upgrade" to a yearly subscription in the Play Store app. This will only be available in the US, at least for now. That said, today...

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Google Pixel Buds will soon be updated with new features, new colors to arrive in August
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/google-pixel-buds-feature-drop-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to Forbes reporter Jay McGregor, the new Google Pixel Buds are due for a “Feature Drop” in which Google will update the product to support more new features that were not available out of the box. Google has done Feature Drops for Pixel devices in the past, and this would be the first Drop for the Pixel Buds. According to the report, there’s only word of the Feature Drop, but not word on what will actually be included as part of the Drop. Based on what is known right now , Google may possibly update the Pixel Buds with new EQ settings to adjust the sound quality, Adaptive Sound...

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11-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 won't have an in-display fingerprint sensor
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/galaxy-tab-s7-fingerprint/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung may not showcase the Galaxy Z Fold 2 at its August 5 Unpacked event after all, but there's still plenty of hardware that's expected to get official on that occasion. Alongside the two Note20 family members, the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and perhaps the Galaxy Watch 3, we'll also reportedly see not one but two high-end tablets being launched, both called Galaxy Tab S7. A press render of the S7 leaked less than 24 hours ago, and now comes new information about biometrics. There will be two sizes of the Tab S7, 11" and 12.4", just in case the resemblance to the iPad Pro line in looks wasn't...

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OnePlus Buds promise 30 hours of battery life with the charging case
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oneplus-buds-battery-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus just published important details about the upcoming OnePlus Buds but without going all the way and announcing them. The forum post talks about design, usability and battery life. The post claims that the upcoming Buds will have an "industry-leading" battery life. The pair should be able to provide continuous listening of around 7 hours while the case itself would be capable of recharging the Buds in no time adding more than 21 hours of non-stop listening. Moreover, the buds themselves won't be heavy by any means weighing at just 4.6 grams while the case alone will be 36...

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Samsung reveals vision for 6G future, expects holograms to be available to the masses in 2030
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/samsung-6g-future/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg Telecommunications companies are working hard to implement 5G connectivity in our daily life, and apparently some are already working on the future 6G network. Samsung has released a white paper called “The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All” where it visualized what are the key fields for development and what are the obstacles. According to Samsung, the earliest commercialization of 6G could be as early as 2028, while mass commercialization could happen in 2030, which is in ten years time. The Korean company said both humans and machines will use 6G, and it will bring truly...

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OnePlus Nord design revealed in interview with Carl Pei
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oneplus-nord-design-mkbhd-pei-interview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The highly anticipated OnePlus Nord isn’t scheduled to debut until a week from now but the latest video from MKBHD gives us our first official look at the design of the phone alongside several other noteworthy bits of info. The interview conducted with OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei shows us the upcoming OnePlus Buds TWS earphones in an eye-catching teal colorway which Pei is wearing throughout the video. Pei also shows the interesting Nord prototype with three L-shaped cameras seen in the company’s first “New Beginnings” video series. OnePlus Buds and Nord prototypes We...

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Xiaomi to introduce its 100W wired fast charging tech next month
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/xiaomi-100w-charging-next-month/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We've been hearing rumors about Xiaomi's 100W fast charging tech for months now and back in February, one of the company's execs talked openly about the challenges the R&D team has to overcome to make this work. Well, according to a respected tipster, Xiaomi might have found a way. In fact, the needed components have already entered mass production. The hardware needed for Xiaomi's 100W fast charging, which might be called Super Charge Turbo, has entered mass production at Foxconn's factories last month and if all goes to plan, Xiaomi will introduce the tech as early as next...

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Huawei 5G network equipment banned in the UK effective December 31
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/huawei-5g-equipment-banned-in-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg In a sweeping turn of events, the UK government has banned Huawei from providing 5G infrastructure equipment to local carriers. Effective after December 31, British telecom operators will no longer be allowed to buy or use Huawei 5G components in their next-gen networks. The decision was signed off by Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a meeting with the National Security Council (NSC) and in addition orders all currently deployed Huawei 5G equipment to be removed by 2027. We have been clear-eyed from the start that the Chinese-owned vendors Huawei and ZTE were deemed to be...

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Realme C11 hands-on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/realme-c11-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Realme C11 was announced for India today and we got our hands on the device for some early impressions. Let's start with the retail box. Realme is pushing for affordable here (the phone launches at Rs 7,499 or USD $100), which means you don't get a silicone case inside the retail box. There's a sim eject tool, USB cable and a 10W charger, which is the largest Realme has even shipped us. Holding the 6.5-inch 196g C11 feels nice. The display doesn't impress on paper - it's a 720x1560px IPS LCD of generic refresh rate - but it's bright and sharp enough. It's also uninterrupted...

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Oppo A12s announced: Helio P35 SoC, 6.2" display, and dual camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oppo-a12s-official/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg After unveiling the A12 back in April Oppo has announced the Oppo A12s. But it's not an entirely new phone. It's actually the A12 with a different design, meaning it comes with a Helio P35 SoC under the hood with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, and there's also a microSD card slot for storage expansion up to 256GB. The Oppo A12s runs the dated Android 9 Pie with ColorOS 6.1 on top. It's built around a 6.2" LCD of 1520x720-pixel resolution that has a notch up top for the 5MP selfie camera, which comes with AI Beauty mode. Around the back, we have a fingerprint reader keeping company to the...

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Possible sighting of Samsung Galaxy Tab A 7.0 at Geekbench shows Snapdragon 662 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/samsung-galaxy-tab-a7-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A Samsung tablet – possibly the Galaxy Tab A 7.0 – surfaced on Geekbench with an unknown Qualcomm chipset. The tablet, SM-T505, runs Android 10 and has 3 GB of RAM, which suggests this is a more affordable model. What chipset is it using, though? It’s listed as “Bengal” and has an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz. This is one of several recent chips from Qualcomm: Bengal, Lagoon, Scuba and Lito (this last one has been surfacing quite often). Samsung SM-T505 tablet at Geekbench with (possibly) a Snapdragon 662 chipset Based on kernel source code, the Bengal has an Adreno 610 GPU...

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Oppo A72 5G specs and images surface
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oppo-a72-5g-specs-images/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg An unreleased Oppo smartphone sporting model code PDYM20 was spotted on Chinese certifying authority TENAA's website earlier this month. It was assumed to be a Reno series smartphone but turns out that's not the case since the device has popped up on China Telecom's website with the moniker Oppo A72 5G. The listing also includes the images and specs of the Oppo A72 5G. The smartphone supports dual-mode 5G and packs a 6.5" 90Hz display with a punch hole in the top-left corner for the 8MP selfie camera. Around the back, you get a 16MP primary camera joined by 8MP (likely ultrawide) and 2MP...

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First Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 render appears online
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/samsung-galaxy-tab-s7-new-render/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung is expected to unveil a duo of tablets at its Unpacked event next month - the Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Tab S7+, and an official-looking version of the non-Plus option was leaked by Evan Blass. The slate appears to have redesigned body, compared with its predecessor Galaxy Tab S6, as well as the attachable keyboard and the back cover. All the sides of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 will be flat, and one cannot miss the similarities with Apple’s competitor - the iPad Pro 11 (2020). The selfie camera made its way on the long side and will be on top when the tablet is held in...

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Oppo Reno4 Pro spotted in NCC, nearing global launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/07/oppo-reno4-pro-certified-ncc-gloabl/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G might soon be ready for a global release outside of China. The latest evidence is seen in a Taiwanese NCC listing of the Oppo Reno4 Pro with model number OPPO CPH2089 featuring a new black-colored variant with a unique etched design not currently available in China. The overall design is otherwise identical to the Chinese variant. The phone in question appears in a few live photos from the listing in a few different angles. One images shows the phone next to its package contents, which includes a bundled pair of USB-C earbuds, and a 50W...

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GSMArena

19-08-20, 12:25

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-2-hands-on-vid/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 was introduced during Samsung’s recent Unpacked event though not with as many details as we’d like. Samsung is expected to detail pricing and the rest of the spec sheet on September 1 but in the meantime, we have a new hands-on video of the device which shows out some neat software tricks as well asSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G maxWinebach maxJmb mishaalRahman pic.twitter.com/nrrx2Q8qEc— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) August 19, 2020 We can’t help but notice the crease in the middle of the main display, though it could be the lighting that’s obscuring the...

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Motorola Moto E7 Plus and Moto G9 Plus surface in official renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/moto-e7-plus-g9-plus-ofic-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola is expected to introduce two new midrangers soon with the Moto E7 Plus and Moto G9 Plus. We’ve seen several leaks for both phones including detailed specs and live images of the E7 Plus as well as two listings for the Moto G9 Plus. Now, leakster Evan Blass has provided images of both Moto handsets revealing their design and color options.The Moto E7 Plus is built around a waterdrop notch screen and will be powered by a 5,000 mAh battery with 10W charging. Under the hood, we’re expecting the Snapdragon 460 chipset alongside 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.Moto E7 PlusWe can...

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Honor to introduce Watch GS Pro for the mountain lovers
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/honor-watch-gs-pro-intro/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor has introduced MagicWatch 2 back in late 2019, and the brand is already working on an updated version. The new wearable will be called Honor Watch GS Pro and will be for the mountain lovers, according to the official Weibo page of the brand.The message, accompanying the post, goes into poetic motion how the mountains are calling the urban globetrotter and how the roads are always there if you are looking for a path, etc. There is also the message the Honor Watch GS Pro will be “released soon” to “accompany you through the endless possibilities of life”.The first comment...

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Realme X7 series is coming on September 1 with 120Hz AMOLED screen and 5G support
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/realme-x7-x7-pro-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As promised, Realme today revealed the launch date of its upcoming smartphones. The Chinese phone maker took to Weibo to announce that its X7 series smartphones will be unveiled in China on September 1 at 2PM local time.The lineup will come with 5G support and a 120Hz AMOLED screen. The latter being a first for the company since it has only launched smartphones with 120Hz LCD panels before. Realme explicitly mentioned the X7 Pro in its post and also used it to publish it, but the lineup will likely include the regular X7 as well.The poster shared by Realme includes a render of a...

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Google Nest Multi-room audio gets updated with more control
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/google-nest-multi-room-audio-new-features/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google is expanding the functionality of its Nest devices’ multi-room audio feature. You can already stream music or podcasts to more than one Google Nest, Google Home, or Chromecast device. With the next update, Google will offer more control over the devices playing music.For starters, you’ll be able to group which speaker you want to play music without needing to manually create a speaker group. On a Nest smart display, you’ll just need to tap on the lower left corner of the screen while some audio is playing, and you’ll be offered a list of your speakers where you’d like to throw...

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Apple Music launches two new radio stations
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/apple-music-gets-new-radio-stations/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Today, Apple has announced two new radio stations are arriving to Apple Music. In addition, the music service’s original radio station, Beats 1, will be renamed to “Apple Music 1”.Apple Music Hits is the first new station that plays hits from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s with hourly blocks of different recording artists hosting and offering commentary. The other new station is called Apple Music Country. All three live radio stations are free to listen to, you just need to log in with an Apple ID. Accompanying interviews and video clips are free to consume as well.Apple's radio...

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Google Maps get more detailed in a colorful update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/google-maps-updated-with-more-detailed-maps/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google posted on its Blog about the updates that are coming to Google Maps. Over the last few years, Google has been consistently adding features and useful information within Maps and its about time for the maps themselves to be updated. Google used a color-mapping algorithm to correctly color out maps that represent the different terrains and geographical features.Google Map of Iceland: Old (left), new (right)The result is a “more comprehensive, vibrant map of an area at global scale.” Lakes rivers and oceans are blue, beaches and deserts are tan, and lush areas are...

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LG Velvet 5G UW arriving to Verizon on Friday for $700
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/lg-velvet-5g-uw-arriving-verizon/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG’s premium midrange 5G phone is arriving to Verizon this Friday August 21 with support for Verizon’s limited 5G mmWave network, and it will be compatible with Verizon’s sub-6Ghz 5G network when it launches later this year.The wait is over. The LG Velvet 5G UW is coming to @Verizon this Friday and it's the only place you can get it in Aurora Red, which is the best color ever. pic.twitter.com/cYvMj7O291— George Koroneos ???????? (@GLKCreative) August 18, 2020 Verizon is also offering a promotions for new lines (Premium Unlimited or above, get it for $240) or get up to $350 when you trade-in...

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Honor's Back to School promo offers bundles with phones, laptops, routers and more
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/hihonor-back-to-school-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HiHonor.com is doing a “Back to School” promotion starting today and ending on September 6, the deals are available in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.In the UK you can grab an Honor 9X Pro, Huawei MagicWatch 2 and an Honor Router 3 (don’t miss our review), all for £250. That’s the MSRP of the phone itself – the watch and router are freebies. Also, there’s a £30 coupon included, a month of Huawei music and a year of Huawei Cloud (15 GB storage).UK deals: Honor phone bundlesThere’s also an Honor 20 Pro + Honor Band 5 and other goodies for £310. Or you can have the...

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Leaked camera panels from Huawei Mate 40 and Mate 40 Pro show a rectangular design
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/huawei-mate-40-camera-panel/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The glass panels that will cover the rear cameras on the Huawei Mate 40 and Mate 40 Pro have leaked and they show a curious design. The Mate 30s from last year featured a round camera island and that design element is preserved to some extent on the 40-series.However, the circle is now inscribed inside a square. Both panels have a “3D” label, presumably indicating a ToF sensor. However, the Pro camera also has a rectangular element in the middle of the four modules – judging by the shape, this will be the periscope module.Huawei Mate 40 camera panel • Mate 40 Pro panelThis...

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Huawei patents foldable phone with sub-display strip and stylus
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/huawei-mate-x2-patent/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei has been rumored to bring an inward folding smartphone with UTG glass and stylus for some time. Now, we have a patent from CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration) which gives us a look at the possible Mate X2 through several renders that reveal an interesting sub-display strip next to the main panel as well as a stylus.The patents refer to it as a “connected sub-display” which will bring contextual menus and additional app information. It will also house the two front-facing selfie cams while the back of the phone comes with four additional camera modules....

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Oppo unveils next gen periscope cam: 85-135 mm optical zoom, 32 MP Quad Bayer sensor
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/oppo-new-periscope-module/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo announced its next generation periscope camera – just the module for now, but the first phones to use it can’t be far behind.The module features a 7-element lens and is capable of adjusting its focal length from 85 mm to 135 mm (in 35 mm equivalent). The aperture starts at f/3.3 and ends at f/4.4 at the at maximum zoom. A new 16-bit high-precision driver IC accurately moves two groups of lenses for zooming as well as autofocus and optical image stabilization.Wide angle lens • 85 mm • 135 mmIt’s not just a new lens, Oppo has worked on the sensor and image processing...

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Asus Zenfone 7 Pro pricing to start at €500 says leakster
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/zenfone-7-price-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Asus is expected to launch the new Zenfone 7 on August 26 – actually, rumor has it that there will be two models, one with the Snapdragon 865 and one with the 865+.The latter is tentatively dubbed “Asus Zenfone 7 Pro” and according to leakster Roland Quandt it will cost €550. In this version, the chipset will be paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage.Quandt says that there will also be a 6/128 GB version priced at €500, presumably still with the Snapdragon 865+ (though 6 GB of RAM seems odd next to the chipset found in most flagship gaming phones right now). Battery capacity...

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Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/samsung-galaxy-note20-ultra/review18/-347x151/gsmarena_003.jpg

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Motorola Razr 2020 will have 2,633mAh battery with 18W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/moto-razr-2020/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Motorola Razr 2020 (or Razr 5G, depending on the leak) will gain a slight battery capacity and charging increase over its predecessor. According to a surfaced TUV Rheinland certification the second-gen foldable phone will have a 2,633mAh battery with 18W charging.The Motorola Razr 2020 has two batteries (one for each folding half) - one LS30 is 1,180mAh and the other LS40 is a 1,453mAh. In comparison, the Razr 2019 had a 2,510mAh battery, capable of 15W charging.Motorola Razr 2020 battery certificationThe Motorola Razr 2020 is coming on September 9 with a Snapdragon...

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Realme teasing an announcement for tomorrow, likely the launch date of new phones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/realme-new-announcement-two-new-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Several Realme devices appeared on TENAA, and while we speculated they might be variations of the long-expected X3 Pro, we might be up for something different. It seems the brand has an entirely new lineup coming up, and we’ll learn more tomorrow at 10 AM Beijing time (2 AM GMT).Xu Qi Chase is the Chief Marketing Officer at Realme, and he shared a song playlist, with the tracks having (machine-translated) names such as “Light”, “Thin”, “Fast”, “Powerful”, “Soon”.The tracklist, shared by RealmeWhile Chase’s Weibo message simply says “the hits today”, Realme actually scheduled...

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Samsung Pay Card is now available in the UK, supports all major debit and credit cards
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/samsung-pay-card-available-in-the-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Pay Card is now available to Samsung users in the UK. This is not a debit or credit card, in fact it isn’t a card at all – not a physical one, anyway, but a virtual shape-shifter card that lives in the Samsung Pay app.It’s powered by Curve, whose technology allows you to add multiple Mastercard and Visa banking cards (even from banks that don’t support the Samsung Pay). When you reach the checkout, you can pick which of your cards you want to use.And if you make a mistake and pick the wrong one, then the “Go Back in Time” feature lets you move the transaction to a...

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Your Phone app for Windows now runs apps off your Samsung phone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/your-phone-app-mirroring/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With the latest update of Your Phone app, Microsoft and Samsung bring the overall Windows + Android experience closer to Apple's ecosystem. The new update lets you mirror emulate apps on your PC without having to touch your phone. Currently, the feature is available only to select Samsung devices.In the Your Phone app menu, you will find an Apps tab on the left. Clicking on it will reveal the full list of installed apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone. You can open each and every one in a separate window and even let them sit on the taskbar.As of now, only owners of the Galaxy S9,...

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Xiaomi reveals the secret behind its transparent TV - there are holes in the matrix
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/xiaomi-transparent-tv-design/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Xiaomi Mi TV LUX is set to become the world’s first mass-produced transparent TV. But how does one go about making a TV transparent? The company detailed the process and Step 1 is obvious – take everything that normally goes behind the screen and move it somewhere else.All the electronics and sound hardware were moved to the round stand at the bottom of the TV. This made the components more cramped than usual, so Xiaomi had to take special care when designing the cooling. The chipset has a heat sink and the whole base is dotted with vents to help with convective cooling.Both...

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition appears in six colors
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/samsung-galaxy-s20-fan-edition-six-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg Earlier this month, we got our first look at the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition, and the CAD renders that leaked yesterday showed off the smartphone from multiple angles. Today, we are looking at a new set of renders leaked by reliable leakster Evan Blass, that show the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition in six colors. You can check out the images below.Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan EditionThese renders corroborate yesterday's leak. The S20 Fan Edition packs a punch hole display, which is rumored to have a FullHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, with a diagonal between 6.4 and 6.5...

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GSMArena

02-09-20, 17:07

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/oppo-f17-pro-handson/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg

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Omdia: iPhone 11 was the best-selling smartphone of H1 2020
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/apple-iphone-11-most-sold-h1-2020/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It's been a great first 6 months of 2020 for Apple, despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic. And the biggest winner according to analysts from Omdia was the iPhone 11, which moved the whopping 37.7 million units in the first half of 2020. That's over 10 million more than its iPhone XR managed last year. The Samsung Galaxy A51 was a very distant second best, moving some 26.3 million units fewer than the iPhone. Unlike last year when Samsung was making 4 of the top 10 best selling phones in the first half, this time the Koreans had a single entry in the chart. It was all...

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Watch the Oppo F17 series announcement live here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oppo-f17-series-launch-event/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Oppo unveiled the F15 back in January, and today, the company will follow it up with the F17 and the F17 Pro. The launch event of the F17 duo will start at 7PM IST (1:30PM UTC) and will be streamed on Oppo India's official YouTube channel. You can follow it with us by tuning to the stream below. Oppo hasn't divulged the entire specs sheet of the F17 pair yet, but it did reveal their design and confirmed a few specs of the Pro model, which include a 6.43" AMOLED screen, in-display fingerprint reader, 30W fast charging and a total of six cameras - two on the front and four at the back,...

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Poco M2 is arriving on September 8 with big display and big battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/poco-m2-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Poco introduced the M2 Pro back in July, and today, the company announced it will unveil the vanilla M2 on September 8 at 12 noon in India. That's a day after the Poco X3 NFC is making its global debut. It's time to change all your WTF moments to #PowerFTW moments.Get ready, the #POCOM2 is arriving on 08th September at 12 noon on @Flipkart.Know more here: https://t.co/IhIRnUwfngRT & get a chance to win the new POCO phone.2000 RTs - 1 ????3000 RTs - 2 ????5000 RTs - 4 ???? pic.twitter.com/U6DGxP6ton— POCO India #POCOM2 (@IndiaPOCO) September 2, 2020 A promo page for the smartphone set up by...

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Redmi 9A comes to India, Redmi Earphones tag along
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/redmi-9a-india-redmi-earphones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A third member of the Redmi 9 series has made its way to India - welcome to the Redmi 9A, the most affordable Redmi device on the local market. It comes with a 6.53-inch HD+ display, Helio G25 chipset and a single 13MP camera on its back. The 5,000 mAh battery from the two other Redmi 9 phones is here as well alongside 2/3GB RAM, 32GB storage and a 5MP selfie cam. Pricing starts at INR 6,799 for the base 2/32GB trim and goes up to INR 7,499 for the 3/32GB variant. The Redmi 9A will be available in black, blue and green colors with official sales tipping off on September 4 at 12-noon...

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Check out Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2's best new features in our latest video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-z-fold2-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung's next-generation foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold2, offers a ton of improvements over its predecessor in key areas like the hinge and the screen design on both sides. If by any chance you missed Samsung's latest Unpacked event, Angie is here to take you through the new features and design improvements that make the Galaxy Z Fold2 such a promising device. She talks about the overhauled hinge, the upgraded camera setup and the optimized One UI 2.5 software for foldables.

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LG to introduce its rotating Wing smartphone on September 14
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/lg-wing-sep-14/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We’ve been hearing about LG’s upcoming Wing smartphone for a while now and we’ve even seen it in action twice. It features two separate displays which swivel 90 degrees horizontally to reveal a T-shaped form factor. Now we get a launch date as LG has confirmed that we’ll see the premiere of its new phone on September 14 at 11PM KST time (2PM UTC). We get a glimpse of the Wing’s form factor in the video below at the 14-second mark and the accompanying press release reveals the new phone will be part of its “Explorer Project”. This will be a series of devices that deliver “distinctive...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, Galaxy Fit2 are official, Wireless Charging Trio comes along
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-tab-a7-fit2-charging-trio/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Alongside the partial Galaxy A42 5G announcement, Samsung lifted the veil off its latest tablet, smart tracker and wireless charger. Say hello to the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, Samsung Galaxy Fit2 and Wireless Charging Trio. The Galaxy Tab A7 is the latest affordable slate by the Korean company, but don't confuse it with the dated Galaxy Tab A 7.0 (2016). This one comes with a 10.4” TFT with a resolution of 2000x1200 pixels and about 80% screen-to-body ratio. The new tablet is powered by an unspecified octa-core CPU (3 cores running at 2GHz, the rest at1.8 GHz), coupled with 3GB RAM...

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Samsung announces Galaxy A42 5G - its cheapest 5G phone yet
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-a42-5g-announce/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is expanding its 5G portfolio with a new phone called Galaxy A42 5G. In a somewhat strange announcement the company shared images of the phone, but only a few of its specs with a promise to deliver the rest later on. Samsung Galaxy A42 5G The Galaxy A42 5G is built around a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED, and while we didn't get the resolution of the panel, the A41 already has a 1080p screen so anything else would be a surprise. The under-screen fingerprint sensor will also be undoubtedly carried over along with the waterdrop notch for the selfie camera on top. There are four...

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Asus Zenfone 7, 7 Pro get camera improvements with new update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/asus-zenfone-7-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Asus ZenFone 7 and Zenfone 7 Pro that were announced last week and launched globally yesterday are getting a new software update, sporting version number 29.12.18.10. The new firmware brings along several improvements, which include improvements to the camera and DC dimming. The update also brings the group alarm and dual-band Wi-Fi features to the ZenFone 7 duo. Additionally, the new build fixes the system/touch freeze problem and enables Google Lens on Asus Camera. You can check out the complete changelog of the update below: Improved System/touch freeze problem. Fixed...

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AT&T and Verizon reveal pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galxay-z-fold2-5g-pre-order-verizon-att/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold2 5G is now available for pre-order from Samsung’s official website for $2000. If buyers wish to buy the new foldable device from a carrier, Verizon and AT&T have both offered pre-order details for the Z Fold2 5G. To start, both carriers will begin pre-orders for the Z Fold2 starting Wednesday, September 2 and both will carry the same retail price of $2000. Verizon will offer a few promotions to get folks to purchase through the carrier. Verizon users can expect to have a monthly phone payment of $83.33 per month for 24 months. Subscribers get up to $550 off the...

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Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 infographic covers the basics
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/galaxy-z-fold2-infographic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As part of the barrage of promotional content it's released today to celebrate the full official announcement of its latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold2, Samsung has also outed an infographic. This covers all of the basics of the new device, giving you the essential information you should know about it at a glance - or two. Or three. Anyway, while literally long (see below), it does cover a lot of ground, and summarizes the new handset neatly. The Galaxy Z Fold2 goes on sale on September 18, with pre-orders starting on September 2. It will be priced at $2,000/€2,000. It...

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Sony Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II will get Android 13, rumor says
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/xperia-update-schedule-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg With the introduction of the Note20 and Note20 Ultra last month, Samsung announced that it will issue up to three Android OS version updates to its flagship devices starting with the Galaxy S10 family from last year. Now it looks like Sony may be ready to follow suit. According to a new rumor out of Japan, the company will give the Xperia 1 II three Android OS version updates, which means that the final iteration hitting it will be Android 13. There's no word on the exact timeline for any of these updates yet, but it would be nice to see that Sony's flagship will be on par, in this regard,...

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Check out Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold2 official introduction videos and photos
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-z-fold2-official-intro-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier today, Samsung fully unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 including specs and pricing. Along with today’s announcement, Samsung also released a small lot of videos introducing the Galaxy Z Fold2. Along with the videos showing off the Z Fold2’s updated displays and hinge, a few lifestyle photos were released as well. The first video is Samsung’s cheeky farewell to “flat” referring to the current form-factor of all smartphones. “As one era ends the next one unfolds”. These lifestyle photos show some people modeling with the phone while not actually using it....

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The cheaper OnePlus Nord version (8/128 GB) is out of stock in most regions
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oneplus-nord-out-of-stock/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The OnePlus Nord has sold out in most of Europe and India. At least the more affordable 8/128 GB model (in either gray or blue) is out of stock. Only in the UK there’s a note saying that it “ships within 3 days”. If you're in mainland Europe, you can still buy a Nord, but you’ll have to pick up the €500 version with 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage. That one is ready to ship in 24 hours anywhere on the Old Continent. The 8/128 GB version is out of stock in most regions • the 12/256 GB option is still available That’s not the case in India where all versions of the phone are not...

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First Nokia 2.4 images show off a new fingerprint reader on the back
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/nokia-24-renders-evleaks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Nokia 2.4 (aka Wolverine) may be unveiled at IFA later this week, along with the 3.4 and several mid-rangers. The 2-series model will have a design very similar to that of its predecessor, the Nokia 2.3 as you can see in the render below shared by @evleaks. The back does show one new feature – the fingerprint reader. The 2.3 phone had only basic face unlock. The model number, TA-1270, has appeared in FCC docs, which revealed that a battery upgrade is in order too – from 4,000 mAh to 4,800 mAh. The phone will still come with a 10W charger, though. Nokia 2.4 The dual camera...

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Kuo: Apple will miss the shipment targets for mmWave-enabled iPhone 12 models
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/iphone-mmwave-kuo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Ming-Chi Kuo has posted a new investor note, claiming that shipments of 5G mmWave-enabled iPhones will fall far short of the current market predictions for this year as well as next year. Kuo forecasts that Apple will manage to ship 4-6 million iPhones with mmWave in 2020 and 25-35 million in 2021. For comparison, market estimates for this year were 10-20 million and 40-50 million for next year. He attributes this to the slower than expected rollover of mmWave base towers, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes sense as mmWave is intended for crowded public areas with many...

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OnePlus CEO takes new role in Oppo and OnePlus parent company
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oneplus-ceo-svp-oplus/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus started as an Oppo offshoot, eventually becoming its own recognizable brand in Western Europe and the United States. Its co-founder and CEO Pete Lau has now become a Senior Vice President at OPLUS - a mysterious company that wholly owns Oppo while it has a majority stake in OnePlus and a smaller stake in Realme too. Pete Lau with OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren A OnePlus spokesperson confirmed Lau will remain CEO at OnePlus, but in the same time “he has also taken on the role of SVP and chief product experience officer for OPLUS”. His new role is announced just days after Realme...

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Nvidia announces new RTX 3090, 3080, and 3070 graphics cards
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/rtx-3000/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nvidia today announced its next generation RTX 30 series of graphics cards. Based on the new Ampere architecture, the three new cards being announced today — the RTX 3090, RTX 3080, and the RTX 3070 — claim big improvements in rasterized and ray traced 3D rendering. The RTX 3090 is the new flagship graphics card in this lineup, which will be taking over the mantle from the Titan RTX. The RTX 3090 boasts 50% improved performance over the Titan RTX and even claims to do 8K at 60fps "across many top games". The RTX 3090 has 24GB of GDDR6X memory, same capacity as the Titan RTX but...

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ZTE LiveBuds announced with 20-hour battery life and IPX5 waterproof design
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/zte-live-buds-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Alongside its under-display camera pioneer Axon 20 5G, ZTE introduced a pair of TWS earphones dubbed LiveBuds. They come with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, 20-hour battery life, IPX5 water resitance and electronic noise canceling (ENC). The LiveBuds sport an in-ear design and come with a rounded tip design for added comfort. There’s dual microphones and side-mounted touch controls. Each bud weighs just 4 grams. The ZTE LiveBuds will retail for CNY 199 ($29) and are already up for grabs in China.

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GSMArena

05-09-20, 21:41

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/18/09/huawei-claim-kirin-faster/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Even though Huawei confirmed that on September 3 the company would unveil its next-generation flagship SoC, the announcement never came through. This is the first time in years the newest Kirin flagship chipset wasn't announced at this year's IFA. And there are several reasons behind the sudden change in plans, according to a Chinese media outlet.The two main reasons being that Huawei doesn't want to attract unwanted attention with its new SoC and the fact that the company isn't quite sure that TSMC can deliver the needed units within the time frame. And there's a time frame because...

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Realme 6 Pro gets Smooth Scrolling and Super Power Saving Mode with the latest update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/04/realme-6-pro-eu-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme released software updates for the Realme 6 and Indian 6i last week, which brought along the Smooth Scrolling feature to both smartphones. Now it's the Realme 6 Pro that's getting it along with the Super Power Saving Mode, which was first introduced with the Realme C12 and Realme C15. You can learn more about it here.Additionally, the new build comes with the Super Nighttime Standby feature, and bumps up the Android security patch level from July 2020 to August 2020. You can check out the complete changelog of the update below for more details: Security ...

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LG K52 surfaces with a punch hole display and quad cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/lg-k52-leaked-press-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg LG introduced the K31 last month and will soon add a new member to the K series, dubbed K52, as its press renders have surfaced online.These images were leaked by reliable leakster Evan Blass, that reveal the LG K52 will sport a punch hole display, a quad camera setup on the back, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It will have two color options - Blue and White.The specifications of the LG K52 are still a mystery, but an LG smartphone with model code LM-K520EMW, believed to be the K52, recently bagged GCF certification. The same device has already been certified by the Wi-Fi...

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Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra with under-screen selfie cam handled in a hands-on video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/xiaomi-mi-10-ultra-ud-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It's no secret that Xiaomi is looking to launch a smartphone with an under-screen selfie camera but no one expected it to be this soon. According to the new leak, the first smartphone with such design will launch sometime between October and November. And the phone itself looks quite familiar.Xiaomi Under display Camera Phone, Rear Panel is same like Mi 10 Ultra, so it can be launching till Oct-NovRetweet Appreciated#Xiaomi #Mi10Ultra #UnderdisplayCamera@Xiaomi pic.twitter.com/qxvFcNdZU2— Sahil Karoul (@KaroulSahil) September 4, 2020 As you can see from the video, the back is...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21+ pop up on 3C, battery specs revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-s21-batteries-3c/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg There's still a long way until the Samsung Galaxy S21 family launches next year, supposedly in February, but the first rumors start creeping in. We already had a couple of them already and the newest leak is quite solid given that it comes from 3C.Galaxy S21The certification documents reveal the Galaxy S21's and S21+'s battery capacities and model numbers. The former is with model number SM-G991 and a 3,880 mAh battery while the S21+, which is the SM-G996, gets a 4,660 mAh unit. Interestingly enough, the listings suggest that the battery won't be manufactured by Samsung. Instead,...

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Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite also gets One UI 2.5 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/02/samsung-galaxy-s10-lite-512gb-variant/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of days ago, Samsung released One UI 2.5 for the Galaxy S10 lineup, with the S10 Lite being an exception. But now the Lite model is also receiving the latest version of Samsung's custom Android skin.We don't have a detailed changelog of the One UI 2.5 update for the S10 Lite, but SamMobile reports the new firmware doesn't include all the features that were a part of the One UI 2.5 update for the rest of the S10 series, with the Pro Video mode being one of them.However, the update does improve the duration of Single Take selection intervals in the camera app, and Motion...

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Redmi Note 10 renders leak along with live images of “Oreo” shaped triple cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/redmi-note-10-leak-render/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The new Redmi Note 10 was reported on earlier this week in a report claiming the device would be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 820, thus bringing support for 5G networks. Along with a couple of live images and a believable render, new evidence suggests the Redmi Note 10 could be powered by the Snapdragon 765G.One of the images from Slashleaks shows a blurry closeup of the triple-camera setup on the back of the phone along with a render of the phone in question. The camera setup is labeled as “48MP” and the rear glass is curved, and the display features a punch-hole selfie...

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OnePlus Clover appears on GeekBench with Snapdragon 460 and 4GB RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oneplus-clover-appears-on-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week, we began to hear reports about a new OnePlus smartphone that the company is going to release called the OnePlus Clover. This happened not after the launch of the OnePlus Nord – a €349 smartphone with plenty of features and 5G support.The latest news regarding the Clover is the phone’s Geekbench results have appeared on the benchmarking app’s website as per MySmartPrice. The device carries the model number “OnePlus BE2012” running a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM as determined by fact that the phone is running an 8-core CPU clocked at 1.80GHz with the...

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Pentastic expands S Pen's functionality even further
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-s-pen-pentastic-app/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung recently released a Good Lock module for the S Pen called Pentastic. The latter works only on One UI 2.5-powered devices and brings some fresh customizations and a couple of new functionalities as well.Options from the Pentastic appFor instance, Pentastic adds another gesture to the S Pen that requires you to hold down the S Pen button and double-tap on the screen to launch a certain application. The Pentastic app can also launch the Air Command menu in a small pop-up window as opposed to the full-screen mode by default. And the Air Command menu opens up by default...

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Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/xiaomi-mi-10-ultra/-347x151/header-thumb.jpg

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Poco M2 confirmed to have FHD+ screen and 6GB of RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/poco-m2-fhdplus-6gb/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Poco M2, coming on September 8 at noon, will have a FullHD+ screen resolution and 6GB of RAM, Poco itself just confirmed.Poco and Flipkart have been giving out certain details about the upcoming smartphone in the days leading up to the phone's announcement.Transform your WTF viewing moments to #PowerFTW moments with the FHD+ Display.#POCOM2 is arriving on 8th September at 12 noon on @Flipkart.For the next reveal, visit here: https://t.co/6jQJuI4kfkRT & hit ❤️ to show your excitement. pic.twitter.com/RdxciDqeOQ— POCO India #POCOM2 (@IndiaPOCO) September 4, 2020 So far we know...

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Huawei will unveil the FreeBuds Pro, two smartwatches and two laptop on September 10
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/huawei-september-10-teasers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei has big plans for September 10 when it will unveil two headphones, two smartwatches and two laptops.The Huawei FreeBuds Pro are among the big ticket items as they got their own separate teaser. The Pro version promises improved Active Noise Cancellation – in our review of the FreeBuds 3 we found the ANC a bit lacking, so this will be a welcome upgrade.Huawei FreeBuds Pro tease • The Huawei FeeLace Pro is already officialThere’s another Bluetooth headset on the way, this one with a neckband design. It may be the Huawei FreeLace Pro, though that already launched earlier...

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition full specs leak, images too
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-s20-fe-full-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We’ve been hearing plenty about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S20 Fan Edition in the past months and now we have a major leak from WinFuture.de revealing all of the phone’s key specs. In addition, we get confirmation that the S20 FE will be available in two configurations with a 4G-only Exynos 990 trim and a 5G capable Snapdragon 865-powered model. Rumors suggest that European markets will get both versions.Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan EditionThe rest of the are shared by the two versions with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel of 120Hz refresh rate and 32MP selfie cam all protected by...

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Pixel 5 launch date and pricing revealed in new leak, Pixel 4a 5G will launch on the same day
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/pixel-5-4a5g-dates-prices/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The next set of Pixel phones will arrive earlier than expected – Vodafone Germany already lists them in its internal database (and someone managed to snap a pic of it). There’s some bad news, however, a Pixel 5 XL is nowhere to be seen.This means we are only getting the Pixel 5 – it and the Pixel 4a 5G will be unveiled on September 25. Both in Just Black color, at least from what is visible in the info table (though previous reports said that the 5 will be available in two colors).According to German YouTuber Techcheck, the Pixel 5 will cost €630 (including VAT, which is 16% in...

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Realme teases a bunch of new products at IFA 2020
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/realme-ifa-2020-presentation-recap/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme capped off its first-ever IFA conference earlier today and revealed plenty of ambitious goals and upcoming products. You can catch the full presentation on Realme Europe’s official YouTube channel below:Madhav Sheth made his first appearance since taking over as Realme Europe’s CEO and laid out the brand’s ambitious goal of becoming a top-5 smartphone brand in Europe by the end of next year. The Old Continent will now be Realme’s second most important market after India and will get a growing list of both smartphone and AIoT products.Speaking of AIoT devices, we got plenty...

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Watch Korean band BTS unbox the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 in this video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-z-fold2-bts-unboxing-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung partnered with Korean boy band Bangtan Boys - popularly known as BTS - to release special edition Galaxy S20+ and Buds+ TWS earphones, which come in purple color. These became quite popular, and Samsung also published a video of the band unboxing the BTS edition S20+ and Buds+ about a couple of months ago.Now the Korean tech giant has published a new video, showing BTS unbox the freshly announced Galaxy Z Fold2. It's quite amusing, and one of the members of the band becomes a tech guru and talks about the phone's hinge and the idea of a foldable tablet. You can watch the video...

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Only the iPhone 12 Pro Max will have mmWave 5G, claims insider
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/only-iphone-12-pro-max-with-mmwave/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple’s adoption of 5G is proving difficult – a wireless industry source told Fast Company that only one iPhone 12 model will support mmWave 5G. Previous reports claimed that both Pro models will have it.Not so, says the insider. Only the larger iPhone 12 Pro Max has enough room to fit the extra antennas that are needed to handle the high-frequency signal (26-28 GHz) That’s not all either, mmWave reportedly has a higher power draw, so the smaller battery of the non-Max model won’t cut it.The payoff for all this trouble is a very fast connection – gigabit speeds or higher, at least...

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The Poco X3 NFC will cost as much as the X2, will have a 120 Hz display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/poco-x3-puzzles/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you love puzzles, you may have a chance of winning one of ten Poco X3 NFC or one of a hundred wireless headphones. To participate, you’ll have to crack three puzzles and submit the answers to Xiaomi’s store on AliExpress – the best part is that these answers are actually numbers from the spec sheet, including the price.Can you solve the three puzzles?Spoiler alert: if you want to give these a shot yourself, stop reading now and head over to this post on the Mi forums where you’ll find the puzzles and a couple of hints.The Poco X3 NFC will have a 120Hz display. You can...

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Huawei determined to fight back as it remains fully invested in its European phones business
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/11/huawei-new-three-month-extension-temporary-license/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Huawei’s troubles with the United States have created troubled the company's sales in Europe as well, including countries like France and the United Kingdom suggesting their network providers stay away from the Chinese manufacturer.During a keynote, part of IFA 2020, the president of the consumer business group in Europe Walter Ji highlighted the company’s role in European markets. In the same time, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei told investors that everyone working for the company is a “hero” and he doesn’t plan any layoffs to solidify their martyrship.Screenshots from Walter Ji's...

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Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra rocks AnTuTu’s August charts
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/antutu-august-chart-mi-10-ultra/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra is one of the most impressive flagships in 2020, excelling at just about every task. Performance is handled by a tuned Snapdragon 865 alongside up to 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage and it proved to be a potent combo for benchmarking.AnTuTu released its top-performing flagships ranking and the Mi 10 Ultra claims the top spot with a combined score of 646,730 points. The scores represent an average based on over 1,000 device runs on AnTuTu V8 between July 1-31.Another Snapdragon 865-powered device sits at the second spot with the iQOO 5 and...

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GSMArena

25-09-20, 22:07

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/realme-sled-tv/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Today Realme announced the world’s first SLED 4K smart TV. Or rather it offered a peek at the new technology. The TV is not ready to go on sale yet, but it will present an interesting alternative to Quantum Dot based displays (QLED). The SLED technology will debut on a 55” TV. The new type of panel will deliver 108% coverage of the NTSC color spectrum, but will keep the amount of blue light under control, something that TÜV Rheinland has attested. What is SLED, anyway? It’s a new take on the LCD formula, the main innovation concerning the backlight. Typically, the backlight is...

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OnePlus brings the Android 11 version of Zen Mode to its phones still on Android 10
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oneplus-zen-mode-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus introduced Zen Mode with the 7-series and has been gradually improving it since. The biggest new feature is that you can now create a virtual room and invite friends you in a focus challenge. Anyway, the new version of the app also lets you set different themes to help your meditation experience. Also, you can record “Zen moments” throughout the day and review them later. Change log • Creating a room Note that these changes to the app is part of OnePlus’ work on the Android 11 update for its phones, but you can experience it early while still running Android 10. The...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e receives One UI 2.5 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/galaxy-s5e-one-ui2-5/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Samsung has begun seeding its OneUI 2.5 update to the Galaxy Tab S5e across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The new firmware bears the T720XXU1CTI1 build number and comes in at just over 660MB. It brings plenty of fresh new features headlined by Wireless DeX which lets you turn any compatible monitor or TV into a work-friendly setup. There’s also the neat Multi Window mode which allows you to run up to three apps simultaneously in re-sizable windows. You also gain Edge panel and app pairs as well as Live Caption and Nearby Share. Sadly or not depending on your views of taking photos...

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Moto G9 (Play) review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/motorola-moto-g9-play/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg

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Tecno Spark 6 debuts with 6.8” display, Helio G70 chipset and agressive price
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/tecno-spark-6-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Tecno unveiled its latest budget offering with the Spark 6. It offers key upgrades over the Spark 5 - a larger 6.8-inch display, snappier Helio G70 chipset, improved 16MP primary camera as well as several camera, audio and software tricks. The Spark 6 is built around a punch-hole bearing 6.8-inch HD+ LCD with a 20.5:9 aspect ratio and 8MP selfie cam. Around the back we find a circular cutout for the quad cameras though only the main 16MP cam is of any use, the remaining sensors are all 2MP shooters for macro, depth and AI scenes. MediaTek’s Helio G70 is paired with 4GB RAM and...

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The nubia Watch will be available globally in October, Kickstarter backers get it first
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/nubia-watch-global-availability/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The nubia Watch kickstarter campaign was a success and the first units will ship to backers starting on October 8. They will be the first to get it, but the company plans to put up its unique-looking watch on general sale. That will happen in October as well, though we don’t have the exact date yet. The price of the smartwatch should be $400 – early backers on Kickstarter got it for as little as $200, but that offer is now long gone. The nubia Watch will ship to Kickstarter backers soon, global availability to follow Currently, the nubia Watch is available in China from the...

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Oppo expands to South Africa, A72 is its pioneer
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oppo-south-africa-expand/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo has just announced its expansion to an new market - the company has made its way to South Africa. The first phone, introduced by the official Oppo division, is the Oppo A72 which local media already had to chance to have for a quick hands-on. OPPO has officially landed in South Africa! ????Welcome to the team, @OPPOSouthAfrica! ???? https://t.co/BfDWfpUXCK— OPPO (@oppo) September 25, 2020 Two other phones that hit the country are Oppo A15 and Oppo A53, all of them midrangers. A flagship is coming in Q2 2021, so it's likely not going to be one of the currently existing ones. An...

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The Google Pixel 5 will reportedly cost $700, $200 more than the Pixel 4a 5G
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/pixel-5-price-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We know that the Pixel 4a 5G will cost $500/€500/£500, Google has officially confirmed those prices. But it’s keeping the Pixel 5 price under wraps. How much difference can there be considering that both are Snapdragon 765G-powered devices with seemingly the same camera setup? Leakster Jon Prosser puts the price of the Pixel 5 with 128 GB storage at USD 700. Evan Blass claims that the phone will be CAD 900 in Canada. This lines up with the Vodafone Germany leak that priced the phone at €630 (note euro prices change slightly between countries due to different VAT). Leaked images...

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Huawei Mate X2 appears in new patent listing, model number also revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/huawei-mate-x2-new-patent-codename/-184x111/gsmarena_013.jpg It seems the Huawei Mate X2 is not coming anytime soon though that isn’t stopping Huawei from continuing to work on the device. The latest evidence comes in the form of a new patent filing with CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Office) for the Mate X2 alongside clarification on its model number. The new patent shows us a more refined version of the previously spotted design listing with an inward folding design and decently sized outside display with a punch-hole cutout. The device also comes with five rear cameras housed in a rectangular cutout. The topmost sensor features a...

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The Galaxy A72 could be Samsung's first penta-camera phone, A52 will stick with four cams
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-a72-penta-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of years ago Samsung unveiled the world’s first quad camera phone, the Galaxy A9 (2018), now the company is working on going up to five cameras. It won’t be the first – that honor goes to the Nokia 9 PureView – but it is on brand for the A-series, which is often the testing ground for camera experimentation (e.g. the Galaxy A80 is Samsung’s first and only phone with a flip up cam). The Samsung Galaxy A72 will become the company’s first penta-camera phone, reports The Elec. The selection of modules is a list of the usual suspects – a 64 MP main cam, 12 MP ultra wide, 8 MP telephoto...

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US Judge blocks TikTok ban, asks the US to defend the decision
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/11/tiktok-1-5-billion-downloads/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Commerce Department of the United States issued an executive order to Apple and Google to ban WeChat and TikTok from their app stores, but now US District Judge Carl Nichols blocked the decision. The judge said the government ”must file a response to a request by TikTok for a preliminary injunction or delay the order by 2:30 pm EDT Friday.” The TikTok app A similar situation is happening in California, with a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction blocking the ban of WeChat - another platform, owned by a Chinese conglomerate Tencent. According to TikTok, the...

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Huawei Mate 40 Pro spotted in brief hands-on video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/huawei-mate-40-pro-subway-hands-on-vid/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It’s the same old story, unofficial Huawei Mate flagship strolls on the subway with its NDA case giving us our first look at what’s to come. The video below shows the alleged Mate 40 Pro with its curved waterfall screen, pill-shaped punch hole and red accent power button next to the volume rocker. Upon closer inspection, the selfie cam cutout appears slimmer than what we saw on the P40 Pro which is in line with previous speculations. The Mate 40 series will debut with the 5nm Kirin 9000 chipset and is expected to carry on the circular camera cutout around the back. We’re...

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Nokia 7.3 leaked renders give us our best look at it yet
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/nokia-7-3-cad-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg The Nokia 7.3 that we've been hearing about for a few months was rumored to be unveiled at Nokia's September 22 event, but that didn't happen as the company only introduced the Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 3.4. And while we wait for an official word about the Nokia 7.3, its CAD-based renders have been leaked by OnLeaks, revealing its design. The Nokia 7.3 packs a punch hole display, which according to the leakster, measures 6.5" diagonally and has FullHD+ resolution. The plastic back of the phone houses four cameras inside a circular module, with the LED flash placed on their left side and...

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OnePlus 8T confirmed to pack 4,500 mAh battery with 65W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oneplus-8t-battery-size-charging-speed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The OnePlus 8T will be unveiled on October 14 and OnePlus has already confirmed it will sport a 6.55" 120Hz FullHD+ flat display. The Chinese phone maker also teased 65W fast charging, which has now been confirmed in a post on OnePlus Forums. OnePlus' 65W fast charging is called Warp Charge 65, which OnePlus says will provide 8T "a day's power in 15 minutes". To be more precise, it will charge the 8T's 4,500 mAh battery from flat to "almost 58%" in 15 minutes, and 100% in 39 minutes. To achieve those speeds, the OnePlus 8T won't pack a single 4,500 mAh battery. It will come with two...

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iPhones dominate the top 10 smartphones sold in the US during first week of September
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/top-10-us-smartphones-first-week-september/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In a new report from Counterpoint (via TheElec) a list of the top 10 selling smartphones for the first week of September were released. The dates cover smartphone purchases estimated between August 31 and September 5. The list certainly shows the lack of diversity in smartphone popularity among American smartphone consumers. The top three devices are all iPhones. The iPhone 11, 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE 2020 are still seeing strong smartphone sales in the US. Apple also took the 5th and 6th spots with the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 Pro. Basically, every iPhone that Apple sells is on the...

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Mobvoi announces TicWatch Pro 3 GPS with Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 Platform
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/mobvoi-ticwatch-pro-3-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Mobvoi is the company behind products like the TicWatch and the TicPods. The TicWatch Pro 3 GPS has been made official and it brings some improvements over its predecessor. The most notable change is the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 Platform, and the TicWatch Pro 3 is the first one to pack the new chipset announced back in June. The TicWatch Pro 3 uses version 2.0 of its Dual-Layer Display. When its main AMOLED screen turns off, a low-power TN Screen takes over and actively displays the time, date, step count, and basic information about an ongoing workout. This display is backlit...

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Samsung India posts first video teaser for the Galaxy F41
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-f41-promo-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The unveiling of the Galaxy F41 is still a couple of weeks away – it’s scheduled for October 8 – but Samsung India already posted the first teaser video. It expands on the #FullOn tagline of the new F-series line-up and makes no attempt to hide the phone. The video description has links to the Samsung site as well as Flipkart where the phone will be available once it launches. The F41 is designed and made in India, at the Noida factory, specifically. There’s not much in terms of specs yet, besides noting that the screen will be a Super AMOLED panel and that the phone will pack a...

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Oppo is also launching a smart TV in October
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/oppo-smart-tv-launch-october/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Smartphone companies have been expanding their portfolios with smart TVs recently. OnePlus, Nokia, Xiaomi, Realme and even Honor have released products in this segment lately, and now Oppo is planning to join. During the 2020 Oppo Developer Conference, officials announced the company’s ecosystem is going to expand with a TV, which will be released in October. Yi Wei, General Manager at Oppo, did not reveal much about the actual TV but announced it is a key step towards expanding the company’s IoT network of devices. Rumors are pointing to two sizes - 55” and 65”, with different...

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Amazon announces new Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/fire-tv-stick-2020/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Amazon has announced two new Fire TV devices. The first is an update to the existing Fire TV Stick and the other is a new Fire TV Stick Lite. The updated Fire TV Stick now features the faster SoC from the Fire TV Stick 4K. This means you get a new, faster quad-core CPU and a better GPU that can launch apps and start playing content quicker. It also includes new dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi for faster and more stable connection. The standard stick is still limited to 1080p at 60Hz but it now supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG content. There's also support for Dolby Atmos for...

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Amazon announces Luna, a cloud gaming service for Fire TV, desktop and mobile
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/amazon-luna/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg Amazon has launched Luna, its own cloud gaming service for the Fire TV, desktop, and mobile platforms. In many ways, this service is similar to Google Stadia, and will allow users to play games that are streamed over the internet without having to download and install them first. The Luna service will offer different channels that customers can subscribe and get access to different content. There is the main Luna+ channel, which is currently in early access, and includes titles like Resident Evil 7, Control, Panzer Dragoon, A Plague Tale: Innocence, The Surge 2, Yooka-Laylee and The...

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GSMArena

06-10-20, 23:50

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/razer-card/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Razer is known mostly for its gaming-oriented computers, peripherals and the occasional smartphone, but the company is venturing into a new territory – it just announced the Razer Card, a pre-paid card with cashback deals and gamified features. Razer partnered with Visa to launch this card, starting with a beta test in Singapore. Only 1337 users can join the test, they will be able to use the basic card or upgrade to the Premium version. The Razer Premium Card is the fist card that lights up – a Razer logo glows green as you pay. This card also gives you access to gamified rewards...

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YouTube Music free tier now supports casting uploaded songs to smart speakers
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/yt-music-casting-support-free-tier/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google is in the process of phasing out Play Music in favor of YouTube Music as its de facto music streaming platform. The service already crossed the 500 million downloads mark last month and is available in 95 countries across the globe. Now, its free tier is getting a long-awaited enhancement. One of YT Music's key selling points is that you can upload your own MP3 files to the cloud and listen from any device as long as you are signed into your profile. However the YT Music free tier did not support casting cloud library songs to smart speakers. Now that issue has been resolved...

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Apple to hold its next online event on October 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/apple-october-event/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple has sent out invites for its next online event, which will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 PDT. The event will take place at the Apple Park and will be streamed online, just like the previous two events. As usual, the invite includes an image with vague imagery featuring the Apple icon. The tag line for this one is 'Hi, Speed.' A lot of people over the years have taken to finding the deeper meaning behind these images but they rarely ever lead to anything. For now, we can't really be certain of anything since the invite doesn't go into any details. However,...

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Ulefone Armor X8 entry-level rugged phone unveiled
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/ulefone-armor-x8-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Ulefone has built up a reputation on delivering rugged smartphones and its latest offering is the Armor X8 - a budget friendly tough phone that doesn’t compromise on durability. It comes with IP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810G ratings and can withstand shock, drops, vibration and extreme temperatures. It can survive for 30 minutes when submerged in water at up to 1.5m levels and drops from 1.2 meters on hard ground. Like all rugged phones, the Armor X8 is not the most compact device out there, measuring 160x79x13.8mm and weighing 256 grams. The rest of the specs are nothing to brag about....

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Xiaomi Mi Air 2 Pro appear in hands-on video, reveal design and features
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/xiaomi-mi-air-2-pro-hands-on-vid/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is about to introduce its new flagship TWS earphones dubbed Mi Air 2 Pro and a big leak now lets us get a better idea of what to expect. A hands-on video, complemented by a detailed specs sheet paint the picture of another feature rich product in the booming market. The video reveals the Mi Air 2 Pro will ditch the cotton-ball-in-ear design and will stick to a stem, sticking out of the ear canal. There will be rubber tips on the end and a touch-sentive surface on the outer side, enabling various gestures. The case will have a flat bottom and top, which will make it...

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Qualcomm schedules Snapdragon 875 announcement for December 1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/qualcomm-snapdragon-875-december-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Qualcomm traditionally launches its next-gen flagship chipset at its yearly conference in Hawaii, taking place at the beginning of December. Despite the overall COVID-19-related uncertainties, the chip company will stick to its usual schedule, announcing this year's event for December 1-2 and that’s when we expect to see the Snapdragon 875. Qualcomm posted the date on its Weibo profile, and Xiaomi China president was the first to share his excitment. Lu Weibing confirmed that the company's next flagships will be among the first phones on the market with Snapdragon 875. An upper...

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Early adopters see cracks in the plastic around Microsoft Surface Duo's USB-C port
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/surface-duo-usbc-cracks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Microsoft Surface Duo is not the most durable phone in the world and it’s basically impossible to repair. So, hearing that the design is flawed adds insult to injury – several Duo owners are reporting that the plastic around the USB-C port has cracked. Each half of the device measures only 4.8 mm thick while a USB-C plug is 2.6 mm thick, the whole port is slightly thicker than that. This doesn’t leave much on either side of the port, so the plastic is razor thin (and clearly not very durable). User photos of cracks in the plastic around the USB-C port Some users say the...

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Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra get first public Android 11/One UI 3.0 beta
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/galaxy-s20-oneui30-beta-test/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As expected, the One UI 3.0 beta is now available in South Korea for the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra. You can join through the Samsung Members app, though note that there is a limited number of spots for beta testers available. Users of SIM-free phones and those on the major carriers (SKT, KT and LGU+) are welcome to join. Joining the Android 11/One UI 3.0 beta test for the original Galaxy S20 trio Those who join will experience Android 11 enhanced with a long list of One UI changes. Version 3 brings improvements to every corner of the software, from the Always On Display to the...

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Fossil Gen 5E bring Wear OS at an even more affordable price
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/fossil-gen-5e-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg Last year Fossil introduced its Gen 5 smartwatch with Android Wear, Snapdragon 3100 chipset and a $295 asking price. Today the maker is introducing its Gen 5E smartwatches which come in a smaller 42mm casing alongside the 44mm option from last year. The premise is that the Gen 5E is a more affordable alternative to last year’s Gen 5 with a retail price of $249 for both the 42mm and 44mm models. The 5E comes with the same basic specs as last year’s model including an AMOLED display, Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset alongside a speaker/microphone setup for taking and receiving calls directly...

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Android Go's camera is getting Night mode now, HDR coming soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/android-go-camera-night-mode-hdr/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg The best thing about Google phones is the advanced camera software that delivers better image quality than the camera hardware would suggest. Pretty soon, you won’t even need to buy a Pixel to get the benefits of Google’s computational photography – Night mode and HDR are coming to Android Go phones. Night mode will arrive first, it is already rolling out to the Nokia 1.3, Wiko Y61 and Y81 (more phones soon). It takes a burst of photos (without a flash) and merges them into a single bright, sharp photograph. HDR will be added to the Camera Go application later this year. It will...

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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE arrives in India, sales begin October 16
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/samsung-galaxy-s20-fe-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE unveiled last month has arrived in India. It comes in a single 8GB/128GB configuration priced at INR49,999 ($680/€580) and has five color options - Cloud White, Cloud Navy, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Red, and Cloud Mint. You can buy one from Samsung's local online store, Amazon.in, and offline retail stores across the country starting October 16. The Galaxy S20 FE launched in India doesn't support 5G networks and has an Exynos 990 SoC at the helm. It runs Android 10-based One UI 2.5 out of the box and sports a 6.5" FullHD+ AMOLED display having a refresh rate of...

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Coolpad introduces ultra-affordable Cool 12A smartphone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/coolpad-cool12a-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Just when you think the entry-level smartphone market can’t get any more saturated, another company comes in and introduces a new device that will fight for its spot under the sun. The latest addition to the ultra-affordable scene is the Coolpad Cool 12A which has some intriguing specs for its price range. The new phone has a 4,000 mAh battery and a USB-C port, two cameras, and an attractive price tag of CNY599 which translates to just south of $90/€75. Coolpad Cool 12A Coolpad does not reveal the chipset inside the Cool 12A but after some detective work we established it is...

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Apple stops selling Bose, Logitech and Sonos products
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/apple-stops-selling-bose/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple has removed Sonos, Bose and Logitech products from its online store as well as shelves on its brick and mortar outlets. The move will ensure future Apple and Beats headphones and speakers won't have competition through Apple's retail channels. Apple reportedly told Sonos that "they will no longer carry third-party speakers at retail from September onwards.", as cited by a Bloomberg report. Sonos shares have reportedly taken a 7% hit since this story broke. Apple is gearing up to announce its first over ear headphones in the AirPods Studio and is said to be working on new AirPods...

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vivo V20 is coming to India on October 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/vivo-v20-india-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The vivo V20 announced last month will debut in India on October 13. It's powered by the Snapdragon 720G SoC and comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage onboard. It's also the world's first smartphone to run Android 11 out of the box. The V20 packs a 6.44" FullHD+ AMOLED display with a 44MP selfie camera inside the waterdrop notch with Eye Autofocus, and a fingerprint scanner underneath for biometric authentication. Around the back, the V20 has a triple camera setup, which is a combination of a 64MP primary, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP depth sensor units. Keeping the lights on is a 4,000...

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Poco C3 debuts as the most affordable Poco phone ever
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/poco-c3-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_013.jpg After plenty of teasers, Poco finally announced its latest smartphone - the Poco C3. The C stands for camera while the 3 is the number of sensors on the back. Looks alone will tell you it’s a Redmi 9C clone (minus the fingerprint scanner) and similarities are certainly more than skin-deep. The Poco comes with a two-tone pattern on the back for better grip and fewer fingerprints. It's available in Arctic blue, Lime green and Matte black colors. Poco C3 in all its colors You get a 6.53-inch waterdrop notch display with HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. There’s a 13MP primary...

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T-Mobile's Galaxy S10 lineup gets One UI 2.5 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/samsung-galaxy-s10-lineup-one-ui-2-5-t-mobile/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung released One UI 2.5 update for the Galaxy S10 series last month, which includes the S10, S10e and S10+. Now the units locked to T-Mobile's network are also getting a taste of One UI 2.5. The new build for the S10 lineup sports version number G97xUSQU4ETH7 and comes with the September 2020 security patch instead of the latest October patch. But it does bring in new features to the S10 trio, including wireless DeX support and Pro Video mode. You can check out the screenshots below for the complete changelog. The One UI 2.5 update is rolling out over the air and should reach...

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Watch the unveiling of entry-level Poco C3 smartphone live here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/poco-c3-camera-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Poco is announcing its cheapest smartphone to date at an event that will be live-streamed on YouTube. The device is named Poco C3, will cost under INR10,000 ($135/€115). All other details will be revealed at 12 PM IST (06:30AM UTC) and we’ve provided the video below to watch it live. The Poco C3 camera design was teased earlier this month, revealing a striking similarity to the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, which is not sold in India. We are pretty confident the new Poco will be just another rebranded Xiaomi phone, meaning we’re looking at a Helio G35 chipset and a 13MP main + 2 MP macro + 2 MP...

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Google's Pixels get October update with many fixes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/google-october-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As it is the first Monday of the month, today Google has started pushing out its monthly update for the Pixel smartphones that it still supports. Speaking of - the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are only going to get one more update, in December. After that, it's game over for them, their support window will end after three years and a bit. The update brings the usual security patches, of course, but also fixes some bugs and improves some features. For example, auto-rotation should be better, and there are fixes for some devices being stuck during boot, call notifications being...

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Asus ROG Phone 3 is now available in the US for $999.99
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/asus-rog-phone-3-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Asus has finally made the ROG Phone 3 gaming smartphone available in the US. You can pick one up for $999.99 from Amazon, B&H, and the Asus online store. That price nets you the version with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. If you need even more memory, the SKU with 16GB of RAM sells for an extra $100. One thing to note is that despite the company's press release explicitly mentioning availability in stock, neither Amazon nor B&H agree with that at the moment. So it may take a few more days until that's settled. You should also be able to find various ROG Phone 3 accessories...

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Android-powered $6000 Zeiss ZX1 goes up for pre-order
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/zeiss-zx1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Zeiss ZX1 seems to be finally going up for sale. The Android-powered camera recently showed up for pre-order on B&H, although it later changed to 'Notify When Available' at the time of writing. The Zeiss ZX1 was initially announced two years ago in September 2018, with the launch being planned in early 2019. That clearly did not come to fruition and for a while the camera was seemingly forgotten until it suddenly showed up on B&H. The Zeiss ZX1 is a compact mirrorless camera with a fixed lens. It has a full-frame 37.4MP CMOS sensor with a sensitivity of ISO 80-51200 and...

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GSMArena

09-11-20, 21:19

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/oxygenos-open-beta-3-data-wipe/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OxygenOS Open Beta 3 was released for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro just before the end of October, but there was a mix-up. Some users received the stable update, version 11.0.1.1, instead of the beta, and installing that leads to a full wipe. If you’re received the wrong update but haven’t restarted the phone yet, you should download this APK. This is a specially-designed app with that will help preserve your data, you just need to install it and hit the “Keep data” button. Update notification for Open Beta 3 • Stable version of OxygenOS - this will wipe your data Even with the...

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Sony is getting into the drone business with its new Airpeak project
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/sony-airpeak-drone/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony just announced the Airpeak project – its contribution to the field of camera drones, which will be based on the company’s imaging and sensing expertise as well as “3R” technology (Reality, Real-time and Remote). A short press release says that this project is aimed at the entertainment and “various” other industries, hinting at professional uses rather than consumer products. In fact, it’s not entirely clear if Sony will launch its own drone or if it will offer camera and sensor modules to drone makers. More updates will be posted on the dedicated Airpeak site, leading up to...

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Nokia 8000 4G image and key features leak: 2.8" screen, S210 chipset, WhatsApp and Facebook
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/nokia-8000-4g-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg The first official image of the new Nokia 8000 4G has slipped out along with additional details about its design and features. First off, if you were expecting a slide-out keypad cover (a trademark of the original 8000-series), you’d be disappointed. The new design looks more like an ordinary featurephone, albeit with some premium touches. The sides of the phone, including the keyboard, are curved and the exterior has a “glass-like” design (whatever that means beyond “glossy”). The 8000 4G will indeed be a KaiOS device, with WhatsApp and Facebook apps. Also, the 4G connection could be...

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Nokia 8 V 5G UW is the mmWave-supporting Nokia 8.3 for Verizon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/nokia-8-3-v-5g-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg HMD unveiled the Nokia 8.3 5G back in March and now the company is introducing a special version for Verizon dubbed Nokia 8 V 5G. The big change is that the 8 V 5G supports the carrier’s mmWave 5G as well as the slower but more widely available sub-6GHz standard. Other than that the smartphone is identical to the regular Nokia 8.3 5G. Nokia 8.3 V 5G UW You get a 6.81-inch IPS LCD of FHD+ resolution with a punch-hole cutout in the top left corner. The camera setup includes a 64MP primary shooter alongside a 12MP ultrawide snapper and two 2MP sensors for macro shots and depth...

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Reborn Nokia N95 shown on video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/nokia-n95-gen-2-prototype/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Since taking over the Nokia brand, HMD has been reviving several classics from years past. From 2017’s Nokia 3310 to the Nokia 8110 4G and upcoming Nokia 6300 4G and Nokia 8000 4G, HMD is betting on nostalgia. Back in 2007, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more capable smartphone than the Nokia N95 and it seems HMD had plans to bring a modernized version of the device but ultimately chose not to. The latest Mr Mobile YouTube video gives us a look at a non-working prototype of the revised Nokia N95. At the 6:12 mark we can see Michael Fisher pull out the phone which looks like your...

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Oppo introduces Reno4 Mo Salah Edition
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/oppo-reno4-mo-salah-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo has been partnering with Mohamed Salah, Liverpool FC and Egypt forward, who advertises various phones of the company in the Middle East & Africa Region. To thank him for the loyal support, the company is now launching a customized version in his home market - meet the Oppo Reno4 Mo Salah Edition. This Reno4 is exactly the same on the inside as the regular Reno4, available on the global market - 6.4” OLED, Snapdragon 720G with 4G capabilities, and VOOC 4.0 Flash Charge at 30W. The difference is the outside of the phone - it is painted in Dark Grey and Red with some interesting...

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What to expect from Apple's ARM-powered Mac event
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/apple-event-what-to-expect/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Apple doesn’t normally announce new products this late in the year, but this is a special occasion – for the first time in its 44 year history, the company’s new computers will be powered by a processor designed entirely by Apple. Early Macintosh computers used Motorola CPUs, then in 1994 Apple switched to PowerPC (co-developed by Apple, IBM and Motorola) before moving to Intel x86 in 2006. And now in 2020 the Apple A-series chipsets are taking over, bringing both hardware and software under the same roof. The official announcement is tomorrow and we will be covering all new products...

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Oppo Reno5 5G appears on TENAA in full, confirms rumored specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/oppo-reno5-tenaa-specs-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg Oppo has certified a smartphone on TENAA last week with the model numbers PEGM00 and PEGT00 and today the full specs sheet, along with photos, appeared in the listing. As we expected, this is the Oppo Reno5 5G smartphone - we assume it is not the Pro since the front panel is flat - both the Reno3 Pro 5G and Reno4 Pro 5G had curved sides of the screen. Oppo PEGM00/PEGT00 (Reno5 5G) We already reported some rumored specs sheet and the TENAA listing confirms them once again - a 6.43” OLED, 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP cameras and a 4,300mAh battery. The latter is expected to support...

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Stable Android 11 arrives for Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro in China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/xiaomi-mi10-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi’s Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro are now officially updated to Android 11 in China. The new firmware update comes with Xiaomi’s MIUI 12.2.2.0 RJBCNXM and sits at 3GB in size. It comes two months after Xiaomi published its first stable Android 11 beta for the Mi 10. For now, the OTA update is limited to users running the Chinese ROM though it is possible to flash it manually. You can head to the Via link below to check out the full procedure. There’s no exact timeframe when we can expect the global rollout. The update also comes with the October 2020 security patch. Via

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SA: Samsung tops Apple in the US market for the first time in three years
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-apple-us-market-share/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg For the first time since Q2 of 2017 Samsung shipped more smartphones than Apple in the US market over a single quarter. The Korean tech company had a 33.7% share in the July-September period, which is an increase of 6.7 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Samsung’s numbers were driven up by strong demand for its mid-range models as well as the premium tier of phones, including the Galaxy Note20 series and the Galaxy Z Fold2 foldable. Apple dropped to second place with a 30.2% share. The team at Strategy Analytics points out that the delayed launch of the iPhone 12...

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Huawei to launch first Harmony OS beta for mobile phones on December 18
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/08/harmony-os-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg Huawei knows the future path to Google Services might be non-existent even with a new US President, so the company is going full ahead with its own Harmony OS. According to Wang Chenglu, the president of the software department at Huawei Consumer Business Group, the open-source platform will be available to developers around December 18 and the first demo units will run the OS by January or February 2021. Official HarmonyOS roadmap Dr. Wang revealed all the employees at Huawei are working towards building a new ecosystem around the Harmony idea and so far everything is going...

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Moto G Stylus 2021 specs leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/moto-g-stylus-2021-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Way back in February, Motorola released its Moto G Stylus in the US (known as Moto G Pro globally) and now Evan Blass is bringing our first set of detail on its successor. The G Stylus 2021 (name still tentative) bears the XT2115 model number and will sport a 6.81-inch FHD+ display compared to the 6.41-inch panel on its predecessor. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 675 chipset which should deliver a performance boost over the SD 665 on last year’s model. RAM and storage will remain at 4GB/128GB. The camera setup will be nearly identical with a 48MP primary shooter alongside an 8MP...

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vivo now has a new launch date for Origin OS - November 18
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/vivo-origin-os-ofic-date-for-real/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Vivo will introduce its fans to a “brand new world,” as the slogan for its new Origin OS says. The company was expected to unveil the interface on November 19, during VDC 2020 (vivo Developers Conference), but now we know it will actually be officially introduced a day earlier - November 18. Origin OS is arriving on November 18 The Origin OS now has its own Weibo page, and the first post unveiled the date when a “Special Event” will take place in Shenzhen, China. The location isn’t surprising - it is the city next to vivo’s home of Dongguan and is part of the local so-called...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 45
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max reigned our trending chart for a long time and in a weird twist it was taken down by a couple of rumored phones part of Xiaomi's Redmi lineup. The Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 9 5G appeared in a couple of major leaks and clearly got a lot of people excited. Combined with the iPhone 12 Pro Max hype dying down a bit it pushed the new Apple flagship down to third place. It will certainly hope to do better next week when its market availability starts. The newly announced Huawei nova 8 SE vaulted to fourth, while the Poco X3 NFC regained some of its old...

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Realme 7i hands-on review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/realme-7i-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Introduction Realme has been churning-out handsets at breakneck pace since its inception with the budget segment its happiest hunting ground. Hot on the heels of the new Narzo 20 trio - 20A, 20 and 20 Pro, Realme also decided to refresh its number series the Realme 7i. As the "i" suffix suggests, the Realme 7i is a slightly toned-down version of the vanilla Realme 7. In this case, the Asian Realme 7 variant is a closer match than the Global Realme 7 due to the shared 64MP Quad-Bayer camera. Realme 7i specs at a glance: Body: 164.1x75.5x8.9mm, 188g; Colors: Aurora Green,...

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ASUS ROG Kunai 3 Gamepad & TwinView Dock 3 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/rog-phone-3-new-accessories-hands-on/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Week 45 in review: Galaxy S21 trio due January 2021, Apple Silicon event official
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Welcome to another week's recap. Let's start with the first Snapdragon 875 benchmark, which shows Qualcomm's next chip beating the 865 and Huawei's Kirin 9000 in Master Lu. The CPU score of the 875 is 13% better than the 865, while the GPU score is about the same. The Snapdragon 875 will become official next month. It will have a 1+3+4 CPU with the prime core being the Cortex-X1 custom core, running at up to 2.84GHz. OnePlus unveiled the Cyberpunk 2077 Edition of its 8T smartphone in China. It goes on sale on November 11, piced at CNY 3,999 (CNY 300 more than the regular 8T). Outside of...

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Weekly poll: who is in for a Moto G9 Power or Moto G 5G and who is out?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/weekly-poll-moto-g9power-g5g/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg After all these years Motorola’s G-series can still draw in a crowd – the company announced two new models this week, one will sell for €200, the other for €300, both are ranking pretty highly in our daily interest statistics. Let’s look at the Moto G9 Power first. Long story short, you’ll be getting a 64MP camera and just enough computing power to do image processing, a large screen and a battery to last a marathon. Doesn’t sound too bad for €200, does it? Okay, that 6.8” screen has only 720p+ resolution, which isn’t great for text or even watching videos (if you have good eyesight,...

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Understanding HDR10 and Dolby Vision
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/hdr-explained/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg One of the most popular buzzwords today in the world of technology is HDR. Everywhere you go, you see televisions, video streaming services, game consoles, and even smartphones advertising that they are HDR compatible. Introduced back in 2015, HDR was meant to go beyond the unimaginative resolution bumps that characterized most of the video improvements at that point and do something more meaningful. Instead of just having more pixels, the goal here was to have better pixels. The focus was on improving the dynamic range by allowing a greater variation in the light output levels while also...

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Weekly poll results: fans give OnePlus Nord N10 5G and N100 the cold shoulder
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/weekly-poll-results-oneplus-n10-n100/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As the popularity of OnePlus rose, so did the prices of its phones. It was interesting to see the company revisit its old stomping ground of the sub-€400 phone as there’s always a need for a great value-for-money phone. Is the original Nord OnePlus’ Poco moment? Maybe, but it’s too early to tell. However, last week’s poll makes it pretty clear that the OnePlus Nord N10 5G sure isn’t it – it’s not a phone that will be talked of with reverence for years after its launch. With a measly 13% positive vote, it may not be talked about much at all. There’s too much competition in the...

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GSMArena

22-11-20, 16:54

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/weekly-poll-realme-7-5g/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme launched its first 5G phones earlier this year, but they were part of the premium X-series. Now the company is ready to bring out mid-rangers with next-gen connectivity. Ready to bring them globally, that is, as there are already a few models available in China. In fact, the new Realme 7 5G, which was announced this week, is nearly identical to the Realme Q2 from October. The Q-series was exclusive to China, of course, so Europeans should think of the new model as a "Realme 7 on steroids". Realme 7 5G in Baltic Blue It has the same 48MP main and 8MP ultrawide cameras,...

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Huawei FreeLace Pro review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/huawei-freelace-pro-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Introduction, unboxing If you're on the market for a good pair of wireless headphones, there's a good chance that Huawei has something for you. Whether it's a pair of truly wireless earbuds or neckband style wireless earbuds, Huawei has a product in every segment. Today we're looking at the Huawei FreeLace Pro - premium neckband wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, an IP55 rating, 24 hours of battery life and promises of impressive sound quality. We received the Green model, which strikes the best balance between casual and eye catching. There's a creamy white model...

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Weekly poll results: the ideal screen size keeps growing
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/weekly-poll-results-screen-size/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in 2016 our poll showed that the ideal screen size for a phone is between 5.0” and 5.3”. A year later the result was the same with 5.2” getting voted to the top. But even back then it was clear that preferences were shifting towards larger displays. Last year we conducted a similar poll, which confirmed that – 6.0” became the most popular size. Last week’s poll shows that the trend has held and the 5.9-6.5” size category received the most votes. Judging by the comments, most people prefer to stick to closer to the 5.9” end than the 6.5” end. The love for small phones has not...

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Realme 7 5G in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/realme-6-5g-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We have the just-unveiled Realme 7 5G at the office and while we're working on its review, let's go over what makes this phone one of the best value propositions for a 5G phone. It costs just €229 at its initial promo price and for that you get a complete package - USB cable, 30W charger and a case. The styling and materials used in the Realme 7 5G are the same as on the rest of Realme's 7 series. The rear has a matte plastic finish with Realme's distinctive reflective styling. It feels nice in the hand and is light and reasonably compact. There are four sensors on the rear...

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MediaTek’s 6nm MT6893 chipset leaks again with close to Snapdragon 865 performance
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/mediatek-mt6893-geekbench5-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We’ve known for a while that MediaTek is working on an interesting new chip, with an architecture similar to that of the Samsung Exynos 1080 and based on TSMC’s 6nm development process. Dubbed the MT6893, the upcoming silicon already managed to raise a few eyebrows with some leaked GeekBench 4 scores, showing it outpace the MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ in single-core performance. As an even more-impressive follow-up now we have some GeekBench 5 runs, suggesting that the MT6893 is not only more-powerful all-around in the CPU department than the Dimensity 1000+, as seen in the Xiaomi Redmi K30...

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5G-equipped Samsung SGH-N378 spotted on GeekBench running Snapdragon 750G
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-sgh-n378-geekbench-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A rather peculiar GeekBench 5 benchmark run was recently spotted online from a device reporting itself as a “Samsung SHG-N375”. The listing itself does not reveal much about the handset, aside from 6GB of RAM and an Android 11 OS. However, it has been brought to our attention by a reputable leakster, associated with some additional hardware info, that mentions an Adreno 619 GPU. Taking this into consideration, along with the GeekBench scores does, most-likely add up to a Snapdragon 750G chipset – one of Qualcomm’s newer budget-friendly 5G offers. Samsung SGH-N378 (5G) Spotted On...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 gets BIS certified in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-galaxy-s21-bis-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy S21 lineup is rumored to go official on January 14 next year, but as expected there's no confirmation from Samsung about that just yet. And while we are unlikely to see Samsung reveal the unveiling date of the S21 series this year, the vanilla S21 has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India, which is another indicator that the Korean tech giant will launch its upcoming Galaxy S flagships earlier than previous models. According to various leaks and rumors, the Galaxy S21 lineup includes three smartphones - Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. And...

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OnePlus rolls out airport Charging Stations with nearby notifications for its users
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/oneplus-charging-stations-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The concept behind the new OnePlus Charging Stations is pretty straight-forward – you find yourself at the airport in need of a quick top-up and your phone simply vibrates to guide you to a conveniently nearby charging station. The feature is initially launching in India and “feature” is actually an accurate way of describing it, since the Charging Stations in question will utilize a wireless beacon to notify nearby OnePlus devices. This requires software support on the user’s device, as well and OnePlus is initially rolling it out to the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 7 and Nord series of...

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Samsung Galaxy A02 to pack 5,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/12/samsung-galaxy-a01-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A02 we've been hearing about since last month has bagged a few certifications, with the latest one coming from Latin America's CPQD. The documents on CPQD's website revealed the Galaxy A02 - bearing model designation SM-A025M/DS - will ship with a battery, model code HQ-50S, which is listed on TUV Rheinland with a typical capacity of 5,000 mAh and a rated capacity of 4,800 mAh. Galaxy A01 The Galaxy A02 is expected to launch in some markets as the Galaxy M02 and was spotted on Geekbench with 3GB RAM and a Qualcomm chipset, which could be the Snapdragon...

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The Sony Xperia Compact line might be making a return with a rumored 5.5-inch model
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/sony-xperia-compact-sd775-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has been keeping a surprisingly low profile lately. Still, information on upcoming smartphone releases started sipping through the cracks this month. Most-notably, with leaks regarding an upcoming Xperia 10 III, powered by the Snapdragon 690 – as an affordable 5G mid-ranger. A new rumor now sees the plot thicken further with talk of a potential new entry to the coveted Compact line of Xperia phones, coming in the first half of 2021. Sony Xperia Compact with 5.5-inch display rumors Just bringing-up the topic of Compact is already a cause for commotion in the Sony realm, seeing...

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Samsung Galaxy A12 inches closer to launch as it bags Bluetooth certification
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-galaxy-a12-case-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung announced the Galaxy A11 back in March and is expected to follow up with the Galaxy A12 soon, which has bagged Bluetooth certification and moves a step closer to the launch. The listing of the Galaxy A12, sporting model code SM-A125F_DSN, doesn't include its specifications, but thanks to Geekbench we know it will come with a Helio P35 SoC, run Android 10 out of the box, and have 3GB RAM onboard. However, there might be other RAM options as well that are not yet known. Galaxy A12 gets Bluetooth certified The Galaxy A12 is rumored to have 32GB and 64GB storage options and a...

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Realme X7 bags BIS certification before imminent India launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/realme-x7-bis-certification/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme’s plans to bring the X7 to India have been known for a few days now, courtesy of none other than CEO Madhav Sheth himself. This will likely be just one of many steps to offer 5G to the masses, at an affordable price point, which started with the local release of the Realme X50 Pro 5G. The company has a tendency to move rather quickly, so it comes as no surprise that the Realme X7, under the RMX2176 moniker, has already been spotted in the Indian BIS certification database. BIS certification listing This, of course, hints at an imminent release for the device in India,...

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OnePlus 8 series gets OxygenOS Open Beta 4 with November patch, optimizations, and bug fixes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/oneplus-8-8-pro-oxygenos-open-beta-4-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has released OxygenOS Open Beta 4 for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro, which bumps up the Android security patch level on both smartphones to November 2020. Additionally, the new beta build brings in some bug fixes and optimizations for system power consumption, call stability, and user experience of apps in split-screen mode. You can check out the complete changelog of Open Beta 4 below for all the details: System Optimize the stability of the call Optimized system power consumption Optimized some UI display with Alarms Optimized the...

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Top-tier Redmi Note 9 variant passes through GeekBench
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/redmi-note-9-pro-spotted-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The latest development on the imminent release of the Redmi Note 9 series in China is regarding the highest-tier device in the lineup. Although the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Note 9 are already launched in India, there are new variants headed to the Chinese market – confusing, ain’t it? Well. The main difference is: the ones headed to China will have support for 5G networks. The new GeekBench listing shows the phone running Android 10 with 8GB of RAM and an octa-score chipset clocked at 1.8 GHz. It scored a 645 in the single-core and 1963 in the multi-core tests in version 5.2.5 of the...

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LG patents a 17-inch laptop with rolling display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/lg-patent-rollable-laptop/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With Oppo’s recent concept phone announcement and TCL’s concept devices in the not so distant past, rollable displays are the next smartphone trend after folding ones. LG’s already got a rollable TV on its high-end Signature lineup starting at $60,000, and the company recently filed for the "Rollable" name, supposedly for an LG-made smartphone with a slide out display. The company might also be dabbling with the idea for a future laptop. LG’s latest patent (via RootMyGalaxy) shows a whole new laptop form factor, one that would involve a 17-inch display that rolls up to stow away. The...

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Samsung launches leather covers for the Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Buds Live
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/galaxy-z-fold2-leather-covers/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Today Samsung has officially launched leather covers for the Galaxy Z Fold2 and the Galaxy Buds Live in its home market of South Korea. Of course, leather covers for phones are nothing new - even so, it's good to see one offered for the Z Fold2, as because of its form factor there haven't yet been as many cases out there for it as there are for other models. You get two colors for the leather, to go with the two hues in which the foldable smartphone is sold. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 leather cover On the other hand, it's not every day that we see a manufacturer release a...

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Deal: Grab a Nokia 8.3 for just £399.99 for Black Friday
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/nokia-black-friday-deals-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's Black Friday season, inescapably. Nokia's thought something up for the UK market, and until December 2 you can purchase a Nokia 8.3 5G bundle for just £399.99. Aside from the phone itself, this includes a free Nokia Grip and Stand as well as a Nokia Clear Case. If the 8.3 isn't up your alley, you can grab the Nokia 5.3 for £139.99, and it also comes with the same free accessories. Alternatively, the Nokia 3.4 is available for £129.99 with a free Nokia Grip and Stand, while the Nokia 2.4 costs just £99.99 and comes with a free case, and the Nokia 1.3 goes for £69.99 with a free...

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Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/apple-iphone-12-pro-max/-347x151/header-thumb7.jpg

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Amazon Black Friday deals let you save on Apple, Samsung, Oppo and others
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/amazon-de-black-friday-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Black Friday 2020 is here and Amazon Germany is offering select Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Realme and Motorola phones with variable discounts. There are deals on refurbished Apple flagships from last year – the 64GB iPhone 11 Pro comes out to €769.99 while the 256GB model is now €814. The 11 Pro Max is up fro grabs at €934.09 with 256GB storage or €973.99 if you want the 512GB model. If you need a capable tablet, the 11-inch iPad Pro (2018) with 256GB storage is down to €724. Samsung is offering its popular Galaxy A51 for €219 in the 4/128GB trim. There’s Oppo’s Reno4 Z 5G for €299 as...

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LG Stylo 7 images show ridged design with four cameras and sylus
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/lg-stylo-7-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in May we saw the debut of LG’s stylus-packing Stylo 6 smartphone and today we’re treated to a set of renders for its successor – the LG Stylo 7. These show an updated design with a 6.8-inch display and a centered punch-hole cutout. The back features an interesting take with ridged cutouts for the four cameras and stylus housing. Dimensions are listed in at 170.6mm x 77mm x 8.6 mm. The bottom houses a headphone jack next to the USB-C port, speaker cutout and stylus housing. There's a side fingerprint reader that doubles as the power button. LG Stylo 7...

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GSMArena

30-11-20, 22:22

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/galaxy-zfold2-preorders-south-korea/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is still pretty far off but info starts to emerge lately. This one, for example, gives some insight into the possible pricing of the handset. The cited source has an excellent leak track record but warns not to take it as a sure thing yet. The report says that the price of the Z Fold3 will be the same as the Z Fold2 while adding quite a few improvements suggesting a Z Fold3 pricing in the $2,000 ballpark. Even though it's too early to tell, we can see why Samsung won't lower the price further. Its main goal, for now, is not to make it more affordable...

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Here are the best Cyber Monday deals on smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and headphones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/cyber-monday-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you didn’t find what you needed on Black Friday you get a second chance during Cyber Monday – another shopping holiday, but this one more focused on tech. We dug around the Internet and hand-picked some of the best deals on smartphones, tablets smartwatches and headphones. The table below will help you navigate quicker, just pick a category and country and the link will take you to the relevant deals. Be sure to double check the product and the price at the store page before going through with the checkout process. A note about international sellers – make sure to check where the...

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ZTE Blade 20 Pro 5G now official with Snapdragon 765G and 64MP quad camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/zte-blade-20-pro-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg As expected, ZTE officially introduced its Blade 20 Pro 5G today. It’s a potent midrange offering powered by the Snapdragon 765G and sporting a dual-glass body of just 7.9mm thickness. ZTE Blade 20 Pro 5G There’s a 6.47-inch curved AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch cutout for the 20MP selfie cam. The Blade 20 Pro 5G also gets an under-display fingerprint scanner. Around the back, we find a rectangular cutout with a 64MP primary shooter alongside an 8MP ultrawide lens and two 2MP modules for macro shots and depth data. The battery capacity is 4,000mAh...

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Poco F2 Pro starts receiving stable Android 11 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/poco-f2-pro-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi promised back in June it will bring Android 11 to the totally independent smartphone company Poco and its flagship F2 Pro. Almost half a year later, the stable global update has finally started hitting devices in Asia and we expect it to roll out to other regions soon. The new Android 11 comes with firmware version MIUI V12.2.1.0.RJKMIXM and involves a 2.8GB download. The update log is rather short - it brings “Stable MIUI based on Android 11” and some camera templates, watermarks, and vlog features. However, the big change is under the hood. The new MIUI brings features like...

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Huawei Mate 40 Pro has arrived in the UAE
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/huawei-mate40-pro-uae/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg The Huawei Mate 40 Pro was introduced in China last month and has been gradually rolling across global markets since. Now the phone will be available in the United Arab Emirates with quite the appealing price tag - AED3,999 or just south of $1,100. The Emirati website is already selling the phone with deliveries scheduled for December 3. The phone is sold with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage through the retailer Axiom. With purchasing the phone Huawei UAE throws in gifts worth AED1,099 (nearly $300). The list of presents includes a 40W SuperCharge Wireless Charging Stand, a six-month premium...

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Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro pass FCC certification
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-galaxy-buds-pro-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just a few days ago we found out Samsung’s next TWS earphones will be called Galaxy Buds Pro thanks to listings on the Indonesian Telecom certification authority, China’s 3C agency and Korea’s NRRA. Now the Galaxy Buds Pro bearing the same SM-R190 model number appeared in the FCC database, revealing we’re inching closet to their release. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro case schematics The upcoming pair of wireless earbuds is expected to build on the Galaxy Buds+ design instead of the more recent bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live. The listing gives confirmation that the new Buds Pro will hold a...

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MediaTek's MT6893 edges out Snapdragon 865 in AnTuTu test
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/mediatek-mt6893-antutu-result/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg MediaTek is working on its first 6nm chipsets and there are at least three different versions, likely future Dimensity models. The middle child, the MT6893, seems to be the one closest to completion and we’ve already seen it trade blows with the Snapdragon 865 in an early Geekbench test. Now the AnTuTu team has spotted the new chip in its database and the compound benchmark shows the Dimensity actually outperform the outgoing flagship chipset by Qualcomm. AnTuTu scores: MediaTek MT6893 (6 nm) • Exynos 1080 (5 nm) • Kirin 9000 (5 nm) It is slightly behind in terms of CPU...

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Xiaomi Mi 11 tipped to launch in January 2021
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/xiaomi-mi-10-pro-plus-commemorative-ofic-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems that most of the manufacturers are planning early releases for their flagship devices next year. Samsung is expected to deliver its Galaxy S21 lineup in January and OnePlus is said to release the OnePlus 9 family in March instead of April. Now we hear a similar report on Xiaomi. Mi 11 (tentatively named) has been sent to the Internet for filing, and it is estimated that it will be announced next month, and the production capacity will start to climb [吃瓜]— Digital Chat Station (@StationChat) November 30, 2020 According to a very reputable Chinese tipster, Xiaomi wants to...

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New OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro renders offer a close look at what's coming in March
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/oneplus-9-pro-new-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier this month we saw the first renders of the upcoming OnePlus 9 Pro. They show that the company has chosen a camera hump design similar to the 8T and Nord N-series rather than a continuation of the 7 Pro and 8 Pro design. There are two prominent camera modules plus two smaller lenses. A wide, ultra wide and tele cameras are a given, but the function of the fourth cam is unknown – we doubt the controversial IR camera will make a return. But no periscope camera either, by the looks of it. OnePlus 9 Pro renders Anyway, LetsGoDigital and Concept Creator worked...

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Samsung brings Red Galaxy Note20 and White Z Flip 5G to the US
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-galaxy-christmas-promo/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note20 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5G smartphones back in August, but now it's spicing them up by adding another color for each of them. Initially launched in South Korea, the Mystic Red Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G and the Mystic White Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G are now headed to the US. Mystic Red Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G • Mystic White Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G Both phones are exclusively available on Samsung US’ website and the price remains unchanged compared to the original colors. The company appears to have plenty of phones in stock - the Note20 in...

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Moto G 5G arrives in India, sales begin December 7
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/moto-g-5g-india-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month Motorola introduced its Moto G 5G as its most affordable 5G phone in Europe and now the phone is making its way to India. The Moto G 5G will retail for INR 20,999 ($284) and official sales start on December 7. HDFC bank card owners get an additional INR 1,000 discount. It comes in the same Frosted Silver and Volcanic Grey colors and is headlined by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G chipset which is a first for the Indian market. The 5G SoC is paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage which is expandable via microSD. You get a 6.7-inch FHD+ IPS LCD upfront with a centered punch-hole...

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vivo V20 Pro price leaks ahead of launch, it is $405
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/vivo-v20-pro-india-leaked-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The vivo V20 Pro is coming to India on December 2 - this Wednesday. Two days ahead of the launch, the phone was listed at multiple retailers in the country, revealing its price in the process. The mid-ranger is going to cost INR29,990 or about $405 for the 8/128 GB memory option. The vivo V20 Pro is the mightiest of the V20 trio, introduced earlier this year. It is pretty much the same as the regular vivo V20 but comes with a dual selfie camera (44MP + 8MP) behind a notch. Another difference is the Snapdragon 765G chipset that has an integrated 5G modem, although the use of this...

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ZTE Blade V2021 5G incoming on December 2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/zte-blade-v2021-5g-jd/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg ZTE might be having trouble on the international scene but the company keeps pushing phones in its domestic market. The latest handset is expected to arrive on December 2 and will be called ZTE Blade V2021 5G. The phone is already listed on JD.com with some key features and specs, but pricing and availability are likely to be announced on Wednesday. ZTE Blade V2021 5G promo images The Blade V2021 5G has a 48MP main camera on the back. It will be joined by an 8MP ultrawide-angle cam and a 2MP depth sensor for portraits, and the trio will be accompanied by a dual-color dual-LED...

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Lypertek Levi review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/lypertek-levi-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lypertek is a small Chinese audio manufacturer that shot to prominence last year with its in-ear TWS earbuds, the Lypertek Tevi. The Tevi received rave reviews from critics for its audio quality despite its budget-friendly $90 price tag and remains one of the most well-regarded product in its price range. The Levi that we are reviewing today is an even more affordable model in the company's lineup that only has three other models, including the Tevi. The Levi is priced at $60 and promises much of the same audio quality that popularized its elder sibling along with several other...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 48
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Unsurprisingly the Poco M3 retained its lead in the week of its official announcement that super aggressively priced mid-ranger seemingly making the holiday shopping shortlist for many. It's joined by the newly announced Redmi Note 9 4G that got many people interested despite being a China exclusive for the time being. The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max completes the podium, sitting a step lower compared to the previous two weeks. The Poco X3 NFC's streak in fourth goes on for another week, while the international Redmi Note 9 Pro rose up to fifth. This pushes the Samsung Galaxy A51 down to...

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Week 48 in review: Poco M3, Redmi Note 9 trio official
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Welcome to another week's recap. The biggest story is the European Parliament's vote in favor of users' right to repair. Starting in January, countries like France will begin labeling smartphones, laptops and other electronics with a repairability score of 1 through to 10. This new label will help buyers find a device they'll be able to easily repair instead of just replace down the line. Also this week Pocophone announced the Poco M3 with a 6,000mAh battery that can go for days and even charge other devices. The Poco M3 is already on sale in the US for $129, and is hitting Europe on...

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Weekly poll: what do you think of the Poco M3?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/weekly-poll-poco-m3/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Poco M3 became available in the US and Europe this Friday – and since this isn’t just any other Friday, the $150/€150 phone was discounted to $130/€130. The price just about fits in the entry-level segment, but the phone’s 1080p+ display, Snapdragon 662 chipset and 48MP camera make it more of a mid-ranger. A great value-for-money mid-ranger with a large 6,000mAh battery. It supports forward and reverse charging at 18W and is enough to last 17 hours of nonstop video playback. The video you will enjoy on a 6.53” IPS LCD with 1080p+ resolution, even though many phones in this price...

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Weekly poll results: Realme 7 5G gets a lukewarm reception, its Black Friday gambit fails
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/weekly-poll-realme-7-5g/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The need for 5G is a contentious topic with many still not being sold on the next-gen network technology – or just plain not having access to it. Which doesn’t bode well for the Realme 7 5G whose defining feature is... well, it says it right in the name. However, the results from last week’s poll show that lack of 5G hype is not the phone’s biggest issue. No, most voters aren’t convinced that this is the best 5G mid-ranger that money can buy, not even with the Black Friday discount it had this week. Some are holding off until reviews of the phone come out – speaking of which, check...

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Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G moniker confirmed ahead of imminent launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/reno-5-pro-5g-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of Oppo smartphones with model designations PDSM00 and PDST00 got TENAA certified recently. These are said to be two versions of the Reno5 Pro 5G, and now we know that they are indeed different variants of the Reno5 Pro 5G as both have been HDR10+ certified, confirming the moniker in the process. The organization's website doesn't include any specs of the Reno5 Pro 5G, but thanks to TENAA, we know it will sport a 6.55" FullHD+ screen and pack a 4,250 mAh battery, likely having 65W charging support. The smartphone will have a total of five cameras onboard - a 32MP selfie...

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Nokia 5.4 to come with a punch hole display, memory and color options detailed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/03/nokia-53-13-offic/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg HMD Global announced the Nokia 5.3 back in March, and now we learn about the Nokia 5.4, which according to Nokiapoweruser will launch sooner than expected. The publication also claims that unlike the 5.3 that packs a waterdrop notch display, the 5.4's screen will come with a punch hole and will measure around 6.4" diagonally. It will also have a better chipset at the helm, but it's unclear which one exactly. Nokia 5.3 The source further claims that Nokia 5.4 will have two memory configurations - 4GB/64GB and 4GB/128GB. It will come in Blue and Purple shades at first, but more...

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GSMArena

07-12-20, 15:42

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/05/poco-f2-pro-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A week after the MIUI 12 based on Android 11 started seeding in Asia, Xiaomi has expanded the much-anticipated update for the Poco F2 Pro to the European units as well.The build number is 12.2.1.0 RJKEUXM and is 2.9GB big. Of course, it carries the Android 11-intrinsic features but also adds some extra ones coming with MIUI 12. The October 2020 security patch is also baked in, which is rather disappointing given that we are well into December already.On semi-related note, the Poco X3 NFC's Android 11 update seems to be just around the corner as per these recently leaked Geekbench...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 , S21+ and S21 Ultra appear in lovely, high quality renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-galaxy-s21-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We're now almost a month away from Samsung's announcement of the Galaxy S21 series and we get our best look yet at the Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21.The renders laid out before you are based on reliable inside information obtained to LetsGoDitigal, along with real photos of the devices, shared with the publication.We'll recap a lot of what we know about the Galaxy S21 series alongside the images. These aren't the first renders we've seen of the Galaxy S21 line, they corroborate what we've heard about the design and features of the Galaxy S21, but they are more...

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Xiaomi Mi 11 and 11 Pro back designs and battery capacities revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/xiaomi-mi-11-renders-batteries/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 11 and 11 Pro are just around the corner as per recent reports, so it's about time we start getting some juicy info about the duo. Good thing, Digital Chat Station unearthed battery certification listing on 3C revealing the capacities and charging tech.The listings feature 2,485 mAh and 2,390 mAh batteries for the Mi11 Pro and Mi 11, respectively. However, those numbers likely refer to just one of the cells because Xiaomi will likely be adding its 55W fast charging support, which requires a battery split in two. So the actual rated capacity of both is 4,780 mAh and...

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Realme Q2 Pro arrives in two more colors - Blue and regular White
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/realme-q2-pro-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme introduced a trio of 5G phones back in October, and now the mightiest of them - the Realme Q2 Pro - is getting two new color options. The phone, initially launched in a Leather Gray and Rainbow gradient, will now also be available with simpler Sea Blue and Fantasy White paint jobs.While the new versions might be different on the outside, on the inside it is the very same Dimensity 800U chipset with 5G support, a 4,300 mAh battery with 65W fast charging, and a 48MP main camera. The Q2 Pro’s front panel is a 6.4” AMOLED with a 180Hz touch sampling rate.The two new color...

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vivo Y52s quietly announced in China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/vivo-y52s-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week brought us our first look of the vivo Y52s and now the device has been unveiled in China. Powered by the Dimensity 720 with 6/8GB RAM, the Y52s is the latest 5G midranger from vivo. It also brings a dual-cam setup around the back, a 5,000 mAh battery and 18W charging.There’s a 6.58-inch LCD upfront with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The 8MP selfie cam is housed inside the waterdrop notch up top. Around the back we find a 48MP primary shooter backed by a 2MP depth helper.vivo Y52s in grey, white and gradientYou also get a fingerprint scanner located on...

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Nokia 5.4 specs leak: Snapdragon 662 chipset, 4,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/nokia-5-4-leaked-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Nokia 5.4 is on its way, as the phone has already been certified by FCC. While the existence of the phone is yet to be officially confirmed by HMD Global, we now get the full specs sheet of the device.Apparently, the new Nokia phone will be a pretty affordable midranger with some borderline entry-level specs like the display and the chipset.This Nokia 5.3 is getting a successorNokia 5.4 is expected to run on the Snapdragon 662 chipset, and we already know it will have 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage; the leaked specs sheet also shows a microSD slot for up to 256GB more...

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Another Oppo Reno5 incoming, 4G-only with Snapdragon 720G
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/oppo-reno5-4g-leaked-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo is going to unveil its Reno5 lineup later this week and we expected three devices - a vanilla Oppo Reno5 5G, a mightier Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G, and a flagship-tier Oppo Reno5 Pro+ 5G. However, the family might be even larger, as one leakster on Twitter revealed there is an Oppo Reno5 4G incoming with four cameras and SuperVOOC charging.#OPPO #Reno5 4GSnapdragon 720GCamera 64+8+2+2, 44Battery: 4.310mAh 50WDisplay: AMOLED 6.43inch 90Hz FullHD+Build: Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back— TheLeaks (@TheLeaks3) December 6, 2020 The LTE-only Reno5 will bring a 6.43” AMOLED panel with...

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Realme Watch S review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/realme-watch-s-review/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg In addition to growing its presence in the smartphone world, Realme has been expanding its efforts in the smart wearables realm. The company recently released its second smartwatch offering with the Realme Watch S which aims to bring a much more refined experience than the Realme Watch released back in May.The Watch S brings a more traditional round form factor paired with a nearly identical feature set to its predecessor. This raises the question did Realme simply repackage their first-gen watch into a round form factor? Yes, but it also added a notably better feeling aluminum frame...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 49
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Poco M3 held on to the first spot as we entered December, with its stablemate Redmi Note Pro 5G joining it on the front row. The iPhone 12 Pro Max completes the podium just as it did last week.The ancient in technology terms Galaxy A51 moved two spots up to fourth as the Redmi Note 9 Pro retained fifth. The Poco X3 NFC slid down to sixth, while the Mi 10T Pro got seventh and made it five Xiaomi-made phones in the top 10.A couple of Samsung phones follow with the Galaxy A21s ahead of the Galaxy A71, while the newly announced Infinix Zero 8i completes the top 10.This leaves no...

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Poco M3 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/poco-m3-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Say hello to the Poco M3 - a phone that will most likely be a huge seller this holiday season.Starting at just $129 or €149 for the 4/64GB version, the Poco M3 is very affordable, but that doesn't mean that it's underspecced. For starters, it comes in an extremely well-equipped box - you get a case, a plastic screen protector, a 20W charger, USB cable, SIM tool and three Poco-branded bracelets - two rubber ones and a braided one.On the front the Poco M3 has a 6.53-inch 1080p IPS LCD. It's bright and colorful and has thin bezels and good viewing angles. It punches well above its...

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Week 49 in review: All about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Welcome to your weekly recap and this one is all about the newly-announced Snapdragon 888 chipset. The first to feature the potent new Cortex-X1 core, running at up to 2.84GHz and promising a 25% performance boost over the Snapdragon 865, while being 25% more efficient. In terms of graphics, the Adreno 660 GPU will be 35% faster than the Adreno 650, while being 20% more efficient.After Qualcomm's announcement it seemed like every phone maker wanted to claim to have they are making phones with the Snapdragon 888. We also brought you an exclusive first look of the Realme Race, which runs...

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Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 GPS review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/mobvoi-ticwatch-pro-3-gps-review/-184x111/banner6.jpg IntroductionWith the TicWatch Pro LTE last year, Mobvoi has certainly got my attention with its power-efficient layered dual-displays and arguably one of the smoothest Wear OS experiences of 2019. One year later and Mobvoi is back with the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS. The name "GPS" is there to differentiate the LTE variant that just landed in Europe.Mobvoi (formerly named TicWatch) is proud of its achievements with this new wearable. Although it does not offer the TicWatch Pro 3 in any other colors or sizes at the time of this writing, the watch does have much to offer to its main...

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Best smartphones of 2020: Preliminary round
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/weekly-poll-best-phones-of-2020-pt1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg 2020 is almost over (finally!) and major phone launches for the year are behind us. So, it’s time to reflect on everything that happened in the smartphone world this year and pick the best phones that launched over the last 12 months.We’ve divided phones into seven categories and we’re looking for the Top 5 phones in five of them to proceed to a final round of voting, while the other two categories will directly produce the ultimate champions of their segment.We start with the flagships – the best of the best, money is no object phones. These live on the bleeding edge of screen,...

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Realme Buds Air Pro review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/realme-buds-air-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg IntroductionThe holiday season is upon us and it's the perfect time to buy a quality pair of truly wireless earbuds, whether for a friend or your best friend (you).If price is important to you, but quality is non-negotiable, then have a look at the Realme Buds Air Pro, which star in this review.Realme Buds Air Pro in Black and WhiteNot only do they offer up to 25 hours of playback and great sound from a small form factor, but they add premium features like IPX4 splash resistance and active noise cancelling for INR 4,999/€90.Build quality and fitThe Realme Buds...

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Weekly poll results: the Poco M3 needs positive reviews to become successful
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/weekly-poll-results-poco-m3/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If last week’s poll shows anything, it is that it’s better to launch a phone before the shopping holiday, not on. The Poco M3 got a bit over 50% positive vote, which is a strong showing for an affordable phone, though most of those who are interested held off on buying one on Black Friday last week.About 45% of voters want to see reviews before they make a decision. The M3 looks good for the price, but there were questions about the Snapdragon 662 – is it still fast enough? Especially since this phone has a 1080p display (and people did appreciate the higher resolution). The large battery...

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Samsung Galaxy M51 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-galaxy-m51-just-in/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg If you had to use one word to describe the Samsung Galaxy M51 it's probably going to be the word huge. The budget handset with 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display and enormous battery is in our office and we are about to see how good it is.This is one of the few mid-range phones in Samsung's portfolio that's powered by a Qualcomm SoC. The Snapdragon 730G sits behind the wheel paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The best part is that the storage in both cases is 128GB, which is also expandable.Arguably the most notable feature is the humongous 7,000 mAh battery supporting...

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Chinese court finds Gionee guilty of planting malware on more than 20 million units
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/gionee-trojan-horse/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Chinese court has published a verdict on a case involving the Chinese smartphone maker Gionee. It seems that Gionee planted a Trojan Horse on more than 20 million devices to get money from unsolicited ads and other malicious activities without the user's knowledge.The Shenzhen Zhipu Technology Co. Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Gionee, has implanted a Trojan Horse through a software update using the so-called "Story Lock Screen" app. The first devices infected with the "Dark Horse Program" were in December 2018. The job was carried out until October 2019 and for that period, the...

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vivo X60 series gets 3C certified with 33W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/vivo-x60-pro-new-leaked-img/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg vivo is expected to unveil its X60 series soon, which is said to include X60, X60 Pro, X60 Pro+ and X60s. We already know the last one will come with Snapdragon 765G SoC and 33W charging. Now the lineup has bagged 3C certification, revealing 33W charging support in the process.The listing includes three smartphones with model designations V2059A, V2047A, and V2046A. We don't know which one's associated with which smartphone, but neither of them is the X60 Pro+, since it will charge at a faster rate. The X50 Pro+ came with 44W charging, so we expect the X60 Pro+ to charge at the same...

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Samsung's 600MP sensor confirmed to be in the pipeline
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-600mp-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a tipster, who seems to have really good internal connections over at Samsung, has confirmed that the company is indeed working on a 600MP sensor. And to prove it, he has shared what seems to be a slide from an internal document or presentation. In short, we have a very good reason to believe the report.To our surprise, the slide reveals quite a bit of information - from some key specs to the motivation behind the project. It says that due to the 4K and 8K video recording becoming more mainstream, Samsung wants to solve that with a bigger sensor, which allows for zoomed...

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A new Nokia phone surfaces on TENAA's website
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/new-nokia-phone-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After the FCC's listing of two upcoming Nokia smartphones from yesterday, we now have a TENAA listing with an unnamed Nokia device. The model number is TA-1335, which is suspiciously close to the TA-1333 model number of the FCC handset. However, early findings suggest that the two phones have little in common.While the TA-1333 has some similarities with the Nokia 3.4, the TA-1335 from TENAA is clearly closer to the Nokia C3. It's a budget device, reportedly aimed at the CNY 1,000-2,000 market segment. But closer to the lower end of the bracket.The filing reveals a handset with a...

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GSMArena

13-12-20, 09:33

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/weekly-poll-results-best-gaming-trailblazer-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week we had a round of voting to determine the Best Phones of 2020 in seven different categories. While five categories continue to a final this week, two categories have their outright winners.The Asus ROG Phone 3 ZS661KS knocked out its competition – with three quarters of votes it is our Best Gaming phone of 2020.Asus has built a strong brand of gaming hardware that spans PC components, laptops and (for three years running) an Android smartphone. The Lenovo Legion Duel is also backed by a PC gaming brand, though it only managed third place. It was behind the Black Shark 3...

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Oppo Reno4 Z 5G in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/oppo-reno4-z-5g-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Say hello to the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G, known in some markets as the Oppo A92s.It comes in a stacked retail box with an 18W charger, USB cable, proper 3.5mm earbuds and a complimentary case - not bad for just under €300.On the rear the Reno4 Z 5G has four cameras - a 48MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide unit and a pair of 2MP sensors for macro and depth. The front holds a 16MP main selfie camera and 2MP depth sensor to help with portraits. Video from the rear main camera maxes out at 4K while selfie video goes up to 1080p.The display on the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G has good brightness and...

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Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag Bluetooth tracker details surface
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/galaxy-smart-tag-details-certification/-184x111/gsmarena_200.jpg We’ve known for a while now that not unlike Apple and its AirTag, Samsung has been working on a smart object tracker, dubbed the Galaxy Start Tag. Information on the EI-T5300, as its official model goes, has been trickling-in over the past few weeks, but mostly in a fragmented manner and getting naturally buried by more-interesting news, like Galaxy S21 leaks.We did some digging around and managed to piece together a much more complete picture from various sources. The South Korean certification authority actually has a whole schematic of the EI-T5300, among other things. The...

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Meizu Watch tipped to pack a 420 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/16/08/meizu-mix-smartwatch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Meizu teased a new smartwatch back in June, but we haven't heard much about it from the company since. Now we learn the smartwatch will pack a battery with a rated capacity of 420 mAh.This information comes from a reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, who also said that the company is working on a pair of TWS earphones with active noise cancellation.魅族watch真的快了，嘉德在做电池，额定容量420mah。然后那个神似a pp的anc tws也快了[吃瓜]— Digital Chat Station (@StationChat) December 12, 2020 The source doesn't divulge anything else about the smartwatch or the TWS earphones, but a teaser shared by Meizu...

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Infinix Hot 10 Play visits FCC – an even cheaper variant with dual rear cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/infinix-hot-10-play-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Infinix has a couple of current devices under its “Hot” family line – the vanilla Hot 10 and the Hot 10 Lite. Like its name suggests, the latter downgrades specs a bit, through things like a smaller 6.6-inch display, slightly smaller battery, less memory and one fewer main camera module. Following in the same trend, an Infinix Hot 10 Play has surfaced on the FCC website – an even cheaper device, with an AI Dual Rear camera setup.The FCC filing is for an Infinix X688C – an official model number that has been cross-referenced with other documentation and matched-up wit the Hot 10...

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ZTE Axon 20 5G in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/zte-axon-20-5g-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Every once in a while we get a device that tries to push the boundaries of smartphone design. Hardy the brand that comes to mind when you think of revolutionary tech, ZTE ushered its Axon 20 5G on to the scene back in September as the first commercially-available device with an under-display camera and now we finally have a unit in our hands.We haven’t touched a ZTE device in a long while but the Axon 20 feels and looks like your run of the mill glass slab sandwich held together by an aluminum frame. Then you take a look at the display and there are no obstructions, no moving pop-up...

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Realme teases Watch S Pro with AMOLED touchscreen, CEO shows its prototypes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/realme-watch-s-pro-amoled-screen/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Realme introduced the Watch S last month, and it will follow it up with a Pro variant soon. The company recently shared a live photo of the Watch S Pro to build the hype, and in a new video posted on Twitter, it teased the Watch S Pro with an AMOLED touchscreen.The video stars Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor who flaunts the Watch S Pro, which also has a heart rate sensor onboard.Looks like @ShraddhaKapoor, Chief Lifestyle Officer, Brand Ambassador for #realme AIoT products is excited for #TheStylishNewPro.Are you ready to #MeetTheProTrendsetters? pic.twitter.com/hWCNzRtNiz— realme...

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Oppo A15s banner reveals key specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/oppo-a15s-banner-leaked/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A couple of months have now passed since Oppo unveiled its A15 budget handset. Enough time for the Chinese giant to already be nearly ready with a sibling for it in the A15s.The latter device model has been spotted on Malaysia’s SIRIM certification website, as well as Singapore’s IMDA and Europe’s EEC sites, hinting at an imminent global release. Now a leaked banner for the upcoming phone offers a glimpse at its overall design, as well as some of the key specs.Oppo A15s bannerIt hardly comes as a surprise that the A15s appears to be outwardly identical to its vanilla A15...

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OnePlus 9 5G hands-on photos and hardware details leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/oneplus-9-5g-hands-on-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are on their way and potentially expected a bit earlier than usual in mid-March. That much we already know, alongside some pretty credible chatter of a third OnePlus 9E model to complete the lineup. Thanks to an abundance of renders of varying believability, we also have a pretty-good idea as to what the upcoming phones will look like. Today, however, brings the biggest and most tangible leak for the OnePlus 9 5G to date. It seems a prototype unit is out in the wild and has been involved in an up-close and personal hands-on photo session.OnePlus 9 5G from...

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Xiaomi Mi 11 spotted in the wild
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/xiaomi-mi11-spotted-live-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi’s next mainstream flagship line, likely represented by a vanilla Mi 11 and a Mi 11 Pro is inching closer and closer to release. That much we are pretty certain of, seeing how it has popped-up in the rumor mill on quite a few occasions already.After getting a fairly good look at the clean and uninterrupted front panel of the Mi 11, we are now treated to a few real-life shots of the phone from the back side.Xiaomi Mi 11 in the wildCross-referencing the unit’s main camera island arrangement with an earlier case leak for the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro clearly hints that...

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AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G gets Android 11-based One UI 3.0 stable update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/samsung-galaxy-note-20-ultra-oct-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G locked to AT&T's network is receiving the stable build of Android 11-based One UI 3.0.The firmware carries version number N986USQU1CTL2 and requires a download of around 2.5GB. A complete changelog of the update is currently unavailable, but you can expect it to bring redesigned UI and new features to your Note20 Ultra 5G.Android 11-based One UI 3.0 stable update for Note20 Ultra 5GThe One UI 3.0 update for AT&T's Note20 Ultra 5G is rolling out over the air and should reach all the units soon. But if you can't wait for it, you can try...

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Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G appears in a hands-on video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-galaxy-s21-plus-hands-on-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Leaked renders and official videos of the upcoming Galaxy S21 series smartphones have already revealed their design, and now we are looking at a working Galaxy S21+ 5G that has appeared in a hands-on video posted by YouTuber Random Stuff 2.The video shows off the smartphone's slim bezels and the YouTuber says that the S21+ 5G "is really good" and he's impressed, but the cameras capture pictures with saturated colors. That's hardly a surprise since the phone appears to be a pre-production unit and is likely not running the final firmware.The YouTuber further says that the battery...

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New teaser on Flipkart marks the return of Vaio laptops
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/vaio-laptops-coming-to-flipkart/-184x111/gsmarena_00000.jpg A new teaser on Indian online retailer Flipkart signifies the return of a once prominent brand of laptops. Back in 2014, Sony sold its Vaio laptop business. From what I can personally remember, Sony-made Vaio laptops had excessive amounts of bloatware and were priced much higher than the competition.Following the brand’s years-long hiatus, a Flipkart teaser simply reads “Lighter than your past”. Teasing the brand’s return to retail. The teaser is a play on laptops from the era that Vaio ceased making laptops. Windows notebooks were large and ran hot while ultra-portables of the...

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Disney + to raise its subscription fees, announces “Star” international streaming service
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/disney-plus-announcing-price-hikes/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Disney announced it’s plans for future content of its own streaming service. The company is going to release 20 new Marvel and Star Wars series “over the next few years”, along with 15 new movies and original Pixar/live-action Disney series in the same amount of time.All this new content on the way calls for a price bump for the streaming service. Disney originally launched its streaming service for $6.99 in the US, with a price that appealed nicely among more expensive streaming services. In March of 2021, Disney +’s subscription fee will increase by $1 to $7.99, marking the service’s...

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Samsung Galaxy M51 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/20/samsung-galaxy-m51/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg

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New 12.9-inch Huawei MatePad coming with 120Hz OLED screen and PadOS
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/new-huawei-matepad-coming-with-pad-os/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As the Android tablet market share continues to lose the iPad’s success, Huawei believes there’s still room for a new competitor. According to a new report, Huawei has a new tablet on the way, meant to compete with the Apple iPad Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+.Huawei Mate 40 ProThe leakster claims that a new Huawei MatePad would arrive with a 12.9-inch OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate. The tablet’s build is described as having very thin bezels and no punch-hole camera – which leads us to wonder if it will be of the under-display kind.In addition, the new tablet would run...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 storage and colors leak, stylus for Ultra model confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-galaxy-s21-storage-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg The latest leak surrounding the Galaxy S21 lineup has to do with the storage and color options coming to each of the three new models. The folks over at WinFuture.de are reporting that some German retailers are already receiving details about the upcoming flagship Galaxy S-phones including their storage capacities and color options.The smallest of the bunch – the S21 comes in 128GB and 256GB trims both of which will sport gray, white, pink and purple paint jobs.The S21+ also comes in 128/256GB storage options and will be available in just three colors – silver, black and...

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Samsung launches Game Driver - GPU-enhancing app for Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note20
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-game-driver-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg Updatable GPU drivers are a common thing in the PC world and lately the mobile users have been getting in on the fun. Qualcomm has been doing it for a year and now Samsung introduced a software solution - an Android app called Game Driver that “enables the best gaming experience”.Samsung Game DriverThe application is only for Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note20 flagships. It should improve the performance of some games including Call of Duty: Mobile and Fortnite.The GPU optimization was done after a collaboration with Google “and the major GPU vendors like ARM and Qualcomm”,...

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Realme Buds Q2 to retain design, have similar battery capacity
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/realme-buds-q2-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme brought the Buds Q wireless earphones as a more elegant solution and an alternative to the Buds Air series. The first Realme Buds Q arrived with a 40 mAh battery in each bud, and now the successor Buds Q2 was certified by FCC, revealing the buds will inherit the capacity and the overall design.Realme Buds Q2 on FCCThe FCC listing has the marketing name, as well as the model number RMA2008, but interestingly enough, it doesn’t have any info about the capacity of the case. The initial Buds Q brought 400 mAh total capacity, and hopefully, the Buds Q2 will bring some...

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Cydia files antitrust lawsuit against Apple over App Store monopoly
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/cydia-v-apple-lawsuit/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg In an interesting development, Cydia founder Jay Freeman (aka Saurik) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and its App Store monopoly in distributing software on iOS. The aim is to ultimately grant users and developers alternatives to the App Store for software distribution and payments.This lawsuit seeks to open the markets for iOS app distribution and iOS app payment processing to those who wish to compete fairly with Apple and to recover the enormous damages Apple caused.Cydia was launched in 2007 (a year prior to the App Store) and served as the default software...

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GSMArena

18-12-20, 13:58

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/cyberpunk-ps4-refund/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony Interactive Entertainment today announced that it will be removing CD Project Red's Cyberpunk 2077 from its online PlayStation Store. It also announced that it will be offering full refunds to those who already purchased the game. SIE strives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, and we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased Cyberpunk 2077 via PlayStation Store and want a refund. Please visit the following link to initiate the refund: https://t.co/DEZlC0LmUG.— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) December 18, 2020 The company has set up a...

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vivo X60 and vivo X60 Pro official renders unveiled by the company
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/vivo-x60-ofic-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The vivo X60 series is scheduled to arrive on December 29 and the phones are expected to run on Samsung’s first 5nm chipset - Exynos 1080. The company gave us an image of the phones when it revealed it worked with Zeiss on the camera, but now we have the official renders with all the available colors, courtesy of vivo’s online store in China. The vivo X60 comes with a triple-cam setup, no periscope lens, and a single punch hole on the front. Colors are White, Black, and a Blue-ish gradient. vivo X60 The vivo X60 Pro will skip on the Pearl White color option, but it will...

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Samsung Galaxy A32 5G spotted on Geekbench with Dimensity 720
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-galaxy-a32-5g-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung is it continuing its push to deliver more and more affordable 5G and the Galaxy A32 5G will likely be the Korean maker’s best effort yet. We’ve already seen the A32 5G in detailed renders as well as an FCC listing and now we have a Geekbench test run which revealed the phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 720 chipset. Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Geekbench scorecard The A32 5G appeared with the same SM-A326B model number as seen before. It managed 477 points in the single-core department and 1,598 multi-core points thanks to the Dimensity 720 5G chipset and 4GB RAM. We can...

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Amazfit GTS 2 launching in India on December 21 for INR12,999
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/amazfit-gts-2-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Amazfit launched the GTR 2 in India yesterday, which comes in Sport and Classic Editions priced at INR12,999 ($175/€145) and INR13,499 ($185/€150), respectively. Today, the company announced it will bring the GTS 2 to the country on December 21 with a price tag of INR12,999 ($175/€145), and it will be sold through Amazon.in and Amazfit's local site with three color options - Desert Gold, Urban Grey, and Midnight Black. The GTS 2 sports a 1.65" always-on AMOLED display with support for customizable watch faces. It comes with over 90 sports modes and can track your sleep, monitor your heart...

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Samsung Galaxy M12 gets FCC certified with a 6,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/galaxy-m12-cad-renders/inline/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Samsung Galaxy M12 was expected to arrive with a 7,000 mAh battery, but it turns out that won't be the case as the M12 bearing model designation SM-M127F/DS has been certified by FCC with a 6,000 mAh battery. The documents on the regulator's website don't explicitly mention the battery capacity, but they do tell that M12 will pack a battery with model code EB-BM207ABY, which is a known 6,000 mAh cell. FCC doesn't detail all the specs of the Galaxy M12, but thanks to Geekbench, we know it will have an Exynos 850 SoC and boot Android 11. The unit that ran the benchmark test had...

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Samsung opens Galaxy S21 pre-orders in China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/s21-family-teasers/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung has opened the pre-order/registration process in China for the Galaxy S21 series. On its official website, the company revealed people can pay upfront CNY100 (about $15) which will be deducted later from the final price. "Open your eyes for the future" - Machine-translated and adapted slogan translation from Chinese The Samsung China website does not call the Galaxy S21 by name - it used the code phrase “first flagship for 2021”, while the landing page is called “Samsung’s first 5G flagship of 2021”, revealing that China will get the 5G variants of the phone (which is hardly a...

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Oppo A53 5G gets official with Dimensity 720 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/oppo-a53-5g/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo unveiled the A53 5G in China today, and while the name implies that this is just an A53 with 5G support, if the Reno series has taught us anything, is that things are never that simple. The Oppo A53 5G is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 720 chipset, which brings that sweet 5G support, but also provides a general performance boost compared to the measly Snapdragon 460 inside both the A53 and the A53s. The 5G model comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of non-expandable storage. Its screen is a 6.5" 1080x2400 LCD, higher-res than the panels in the non-5G A53/A53s. It has 90 Hz...

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Lenovo K12's global version will be a rebranded Moto E7
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/lenovo-k12-global/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Lenovo's K12 got official for China alongside the K12 Pro earlier this month, and you may have been wondering whether either of them would get any availability in other markets. It turns out that the answer is yes for the K12, but with a twist. While the Chinese K12 is a rebranded Moto E7 Plus, the global version K12 will be a rebranded Moto E7. The renders of it seen below were leaked today. Lenovo can play around with branding all it wants since it also owns Motorola, but this is just confusing. Then again, we're assuming that it won't offer both identical models in the same market, so...

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Oppo Reno4 5G receives ColorOS 11 stable update with Android 11
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/oppo-reno-4-5g-color-os-11-stable/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Oppo announced its ColorOS 11 Android UI overlay back in September and now the maker is bringing a stable build to its Reno4 5G in Australia. The new firmware comes with the CPH2091_11_C.01 build number. ColorOS 11 comes with a flatter and streamlined look, improved dark mode customizations, new quick settings design. Check out more details in our coverage from its launch. The update for Reno4 5G users is expected to come to more regions soon. Owners of the Reno4 Pro 5G should also expect a wider rollout of ColorOS 11 soon. Source | Via

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Google Stadia goes live on iOS via web app
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/google-stadia-ios-web-app-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nearly a month after announcing its iOS web app and a year since the service was launched, Google Stadia is now up and running on iPhones and iPads. For now, the platform is only supported on Apple’s Safari web browser and you’ll have to be on the latest iOS 14.3/iPadOS 14.3 build on your device to get access. Accessing your games catalog and all gameplay happens directly in the browser once you sign in to your account. Google also recommends you add a web shortcut on your home screen for the best experience. You’ll be able to play all games via touch controls directly on your device....

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Asus ROG Phone II updates adds support for 90 fps PUBG, Kunai 3 controller and more
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/asus-rog-phone2-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Asus ROG Phone II was one of the best gaming phones to come out of 2019 and updates like this one only make it better. Asus started rolling out a new firmware version (17.0240.2012.65) today and it includes game enhancements, wider VoLTE support and a few important bug fixes for the work-from home crowd. First up, gaming. The update enables 90 fps mode on PUBG Mobile, something that has been available on the ROG Phone 3 for a few months now. Another thing that the second-gen ROG phone borrows from the new model is support for the Kunai 3 Gamepad controller (check out our in-depth...

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Official Samsung Galaxy S21 images leak, showing off the four color combinations
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/galaxy-s21-colors-official-pics/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week we saw unofficial renders showing off the four color options of the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+. Those weren’t 100% accurate, though, the official images uncovered by WinFuture do a much better job of showing the hues of the back panel and the metal frame (which melds into the camera bump). Samsung Galaxy S21 (leaked official images) The leaked official videos caused some excitement with the two-tone color scheme. That is most noticeable on the Violet version. The White one is more subdued with white back and silver frame. The Pink and Dark Grey colorways use...

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Samsung Galaxy A50 and A90 receive One UI 2.5
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/galaxy-a50-a90-oneui-2-5/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While most recent Samsung devices are waiting for One UI 3.0 based on Android 11, there are some older handsets from last year that still haven't received One UI 2.5. The Galaxy A50 and Galaxy A90 5G can now be checked off that list. The firmware version of the Galaxy A50 is A505FDDU5BTL1 while the Galaxy A90 gets A908NKSU3CTL3A. Both firmwares contain the latest December security patch from Google. In terms of features, the Galaxy A90 receives special treatment by getting Samsung Wireless DeX support. Expectedly, the A50 skips on the DeX support. Keep in mind that it's probably a...

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vivo and ZEISS partner up to jointly develop imaging tech for smartphones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/vivo-zeiss-imaging-lab/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo is set to announce the X60 series on December 29 when it was also supposed to unveil the details of its new deal with lens-maker ZEISS, but why wait – today the two companies made their collaboration official and it goes beyond a single launch. The two will establish the vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab, a joint R&D program focused on developing innovative solutions for mobile imaging technology. The program will oversee the joint development and co-engineering of optical components for future vivo flagships. Spark Ni, Senior Vice President & CMO of vivo (left) and Joerg Schmitz, Head of...

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Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro schematic reveals screen size
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/xiaomi-mi10-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Xiaomi Mi 11 family is on its way and you can tell by the frequency of the leaks not just by the recent rumor about December 29 being the launch date. Today we have one more piece of the puzzle - the Mi 11 Pro's display size. In an alleged leaked schematic of the phone, a diagonal of 171.77mm (not accounting for the bezels) has been measured, which in inches is about 6.76". That's 0.09" bigger than the Mi 10 Pro 5G's display. As per previous reports, the display will offer QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Mi 11 Pro schematic Sadly beyond that the drawing doesn't give...

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Samsung Galaxy A72 camera setup detailed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/galaxy-a72-5g-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Freshly leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy A72 5G revealed the smartphone will feature a quad camera on the back. While the setup wasn't initially detailed, a report by Dutch blog GalaxyClub claims the Galaxy A72 will sport a 64MP camera on the rear joined by a 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro and 5MP depth sensor units. The 4G variant of the A72 will sport model code SM-A725F, while the 5G version will have model designation SM-A726B. The source says both will probably come to Europe, with the 4G version expected to be priced between €450-500 and the 5G variant between €550-600. Leaked...

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Snapdragon 888 phones will be eligible for up to 3 Android OS updates
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/google-qualcomm-sd-888-android-4-os-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google’s Project Treble has been around since 2017 with the aim of speeding up Android updates by modularizing the core Android OS framework from the OEM skin customization. Now, Google and Qualcomm are teaming up to help Snapdragon-powered phones get support for up to 4 Android OS versions (launch release + 3 OS updates) and 4 years of security updates. Project Treble infographic Starting with the new Snapdragon 888 platform, Project Treble will bring the added OS and security update support which is a monumental shift in software update policies. Back in August Samsung,...

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Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power goes official as a rebranded Redmi Note 9 4G with an additional camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/redmi-9-power-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi today introduced a new smartphone called Redmi 9 Power, but it's not an entirely new smartphone. It's a Redmi Note 9 4G launched in China last month with an additional 2MP macro camera. This means the Redmi 9 Power has a Snapdragon 662 SoC and runs Android 10 with MIUI 12 on top. The smartphone comes with 4GB RAM on board and has two storage options - 64GB (UFS 2.1) and 128GB (UFS 2.2). But it also comes with a dedicated slot for a microSD card, allowing storage expansion by up to 512GB. The Redmi 9 Power is built around a 6.53" FullHD+ LCD that has a notch for the 8MP selfie...

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New Motorola with 5,000 mAh battery passes by FCC
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/motorola-capri-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is preparing to launch a new smartphone, but not before the device is certified that it is safe to use by consumers. A phone with model number XT2127-1/XT2127-2 appeared on FCC, complementing its TUV Rheinland and UL (Demko) listings from earlier this month. So far we know it will have a 5,000 mAh battery with 19W fast charging and will be 4G-only. Motorola XT2127-1 on FCC The phone, said to be internally called Motorola Capri, will come with pretty basic specs - an HD+ screen with a waterdrop notch and Snapdragon 460 chipset. The RAM and storage will be 4/64 GB, and...

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Realme C20 bags NBTC certification
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/realme-c20-nbtc-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme launched a bunch of smartphones under its C series this year, and now it is preparing to add a new member to the lineup dubbed Realme C20, which has been certified by Thailand's telecom regulator NBTC. The C20 carries model designation RMX3061 and while NBTC doesn't reveal any of its specs, documents shared by FCC confirm the C20 will pack a 5,000 mAh battery and boot Android 10 with Realme UI on top. Realme C20 NBTC certified Moreover, FCC has also shared an image of the C20, which reveals the smartphone will have three cameras on the back housed inside a squircle-shaped...

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GSMArena

11-01-21, 12:56

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/hp-at-ces-21/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HP announced a number of devices at CES 2021, all geared toward the people that need to work from home during the current pandemic. Starting off with the two new additions to HP's Dragonfly convertible lineup. The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 and Elite Dragonfly Max are both lightweight, can convert into a tablet and offer 13.3-inch screens, Intel 11th Gen processors, optional 5G and 4G LTE support and Tile tracking technology built in. The HP Elite Dragonfly Max has a 1080p display (the non-Max is configurable up to 4K), a 5MP webcam with IR sensor, four wide-array microphones and the...

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Motorola Edge S teased to launch soon with Snapdragon 800 series chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/motorola-edge-s-teased/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Last year Motorola finally made a return to the flagship game with its Moto Edge+ and we now have confirmation that a new flagship powered by a Snapdragon 800 series chipset is on the way. Chen Jin who serves as the General Manager of Lenovo China’s Mobile phone business teased the upcoming Edge S via his Weibo account, confirming the flagship is coming soon and will be powered by a Snapdragon 8XX chipset which could be the Snapdragon 888 though it is still possible to be last year's 865 instead. Weibo teaser We haven’t heard much so far on this device though it's possible this is...

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Black Shark 4 confirmed, will have 120W fast-charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/black-shark-4-real/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Black Shark will launch its next gaming phone soon, the brand CEO confirmed on his Weibo profile. It will be called Black Shark 4 and will have 120W fast charging out of the box. The executive also revealed the battery capacity will be 4,500 mAh and it will go from flat to full in under 15 minutes. The official Black Shark 4 poster That would be some improvement over the first Xiaomi phone to use 120W charging. During our test the Mi 10 Ultra got to a full charge in 26 minutes, which is still very impressive, even if falling short from the promised 23 minutes. Perhaps the improved...

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OnePlus Band is official with color display, 14 days battery life
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/oneplus-band-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is the latest company joining the world of wearables with the OnePlus Band - an affordable smart band with heart rate and SpO2 sensors, color display, long battery life, and plenty of sports modes. The OnePlus Band comes with a 1.1” AMOLED display with touch controls - there are no physical buttons on the device. The resolution of the screen is 126x294 pixels and you get dozens of customization options. There are 37 different watch faces (with five being stored on the device), and some can be tweaked further. The device is extremely light - the tracker is 10.3 grams, the...

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OnePlus Band review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/oneplus-band/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The OnePlus Band is the company's first foray into the popular wearables segment. Launched exclusively in India, the new OnePlus Band is an affordable fitness tracker that helps you keep track of your workouts, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns, and notifications. The OnePlus Band comes in a single model — W101N — with a removable strap design. The dimensions are quite similar to other fitness trackers on the market, measuring 40.4 x 17.6 x 11.95mm for the fitness tracker and the strap taking the width up to 21mm. It weighs 22.6g with the strap, which can be barely...

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Honor Band 6 goes global, Intel-powered MagicBook Pro tags along
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/honor-band-6-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor has added two products to its global portfolio today with the Honor Band 6 and Honor MagicBook Pro with an Intel processor. Both devices will start appearing on store shelves near you soon. The Honor Band 6 was initially introduced in early November with a 1.47” rectangular AMOLED screen, and a 2.5D curved glass on top. The wearable has five health monitoring features (SpO2, Heart rate, Sleep, Stress, Female Cycle Tracker) and ten workout modes with six of those detected automatically. Honor is launching the Band 6 without NFC around the world and will be priced around...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Mi 11 maintains its record of having lead our trending chart for every day of 2021 so far and more announcements made sure Xiaomi properly dominates the top 10. The Mi 10i slid in second, while the Redmi 9T and Redmi Note 9T 5G got third and fourth, despite only debuting on friday. In fifth we have the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which will be looking to place higher up next week once it goes official. Two more Samsung phones follow - the Galaxy A12 and Galaxy A51 take sixth and seventh, respectively. The final three positions have two more Xiaomi made phones with the Redmi Note 9...

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Week 1 in review: A host of new releases in the low-to-midrange, Galaxy S21 launch nearing
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Welcome to another week's recap. With the approaching announcement of the Galaxy S21 family, there were inevitably a bunch of stories related to that. A set of case renders attempted to answer how the S Pen will attach to the S21 Ultra, raising more questions in the process, while a leaked infographic detailed the new cameras. A source claimed there won't be a microSD slot on the non-Ultras, another unfortunate development. Most importantly, however, Samsung set the Unpacked date, officially. The high-end Galaxies are yet to go live, but we did get a bunch of new announcements this week to...

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Flashback: the LG KE850 Prada had the first capacitive touchscreen, not the iPhone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/flashback-lg-ke850-prada/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Many think that the iPhone was the first phone with a capacitive touchscreen, but that’s not the case – the LG KE850 Prada was announced a month earlier (December 15, 2006) compared to Apple’s unveiling at the Macworld Expo (January 9, 2007). Sales of the KE850 started in May of 2007 at a price of €600 while the iPhone first became available in June. The design of the phone was a collaboration between LG and fashion brand Prada, which lent its name to the final product. The phone was even bundled with a swanky leather case, which underlined its status as a piece of...

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Weekly poll results: Xiaomi Mi 11 gets mostly warm reception, but many are waiting for the Pro
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/weekly-poll-results-xiaomi-mi-11/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg You get a lot of attention for being first and in the case of the Xiaomi Mi 11 it is positive attention. Nearly half the voters in last week’s poll would buy one if the phone gets good reviews. Even without reviews, 24% are feeling optimistic about the phone and will buy one as soon as it one is available near them. Those waiting on the reviews are curious about the chipset – the Snapdragon 888 may be the first chip with ARM’s power core, the Cortex-X1, but some are concerned about sustained performance. The phone topped the AnTuTu charts, for what that's worth. Another complaint is...

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Weekly poll: picking the perfect display (refresh rate, resolution, curved or flat)
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/weekly-poll-refresh-rate-vs-resolution/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung never enabled 120Hz mode at 1440p+ resolution for the Galaxy S20 family, despite what some early rumors claimed. This year it’s looking like the new LTPO panel on the Galaxy S21 Ultra will finally enable 120Hz at the top resolution. The two vanilla S21 will get 1080p+ displays side-stepping the issue. All of this is just rumors for now, of course, the official announcement isn’t until next week. But while we wait we wanted to ask which do you prefer – resolution or refresh rate? A 1080p+ high refresh rate (HRR) display and a high resolution one? You can’t have both as a 4K 144 Hz...

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Xiaomi Redmi 8, 8A and 7A are receiving MIUI 12
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/xiaomi-redmi-8-8a-7a-miui-12/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi is well-known for updating its devices for many a year, even its older, less expensive ones. Despite not seeding the latest Android version, Xiaomi devices often get most of the features that the next-generation MIUI brings. Now, the latest phones to receive Xiaomi's MIUI 12 are the Redmi 8, 8A and 7A. The Redmi 8's MIUI 12 update has been delivered for the Global, EEA and Russian variants, while the 8A's update has been pushed to Chinese and EEA units. The firmwares are in their so-called Stable Beta stages except for the global Redmi 8, which is getting the final and stable...

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Lypertek Tevi review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/lypertek-tevi/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lypertek is a small Chinese manufacturer of personal audio products. Last month, we reviewed the Lypertek Levi, the company's latest TWS earbuds at an affordable price. The Levi offered great performance for the price and quickly became one of our favorites in their price category. Today, however, I am checking out the product that put the company on the map. The Lypertek Tevi are the popular TWS earbuds that received a ton of critical acclaim since their release. The Tevi feature graphene drivers, along with features such as aptX TWS+ and IPX7 rating for water-resistance. They...

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Sony introduces two new wireless speakers with 360 Reality Audio
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/sony-360-speaker/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony has announced two new wireless speaker systems, the SRS-RA5000 and the SRS-RA3000. Both speakers are designed with providing a room-filling sound in an indoor setting and feature Sony's proprietary 360 Reality Audio feature. The more expensive of the two, the RA5000 has seven speaker system with three up-firing drivers, three front-facing drivers and an internal woofer. The up and side-firing design creates a uniform sphere of sound around the speaker regardless of its position around the room. The RA5000 also has a manual sound calibration feature, which lets it tune its...

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Apple iPhone 13 to retain design, but be thicker and with smaller notch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/iphone-13-on-schedule/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It's 2021 and we guess it's time to talk about the next generation of iPhones. Supposedly called iPhone 13, the first report this year suggests that the two Pro models will have 120Hz OLED panels from Samsung. Today's info, however, is all about the design. According to the Japanese blog MacOtakara, the iPhone 13 lineup will retain the iPhone 12's chassis with the flat edges, but will be approximately 0.26mm thicker and will reduce the size of the notch thanks to a position change of the top receiver. Additionally, the camera bump will be just as thick with a small change to the...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup's marketing renders surface ahead of announcement
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/samsung-galaxy-s21-series-promo-material/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup will be unveiled on January 14 and ahead of the announcement, official marketing renders of the S21 series have surfaced, which don't reveal anything new but corroborate previous design leaks. The S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra will all pack punch hole displays, but the vanilla and Plus variants will come with triple camera setups, whereas the Ultra model will feature a quad rear camera (fifth circle houses Laser AF unit). While Samsung hasn't divulged much about the S21 lineup, previous leaks have left little to the imagination since we know what the trio...

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vivo shares its FuntouchOS 11 release schedule for India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/vivo-funtouch-india-release/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While vivo is running an open beta of its new OriginOS, which is supposed to replace FuntouchOS, the manufacturer will be kicking off FuntouchOS 11 based on Android 11 beta program for a couple of its devices in India. The vivo V20 debuted with the stable version of the said software while the V20 Pro 5G's version of the OS has been bumped up shortly after its release. Starting from the end of January, V19 and X50 owners can get a taste of FuntouchOS 11, while V17, V17 Pro, V15 Pro and S1 users will be getting the OTA update starting March. S1 Pro, Z1x and Z1Pro start receiving it in...

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Samsung to introduce a plethora of ISOCELL sensors, 200MP included
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-vizion-33d-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to one of the most reliable Samsung tipsters, the Korean tech giant plans to introduce plenty of new ISOCELL camera sensors this year and a 200MP one will likely come around very soon. While we are still far away from a 600MP sensor, Samsung thinks that we are ready to make the jump to 200MP as early as this year. Sadly, there are no details surrounding the rumor, so we would have to take IceUniverse's word for it. And we don't really know any of the upcoming camera's specs too such as pixels size, sensor size, etc. However, a report from April last year suggested that...

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vivo V2035 passes through Geekbench revealing key specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/vivo-v2035-specs-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The vivo V2035 spotted on FCC last month has appeared on Geekbench with Android 11 and 8GB RAM. Its motherboard is listed as "bengal", which is associated with Snapdragon 662 or Snapdragon 460. The benchmark database doesn't divulge any other specs of the V2035, but FCC revealed the smartphone will pack a 5,000 mAh battery and come with 18W charging. It will also come with a dual-SIM slot and support 4G networks. The marketing name and the rest of the specs of vivo V2035 are currently unknown, but more details about it should surface soon. Source | Via

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Samsung Galaxy A32 5G appears in colorful press renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/samsung-galaxy-a32-5g-press-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg We already know what the unannounced Samsung Galaxy A32 5G looks like, thanks to the CAD renders that surfaced last November. Today we are looking at a bunch of official press renders leaked by WinFuture, which corroborate previous design leaks and reveal the A32 5G will come in at least four colors. The Galaxy A32 5G will pack an Infinity-V display, which is rumored to measure 6.5" diagonally. The rear panel of the phone, made of plastic, is home to a quad camera setup. The primary shooter reportedly uses a 48MP sensor, with the rest said to be ultrawide, depth, and macro...

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GSMArena

17-01-21, 01:25

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/samsung-galaxy-s21-upgrades-over-s20/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung introduced its Galaxy S21 lineup earlier this week - a vanilla Galaxy S21, a plus model that provides largely the same internals in a larger package and the Ultra that has a strong claim for the throne of the ultimate cameraphone. We already compared the three new phones, but now it's time to look at the upgrades they bring over the outgoing Galaxy S20 family. div.upgradeprice { display: table; width: calc(100% - 10px); margin-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 10px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-left: none; border-right: none; } .review-body...

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Asus ROG Phone 4 tipped to pack 6,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/asus-rog-phone-4-battery-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Asus began its ROG Phone 4 teaser campaign a few days ago by sharing a poster on its official Weibo account. The Taiwanese company hasn't divulged anything about the smartphone yet, but reliable tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed the ROG Phone 4 will pack a dual-cell 6,000 mAh battery and feature 60W or 65W charging. ROG Phone 2 (left) and ROG Phone 3 (right) An Asus device with model designation I005DA - believed to be the ROG Phone 4 - has been certified by China's 3C with 65W charging and 5G connectivity. The same device was also spotted on Geekbench last month with Android...

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Poco M3 is coming to Indonesia on January 21
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/watch-our-poco-m3-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg The Poco M3 introduced last November will debut in Indonesia on January 21. The event will begin at 7:30PM local time and will be streamed live on YouTube. The New Entry Level Killer bakal hadir! #POCOM3 akan memberikan sesuatu yang berbeda di kelas entry-level dan siap untuk menggebrak pasar! Pastiin lo tonton peluncurannya tgl 21 Januari 2021 pukul 19.30 WIB #EntryLevelKillerBookmark link peluncurannya : https://t.co/VsjQxMcddw pic.twitter.com/JMW05FFiam— POCO Indonesia (@POCO_ID) January 16, 2021 The Poco M3 is powered by the Snapdragon 662 SoC, boots Android 10-based MIUI 12, and...

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iPhone 13 might feature in-display fingerprint scanner, foldable iPhone in the works
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/apple-iphone-13-in-display-fingerprint-reader/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iPhone 13 arriving later this year will not come with major changes but it might have an in-display fingerprint scanner in tow since Apple has started testing it as a key upgrade for 2021, reports Bloomberg. Starting with iPhone X, all iPhones except the iPhone SE (2020) came without the Touch ID fingerprint reader and used Face ID facial recognition for biometric authentication. However, Face ID has turned out to be a less practical solution amidst the ongoing pandemic since the technology often fails to unlock the phone when the user is wearing a mask. So you either have to pull...

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Samsung Galaxy M62 gets FCC certified with 7,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/samsung-galaxy-f62-geekbench-arrival/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A Samsung device bearing model designation SM-M62F/DS and believed to be the Galaxy M62 has bagged FCC certification, revealing a 7,000 mAh battery in the process. Additionally, FCC revealed that SM-M62F/DS will ship with a 25W charger and feature a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack. The documents on the US regulator's website also include model code SM-E625F/DS, which is rumored to be the Galaxy F62, meaning we'll likely see Samsung sell the same device with different names in different markets. FCC didn't detail the specs of the device, but thanks to Geekbench, we know the...

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Honor V40 5G appears in hands-on video, launch postponed to January 22
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/honor-v40-5g-launch-postponed/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Last week Honor said it will unveil the V40 5G on January 18 in China, but now the company has announced the phone will be introduced on January 22 instead. Honor cites conference venue and equipment related issues for the delay, but it has promised to begin the sales of V40 5G on January 22 at noon local time. Honor V40 5G will be introduced on January 22 The Chinese phone maker hasn't detailed the specs of the V40 5G yet, however, it shared posters confirming curved screen with a pill-shaped hole for the dual camera and a rectangular camera island on the back. This camera...

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WhatsApp moves forward the date to accept its new terms to May 15
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/whatsapp-may-8/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg WhatsApp has announced that it is moving forward the date to accept its new terms and conditions to May 15. The previous date for this was February 8. The company says this is due to all the confusion and misinformation around their latest update and that they are going to use the time to clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security works on WhatsApp. They will then go to people gradually to review the policy at their own pace before May 15. Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We're still working to counter any confusion by communicating directly with @WhatsApp...

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Xiaomi denies any ties to the Chinese military in response to being blacklisted by the US
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/xiaomi-responds-to-ban/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday the US government designated Xiaomi a "Communist Chinese military company", putting it on a blacklist that means US companies and investors are going to be prohibited from investing in Xiaomi (and those who already have are to divest by November of this year). This, mind you, is not the same 'blacklisting' that destroyed Huawei's smartphone market share worldwide, that's a much more complex ban on any US companies, or even companies using US technology, doing business with Huawei. Today Xiaomi has issued the following statement on the matter: The company has been in...

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LG isn't giving up on smartphones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/lg-not-exiting-smartphone-business/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A recent report from Korean publication The Elec announced a dramatic development in tow for next week, namely that LG would announce its exit from the smartphone market. LG begs to differ, however. According to the company's global communicator for consumer tech, Ken Hong, all of this is "completely false and without merit. I won't even justify that rumor with a statement". Which is ironic, because a statement is exactly what this seems to be. Anyway, in case you were afraid that the mobile world would lose LG, rest assured, that's not the case. The company is working on an...

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Sony seeding stable Android 11 to Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 units
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/sony-xperia-1-5-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month Sony brought Android 11 to its Xperia 1 II and now the update has made its way to the 2019 Sony flagships – the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5. The new firmware is already seeding in Russia and South East Asia with the same 55.2.A.0.630 build number for both units and weighs in at around 912MB. Android 11 update for Sony Xperia 1 This update comes a month earlier than what Sony had originally revealed in its Android 11 roadmap which is good to see. Users should be getting the standard Android 11 additions like chat bubbles, overhauled notifications management and one-time...

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Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 gets new Rose Gold colorway and major software update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/watch-active-2-january-update/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg Samsung did not announce a new smartwatch at its Galaxy Unpacked event yesterday but its 40mm Galaxy Watch Active2 did get a new Rose Gold color option with a purple strap to match the new S21 series Phantom Violet colorway. In addition to that, Samsung has begun seeding a big new software update for all Watch Active2 units. The new firmware brings an onboard Samsung Health app, faster automatic workout detection and home training fitness programs among others. Another new addition is SmartThings Find which helps you locate the watch if it's ever misplaced. Update...

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Xiaomi releases a list of 27 devices scheduled to get MIUI 12.5
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/xiaomi-list-miui12.5/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi introduced the successor of the MIUI 12 last month, called MIUI 12.5. While it looks like a minor update, the company actually had redone the whole package from within to lower power and memory consumption of the core apps. The company promised “more than a dozen smartphones” will be eligible for the first closed beta, and now it has officially posted the full list of eligible devices. Here it is: Xiaomi Mi 11 Xiaomi Mi 10 Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth Xiaomi Mi 9 SE Xiaomi Mi 9 Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G Xiaomi Mi...

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Samsung details the ISOCELL HM3 - the 108 MP sensor used in the Galaxy S21 Ultra
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/samsung-isocell-hm3/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G introduces the newest 108MP sensor from the company. ISOCELL HM3 features several enhancements over the HM1 (which was used in the S20 Ultra and Note20 Ultra). This includes improved HDR, low light and autofocus performance. Smart ISO Pro is an HDR technology that captures one high ISO and one low ISO shot simultaneously. As both are captured at the same time, this avoids the ghosting of moving objects that is a problem for sequential HDR. Then the two shots are combined into a single 12-bit image. That’s 12-bits per channel, meaning the RAW image...

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Samsung opens Galaxy S21 pre-orders worldwide
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/galaxy-s21-pre-orders-live/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg If you’re interested in scooping up a brand new Galaxy S21 series phone, you can now place your pre-order. We’ve gathered pricing details for the base variants of all three models for you. The devices will ship in most regions on January 29 though if you pick up one of the exclusive made to order colors it will take an extra 3-5 weeks. As usual, Samsung is bundling freebies with pre-orders up until January 28 which vary by region. In the US, Galaxy S21 and S21+ buyers get up to $200 Samsung Credit to spend on accessories of their choice alongside a free Galaxy SmartTag. German, French...

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iQOO 7 units worth CNY 200 million sold in first sale, update brings 1,000Hz touch sampling rate
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/iqoo-7-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The iQOO 7 unveiled earlier this week went on its first sale today and iQOO announced it sold units worth more than CNY200 million, which translates to about $30.9 million. The iQOO 7 comes in two memory configurations - 8GB/128GB priced at CNY3,798 ($585/€485) and 12GB/256GB priced at CNY4,198 ($650/€535). The phone maker didn't reveal the number of units it sold today, but assuming most people purchased the base model, more than 50,000 were moved. The iQOO 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, sports a 48MP triple camera, and packs a 4,000 mAh battery with 120W charging. The...

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Samsung unveils new S Pen Pro, announces support for third-party styluses
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/spen-pro-announced-more-support/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Something important almost got lost in the fireworks of the Galaxy S21 unveiling – Samsung is launching two new S Pens, including a Pro model. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports both, in fact, you can use any current or old S Pen (so if you have an old Note laying around, you can use its stylus). The new S Pen is lager in all dimensions, making it more comfortable. This is made possible since the stylus doesn’t have to fit inside a thin phone, instead it is attached to the side of select cases. We should point out that this is a passive stylus (as in there’s no battery...

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Kuo: 2021 MacBook Pros will scrap Touch Bar, bring new design and MagSafe connector
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/macbook-pro-2021-14-16-new-design/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last month noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gave out confirmation that Apple’s upcoming 2021 MacBook Air and 13” MacBook Pro will debut with mini LED displays and M1 chipsets. Today we get more details on the all-new 14” and 16” MacBook Pros which are said to bring major redesigns. Kuo shares that the new top-end models will feature a squarer cut design on the top and bottom halves which is a natural evolution of the 2018 iPad Pro and iPhone 12 industrial design. In addition, both models are said to bring back Apple’s MagSafe charging connector which was last seen on Mac laptops back...

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Oppo A93 5G announced with Snapdragon 480 and 90Hz screen
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/oppo-a93-5g-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo announced the A93 last year with a Helio P95 SoC, and today the company followed it up with a 5G variant. The Oppo A93 5G is powered by the brand new Snapdragon 480 SoC, boots Android 11-based ColorOS 11.1, and has two memory options - 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB. It also comes with a microSD card slot that allows addition of another 256GB of storage. The Oppo A93 5G is built around a 6.5" FullHD+ 90Hz LCD that has a touch sampling rate of 180Hz and a punch hole for the 8MP selfie camera. Around the back, you get three cameras aligned vertically in the top-left corner. This camera system...

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Xiaomi foldable phone prototype leaks in spy photos
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/xiaomi-foldable-spy-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung, Huawei and Motorola are already into the market for foldables, and it's only a matter of time before more companies join. Xiaomi looks to be making steady progress in that direction as a Galaxy Fold-like phone with MIUI 12 onboard has been spotted in spy shots in the Chinese subway, wrapped in what looks like a pre-production design-concealing case. We are unsure of the state of the unit pictured, but if it's ready to be taken out in the wild than it's probably nearing the end of its development. Xiaomi foldable phone The image can only tell us this device runs...

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vivo X60 Pro+ is coming on January 21
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/vivo-x60-pro-plus-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg vivo introduced the X60 and X60 Pro at the end of last month and promised to launch a Pro+ model soon. Today, the company announced it will unveil the X60 Pro+ on January 21 in China at 7:30PM local time. vivo hasn't detailed the specs of the X60 Pro+ yet, but a Chinese retailer released posters teasing Snapdragon 888 SoC, advanced quad camera, ZEISS optics, impressive low-light camera performance, and high quality audio on the Pro+. vivo X60 Pro+ render The vivo X60 Pro+, sporting model code V2056A, got 3C certified earlier this month, revealing 55W charging in the process....

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GSMArena

21-02-21, 00:46

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/11/samsung-galaxy-s20-fe-256gb-us/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung released One UI 3.1 update for the Galaxy S20 FE 5G (SM-G781B) in over a dozen European countries last week, but the rollout was halted shortly after. Samsung didn't release an official statement revealing the reasons for pulling the update, but the good news is it has now resumed the rollout of One UI 3.1 for S20 FE 5G. The update requires a download of over 1.7GB and carries the same version number as before - G781BXXU2CUB5. It is seeding in Europe as of writing this and if you haven't received it on your device yet, you can check for it manually by navigating to the Settings >...

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nubia Red Magic 6 is coming on March 4
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/nubia-red-magic-6-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Chinese phone maker nubia's been teasing the Red Magic 6 since last year, and today, the company VP Mr. Ni Fei confirmed that Red Magic 6 will be unveiled on March 4 in China - the same day Realme is launching the GT 5G. However, Realme's launch event will begin at 2PM China time, whereas nubia's will start at 7PM. In his Weibo post, Mr. Fei said the Red Magic 6 will come with the four fastest technologies (machine translated from Chinese). The poster he shared also includes four icons below the racing car, which likely depict an HRR screen, fast charging, better touch response, and a...

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vivo iQOO Neo5 appears in 3C certification and live photo with "just" 66W fast charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/vivo-iqoo-neo5-3c-photo-charging-66w/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg One of the more-exciting bits about the upcoming vivo iQOO Neo5, as suggested by earlier rumors, was definitely the prospect of 88W wired charging, potentially even backed-up by 66W of wireless on a more budget-friendly device, said to sell between CNY2,998 and CNY3,598 (around $464 and $572). Unfortunately, a new 3C rectification listing, as well as a live photo of the phone's charger seem to put that to rest. 3C certification Apparently, some numbers originally got mixed-up since 3C's data clearly indicated that the iQOO Neo5, also known by its V2055A model number, will be...

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Redmi Note 10 Pro Max said to join the vanilla Note 10 and Note 10 Pro at March 4 launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/redmi-note-10-pro-max-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi has managed to keep a surprisingly tight lid on Redmi Note 10 details thus far. As far as official info goes, we know that the announcement date is set for March 4 and we have a short and basic list of some things to expect. Notably - Gorilla Glass protection, IP52 rating, and at least on one of the models - a flat display, with a punch hole selfie, a curved back and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. As per some new industry insider info, we now believe that the Redmi Note 10 series will include at least a trio of devices - the vanilla model, which is likely the one on the...

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Redmi K40 banners reveal the series will feature 120Hz Samsung E4 material OLED panels
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/redmi-k40-samsung-e4-oled-banner/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg As we draw closer and closer to Xiaomi's February 25 unveiling event for the Redmi K40 series of devices, more and more official posters are popping-up online to serve as nifty little teasers. Yesterday we got a close-up look at the AI triple camera setup on the back of what we can only assume will be the Redmi K40 Pro. Today brings another official poster, this time revealing that the K40 family uses Samsung's new E4 material OLED panels. Redmi K40 banner For those of you wondering exactly what this means, simply-put, E4 denotes a new generation of materials Samsung is using to...

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Realme Narzo 30A key specs revealed by Geekbench
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/realme-narzo-30-last-week-feb-3-mil/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme is set to introduce the Buds Air 2 TWS earphones, Narzo 30A, and Narzo 30 Pro on February 24. The company has already confirmed the Narzo 30 Pro will be powered by the Dimensity 800U SoC but didn't reveal what chipset the Narzo 30A will have under the hood. However, thanks to Geekbench, we now know the Narzo 30A will come with the Helio G85 SoC - the same chip that powers the Narzo 20, sold as Realme 7i in Europe. The benchmark database also reveals that Narzo 30A (RMX3171) will run Android 10 out of the box and have 4GB RAM onboard. Although there could be other memory options as...

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Realme GT 5G tipped to come in Bumblebee leather variant, AnTuTu confirms 120Hz screen
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/realme-gt-3c-listing/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Realme GT 5G is coming on March 4, which the company today confirmed will pack a Snapdragon 888 SoC, LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage. Realme confirms SD888, LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage on GT 5G While Realme hasn't detailed the GT 5G's specs, its VP Mr. Xu Qi Chase posted a screenshot of the phone's AnTuTu results on Weibo with a score of 770,221, which is about 35,000 more than what Qualcomm's reference device with Snapdragon 888 achieved. Realme GT 5G's AnTuTu results shared by Realme VP Mr. Xu Qi Chase However, soon after Mr. Chase shared the benchmark results,...

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Deal: the Galaxy Note20 5G is a whopping £400 off in the UK
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/galaxy-note20-deal-uk/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The non-Ultra Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G was a very weird device when it launched last year, downgrading a lot of components compared to the Note20 Ultra 5G, but keeping the price very high, if not quite as high as that model. We're not sure how many people have, in the UK for example, chosen to shell out a whopping £949, which is what the initial price for the Note20 5G was. If you aren't one of those people, but still would consider the Note20 if it was cheaper, well then here's the deal of the year for you. Right now, you can pick up a brand new and unlocked Note20 5G for a mere £549.17...

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WhatsApp explains what happens to people who won't agree to its privacy changes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/whatsapp-explanations/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in January, WhatsApp stirred up a huge backlash after announcing that it would be forcing its users to agree to new terms and conditions for its privacy policy. The updated wording made people think Facebook would get the contents of their chats, or something like that - which is funny because while that's not true for WhatsApp, it is for Facebook Messenger, and there was never a backlash about that service, was there? Anyway, after the internet exploded and people started moving to services like Telegram, which are actually less privacy-secure than WhatsApp (if we're talking access...

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Apple may launch a MagSafe battery pack for iPhones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/apple-reportedly-working-on-magsafe-battery-pack-iphone/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to Bloomberg sources, Apple is working on a new MagSafe accessory for the iPhone 12. A magnetically attached battery pack would let iPhone users easily piggyback a battery pack to juice up the battery. The advantage with MagSafe is that magnets would easily align the charger pack to the back of the phone. With the iPhone 12, Apple brought back the MagSafe name sake to use on a new ecosystem of iPhone accessories from wireless charging pads, to cases and wallets that are held to an iPhone by magnets. All four iPhone 12 variants support MagSafe. According to the source,...

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Android 12 Developer Preview arrives with a bunch of UI changes, new features, and improvements
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/google-android-12-developer-preview-out/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As of Thursday, the next version of Android has official begun its cycle, though it’s still in the earliest stage: the first Developer Preview build of Android 12 has arrived and it reveals much about the next major update to Google’s smartphone OS. Frankly, there are too many new features to cover in a single post, but we’ll make some notable mentions here. There’s a one-handed mode that’s not enabled just yet, but the feature seems to be on its way to the final version of Android 12. First look at One-Handed Mode settings on Android 12 - confirmed it's in the works!...

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Nikkei: Huawei will cut phone production by more than half in 2021
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/huawei-production-cut/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei is resolved not to sell its phone division, but it will not be easy going – the company is preparing for tough times ahead. Nikkei reports that the telecommunications giant has notified its component suppliers that it will build far fewer phones this year than it did in 2020. Huawei will reportedly order enough components for 70-80 million for the whole year. That’s a 60% drop from the 189 million units it shipped last year, which was already a sizable decrease from the 240 million phones sold in 2019. The product mix will be affected as well, skewing away from the high end....

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YouTube for Android now giving 4K playback option even if don't have a 4K screen
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/youtube-android-4k-playback-option/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg An interesting change in the YouTube Android app now lets some users playback videos at up to 4K resolution at 60FPS with HDR on devices with lower res-displays. The new feature is seemingly a server-side update as I’m using version 15.05.35 of the YouTube app and not the latest 15.06.35 build which released on February 13. Last year the iOS YouTube also app gained 4K playback with the rollout of iOS 14. Newly added 2160p playback option in YouTube app In my personal testing with a Galaxy S10e playback at 2160p worked well though when I switched to a Galaxy Tab S5e playback fared...

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Microsoft Office 2021 is coming for Windows and macOS later this year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/microsoft-office-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has announced that its next installment of Office is coming later this year. Microsoft Office 2021 is coming to Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and macOS devices and is the pay-once-and-have-for-life office suite, not the subscription-based Office 365, where Microsoft invests most of its time and energy. While Microsoft didn't detail all the changes to Office 2021 just yet, it did mention that Dark Mode will be supported and it will add Dynamic Arrays and XLOOKUP to Excel. Both Office 2021 and Office LTSC (long-term servicing channel) for businesses will be supported just 5...

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vivo iQOO Neo5 live image leaks, reveals a waterdrop notch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/vivo-iqoo-neo5-leaked-img/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The vivo iQOO Neo5 smartphone was said to arrive next month with a Snapdragon 870 chipset, and today a live image of the phone appeared online. The device runs Origin OS, based on Android 11, and will have an 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The image also reveals the selfie camera on the flat front is mounted on a waterdrop notch. The image also says the iQOO Neo5 will have "8+3GB RAM". Sources claim vivo managed to develop a so-called “fusion technology” that is dumping some of the RAM-allocated memory to the storage chip, freeing up space when needed without losing the state of the...

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Apple TV app now available on Google TV
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/apple-google-tv/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Google has announced that the Apple TV app is coming to the Google TV platform. The app is currently available on the recently launched Chromecast with Google TV media player, along with Google TV models from Sony and TCL. Android TV models will get it in the future. The Apple TV app includes all of Apple's online video streaming content, including movies and TV shows purchased from the iTunes store as well as the Apple TV+ streaming service. If this app is anything like on other non-Apple devices, then you won't be able to purchase any new content but you can access everything in your...

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ZTE will debut second-gen under-display camera at MWC Shanghai
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/zte-second-gen-ud-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After bringing the first mass-market smartphone with an under-display camera, ZTE is gearing up to showcase its second-gen implementation at the upcoming MWC Shanghai. The conference will take place between February 23 – 25 and ZTE’s rumored Axon 30 Pro could very well be the device to showcase the new UD development. Ni Fei post on Weibo The news was announced via a Weibo post by ZTE's President of Mobile Devices Ni Fei and also mentions that ZTE will present the world’s first under-screen 3D structured light technology. It remains to be seen how this implementation will be used...

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Key OnePlus 9 specs confirmed in AIDA64 screenshots
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/oneplus-9-aida64/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg There are OnePlus 9 units out there and that has been the cause of constant leaks. The latest comes from @TechDroider who posted screenshots of AIDA64 running on one of those units, which confirms the key specs of the phone. The vanilla OnePlus will feature a 6.55” display with 1080p+resolution (20:9). The screen will support 120 Hz refresh rate – basically, not much will change compared to the 8T. The chipset will change though, it’s the brand new Snapdragon 888 (code name “Lahaina”). This particular unit was equipped with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage. The Pro model is expected to...

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Samsung may be making an Android Wear smartwatch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/samsung-gear-android/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A controversial new rumor has been shared by typically reliable tipster Ice universe that Samsung's next watch will replace Tizen with Android. This isn't the first time we're hearing of Samsung using Android Wear OS in place of Tizen - Evan Blass reported Samsung employees using Wear OS watches back in 2018. But all the watches that have come from Samsung since have been Tizen-powered and the consensus has been that they're better than their Android counterparts. So we are seriously doubting that Samsung is working to replace its successful Tizen OS for Wear OS. Samsung's new watch...

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Huawei P50 supply reduced and delivery delayed, reports reveal
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/08/huawei-trademark-p300-p400-p500/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei traditionally unveils the P series in the first quarter of the calendar year, but according to recent reports, this might not be the case in 2021. An insider from the Huawei supply chain revealed orders for components are lower this time, and also there are delays in supplying them, which will affect the overall availability of the devices. Huawei P40 Pro, P40 Pro+, and P40 The Huawei P50 lineup is going to include at least three phones - a vanilla P50 with a Kirin 9000E chipset; a P50 Pro and a P50 Pro+, both running the Kirin 9000 chip, manufactured with Arm...

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GSMArena

21-02-21, 00:46

GSMArena

03-03-21, 14:13

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/samsung-galaxy-watch3-titanium-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of weeks ago, a renowned Samsung tipster said that Samsung is working on a Wear OS-powered smartwatch and will be ditching Tizen OS. And while we can't say that the latter is for sure, the former seems to be further backed by stronger evidence. In a Galaxy S20 kernel source code teardown, an XDA developer found that there's a device codenamed "Merlot" and it's associated with Google's Wear OS. The device has been mentioned even alongside the already released Galaxy Watch3 with code name "Noblesse". As of now, information is pretty scarce, but we hope to see some more...

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Samsung Galaxy A32 4G arrives in India for $300
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/samsung-galaxy-a32-4g-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A32 4G announced last week was expected to arrive in India on March 5, but the company launched the smartphone two days early. The Galaxy A32 4G comes in a single 6GB/128GB memory configuration in India and is listed on Samsung's official Indian website. It's priced at INR21,999 ($300/€250) and has four color options - Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Violet. The Galaxy A32 4G is powered by the Helio G80 SoC and runs Android 11-based One UI 3.1 out of the box. It's built around a 6.4" FullHD+ 90Hz Super AMOLED screen with a notch for the...

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Meizu 18 and 18 Pro are official with Snapdragon 888, curved front glass
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/meizu-18-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As expected, Meizu unveiled its 18 series in China today. The Meizu 18 and 18 Pro both run Snapdragon 888 chipsets with 5G, offer up to 12GB of RAM, and they are both on sale in China starting today. The Meizu 18 Pro is the bigger phone with a 6.7-inch 3200x1440px Samsung E4 AMOLED that supports 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The front glass is curved on all four sides - 50-degrees on the left and right and 5-degrees on the top and bottom. Meizu has gone with Qualcomm's latest 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner underneath the display. The Meizu 18 Pro is equipped...

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Oppo Reno5 F to arrive as A94 and F19 in different markets
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/oppo-darwin-reno5-f-a94-f19-specs-images/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Oppo's Kenya branch teased the Reno5 F last week with a 48MP primary camera, 4,310 mAh battery, and 30W charging. Now we learn the smartphone will arrive with two other names in different markets. Word comes from leakster Evan Blass, who claims an Oppo smartphone codenamed Darwin will be launched in different regions with three different names - Reno5 F, A94, and F19. The Oppo Darwin will be called F19 in India, A94 in Europe, and Reno5 F in Asia. India and Europe will also get 5G variants called F19 Pro and A94 5G, respectively. We wonder why Oppo decided to name the 5G variant F19...

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vivo iQOO Neo5 shines in live photos, will have three cameras, 120 Hz display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/vivo-iqoo-neo5-front-back/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new gaming phone from vivo’s iQOO branch will arrive on March 16, and today we got to see a couple of live photos of the device. We’re talking about the vivo iQOO Neo5 that apparently will have three cameras on the back and one on the front behind a punch hole. All three cameras appear to be standard, with no periscope shooter in sight. However, this is expected, since the Neo lineup is an affordable flagship within the iQOO universe and a sophisticated telephoto camera is not how you keep the price low. The front of the phone will be a flat OLED panel, as evident by the...

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Lenovo teases Legion 2 Pro’s dual turbo cooling system
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/lenovo-legion-2-pro-teased-to-come-with-dual-cooling-fans/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg On a Weibo post, Lenovo has posted a teaser for its upcoming successor to its Legion gaming phone. In addition to featuring active twin cooling fans, Lenovo’s general manager has also officially confirmed that this device will be called the ‘Lenovo Legion 2 Pro’. When roughly translated, the poster reads: “Double adjustable fan turbo cooling system” and at the bottom it says, “A new storm has appeared, you can crush everything.” Lenovo also confirms that the Legion 2 Pro will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. There’s still no hint as to when the handset will release...

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Motorola’s upcoming smartwatch will be powered by Snapdragon Wear 4100 platform
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/moto-360-successor-to-have-snapdragon-wear-4100/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week, a report surfaced that Motorola was going to announce a new ‘Moto G’ smartwatch powered by Google’s Wear OS along with a couple of renders of the smartwatch with a transparent backing. A Reddit thread points out that the text written around the backside of the watch body says “Snapdragon Wear 4100” to indicate that the watch will be powered by the latest wearable chipset by Qualcomm. Via Reddit Despite this new discovery, we’re still not any closer to knowing exactly when Moto will launch this new smartwatch. The new Moto watch is expected to be a successor to the Moto...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 gets Android 11 update with One UI 3.1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/galaxy-tab-s6-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has been getting better and better at rolling out updates to its incredibly vast roster of devices recently, and today this has been proven once again. Originally scheduled to receive Android 11 in May, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 from 2019 is now already busy getting the new software. The rollout isn't wide just yet, currently being constrained to the LTE model of the tablet sold in Germany. If you own one of those, however, you will soon be notified of a new build being available for you - T865XXU4CUB7. This 2.2 GB download will bring you Android 11 with Samsung's latest One UI 3.1...

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Here's how much the Galaxy A32 will cost in India when it launches there on March 5
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/galaxy-a32-india-price/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The 4G version of the Samsung Galaxy A32 became official late last month, and the device is now on its way to India. The official launch in the subcontinent is rumored to happen on March 5. If you were waiting for this one and wondering how much it would cost in India, a usually reliable tipster has shared this information today. The version with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will supposedly retail for INR 21,999 (that's approximately $300 or €248 at the current exchange rates). The phone has a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED touchscreen with 90 Hz refresh rate, a quad rear camera setup (64...

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DJI announces FPV first person hybrid drone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/dji-fpv/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg DJI has launched the FPV, a hybrid drone that combines the first person perspective, speed and agility of racing drones with the ease of use and integrated camera functionality of consumer drones. The DJI FPV includes high performance motors that can take it from a standstill to 100kph in just 2 seconds while reaching a max speed of 140kph. The drone includes three flight modes; the Normal mode, which is designed for novice pilots and allows the drone to hover in place and have obstacle detection. The Manual mode takes the training wheels off and gives full control over the flight,...

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LG V60's successor reportedly put on hold
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/lg-rainbow-cancelled/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new report from Korean outlet Chosun claims that LG has indefinitely put its V60 successor on hold. LG was supposed to begin field testing the phone, codenamed Rainbow, at the end of February, aiming for a market release in March. The company has reportedly ceased communication with local carriers about the release of the Rainbow. LG's Rainbow phone is rumored to be a traditional-looking smartphone as opposed to the Explorer Project rollable phone (which LG demoed at CES), that is expected in 2021. Rumor pointed to the Rainbow being the LG V70 with a Snapdragon 888 chipset and...

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New Samsung Galaxy Tab passes by FCC and TUV Rheinland
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/samsung-galaxy-tab-t225-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new Samsung Galaxy Tab (SM-T225) has appeared in the FCC database. The same model was previously spotted on Geekbench powered by the Helio P22T and 3GB RAM with Android 11 onboard. Based on speculations this should be the upcoming Galaxy Tab A7 Lite which is expected to launch with an 8.7-inch display later this summer. Galaxy Tab A7 Lite render (credit: @_h0x0d_) The FCC listing revealed a sketch of the device which matched a previous render seen on Twitter. The sketch also confirms a headphone jack next to the USB-C port. We also get confirmation on the SM-T225’s dual-band...

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Samsung's 110" and 99" micro-LED TVs will be available later this month, more models unveiled
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/samsung-tvs-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung unveiled part of its 2021 TV line-up back in January, including micro-LED and Neo QLED offerings. Today’s Unbox & Discover event brought yet more models, including some for the artistic crowd and some for your back porch. micro-LED Samsung introduced its first micro-LED TV back in 2018 – the humongous 146” TV (or bigger, depending on the configuration) dubbed The Wall. Now that the technology has matured the company has prepared three models more suitable for your average home. Two micro-LED TVs – 110” and 99” – will launch globally at the end of March, followed by a smaller...

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All Apple stores in the US are now opened for the first time since March last year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/apple-stores-reopened-in-the-us/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg When Apple closed its retail stores in the US in mid-March 2020, the initial plan was to reopen a couple of weeks later on the 27th. That didn’t happen – it took nearly a full year for all the US stores to reopen, which they finally did. 9to5Mac reports that all 270 Apple stores in the United States are open in some capacity. Some allow in-store shopping sessions, others still operate as Express storefronts, but they are open. If you’re planning an in-store visit, you should know that Apple is still enforcing COVID-19 precautions – this means you need to wear a mask and store occupancy...

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Samsung will unveil three Exynos chipsets this year, claims leakster
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/samsung-three-exynos-in-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Leakster Ice Universe reports that Samsung will unveil three Exynos chipsets this year – a mid-range 800-series chip, a high-end 1200-series and a flagship 2200-series. The latter two should feature GPUs based on AMD’s RDNA architecture. According to an earlier tweet from the leakster, Samsung will demo the GPU – just the GPU – in June, with the full chipsets being unveiled at a later date. The first phones with AMD GPUs may not arrive until next year, but there’s no official time line for any of this yet. You’re probably thinking that these Exynos/AMD chipsets will power...

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Oppo ropes in Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan as F lineup's ambassador, reveals F19 Pro+ 5G's camera features
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/oppo-f19-series-camera-features/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Oppo's India CMO teased the F19 Pro and F19 Pro+ 5G yesterday, and earlier today, Flipkart revealed the F19 series will arrive in India on March 8. Now Oppo has announced it has signed Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan as the F lineup's product ambassador. Additionally, Oppo revealed the F19 Pro+ 5G will come with features including Ultra Night Video and AI Highlight Portrait Video, which will put it "ahead in photography and videography". Oppo F19 Pro+ 5G Moreover, the F19 Pro+ 5G will be the first smartphone in the F series to be equipped with Oppo Smart 5G 3.0 to enable faster...

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Meizu announces Flyme 9 and Flyme for Watch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/flyme-9-flyme-for-watch-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Earlier today Meizu capped off a press conference in Zhuhai, China where it debuted its latest Android skin – Flyme 9. As with other manufacturers, Meizu is going for a simpler and more flat design dubbed Alive Design. Starting from the lock screen, Flyme 9 brings flatter icons and faster unlock animations. The layout is streamlined and easier on the eyes. Text on all pages and menus is streamlined and uniform. Icon shapes and unified and there’s a new 5x6 layout on the home screen. Users are also treated to new widgets and can customize the color, text size and thickness of the...

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The Realme GT 5G will launch with the Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 out of the box
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/realme-gt-with-realme-ui-20/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Realme GT will be unveiled on Thursday and it will launch with Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0. The latest version of the Realme software was announced in September with Dark mode, improved privacy features, productivity enhancements and more. Some of the company’s older models are being updated to version 2.0, here’s the roadmap. The Realme GT will launch with the Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 out of the box Realme UI 2.0 is good for old and new devices alike. According to the company’s own testing, it improves resource utilization by 45%, speeds up response times by 32% and...

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New Samsung Galaxy A50s update brings Single Take, Night Hyperlapse and My Filters
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/samsung-galaxy-a50s-camera-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A50s, which launched in mid-2019 with Android 9, received the Android 10 update with One UI 2.0 a year ago then One UI 2.5 in November. Now there’s a new important update – this one focused on the camera. It’s currently rolling out in India and weighs a little over 200MB. Samsung Galaxy A50s is a new firmware version (A507FNXXU5CUB3) There are three major improvements: 1) Single Take, 2) Night Hyperlapse and 3) My Filter. Single Take automatically captures multiple photos (wide, cropped, portrait, etc.) and even videos with a single tap of the shutter button....

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Oppo Reno5 Z gets FCC certified with 4,300 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/oppo-reno5-z-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg An unknown Oppo smartphone sporting model code CPH2211 and believed to be the Reno5 Z bagged Bluetooth certification yesterday. The same device has now been certified by the USA's FCC, moving it a step closer to the launch. Oppo Reno4 Z 5G The US certifying authority reveals that the smartphone will run Android 11-based ColorOS 11.1 out of the box and pack a 4,310 mAh battery, which will charge at up to 30W with the bundled charger. The CPH2211 will support 5G networks, and a schematic of the smartphone included in the listing reveals it will feature three cameras on the rear...

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GSMArena

09-04-21, 09:13

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/huawei-will-power-arcfox-luvury-ev-lidar-5g/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Arcfox is announcing a new luxury EV model that equips tech and equipment made by Huawei. The Huawei HI system combines its smart HiCar smart display with lidar technology and 5G connectivity to provide level-3 autonomous driving. The following is a teaser posted about the upcoming vehicle launch.The Arcfox Alpha S HBT (the HBT stands for Huawei Bluepark Together) is the first vehicle to ever get Huawei’s HI solution for self-driving EVs. According to a WeChat post made by BAIC Blue Park New Energy Technology, Arcfox’s owning company, the self-driving capabilities of the vehicle...

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vivo V21 5G certified in Indonesia ahead of launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/vivo-v21-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The vivo V20 launched last October and apparently the Chinese company is already hard at work on its successor, the V21 5G. As the name implies, this one will support 5G networks, whereas the V20 was 4G only.The V21 5G was certified in Indonesia with model number V2050. The launch could now be just around the corner. Since the V20 used a 7-series Snapdragon chipset, perhaps the V21 will do the same, in which case expect to see either the 765G or the 780G.vivo V20According to recent rumors, we'll also see an upgraded camera setup on the V21 compared to its predecessor, which...

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Lenovo Legion Duel 2 snaps in three parts in bend test
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/lenovo-legion-snaps/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Remember the Asus ROG Phone 5 and how it snapped in half when subjected to the traditional bend test? Perhaps you had higher hopes for Lenovo's just announced Legion Duel 2. Will this one be the 2021 gaming phone that's not only very gaming-y, but can also withstand a serious bend?Sorry, but no. The Legion Duel 2 unfortunately is similar to the ROG Phone 5 in that it can't take a bend. YouTuber Zack from JerryRigEverything proves it in the video below.Everything starts off as you'd expect, the screen glass is nothing out of the ordinary, scratching at level 6 on the Mohs hardness...

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Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ brings UWB support and AR visual guidance
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/samsung-galaxy-tag-plus-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in February, Samsung announced its Galaxy SmartTag trackers alongside the Galaxy S21 lineup. We’ve already reviewed the more affordable Bluetooth-only Galaxy SmartTag and now Samsung is finally launching the GalaxyTag+ which brings Ultrawide Band (UWB) support to the mix.The SmartTag+ features the same basic design as the regular Galaxy Tag but comes in only two color options - black and grey. The added UWB chip allows users to track their belongings with greater accuracy compared to Bluetooth. SmartTag+ can also leverage both UWB and Bluetooth for AR tracking which guides you to...

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Lenovo’s Legion Phone Duel 2 brings double charge ports, two fans and flagship specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/lenovo-legion-phone-2-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Following last year’s Legion Duel gaming phone, Lenovo is here with a successor called the Legion Duel 2. The standout features here come in pairs - dual charging ports, dual cooling fans, two linear motors for haptics and two pairs of ultrasonic shoulder triggers. The side-mounted pop-up selfie camera is here again but with a 44MP Samsung sensor this time around.The AMOLED display has grown to 6.92-inches while keeping the 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support of its predecessor. Resolution is still capped at FHD+ (2460 x 1080) to be more precise. The panel now supports a peak...

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Nokia Lite Earbuds have 36-hour battery life, HMD announces 5G MVNO for the UK
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/nokia-earbuds-lite-hmd-mobile/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The focus today was on new phones – HMD launched no less than 6 new models – but it also had time to introduce a new TWS headset and to unveil its new service, an MVNO to complement the HMD Connect roaming service from last year.Nokia Lite EarbudsThe Nokia Lite Earbuds is a TWS headset – here the lite refers more to the sleek, pocketable design than the price. Not that these are expensive, they will be available from mid-April at a price of €75.The Nokia Lite Earbuds have enough battery for 36 hours of total listening timeEach bud has enough battery lite for 6 hours of...

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Nokia G20 and G10 unveiled with large batteries, Android Go-powered Nokia C20 and C10 join in
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/nokia-g20-g10-c20-c10-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Besides the 5G-enabled X-series, HMD also unveiled four entry-level Nokia phones – two G phones with full Android 11 and two C phones with Android 11 Go Edition. It’s important to note that the G-series will receive OS updates for two years.Nokia G20 and G10Both models are quite similar, though the Nokia G20 is the clear favorite if you care about the camera. It has a 48MP main module, combined with a 5MP ultrawide angle camera, plus an 8MP selfie camera (also on the back: 2MP macro and 2MP depth units). Save for the ZEISS optics, this is the exact same setup as the pricier X10...

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Nokia X10 and X20 announced: 5G support and 3 years of software updates and warranty
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/nokia-x10-x20-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Nokia X name has been associated with many different kinds of phones in the past – multimedia ones, a Microsoft-backed Android phone, then an HMD-made Android for China and now it is all about sustainable 5G smartphones.The new series debuts with two models, the Nokia X10 and X20. HMD has pledged full support for three years – this means three years of OS and security updates, but also three-year warranty. As part of HMD’s green initiative, the phones come with an included case that is 100% compostable.The two phones are nearly identical, differing mainly in the camera department....

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Watch HMD announce a bunch of new Nokia phones live
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/nokia-g10-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg HMD Global is about to introduce its next batch of Nokia phones in a customary for our times online event. It starts at 2PM UTC and will be live-streamed on Nokia’s website.We've embedded the stream below and there's also a link at the end of this article if you prefer the follow the event on Nokia's website.When the event was announced, the company promised three new phones - Nokia G10, Nokia X10, and Nokia X20. The G series will be the entry-level lineup, while the X family will consist of midrangers. We also expect the Nokia C20 as an ultra-affordable smartphone,...

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Huawei P50 prototype photos suggest entirely new camera design
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/huawei-p50-prototype-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei is expected to launch its P50 series in June with Harmony OS 2.0 out of the box. While we’ve seen renders of the Huawei P50 and Huawei P50 Pro with two big camera lenses, today we’ve received some images in our inbox that suggest something completely different.According to our anonymous tipster, this phone is part of the new P series, and looking at the curved edges, we would think it is the P50 Pro, however, the camera setup on the back lacks a periscope lens, meaning it could be the vanilla P50 as well.Alleged Huawei P50 prototypeThese is also a chance that the...

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Samsung Galaxy Quantum2 - aka Galaxy A82 - leaks in detail
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/galaxy-a82-aka-quantum2-box-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Galaxy A80 from 2019 was one of the more unique models in Samsung’s lineup, but it didn’t get a sequel – which may be about to change. Though it will be a sequel in name only, it’s really more of a followup to the Galaxy A Quantum than an A80-series model.In South Korea, this phone will be known as the Samsung Galaxy Quantum2 and will be exclusive to carrier SKT. The exciting part for the rest of the world is that (according to rumors) this hardware will be sold under the name Samsung Galaxy A82 globally.Samsung Galaxy Quantum2 (aka Galaxy A82) in its retail package for SK...

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ZTE Axon 30 Ultra will feature three 64MP cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/zte-axon-30-pro-cameras-detailed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ZTE will introduce the Axon 30 series smartphones on April 15, including the Axon 30 Pro already confirmed to sport three 64MP cameras. Today, the Chinese phone maker on Weibo announced that Axon 30 Pro will be joined by an Ultra model, which too will feature three 64MP shooters - primary, ultrawide, and portrait.A video teaser shared by ZTE reveals these 64MP units will be accompanied by a fourth module, which will use an 8MP sensor and a periscope lens. In a separate post, ZTE shared a video showing off the Axon 30 lineup's video stabilization. The company...

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OnePlus 9R hands-on review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/oneplus-9r/hands-on/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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LG confirms up to three Android OS updates for premium smartphones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/lg-3-android-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg At the start of this week, LG announced its exit from the smartphone business. Despite this, LG is now officially confirming that all of its premium smartphones released after 2019 will receive three Android OS updates. LG specifies the G and V series devices as well as its newer Velvet series and the Wing.This means the LG G8 series, LG V50, LG V60, the trio of LG Velvets and LG Wing are all in line for upgrades up to Android 13 as they all launched with Android 10. Midrangers like the LG Stylo 6 and certain LG K-series phones from 2020 will receive two OS updates so users can...

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Realme C20, Realme C21, Realme C25 all arrive in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/realme-c20-c21-c25-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme held an event today, introducing three affordable phones to Indian fans - the Realme C20, Realme C21, and Realme C25. All three phones have been previously announced around the globe, but now they will sell in the Asian country for prices between INR6,999 and INR10,999 ($95-$150).Realme C20The Realme C20 arrives with a Helio G35 chipset and a 5,000 mAh battery. It has only one memory option - 2GB RAM + 32GB storage (expandable through a dedicated microSD slot) and only one camera on the back - an 8MP shooter with an f/2.0 lens.Realme India is offering the C20 in Cool...

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Harmony OS 2.0 stable coming in June, Huawei P50 series delayed until then
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/huawei-harmonyos-2-beta-3-tedx/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei president of Consumer Business Group hosted a TEDx keynote in Shenzhen, China, revealing future plans for the company’s division of mobile and IoT devices. Dr. Wang Chenglu confirmed that “many devices” will be able to switch to Harmony OS 2.0 by June 2021.The executive expects 300 million smartphones, tablets, and other IoT devices to have the Harmony OS by the end of the calendar year.After the announcement a tipster shared on Huawei’s fan forum that the P50 flagship series will be postponed to June so it can become the Harmony pioneer. The flagships will launch alongside...

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Google I/O 2021 is happening, will be virtual with free attendance
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/google-io-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The COVID-19 pandemic took away most in-person events in 2020, with Google canceling entirely its I/O developers conference. Thankfully, this year we’ll see Sundar Pichai on the scene, but it will be a virtual event. On the upside that means everyone will be able to attend.The event will take place from May 18-20. Registration has now open and we’ve provided a link at the end of this article.Google I/O 2021 will hold virtual keynotes and workshops focused on “company and product news”. You will have to register for instructor-led Q&A sessions and there will be AMA (Ask Me...

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Realme GT Neo units worth CNY100 million sold in 10 seconds in first sale
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/realme-gt-neo-design/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Realme GT Neo introduced last week went on its first sale in China today, and Realme announced it sold units worth CNY100 million in 10 seconds across different sales channels, which translates to around $15 million at current exchange rates. However, Realme didn't reveal which model sold the most. The GT Neo comes in three memory variants - 6GB/128GB, 8GB/128GB, and 12GB/256GB priced at CNY1,799 ($275/€230), CNY1,999 ($305/€255), and CNY2,299 ($350/€295), respectively.The Realme GT Neo is powered by the Dimensity 1200 SoC and boots Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0 on top. The...

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T-Mobile is giving you a free Samsung Galaxy A32 5G if you trade-in any old phone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/t-mobile-5g-free-phone-upgrade/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg T-Mobile is talking a big 5G game today, announcing that it's giving anyone who trades in any old phone a free Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. The old phone has to be in working order, but it can be any phone - the press release even mentions you can trade in a Sidekick, flip phone, whatever.The "free" bit comes after 24 bill credits, so you will need to stick around for two years to benefit, and you still have to pay sales tax - but hey, it's almost free after all.The carrier also announced that it's upgrading all of its customers (including those previously on Sprint) who are on a...

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Nokia 8.1 and Nokia 2.3 get Android 11
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/nokia-81-23-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg HMD Global is now ready to extend the Android 11 update to two more of its past phones - the Nokia 8.1 from 2018 and the Nokia 2.3 from 2019. Both of these are now in the process of receiving the update to the latest stable version of Google's OS.For the Nokia 8.1, the first wave includes units purchased in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Macau, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. 10% of units in these markets will receive the update notification immediately, 50% by April 10, and on April 12, 100% should be up to date. Then, at a later date, the second wave will include...

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GSMArena

20-04-21, 03:24

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/galaxy-z-fold3-flip2-ip-rating/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's upcoming 2021 foldable smartphones are expected to launch within a few months, and a new report today claims these will be the first such devices to have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance.We're talking about the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip2 (or Flip3, as it has sometimes been rumored that Samsung would skip the number "2" in order to match the Flip generation with the Fold's).So far it's unknown exactly what specific IP rating the duo will get, but there will be one - at least if this rumor, seemingly based on "whispers from people in the...

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MediaTek first to relase a 4nm chipset, already has orders from OEMs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/mediatek-dimensity-1200-realme/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg According to two separate sources, MediaTek is going to be the first chip maker to release a 4nm chipset. Production is supposed to start either at the end of this year (Q4 2021) or at the beginning of 2022.In fact, some major OEMs have already taken orders for MediaTek's high-end SoC. We are talking Oppo, Xiaomi, Samsung, and vivo. The downside is that MediaTek has secured the 4nm order from TSMC at a big cost - around $80 per unit compared to the current high-end 5nm chipsets that cost between $30 and $35.A famous Chinese tipster claims that MediaTek's hardware will be able to...

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Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra 5G in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/xiaomi-mi-11-ultra-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra may be the ultimate smartphone. Looking at it from all angles, we can't really see a flaw or shortcoming. Better yet, it's hard to see one phone matching the Mi 11 Ultra spec for spec, well, except maybe that other Ultra.But first thing's first - let's do an unboxing. Xiaomi ship the Mi 11 Ultra with a potent 67W charger that can top the phone up in under 40 minutes, a USB cable, 3.5mm to USB-C dongle and a case.The back of the phone is where things get really interesting. As far as camera islands go, this one is the daddy! It's huge and is able to topple...

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Samsung patents a Armor Frame for smartphones ahead of new foldables release
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/samsung-armor-frame/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has filed a patent in South Korea, the USA and in Europe for the name Armor Frame. It's intended for use in for smartphones but other than that, the description doesn't reveal much.Some rumors point to a frame made of either carbon or titanium - materials lighter and stronger than standard aluminum and more importantly, ones that don't lose rigidness over time. The timing of the Armor Frame patent seems to be in line with Samsung's plans to release its Galaxy Z Flip2 and Galaxy Z Fold3. They would surely benefit from the extra rigidness and lower weight. Then again,...

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Sony Alpha engineers explain how they developed the Xperia 1 III camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/sony-xperia-1-iii-alpha-engineers-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While Huawei and OnePlus had to look for outside help with their cameras (Leica and Hasselblad, respectively), Sony already has an excellent camera division in house – the engineers that build its Alpha cameras. They worked on the Mark II flagships last year and as well as the new Xperia 1 III and 5 III.Sony pulled in optical, software and image quality engineers from the Alpha team and tasked them with developing a similar experience aimed at professionals. The video below shows three of them explaining how the Xperia camera was designed and the reasoning behind some of the...

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Samsung to offer new Galaxy Z Flip in eight different colors
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-new-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is already working on its next foldable smartphone, and we have some more info about the clamshell device with the supposed name Galaxy Z Flip 3. According to sources from the Netherlands, the phone will come in Gray, White, Dark Blue, and Pink variants.These four options complement the previously leaked quartet of colors - Purple, Green, Black, Beige.Samsung might have eight colors in the pipeline, but it's unlikely we'll see all of them in the same markets. The Korean company usually reserves some of the options for special occasions, and not all markets get the same...

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Samsung Galaxy A22 pictured in case renders a month or two before its official unveiling
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/galaxy-a22-case-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Accessory makers are not a patient bunch, one of them posted images of a transparent case for the still unofficial Samsung Galaxy A22. The design is very, very similar to that of the Galaxy M62/F62, down to the pinstripe pattern and gradient on the back.Samsung Galaxy A22 (case renders)There are differences, of course. For starters, we see a quad camera, but where is the LED flash? Even the Galaxy A12 has one. By the way, last month The Elec posted details about A22’s camera – it will be equipped with a 48MP main module, 8MP ultrawide and two 2MP helpers. The selfie camera...

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Samsung Galaxy M12 comes to the UK
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/samsung-galaxy-m12-uk-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last month, Samsung launched its Galaxy M12 handset in India and now the phone has made its way to the UK. It will retail for £159 starting April 30 and will be exclusive to Amazon UK at launch.The big selling point of the M12 is its 5,000 mAh battery which is actually lower than the Indian version’s 6,000 mAh cell. You also get a 6.5-inch PLS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate and 720 x 1600 pixel resolution. The device is still powered by the Exynos 850 SoC paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.The camera setup includes a 48MP primary shooter alongside a 5MP ultrawide snapper and two...

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Caviar launches custom iPhone 12 Pro (Max) phones celebrating Gagarin, Armstrong, Musk and Bezos
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/caviar-space-conquerors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week the world celebrated the 60th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight, performed by Yuri Gagarin on April 12 1961. Caviar is marking the occasion with the launch of its “Space Conquerors” line of customized iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max phones. These not only celebrate the past but also look to the future as well with nods to Elon Musk’s SpaceX (and his ambition to go to Mars) and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.The iPhone 12 Pro (Max) Gagarin is made out of aviation-grade titanium and has a 3D miniature of the Vostok-K rocket that brought the cosmonaut to orbit. Only 12 units will...

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Kuo predicts expanded mmWave support for iPhone 13, leaked screen protector appears with smaller notch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/iphone-13-expanded-mmwave-smaller-notch/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The iPhone 13 rumor mill is starting to get more and more specific with each passing week and we now have more details regarding 5G connectivity. Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to sell mmWave supporting iPhones in more regions including Canada, Japan, Australia, and major European markets. With last year’s iPhone 12 series, Apple only sold mmWave iPhones in the US which accounts for 30-35% of all iPhone 12 shipments while this year the number is expected to increase to 50-65% in total.The big visual change seen on mmWave handsets is the antenna cutout below the power button. You can see the...

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Samsung Galaxy M32 spotted with 6,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/samsung-galaxy-m32-6000-mah-listing/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung’s Galaxy M-line has brought in several phones with ample battery capacities and it seems another one is on its way. A new listing on the DEKRA certification agency details an upcoming Samsung Galaxy phone believed to be the Galaxy M32. The listing shows a battery with a rated capacity of 5,830 mAh which should translate to a typical value of 6,000 mAh.Samsung Galaxy M32 battery listingThe battery bears the EB-BM325ABN model number which gives out its ties to the Galaxy M32. Not much else is known about the device though according to speculation, we’re in for a similarly...

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Report: Samsung considered bringing back the 3D ToF sensor for the Galaxy S22, decided not to
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/no-tof-sensor-on-galaxy-s22/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Korean publication ET News reports that the 3D Time of Flight (ToF) sensor will not be making a comeback next year with the Galaxy S22 series. ToF sensors were featured on recent high profile releases like the Galaxy S10 5G and S20 Ultra.However, the company swapped in a simple Laser AF system for the Galaxy Note20 Ultra launch and found that the change didn’t negatively impact user experience. So, ToF was out and Laser AF was in for the Galaxy S21 Ultra launch as well, which will carry over to next year’s S22 series.According to insiders, Samsung thought about bringing the ToF sensor...

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OxygenOS 11.0.0.2 hotfix rolling out for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/oneplus-7-7t-android-11-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus started rolling out the Android 11 update back in late March, but pretty quickly it became apparent that there were issues with the new firmware, so the rollout was halted. Now, nearly a month later, the company has a hotfix that resolves the “unforeseen bugs” in the original release (the bugs themselves are never explicitly listed).OnePlus 7 and 7T series receiving the OxygenOS 11.0.0.2 11.0.0.2Here’s OxygenOS 11.0.0.2 for the OnePlus 7, 7 Pro, 7T and 7T Pro. This update has been rolling out over the weekend, but it goes in stages and only a limited number of users have...

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Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, ZTE to launch phones with under-display cameras this year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/under-display-cameras/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A number of phone makers have smartphones in the pipeline with next-generation under-display cameras.Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, ZTE and Meizu are all expected to show phones with new under-display cameras in the second half of the year.According to popular insider Ice universe Samsung's and Oppo's devices to use an under-display camera will be foldables, while Xiaomi's will be the Mi Mix 4.We've already heard that vivo's NEX 5 is expected to bring an improved under-display camera in the second half of the year. ZTE first showed a mass market under-display camera solution in the...

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Sony Xperia 10 III gets an exclusive Yellow color for Docomo Japan
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/xperia-10-iii-yellow-docomo/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Sony ushered in its new Xperia lineup last week and now it has been revealed the midrange Xperia 10 III is getting an exclusive yellow color for Docomo's online shop. The Japanese carrier usually teams up with Sony on limited edition colorways. Reservations for the exclusive Xperia 10 III are already underway while the date of the first sale is still not finalized.Docomo mentions a “mid-June 2021 or later” lauch which fall in line with Sony’s promise to bring the Xperia III lineup later this summer. Make sure to check out our Hot Take on the new Xperia lineup where we delve deeper...

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Redmi gaming phone to have Dimensity 1200, big battery and 67W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/xiaomi-redmi-gaming-d1200/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Redmi is expected to launch its own gaming branch as early as this month. According to sources from China, the first phone will come with a Samsung E4 AMOLED screen with 144Hz refresh rate.On the inside, the phone is said to be powered by Dimensity 1200 chipset and will have a lovely price tag.The new phone will also excel with a large 5,000 mAh battery and 67W fast charging.What should further boost the phone's gaming pedigree, is some sort of shoulder keys that the Redmi team will borrow from the Black Shark division, also a Xiaomi brand.The selling price is said to...

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Realme Q3 series arriving on April 22, Q3 Pro to have Dimensity 1100
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/realme-q3-pro-date-glow/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme announced the Q3 lineup will arrive this month, and we finally know the date. The series will be introduced on April 22, as confirmed by the company on Weibo.One of the expected phones will be the Realme Q3 Pro, and it has already appeared on TENAA and Geekbench with a Dimensity 1100 chipset. We also know the lineup will have a fluorescent color option that will glow in the dark.The Realme Q3 Pro is going to arrive with a 6.43” AMOLED panel and a 4,500 mAh battery. The main camera will have a 64MP sensor, and the whole setup looks like a triple-cam one with no periscopes or...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 15
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we complete another week we find a couple of familiar faces atop our trending chart. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra leads Redmi Note 10 Pro for the second time in a row, while the newly launched Galaxy Quantum 2 completes the podium.The non-Pro Redmi Note 10 takes fourth ahead of two of the newly unveiled Sony phones follow in fifth and sixth. The Xperia 1 III got a bit more attention than the Xperia 5 III, helping it just edge out its more compact sibling. The Poco F3 is seventh, followed by its X3 Pro stablemate as a couple of Samsung phones complete the top 10 - the Galaxy A72 ahead...

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Hot take: Sony Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III and Xperia 10 III
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/sony-xperia-1-5-10-iii-hot-take/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony brought its smartphone lineup for an entire year in a single announcement this week and there are things we want to talk about.So here go a few early thoughts on what we found interesting, what are the key points and what we think about them.A true band of brothersThe Sony Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III and Xperia 10 III are very different and yet they clearly follow the same formula. You could say they have more things in common than any smartphone lineup out there.All three have 21:9 OLED screens, stereo speakers, a 4,500mAh battery, expandable storage, 3.5mm headphone...

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Week 15 in review: Sony Xperia 1 III, 5 III, 10 III are here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Welcome to another week's recap. The biggest story of the week was Sony's triple announcement. The Japanese company unveiled the make III revisions of its Xperia 1, 5 and 10 smartphones, which will come to market in early summer.The Xperia 1 III and 5 III both feature identical camera systems, which include three 12MP cameras with PDAF and OIS, covering the wide, ultrawide and telephoto range. The latter is a first of its kind with a variable focal length of 70mm and 105mm from a single sensor. That translates to around 2.9x to 4.4x zoom.The Xperia 10 III is a compact device with a 6"...

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GSMArena

08-05-21, 14:05

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/oneplus-7t-pro-5g-t-mobile-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The OnePlus 7, 7 Pro, 7T, and 7T Pro got the Android 11 update in March, and later in April, units locked to T-Mobile's network also received the latest version of Android. Now it's time for T-Mobile's OnePlus 7T Pro 5G to get a taste of Android 11.OnePlus 7T ProThe Android 11 update for the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G carries build number 11.0.1.2.HD61CB and comes with the April 2021 Android security patch. We don't have the new firmware's detailed changelog yet, but you can expect it to bring the usual Android 11 goodies to the 7T Pro 5G, such as chat bubbles, notification history, and...

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Samsung Galaxy A52 5G India launch imminent as support page goes live on official website
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/samsung-galaxy-a52-5g-support-page-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung announced the Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A52 5G in March. The A52 is already available in India with a starting price of INR26,499 ($360/€300), and Samsung will launch the A52 5G in the country soon as the smartphone's support page has gone live on the Korean conglomerate's official Indian website.The page doesn't include any specs of the Galaxy A52 5G, however, it tells us that the smartphone will carry model designation SM-A526B/DS in India, where DS indicates dual-SIM support.It's unclear when exactly Samsung will introduce the Galaxy A52 5G in India, but you can expect it...

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Alleged renders leak of the Sharp Aquos R6 with Leica-branded camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/renders-leak-sharp-aquos-r6-leica/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sharp is a brand of smartphones with a presence more prominent in Japan. The latest smartphone rumored for Sharp is the Aquos R6 and alleged renders of the device have leaked.Well known camera leaker @nokishita_c crossed over to report about smartphones. The next Sharp smartphone will have a camera system “Co-engineered with Leica”.5月10日に発表されるシャープ「AQUOS R6」のカメラはライカ共同開発になる？ #噂 pic.twitter.com/ZsDu93ENLg— 軒下デジカメ情報局 (@nokishita_c) May 7, 2021 Renders of the smartphone show a rather chunky smartphone with deep curved edges. There’s also a centered punch-hole camera and the setup looks...

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T-Mobile offers Mom a free iPhone 12 with eligible trade-in this weekend only
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/t-mobile-free-iphone-deal-mothers-day/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In a newsroom post on Friday, T-Mobile announces a lucrative deal that will last this weekend only. In honor of Mother’s Day, existing or new T-Mobile subscribers can get up to $830 off an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 with an eligible trade in. The best part of this deal is that eligible transactions won’t require you to add another line.To qualify for a free iPhone 12 on T-Mobile, you need to have a “qualifying line of service on an eligible plan” which might not include some older legacy plans. You need to purchase a new iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, or 12 mini on a monthly plan...

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WhatsApp to become increasingly less useful if you don't accept its new terms
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/whatsapp-deadline/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg WhatsApp has clarified how it will be treating the accounts of users who won't be accepting its updated terms and policy. The information was posted on the company's official website.For those who choose not to accept the company's updated terms, the app will continue to show a notification asking to accept. After a period of several weeks, the users will see a persistent reminder.Once users see a persistent reminder, the WhatsApp app will switch to a limited functionality mode. In this mode, users won't be able to access their chat list. If they receive a chat, they will be able to...

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 to reportedly arrive in July
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/xiaomi-mi-pad-5-may-arrive-july/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier today, one of Xiaomi’s Mi Pad 5 variants has been certified to come with 8,520 mAh of battery capacity. Another report about the same lineup of tablets narrows down a possible time window where Xiaomi may plan to launch the tablets in July.In a recent post on Weibo, fans of the brand received replies from Wang Teng Thomas, Redmi’s Product Director. In the replies, Thomas confirms that the Mi Pad 5 isn’t expected to launch this month but rather at some point in the second half of the year. This suggests that the Mi Pad 5 lineup may not arrive until July.Xiaomi’s Mi Pad...

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Flaw in Qualcomm modems enables backdoor for hackers to record your phone calls
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/qualcomm-msm-modem-flaw/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg According to a new report by security firm Check Point Research, Qualcomm’s Mobile Station Modem (MSM) can be exploited by hackers and used to record phone calls and more. MSM dates back to the early 1990s and used in 2G/3G/4G and even 5G devices and presents a serious vulnerability that can be hacked remotely as easily as sending an SMS message.From there the wrongdoers gain the ability to listen in on your calls, read through your text messages, and can even unlock your SIM card in order to bypass any limitations imposed by carriers. According to reports nearly 30% of all...

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Oppo commits to three years of software support for the Find X3 series
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/oppo-three-years-software-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Premium Android phones are getting extended software support lately and Oppo’s Find X3 series is the latest proof. Today, Oppo confirmed to Android Planet that the Find X3 series will get an extra year of software support bringing the total to three.Up until this point, Oppo generally provided two years of software updates but now phones like the Find X3 Pro will get an extra year of security patches. The new reports also mentions that Oppo is looking to extend software support to four years though it’s still testing whether that is a viable option.All Find X3 series phones are...

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Honor Tablet X7 announced with 8" screen and 5,100 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/honor-tablet-x7-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor today announced a new tablet dubbed Honor Tablet X7. It's powered by the Helio P22T SoC, runs Android 10-based Magic UI 4.0, and has 3GB RAM and 32GB storage onboard. However, the tablet also comes with a microSD card slot for storage expansion by up to 512GB.The Tablet X7 is built around an 8" LCD of 1280x800-pixel resolution with E-Book Mode to prevent eye fatigue during prolonged reading sessions. You also get two cameras - a 2MP selfie shooter with fixed focus, and a 5MP main camera with autofocus.The back panel of the Tablet X7 is made of metal and has a fine sand...

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Poco X3 NFC long-term review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/poco-x3-nfc-long-term/thumb/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Realme V25 coming soon, could be either of recently certified Realme phones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/realme-v25-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Just two weeks ago we saw two TENAA listings for a pair of upcoming Realme phones and now we get a rumor that one of them could end up being the Realme V25.Chinese tipster arsenal believes either the RMX 3333 or RMX 3143 will end up called Realme V25 arsenal post on WeiboThe RMX3333 is expected to bring the Snapdragon 780G while the RMX3143 packs a Snapdragon 768G instead. The latter is expected to be similarly equipped to Oppo’s recently announced K9 5G smartphone.RMX3143This means a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, 64MP primary camera alongside an 8MP...

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 certified with 8,520 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/xiaomi-mi-pad-5-battery/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi is expected to launch the Mi Pad 5 tablet series. They are supposed to be a direct competition to the iPad Pros, the Galaxy Tab series and the Huawei Mate Pad Pro devices. One of the slates has now been certified at 3C with a dual 4,260 mAh battery, meaning the total charge is 8,520 mAh.Image by XiaomiPlanetRumors suggest two devices are incoming - vanilla Mi Pad 5 and a mightier Mi Pad 5 Pro. The Pro variant will have an LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate, In-Cell active pen technology and WQXGA aspect ratio with 2560 x 1600 resolution.Renders...

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OxygenOS 12 to bring a Theme Store
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/oneplus-theme-store-oxygenos-12/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The next major addition coming to OnePlus phones with OxygenOS 12 is a theme store. OnePlus confirmed the news in an official forum post which laid out a few details of the upcoming OnePlus Open Ears Forum (OEF) set for May 18. OnePlus plans to discuss its upcoming OxygenOS 12 additions with a group of 15 users and several OnePlus community member s.The OnePlus Theme Store is still up for debate though it seems a majority of the OnePlus forum members are supportive of the idea. OxygenOS 12 will be based on Android 12 (codenamed Snow Cone) and is expected to arrive later this year...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Lite gets 3C certified with 44W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/samsung-galaxy-tab-s7-lite-5g-pink-color-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Lite, also rumored to be called Tab S7+ Lite, is expected to come in three variants - Wi-Fi only (SM-T730), 4G (SM-T735), and 5G (SM-T736B/SM-T736N). The Wi-Fi and LTE models have bagged 3C certification, revealing 44W charging support in the process.However, the Chinese certifying authority tells us that the tablets won't ship with a 44W charger. Instead, they will come bundled with 15W adapters, meaning you'll have to buy a compatible 44W charger separately for faster charging.It's unclear whether the 5G model will also ship with a 15W charger or come...

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Google introduces new family-oriented Assistant features
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/google-assisstant-new-features-home/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Mother’s Day is this Sunday in the United States, and to celebrate the holiday, Google has brought new features to Assistant.In a press release, the Mountain View company revealed Broadcast is expanding to users in a newly created “Google Family Group”, including their smartphones, and Family Bell is getting more languages.Other new features include more stories, games, and some easter eggs.Starting today, Broadcast will be able to reach you on your Android and iOS devices, not only Google Home devices in separate rooms. One user will be able to say “Hey Google, tell my family...

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ZTE nubia Z30 Pro is arriving on May 20
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/nubia-z30-red-color/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg nubia VP Mr. Ni Fei today announced that the company will unveil the Z30 Pro smartphone on May 20.nubia hasn't detailed the Z30 Pro's specs yet, but Mr. Fei said that the Z30 Pro will be the first smartphone to come with professional SLR functions.We could also see nubia introduce the regular Z30 on May 20, which appeared in a couple of renders with a curved, notchless screen. Like the Axon 20 series, the Z30 will also pack an under-display selfie camera.Leaked nubia Z30 renderThe back panel of the Z30 will house a quad camera setup, and the leaked pictures revealed the...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 certified to ship with 15W charger
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/samsung-galaxy-z-flip3-15w/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As leaks for Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3 5G begin to ramp up in recent weeks, the latest information reveals information about the phone’s battery charging capabilities.As revealed by the 3C, China’s equivalent to the US FCC, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G will come with the Adaptive Fast Charge adapter in the box (EP-TA200). This charger has been bundled in with Galaxy S smartphones for years and it outputs a peak current of 15W (9V @ 1.67A). This is the same charger that was bundled with the Galaxy Z Flip.The model number listed is the SM-F7110 which represents the Chinese variant...

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US FTC report finds large companies’ anti-repair restrictions hurt small businesses and consumers
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/ftc-report-points-out-issues-with-warranty-and-repairs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new report has been published on Thursday by the United States Federal Trade Commission which validates anti-repair tactics used by large-scale companies. iFixIt has spent a lot of time advocating for the consumers’ Right to Repair as well as provide tools and documentation for the repair of most of today’s mainstream tech.iFixIt's teardown of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro MaxMajor findings in the report mention a few topics that are concerning for consumers: “Warranties are being routinely voided in violation of the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act”. This act, established in 1975,...

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Gboard for Wear OS updated with enhanced text input, multi-language support, and a new look
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/gboard-on-wear-os-updated/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg On Google’s Wear OS support page, a new entry has appeared with details outlining a new update to Wear OS’ Gboard app. Though no drastic change has been made, Gboard for Wear OS has been updated with a new appearance, multi-language input support, and enhanced correction and suggestions.Message the way you want to with the new Gboard ⌨️ on #WearOSbyGoogle.Multiple ways to message like voice, QWERTY keyboard or gestures ✔️Enhanced suggestions and corrections ✔️Multi-language support ✔️See what’s new: https://t.co/RjjtZO23Tv pic.twitter.com/dggR6HxsFc— Wear OS by Google (@WearOSbyGoogle)...

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Sony Xperia Pro reaches Europe, pre-orders start
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/xperia-pro-europe/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony's phone-that-is-mainly-a-pro-camera-accessory, the Xperia Pro, was announced way back in February of last year, and it finally launched in the US and Japan this January with a hard to swallow price of $2,500.Today the company is announcing that the Xperia Pro is making it across the pond and over to Europe, where it will be offered in the UK, Germany, and Nordic countries.While Sony has refrained from providing an actual release date for the phone, it has announced that pre-orders have started today in the UK, and will be available until May 13. Presumably then, May 14 is the...

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GSMArena

19-05-21, 16:59

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/google-security-quick-delete-change-password/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Google I/O 2021 Developers Conference began yesterday, and the Mountain View company announced plenty of new features for its products, alongside the first beta of Android 12. It also revealed more ways to protect the content and data of Google services users, including more controls over privacy and a quick way to fix compromised passwords. A new feature called Quick Delete will erase everything from your Search history in the last 15 minutes. Also, users of Google Photos will be able to create a password-protected folder where only the owner of the device will be able to open -...

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Poco M3 Pro 5G unveiled with Dimensity 700 and 90Hz display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/poco-m3-pro-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Poco M3 Pro 5G is here and it is faster. It has faster Internet thanks to 5G, it has a faster 90Hz screen and a faster chipset. And it has a cool new design too. Poco M3 Pro 5G Poco picked the 7nm Dimensity 700 chip to power its new creation. It has peak download speeds of up to 2.77 Gbps and a pair of Cortex-A76 cores, plus a Mali G57 GPU. For comparison, the Snapdragon 662 inside the vanilla M3 is an 11nm chip with four Cortex-A73 based cores and an Adreno 610. The newer CPU cores are much faster individually and noticeably faster together, despite there being only two of...

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The Android 12 beta causes some OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro phones to bootloop (there is a fix)
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/oneplus-9-android-12-soft-brick/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google unveiled Android 12 beta yesterday and several makers announced that owners of select devices will be able to test drive it. The list includes the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, but the firmware was pulled almost as fast as it was released after the first users to try it reported that it caused their phones to bootloop. First off, this isn’t permanent – there’s a way to save the device using a Qualcomm tool that flashes the phone in Emergency Download Mode. This pinned post in the OnePlus forum explains how to roll back to stable Android 11. So, what happened? Well, if you didn’t...

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Watch the Poco M3 Pro 5G global launch live
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/poco-m3-pro-design-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Poco unveiled the M3 last November, and today the company will introduce its Pro version, dubbed Poco M3 Pro 5G. The launch event will begin at 12PM UTC and will be streamed live on YouTube. You can follow it with us by joining the stream below. Poco dropped multiple teasers last week, giving us a fair idea of what to expect from the smartphone. For starters, the M3 Pro 5G will have a Dimensity 700 SoC at the helm and pack a 6.5" FullHD+ screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The rear panel of the M3 Pro 5G will house a 48MP triple camera, and fueling the entire package will be a 5,000...

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40-core Apple Silicon to power upcoming Mac Pro, new Mac mini also in the works
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/apple-new-imac/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After the launch of its first M1 chip, Apple is working on expanding its silicon portfolio to power up its future devices. Bloomberg says it has inside info about a new Mac Pro and a higher-end Mac mini. The Mac Pro has been rumored to be up to twice as small as its predecessor but now we have some intel on its internals. Two versions of the device will be available - one with a 20-core and another with a 40-core chip, while the GPU will be have either 64 or 128 cores. Codenamed 2C-Die and 4C-Die, the new Mac Pros will adopt 16 and 32 high-performance cores with the being...

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nubia Z30 Pro appears in official images, VP shares more camera samples
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/nubia-z30-pro-design-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The nubia Z30 Pro is arriving on May 20, and in a bid to build more hype around it, company VP Mr. Ni Fei has shared some teasers on Weibo. We are looking at the silver color model of the Z30 Pro here, and you can see that the camera island on the phone's rear panel looks similar to the Axon 30 Ultra's. It includes four shooters, out of which three are using 64MP sensors, and the fourth one could be an 8MP periscope unit like the one we've seen on the Axon 30 Ultra. nubia Z30 Pro In addition to sharing the Z30 Pro's official renders, Mr. Fei also posted a live image of the...

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Oppo Reno6 series May 27 launch officially confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/oppo-reno6-ofic-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Oppo Reno6 series was rumored to arrive at an event on May 22, but today the company announced they are actually going to take until May 27. The smartphone lineup will be introduced at a beach party on the coast of Northern China as a “new summer companion”. Screengrab from Oppo Reno6's video teaser We expect to see at least three smartphones at the launch - a vanilla Oppo Reno6, a Reno6 Pro, a Reno6 Pro+ with better cameras. We also heard of Z and A versions, but those appeared only recently so perhaps they won't be part of the initial announcement. Source (in Chinese) |...

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Sony Xperia Ace 2 unveiled in Japan, brings 5.5-inch screen and Helio P35 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/sony-xperia-ace-2-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg The past few weeks saw a few Sony Xperia Ace 2 leaks and now the device has officially been announced in Japan. Sony’s tiniest smartphone in recent memory sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD with HD+ resolution and Gorilla Glass 6 protection upfront. The exact dimensions come in at 140 x 69 x 8.9mm while weight is set at 159 grams. The Xperia Ace 2 is a 4G LTE device powered by the well-known Helio P35 chipset. You get 4GB RAM and 64GB storage which is expandable via microSD. True to Sony traditions, the Ace 2 packs IP68 water and dust proofing and a headphones jack. The back sports a 13MP...

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Realme GT Neo Flash Edition could be unveiled on May 24
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/realme-gt-neo-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme introduced the Snapdragon 888-powered GT in the first week of March and followed up with the GT Neo later. A few days ago, we heard the phone maker is planning to launch the GT Neo Flash Edition, which could be unveiled on May 24. Realme took to Weibo to announce an event in China on May 24, which will begin at 7PM local time. The company doesn't tell us what this event will be about, but it will likely introduce the GT Neo Flash Edition at the event. There's no official word about the GT Neo Flash Edition yet, however, previous reports claim it will just be a GT Neo with...

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Oppo K9 5G might escape China under the Realme brand
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/realme-rmx-3142-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo has launched the K9 5G smartphone at its home market with a Snapdragon 768G chipset and 8 GB RAM. It has a lot of similarities to the Realme RMX3142 that appeared on TENAA last month, and bn The Realme RMX3142 appeared on TENAA last month with photos and a full specs sheet, and today the device was spotted again, this time on Geekbench. It looks a lot like the Oppo K9 5G, introduced earlier this month in China, and our source claims the phone will be relaunched outside Oppo’s domestic market under the Realme brand. The Geekbench 4.2 scores reveal 3,234 for a single core and...

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Google’s Project Starline makes two-way communication immersive and realistic
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/google-project-starline/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg During Google I/O’s Keynote today, the company announced that it’s been quietly testing a new concept called Project Starline. This is Google’s technology for two-way communication from a distance, but made to feel as though the other person is sitting right across from you. Project Starline applies a few things to make this possible: “research in computer vision, machine learning, spatial audio, and real-time compression.” The display in front of each recipient uses a “breakthrough light field display system that creates a sense of volume and depth that can be experienced without...

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Google will make Pixel’s camera more inclusive with improved accuracy of darker skin tones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/google-will-make-pixel-camera-more-inclusive/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg During today’s Google I/O Keynote livestream, the company announced some of the changes coming to Google Maps, Google Photos, and Wear OS. In the camera, department, Google announced that it is working to improve its Pixel cameras to be more inclusive of darker skin colors by making them more color accurate and improve the exposure. For people of color, photography has not always seen us as we want to be seen, even on some of our own Google products. To make smartphone photography truly for everyone, we’ve been working with a group of industry experts to build a more accurate and...

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Microsoft announces that Windows 10X has been canceled
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/windows-10x-dead/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Microsoft today announced that it has canceled its upcoming Windows 10X operating system. This information was revealed in a blog post announcing the rollout of the new Windows 10 21H1 update. Instead, Microsoft will be integrating the features in Windows 10X within Windows and its other products. The company has already started implementing some of these on the Windows Insider preview builds, such as the new app container technology in Microsoft Defender Application Guard, an enhanced Voice Typing experience, and a modernized touch keyboard with optimized key sizing, sounds,...

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Google Photos adds protected Locked Folder, more controls for Memories
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/google-photos-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today was the first day of the Google I/O developer conference, and the search giant announced updates across all of its services. Google Photos wasn't forgotten either. The app will get a new passcode-protected Locked Folder space where you can save sensitive photos separately. What's stored here won't show up as you scroll through Google Photos or any other gallery app on your device. Locked Folder will be available on Pixels first, and arrive on more Android devices throughout the year. On Pixels, you'll have the option to save photos and videos directly to your Locked Folder from the...

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Mini-LED MacBook Pro to launch in limited supply this year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/macbook-mini-led-down/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple is expected to expand the use of mini-LED displays from the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro to the new MacBook Pro models this year. And while the new laptops should arrive on schedule, they may only be available in limited quantities initially. According to a Digitimes report the supply of mini-LED displays for the upcoming MacBooks will be constrained due to the ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19, affecting Foxconn and Wistron factories in India. The recent outbreaks are reportedly already affecting the supply of mini-LED panels for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Still, Apple is expected to...

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Google Maps gets busyness info for areas, more detailed and personalized maps
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/google-maps-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google IO was busy with a load of announcements today, and one of them had to do with Google Maps. The app is set to receive a bunch of neat feature updates in the coming months. First off, detailed street maps, which launched last August, are now headed to an additional 50 more cities by the end of the year, including Berlin, Sao Paulo, Seattle, and Singapore. These maps show you where sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian islands are, along with the shape and width of roads to scale. This can help you choose the most accommodating route for walking. The Google Maps... map is also...

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Oppo has an Android 12 beta ready for the Find X3 Pro already
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/oppo-android-12-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Like its spinoff brand Realme, Oppo is also unveiling an Android 12 beta of its own today, following Google's announcement of its upcoming OS reaching this phase. Unlike Realme, Oppo's build should be out in the next few hours. The beta is headed to Pixels today as well, but don't confuse the build they're getting for what Oppo has in store for the Find X3 Pro - the level of polish is likely to be very different. In fact, Oppo cautions normal users not to install this on their daily drivers. It's more of a developer preview that's being called a beta to be in line with what Google's doing,...

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Realme 8 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/realme-8/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Google and Samsung join forces to make Wear OS great again
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/wear-os-new/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has, just hours ago, confirmed long-standing rumors that its future smartwatches will ditch Tizen and run Wear OS instead, but it turns out there was more to the story. At Google IO it has transpired that in fact, Google and Samsung are joining forces to make Wear OS great again. Or rather, be great for the first time since its inception. For this, it will need to pair its app ecosystem with good battery life, something Samsung knows a thing or two about. Google also promises you'll see faster performance, with apps starting 30% faster on the latest chipsets, with smooth UI...

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Realme GT gets Android 12 Beta 1 this month
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/realme-gt-android-12-beta-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Following Google's announcement of Android 12 , Realme was quick to confirm that its flagship Realme GT will be among the first devices to gain access to the latest Android release. The Realme GT will get access to Android 12 Beta 1 in China through the Developer Preview Program this month. The initial builds will be based on the current Realme UI 2.0, but Realme plans on releasing the future UI 3.0 to Android 12 Beta builds later this year. The Realme GT is still limited to the Chinese market, although global launch is expected soon. The phone is equipped with Snapdragon 888 and up...

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GSMArena

26-06-21, 03:38

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/honor-50-series-exceeds-77-million-one-minute/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Following weeks of anticipation, Honor’s new 50 and 50 Pro smartphones have officially gone on sale in the company’s home market. The Chinese company announces that it sold CNY 500 million (more than $77 million) of Honor 50 devices in just one minute.The Honor 50 and 50 Pro are solely available in China right now, but Honor has plans to launch the 50 series in Europe, complete with Google Mobile Services pre-installed, as the company confirmed.Honor unveiled its 50 Series last week and its design is widely inspired by the upcoming Huawei P50 Series. The Honor 50 and 50 Pro...

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Realme GT 5G review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/realme-gt-5g/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg

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Report: Samsung is pressuring LG to also sell Galaxy phones at its stores, not just iPhones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/samsung-opposes-lg-selling-iphones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LG’s plans to sell iPhones at LG Best Shop locations in South Korea is facing opposition. Samsung is upset by this and claims such a move would violate an agreement signed by the two companies in 2018, which states that only LG-made phones can be sold at LG-run shops and similarly only Samsung phones can be sold at Samsung shops (this agreement was meant to protect small and mid-sized stores from the two giants).However, LG is pointing to a clause in the agreement that says that it can be renegotiated in case of major change. And things did indeed change majorly when LG exited the mobile...

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Google to warn you if the search results are unreliable
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/google-search-dark-mode/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google recently started fact-checking users' search results in order to provide reliable sources of information. However, breaking news is too recent and once the media coverage goes wild, the search engine can't assess which source is trustworthy and which is not.That's why Google will start warning you if it can't guarantee the reliability of the sources that show in your search result. It then explains that the topic you are searching for is new and it takes time for the algorithm to pick out reliable sources.It's also important to note that the current info bracket is hidden...

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Oppo A93s 5G specs leak: an A93 5G with a Dimensity 700 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/oppo-a92s-5g-specs-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Detailed specifications of the Oppo A93s 5G (PFGM00) have surfaced in China, even though the phone is not set to launch until early July. It is a variant of the Oppo A93 5G (no “s”) with a different chipset – a Dimensity taking the place of a Snapdragon, just like with the A92 vs. A92s.Specifically, it is a Dimensity 700, a 7 nm (TSMC) chipset with 2x Cortex-A76 cores (2.2 GHz), a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and a 2.77 Gbps 5G modem (sub-6 only). It replaces the Snapdragon 480, an 8 nm (Samsung) chip with 2x Cortex-A76 derived cores (2.0 GHz), an Adreno 619 GPU and a 2.5 Gbps 5G modem (sub-6...

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MIUI 13 is coming in August, possibly alongside the Mi Mix 4
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/miui-13-august/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi is already working on MIUI 13 and it will be ready for announcement in August. The information comes from a top Xiaomi executive, speaking on changes to the internal testing procedure of software at the company.The next major installment of Xiaomi's Android OS is now in the testing phase and will likely be announced in August and would then make its way to Chinese units first and gradually roll out to global devices as well, sometime after August.MIUI 13 Coming in August Xiaomi executive hinted that MIUI13 will be launched in August. #MIUI13 #MIUI #Xiaomi...

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Samsung Galaxy Watch4 to come with body composition monitor
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/samsung-galaxy-watch4-bia-sensor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 rumored to launch in early August will come with a BIA sensor, claims tipster Max Weinbach.With a BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) sensor onboard, the Galaxy Watch4 will be able to measure the wearer's body composition - in particular body fat and muscle mass - which is an integral part of assessing a person's health and nutrition.The BIA sensor will likely be joined by the heart rate sensor and SpO2 sensor to measure your pulse and blood oxygen level, respectively.Samsung Galaxy Watch3The Galaxy Watch4 was also rumored to come with blood...

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TCL unveils Alcatel 1 (2021) and 1L Pro Android Go edition phones, a new kids watch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/alcatel-1-2021-1l-pro-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg At MWC 2021 TCL is teasing an affordable 5G phone with its own brand, but the Alcatel brand is still around. The company introduced two entry-level Android Go Edition phones that will launch in the coming months.Alcatel 1L ProThe Alcatel 1L Pro will cost around $127 when it launchers in September in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. That’s actually slightly cheaper than the vanilla 1L, which was announced in January at $135.The Pro model boasts a faster chipset – an unnamed chip with an octa-core CPU, replacing the Helio A20 (quad A53 at 1.8 GHz). The memory capacity is...

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UK's mobile operator EE is introducing roaming charges for the EU
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/ee-roaming-brexit/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg After Brexit happened, UK's mobile operators didn't immediately introduce roaming charges but they are now gradually rolling those. The roaming charges will take place starting January 2022. O2 and Three are meanwhile going to limit their fair use caps - the former will limit the data roaming to 25GB a month while Three is reducing the limit from 20GB to 12GB.For those of you are unaware, the EU has banned roaming charges within the EU but it has also introduced a fair use agreement where you can't buy a mobile data plan in one EU country and use it endlessly in another.In any...

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Instagram is now testing publishing posts on desktop
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/instagram-create-feed-post-desktop/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Instagram has started testing creating and publishing posts on desktop. The feature was spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra, who shared screenshots on Twitter, revealing users will have pretty much the same control over photos and their appearance in the News Feed.A quick glance of how Instagram on desktop worksSome users should be getting a Plus icon, but it will work only for posts for now with stories and reels not yet supported. After an image is added by dragging or manually browsing folders, you will have the choice to crop the image, then edit it with...

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TCL teases an affordable 5G phone at the MWC, there's a 5G tablet in the works too
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/tcl-affordable-5g-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last year TCL unveiled the TCL 10 5G, a €400 5G phone. Earlier this year the company unveiled the TCL 20 5G, a €300 5G phone. Now the company is going around the MWC dropping hints of new 5G models coming in September, one of which will bring the minimum price even lower.Stefan Streit, the GM of Global Marketing at TCL Communication, kept the price a secret, but €200 seems to be the target. Given the proliferation of mid-range 5G chipsets, this price target should be easy enough to achieve.About the phone Streit only mentions a NXTVISION display with a high refresh rate. The...

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Android apps on Windows 11 will work with both Intel and AMD chips
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/windows-11-android/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg One of the biggest new features of Windows 11 is the promised ability to run Android apps.In order to get those apps you will need to install the Amazon app store through the Windows store. That's when Intel Bridge kicks in - a run-time post compiler, which translates non-X86 apps to run on that architecture. It was initially unclear if Intel made the compiler work with only Intel hardware, but it turns out that's not the case.In a statement to The Verge, Intel has confirmed that Intel Bridge will "support all x86 platforms (including AMD platforms)".So that means that Android...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE launch postponed for October
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/samsung-galaxy-s21-fe-postponed-limited/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is among the endless list of companies being hit by the shortage of chipsets, and the Galaxy S21 FE smartphone is the latest victim. Earlier this month, Samsung denied rumors of the late arrival of the phone, although the company did not sound confident in its statement.Today new report arrives from South Korea, revealing the launch has been postponed from early August to October, and there will be limited availability on top of that.The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, expected to be a more affordable flagship in the sea of $1,000+ smartphones, will not launch in South Korea or...

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Samsung Galaxy A20 gets Android 11-based One UI 3.1 update in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/samsung-galaxy-a20-android-11-one-ui-3-1-update-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A20 announced back in March 2019 with Android 9 Pie received Android 11-based One UI 3.1 a couple of weeks ago. The update was released in Russia, but the rollout has now expanded to India.The Android 11 update for Galaxy A20 in India comes with firmware version A205FXXUACUF3. It includes the June 2021 Android security patch, and you can expect a redesigned UI with the usual Android 11 goodies such as chat bubbles and one-time permissions.The Android 11 update for the A20 should reach all the units in the country in a few weeks, but if you can't wait for the...

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Pixel Buds A-Series hands-on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/google-pixel-buds-a-series-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google just launched its Pixel Buds A-Series, a more economical version of the Pixel Buds that launched with the Pixel 5 in 2020. The result is a very similar product down to the weight, size, fit, sound, and hardware, but with a couple of key differences and a much lower $99 price point.What exactly do you lose out on if you want to save $80? Simply put, the Buds A-Series don’t have wireless charging, and it does not have the experimental ‘Attention Alerts’ features. Everything else is the same on paper and all of the features are still here.Pixel Bud (2020) on left,...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 leak in official-looking renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/galaxy-z-fold3-z-flip3-official-images-leaked/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There's been a lot of talk about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 sporting an under-display camera for the inside, folding screen, but new official-looking renders of the phone, leaked today, contradict that hypothesis, clearly showing a hole-punch selfie snapper in a very similar location to where it is on the Z Fold2.The image above also confirms the fact that the Fold3 will have S Pen support, though it may be a special S Pen, since the one in the picture has the words Fold Edition laser-etched onto it. We also see the triple rear camera array, which is much subdued compared to...

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vivo V21e 5G is now official in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/vivo-v21e-5g-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Unsurprisingly, vivo kept its word and made the V21e 5G official in India today, following a teaser earlier this week. This is not to be confused with the non-5G vivo V21e, which was announced in April and has been available since early May.vivo V21e 5G in Sunset JazzThe vivo V21e 5G comes with the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset at the helm, the same 6.44-inch 1080x2400 60 Hz AMOLED screen as the V21e, a lower-res 32 MP selfie camera, and one less camera on the back - the 5G model has the main 64 MP sensor and the 8 MP ultrawide, but says goodbye to the useless 2 MP macro cam. The...

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Microsoft announces Windows 11 with updated UI and Android app support
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/windows-11/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Microsoft today officially announced Windows 11, the next major version of the company's perennial desktop operating system. The new version brings with it several improvements, including a redesigned UI, updated window management features, and even support for Android applications.Right off the bat, the first thing you'd notice is the redesigned taskbar and Start menu. Windows 11 has a macOS style centered taskbar icon placement, eschewing the age-old left-aligned layout of all previous Windows installments. It still keeps the miscellaneous items such as the clocks and icons on...

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nova 8i coming to Southeast Asia, Huawei confirms
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/12/huawei-nova-8-series-december-23-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei nova 8i is a brand new phone confirmed to be released in Southeast Asia. The design of the handset is reminiscent of the Mate 30 Pro rather than the nova 8 5G, for example. Spec-wise, it's going to be positioned in the mid-range segment and aims to attract the young audience.The handset itself is built around a 6.67-inch IPS LCD panel with FHD+ resolution and covers the full DCI-P3 color gamut. The display has a punch-hole for the front-facing camera. A Snapdragon 662 chipset is running the show coupled with a 4,300 mAh battery supporting Huawei's 66W SuperCharge. This...

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2022 iPhones to feature UD fingerprint sensors, come in only two sizes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/ios-14-5-dual-sim-5g/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The reputable Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo just published another investors note, containing some interesting predictions on the 2022 iPhones.For starters, the iPhone 2022 lineup will reportedly only have two display sizes - 6.1" and 6.7" and four models in total. Their marketing names are supposed to be iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Arguably the most intriguing part is that the vanilla Max will be the cheapest 6.7-inch iPhone ever with an expected price below $900.Key highlights that should boost the sales of the iPhone 14 are the significant...

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GSMArena

01-07-21, 23:57

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/opera-chromebooks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Opera has announced that it will be the first alternative browser optimized for use on Chromebooks.Opera for Chromebooks comes with all the usual features that you would find in Opera on other platforms, including a built-in unlimited VPN, ad blocker, cookie dialog blocker, built-in messengers, crypto wallet, and themes.The version of Opera for Chromebooks is based on the Android version of the app. However, unlike other browsers like Firefox that are also available on Chromebooks in their mobile form, Opera has been optimized to work properly within the desktop environment of...

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Samsung and NatGeo use a Galaxy S21 Ultra to record 8K underwater video of tiger sharks
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/samsung-galaxy-s21-ultra-8k-video-sharks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last year Samsung published an 8K video from the Arctic Circle shot on a Galaxy S20+. However, the phone stayed above the freezing waters. This year the company partnered with National Geographic Traveller India to do the opposite – capture 8K footage beneath the warm waters of the Maldives.The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra was in the hands of NatGeo Explorer Malaika Vaz, who traveled to Fuvahmulah Island, aka Shark Island. The phone was used to shoot 8K footage and photos, which were used in the video below.A few things to know before you attempt such a dive. First, Vaz is a...

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Apple secures more mini-LED suppliers, 14" and 16" MacBook Pros are on track to launch in September
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/macbook-pro-new-mini-led-suppliers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It seems that Apple has gotten its ducks in a row and has secured two more suppliers for mini-LED panels that will be used in the upcoming 14” and 16” MacBook Pros. Earlier this month, DigiTimes reported that Osram Opto Semiconductors has been signed, now the publication adds that Zhen Ding Technology and Tripod Technology have joined the supply chain. Or rather they expanded their roles in it.Zhen Ding is already supplying Apple with mini-LED backlight boards for the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021), the company’s first device to use a mini-LED display. Zhen Ding is reportedly in the process of...

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Samsung promises five years of security updates for some enterprise devices
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/08/weekly-poll-galaxy-note20-z-fold2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has enterprise variants of some of its devices that get special treatment. They usually have some additional features to protect enterprise data and only software approved by the said company can be installed on the device. And more importantly, Samsung provides longer support compared to its consumer devices.Most of Samsung's business-oriented phones and tablets get 4 years of security updates from the date of release but the tech giant just announced that it's extending that period with another year for some of its enterprise devices. This includes the Galaxy S20, S20+, S20...

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Oppo Find X2 gets virtual RAM expansion with new update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/oppo-find-x2-ram-expansion-update/-184x111/gsmarena_005.JPG The Oppo Find X2 launched last year is receiving a new software update which comes with the June 2021 Android security patch and a new feature called RAM expansion.As evident from the name, RAM expansion lets you expand the smartphone's RAM - albeit virtually - by using the phone's internal storage.On the Find X2, you can choose to expand up to 3GB, 5GB, or 7GB of RAM virtually by heading to your phone's Settings > About phone > RAM menu. The new settings will take effect after you restart your device.Oppo Find X2 gets June 2021 security patch and RAM expansion feature with...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3's ultrawide camera will get autofocus
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/samsung_galaxy_z_fold3-z-flip3-watch4-launch-dates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We've heard Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold3 won't bring a major update in the camera department, but now we get some more specific details on its hardware.The leak suggests that the back will once more feature a trio of 12MP shooters, but unlike the Fold2's setup the ultrawide unit will offer PDAF (Phase detection autofocus).The internal selfie camera, which will reside under the panel will sport a 16MP Sony IMX471 sensor with 1.0µm pixels and will be 1/3.09" in size. The front panel (when folded) selfie cam will use the same 10MP IMX374 sensor as the Fold2.Source

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MWC Barcelona 2021 Overview
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/mwc-2021-recap/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Another Mobile World Congress in Barcelona came and went and we've gathered the more memorable developments from this year’s edition. The two biggest announcements from the event came from Samsung and Qualcomm.The South Koreans detailed their One UI Watch interface which is now based on Google’s Wear OS and will debut on the Galaxy Watch4 series sometime next month. It brings a seamless experience for Galaxy phone users with simultaneous app downloads sync with your phone, a larger app portfolio and improved watch face designs.Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 Plus is the latest flagship...

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vivo S10 spotted on Geekbench, confirms Dimensity 1100 SoC
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/vivo-pad-euipo-trademarked/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo S10 first leaked a couple of days ago and now the phone can also be found in Geekbench's database with a model number V2121A confirming the Dimensity 1100 SoC.The listing also confirms the 12GB RAM variant. The previous leak also mentioned an 8GB version.vivo S10 Geekbench listingThe listing doesn't reveal much aside from the already known and mentioned specs but it's certainly be signaling a nearing launch or announcement.Source | Via

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Realme's Dizo brings new TWS earphones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/realme-dizo-beard-trimmer-hair-dryer-buds2neo/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Realme has introduced the Dizo GoPods D and Dizo Wireless earphones during the first product launch of its new sub-brand. The event also saw the announcement of a Beard Trimmer, Hair Dryer and a pair of wired earphones under the Buds brand.The Realme Dizo GoPods D are TWS earphones with 10mm driver and 110ms latency in the dedicated game mode. They weigh just 4.1 grams per bud and if it all sounds familiar, that is because they were previously available as the Realme Buds Q.The company has decided to keep the overall design and shape, but the touch sensor now has a different...

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Google will require new apps on the Play Store to use App Bundles instead of APKs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/google-switches-from-apk-to-app-bundles/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Lines are being drawn in the sand – starting in August, Google will require that new apps listed on its Play Store are published in the Android App Bundle (AAB) format, instead of the APK format that has been a part of the OS since its inception.Why does that matter? Well, right now only the Google Play Store supports App Bundles. That’s right, the Amazon Appstore, which will be the default Android app store on Windows 11 does not. And neither do the third-party app stores that will be natively supported in the upcoming Android 12 update.Google, of course, touts App Bundles as an...

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Oppo Reno6 5G and Reno6 Pro 5G launching in India on July 14
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/oppo-reno6-5g-reno6-pro-5g-india-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Oppo Reno6 5G and Reno6 Pro 5G introduced in May in China will begin their global rollout this month, starting with India, on July 14.Oppo had also announced the Reno6 Pro+ 5G in May, but there's no word yet on whether it will be launched in India alongside the vanilla and Pro models.The Oppo Reno6 5G is powered by the Dimensity 900 SoC and sports a 6.43" FullHD+ 90Hz AMOLED screen with a punch hole for the 32MP selfie camera and a fingerprint reader underneath for biometric security.Around the back, the Reno6 5G has a 64MP primary camera joined by 8MP ultrawide and...

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Samsung planning to launch Galaxy S21 FE with Exynos chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/galaxy-s21-fe-battery-size/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung has reportedly postponed the Galaxy S21 FE launch for the last quarter of the year due to the shortage of chips. The phone was expected to arrive with Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chips with limited supply, but according to sources from South Korea, there might be a change of plan.Mae-il Business reports the Galaxy S21 FE will ship with the in-house Exynos chipsets at overseas markets such as Europe and North America.Samsung has been struggling to launch new phones with flagship chips due to production shortage. The 2021 Galaxy Note series was altogether cancelled because of...

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Some Xiaomi TVs and smartphones in India are now 3-6% more expensive
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/xiaomi-india-price-hike/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg In some rather unfortunate news for our Indian readers, Xiaomi has confirmed its hiking up the prices for some of its smartphones and TVs by 3-6% starting today July 1. There are two main drivers behind the increased prices with the global chip shortage and increased shipping costs.Due to massive demand-supply mismatch, the majority of components used in smartphones, smart TV, and other electronics gadgets (chipsets, display panels, display drivers, back panels, batteries, etc.) have seen constant upward movement in their prices.While we have tried to absorb the increasing costs,...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G 360-degree video gives us an even clearer look
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/samsung-galaxy-z-flip3-video-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg At this point we've seen just about every angle of Samsung's upcoming (in August) Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Z Flip3 5G but we don't mind another, even more detailed, leak.The latest visuals come from Evan Blass and they're the best kind - 360 degree videos of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G in all four colors - Gold, Olive Green, Black and Purple.The videos showcase the dual-tone front side of the phone, said to house a doubled-in-size 1.9-inch outer display and dual 12MP cameras - regular and ultrawide. There's a USB-C port and loudspeaker on the bottom, capacitive fingerprint scanner and volume...

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T-Mobile launches REVVL V+ 5G with Dimensity 700 for $200
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/t-mobile-announces-revvl-v-plus-5g/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg T-Mobile is announcing the newest entry to its REVVL family. The US carrier has a lineup of self-branded budget-conscious Android phones and the latest addition is the REVVL V+ 5G. It can be had for $199 with support for T-Mobile’s sub-5 5G networks, but what else does it have?There’s a large 6.82-inch LCD screen with 720p+ resolution. This phone is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 700 chip paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. There’s also a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W fast charge support (a charging cable and adapter are included in the box). There’s also a...

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Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are not coming this year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/05/next-gen-airpods-ambient-light/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple brought the AirPods Pro in 2019, but a successor is not coming until 2022, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now claims.In an investor note, he stated that demand for the TWS earphones in 2021 is lower than expected, and Apple had to revise its sales forecast to 70-75 million units from 75-85 million.This isn’t the first time we hear about Apple not rushing with the new Pro buds. Bloomberg previously reported the same for 2022, but fans of the Cupertino company should get their fix with regular AirPods coming this fall.As we already reported, the new Apple AirPods 3 will have a...

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Samsung Galaxy F22 is coming on July 6, design and specs revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/samsung-galaxy-f22-launch-date-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy F22 we've been hearing about for a few months will be officially introduced next week - on July 6.This confirmation comes from Samsung's Indian branch as the company set up the Galaxy F22's promo page on its official website, revealing the phone's design and specs.The Samsung Galaxy F22 is built around a 6.4" 90Hz Super AMOLED screen of HD+ resolution, features a 48MP quad camera on its rear panel, and packs a 6,000 mAh battery. The smartphone will come in black color, but there will likely be other color options as well.While Samsung hasn't confirmed the...

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Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic leaks in all its glory, rotating bezel in tow
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/samsung-galaxy-watch4-classic-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier today we heard that Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch4 family would have a Classic variant, to join the eponymous Watch4 and the Watch4 Active. Turns out that the device previously known as Watch4 Active could simply be called Watch4 - and we've already seen what it looks like courtesy of some leaked renders.And now it's time for the Galaxy Watch4 Classic to get the same treatment. So here it is in all its "Classic" glory, complete with rotating bezel and two huge buttons on the right.Like the other member(s) of the Watch4 family, the Classic watch will also run Samsung's...

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Samsung Galaxy A03s gets Bluetooth certified on its way to the market
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/galaxy-a03s-bluetooth/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is working on revamping its entry-level model in the A-series, the one that starts with a zero. The Galaxy A03s has already leaked in some detail back in May, and now it's been spotted at the Bluetooth SIG getting the mandatory Bluetooth certification ahead of its launch, which definitely can't be too far off at this point.The phone will have the model number SM-A037F, and a dual-SIM version (ending in "/DS"). It supports Bluetooth 5.0, and that's the extent of the info we get from the Bluetooth SIG about it.The aforementioned leak from May talked about the handset...

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Realme X2 Pro finally receives update to Android 11 and Realme UI 2.0
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/realme-x2-pro-android-11/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Realme X2 Pro was a revelation in the 'flagship killer' space when it launched back in October 2019, using the traditional formula of pairing killer specs with a jaw-droppingly low price. And Realme hasn't forgotten it. Not completely, at least.Starting today, the phone is finally receiving a stable update to Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0, following some beta testing. The new build is labeled RMX1931_11_F.11, and comes in at 349MB.As usual, the update may be going out in stages, so don't fret if you haven't received the notification yet. It might help to manually check in...

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GSMArena

21-07-21, 02:48

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/samsung-galaxy-a52-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A72 are getting a big OTA update with July 2021 security patch from Google. Both OTA updates are rolling out gradually and might take a while before it reaches your market.Screenshot from the changelogThe changelog includes the option to remaster photos automatically. The new feature looks for the optimal resolution, brightness, color and sharpness. It also suggests already optimized images.The stability of the camera app has been improved along with the overall picture quality but no details are given. Face recognition and call quality have...

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Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 certified with 67W fast charging, Mi Mix 4 with 120W, Mi CC 1 1 with 33W
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/xiaomi-3c-certifications-mi-pad-5-and-others/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The 3C has certified several upcoming Xiaomi devices and revealed their charging characteristics in the process. Among them are the M2105K81AC and M2105K81C, two variants of the Xiaomi Mi Pad 5.The latter version has 5G connectivity, which will make it Xiaomi’s first 5G tablet. And it supports 67W fast wired charging, the most out of any Xiaomi tablet so far. There’s a third model, the 21051182C, which tops out at 33W (a Lite model?).Meanwhile, unconfirmed renders and specs for the tablet have also surfaced. The Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 will allegedly be powered by the Snapdragon 870...

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Honor's CEO confirms the SD 888+ for the Magic3 series, talks about photography
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/honor-magic-3-event-invite/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In a Global CEO Tech Talk, Honor's boss, George Zhao, revealed several key features of the upcoming Honor Magic3 series. And perhaps the most important one is that both the vanilla Magic3 and the Magic3 Pro will run on the Snapdragon 888+.In addition, the CEO says that the word "magic" in the name has more than one meaning. Firstly, the cameras are optimized to capture the most accurate gold and pink-ish hues in the sky during the so-called "Golden Hour", which is also known as the "Magic Hour". This probably explains the sunset-inspired teaser for the phone too.For those of you...

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Redmi Buds 3 Pro announced as the global version of the Air Dots 3 Pro
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/redmi-buds-3-pro-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in May, Xiaomi introduced its Redmi AirDots 3 Pro for the Chinese market and now the TWS earbuds are official for the rest of the world as the Redmi Buds 3 Pro. Pricing is set at $60 though a limited-time promotion gets it down to $40 before shipping.Redmi Buds 3 ProThe specs on the Buds 3 Pro are identical to the Air Dots 3 Pro which entails 9mm drivers and 3-mics for noise cancelation and voice pickup. ANC on these is claimed to block out 35dB of outside noise while connectivity happens over Bluetooth 5.2 with simultaneous connection to two devices at once. Battery life...

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Apple's MagSafe power pack handled, can be reverse-charged by an iPhone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/apple-magsafe-battery-pack/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple’s $99 MagSafe battery pack has already reached its first customers, one of whom, Steven Russel, posted photos and first impressions of the device.Apple MagSafe battery pack on an iPhone with a white silicone caseIt’s made out of hard plastic and is somewhat chunky. If you have plug a 20W adapter (or more) directly to the Battery Pack, it will be able to charge the MagSafe pack and the phone simultaneously.With brown and blue silicone cases • No caseThe pack sends 15W of power wirelessly to the phone while it's connected and just 5W while used portably....

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Redmi Note 10T 5G arrives in India, sales begin July 26
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/xiaomi-redmi-note-10t-5g-india-price-sale-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi announced the Redmi Note 10 5G back in March, and later in May, another sub-brand, Poco, introduced the Poco M3 Pro 5G, which is just a rebranded Redmi Note 10 5G with a different design. Then in June, we got the Redmi Note 10T 5G, which is a rebadged Note 10 5G carrying a "T" in the moniker.The Poco M3 Pro 5G arrived in India earlier last month, and today, the Redmi Note 10T 5G made its debut in the Asian country. One might wonder what could've been the rationale behind launching the same phone in the same market with the same memory options at the same...

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Bixby confirms August 11 is the date of the next Galaxy Unpacked event
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/samsung-unpacked-bixby/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung's huge Unpacked event is happening and it's happening on August 11. Numerous rumors have pointed at that date, Samsung itself confirmed it accidentally before pulling it, and even the teaser for the event leaked.. And now Bixby is openly admitting the date is real.When you ask Bixby when the next Unpacked is, you get an answer in Morse Code. When you run the code - "._ .._ __. .._ ... _ .____ .____" through a Morse Code Translator you get 'AUGUST11' - geeky.Ask Bixby to tell you when's the next Unpacked and you get Morse CodeWe all know what Samsung will unveil at the...

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Nothing ear (1) to have 24-hour battery life with ANC on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/nothing-ear-1-case-revealed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nothing is launching its ear (1) TWS earphones next Tuesday, and Carl Pei, the company CEO, has revealed some juicy details. The audio wearables will come with a semi-transparent case that will have a 570 mAh battery and will support wired fast charging, as well as wireless.The battery life will be good enough for 24 hours of music with ANC or 36 hours without the noise cancellation, and a quick 10-minute charge will suffice for 6 to 8 hours of playback.The case and the earphones will have transparent elements, and Pei revealed during the interview it was extremely hard to pull...

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More Huawei P50 Pro camera details revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/huawei-p50-07-29/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei is expected to bring the P50 series on July 29, and zooming in on one of the teaser videos has now revealed key specifications of P50 Pro's camera setup. The writing next to the camera says VARIO-SUMMILUX-H1:1.8-3.4/18-125ASPH which matches the apertures and focal lengths of the P40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro.Huawei Mate 40 ProThis means the telephoto cam will offer 5x zoom, while the ultra-wide-angle cam will have an 18mm equivalent.Huawei P50 with Leica lenses (18mm f/1.8 ultra wide and 125mm, f/3.4 periscope)However those numbers only reveal the apertures and focal...

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Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 prices leak through European retailers, Dbrand shows off Fold3 skins
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/samsung-galaxy-zfold3-zflip3-prices/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung’s stilted teaser campaign for the upcoming foldable flagships leaks more often than it gets posted on purpose. The latest tear in the veal of secrecy comes from European retailers, which already list the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, as well as Dbrand, which has brand new skins ready for the Fold.LamdaTek seemingly has Z Fol3 units on hand in Phantom Green, Phantom Silver and Phantom Black. There are two versions, one with 256 GB and one with 512 GB storage.The former is listed at €2,038.63 with VAT, which is around £1,765. A different retailer has it at £1726.50 with VAT. The...

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Sony clarifies: the Xperia 1 III will get at least two Android updates
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/sony-xperia-1-iii-2-years-of-android-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony representatives reached out to us to set the record straight on the expected software support for the Xperia 1 III flagship. The company plans to deliver at least two Android OS updates to the Mark 3 flagship.That’s a lot better than the single OS update that Sony Netherlands was claiming. And yes, the statement is worded defensively, but that’s to cover unforeseen circumstances.We have to point out that the Sony Xperia 1 III will launch in August in the US and in Europe with Android 11 pre-installed. Google’s schedule shows that Android 12 will reach “platform stability”...

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Oppo Reno6 Z specs listed on company's site day before announcement
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/oppo-reno6-z-ofic-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Oppo will introduce its Reno6 Z tomorrow in Thailand but a day before the launch we stumbled upon the device’s official specs on Oppo’s Thai website. These confirm past rumors including a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. There’s a punch-hole cutout for the 32MP selfie shooter in the top left corner.The device features Oppo’s signature Reno Glow design with Stellar Black and Aurora colorways. The back comes with a rectangular camera cutout for the 64MP main cam which is backed by an 8MP ultrawide snapper and 2MP macro cam. The phone will support 4K...

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Realme GT Master Explorer Edition white color variant appears in official images
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/realme-gt-master-explorer-edition-white-variant/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme will introduce the GT Master Series tomorrow, which is said to include two smartphones - GT Master Edition and GT Master Explorer Edition. Recently leaked renders of the latter showed us the smartphone's travel-inspired design in two colors, and today we are looking at its white-colored variant, which reminds us of the Oppo Reno4 Pro's Silk White model.These images were posted by a couple of Realme officials on Weibo, and while they didn't share the phone's specs sheet, the company's CMO, Mr. Xu Qi Chase, did confirm that the rear panel of this white version is covered with AG...

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Nokia G50 5G shows up at British retailers with a lower price than the Nokia X10
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/nokia-g50-british-retailers-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in April HMD Global unveiled the Nokia X-series with a couple of 5G-enabled mid-rangers and the Nokia G-series and more affordable LTE-only models. But there’s no hard 4G/5G divide between the G and X series, apparently, as British retailers have started listing a Nokia G50 with 5G connectivity.LambdaTek lists two colorways, Blue and Sand, both dual SIM phones with a 4/64 GB memory configuration. They are priced £217.52 with VAT included, that converts to about €250/$300. That falls between the Nokia X10 (€310) and the Nokia G20 (€160).MoreComputers undercuts that price a...

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Honor posts a new Magic3 teaser video, this one focuses on the back
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/honor-magic3-teaser-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Honor Magic3 series will be unveiled on August 12 with at least two attention-grabbing features – these will be some of the first devices to be powered by the new Snapdragon 888+ chipset and that curious-looking camera. The latest teaser video posted by Honor earlier today offers an extra close look at the camera: And here’s the video from yesterday that showed the Magic3 from the front. The display features an OLED panel with 2.5D curved glass and a dual selfie camera. There will allegedly be a Pro model with an under display camera, but that is not shown in the promo. ...

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iQOO 8 naming and key specs surface
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/iqoo-8-specs-name-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Yesterday brought news of the upcoming iQOO 8 flagship which will likely debut as the first Snapdragon 888 Plus phone on August 4. Now, we get more confirmation on the device’s name as well as some of its key specs thanks to several tips from China.iQOO 8 posterNoted tipster @WhyLab shared an image of an iQOO 8 poster complete with FlashCharge branding. In related news DigitalChatStation also confirmed the upcoming phone’s name and V2141A model number. The tipster also shared some key specs directly from the phone’s About section.iQOO 8 about section and specsWe...

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Google Pixel 4 XL receives extra year of warranty due to battery issues
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/pixel-4-xl-extra-year-warranty/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Google’s Pixel phones have had their fair share of hardware issues and the Pixel 4 XL is now getting a warranty extension after countless user reports of significant battery drainage and other power-related problems. Pixel 4XL owners in the US, Singapore, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan are eligible for a one-year warranty extension that covers battery replacements on affected units.Users who experience random restarts and shutdowns, significant battery drainage or have devices that fail to turn on can file a warranty claim via Google’s support page. Google warns users that it may charge...

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Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event's teaser leaks
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/samsung-galaxy-z-flip3-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung's Unpacked event is taking place next month and now we even get to see the first teaser for it ahead of schedule. A short GIF image reveals the tag line for the event and hints at what we are about to see.The event will be taglined "Get Ready to Unfold” and if that wasn't clear the short clip shows light dancing as it is coming from inside a foldable phone. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 are coming at 2 PM GMT / 10 AM EST / 7.30 PM IST on August 11. The Galaxy Z Flip3 will be the latest clamshell smartphone by Samsung, and it will have a bigger...

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Oppo Watch 2 will be unveiled on July 27
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/oppo-heytap-health-ios/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo launched its first smartwatch called Oppo Watch last year, and the company will introduce its successor dubbed Oppo Watch 2 next week - on July 27.Oppo is yet to divulge anything about the Watch 2, but the smartwatch is already listed on Chinese online retailer JD.com's website, revealing the Watch 2's design and color options. It also tells us that the wearable will come with an Apollo 4s chip, camera control, and gaming mode. Although it's unclear what exactly a gaming mode on a smartwatch will do.Previously leaked specs tell us that the Oppo Watch 2 will have a...

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Maimang 10 SE 5G is official, arrives without Huawei branding
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/maimang-10-se-5g-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has dropped Honor from its roster to save the team its troubles with US companies, and now another brand has separated - the China-only Maimang. The now-independent entity did not wait one bit and has already launched its new midranger, called Maimang 10 SE 5G, with a Snapdragon 480 5G chipset.The phone comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage and a trio of cameras on the back, lined up on a square island. The setup brings 13MP f/1.8 main + 2 MP f/2.4 + 2 MP f/2.4 shooters, while the selfie snapper is 8MP with an f/2.0 aperture in front.The front-facing camera is mounted on...

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GSMArena

04-08-21, 14:07

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/samsung-galaxy-watch4-google-assistant/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The upcoming Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic will be the first Samsung watches to run Google’s wrist-worn OS in a long time. And you know what that means – Google services and apps will be on board, the ones that were missing from the Tizen watches.This does include the Google Assistant, according to leakster Snoopy. Google tends to offer its products wholesale – if a maker wants access to the Play Store, they have to install the Google apps too (which often leads to duplication).And even though Samsung struck some kind of special deal with Google, which allowed it to customize Wear...

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Honor Magic3 appears on AnTuTu, revealing key specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/honor-v40-launch-date-january-18/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg The Honor Magic3 arriving on August 12 was spotted on Geekbench yesterday with a Snapdragon 888+ SoC, 8GB RAM, and Android 11. Now it has appeared on AnTuTu as well, but with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and a few more specs.The benchmark database reveals that the Magic3 will have 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage onboard and its screen will have a 120Hz refresh rate. However, it doesn't mention the panel's type, resolution, or diagonal.Talking about the performance, the Magic3 scored 749,223 points in AnTuTu's test, which is less than what the Snapdragon 888-powered smartphones achieved in our tests....

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Lenovo P12 Pro with Snapdragon 855 chipset appears on the Google Play Console
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/lenovo-p12-pro-google-play-console/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg A month ago Lenovo launched the Yoga Tab 13, Yoga Tab 11 and Tab P11 Plus with global availability. Now clues have appeared of another slate, a sequel to the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro from last year. Unlike the first three, which have IPS LCDs, the P11 Pro has an 11.5” OLED display. However, despite its “Pro” moniker it is powered by the mid-range Snapdragon 730G chipset. The P11 Plus is no powerhouse either, packing a Helio G90T.The Lenovo P12 Pro (TB-Q706F) was spotted on the Google Play Console and is getting a major performance upgrade with a Snapdragon 855 (or possibly an 860). It’s not...

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Oppo announces its second-gen under-display camera technology
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/oppo-2nd-gen-ud/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Oppo introduced its new under-display camera technology, two years after building its first working prototype. The company worked a lot to improve the quality of the screen on top and the image quality of the camera itself, resulting in product far more suited for comercial products. The panel is developed jointly with BOE, one of the major display manufacturers in China. The companies developed an innovative pixel geometry that shrinks the size of every pixel in the area over the camera lens, reaching 400ppi. Oppo also has replaced the traditional screen wiring with a new...

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Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic leaks yet again in detailed renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/galaxy-watch4-classic-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The upcoming Galaxy Watch4 series from Samsung has leaked thoroughly in leaks thus far and the latest one comes from @evleaks. It shows the Watch4 Classic model in black and white and we can see both the watch face side with its rotating bezel as well as the rear which houses the health-tracking sensors.SGW4C pic.twitter.com/mJEb7rFlRF— Evan (@evleaks) August 3, 2021 Watch4 Classic is expected to bring Gorilla Glass DX/DX+ protected display, Exynos W920 chipset and One UI Watch on top of Wear OS. Other expected features include MIL-STD-810G certification, 5ATM water resistance, heart...

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Honor X20 is coming on August 12, design and key specs confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/honor-x20-5g-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Honor unveiled the X20 SE in June, and it will add another member to the X20 lineup on August 12, dubbed Honor X20.In addition to announcing the event date, Honor also posted an image on Weibo confirming the X20's design - it has a 64MP triple camera on the back, with the screen having a pill-shaped hole in the upper-left corner.The X20 will come in at least two colors, and we can also see the smartphone has a fingerprint reader on its right-side frame joined by the volume rocker, suggesting it will pack an LCD panel. But then we've seen smartphones with AMOLED screens and...

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Xiaomi confirms Mi Mix 4 will launch on August 10, check out the under display camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/xiaomi-confirm-mi-mix-4-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg This morning, Xiaomi has officially confirmed that the Mi Mix 4 will be launched on August 10 in China. The company posted a teaser to its Weibo page with the save-the-date. The event will take place next Tuesday and 7:30PM local time.Source: Xiaomi via WeiboSadly, the teaser does not include any photos of the hardware. Recent TENAA filings revealed the device will come with model number 2106118C and equips 8/12GB of RAM with up to 256GB of internal storage.In related news, a video posted by Digital Chat Station on Weibo shows the alleged display panel for the Xiaomi Mi MIx...

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WhatsApp gets “View Once” photos and videos
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/whatsapp-gets-view-once-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Today, WhatsApp is rolling out a new disappearing feature for photos and videos. Users can send ‘View Once’ photos and videos through the messaging app, and the recipient will only see it once.The feature was actually being tested as early as late June.For example, you might send a View Once a photo of some new clothes you’re trying on at a store, a quick reaction to a moment in time, or something sensitive like a Wi-Fi password.The way it works feels a lot like it does on Instagram. The recipient needs to tap the “Photo” or “Video” button to see the image or video. Once...

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Samsung Galaxy Buds2 full specs leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/galaxy-buds-2-full-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg At its grand August 11 event, Samsung will launch many things, including two new foldable smartphones, two new smartwatches, and the Galaxy Buds2. The new earbuds have been leaking like crazy lately, and after finding out what they're going to cost, today's leak brings us their full specs sheet.If you take into account the fact that leaked renders of the buds (like the ones below) have also been outed countless times, correct us if we're wrong, but we think this means Samsung has literally nothing left to announce next week - at least on the Buds2 front.Anyway, here go the specs....

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 Indian prices leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/galaxy-z-fold3-z-flip3-price-in-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After Korean prices and European prices, today's the day when we find out how much the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are going to cost in India.Of course the info is unofficial, as we're still about a week away from Samsung's unveiling event, but a tipster who was reliable with pricing details in the past has stepped up and revealed how much you should expect the new foldables to go for in India.The Galaxy Z Fold3 is apparently going to be priced at around INR 1,35,000 ($1,818 or €1,533 at the current exchange rates), although its recommended sales price will be INR 1,49,990...

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Sony Xperia 5 III review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/sony-xperia-5-iii/review/-347x151/gsmarena_003.jpg

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Apple updates Mac Pro graphics options with AMD RDNA 2 cards
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/mac-pro-rdna2/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg Apple today updated the graphics card options for its Mac Pro workstation computer. The company has introduced AMD's latest generation RDNA 2 based graphics cards, replacing the previous Vega II offerings.The Mac Pro will now offer users a choice of either a Radeon Pro W6900X, a Radeon Pro W6800X, or a Radeon Pro 6800X Duo in addition to the existing 580X, W5500X, and W5700X options.The Radeon Pro W6900X is the flagship single GPU option. Based on the Radeon RX 6900XT gaming GPU, the Radeon Pro W6900X features the same 80 compute units, 5120 stream processors, and a slightly lower...

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Realme reaches 100 million users, GT series to launch in India on August 18
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/realme-100mil-users-gt-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg After introducing its new MagDart ecosystem, Realme India and Europe CEO Madhav Sheth shared that the brand now encompasses over 100 million users globally. An estimated 50 million of Realme’s users are from India making it the brand’s number one market.In related news, the latest episode of #AskMadhav revealed Realme GT series will launch on August 18 in India. The lineup will include the Realme GT 5G, GT Neo, GT Master Edition and GT Master Explorer Edition.An exclusive report from India Today Tech suggest a starting price of around INR 30,000 ($404) for the GT series. We’ll...

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The Motorola Edge S Pro will be unveiled on Thursday, an Edge 20 Pro for China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/motorola-edge-s-pro-teasers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yesterday, Motorola revealed that there is a new smartphone coming on August 5 (Thursday) and that it will have a new brand spokesperson for China. This info was posted from a Motorola Edge S Pro, a model that hasn’t been announced yet, leading to predictable speculation.Motorola will unveil the Edge S Pro in China on August 5 (Thursday)Now the company has made it official and has sent out press invites. This will be Motorola’s thinnest and lightest 5G phone yet (6.99 mm and 163g, according to a teaser). How does it relate to the recently unveiled Motorola Edge 20 series? The...

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Spotify is testing Plus - a cheap ad-supported subscription with unlimited skips
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/spotify-testing-plus-subscription/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Spotify is quietly testing a new, more affordable subscription dubbed Spotify Plus. It’s undergoing A/B testing with only some users reporting that they’ve gotten an offer to try it and then the offer comes with a different price tags. The streaming service is clearly trying to feel out the best price for Plus.Some users saw Spotify Plus as a $1 a month service, a tenth of the $10/mo price for the Premium tier. However, Plus is a mix between Free and Premium – well, it’s mostly the Free tier with some restrictions lifted.For context, the Free tier lets you listen to any album, but...

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Honor Magic 3 shown in video teaser, also appears in Geekbench listing
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/honor-magic-3-video-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg In the latest Honor Magic 3 news, the device appeared in an official teaser showcasing its display and cooling solution. The short clip shows the waterfall screen which houses a pill-shaped cutout for the dual selfie cameras. We are also shown an animation of the cooling system which will be tasked with keeping the Snapdragon 888 Plus in check. In related news, the Magic 3 was also spotted in a Geekbench 4 listing bearing the ELZ-AN10 model number. The device managed a 3,556-point single-core score and 10,257-points in the multi-core department. We can also spot 8GB RAM while the...

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Xiaomi CEO confirms August 10 launch for new smartphones and tablets
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/xiaomi-august-10-event/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Yesterday brought news of Xiaomi’s rise to number 338 on the Fortune 500 list and today CEO Lei Jun confirmed he will hold his annual speech event on August 10. Lei Jun also confirmed that next week’s keynote will also bring more details on the next smartphone and tablet offerings from the brand.Lei Jun annual talk posterThe event will mark the first time in three years with a new Xiaomi tablet. We’ve heard ample recent rumors suggesting a trio of Mi Pads. The Mi Pad 5 series could be joined by the long rumored Mi Mix 4. MIUI 13 may also be detailed at the event which makes quite...

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Honor Tab V7 Pro to come with stylus and magnetic keyboard support
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/honor-tab-v7-pro-new-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor has already revealed a tablet named V7 Pro is incoming on August 12, and today the company revealed more details about it. According to the latest teaser, the slate will have stylus support and will work with a magnetic cover keyboard.Honor Tab V7 ProThe predecessor Honor V6 also worked with a stylus and we suspect it might be the very same. What is different with the upcoming V7 Pro is the keyboard will be with a different design - it will have a thick element in the middle, likely with a battery tucked in it that will charge the tablet wirelessly or through the...

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Realme unveils the MagDart ecosystem: 50W and 15W chargers, power bank and more
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/realme-magdart-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Realme unveiled a whole ecosystem with the introduction of MagDart. It is primarily a system to charge your phone, but it does enable some other features as well. You may have heard about the Realme Flash phone, but that is just a concept device used to demo the system.The Realme Flash concept phone • A peek at the MagDart hardware inside the phoneInstead, the first phone that users will be able to charge with MagDart is one you may already have – the Realme GT. The company will release a case that adds wireless charging to the GT (which it doesn’t have natively), specifically...

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Xiaomi unveils RedmiBook 15 Pro and e-Learning Edition for India with 11th gen Intel CPUs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/08/redmibook-pro-elearning-edition-india-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi unveiled a pair of Intel-powered laptops for the Indian market. The RedmiBook 15 Pro is the higher end model with an 11th generation Intel H-series processor, the other model is made especially for students, the RedmiBook e-Learning Edition. Note that the Pro is different form the one we saw in China earlier this year.RedmiBook 15 ProThis is a 15.6” laptop with a 1080p display and a polycarbonate body that has a brushed metallic finish. This allows it to be fairly thin and light, 19.9 mm and 1.8 kg (3.97 lbs). With its 46 WHr battery, this laptop can go 10 hours on a single...

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GSMArena

01-10-21, 21:28

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/apple-iphone-13/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Personal Safety app on Pixel phones gains emergency video recording capabilities
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/personal-safety-app-google-pixel-video-recording/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Google’s Pixel phones often get exclusive features that differentiate them from the rest of the Android crowd and the Personal Safety app is one of those. With the latest 2021.08.27 update, the app can now record videos in a special emergency mode which is triggered by pressing the power button five consecutive times. Emergency video recording in Personal Safety app (images: XDA Developers) The Emergency SOS feature is able to record videos up to 45 minutes in length provided you have the available space on your phone. According to XDA Developers, videos set at 720p resolution...

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Report: TikTok is the highest-earning mobile app, PUBG Mobile still on top of the mobile gaming world
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/sensortower-highest-earning-apps-and-games/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg At the onset of the pandemic app installs shot up as people searched for something to do. Now with the vaccine rollout app installs on the Google and Apple platforms are down slightly (1.2% and 2.1%, respectively, year over year), but revenues have gone up. Smartphone users spent a collective $33.6 billion on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store during the July-September quarter on apps, in-app purchases and subscriptions. This is a 15.1% increase over the same period last year when $29.2 billion was spent. The increase is slowing down, however, last year there was a 32% jump in...

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New OnePlus Buds Z2 images leak, specs confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/oneplus-budsz2-specs-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus' next budget TWS earbuds, the Buds Z2started in a couple of leaks, and today we get a third one. It doesn't reveal too much we didn't already know, but rather serves as a confirmation that the previous two were on the right track. The most notable upgrade of the Buds Z2 will be the 3 microphones used for active noise reduction and an improved design that handles wind better. The headphones are protected against water and sweat having IP55 certification while the charging box gets IPX4. The buds will support Bluetooth 5.2 but no advanced audio streaming codecs so they will rely...

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Honor's foldable Magic X to be released in Q4
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/honor-magic-x-rumor/./-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to noted Chinese tipster Honor is about to release its first foldable phone before the end of Q4 this year and will allegedly be similar to Huawei's Mate X2 as the development strated before the separation of the two companies. The device is internally known as Magic X, but it's not certain if that will be its final marketing name. Previously Honor's CEO George Zhao revealed his company is working on a foldable phone and believed it will be the best one in the industry. Seeing how great the Mate X2 is and how Honor isn't limited by the sanctions imposed on Huawei we wouldn't...

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Google Pixel 6 appears in new ad, still no official launch date
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/pixel-6-ad-japan/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The highly anticipated Pixel 6 appeared in a new video ad published by Google Japan. We get a glimpse of the phone’s key features such as its design, custom Google Tensor chip and some of Android 12’s dynamic theming options with the Material You design. Sadly, we still don’t get an official launch date for the phone which is rather unfortunate. Based on rumors, the Pixel 6 series should launch on October 19 which is the date shown on the phones’ lock screens in previous teasers. We’ve seen plenty of Pixel 6 leaks so far with the most recent ones detailing the phone’s camera modes and...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite is official - a familiar phone with a new name
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/xiaomi-redmi-note-10-lite-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 lineup consists of no less than eight devices, and today a new name joined the roster. The Redmi Note 10 Lite was just announced in India, but as often happens with Xiaomi mid-rangers it's merely a new name for an already announced phone - Redmi Note 9 Pro. The only difference are the Note 10 Lite is available in two new colors - Aurora Blue and Champagne Gold. This means the Redmi Note 10 Lite brings a Snapdragon 720G chipset with either 4GB or 6GB RAM a choice between 64GB and 128GB storage. The primary camera has a 48MP sensor, while next to it is an 8...

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vivo Watch 2 with eSIM support incoming
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/09/vivo-watch-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_012.jpg The last month was intensive for vivo, with smartphone launches across the globe - the X70 series debuted in China, the iQOO Z5 hit India, and then the global X70 Pro and Pro+ rollout started. The company is now shifting its attention to a new wearable, leaksters revealed. The upcoming vivo Watch 2 will keep the round watchface and will bring eSIM support. The first vivo Watch The source of this rumor is the Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station who is generally on point with their insights. The first vivo Watch did arrive this time last year, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the new...

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4G version of Oppo A55 debuts with 50MP camera, Helio G35 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/oppo-a55-4g-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Oppo A55 5G was announced in January with a Dimensity 700 chipset, but it never reached India. Instead, the country is getting a 4G-only A55 model, though the naming exaggerates how similar these two phones are. For example, the 4G model has a much better camera and faster charging. The Oppo A55 is powered by the Helio G35 – a far cry from the Dimensity, this 12nm chip has eight Cortex-A53 core and a PowerVR GE8320 GPU. It can be configured with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage or 6/128 GB. The triple card slot makes it possible to add extra storage even if you use two SIM cards. So,...

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Apple iPhone 13 lineup pre-orders open in second wave of countries
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/iphone-13-series-pre-orders-second-wave/-184x111/gsmarena_004.jpg Pre-orders for Apple’s brand new iPhone 13 series are now live in the second wave of countries around the world. All four models are available to book while deliveries will start next Friday, October 8. In some markets the new phones are joined by the revamped 10.2” iPad and all-new iPad Mini, but other have had the new tablets since their launch in the first wave countries. As usual with new iPhone releases, older models will be discounted once stores open. So if you want to save some cash be on the lookout for the iPhone 12 and 12 mini, the iPhone 11, and the iPhone SE (2020) at...

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Our Realme Pad video review is now out
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/realme-pad-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Android tablets are having a resurgence lately, prompted by the pandemic. We've seen Xiaomi jump back into the tablet game after a few years with the Pad 5, but Realme wants some of the action too - although it chose an entirely different price tier to compete in. Enter the Realme Pad. It's not meant to compete with high-end options out there. It's a cheap and cheerful device that's already received its own full in-depth written review, which we think you should definitely check out. However, if you're pressed for time we have something for you too - our brand new video review of...

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Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders begin next week, shipping starts mid-October
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/apple-watch-series-7/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Apple announced the Watch Series 7 last month alongside the new iPhones and iPads. Those devices are on sale already in the first-wave countries, but Apple still hasn't provided an exact date for the Watch Series 7's sale and only said the smartwatch will be "available later this Fall." While we await more information from Apple about the Watch Series 7's availability, the latest reports claim the wearable will be up for pre-orders next week. AppleTrack accessed multiple emails from Apple partner Hermes' customer service, which reveal the Watch Series 7 will be available for pre-order...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 gets October 2021 Android security patch with the latest update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/samsung-galaxy-z-fold2-one-ui-3-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yesterday Samsung rolled out the October 2021 Android security patch for the Galaxy Z Fold3, which is now rolling for the Galaxy Z Fold2 with a new software update. A detailed changelog of the update is currently unavailable, but we know it has firmware version F916NKSU1DUI4 and is expected to bring some improvements to the Galaxy Z Fold2 in addition to the latest security patch. The new update is currently seeding in South Korea across different carriers, including SK Telecom, KT Corporation, and LG U+. You can head over to your Galaxy Z Fold2's Settings > Software update menu to...

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Motorola Edge 20 Pro launched in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/motorola-edge-20-pro-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola launched the Edge 20 and Edge 20 Fusion in India in August, and today the company introduced the top-end model of the lineup in the country - Edge 20 Pro. The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is built around a 6.7" 10-bit 144Hz FullHD+ AMOLED screen with a punch hole in the center for the 32MP selfie camera. The display doesn't have a fingerprint reader underneath. It's embedded in the power button located on the right-side frame. The Edge 20 Pro's rear panel features the signature Motorola logo and sports a rectangular camera island consisting of 108MP primary, 16MP ultrawide, and 8MP...

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Huawei employee reveals Huawei's Harmony OS 3 is coming soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/huawei-employee-reveals-harmonyos-3-coming-soon/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg IT Home News reported that a Huawei employee revealed in a social post that Huawei would be unveiling HarmonyOS 3.0 very soon. According to the report, the Chinese phone maker will be holding the Huawei Developer Conference on October 24. At said conference, Huawei will outline the updates coming to HarmonyOS 3.0. Huawei has had to rely less so on Google services and re-invented it's smartphones' operating system (though its still heavily based on Android). HarmonyOS 2.0 launched during last year's Huawei Developer Conference in September of 2020 with the OS arriving to devices on...

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See the iPhone 13 Pro Max go up against the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra in a speed test
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/iphone-vs-samsung/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Surprisingly enough, the side-by-side timed speed test thing is, well, still a thing. And now that a new top dog iPhone launched, you'd naturally expect that to be pitted against the best Samsung has to offer for 2021. And you'd be right. So here's a speed test comparing the iPhone 13 Pro Max to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. And unlike most such tests, this one doesn't use pesky human hands and fingers, as those could introduce a few milliseconds of difference in the timing of the taps, and we just can't have that for such a level of scientific pursuit. So what do we get? Robot hands! And, in a...

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Counterpoint lowers its forecasted annual smartphone growth for 2021 due to component shortage
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/counterpoint-research-lowers-annual-forecast/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A new research report from Counterpoint announces that its forecast for the number of smartphone shipments has been lowered. Previously, the research firm forecasted that (global) annual industry growth is expected to grow by 9% with 1.45 billion units shipped during 2021. The new adjusted forecast calls for just 6% growth, with an estimated total of 1.41 billion unit shipped. Based on the firm's research, "some smartphone OEMs and vendors are reporting they had only received 80% of their requested volumes on key components during Q2 2021, and the situation seems to be getting...

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USB-IF announces new certified Type-C power rating logos for cables and chargers
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/usb-if-logo/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg USB Implementers Forum, the people in charge of deciding how many times you rotate the cable before it plugs in, have announced a new certified logo program based on USB4, USB Type-C, and USB Power Delivery specifications. Cables that now feature the new USB PD 3.1 standard of 60W or 240W will feature the new logo that clearly identify the power rating that the cable is capable of. While the image below shows the 240W logo, a similar logo will also be visible for cables rated for just 60W. Similarly, USB4 cables that support either 20Gbps or 40Gbps speeds will feature a new logo...

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The iQOO 8 Pro Pilot Edition comes bundled with a 55W Flash Car Charger
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/iqoo-8-pro-pilot-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The iQOO 8 Pro launched in August with BMW M Motorsport branding. Now iQOO is offering a special Pilot Edition bundle with an iQOO 55W Flash Car Charger. The version of the charger sports the M stripe, of course, to match the phone’s branding. Speaking of the phone, this is the top version with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB storage. It is specifically the white version with the BMW M stripe on the back. Note that there is already a 120W Flash Charger in the box that you can use at home (it does a full charge in 18 minutes). iQOO 8 Pro Pilot Edition with a bundled iQOO 55W Flash Car...

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Samsung Galaxy A02's Android 11 update is rolling out
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/01/samsung-galaxy-a02-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy A02 announced in January with Android 10 is finally receiving the Android 11 update with One UI 3.1. The update comes with firmware version A022GDXU2BUI3 and new UI and features, including chat bubbles, one-time permissions, and improved stock apps. It also bumps up the Android security patch level on the Galaxy A02 to September 2021. The new build is currently seeding in Russia and should hopefully expand to other regions soon. If you live in Russia and haven't received Android 11 on your Galaxy A02, you can go to the phone's Settings > Software update menu to...

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GSMArena

27-10-21, 22:13

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/ps5-apple-music/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple today released the Apple Music app on the Sony PlayStation 5 console. This makes the PS5 the first console to get Apple Music support, after it was rumored earlier this month that the service might be coming to consoles soon.With the new app, PlayStation 5 users will have access to all the Apple Music content, including over 90 million songs, thousands of curated playlists, music videos in 4K, and Apple Music Radio.Apple Music integrates neatly within the PlayStation 5 UI. It can be accessed through the Control Center by pressing the PS button on the DualSense controller....

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Microsoft revenues rise by 22% in Q3 led by Intelligent Cloud services
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/microsoft-earnings-q3-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The latest earnings report from Microsoft reveals $45.3 billion in revenues for the FY22 Q1 period which encompasses July 1 to September 30. The figure represents a 22% jump compared to last year’s performance and is accompanied by a 27% rise in operating income which totaled $20.2 billion.Microsoft’s Intelligent Cloud segment raked in $17 billion in revenues, followed by the Productivity and Business Processes which reported $15 billion in revenues. Server products and cloud services saw a 35% rise in revenues while Azure grew by an even more impressive 50%. More Personal Computing...

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Redmi Note 11 (or Poco M4 Pro 5G) spotted at Geekbench with a Dimensity 810 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/poco-m4-pro-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg TENAA published details of a new Xiaomi phone – model number 21091116AC – and now the first Geekbench result is out. Is this the Redmi Note 11? The Poco M4 Pro? The model number has been associated with both, but we’ll get to that.The chipset (MT6833P) should be the Dimensity 810, which was announced alongside the 920. This 6 nm chip has two Cortex-A76 cores running at 2.4 GHz and six A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, which matches the data from Geekbench. There is also a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and a 5G modem (sub-6 GHz) on board. This matches up with rumors about the vanilla Redmi Note...

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The DJI Action 2 is a tiny action camera made big by its multitude of accessories and mods
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/dji-action-2-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg DJI unveiled the Action camera back in 2019 and since then its focus has been mostly on drones, gimbal cameras and such. Finally, it is time for a sequel – meet the DJI Action 2, which is quite different from the original in terms of looks and how it works.First off, the camera itself is a small, square-shaped thing. It measures 39 x 39 x 22.3 mm and weighs 56g (1.53 x 1.53 x 0.88 in, 2 oz), the exterior is made out of aluminum alloy. Unlike the GoPro Session cams, however, this one has a fully-functioning 1.76” touchscreen with 446 x 424 px resolution and 500 nits of...

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Oppo A54s launched with Helio G35, 5,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/oppo-a54s-specs-price-design-amazon-italy/-184x111/gsmarena_008.jpg Oppo introduced the A54 in March, followed it up with a 5G version, and now we get the A54s. The smartphone is listed on Oppo UK's website and was briefly shown on Amazon Italy.Oppo A54s (image: Oppo)Oppo A54s packs a 6.52" HD+ 60Hz LCD, with the notch housing an 8MP selfie shooter. The triple camera system on the back consists of a 50MP primary, 2MP depth, and 2MP macro units. MediaTek's Helio G35 sits at the helm aided by 4GB RAM and 128GB storage.Keeping the entire package up and running is a 5,000 mAh battery with Super VOOC charging support. The Oppo A54s draws power...

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DJI Mavic 3 drone with 4/3" main camera and 12 MP tele camera leaks
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/dji-mavic-3-action-2-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg DJI will soon introduce two Mavic 3 drones and WinFuture scooped up the specs and images early. A sequel to the DJI Action camera is also coming with a modular design. The company had three events on the calendar – October 20 brought the Ronin 4D, there’s an event for later today and one for November 5. That last one is when the drones are getting unveiled.Update: The camera is official, here are the official details.DJI Mavic 3 and 3 CineHere is an early look at the DJI Mavic 3 and the Cine version. They are mostly the same in that they both feature dual cameras – one wide and...

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ARM's next-generation GPU to provide 30% better performance than Mali-G710
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/10/arm-64-bit-only/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg During a developer summit, ARM's senior technical director of the company's machine learning business talked about the flagship GPU that should launch in 2022. The name of the GPU wasn't confirmed but we were promised a big improvement over the Mali-G710 to the tune of 30%.In addition to the 30% jump in raw computing power, the GPU is said to be more efficient for machine learning-related tasks and will feature FP32 4.7 times greater than the Mali-G76. It's important to note that the current Mali-G710 GPU brought about 35% jump in computing power compared to its predecessor.In a...

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Redmi Note 11 appears on TENAA with 6.6" display, 4,900 mAh battery and 16 MP camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/redmi-note-11-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi’s official Weibo account continues to tease features for the Redmi Note 11 series (mostly focusing on the Pro), there are other sources of information - like TENAA, which certified a phone that according to Digital Chat Station is the vanilla model.The Redmi Note 11 has a 6.6” 1,080 x 2,400 px display (20:9). The TENAA listing says it is an OLED, though DCS claims that this is a mistake and that the phone is really equipped with an LCD (the Pro model is confirmed to have an OLED panel, though). Also, the fingerprint reader is not behind the display, but on the side of the phone,...

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Huawei launches Watch Fit Mini in Europe with a 1.47” AMOLED screen
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/huawei-watch-fit-mini-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei keeps expanding its wearable portfolio, with the latest addition being the Watch Fit Mini. It has a rectangular screen, but the body is slightly taller and narrower, as well as lighter than any other Watch Fit wearable so far.The Mini variant has a smaller screen, lighter body, but retains all the features from its bigger sibling, as well as long battery life and physical button on the side.The rectangular display is a 1.47” AMOLED with support for touch and slide gestures. The resolution is 368 x 194 pixels, which is 282 ppi. The body weighs 20 grams and there are three...

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The 3rd generation Oura Smart Ring brings new features and sensors
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/oura-smart-ring-offic/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Oura's Smart Ring just got a third version with new sensors and features. The most notable ones are the continuous heart tracking throughout the day thanks to the new optical heart rate sensor. The previous model only tracked your heart rate at night when you sleep. A monthly subscription plan for $6.99 is also available but those who pre-order will get six months for free.The subscription, isn't mandatory, but provides daily insights, personalized recommendations, and educational videos and audio.The ring now employs seven health-tracking sensors including blood oxygen, but that...

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One UI 4 beta coming to Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/oneui-4-beta-coming-z-fold3-z-flip3/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Shortly after giving us a detailed look at One UI 4 via official promo videos Samsung announced via its Members forum that it's bringing One UI 4 open beta to its Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. Users of the two most recent Samsung foldables will soon be able to install the beta on their devices and test out all the new features it brings.Samsung One UI 4 beta posters for Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 (images: Samsung)The initial rollout will be limited to South Korea and will gradually expand to other markets. Those who want to participate in the open beta will have to register with...

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Google's parent company reports solid Q3 results
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/18/07/alphabet-q2-results/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Alphabet just released its quarterly financial report, and the results are better than expected by analysts. Yearly sales rose 41% to $65.1 billion, while profit between July and September was nearly $19 billion (or $27.99 per share), beating expectations of $24.08 per share. Q3 2020 (in $ million) Q3 2021 (in $ million) Change Revenue 46.173 65.118 41% Income 11.247 18.936 68% The biggest chunk of income comes from Google advertising, with $53.1 billion brought in by the division that includes...

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Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro get all advertised features with the latest software update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/google-pixle-6-pro-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_006.jpg The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro introduced last week will start shipping tomorrow, and once you are done setting up yours, you'll have to install a software update on your smartphone to get all the advertised features, including Magic Eraser.The new build comes with firmware version SD1A.210817.036.A8 for Verizon customers and SD1A.210817.036 for the rest. The update will be downloaded automatically in the background once the device setup is complete, but if it doesn't, you can try checking for it manually by navigating to the phone's Settings > System > System update menu.Google...

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WhatsApp history can be transferred from an iPhone to any phone launching with Android 12
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/whatsapp-history-transfer-ios-to-android-12/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg For a short while you've been able to transfer your WhatsApp history from an iPhone to a Samsung device, and now this capability is being extended to all Google Pixels too.Not just that, however - Google is announcing that any phone launching with Android 12 will be able to do the same. So, in a few months, it won't be limited to just Samsung and Google devices.The transfer works in a rather simple manner. Take the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. All you need is a Lightning to USB-C cable. You connect your Pixel to your iPhone with it, and then, when prompted during the initial setup of...

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Samsung releases One UI 4 promo videos, reveals the skin is headed to laptops
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/one-ui-4-promo-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today Samsung has released two official promo videos for its upcoming Android skin, One UI 4. Beta versions of this have been available publicly for a while in a few countries, and we're already at beta 3 so far. The final build is expected to be out sometime in the next few weeks, so it doesn't surprise us that Samsung would make such videos to hype up its skin.The first video starts by focusing on the evolution of the skin since One UI 2, going through some user feedback - which brings us to the main claim, that is One UI 4 being made according to users' wishes. Customizability plays a...

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Adobe brings Photoshop to the browser, RAW support to the iPad
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/adobe-max-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Adobe kicked off its Max conference with updates to its entire suite of apps.One of the biggest announcements is Photoshop for the web browser. It's a web version of Photoshop with limited editing support, meant for collaborative work. You can store PSDs to the cloud, share a link to collaborators and review and comment in a new commenting panel that will sync with Photoshop on desktop.Photoshop on the iPad got a huge update. It now supports RAW files from the entire Adobe Camera RAW list, as well as Apple ProRAW files from the iPhone 12 and 13. Other features such as Sky...

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Palm’s latest product is a pair of TWS earbuds called Buds Pro
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/palm-buds-pro-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Over three years ago TCL resurrected the once prominent Palm brand with the Palm phone. Today the new Palm brand is bringing in a new addition to its portfolio in the form of wireless earbuds dubbed Palm Buds Pro. These offer in ear fit with silicone tips, ANC with three microphones on each bud and over 24 hours of listening with the charging case.Palm Buds Pro key features (images: Palm)Palm Buds Pro come with 10mm drivers and support fast pairing over Bluetooth as well as multi-device pairing. There’s an ambient mode that lets in outside noises as well as environmental...

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Oppo Reno7 Pro passes through 3C, charging speed confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/oppo-reno6-5g-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo's Reno series typically gets updated twice per year, which means there's always a new member on the horizon. If history is any indication the Reno7 series will arrive sometime between November and December and a new certification of the Reno7 Pro suggests that may well be the case.The 3C certification itself doesn't give out any intel - it just confirms the 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 fast charging, which is a given for mid-range and premium Oppo phones for a couple of generations now.Previously the rumors suggest that the phone would run again on the Dimensity 1200 SoC, although the...

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Four new Snapdragon chipsets unveiled for mid-range and entry-level phones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/qualcomm-unveils-snapdragon-778gp-695-680-450p/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Qualcomm just unveiled four new chipsets – well, two new chipsets and two Plus versions of current chips. The focus is mostly on 5G connectivity, though there is a new option for 4G-only needs. Also, three out of the four leverage a modern (but not overly expensive) 6 nm node.Snapdragon 778G+The original Snapdragon 778G proved to be quite popular among the more premium breed of mid-rangers and we suspect this new chip will be even more so. As before, it is fabbed on a 6 nm process, though it has been refined to allow for higher clock speeds.The Kryo 670 Prime core now runs at 2.5...

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Next Apple iPhone SE to come in 2022 with 4.7-inch display and 5G
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/apple-iphone-se-4-7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It appears the next iPhone SE will retain the iPhone 8 's base of a 4.7-inch LCD but add 5G when it arrives in early 2022.This report comes from industry insider Ross Young and seemingly disproves the recent report that the next iPhone SE will adopt the iPhone XR design and LCD size.Adding 5G to the next SE will provide the current fastest network speeds to the cheapest iPhone line and will most likely be popular with Apple consumers.The iPhone SE is expected to outgrow its diminutive 4.7-inch size in 2024 with a 5.7-6.1-inch LCD with a punch hole, instead of a notch.We...

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GSMArena

08-11-21, 16:03

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/oneplus-nord2-5g-pacman/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has its latest limtied edition smartphone dubbed Nord 2 PAC-MAN Edition. It will have the same internals as the regular Nord 2 5G, down to the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, but its back will be glowing in the dark, and it will have a theme filled to the brim with Pac-Man references. The smartphone's design is yet to be unveiled, but you can already compete to win the phone, a pair of Buds Z or early access vouchers from the OnePlus store. All it takes is to visit the company website (or head to the Source link at the bottom of this article), play the classic Pac-Man game and...

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Oppo Find X4 rumored to feature 125W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/oppo-find-x4-125w/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Oppo’s Find X3 Pro “only” supports up to 65W wired charging but it seems its successor will offer a sizeable upgrade. Well-known leakster Digital Chat Station claims that Oppo will bring 125W speeds with the Find X4 series. Other than that we don’t have much info regarding the rest of the spec sheet on the Find X4 series. We expect Oppo to bring the latest Qualcomm flagship chipset – Snapdragon 898 which is expected to be unveiled on November 30. Oppo’s Find X series usually get refreshed in March which leaves plenty of time for more leaks to fill us in on what’s in store. Source...

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Infinix Note 11S is official with 5,000 mAh battery and 33W fast charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/infinix-note11s-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg An unknown Infinix smartphone leaked last month, and today the mystery was finally unveiled. The device has launched in Thailand under the name Infinix Note 11S. The chipset of the Note 11S is Helio G96 and it comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage out of the box. The front has a 6.95” LCD with FullHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 180 Hz touch sampling rate. The camera island on the back has five circles, but only three cameras and one LED flash - the last one is there for decoration. The main cam has a 50MP sensor, while the other two are both 2MP - one for depth...

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Snapdragon 898-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ pops up on Geekbench
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8plus-s898-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in September, a vivo phone with the upcoming Snapdragon 898 ran Geekbench, but that early result seemed hobbled by low clock speeds. Now Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8+ has had a go and the result is looking better, though possibly still not fully final yet. The run was done by the Samsung SM-X808U – decoding the model number suggests this is the Tab S8+ with 5G for the US. It was equipped with 8 GB of RAM and was running Android 12 (not 12L by the looks of it, but that may be a wrong identification by the benchmark). The score shows 1,211 points on single-core and 3,193 points on...

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Leakster: the Xiaomi 12 will have an improved 50MP camera, 100W fast charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/xiaomi-12-dcs-100w-50mp/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Snapdragon 888 was unveiled at the Snapdragon Tech Summit 2020, its successor is coming at this year’s event that starts on November 30. Last year Xiaomi was among the first to announce an 888-powered phone (not even a month later) and this year it is expected to do the same. You can see where this is going. The Xiaomi 12 is expected to be the first Snapdragon 898 phone and to launch before the end of the year. According to leakster Digital Chat Station, the vanilla model will supports 100W fast charging – not 120W like we’ve seen on the Mi 10 Ultra and Mi 11T Pro (among other...

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Samsung to launch Galaxy S21 FE on January 4, Galaxy S22 series on February 8
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/samsung-two-unpacked-events-2022/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg According to a new report by Jon Prosser, Samsung is looking to host two Unpacked events early next year. The first one will take place on January 4 and will be centered around the long-rumored Galaxy S21 FE. The second event is apparently taking place a month later on February 8 and will bring us the Galaxy S22 series. While Samsung is “investigating” my S22 Ultra leak…EXCLUSIVE ????Unpacked event for S21 FEJanuary 4, 2022No pre-order periodAvailable January 11, 2022Unpacked event for S22 lineupFebruary 8, 2022 @ 10:00am ETPre-orders begin same day (2/8)Available February 18, 2022????...

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Motorola next flagship will be called Moto Edge X
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/motorola-moto-edge-x-first-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola is rumored to bring a Snapdragon 898-powered flagship by the end of 2021, and now we get to know how the phone’s name. According to the General Manager of the Mobile Business at Lenovo China, the new device will be known as Moto Edge X, and it will be “infinitely powerful” and people are right to be “full of expectations”. The Moto Edge X is coming as a natural successor to the Moto Edge S, the current flagship of Motorola. It is unusual to call a Snapdragon 870-powered phone that, but we haven’t seen a true flagship from the Lenovo-owned brand since H1 2020 when the...

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Huawei Freebuds Lipstick review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/huawei-freebuds-lipstick-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei brought its nova 9 smartphone to Europe last month and brought a new Watch GT3, and new TWS earphones called Huawei Freebuds Lipstick alongside it. The audio accessory comes with a striking new design that truly resembles lipstick, and we got a pair to test whether there is more to it than cool looks. Cosmetics stores have hundreds of colors of lipstick but Huawei is offering the earphones in only one shade, which is somewhere between Rojo and Cornell (yes, these are real shades of red). On the inside, the earphones are just like the Freebuds 4 - open ear design, a standard...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 44
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Week 43 saw little in terms of new hardware announcements, but there are still plenty of changes in our trending chart. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and Pro still take the first two spots, but the third placed Sony Xperia Pro-I has lost a lot of steam and has dropped off the chart entirely. In its place we have the Samsung Galaxy A52s, which has gained whopping 6 places. The Google Pixel 6 Pro has climbed to fourth, overtaking the Redmi Note 11, while the upcoming Poco M4 Pro is already the sixth most popular phone in our database. We then have the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, followed by...

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Week 44 in review: Galaxy S22 enters mass production, USB-C iPhone on sale
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Another week down, let's recap. The Galaxy S22 and S22+ have reportedly entered into mass production and we saw detailed renders of the pair, based on early information. They'll look quite similar to their predecessors, only be smaller in stature, thanks to reduced screens - 6.06-inch and 6.55-inch for the S22 and S22+, respectively. That's down from the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch of the S21 and S21+. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is also in production and we even saw the first live images of the phone this week. It looks a lot like a Galaxy Note20 Ultra, only with a matte black finish. It has an S Pen...

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Flashback: iPod touch - the almost iPhone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/flashback-ipod-touch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple changed the portable music player world in 2001 with the launch of the original iPod. It wasn’t the first portable MP3 player by a long shot – Internet folklore still remembers early criticism like this post on Slashdot (by CmdrTaco himself): “No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame.” “Nomad” refers refers to Creative’s Nomad series of portable MP3 players. The Nomad Jukebox, the latest entry in the series at the time, had just come out in late 2000 and had 6GB of storage – one more than the iPod. Anyway, today’s story isn’t about these two, but about an important Apple product...

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Weekly poll: do you still want depth and macro cameras on your phones?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/weekly-poll-depth-and-macro-cameras/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back when the HTC One (M8) added a second camera on its back – used to calculate distances using the parallax effect, better known today as a depth camera – it was an innovative new feature. But things quickly turned cynical. We’ve always known that tech companies love to advertise large numbers. Sometimes (quite often, in fact), those large numbers don’t make a lot of sense, but it has been decades and engineers still haven’t been able to get the marketing department under control. This is how we got to today where depth cameras are added as a +1. If a phone has only two cameras, wide...

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Weekly poll results: the Sony Xperia Pro-I is well received, but not everyone needs a professional phone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/weekly-poll-results-sony-xperia-pro-i/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the meaning of “Pro” has been watered down over the years, people still believe there is a place for truly professional smartphones like the Sony Xperia Pro-I. It’s not a phone for everyone, that’s clear enough in last week’s poll. But it wasn’t meant to be, it is aimed at a particular subset of professions – vloggers, along with anyone who would benefit from high-quality 4K 120 fps video. You may think that $1,800/€1,800 is pricey, but the Pro-I is meant to slot in between regular smartphones and professional cameras (now those are really pricey). Okay, chances are that...

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Some Google Pixel phones are randomly calling people on their contact list
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/pixle-phones-assistant-accidental-calls/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Let's be honest here, Google's Pixel phones are sort of infamous for experiencing issues. It's actually become a bit of a meme within the industry and a self-fulfilling prophecy in recent years, though definitely for good reasons. The shiny new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are no exception either. It didn't take long after their launch for the first reports of green screen tint, flickering and punch hole weirdness to start pouring in. Now in a fairly new and still very much developing situation some users have been reporting that their Pixel phones are randomly placing calls to people in the...

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Honor 50 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/honor-50-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Just as we welcomed the Honor 50 series in Europe we get to add the Honor 50 to our review queue. This is the better of a pair of Honor 50 devices, the other one being the Lite model, both of which have official Google Play Services support out of the box. Let's get the unboxing out of the way and we'll go over the Honor 50 highlights. The phone ships with a 66W charger, a cable, a case, USB-C earbuds, and a SIM tool. The Honor 50 is more or less the same phone as the Huawei nova 9, pictured below, but it has a 108MP main camera, instead of the 50MP of the nova 9, and naturally,...

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The Snapdragon 898 will probably be unveiled on November 30
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/qualcomm-sd898-tech-summit-dates/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Nothing is official or set in stone yet, you it's a fair assumption to make. Qualcomm recently published a page on its website revealing that its Tech Summit event will be held between November 30 and December 2, 2021. A big banner with a boat tracing an infinity sign in the water and a "More to come, soon!" text - that's about it. No extra info, no itinerary, no nothing as of writing this article. Still, putting two and two together, rumors of the next flagship Snapdragon 898 have been floating around for some time now. In fact, some sources claim that the first phone to use the...

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Sony puts out more videos showcasing the camera prowess on the Xperia Pro-I
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/sony-xperia-pro-i-showcase-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony is clearly very proud of its new Xperia Pro-I and is enjoying it thoroughly and with good reason. The Xperia Pro-I is honestly more akin to a professional tool, like a DSLR than a general-purpose smartphone and it makes sense to treat it as such, giving it to creators to experiment with and give feedback on. That's exactly what Sony has been doing since the phone's announcement. After what was a great initial burst of highly-informative hardware and feature explanation and demo videos, the Japanese giant has now started to put out more "experience" style coverage for the Xperia Pro-I....

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Huawei nova 9 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/huawei-nova-9/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg

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Leaked promo video showcases a familiar, but new Oppo Reno6 Lite
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/oppo-reno6-lite-promo-video/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It seems like Oppo is just deliberately trying to confuse everybody at this point. As we are currently waiting on the Reno7 series to drop sometime this month, the smartphone giant clearly has no intention of slowing down its constant rebranding and tiny specs iteration efforts, this time adding yet another member to the Reno6 family. A leaked promo video showcases a Reno6 Lite, apparently headed to Europe shortly and outlines most of its specs. In a hardly surprising development, the Reno6 Line is basically a rebranded Oppo F19. A device that has been selling since April in India, which is...

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Realme's first phone with an under-display selfie cam allegedly shows up in patent document
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/realme-patent-under-display-selfie-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There has been persistent chatter within the industry that Realme is working on its first phone with an under-display camera for some time now. In fact, back in September, Realme VP Xu Qi Chase posted an image of a smartphone on Weibo that has no notch or a punch hole for the selfie camera, and he clarified in the post's comments that the device doesn't come with a pop-up mechanism either, meaning it is using under-display camera tech. In our recent interview with Realme's Madhav Sheth the pop-up selfie tech was also mentioned as pretty unlikely to make a return. In a new development,...

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GSMArena

22-11-21, 00:34

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/xiaomi-mix-two-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier this week a leak suggested that a second version of the upcoming Xiaomi 12 Ultra is in the works. However, the same "Loki" and "Thor" codenames associated with model numbers 2203121C and 2203121AC popped up on a Chinese certification website. Screenshots from the certifications The listings clearly state that the certified phones belong to Xiaomi's Mix series. The listings are only for the Chinese market but that might change in the future. Judging by previous Mi Mix generations, at least one of the two versions will step outside of China. The new report may not be that...

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These are the loudest phones of the year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/20/03/gsmarena-new-loudspeaker-test/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg We first launched our new speakerphone test back in early 2020 and about year and a half later, we have a solid database of phones that went through our review process. As we wrap up the year 2021, we would like to show you the loudest phones to go through our review process this year. The list is all about loudness and not quality. A separate article going through the best-sounding smartphones is in the works so stay tuned for that. The scores are not about peak loudness during a burst, but we measure the average loudness across a series of audio tracks, which is more relevant to...

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Weekly poll; what do you think of Motorola's five new Moto G phones?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/weekly-poll-moto-g-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola unveiled five new Moto G phones this week - the G-series has offered quite a few value-for-money mid-rangers over the years, but Moto's definition of "mid-range" is quite broad this generation. Let's start with the Moto G200 5G. We're not going to burden it with the title "flagship killer" as that tends to start arguments, but this phone offers a Snapdragon 888+ chipset, a 144Hz display and a 108MP camera all on a budget of €450. Sure, it doesn't have Galaxy S21 Ultra's telephoto cameras, but the G200 is less than half the price, even with the discounts on the Samsung...

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Weekly poll results: Poco M4 Pro 5G's success is contingent on a lower price
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/weekly-poll-results-poco-m4-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Poco fanbase is price sensitive – that €50 price hike on the Poco M4 Pro 5G was not a popular move among the voters in last week’s poll. Sure, the phone brings some upgrades over the 6-month old model it is replacing, but the Poco M-series shouldn’t fly above its allotted price range. The M4 Pro did and it clashed with the Poco X3 Pro, the X-series being higher end than the M. This isn’t the first time a company’s rich (or crowded) product lineup causes internal conflicts like this. Looking at the poll and the comments, the phone received only a 20% positive vote, which grows to...

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MediaTek's Pentonic 2000 is the world's first 7nm TV chip, decodes 8K@120Hz
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/mediatek-pentonic-2000-offic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg MediaTek is on fire these days. After announcing its flagship Dimensity 9000 SoC for smartphones, the company is now announcing its flagship TV chipset - the Pentonic 2000. And it appears that this silicon is the world's first in many aspects. First and foremost, this is the first 7nm chip for TVs and is based on TSMC's node. Secondly, it's the first to commercial TV chipset to support Versatile Video Coding (VVC) for H.266 content. That's a new codec with improved compression efficiency, mainly for streaming and broadcasting media. HEVC, VP9 and VS3 are also on the list of natively...

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Flashback: iPhone 5c, the cheap and cheerful phone that didn't sell very well
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/flashback-iphone-5c/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg A couple of weeks ago we looked back at the iPod touch – an iPhone minus the phone part and also the cheapest way to get into the iOS ecosystem in the early days. Apple’s devices (phones and others) have typically been expensive, but the company does try to offer affordable options every now and then. One of those – the iPhone 5c from 2013 – is the topic of today’s story. It launched alongside the premium 5s and instead of a sleek metal exterior, it opted for a colorful plastic shell. For what it’s worth, it was a nice break from the usual Silver/Black/Gold color palette. The C...

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Xiaomi almost ready to update 9 of its smartphones to MIUI 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/miui-13-coming-to-9-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi's CEO, Lei Jun, promised that the next major MIUI version would arrive before the end of this year without giving any specific time frame or a list of phones. However, a developer dug out a list of phones that might be getting MIUI 13 pretty soon. The list was found inside MIUI 13's source code and the stable version for the Mi Mix 4, Mi 11, Mi 11 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Lite, Mi 10S, Redmi K40, K40 Pro and K40 Pro+ will likely arrive pretty soon. Perhaps the rest will be getting their MIUI 13 in 2022 but as Xiaomi usually does, not all updates will be based on Android...

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Apple Watch Series 8's leaked render reveals no design overhaul
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/apple-watch-series-8-leaked-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Apple Watch Series 8 isn't arriving before next September, but information about it has already started pouring over the internet. Last month we heard the Watch Series 8 will come in three sizes, and now, we are looking at the Watch Series 8's CAD render revealing its design. This render has been created based on the images and CAD files received by the source from people familiar with the matter, and it tells us that the Watch Series 8 won't come with a design overhaul as expected. In fact, the only noticeable change we see is that the Watch Series 8 has a pair of speaker grilles...

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WhatsApp working on message reaction notifications for its Android app
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/whatsapp-message-reactions-notifications-android-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg WhatsApp has released the 2.21.24.8 update for its Android users on the beta channel, which reveals the company is working on message reaction notifications for its Android app. WhatsApp has been developing the message reactions feature for a few months now, which, as evident from its name, lets users react to messages the same way they react to the posts and comments on the Facebook app. Previously, WhatsApp had no plans to notify users of message reactions, but the company later began developing it for the beta version of its iOS app, and now it's also working on providing the...

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MediaTek Dimensity 7000 to be based on the 5nm node
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/vivo-dimensity-2000-antutu-1-million-points/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg MediaTek announced its flagship SoC, the Dimensity 9000, just a couple of days ago and now we have the first rumor about its supposed upper mid-range offering for 2022 - the Dimensity 7000. The information comes from a reputable Chinese tipster on Weibo. The rumor suggests that MediaTek's upcoming Dimensity 7000 chipset has entered the testing phase and is built on TSMC's 5nm manufacturing process and uses ARM's new V9 architecture, also implemented in the Dimensity 9000. It's still early to talk about clock speeds and CPU configurations but the so-called Digital Chat Station says...

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Realme GT 2 Pro specs tipped, Snapdragon 898 and 125W charging in tow
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/realme-gt-2-pro-specs-price-tipped/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last month Realme VP Mr. Madhav Sheth in an interview told us that the company is planning an "ultra-premium flagship" for the GT series and will commercialize 125W UltraDart charging next year. It's unclear if this premium flagship will be the first Realme smartphone to feature 125W charging, but reports coming out of China claim the GT 2 Pro (RMX3301) will be one of the first Realme smartphones to charge at up to 125W. The Realme GT 2 Pro is also tipped to be powered by Qualcomm's next-gen flagship chip, which is expected to be called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Snapdragon 898. It will run...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 to skip S Pen slot
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/samsung-galaxy-z-fold4-s-pen-slot-skipped/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There's still quite a lot of time for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 to go official, but rumors surrounding it have already started doing rounds on the internet, with the latest one claiming the smartphone won't feature a dedicated slot for the S Pen. That's hardly a surprise since its predecessor - Galaxy Z Fold3 - didn't have an S Pen slot. But the Galaxy Z Fold4 was expected to feature an S Pen slot because the Galaxy S22 Ultra is said to come with one (S21 Ultra has S Pen support but no dedicated slot). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 with S Pen support However, there's still some hope for...

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vivo V23e 5G stops by Geekbench, reveals its chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/vivo-v23e-5g-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo released the V23e a few weeks ago, and the company is getting ready to launch the V23e 5G on November 23. That's the date when it will debut in Thailand. A promo poster went up a few days ago, revealing that unlike the 4G model, the 5G version of the V23e would have a 44 MP selfie camera (the V23e 4G goes with a 50 MP shooter instead). No other specs for the 5G variant were known at the time, but thankfully today someone in possession of a prototype decided to run Geekbench. And you know what that means, right? Thanks to the online listing of the phone's results, we now know that the...

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Moto G71 5G, G51 5G, and G31 are headed to India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/moto-g71-g51-g31-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Yesterday Motorola unveiled a slew of new G-series smartphones, namely the G200, G71, G51, G41, and G31. Some of these, as it turns out, are already being prepped for launching in India. We're talking about the Moto G71 5G, G51 5G, and G31. All three have already received the necessary certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a prerequisite for launch. Moto G71 5G | Moto G51 5G | Moto G31 It's unclear if the other new G-series devices will make the jump to the subcontinent, but these three most definitely will. Unfortunately we can't tell you when to expect...

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Google Messages may change the way Android receives iMessage reactions
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/06/att-will-made-google-messages-default-on-android-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a new report from 9to5Google, Google Messages may be receiving an update that will slightly enhance the messaging experience on the Android end. As per the outlet’s “APK Insight”, code has been found in the most recent version of Google Messages that would show iMessage ‘reactions’ as emoji’s within Google Messages. If an iPhone user sends a message to a phone number that’s on Android, the conversation will be carried on the SMS protocol since iOS doesn’t support RCS and iMessage isn’t supported on Android. iMessage users can send ‘reactions’ to text messages, but if a...

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Our Poco M4 Pro 5G video review is here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/poco-m4-pro-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Hey guys, Will is back for another video review, this one of the very popular Poco M4 Pro 5G. The video goes into detail on the 90Hz LCD, the superb battery life, the stereo speakers, and the dependable performance. We also found the camera to be good, though that camera island is deceptive. However, it's not all great. Those new stereo speakers could've been better and the performance, while good, isn't all that better than on the 5 month-old Poco M3 Pro. So, is this a worthy upgrade? Do we recommend the Poco M4 Pro 5G? Watch the video to find out. You could then check out our...

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Honor 50 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/21/honor-50/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Samsung Galaxy A13 5G user manual confirms key specs and Android 11 onboard
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/samsung-galaxy-a13-5g-manual/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Earlier today, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A13 5G leaked in a Bluetooth certification listing and now the phone’s manual was also spotted online. As per the report, Galaxy A13 will sport the same design seen in render form from a while back. There’s a waterdrop notch cutout on the front for the selfie cam, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that doubles as the power button and a USB-C port at the bottom joined by a headphone jack and speaker. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G The back sports a triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and two auxiliary modules coming in at 5MP and 2MP. Even...

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Google Chrome 97 beta changes the way you manage cookies and site data
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/chrome-97-beta-new-features/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google just released version 96 of its Chrome browser, which is now looking more in line with Windows 11's UI. Along with the stable Chrome 96 release, the search giant also announced Chrome 97 beta with a new privacy feature. Or rather a revamp of an already existing one. The new menu puts all the site data into one place so you can easily track which sites are storing data on your computer. That includes cookies, of course. The new controls over site data are located in the same sub-menu - Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > View permissions and data stored across...

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MediaTek and AMD announce RZ600 series Wi-Fi 6E chips
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/mdtk-amd-rz600-wifi-6-e-chips/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Alongside the brand-new Dimensity 9000 flagship smartphone chipset, MediaTek and AMD unveiled a pair of Wi-Fi 6E chips meant for laptops and PCs dubbed AMD RZ600 series.The pair uses MediaTek Filogic 330P chipset at the helm and supports 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 (2.4/5GHz) and Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz band up to 7.125GHz) at speeds up to 2.4Gbps and at 160MHz channel bandwidth on the AMD RZ616. AMD RZ600 series specs (image: MediaTek) AMD RZ608 does up to 1.2Gbps and transmits at up to 80MHz channel bandwidth. Both new Wi-Fi chips also come with power amplifier (PA) and low noise amplifier (LNA)...

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GSMArena

07-12-21, 03:46

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/origin-os-ocean-video-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo is getting ready to unveil the next version of its Android skin for China. This will be called Origin OS Ocean and will be announced on December 9, as already revealed.Today the company has published a new video teaser for the upcoming OS version, and, rather unsurprisingly, it all starts in the ocean. The new UI design elements are neatly showcased too, it's not just an empty teaser, this one.The home screen UI is especially new and fresh compared to the previous iteration of Origin OS, and apparently the traditional Android home screen / launcher experience is gone now,...

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Doogee announces its first women’s oriented smartwatch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/doogee-dg-venus-smartwatch/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Known for its rugged smartphone range, Doogee has also ventured into the smartwatch front with a few models. Today the brand is unveiling its first women’s smartwatch – the DG Venus. It brings a colorful design, a slim watchband and plenty of themes to suit your style.Doogee DG Venus (image: Doogee)Doogee DG Venus comes in at just 34 grams and is 9.6mm thick. It features a round display with a single button for controls on the right side. You get sports tracking for 7 sports as well as a heart rate monitor and sleep tracker. Battery life is rated at 7 days on a single charge. You...

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Marketing images of the Google Pixel Watch leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/google-pixel-watch-marketing-images/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Wear OS shot up in popularity after Samsung dropped its in-house platform in favor of Google’s software. But Google will still make a Pixel Watch, right? Apparently it tried, it was supposed to launch at the Pixel 6 event, but the chip shortage pushed back the release to early 2022. After years of waiting, a few more months doesn’t seem like much.Leaked marketing images of the Google Pixel WatchThe design and branding have reportedly been decided – it will be called the Google Pixel Watch and it will have a bezel-less display with a crown as the only hardware button....

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 also gets stable One UI 4
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/samsung-galaxy-fold3-one-ui-4-beta-two/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Just as the Galaxy Z Flip3 got its stable One UI 4 update, Samsung has begun seeding the Android 12-based UI update to its other foldable – the Galaxy Z Fold3. South Korean units of the large screen foldable are now receiving the new firmware. Users in other parts of the world should expect to see the update pop up on their phones in the coming days.South Korean Z Fold3 users on the stable Android 11 build have reportedly received the update while those on the One UI 4 beta are yet to have the same success. As usual, the new update requires you to go into settings and select software...

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Lenovo execs post photos of Lenovo Legion Pad, a small gaming tablet
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/lenovo-legion-pad-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Gaming tablets are a rarity – we haven’t seen one in a long while, but Lenovo is making one and it will be part of its Legion series. Actually, we can barely call this a tablet, assuming that the rumors are true.So far all the official info that we have is two photos shared by Lenovo execs on Weibo. One shows the front of the tablet, the other the Legion branding on the back. The tablet is visibly on the small side.How small? It will be about 8”, according to IT Home, which quotes unnamed sources. That’s fairly small, considering that a phone like the Lenovo Legion 2 Pro has a 6.92”...

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Sharp Aquos Wish goes official in Japan with SD480 and compact body
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/sharp-aquos-wish-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Sharp has been making some really interesting phones for the Japanese market in the past year with the Aquos R6 and its 1-inch camera sensor being among the biggest headliners. Today the brand announced an entry-level device dubbed Aquos Wish.Sharp Aquos Wish in its three colors (image: Sharp)It comes with a compact 5.7-inch HD+ LCD with a waterdrop notch for its 8MP selfie cam. There’s a Snapdragon 480 chipset at the helm aided by 4GB RAM and 64GB storage which is expandable via microSD. The back house a single 13MP cam.There’s a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and the...

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Oppo shares detailed December timeline for ColorOS 12 updates
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/oppo-coloros-12-dec-detailed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo introduced its new ColorOS 12 back in October and promised some phones will be able to get it before the end of the calendar year. Now that we’re in the last month, the company gave specific dates for seven smartphones from four lineups.December 10Oppo Reno5 Pro 5GOppo F19 Pro+ 5GDecember 20Oppo Find X2December 22Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (incl. Diwali Edition)December 28Oppo A74 5GOppo Reno6 5GThe date for every device mentioned is the first available when the update can be downloaded. If you want to participate you must head to the Software Update section in...

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LG is shutting down its developer website, last chance to unlock your bootloader
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/04/lg-q1-2021-results/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After LG announced that it's exiting the smartphone business, the company promised three years OS updates to its most recent flagship phones in order to extend their life cycle and make sure loyal users aren't left disappointed. But starting next month, the Korean tech giant will no longer provide keys to unlocking bootloaders.There's a notice on the developer website saying that the company will terminate it and "all information provided on the website and issuing the bootloader unlock key will not be available" after December 31, 2021.So if you plan on keeping your LG phone a...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 now getting One UI 4.0 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/samsung-galaxy-z-flip3-global-october-2021-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The beta testing of the One UI update for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 completed successfully and the phone is now getting the finalized stable update.Units in Serbia are now getting the F711BXXU2BUKM firmware, which is a stable version of One UI 4.0 on top of Android 12 and, of course, it includes the December security patch.Samsung is likely using Serbia as a soak test ground and should it all go smoothly the rest of the world should receive the notification in the following days.Via

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 trio appears in official looking renders
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-trio-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg A new set of official renders of the Galaxy Tab S8 series were shared by Evan Blass on Twitter. These show out the 11-inch Tab S8, 12.4-inch Tab S8+ and the 14.6-inch Tab S8 Ultra displays. The two smaller slates have a familiar look to the outgoing Galaxy Tab S7 series while the Ultra variant sports a notch as rumored previously.Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8+ (images: @evleaks)We can clearly spot two selfie cameras in the notch and noticeably slimmer bezels all around compared to the other two models. The Tab S8 Ulta’s notch appears quite compact compared to some other...

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Moto Edge X30 teasers reveal battery life, camera design
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/motorola-moto-edge-x30-more-teasers-leaks/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Moto Edge X30 will be unveiled on Thursday as the first smartphone with the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The brand has started giving more details about the phone in the last few days, and the latest teasers revealed battery life, camera design and sensors.The phone also appeared on Geekbench with 12GB RAM while a company exec shared a video from the production line, confirming the Edge X30 will be ready for the December 9 launch.Moto Edge X30 postersThe camera island on the back will have two 50MP cameras - behind the wide and ultrawide lenses. The third...

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Realme 9i specs leak, 90Hz LCD and SD 680 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/realme-9i-key-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg We’re expecting Realme’s 9 series to launch sometime in January 2022 with at least four models in tow. One of the bunch is the Realme 9i and its key specs recently leaked via ThePixel.vn and were also confirmed by reliable tipster Chun on Twitter.These include a 90Hz refresh rate LCD with FHD+ resolution and Snapdragon 680 chipset which was unveiled earlier in October. It’s built on a 6nm process and features a 4G LTE modem, Kryo 265 CPU cores and Adreno 610 GPU. The leaked renders also show a triple camera system on the back with speculations of a 50MP main sensor floating around. The...

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Honor X30 will arrive on December 16
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/honor-x30-ofic-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Honor launched the X30 series in late October with the X30i and X30 Max. Those are now about to be joined by a vanilla version as Honor scheduled a launch for the Honor X30 on December 16.The X series is one of Honor's best sellers, the lineup breaking records left and right for eight years, before the X20 that was caught in limbo during the breakoff from Huawei.We have no specs whatsoever on the Honor X30 yet, but we expect some teasers from the company in the 10 days leading to the event. Some reports are suggesting a Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, an LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 48
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As we enter the year's last month there are fewer and fewer major announcements, which easily explains the relative stability in our trending chart.The Redmi Note 11 Pro leads from the Samsung Galaxy A52s and the iPhone 13 Pro, all three phones retaining their positions from last week.The fourth-placed Redmi Note 10 Pro is also exactly where we left it last week, with the first change coming in the fifth position that is now occupied by the Galaxy A12.The Poco X3 Pro has risen to sixth place as the Galaxy S21 Ultra slides down to seventh.The Redmi Note 11T and iPhone 13...

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Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/most-popular-reviews-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg We like to close out the year with a look back at some of the trends and major events. One great way to gauge the industry’s and fan interest in this year’s smartphone releases is to examine the most popular entries in our review section.The most popular device in our review section in the first quarter was Redmi Note 10 Pro, also known as Redmi Note 10 Pro Max in India. An excellent 120Hz AMOLED display, stellar battery life and stereo speakers, IP53 rating and a slew of little extras like an IR blaster, 3.5mm jack, FM radio, NFC, microSD - a solid all-round device, with just a...

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Week 48 in review: Snapdragon 8 Gen1 is here, Realme GT 2 Pro details emerge
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Qualcomm unveiled its next flagship chipset for Android phones and it marks a deviation from the naming convention. For starters, it's not Qualcomm Snapdragon anymore, but just Snapdragon. Meet the Snapdragon 8 Gen1 – that’s the new naming scheme, digit for class (8 being flagship) and a generation. It is Qualcomm’s first 4nm chipset and the first to use this new generation of the CPU architectures.The CPU maintains the three cluster design, however, the cores are now based on the ARMv9 designs. This means that the prime core is a Cortex-X2 and it will run at 3.0GHz. Backing it are three...

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Weekly poll: who is getting an Honor 60 or 60 Pro once they launch?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/weekly-poll-honor-60-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The new Honor 60 series was unveiled this week and will go on sale in China on Friday. Afterwards it will probably take a few months to reach the global market (the Honor 50 series was announced in mid-June and reached Europe in late October). Who here is settling in for the wait before they can hit the "buy" button?Before we direct you to the poll, let's have a closer look at the new phones, their predecessors and their competitors. The Honor 60 Pro is clearly the favorite child with several improvements to the screen and performance and a fairly big advantage in the camera...

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Weekly poll results: Oppo Reno7 Pro gets a warm welcome, vanilla and SE versions not so much
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/weekly-poll-results-oppo-reno7-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo announced Reno7 series last week and the trio went on sale in China this Friday. There’s no official schedule for when the new models will be available globally, but it should happen early next year (leaked prices for India suggested a January launch). By that time reviews of the phones should have come out.But the first impressions aren’t so hot, especially for phones without “Pro” in their name. Even that one has some tough questions to answer regarding pricing. Let’s have a closer look at the results from last week’s poll and what commenters had to say.Earning a third of the...

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Facebook Messenger is getting a new bill splitting feature
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/facebook-messenger-split-payments-feature/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Meta (previously Facebook) has introduced a new feature called "Split Payments" on Facebook Messenger.As evident from its name, the new feature lets you split the expenses easily with your friends and family for free - whether it's a restaurant bill or house rent.To split the bill, all you need to do is click on the "Get Started" button in a group chat or the Payments Hub in Messenger. Then, you can split the bill evenly among the group or modify the contribution amount for each individual with or without including yourself.After that, enter a personalized message and confirm your...

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Our battery life champions Buyer’s Guide video for the 2021 Holiday season
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/buyers-guide-battery-life-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The year is wrapping up and right in time for the holidays, we’ve gathered the best smartphones for those that value battery life. We keep a list of devices that gets regularly updated, but now Angie has taken it to YouTube to present the best phones from all price categories that excel in terms of battery life.We have suggestions from pretty much every major player on the market - Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and its subsidiaries, as well as two Oplus brands - Realme and OnePlus. Enjoy the video!

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GSMArena

27-12-21, 11:34

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/oppo-a11s-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A brand new budget offering from Oppo was introduced in China - welcome to the Oppo A11s. It’s a Snapdragon 460 powered device equipped with a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD that refreshes at 90Hz and a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W charging.Oppo A11s in white and black (images: Oppo)A11s also brings a 13MP main cam around the back alongside 2MP depth and 2MP macro cams. The 8MP selfie shooter is housed in a punch-hole cutout. There’s a capacitive fingerprint scanner that also lives around the back. The phone’s listed dimensions come in at 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm while the phone weighs 188 grams. It...

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Oppo to launch three Find X phones, might call them Find X5
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/oppo-find-x3-pro-display-refresh-rate/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Oppo promised in early December a Find X phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will arrive in Q1 2022. Two weeks later, Mediatek confirmed that another device from the series will be powered by a Dimensity 9000. The leakster Digital Chat Station revealed the flagship family would actually have three members at launch, with the third one with a yet unknown chipset.They also stated Oppo is working on another Find N phone, which will have a horizontal hinge, which will compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Huawei P50 Pocket on the Chinese market.Interestingly enough, they also called...

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Winners and losers: Xiaomi
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/winners-and-losers-xiaomi/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It has been a productive year for Xiaomi – it launched over 50 devices and that is just counting the phones. It also did a bit of rebranding by dropping the ‘Mi’ from its premium devices – starting in the second half of this year, the company goes with just “Xiaomi” + model number, just as it has always done in China.The year isn’t over yet, the company plans to unveil one of the first phones with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 – the Xiaomi 12 series – which will probably arrive with the stable MIUI 13 (a beta version is already undergoing tests).Winner: Xiaomi Mi 11 UltraIt’s...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 51
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo's Find N foldable phone did stay long in the spotlight and after being the most popular smartphone in our database last week didn't even make the top 10 this time around. Instead all eyes are on the Xiaomi 12, which is due to be announced in two days. It leads from the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, which have been in these positions for three weeks now.In fourth place we have another upcoming phone - the vivo V23 Pro, which just edged out the newly introduced Huawei P50 Pocket foldable.That pushes the iPhone 13 Pro Max to sixth, just ahead of another new...

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Best phone speakers of 2021
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/best-speakers-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg What are the best-sounding smartphones to come out this year? Not the ones that are the loudest - that's settled by the numbers in our tests and we already covered it. No, we're talking about the phones that we can listen to with our own ears and truly like what we're hearing. And while some of the phones we've gathered here are objectively loud and that did help their cases, that's not what got them on this list in the first place.We introduced the current testing methodology in early 2020 to replace the old one in an attempt to offer a test that better reflects real-world usage of...

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Huawei Watch GT3 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/huawei-watch-gt-3-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei has consistently delivered impressive smart wearables for the past few years and it's no wonder we welcomed the Watch GT3 with high expectations. Having spent the better part of a month putting it through its paces we are now ready to share our impressions with you.Spoiler alert: it's very good, an the 2021 smartwatch to have for many a user. Read on to find out if you are among them.Design and BuildThe Huawei Watch GT3 adopted the rotating top button from its more premium Watch 3 siblings, down to the neat detail with the engraverd brand name. The bezel has minute...

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Week 51 in review: Galaxy S22 leaks aplenty, Huawei P50 Pocket is here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Another week down and only one left to go in 2021. It was business as usual, which means a lot of Galaxy S22 leaks.We saw official cases for the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra, as well as a look at the new S Pen. We saw the Galaxy S22 series dummies pictured side by side for scale, as well as a reported official poster for the Galaxy S22 Ultra.We learned that all three S22 models will have glass backs, as opposed to last year's series, where only the Ultra was all glass. Finally, the Galaxy S21 FE is expected to become official on January 3 and launch on the 11. The upcoming phone was...

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My top 5 phones of 2021 - Kaloyan
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/best-phones-2021-kaloyan/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We all know this year wasn't great as many things went from bad to worse. The mobile industry suffered from supply shortages that caused cancelled launches and premature discontinuations.But the year 2021 still gave us some incredibly good smartphones, beacons across a sea of incremental upgrades (or even downgrades). I have reviewed, helped review, or just used, a lot of phones this year and there are certainly a few that left their mark and became an instant recommendation to give to friends and family.Those are not necessarily flagships; they are just good smartphones for various...

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Top 10 most popular reviews of 2021: Q2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/most-popular-reviews-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_101.jpg It's the end of the year, we are all feeling a bit nostalgic. Having gone throught the most popular reviews of the first three months of the year it's now time to recap what phones of the second quarter got your interest. The Xiaomi Poco F3 review, topped the Q2 chart just barely spilled over into April. It was unveiled alongside the Poco X3 Pro, which soaked up a lot of spotlight in Q1 and there are quite a few similarities between the two devices. Mostly that they embody Xiaomi's ambition towards ultimate value-for-money. The Poco F3 will run you more than the budget X3 Pro,...

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Weekly poll results: Oppo Find N showered with love
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/weekly-poll-results-oppo-find-n/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Folding phones seem to have an ever-increasing fanbase and Oppo Find N is no exception despite its single-market availability. We loved our time spent with the compact foldable doing our full review and plenty of you are also fond of Oppo’s first folding phone. Last week’s poll was all about your opinion on the Find N and now that the votes are in, we have a clear majority that believes Oppo made the best foldable to date.And there’s good reason for all the positive feedback, Oppo really made a well-rounded device with a unique form factor that does not really have a direct competitor...

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Best tablets of 2021
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/best-tablets-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Working, studying and spending more time at home than ever before leads to some unexpected market trends. The tablet market was dormant for years with Apple having an unparalleled lead over competitors yet once 2020 rolled in things began to change.Android makers re-emphasized their efforts in the once-forgotten tablet sphere and we got plenty of interesting options in all price points over the past twelve months. Apple also kept improving its own iPads with its refreshed mini and high-end Pro models. We’ve gathered a bunch of our top picks for the best tablets of 2021 and are presenting...

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Anker 547 USB-C charger provides up to 120W of power while teaching you math
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/anker-547-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Anker has launched a new multi-device charger featuring four USB-C ports. This charger is capable of providing up to 120W at the same time, provided you can do a bit of math.The way this works is that different ports on the charger have different outputs. One of the ports is capable of sending up to 100W of power by itself if it's the only one in use. Another one can do up to 60W and then the remaining two can do 20W each.Now, if you plug in two devices, the 100W port drops down to 90W if you use one of the two 20W ports or 60W if you use the 60W port. And if you're charging...

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro to come without a SIM card slot
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/09/iphone-14-pro-max-leaked-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Apple unveiled the iPhone 13 lineup in September, and the iPhone 14 is still months away from the launch, but rumors around the iPhone 15 have already started doing rounds on the internet, with the latest one claiming Apple will ditch the physical SIM card slot beginning with the iPhone 15 series in 2023.Word comes from Brazilian publication Blog do iPhone, which says that the 2023's Pro models (tentatively called iPhone 15 Pro) will not have physical SIM card slots and will rely entirely on eSIM technology for connectivity.The source also claims that these iPhones will come with dual...

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Winners and losers: Apple
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/apple-winners-losers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It was a challenging year for all brands, but Apple ends up an absolute winner. Sure, it ended up a victim of the chip shortages as well and is still having trouble putting all of its devices on store shelves. But those devices are in high demand and when that's said for devices as expensive as Apple's are, you know they are pretty great.Apple grew its sales in much of 2021. Whether it was tablets, laptops, or phones, Apple either was the number one or in the top five among rivals. Couple that with Apple's unmatched high margins and it spells a superb 2021.But it wasn't all wins for...

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Samsung Galaxy S20 will get Android 12-based One UI 4 stable update next, no more betas
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/samsung-galaxy-s20-android-12-one-ui-4-next/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's been testing the Android 12-based One UI 4 beta on the Galaxy S20 series for some time now, but the lineup won't get any more beta builds since the Korean tech giant has said that the S20 smartphones will receive the stable update next.Samsung Galaxy S20 UltraThis revelation comes from Samsung Korea's Beta Operations Manager, who said "there are currently no plans to open additional betas" and the company is "preparing to open the official version." While that's undoubtedly good news, the official didn't tell which S20 series smartphone will receive the stable One UI 4...

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Oppo Reno7 New Year Edition in Red Velvet color announced
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/oppo-reno7-new-year-edition-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Oppo Reno7 unveiled last month has got a special version, dubbed Oppo Reno7 New Year Edition. It comes in a Red Velvet color and has a Tiger logo on the back next to the Oppo moniker since 2022 is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac.Other than a red paint job and the Tiger logo on the rear, the Oppo Reno7 New Year Edition is just the regular Reno7, meaning it comes with the Snapdragon 778 SoC, 6.43" FullHD+ 90Hz AMOLED screen, and Android 11-based ColorOS 12.For photography, you get four cameras - a 32MP selfie shooter inside the punch hole, with the rectangular island...

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Merry Christmas!
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/merry-christmas/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The year is finally drawing to an end, and the jolly holiday of Christmas is here! With many things still being canceled or postponed, what we do have right now is the love of friends and family and the warmth of home.From our team to all our readers and fans, we wish you to stay healthy, strive for a better future and build new lasting memories. May your holidays sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill.Celebrate the little joys in life - a ray of sunlight in the day or a sparkling star in the night - these are moments that are as everlasting as they are...

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iQOO 9 and 9 Pro to debut on January 5, leaked poster reveals
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/iqoo-9-9-pro-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo sub-brand iQOO is getting ready to unveil its next flagship smartphone duo, comprised of the iQOO 9 and the iQOO 9 Pro. According to a leaked poster that surfaced in China today, these will become official at an event on January 5.As you can see from the image below, the iQOO 9 has a racing stripe design and an unnecessarily huge camera island at the rear. It sports three sensors, and a lot of unused glass - maybe the other half can be used as a mirror?A usually reliable tipster has shared the following image that's said to be of the iQOO 9 Pro, and the design is very similar...

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Motorola is working on a new foldable Razr
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/motorola-new-razr-in-works/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The foldable smartphone space is definitely heating up these days, with more and more companies announcing more and more such devices. Motorola was one of the pioneers of the space, with the original foldable Razr launched in 2019. The 5G followup a year later made much smaller waves, but the company is undeterred and in fact it's already working on the next generation Razr.This information comes straight from a Lenovo exec, posting on Weibo (Lenovo owns Motorola). He promises that the next Razr will be more advanced in terms of performance, and it will come with an improved UI....

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The top stories of 2021: Q1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/top-news-2021/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Welcome to our recap of the top news articles of 2021. We'll start with the main events of the first three months of the year and we'll cover the next quarters in the following episodes of the series.The first quarter of the year was transformative and shaped a lot of 2021. Qualcomm had just announced its Snapdragon 888 in the last month of 2020, and the first phones with the new flagship chipset came out at the turn of 2021.The Xiaomi Mi 11 pioneered the SD888, but notable phones with Qualcomm's new silicon included the Mi 11 Pro, the Redmi K40 Pro+, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Mi Mix...

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GSMArena

08-01-22, 09:38

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/samsung-galaxy-s10-lite-w22-5g-android-12-one-ui-4/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung's been on a roll lately with Android 12-based One UI 4 stable update's release, and the company isn't slowing down as two more smartphones have received One UI 4 - Galaxy S10 Lite and W22 5G.One UI 4 is rolling out for the international variant of the Galaxy S10 Lite, having model code SM-G770F. The firmware has version number G770FXS6FULA and comes with the December 2021 Android security patch.Samsung Galaxy S10 LiteAdditionally, Samsung has released One UI 4 for the W22 5G, which is a custom Galaxy Z Fold3 for China. The firmware for the W22 5G comes with version...

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Moto G Stylus (2022) specs leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/moto-g-stylus-2022-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola is working on a Moto G Stylus (2022) and this model just keeps on leaking. We've already seen it in leaked renders last month, and today a pretty complete spec list has been outed. Let's see what we can expect.According to the source, the Moto G Stylus (2022) will have a 6.78-inch 1080x2460 IPS LCD touchscreen with 90 Hz refresh rate. It will be powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, paired with 4 or 6GB of RAM (depending on model) and 128 GB of expandable storage.Moto G Stylus (2022) leaked imageOn the rear the phone has three cameras: a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 main,...

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Motorola Edge X30 gets certified for Indian release, launching soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/motorola-edge-x30-bis-certified/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola announced its latest flagship smartphone, the Edge X30, back in December for the Chinese market, and now it seems like the phone is finally on its way to other countries. And one of the countries it's going to launch in is India.The Bureau of Indian Standards has certified the Motorola Edge X30 for sale in the Indian market with the model number XT2201-01. Usually this certification is acquired a few weeks before a new device's release, and rumor has it the Edge X30 will be officially presented in the subcontinent either in late January or early February.So if you're in...

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Madhav Sheth confirms Realme GT2 series global release, more tablets and laptops coming in 2022
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/madhav-sheth-realme-gt2-international-2022-plans/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Earlier this week Realme announced its latest flagship smartphones - the GT2 and GT2 Pro and now Realme VP and head of Realme International business group Madhav Sheth has confirmed the GT2 series is launching internationally soon. The executive also teased new tablet and laptop announcements set for 2022 as well as plans for bringing its AIoT products to the US.According to Sheth, we should expect an international release of the GT2 series flagships soon which will be held in Europe. The exact date for this launch is yet to be confirmed but we’ll inform you as soon as it emerges....

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G hands-on review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/samsung-galaxy-s21-fe-5g/hands-on/-347x151/gsmarena_003.jpg

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Google infringed Sonos’ patents, US court rules
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/google-sonos-infringement-case/-184x111/gsmarena_011.jpg 2022 is off to a rough start for Google. Just a day after the search giant was hit with a €150 million fine by the French National Commission on Informatics and Liberty, the Alphabet subsidiary lost a key court ruling on its home turf which may prohibit it from importing its smart home speakers, video streaming devices, some laptops and Pixel phones if it does not apply workarounds.The United States International Trade Commission ruled on Thursday that Google violated five audio technology patents held by Sonos. The legal battle dates back to February 2020 with Sonos accusing Google...

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Sony is now pushing stable Android 12 to Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/sony-xperia-1-iii-5-iii-a12/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Sony is the latest company to update their latest flagships to Android 12. The Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III are now getting the latest OS by Google with a build number 61.1.A.1.149. First in line are dual-SIM variants (model numbers XQ-BC72 and XQ-BQ72), with other versions expected to follow very soon.The update brings plenty of new features for Sony Xperia owners. The company posted a convenient guide on its website, introducing the best elements of the new A12 experience (or should we say xperia-nce). The OS offers long screenshots, one-handed operation and a notification, telling...

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Realme 9 Pro certified with 5,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/realme-9-pro-tuv-battery/-184x111/gsmarena_00000.jpg A new Realme device believed to be the Realme 9 Pro passed TUV certification with a 5,000 mAh battery. The phone bears the RMX3472 model number which is the same identifier which the device passed through Indonesia’s SDPPI and TKDN, Thailand’s NBTC, and Russia’s EEC. No word on the actual charging speeds here but we expect at least 50W which was the figure seen on the Realme 8 Pro.Realme 9 Pro TUV dertificationElsewhere Realme 9 Pro is expected to pack a Dimensity 810 chipset while the Pro+ model should bring a Dimensity 920 chip while the third model in the series - Realme 9i...

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Lenovo Legion Y90's design revealed in official teaser video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/lenovo-legion-y90-design/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last month, Lenovo teased the Legion Y90 gaming smartphone with a 144Hz screen and said it would be unveiled on January 1. Well, that didn't happen, and while we wait for its launch date, Lenovo has posted a short video on Weibo, giving us a glimpse of the Legion Y90's design.We can see that its flat screen with rounded corners has slim bezels on the top, with a selfie camera on the right side of the earpiece. Around the back, in the center, is the huge island housing flash, cameras, and Y-shaped light. We also see antenna lines on the frames, suggesting a metal build. You can watch the...

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Official OnePlus 10 Pro camera samples show off 150-degree ultrawide camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/oneplus-10-pro-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus and Hasselblad will take their collaboration to version 2.0 on January 11 when the OnePlus 10 Pro goes official. While you wait, you can enjoy these first camera samples that the company shared, including ones from the 150º ultra wide-angle camera.Yes, the Realme GT2 Pro is getting competition in the ultra ultrawide camera field. It seems that this camera will also be used to take fisheye style photos.Typical ultra wide cam • OnePlus 10 Pro 150º ultra wide • Fisheye effectAs before, a major focus of the camera is color accuracy. The OnePlus 10 Pro will feature...

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Honor Magic V specs leak, detail 7.9" 90Hz inner display, triple 50MP camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/honor-magic-v-leaked-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Honor Magic V will be the company’s first foldable and will arrive on Monday, January 10. It’s an ambitious horizontal foldable – it’s set to be the first with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset – but aside from a few teasers, Honor has kept the specs mostly under wraps. Leaked info offers a sneak peek at what is coming next week.The Magic V will have a 7.9” internal display, an OLED with 2,272 x 1,984 px resolution (this is a square-ish 10.3:9 aspect ratio). This display will have a 90 Hz refresh rate. An official teaser video hinted at a gapless design, which is the next major evolution...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE goes on sale
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/samsung-galaxy-s21-fe-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was announced earlier this week after months of anticipation. It comes with a Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset, depending on the market, and today its sale started in some regions, ahead of the initially announced January 11 date.The price of the phone begins from €749/£699 for the 6/128 GB model and can be purchased at some offline stores across Europe. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Germany United Kingdom Australia Russia 6/128 GB €749 £699 AUD 999 RUB 59,990 8/256 GB €819 ...

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Planet Astro Slide 5G brings slide-out physical keyboard and Dimensity 800
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/astro-slide-5g-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg If you’ve got a nostalgic spot for smartphones with slide-out keyboards then Planet Computers might catch your interest with its Astro Slide 5G. The device was announced at CES 2022 and brings a backlit keyboard that swivels from underneath the phone’s display thanks to its neat hinge mechanism. The phone boots Android 11 but it can also be booted with Linux distributions and Planet Computers is also working on bringing support for Sailfish OS.Planet Astro Slide 5GAstro Slide 5G brings a 6.39" AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution and Gorilla Glass 3 protection with uniform bezels...

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Samsung guidance shows Q4 was another record-breaking quarter
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/samsung-earnings-guidance-q1-2019/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung Electronics posted its quarterly earnings guidance, and the numbers look great for the Korean giant. Operating profit will be in the KRW13.7-13.9 trillion ($11.38-11.55 billion) range, which is the best result since Q4 2017. It is a 52% increase, compared with last year, but some analysts expected an even higher jump. Q4 2021 Guidance KRW / USD Q4 2020 Results KRW / USD Q3 2021 Results KRW / USD Sales KRW 75 trillion - 77 trillion /$62.3 billion - $63.97 billion KRW 61.55 trillion /$51.13 billion KRW 73.98 trillion /$61.46...

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iQOO 9 series confirmed to launch soon in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/vivo-iqoo9-ofic-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iQOO 9 and iQOO 9 Pro unveiled a couple of days ago will go on sale in China starting next Wednesday. iQOO didn't confirm the international availability of the lineup at the event, but its Indian branch has revealed that the iQOO 9 series "will be launching in India soon."The Indian division hasn't divulged the launch date of the iQOO 9 series yet, but in a press note sent to the media, the company said that Krafton's Battlegrounds Mobile India Series finals will "highlight the upcoming launch of iQOO 9 series in India."The finals will begin on January 13, so expect to hear more...

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Moto G71 5G price in India leaks ahead of January 10 unveiling
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/moto-g71-price-in-india/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg After a leak talked about January 10 being the launch date for the Moto G71 5G in India, the company went ahead and officially confirmed the date a few days ago.While we wait for the G71 5G to join the G51 5G and the G31 in the Indian market, today one prolific tipster on Twitter went ahead and revealed the upcoming handset's price for the subcontinent.Moto Motorola G71 Indian pricing.- ₹18,999#Moto #Motorola pic.twitter.com/ElBjDTB9g7— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) January 6, 2022 As you can see, it's going to cost you INR 18,999, which at this point in time translates into...

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iPhone SE (2022) will apparently still look like something from 2017
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/iphone-se-2022-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In early 2021, some rumors talked about the next iPhone SE having a more modern-looking design. Now, though, through an 'update' to one such rumor, we're told that actually the iPhone SE (2022) will have the same design as the iPhone SE (2020), which in fact reused the design of the iPhone 8 from 2017.That's definitely going to look out of place in the mobile world this year, with practically all phones, including budget blowers, settling for the 'all-screen' look. The new iPhone SE will have none of that, though. Then again, iPhone SE buyers don't seem to care how outdated their device's...

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Samsung Galaxy A52 is also getting the One UI 4 stable update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/galaxy-a52-one-ui-4/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung is expanding its stable One UI 4 update to yet another Galaxy A-series phone, this time its the Galaxy A52. Just a day after it started seeding the Android-12 based update to the Galaxy A72, Samsung went ahead and added the smaller A52 to the mix.The new firmware comes bearing the A525FXXU4BUL8 identifier and is currently available in Russia. It comes alongside the December 2021 security patch and is expected to expand to more regions in the coming days. Samsung has been on a roll with its timely firmware updates as of late and it’s currently ahead of its roadmap which is...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S appears on FCC signaling nearing release
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/xiaomi-redmi-note-11s-fcc/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We still don't have an official confirmation on when the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S will be announced but an FCC listing suggests that it's pretty close. And it's in line with earlier rumors about a February launch.The listing itself doesn't tell much but it does confirm the model numbers 2201117TY and 2201117SY. The document also says that the phone will run MIUI 13 out of the box. There are also listed the three memory options - 6GB/64GB, 6GB/128GB and 8GB/128GB.Screenshots from the FCC listingFrom what we know so far from earlier rumors, we can expect a 108MP main camera aided...

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Intel announces 5.5GHz Core i9-12900KS CPU
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/10/intel-12th-gen/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg At CES 2022, Intel revealed its teased 12th Generation, limited edition CPU that can boost one of its cores up to 5.5GHz. It's going to be part of the so-called KS series and its actual name is Core i9-12900KS.During the announcement, Intel showcased a demo of a configuration running Hitman 3 and the CPU maintained a solid 5.2GHz clock speed on all of its 8 performance cores. Of course, just like the standard Core i9-12900K, this one also has a set of 8 power-efficient E-cores. However, no additional info regarding temperatures or power draw was given.Initially, the CPU will be...

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GSMArena

10-02-22, 01:00

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/galaxy-s22-tab-s8-promo-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As you probably know already, today was a very big day for Samsung, as it unveiled the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Same naming scheme on phones and tablets - finally!Samsung has produced a ton of freshly baked promo videos for all of its newly announced devices, and this is where you get to see them all. Let's start with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and specifically, its "Unveiling" video:Next up, the S22 Ultra "Official film":There's also a longer S22 Ultra "Official introduction film":And then...

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Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra hands-on review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/samsung-galaxy-s22-handson/-347x151/gsmarena_003.jpg

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Nothing ear (1) firmware update adds Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa support
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/nothing-ear1-voice-assistant-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Even though previously Nothing said that it had no plans of adding any virtual voice assistants to its TWS earphones, it did so with its latest update, which is now being distributed. After updating the ear (1), a triple tap will let you summon Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant or Apple's Siri.The firmware version adding the new feature is 0.6700.1.86 but 9to5Google reports that the third tap is often missed by the buds so hopefully, a future update will fix that.The ear (1) buds received a number of software updates since their release last summer fixing many of the problems...

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You can get a $50 discount on the new Galaxy S22 and Tab S8 models from Samsung US
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-s22-tabs8-promo-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Despite rumors, the US prices of the new Galaxy S22 series are the same as the S21 models from last year. Also contrary to rumors all three models will be available from February 25. Pre-orders start today and if you do order before before the 25th, there are some goodies coming your way.We have some links that will knock $50 off the regular price for the three models on the official Samsung US store. This means that the Galaxy S22 starts at $750, the S22+ at $850 and the S22 Ultra at $1,150. Note that the $50 discount applies only if you go through these links.The discounts will...

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Here is the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Tab S8 series pricing breakdown
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-s22-tabs8-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With three new flagship phones and three new flagship tablets unveiled, this was one of the biggest mobile events of the year, certainly for Samsung. But the price of electronics has gone haywire over the last couple of years, so not to take away from the excitement over the new upgrades, but this is an important question – how much?The answer can be quickly summarized as “the same as last year” if you live in the US, the UK or the EU. We have compiled pricing information for the Galaxy S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra in the table below: US Galaxy S22 ...

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Samsung pledges 4 OS updates, 5 years of patches for 2021 and 2022 flagships
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-5-years-of-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Last year Samsung made a commitment to offer 4 years of software support for its phones and tablets – that is 3 major OS updates and four years of security patches. The commitment covered flagships as well as models sitting lower in the product line like the A and M series. Now the company has decided to differentiate its flagship models by adding an extra year to their life cycles.This means that the newly announced Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8 models will receive 4 new generations of Android OS and security patches for of 5 years. Since they start with Android 12, they should go up to...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 trio goes official, Ultra takes Android tablets to a new level
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-series-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg The Galaxy S22 series consists of three devices - a vanilla, a Plus and an Ultra and Samsung thought it would be fitting to carry this naming strategy over to its Galaxy Tab S8 series. These are Samsung's 2022 flagship tablets but the Tab S8 Ultra is in a league of its own so let’s start with that one.Galaxy Tab S8 UltraThe biggest and most powerful Galaxy Tab S to date - that’s the elevator pitch for the Tab S8 Ultra. It brings a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960x1848px resolution and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. There’s more to it though - it’s the first Samsung...

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Samsung announces the Galaxy S22 Ultra with S Pen
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/galaxy-s22-ultra/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Samsung today announced the Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone, which will be the company's first flagship for 2022 and the successor to both the 2021's Galaxy S21 Ultra and 2020's Galaxy Note20 Ultra. Alongside the usual year-on-year improvements, the main story here is the inclusion of the S Pen from the now defunct Galaxy Note line.The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a design similar to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with a flattened front, back, top, and bottom with curved sides. One of the colors (Burgundy) even looks similar to the Mystic Bronze color of the Note 20. Like that phone, the S22...

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Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ are official - same formula, but better
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-s22-s22-plus-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ are official alongside the S22 Ultra, and as before, they lack a few of the Ultra's specs, but unlike before have all of its premium build quality.The pair of sub-flagships are also slightly smaller than their predecessors, which is particularly crucial for the vanilla Galaxy S22 as it's bound to attract those that value flagship power in compact shells.The Galaxy S22 and S22+ share the same chipset options. Depending on the market, you'll either get a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, or a 4nm Exynos 2200 - both feature an octa-core processor with one...

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Watch the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Tab S8 series announcement live
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-s22-unpacked-live-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg The time for Samsung’s first Unpacked of the year has come. We expect to see the new flagship Galaxy S22 trio, as well as the Galaxy Tab S8 tablets. The event begins at 15:00 GMT, and you can follow it on all major social media channels, as well as the YouTube link we embedded below.The trio of Samsung phones will include a vanilla Galaxy S22, a slightly bigger Galaxy S22+ and a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The biggest will come with S Pen, housed within the body, much like the Note phones of the past.The Galaxy Tab S8 trio is expected to also include vanilla, Plus and Ultra members,...

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Samsung recaps its ten biggest Galaxy smartphone innovations
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-innovations-article/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The day has finally come - we’re mere hours away from the introduction of the Galaxy S22 series and Samsung thought it would be fitting to take a trip down memory lane. Samsung Newsroom prepared a top-ten list recapping the biggest hardware and software breakthroughs to grace the Galaxy line over the past decade-plus.It all starts in 2010 with the original Samsung Galaxy S - the first Android smartphone with an AMOLED display. Samsung continued to perfect its displays which grew larger in size, pixels and refresh rate down the line.Samsung Galaxy S The first Galaxy Note is...

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Qualcomm signs a partnership deal with Scuderia Ferrari F1 team
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/qualcomm-ferrari-deal/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Qualcomm and Ferrari signed a partnership deal ahead of the start of the 2022 Formula One World Championship. The San Diego company will offer “strong technological impact aimed at accelerating digital transformation process”, and in return will get to slap the Snapdragon logo on the Ferrari F1-75 car, scheduled to be revealed on February 17 in Maranello, Italy.Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, said the agreement will expand the company’s knowledge in digital technology and web 3.0. Cristiano Amon, who occupies the same position at Qualcomm, added that he is excited about the new deal...

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Lenovo Legion Y90 screenshots reveal more specs, confirm 18 GB RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/lenovo-legion-y90-screenshots/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Legion Y90 is going to be the next gaming smartphone in Lenovo’s portfolio, and is aiming to be the mightiest handset on the market. Multiple reports suggested flagship specs and today the Product Director of Lenovo lifted the curtain a bit with a couple of images.The executive posted two screenshots, revealing the staggering amount of 640GB storage and 22GB RAM, and also said the phone will have tremendous battery life.Lenovo Legion Y90 specsThe Lenovo Legion Y90 will be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, that is no news. The storage is listed as UFS 3.1 + SSD, meaning it...

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Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band Pro and Smart TV X43 also announced in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/redmi-smart-band-pro-smart-tv-x43-india-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg There are two new Xiaomi Redmi Notes in India - the Note 11 and Note 11S but they weren’t the only new devices announced today. We also got the Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band Pro and the Redmi Smart TV X43.Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band ProThis is the same Smart Band Pro that originally launched back in October. It features a 1.47-inch Always-on AMOLED display, 14-day battery life and fitness tracking for over 110 activities.There’s a PPG optical heart rate sensor as well as an SpO2 meter and sleep tracking. The watch also brings an accelerometer and gyroscope. The whole package is 5...

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Motorola's first smartphone receiving Android 12 stable update was launched in 2020
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/motorola-moto-g-pro-android-12-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola released a list of smartphones in December eligible for the Android 12 update. The company didn't provide any specific release date but said it will begin the Android 12 stable update's rollout in February 2022. And, keeping its promise, Motorola has started seeding Android 12 with My UX for its smartphones, with the first device being the Moto G Pro launched in 2020 with Android 10.The update is rolling for model XT2043-7 and comes with firmware version S0PR32.44-11-8. It's seeding in the UK, but the rollout should expand to other regions soon. It's also worth noting that the...

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11S hit India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/xiaomi-redmi-note-11-11s-in-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi formally introduced the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11S to the Indian market today. Sales will begin on Friday.The Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11S share the same body with a 6.43” AMOLED and Full HD+ resolution, as well as a 5,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The main difference between the two is the chipset - the Redmi Note 11 runs on Snapdragon 680, while the 11S comes with a Helio G96. Also, the main camera has a 50MP sensor on the Note 11 and 108MP imager on the 11S.Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 • Xiaomi Redmi Note 11SThe Redmi Note 11 will be available on...

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vivo T1 5G goes official with 120Hz LCD and SD 695
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/vivo-t1-5g-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_009.jpg A while back, we saw the launch of the vivo T1 and vivo T1x and today we have a third member to the series with the vivo T1 5G which was introduced in India. The device might share its name with the other two T1 series phones but its specs have significant differences.vivo T1 5G in Starlight Black and Rainbow Fantasyvivo T1 5G packs a 6.58-inch IPS LCD with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. There’s a waterdrop notch up top for the 16MP selfie cam. Around the back, we find a 50MP main cam alongside two 2MP sensors for macro shots and depth data. The Snapdragon 695 chip...

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Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is coming on February 16, design revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/xiaomi-redmi-k50-series-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi today announced that the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition will be unveiled on February 16 at an event in China which will begin at 7PM local time.The company also shared a few posters on Weibo, with one of them revealing the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition's design. You can see that the smartphone has retained the shoulder triggers, and there's also a lightning bolt-shaped flash module next to the three cameras, with the island having the words "Freezing" and "Speediest" written on the left and right sides, respectively.Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is coming on February...

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OnePlus x Oppo Unified OS now rumored to debut in the second half of this year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/oneplus-oppo-unified-os-later/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last fall OnePlus announced the development of a "Unified OS" - 'unifying' OnePlus' OxygenOS with Oppo's ColorOS, that is. This unification process has started, but not finished. So the OnePlus 9 family got OxygenOS 12 (with underlying code from ColorOS) based on Android 12 as a troublesome update, not the Unified OS. Similarly, recent rumors have pointed out that the OnePlus 10 Pro will launch globally with OxygenOS 12 and not the Unified OS.So at this point you might be wondering when to expect this elusive beast to finally make an appearance. And according to a new rumor from a...

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Samsung will only update the Galaxy A51 twice a year from now on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-a51-updates/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung is promising four years of security updates and three major Android updates for most of its devices, including the Galaxy A series. And yet, that doesn't mean monthly security updates, apparently.The Galaxy A51, according to Samsung's own updates website, is only going to receive two updates per year from now on. This in spite of the fact that the phone is little more than two years old, and it's so far only received one of the three major Android OS upgrades it's been promised. Oh, and it's been one of the company's best selling devices.To make things even more baffling,...

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GSMArena

14-02-22, 11:59

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/red-magic-7-cooling-ud-cam-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg We’re all set to cover the nubia Red Magic 7 announcement on February 17 but before the big event nubia posted several new teasers for its upcoming gaming flagship. Red Magic 7 will bring an all-new independent gaming chipset dubbed Red Core No. 1. Based on the teaser the chip will process sound, light, vibration and touch inputs.Red Magic 7 cooling system and clip on fanThe new teasers also detailed the phone’s elaborate heat dissipation system via a teardown video as well as several new posters. Red Magic 7 will bring a multi-stage cooling system with a 20,000 RPM active...

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Nokia G21 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/nokia-g21-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Nokia G21 arrives a little less than a year after the G20 came on the scene. As with other makers, the G-series is home to mid-rangers that focus on affordable pricing and offering a reliable product rather than going after gimmicks.The G21 is a herald for a new design language for the company. Previous models featured a centered circular camera bump, what was once affectionately called “Oreo”. This model shifts to a rounded rectangle bump that is tucked into the corner.It’s not a totally innovative design, but it does feel like a fresh take after a couple of years with the...

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Nokia G21 unveiled with 90Hz LCD, 50MP camera and three day battery life
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/nokia-g21-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The sequel to the Nokia G20 has arrived and it comes with improvements to the battery, screen and camera. None of the upgrades will make your head spin, no, the company is focused on sensible, reliable designs.That reliability is best expressed in Nokia G21’s top feature – running for three days between charges on its 5,050 mAh battery. HMD made improvements to its power saving modes, making them less restrictive. This allowed the company to enable the first level of battery saving at 20% (instead of 10%), at 10% you get the second level of power saving to extend battery life even...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 6
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Samsung's Unpacked event took place this week, bringing us a trio of smartphones and as many tablets. Unsurprisingly then it's the Korean company that dominates our trending chart with the new Galaxy S22 trio occupying the podium.The Ultra top-dog came first, followed by the compact vanilla Galaxy S22, while the middle Plus version got third, some way behind its siblings.The Redmi Note 11 and 11 Pro 5G were at the opposite ends of the chart last week, but they are now a spot apart in fourth and fifth. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE slid to sixth position ahead of Apple's iPhone 13 Pro...

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Week 6 in review: Galaxy S22 series is here, Meta facing problems in the EU
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Welcome to your weekly recap. It was a busy week with Samsung’s Unpacked event where we finally got the long anticipated Galaxy S22 series and a trio of Galaxy Tab S8 tablets.Galaxy S22 is the small flagship that Android fans are waiting for, the S22+ offers a middle ground option while the S22 Ultra is the ultimate S Pen wielding non-foldable in the maker’s lineup. All three phones will be available with either Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipsets depending on the region. Galaxy S22 starts at $800/€850/£770, the baseline S22+ is $1,000/€1,050/£950 while the S22 Ultra starts at...

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The new phones and tablets of week 6
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-unpacked-event-coverage-wrap-up/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The past seven days delivered plenty of new hardware, a large chunk coming at the Unpacked event on Wednesday. It was far from the only event, however, with 5 other makers announcing new devices. And we've prepared the following quick recap to make sure you haven't missed any.The week began with a Tecno Pop 5S - a budget solution for developing markets. The phone has a basic 5.7" LCD, two cameras on the back and an Android 10 (Go edition) OS. The chipset comes with a quad-core CPU and 2GB RAM and this whole ensemble costs the equivalent of $110 in Mexico.Tecno Pop 5S in Light...

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Flashback: the birth of TouchWiz and the many, many platforms that it ran on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/flashback-touchwiz/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In early 2007 Samsung introduced the F700. Not its first touchscreen phone, but it was the first where the company put concentrated effort into crafting an attractive, functional touch UI. Well, at least compared to the dreary PocketPCs of the period.The result was Croix, French for “cross”. Looking at the UI grid, you will immediately see why it’s called that. The interface won an IF design award, a year after the LG Prada won the same award (as you may remember, the Prada was the first phone with a capacitive touchscreen).Samsung F700 running the Croix user...

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Weekly poll: Samsung Galaxy S22 series - hot or not?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/weekly-poll-samsung-galaxy-s22-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While Samsung believes the future is in foldables, the rigid Galaxy S phones are still best-sellers. Three new models are coming to stores soon – you can already pre-order them and the first units will ship out on February 25 (a couple of weeks from now).In case you missed it, our Samsung Unpacked coverage wrap-up is a gateway to specs, prices and other details. Speaking of prices, they are the same as last year in Europe and the US, despite rumors of a possible price hike. One rumor that did prove true is that India is getting the Snapdragon versions of the phones. By the looks of it,...

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Weekly poll results: The Samsung Galaxy Note line will be missed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/weekly-poll-results-galaxy-s-note-lines/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Galaxy Note is dead, long live the Galaxy S22 Ultra! We knew it was coming, but was it actually a good move to drop the Note line and absorb its trademark feature into the S-series? No, it wasn’t, judging by the results from last week’s poll.The majority would have preferred if Samsung kept the S and Note models separate. If nothing else, having a second launch near the end of the year was a boon for holiday shoppers with money to burn but few ideas. But that time slot is now owned by the Z foldables.About a third of voters don’t see it that way, though. If the phone was named...

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Huawei Watch GT Runner review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/huawei-watch-gt-runner-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei launched the Watch GT Runner as its latest sports-oriented smart wearable. Our initial thoughts were of a lighter version of the Watch GT 3, but after having spent more time with it, we realized there's more to it. Read on for our review.The Watch GT Runner does indeed share most of the hardware with the Watch GT 3 - 1.43” AMOLED circular screen and resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. The battery is 455 mAh, there is a body temperature sensor, latest-generation heart rate tracker, wireless charging and Harmony OS 2.0.So it's no surprising that performance is more or less...

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KZ X Crinacle CRN (ZEX Pro) wired IEM review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/kz-crn-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg KZ is a Chinese brand that has become well-known in the IEM segment for its affordable and reasonable-sounding earbuds. We covered the popular KZ ZSN Pro X in our budget IEM roundup and found them to be the best of the bunch.The company has now teamed up with Crinacle to launch the CRN. Crinacle is a revered reviewer and critic in the audio industry and runs a database of over 1000 tested IEMs on his website. Recently, he has taken to doing collaborations with IEM brands to come up with products that have been tuned to his liking. KZ now joins this list of brands that includes Moondrop,...

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Redmi K50 Gaming Edition will come with 64MP IMX686 and 20MP IMX596 shooters, company shares camera samples
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/xiaomi-redmi-k50-gaming-edition-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is coming on February 16, and the company has already kicked off its promo campaign by revealing the smartphone's design and a few features, including shoulder triggers and a 4,860 sq.mm vapor chamber for 40% better heat dissipation. Today, Redmi shared some details about the K50 Gaming Edition's camera department.Redmi has announced that the K50 Gaming Edition's primary camera will use the 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor which will take impressive night-time photos and let you capture pictures in a maximum resolution of 9,248x6,944-pixels. Inside the screen's...

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Samsung Galaxy S22 series hot take
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-s22-hot-take/-184x111/gsmarena_010.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S22 trio arrived earlier this week to take their spots as the rulers of the Korean company's bar phone lineup. The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ both get updated main cameras and slightly changed sizes, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the first Samsung phone to come with a built-in S Pen since the Note20 Ultra in 2020.Galaxy S22 and S22+ now fit their positions betterThe Galaxy S22 and S22+ come with revamped camera setups compared to their predecessors, including a significantly larger main sensor and proper telephoto cameras instead of relying on digital zoom from a...

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Realme tipped to launch 80W and 150W charging phones, Dimensity 8000-powered device coming soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/realme-80w-150w-charging-smartphone/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme introduced its 125W UltraDART charging tech in July 2020 and its VP, Mr. Madhav Sheth, told us last October in an interview that the company would launch its first 125W charging phone in 2022. The GT 2 Pro was expected to charge up to 125W, but that didn't happen since the smartphone arrived with 65W charging. And while we await the commercialization of the 125W UltraDART tech, a new rumor claims Realme will launch smartphones with 80W and 150W charging.Word comes from reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, who also said that Realme will use Oppo's 160W power adapters to charge its...

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FENGMI R1 Nano UST Laser Projector review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/fengmi-r1-nano-projector-review/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg What is an ultra-short-throw projector, and why would you want one?As the name suggests, an ultra-short-throw projector or UST needs very little space between it and the projection surface to cast a large format image. This is achieved via ultra-wide lenses and light source and lens arrangement that can be quite challenging to pull off, particularly in a small form factor. By some standards, a projector needs to have a throw ratio of less than 0.4:1 to qualify as UST.This kind of setup is desirable for a number of reasons. First, there is the question of space. With a traditional...

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iQOO 9 series will launch with 4,700 mAh battery and 120W charging outside China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/iqoo-9-series-battery-size-charging-speed/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iQOO 9 series unveiled in China last month will begin its global rollout on February 23, starting with India. The lineup will include the vanilla and Pro models in India joined by a new SE variant. iQOO hasn't detailed the specs sheets of the global units of these smartphones yet, but the company's Indian branch today confirmed that the iQOO 9 lineup will launch with a 4,700 mAh battery and 120W charging in the Asian country.That's hardly a surprise since the Chinese iQOO 9 and iQOO 9 Pro also have the same battery size and charging speed. But it's good news for the Indian fans...

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Sony WF-1000XM4 long-term review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/wf-1000xm4-long-term/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Sony WF-1000XM4 TWS earphones have been on the market for a while now and have built up a reputation for themselves. Widely praised for their audio quality and especially their active noise cancellation feature these quickly become an industry benchmark. Our review from last year echoed similar sentiments, with my colleague coming out very impressed from his experience with the earbuds.Having spent some time now with the WF-1000XM4, I had some thoughts to share myself. Like how there's no easy way to shorten the name; you can't just call them 1000XM4 because then someone will...

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nubia Z40 Pro's camera sample shared by company exec ahead of launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/nubia-z40-pro-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg nubia will unveil the Z40 Pro this month, and while it hasn't revealed the smartphone's launch date yet, nubia exec Mr. Ni Fei teased the Z40 Pro's camera capabilities on Weibo by posting a picture taken with the phone. You can check it out below.Mr. Fei didn't detail the Z40 Pro's camera setup, but the company previously announced that the Z40 Pro will feature a Sony IMX787 sensor paired with a 35mm lens.The unit will have an f/1.6 aperture and come with OIS and omni-directional autofocus. nubia says this will reduce image distortion by 35%, gather 80% more light, and improve the...

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Samsung’s Tab S8 and S8 Ultra pre-orders suspended in the US due to “overwhelming demand”
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-s8-ultra-pre-orders-halted/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg This week’s launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8 lineups were followed by pre-order gates lifting so folks can begin ordering the new Samsung flagships hardware. XDA-Developers noticed that Samsung’s US website shows both the vanilla Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra are listed as “Sold Out” with only the Tab S8+ still available to pre-order.Samsung offered the following statement to XDA regarding those pre-orders.We are thrilled by the consumer response to our new Galaxy Tab S8 lineup. Due to the overwhelming demand in the last 48 hours, we will be pausing preorders...

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Onward Mobility reportedly loses license to use BlackBerry name
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/02/onward-mobility-wont-make-a-blackberry/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last month, it was announced by Onward Mobility that we’d see BlackBerry hardware arrive sometime in 2022 following delays that prevented shipments in 2021. It was said that a 5G-enabled enterprise smartphone with a keyboard would arrive to the market bearing the BlackBerry name.In the most recent development, the dream of a 5G BlackBerry is officially dead. According to CrackBerry.com Founder Kevin Michaluk, Onward Mobility is officially dead. The founder posted the following to CrackBerry.Dead as of yesterday. Time to move on CrackBerry fam. Confirmed from multiple...

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GSMArena

01-06-22, 02:19

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/redmi-note-11t-pro-first-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Redmi's recently unveiled Redmi Note 11T Pro for the Chinese market had its first sale earlier today, and it was a very successful one. Redmi general manager Lu Weibing reports that the brand managed to sell over 270,000 units in just one hour. While he doesn't go into specifics, we assume that means both the Note 11T Pro and the Note 11T Pro+ taken together. Still, it's a very impressive achievement, and it looks like the Chinese really like these phones. Hopefully that means they will be launched in other markets too in the future, although at this point it's anyone's guess if that ends...

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Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold gets big new MIUI 13 closed beta update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/xiaomi-mi-mix-fold-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi’s first foldable phone - the Mi Mix Fold just got a major MIUI 13 closed beta update which brings plenty of improvements that should better take up the large real estate of the 8-inch inner AMOLED display. Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold The new Android 12-based update brings a reworked desktop layout for the main display with optimizations for dual-screen desktop mode. Multitasking is also improved with new parallel windows and free-form window options. There’s a new three-finger gesture that activates split-screen. Other aspects like Control Center get a revised layout. System apps like...

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Realme GT Neo3 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/realme-gt-neo3/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg

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Apple Maps now testing improved data in France, Monaco and New Zealand
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/apple-maps-update-france-monaco-new-zealand/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Cupertino has been periodically updating Apple Map data, bringing in more detailed views in select countries around the world. The improved maps will be available in France, Monaco and New Zealand soon. Testing has already started, though the public at large may have to wait until mid-July before they gain access – July 15, according to Justin O’Beirne, who has been tracking Apple’s rollouts of these updates (which usually come out on a Thursday or Fridaya). The improved Apple Maps data includes much more detailed 3D models The new map brings much more detailed 3D...

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Redmi K50 Ultra might bring a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/03/redmi-k50-pro-pro-plus-design-key-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The Redmi K50 family is getting a new member - a Redmi K50 Ultra. The new smartphone will have a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, according to Digital Chat Station, a credible leakster from the company's homeland. The K50 Ultra will retain most of the K50 Pro specs, including the 100W+ fast charging, but will have a 50MP main camera, which be a resolution downgrade from the K50 Pro and the K50 Gaming, but we are likely looking at a larger sensor. Redmi K50 Pro color options The Redmi K50 Ultra will be one of the Xiaomi flagships in the second half of the year. The phone will have an...

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iQOO Neo6 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/vivo-iqoo-neo6-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The iQOO Neo6 that began its international rollout today, has landed at our office for a full review. Our unit comes in Dark Nova color, but there's one more option - Cyber Rage. It's also worth mentioning that we are talking about the global/Indian Neo6 here, which is different from the Neo6 launched in China last month. Before we proceed further to see what the global Neo6 offers, let's check out its retail package. The smartphone comes in a black-colored box - which is smaller than the more expensive iQOO 9 lineup's package - and includes a protective case, some paperwork, a SIM card...

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro will not have a rotating bezel, leakster says
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/samsung-galaxy-watch5-pro-no-bezel/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to leaks, Samsung is working on three smartwatch models for the Galaxy Watch5 generation – their code names are Heart-S, Heart-L and Heart-Pro. As you may imagine, these probably refer to the 40mm and 44mm sizes of a vanilla model plus a Pro model. But no Classic version this time. Does that mean no rotating bezel? Only the Watch4 Classic had it, the vanilla didn’t. There was always the hope that the new Galaxy Watch5 Pro model will carry on this style, but leakster Ice Universe just extinguished that hope. Some previous Samsung watches tried to emulate this hardware feature...

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Counterpoint: Smartwatch market grows in Q1, Apple maintains top spot
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/counterpoint-smartwatch-market-global-q1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The smartwatch market between January and March 2022 saw a 13% increase in shipments, according to Counterpoint Research. The analysis of the wearable market across the globe revealed Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi all recorded an increase on yearly basis, despite the quarterly 24% decline - the holiday quarter is obviously hard to match. Associate Director Sujeong Lim stated that brand loyalty is the main reason for the success factor of Apple, which increased its overall share, as well as its YoY shipments by 14%. Weaker international positions are the reason why Huawei, despite...

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Sony IMX800 detailed: 1/1.49" sensor with 54MP resolution
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/sony-imx800/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg There were many leaks about a sensor called “Sony IMX800”, which was supposed to be huge and was going to be featured in multiple flagships. There may have been a case of mistaken identity, so let’s set the record straight. The actual Sony IMX800 made its debut with the Honor 70 series. The resolution is an unusual 54MP or more specifically 8,768 x 6,144px. With support for 4-to-1 pixel binning, most phones using this sensor will likely default to 13.5MP or 12MP resolution. As for size, the sensor has a 1/1.49” optical format. Not as huge as some made out to be, but still fairly...

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Kuo says Apple AR/VR headset not coming at WWDC
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/apple-iphone-14-production-schedule-behind/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst well-known for their accurate predictions on Apple products and strategies, suggested that Cupertino is unlikely to release the rumored AR/VR headset and the accompanying realityOS at WWDC next week. Apple VR headset sketch (Image: The Information) The analyst shared that Apple is not ready to launch the project, and a simple introduction will open Pandora’s box of copycats. “Competitors can’t wait to see the hardware spec and OS design” and they will “happily copy Apple’s excellent ideas”, beating Cupertino in the race to put the devices on the store...

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ZTE Blade V40 Vita launched in Malaysia
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/zte-blade-40-vita-malaysia/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg In the midst of MWC 2022, ZTE announced its four-strong Blade V40 series and three months later one of the phones - Blade V40 Vita is launching in Malaysia. The device will be sold exclusively through Shopee for MYR 599 ($137) and is set to go on pre-order from mid-June. ZTE Blade V40 Vita brings a 6.75” LCD with 90 Hz refresh rate, and 720 x 1,600 px resolution (20:9). The phone packs Unisoc’s T606 chipset with 4GB RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage which is also expandable via microSD. There’s a 48 MP main camera around the back with two 2MP auxiliary modules while the front houses an 8MP...

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Foxconn expects more stable supply chains in H2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/05/apple-foxconn-india-factory-production/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In an official statement at its annual shareholder meeting, Foxconn confirmed it’s expecting stability to improve in the supply chains in the second half of 2022. Foxconn chairman Young Liu stated the company is “confident in the stability of their supply chain for the second half of this year”. The recent wave of COVID across China has disrupted demand and supply for all major electronic products including smartphones, tablets and PCs. Foxconn - the world’s largest electronics manufacturer was severely impacted by the long-spanning Shanghai COVID-19 lockdowns. The local government has...

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iQOO Neo6 launches globally with a Snapdragon 870 chipset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/vivo-iqoo-neo6-global-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iQOO Neo6 and iQOO Neo6 SE debuted in China recently and now they are starting their global journey. India is the first stop, and it comes with its own plot twist - the global phone will be called iQOO Neo6, but will have hardware identical to the Neo6 SE. The phone comes with a 6.62” E4 AMOLED, manufactured by Samsung with Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. Inside it is a Snapdragon 870 chipset with either 8GB or 12GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage. The 64MP main camerа on the back features OIS, and you get 8 MP ultrawide + 2MP macro shooters alongside...

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Watch iQOO Neo6 global launch live
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/iqoo-neo6-india-launch-event-livestream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg iQOO launched the Neo6 in China in April, and today the smartphone will begin its global rollout, starting with India, which will also mark the debut of the Neo series in the country. The launch event will begin at 12PM IST (6:30AM UTC) and will be live-streamed on iQOO's YouTube channel. You can follow it with us by tuning to the stream below. However, the iQOO Neo6 launching in India today is different from the one available in China. The former is powered by the Snapdragon 870 SoC, while the latter has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip at the helm. iQOO hasn't detailed the Indian...

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Letv launches entry-level Y1 Pro in China with Unisoc T310 and 4GB of RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/letv-entry-level-y1-pro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last we covered LeEco on GSMArena was early last year when the company came back to release some TWS wireless earbuds. Following some financial troubles several years ago now, the company hadn’t released any smartphones under the LeEco, nor the Letv brands. That’s about to change with the Letv Y1 Pro. This device isn’t impressive by any means, but could signal a new competitor in the smartphone industry. The Letv Y1 Pro looks pretty much exactly like an iPhone 13, in terms of design, with a very low price point. Starting at CNY 499 (roughly $75), the Y1 Pro is powered by a low-end Unisoc...

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Google Pixel 7 prototypes listed on eBay and Facebook Marketplace
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/google-pixel-7-prototype-ebay/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last night, a Google Pixel 7 prototype was listed to eBay and Facebook marketplace. Both listings were posted by the same individual. Here’s a screenshot of the eBay listing (via Android Police) which showed the seller’s location in McKinney, Texas. The eBay listing was posted to Reddit via r/Android where it gathered much attention. However, the Pixel 7 prototype was listed to Facebook Marketplace first, as noted by This is Tech Today’s Brandon Lee via Twitter. The Marketplace listing was titled as a Pixel 6, but the images showed a pre-production Pixel 7 prototype, as seen by the...

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OnePlus Nord 2 is now receiving the stable update to Android 12
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/oneplus-nord2-android-12/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We're used to seeing newer smartphones receiving big Android updates before their predecessors, but OnePlus went an entirely different way with the Nord line. The original Nord got its Android 12 update about a couple of weeks ago, while its successor, the Nord 2, is only starting to receive it now, after having gone through a couple of Open Betas. The first one of those was outed about a month ago, so it's no surprise that the stable release took a few weeks after that. Anyway, it's rolling out now as a 4.89GB download, over half a year after Google initially released it, but better late...

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Upcoming Moto G42 runs Geekbench powered by the Snapdragon 680 SoC
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/moto-g42-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola's ever-expanding mid-range G line is bound to do some even more expanding in the next few weeks or so. And one of the models coming up is the Moto G42, already leaked in neat-looking press renders earlier this month. The phone was also certified by a bunch of regulatory bodies, and now we get an additional piece to its puzzle. That's because a prototype Moto G42 ran Geekbench 5, and as usual this means its results are now available for the whole world to see in the benchmark's online database. Not just that, though, but also a couple of important specs. Namely, thanks...

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Caviar dresses up the Apple Watch 7 in bronze, gold and titanium
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/caviar-apple-watch-7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple hasn’t released a gold-plated smartwatch since the original Apple Watch Edition, switching over to ceramic and titanium instead. If you miss the decadent look but want a modern watch, Caviar has you covered. It released a series based on the Apple Watch 7, that roughly fall into two main versions. The first features embossed ornamentation inspired by the work of Gustave Young, a famous 19th century engraver of American firearms. This is the Moon series. Night Moon ($3,260) • Blood Moon ($3,350) • Dark Moon ($3,440) • Gold Moon ($25,070) It starts at $3,260 with the...

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The Google Pixel Tablet may support stylus input
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/google-pixel-tablet-stylus-support/-184x111/gsmarena_00000.jpg Google teased a Pixel Tablet at I/O 2022, but didn’t reveal much besides a few renders and a vaguely positive description. It didn’t say whether it will support stylus input, but apparently it will – a Google tablet was certified by the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI). USI lists the device only as “Tangor” (a kind of citrus fruit), which is clearly a code name. But there is no mistaking it, Google has only one tablet in the works – the Pixel Tablet. And even that won’t come out anytime soon, it is expected in 2023. As the name suggests, USI created a standard for styluses that...

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GSMArena

14-06-22, 01:24

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/xiaomi-band-7-eu-pricing/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi unveiled the Band 7 for the Chinese market last month, and the fitness tracker is expected to make its global debut in the near future. Today this was once again confirmed by a Twitter leakster, who also added the European pricing bracket for the device. According to this one unconfirmed rumor, you should expect the Band 7 to go for €50 to €60. Considering that the Band 6 launched last year at €45.99, this is a price hike even if the new wearable ends up costing €49.99. Global coming soon €50-60 pic.twitter.com/GZWS4ZwYVz— SnoopyTech (@_snoopytech_) June 12, 2022 On the other...

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Oppo Reno7 Lite 5G/ F21 Pro 5G review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/oppo-reno7-lite-5g/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Our Oppo Reno7 5G/Find X5 Lite video review is out
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/oppo-reno7-lite-5g-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Depending on where you live, this phone may be called the Oppo Reno7 5G or the Oppp Find X5 Lite. Either way, it bucks current trends and adds a microSD slot and a 3.5mm jack to the spec sheet of its predecessor – this is a proven way to curry favor with fans. Our video review covers these and other upgrades and how the phone compares to other mid-rangers: As Will explains, the Reno7 5G comes about half a year after the Reno6 5G so it is a relatively mild upgrade. In addition to the above, Oppo enabled HDR10+ on the 90Hz AMOLED display and doubled the base storage to 256GB. And while...

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Amazfit's ZEPP E can be both round and square, on sale now
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/amazfit-zepp-e-official/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Amazfit's new ZEPP E smartwatch is available from today, and it comes in a circular and a squared variant. The Circular model has a 1.28-inch round screen, while the Square model has a 1.65-inch diagonal. Both have rounded edges and support an always-on mode. For health tracking, the ZEPP E can monitor heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, as well as detailed sleep tracking. Fitness-wise, it supports 87 sports modes, including 11 professional modes - outdoor running, treadmill, walking, cycling (indoor and outdoor), skiing, freestyle, and more. It's also 5 ATM...

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Realme V20 5G launched with Dimensity 700 chipset and 5,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/realme-v20-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The latest member of Realme’s China-exclusive V-series is here with the Realme V20 5G. The device packs a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, 6.5-inch HD+ LCD and a 5,000 mAh battery with 10W charging. The budget device comes in Star Blue and Ink Cloud Black colors and a CNY 999 ($150) pricetag. Realme V20 5G also brings a 13MP main cam and a VGA secondary module while the front houses a 5MP selfie shooter. Realme is selling a single 4GB RAM and 128GB storage trim of the device. There’s a headphone jack on board as well. The phone weighs in at 184 grams and is 8.1mm thick.

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Car maker Geely completes the acquisition of Meizu
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/geely-acquires-meizu/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in January we heard that Chinese car maker Geely is looking to get into the phone business by acquiring the ailing Meizu. The acquisition is now complete, even if Meizu didn’t put out a press release. Meizu hasn’t been doing too well in recent years and a partnership with Sony that aimed to bring Flyme apps to Xperia phones didn’t do much to resuscitate the company. Geely has the resources to support the company, however, the automaker owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and others. Inside the Zeekr 001 One of the brands owned by the company recently launched the Zeekr 001, which...

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Samsung Galaxy Fit3 coming later this year or early 2023
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-fit3-band-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the Galaxy Watch series gets most of the glory, Samsung does make smart bands too. Well, occasionally. The Galaxy Fit2 was announced in September 2020 alongside the Galaxy Tab A7 and there hasn’t been a new one since. That will change, soon-ish. This info comes from the Korean branch of the Samsung Community forum. One user was asking about the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and when it might come out. The answer is either in the second half of this year or (if there is a delay in the schedule) in the first half of next year. The band will apparently cost around KRW 49,000-50,000. Not...

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Apple iPhone 14 to bring huge front camera update with autofocus
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/apple-iphone-12-pro-speaker-repair-program/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple is expected to bring the iPhone 14 in September. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the new phones will have the biggest front camera upgrade since the iPhone 11. The selfie shooter will have auto-focus, moving away from the FF solution for the first time in the company's history. It will also arrive with a 6P lens and bright f/1.9 aperture. Switching to AF will improve the front campera's versatility, as people are relying more and more on the front-facing camera for both serious video calls and silly dances for social media. The main supplier of the lens will be Genius,...

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FCC docs reveal that the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 series will feature 10W chargers
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-watch5-fcc-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg FCC documents reveal three Samsung smartwatches – SM-R900, SM-R910 and SM-R920. The first two are the 40mm and 44mm versions of the Samsung Galaxy Watch5, the last one is the Watch5 Pro. Interestingly, the wireless charger that was tested in the lab is rated at 10W (5V at 2A). The Watch4 generation (and previous) used 5W chargers, suggesting that the new models will charge faster (in our tests the Galaxy Watch4 needed about an hour and a half). Note that is the input rating, the charger may still be limited to 5W output. Whether the watches have fast charging or not, they will...

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Photos of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 batteries reveal larger than expected capacity
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-z-flip4-battery-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A previous leak suggested that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 will bring a minor upgrade in battery capacity. Now the actual batteries have been photographed and it turns out that the upgrade will be bigger than expected. There are two batteries, both made by Samsung SDI. One has a rated capacity of 2,555mAh, the other of 1,040mAh. This brings the total to 3,595mAh rated, but typical capacity will probably be labeled as 3,700mAh. That would be a 400mAh increase over the Z Flip3 battery or a 12% bump in capacity. That’s not huge, but it’s not nothing either, considering that 3D renders...

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Nothing phone (1) teaser gives us small hint at design
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/nothing-phone-1-design-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg After months of rumors and leaks, we finally get our first semi-look at the long-awaited Nothing phone (1). The tech startup posted a new teaser showcasing the back of the phone alongside a pair of parrots. The feathery critters are obstructing the view so we only get to see the top half of one of the camera modules. We can also see a white bit of plastic next to the camera as well as a silver screw. Nothing phone (1) is expected to debut with a transparent back showcasing key components like the camera modules, wireless charging coil. We’re hoping to get a closer look at the...

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New Samsung Galaxy Buds enter production, colors options revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/02/samsung-galaxy-buds-pro-review/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg Samsung is rumored to host an Unpacked event on August 10 where we’ll see the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4. The summer event is also the stage where we see new audio wearables, and this time we are likely to welcome the Galaxy Buds2 Pro or Galaxy Buds Pro 2. The TWS earphones have now entered mass production, according to reliable tipster Max Jamboor. SnoopyTech then chimed in with the colors of the new Buds, which will be three - Zenith White, Zenith Bora Purple, and Zenith Graphite. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro arrived in January 2021 and we’re now looking at an update with a...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 appears in live shots
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-4-live-shots/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung’s next clamshell foldable just appeared in a set of real-life images. YouTuber TechTalkTV somehow managed to get his hands on the unreleased Galaxy Z Flip 4 and posted a video (which has since been deleted) showing the design of the upcoming foldable. The images show a largely similar design to the outgoing Z Flip 3 but also highlight the few tweaks made by Samsung. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 display and hinge Z Flip 4 boasts a smaller hinge which attributes to the slightly smaller device footprint according to the source. The inner screen looks identical to the one on the Z...

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Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/huawei-watch-gt3-pro-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Introduction Huawei announced the global arrival of the Watch GT 3 Pro last month in Milan, the fashion capital of Europe. It is the company’s flagship wearable for 2022, and it's certainly one of the best-looking smartwatches ever made. It was introduced in two sizes and we had a chance to try both of them for this review. After weeks of testing we are now ready to share our impressions of the Watch GT 3 Pro so strap yourselves in. We had the Titanium version of the 46mm Watch GT 3 Pro and the Ceramic 43mm unit with gold-accented bezel. Both variants look extremely premium...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 23
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Week 23 brings us one of the more intriguing installments of our trending chart with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra topping it. The Korean flagship was already there in February, but then settled to the lower half of the top 10 for a good while, before launching a fightback a few weeks back. Now that it's completed, the Redmi Note 11 had to settle for second, while the Galaxy A53, which has led the chart for the most weeks this year completes the rostrum. Last week's leader, the Redmi Note 11T Pro+, is down to fourth, while the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is fifth for yet another...

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iQOO Z6 Pro hands-on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/iqoo-z6-pro-5g-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg iQOO introduced the Z6 Pro in April, making it the first smartphone in the Z series to carry the Pro moniker. We got a chance to spend some time with iQOO Z6 Pro, and here are our first-hand impressions. The iQOO Z6 Pro comes in a retail box with a design similar to the more premium iQOO 9 series' retail packages, but with a smaller footprint. It includes a SIM ejector tool, a protective case, some paperwork, USB-C cable, and, surprisingly, an 80W power adapter (the phone doesn't go that fast). The iQOO Z6 Pro sports a 6.44" FullHD+ AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and 1,300...

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Week 23 in review: Apple brings iOS 16, M2 chip, new MacBook Air
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg This week was Apple's WWDC developer conference, and we got a packed event. Per tradition, Apple showed new versions of its smartphone, tablet, computer and smartwatch platforms. It all started with iOS. We didn't get an always-on display announcement, meaning Apple is keeping it as an iPhone 14 Pro exclusive for this Fall. We did get a big lockscreen overhaul with the option to change the visuals of the date and time, as well as moving the notifications to the bottom, making things easier to access, and cleaner. Notifications themselves got smarter. Apple also unveiled the M2, its...

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Flashback: a decade of Xiaomi battery and fast charging tech
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/flashback-decade-of-xiaomi-battery-tech/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Battery charging is one of the few remaining segments in the smartphone world where proprietary technologies can thrive. Most companies use chipsets from the same suppliers, they buy the same screens and camera sensors too. But the batteries and accompanying hardware is sometimes fully custom and has been a field of fast-paced innovation in the last few years. Okay, USB Power Delivery exists, some might say it’s the best option because of its wide support. The same argument can be made for Qi on the wireless charging front. But right now proprietary systems allow for higher speeds and are...

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Weekly poll: is the Realme GT Neo 3T a winner or a loser?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/weekly-poll-realme-gt-neo-3t/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While the GT Neo 3 flaunts its cool new Dimensity 8100 chipset, the 3T model offers the popular but aging Snapdragon 870 and a lower price point. Is the trade-off worth it? First, let’s give the Realme GT Neo 3T a closer look. The phone offers nearly the same 6.62” AMOLED display, with FHD+ resolution, HDR10+ support and 120Hz refresh rate. It’s not a 10-bit panel like on the Neo 3, though. Another change is the main camera – a basic 64MP sensor (1/2.0”, 0.7µm) replaces the larger 50MP sensor (1/1.56”, 1.0µm), the OIS is gone as well. The GT Neo 3 has a version with 150W fast charging...

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Weekly poll results: flat AMOLED displays with high refresh rates strongly preferred
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/weekly-poll-results-perfect-display/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg LCD’s time in the smartphone world is almost over – an overwhelming majority in last week’s poll prefer AMOLED. But any old AMOLED won’t do, here is what most people consider to be the perfect display. There is a pretty even division between FHD+ and QHD+ resolutions. Some enjoy the extra sharpness of QHD+, others think that anything over FHD+ is a waste of battery (battery life considerations cropped up quite often). That “+” in the resolution names came about as phone makers abandoned the standard 16:9 aspect ratio. There were surprisingly many commenters who expressed a...

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GSMArena

21-06-22, 17:51

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-zflip4-expanded-bespoke-edition/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in October Samsung unveiled the Bespoke Edition of the Galaxy Z Flip3, offering a total of 49 color combinations. This program will also be available for the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip4 and, according to rumors, will be expanded to offer even more variety and to be available in new markets. When customizing the Z Flip3, users could pick one of two frame colors, five back and five front panel colors. Removing one color combo that overlapped with the non-Bespoke phones, this gave 49 options. For the Z Flip4 the Bespoke Studio will probably offer customizations for these same three elements,...

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Samsung Galaxy S23 could finally bring a higher-res selfie camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-s23-12mp-selfie-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S10 launched in 2019 came with a 10MP selfie shooter - an upgrade over the S9's 8MP front-facing camera. However, this selfie camera has remained unchanged on the S21 and S22 series smartphones (except the Ultra models). But, a new report claims that could change next year since Samsung is considering going with 12MP units. Word comes from Dutch publication GalaxyClub, which claims that the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ could feature 12MP selfie cameras. However, it's unclear if these will be placed inside punch holes or under the display. We also don't know if there will...

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The Xiaomi Book S 12.4" is a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2-powered Windows 2-in-1 convertible
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/xiaomibook-s-124-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Many years ago Xiaomi unveiled a tablet that could optionally run Windows. However, it was only today that the company unveiled its first Windows-powered 2-in-1 convertible. It is a 12.4” tablet with an optional keyboard that can turn it into an ultra portable laptop. The XiaomiBook S 12.4” is powered by the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, a 7nm chipset from the Snapdragon 865 generation. At the time Qualcomm compared this by saying at at 7W TDP it is faster than a 15W Intel Core i5 10th gen. Anyway, this slate runs Windows 11, which includes x86-64 emulation so you can run PC software that...

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Xiaomi Smart Band 7 debuts globally
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/xiaomi-smart-band-7-global/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg Nearly a month after its debut in China, Xiaomi brought the Smart Band 7 version of its popular Band saeries to the global market. The new model brings the largest screen yet for a Xiaomi Smart Band at 1.62-inches. The AMOLED panel carries 490x192px resolution and now supports Always-on Display (AOD) which was not available on its predecessor. Another neat new feature is the automatic SpO2 tracking which will notify you if your blood oxygen level drops below 90%. Smart Band 7 retains the 14-day rated battery life and charges via the same two-pin magnetic charger. Mi Band 7 comes...

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ZTE Axon 40 Ultra launches globally
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/zte-axon-40-ultra-and-pro-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg ZTE announced its Axon 40 Ultra flagship to the global audience two weeks ago, and the phone is finally available for sale. It brings a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a big 6.8” Full HD+ AMOLED with a high refresh rate and mighty cameras on the back, as well as an under-display shooter at the front. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra will be sold globally starting on June 21 Customers who pre-ordered the phone got a $50/€50/£40 discount.The rest are looking at $800/€830/£710 for the 8/128 GB model or $900/€950/£810 for the 12/256 GB variant. The 16/512GB and 16GB/1TB storage versions won't...

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Poco F4 and Poco X4 GT prices and specs leak through Polish retailer
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/poco-f4-x4gt-prices-poland/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Poco F4 and X4 GT will be unveiled this Thursday. However, an official Xiaomi distributor in Poland has jumped the gun and listed both phones. This includes full spec sheets, which confirm what we already knew. Poco F4 and X4 GT listed on Mi-Home.pl More importantly, the site didn’t scrub the metadata properly, so we have prices too. The Poco F4 will cost PLN 2,200 for the 6/128GB configuration and PLN 2,400 for an 8/256GB unit. That converts to $500/€475/₹39,000 and $545/€520/₹42,500, respectively. Here is a direct link to Mi-Home.pl if you want a closer look. For comparison,...

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Sony is reportedly working on its first 100MP sensor for phones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/sony-100mp-sensor-dcs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Sony is yet to release a 100+ megapixel sensor designed for smartphones, but one is reportedly on the way. The company will take an interesting approach – instead of going for the flagship market, its first 100MP sensor will be aimed at premium mid-rangers, according to leakster Digital Chat Station. The sensor will allegedly be part of the Sony IMX8 series. The series recently made its debut with the IMX800, a 54MP 1/1.49” sensor that was used in the Honor 70 series. DCS does not share details about the 100MP sensor, so we can only speculate. Given that it is aimed at mid-rangers, it will...

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Automatic Verification on iOS 16 will replace CAPTCHAs on supported platforms
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/ios-16-automatic-verification/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg One of the many new privacy features in iOS 16 is Automatic Verification - Apple’s take on Private Access Tokens. These will allow users to bypass CAPTCHAs on supported sites and apps by verifying the device and Apple ID on the log-in screen. Apple claims the process keeps user data and personal information away from the sites you’re trying to log in while also hiding your IP addresses. iOS 15 login vs iOS 16 with Automatic Verification Cloudflare and Fastly - two of the biggest cloud computing services providers are already on board to support Private Acess Tokens including...

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Realme GT Neo 3T to launch in India by early next month
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/realme-gt-neo-3t-india-launch-tipped/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Realme GT Neo 3T unveiled a couple of weeks ago is rumored to launch in India by the end of June or early July. The source claims that the smartphone will come in Dash Yellow, Drifting White, and Shade Black colors in India with three memory options - 6GB/128GB, 8GB/128GB, and 8GB/256GB. The Realme GT Neo 3T is a rebranded Q5 Pro announced in China a couple of months ago. It comes with the Snapdragon 870 SoC, 6.62" 120Hz FullHD+ AMOLED screen, 5,000 mAh battery, 80W charging, in-display fingerprint reader, and stereo speakers. Realme GT Neo 3T The GT Neo 3T has a 16MP...

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MediaTek’s revenue up 33% thanks to strong sales of Dimensity 8000/9000
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/mediatek-revenue-33-percent-thanks-to-dimensity/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek has shown significant growth in the last year. With the release of its Dimensity 8000 and 9000 series, MediaTek has seen positive response from OEMs wishing to include MediaTek’s higher-tier Dimensity chips on their flagships. Thanks in part to this, the company’s revenue has increased by 33%. Oppo, Realme, OnePlus, vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor have all recently released smartphones that equip these chipsets. MediaTek reported its revenue in May was around TWD 52.1 billion (~$ 1.75 billion), down 1% from April, but up 26% YoY and up more than TWD 50 billion...

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Xiaomi 12S, 12S Pro details leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/xiaomi-12s-12s-pro-details/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi is apparently already working on two more high-end phones aside from the 12 Ultra which should finally be announced next month. We're talking about the 12S and 12S Pro, the former of which has already shown up on Geekbench and even in a hands-on image. That image revealed Leica branding for the camera, and today a new rumor sheds some light on other details. The information coming from a usually reliable leakster says the 12S will launch with three RAM/storage combos: 8/128GB, 8/256GB, and 12/512GB. The 12S will be powered by Qualcomm's recently unveiled Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1...

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Oppo Reno8 Pro+ is likely to launch internationally rebranded as Reno8 Pro
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/oppo-reno8-pro-benchmarked/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last month Oppo announced its latest Reno family of mid-range smartphones for the Chinese market - the Reno8, Reno8 Pro, and Reno8 Pro+. In case you're wondering why we haven't reviewed any of them yet, that's because they're meant for the Chinese market. That said, an international launch usually trails with Reno series by a few months, which means these Reno8 models could be arriving in other markets before the end of the year. When they do, you might be in for some confusion, as it turns out that the Reno8 Pro+ could in fact be sold outside of China as Reno8 Pro, losing the "+" on its...

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Apple re-evaluating BOE OLED displays for iPhone 14 series
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/iphone-14-pro-aod-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Earlier this year China’s BOE had reportedly struck a deal with Apple to supply OLED display panels for the upcoming iPhone 14 series. That deal seemed to be in question back in May as BOE had altered the display circuit design which prompted Apple to halt its orders. Now, South Korea’s The Elec is reporting that Apple is re-evaluating sample BOE displays and may proceed to place a large-scale order. Based on sources close to the matter, if BOE receives a green light from Cupertino it would try to begin maximum capacity display production between July and August. The new report...

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Meta shows off VR headset prototypes that push resolution, brightness, size and focus to the limit
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/meta-vr-headset-prototypes/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Meta continues to develop the hardware foundations of the Metaverse and today CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed off several prototypes. Most of them are designed to test one particular feature that the team considers essential to rendering lifelike VR. The first prototype is dubbed “Butterscotch” and its focus is on increasing the pixel count to achieve what the team calls "retinal resolution". That is around 60 pixels per degrees. The prototype achieved 55px/deg, using 2.5 times as many pixels as the Quest 2 that cover only half the field of view. Anyway, the goal is for the display to be sharp...

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Google uses Drake's new Texts Go Green song to pressure Apple into adopting RCS
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/texts-go-green/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The “green bubble” has become part of everyday vernacular – the term is so popular that it was featured in Drake’s 7th album Honestly, Nevermind, which was released on Friday. The third song is dubbed Texts Go Green and if you don’t know what that means, here is an explainer from an unexpected source – Google’s Android team. #TextsGoGreen hit us different, that’s why we had to drop this unofficial lyric explainer video #GetTheMessage ???????? pic.twitter.com/dPxt9yZjCG— Android (@Android) June 18, 2022 The song refers to speech bubbles turning from their usual blue to green when the...

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Huawei teases FreeBuds Pro 2 launch, the TWS buds are coming in three days
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/huawei-freebuds-pro-2-comnig-soon/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We have heard rumors that the next generation Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 are coming this month, now the company has made it official – the premium TWS buds will be revealed in three days. At least that is how we’re interpreting the “coming soon” tweet. The black grille appears to be one of the three microphones that will be used for noise cancellation on the new buds. "Coming Soon" teaser • Leaked image of the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 (note the microphone grille) The FreeBuds Pro 2 will surpass their predecessor with 47dB noise reduction (up from 40dB), according to WinFuture....

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Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic now receiving second beta of One UI Watch 4.5
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-watch4-oneui-second-beta-45/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung opened a beta program for the Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic in May and released the first One UI 4.5 beta a week later. Now comes the second beta, R860XXU1ZVF5, which is rolling out in South Korea. Here is the changelog (machine translated): Bugs fixes Enhanced GPS stability Improved app performance More stable health tracking features, improved running and swimming performance Fixed slowdowns and unexpected termination of Health app Stabilized power consumption: Fixed My Photo and My Style background photo, also fixed issues with AR emoji character not...

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Photo confirms the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 will have a smaller crease than the Z Fold3
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-galaxy-z-fold4-smaller-crease-ice-universe/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last month Ice Universe tweeted that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 will have a less pronounced crease compared to its predecessor. Now the leakster has photographic proof – a side-by-side comparison shot from the same angle. The crease on the upcoming foldable flagship does indeed appear shallower. That said, it’s not clear how significant the difference will be in real life scenarios. According to leaks, Samsung has tweaked the aspect ratio of the internal display of the Z Fold4 – it will be wider and shorter, giving it a 6:5 aspect ratio (vs. 6.2:5 on the current model). The cover...

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Telegram Premium launched for $4.99 per month
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/telegram-premium-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Telegram’s Premium tier is now available globally for $4.99/€5.49/INR 469 per month. Users who want to upgrade to Premium will have to update their Telegram app to version 8.8 and then head over to app settings and select the new Telegram Premium option. Telegram says that its new subscription service helps support the free version of Telegram while also paying for all the new features in the Premium version of the app. Here are all the new features available in Telegram Premium: No Ads In some countries, Telegram shows Sponsored Messages in large and public channels....

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Entry-level Realme C30 is official with a big 5,000 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/realme-c30-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme introduced another entry-level smartphone, three months after the C31 arrival. The Realme C30 brings a 5,000 mAh battery and a big 6.5” screen. The C30 is powered by a Unisoc T612 chipset. It is built on the 12nm process and has an octa-core CPU with two major Cortex-A75 units at 1.8 GHz. At the front, we have an LCD with HD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch for the 5MP selfie camera. Tere is just one 8MP camera on the back, coupled with a single LED flash. The phone comes with 2/3GB RAM and 32GB storage but there is a dedicated microSD slot for up to 1TB of extra room...

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GSMArena

18-07-22, 01:22

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg The biggest story this week was the announcement of the Nothing phone (1). But it was more of a confirmation as we pretty much had a complete image of the phone. The handset comes with a recycled aluminum frame, a 6.55-inch 1080x2400 120Hz OLED touchscreen with 1,200 nits peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, Gorilla Glass 5 on top, and symmetrical bezels on all four sides. The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset sits at the helm, and a dual rear camera system comprising of a 50MP f/1.88 Sony IMX766 1/1.56" main unit with OIS and a 50MP f/2.2 Samsung JN1 1/2.76" ultrawide camera with a...

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Weekly poll: will you join community of Nothing phone (1) owners?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/weekly-poll-nothing-phone-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in the day, OnePlus was a brand that worked on phones for enthusiasts – the One even ran CyanogenMod. Over the years it transformed into a more traditional smartphone maker, but now one of its co-founders, Carl Pei, has started a new company. Is this a new beginning or just a continuation under a different name? The Nothing phone (1) was announced earlier this week. This is a phone, indeed a company, that prioritizes style. The goal is to break up the monotony of current smartphone design trends (the company’s tagline on Twitter is “We're here to make tech fun again.”). A...

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Flashback: a decade of mini phones
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/flashback-a-decade-of-small-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In the early days miniaturization was fashionable, but as smartphones took over, the need for a large screen overrode everything else. That’s how we ended up with tablet-sized behemoths. Remember the Dell Streak from 2010? It was marketed as a “tablet”, even though it had a 5” screen. These days phones with 6.8” displays are fairly common, just fractions of an inch away from the smallest tablets on the market. You may be thinking that Sony was making awesome mini phones. And it was, until a few years ago. These days Apple is the only one making a phone that is both small and actually...

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Weekly poll results: Xiaomi 12S Ultra gets praised, 12S and 12S Pro need to prove themselves
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/weekly-poll-results-xiaomi-12s-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It comes as no surprise – the Xiaomi 12S Ultra has people excited. We’re still working on the full review, but you can check out the camera samples from the phone in our impromptu 12S Ultra vs. Mi 11 Ultra shootout. Last week’s poll shows that 2 in 3 voters are interested in the new Ultra. Many will even consider importing the phone – that 1” Sony sensor is unique and is supported by Leica’s lens making know-how and the faster ISP inside the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. As some commenters point out, the import route may be just a pipe dream – as Xiaomi doesn’t intend for the 12S Ultra to be...

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Infinix Note 12 Pro 4G quietly goes official with store listing
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/infinix-note-12-pro-4g-aliexpress-listing/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Infinix just can't stop expanding its Note 12 line. There is the vanilla model, a variant with the MediaTek Helio G96, a Note 12i, a Note 12 VIP, which we recently did a hands-on review of and the Note 12 Pro 5G. Last month the company promised to unveil the world's first MediaTek Helio G99 phone. Enter the new Infinix Note 12 Pro 4G, which just quietly made an appearance in an Aliexpress listing. The Note 12 Pro 4G shares many specs with its 5G sibling, like the 6.7-inch, FullHD+ AMOLED display, the dual loudspeaker setup, the 5,000 mAh battery with 33W charging and its camera...

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Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/huawei-freebuds-pro-2-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei's premium Freebuds Pro 2 earbuds are in the office and they are among the most feature-packed TWS earphones around. Noise-canceling? You got it, up to a staggering 47dB, which is more than twice as much as what Apple's AirPods Pro offer! Audio quality? You bet, the Freebuds Pro 2 has a wider frequency response than most other TWS - from 14Hz up to 48kHz. Bass? Yep, courtesy of an 11mm dynamic driver. Water-resistance? IP54 rated for splashes. The Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 come in a simple box with a USB-A to USB-C cable and three sets of S/M/L eartips. The case itself supports...

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Google Play Store might be removing app permissions overview in favor of new Data Safety info
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/google-play-store-new-data-safety-policy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Back in May last year, Google introduced a new Data Safety section for apps published on the Play Store. A feature that started appearing on actual app listings in April this year and one that will be mandatory for all apps to have soon (July 20). Now Data Safety info sections have started popping up on actual live app listings on the store, and there is something a bit concerning. Namely that the new info window seems to be taking the place of the app permission overview that all apps on the Play Store used to have. The new Data Safety section in Google Play Store If this...

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iQOO 9T's black color model appears in official teaser
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/iqoo-9t-black-color-model-design/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Last week iQOO told us it will launch the iQOO 9T in India by the end of this month with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, and a couple of days ago, the company gave us our first official look at the smartphone, sporting BMW-themed stripes on its back. Today, iQOO dropped a new teaser on Twitter, revealing the iQOO 9T's black color model design. The iQOO 9T's black version also has a dual-tone design, but the iQOO logo is centrally aligned, and the smartphone doesn't feature the BMW stripes like the other variant. The area around the camera module has a kevlar-like pattern similar to the BMW...

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Ulefone Armor X6 Pro is now official and on sale
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/ulefone-armor-6-pro-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Ulefone just launched the latest in its Armor X line - the Armor X6 Pro. The obviously rugged device measures 150 x 78.9 x 14.4mm and weighs 227 grams. In keeping with the company's pedigree, that body is extra resilient and formally rated as such with IP68/IP69K and MIL-STD-810G certifications. The Armor X6 Pro should survive dips of up to 30 minutes in up to 1.5 meters of water also, water jets and all manner of fine dust and particles. Its polycarbonate outer shell is multi-layered, with every possible crack filled with waterproof adhesive tape as well as gasket sealing rings. The outside...

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OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G gets Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 Open Beta 1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/oneplus-nord-ce-2-5g-android-12-oxygenos-12-open-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus has released the Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 Open Beta 1 for the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G announced in February with OxygenOS 11.3 based on Android 11. The OxygenOS 12 Open Beta 1 brings refreshed UI and new features to the Nord CE 2 5G along with improvements to the OnePlus Shelf and Dark Mode. You can check the list of key updates below. System Optimized desktop icons with improved textures, by using a design inspired by brand-new materials and uniting lights and layers Optimized AI System Booster to 2.1 to support the system to run smoothly even when...

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Xiaomi will unveil its first car prototype in August
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/xiaomi-car-prototype-august/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Technically, this is not the first EV Xiaomi has put out. That would be the Xiaomi M365 electric scooter. There's an "um, actually" fact to toss to your friends. Joking aside, the Chinese giant made a big commitment to the electric car market last year, pledging to invest $10 billion over the next ten years. In the latest development on that front, company founder Lei Jun is expected to unveil the first EV prototype in August. That car is designed by HVST Automobile Design, responsible for the Maven concept car from WM Motor. After the unveiling takes place, the prototype is...

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2022) renders, key specs and price leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/galaxy-tab-a7-2022-render-specs-price-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg It's been a while now since Samsung updated its budget Galaxy Tab A line. As per a fresh new leak, a new Tab A7 (2022) model is just around the corner. The leak offers a look at the tablet's rather unexciting design. It honestly looks like a spitting image of the 2020 Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 model both from the front and back. In fact, Samsung might actually be reusing some of the parts, and perhaps even the device housing since, like its 2020 predecessor, the new Tab A7 (2022) is said to feature a 10.4-inch, 1200 x 2000-pixel LCD display, a single 8MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie, plus...

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Xiaomi 11i and 11i HyperCharge receive Android 12-based MIUI 13 in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/xiaomi-11i-series-android-12-miui-13-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi 11i and 11i HyperCharge launched in India in January with Android 11-based MIUI 12.5E are now receiving the MIUI 13 update that's based on Android 12. Xiaomi hasn't provided a detailed changelog of the update, but you can expect it to come with the usual goodies you get on other Xiaomi smartphones running Android 12 with MIUI 13 on top. The Xiaomi 11i and 11i HyperCharge are the same phones with different battery capacities and charging speeds. The 11i packs a 5,160 mAh battery with 67W charging support, whereas the 11i HyperCharge comes with a 4,500 mAh cell that can go up...

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Leaked render of the Galaxy Z Flip4 shows the phone’s side
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/samsung-galaxy-z-flip4-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is expected to launch sometime soon as the device was just certified with the FCC. Though we haven’t yet seen what the unreleased foldable looks like yet, 91Mobiles just leaked an alleged render of the upcoming foldable compact from Samsung. Source: 91Mobiles The image shows the right side of the Z Flip4 sporting an identical design and layout to the Galaxy Z Flip3. These renders show a possibly flatter edge around the perimeter of the foldable and the reflection shown may indicate that Samsung will go for a slightly less anodized finish on the...

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Poco is now rebranding the Redmi Note 10S, FCC documents show
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/poco-rebranding-redmi-note-10s/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Redmi and Poco absolutely love to play the rebranding game, and it definitely looks like this isn't going to stop anytime soon. In fact, Poco may be getting ready to rebrand yet another device - in this case, we're talking about the Redmi Note 10S, which launched under that name back in 2021. It's a bit late to rebrand a handset more than a year after it first surfaced, but that's exactly what some newly surfaced FCC documents show is going to happen. Poco has asked for an FCC certification based on the previous one issued for the Redmi Note 10S, given that the two handsets are identical...

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Xiaomi 12S Ultra review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/xiaomi-12s-ultra/-347x151/gsmarena_003.jpg

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vivo Y30 5G and Y02s coming soon, specs leak for both
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/vivo-y30-5g-y02s/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo is working on expanding its already pretty expansive Y line of entry-level smartphones, and today details about two upcoming devices have been outed. We're talking about the Y30 5G and the Y02s. The vivo Y30 5G, not to be confused with the vivo Y30 launched back in 2020, will arrive soon with the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC at the helm, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It was already certified by NBTC last week. vivo Y30 Rumor has it the phone will sport a 6.51-inch HD+ 60 Hz IPS LCD touchscreen, and will run Android 12. On the rear it's expected to have a dual...

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Reliance Jio tests Redmi K50i 5G support, Redmi Buds 3 Lite launching alongside it
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/redmi-k50i-reliance-5g-test/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi and Reliance Jio teamed up to test the upcoming Redmi K50i on the carrier’s 5G network ahead of its July 20 launch. Redmi K50i will boast a total of twelve 5G bands – namely the n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28a, n38,n40, n41, n77 and n78 bands. The phone successfully passed several real-world tests like streaming 4K content and cloud gaming. Xiaomi also confirmed the phone will arrive with a 144Hz refresh rate screen. Redmi K50i is expected to be a rebranded Redmi Note 11T Pro+ so we know what elese to expect in terms of specs. Xiaomi India already confirmed it will be equipped...

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Tecno Spark 9 is launching in India on July 18
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/tecno-spark-9-july-18/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We’ve already seen the debuts of Tecno’s Spark 9 Pro and Spark 9T and we now get confirmation that Tecno is launching another device in the lineup dubbed Spark 9. The device will be launched on Monday, July 18 and its landing page on Amazon India is already live revealing some of its key specs ahead of the announcement. Tecno Spark 9 key specs Spark 9 will bring a 6.6-inch HD+ LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate and a waterdrop notch. The device will be equipped with MediaTek’s Helio G37 chipset with 6GB RAM (up to 11GB virtual RAM) and 128GB storage. Tecno’s Android 12-based HiOS 8.6...

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Major Windows update is coming in 2024, could be Windows 12
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/windows-2024/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a new report by Windows Central, Microsoft will adopt a three-year OS release cycle, with the next release marked for 2024. It's unclear whether it will be Windows 12 or a version number of Windows 11. At the same time, Microsoft will increase the release of new features to the existing in-market Windows users. Starting with Windows 11 22H2 (codenamed Sun Valley 2), Microsoft introduced what it internally calls "Moments", which allows engineers to seed big features to existing users without the need for a major update. The "Moments" system was what allowed Microsoft to...

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GSMArena

25-07-22, 15:00

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/03/motorola-frontier-live-look/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Motorola is launching the Edge X30 Pro smartphone with a 200MP camera, and the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 platform. The confirmation comes from Geekbench, where the flagship was benchmarked and unsurprisingly revealed mighty results in raw performance. The Moto Edge X30 Pro’s result of 1,252 for a single core and 3,972 for multiple cores are in line with other tests we had so far. There will also be a 12GB RAM option and the OS will be Android 12, but the phone will launch in China first with a heavily modified interface. Other rumored specs include 5,000 mAh battery...

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OnePlus 10T to come in Moonstone Black and Jade Green
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/oneplus-10t-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus today announced that its upcoming OnePlus 10T smartphone will be available in two colors. The colors in question are Moonstone Black and Jade Green. The Moonstone Black color has a rough textured back glass, somewhat reminiscent of the sandstone finish of the original OnePlus One but with striations instead as seen on certain types of rocks. The Jade Green color, on the other hand, has a smooth, glossy texture. It has the pale, waxy green color, as one would find on the jade mineral. The OnePlus 10T will be launching in New York on August 3. The phone is packing the...

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Analyst: the rugged Apple Watch Pro will have a titanium body, shatter-proof display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/apple-watch-pro-larger-titanium/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, Apple will release three new watches this year – the Apple Watch 8, of course, a revamped SE and a rugged Pro watch. The Apple Watch Pro is described as having the first new design since 2018. It won’t be that new, however, as it will stick with a rectangular shape (instead of going circular) and it won’t have flat sides as some rumors have reported. It will be bigger, though, with its display expected to be 7% larger than the 1.9” panel on the Watch 7 45mm. And its display will be more shatter-resistant than current Watches, while its body...

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Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and Redmi K50S Pro memory configurations revealed by TENAA
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/xiaomi-mix-fold-2-redmi-k50s-pro-tenaa-memory/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Two rumored Xiaomi phones have been described in more detail in TENAA certifications. The two phones are Xiaomi’s second foldable phone and what could be its first phone with a 200MP camera. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 (22061218C) will have 12GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB storage, according to the TENAA listing. This phone will almost certainly be powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. From a 3C listing we know that it will support 67W fast charging (battery capacity is still TBD). According to leakster Digital Chat Station, both the internal and external displays on the Mix Fold 2 will refresh...

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OnePlus Ace Pro is also coming on August 3
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/oneplus-ace-pro-ofic-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus is unveiling the 10T smartphone and OxygenOS 13 on August 3 at 2 PM GMT. However, the company just scheduled another launch three hours earlier or 11 AM GMT (7 PM Beijing Time) in China. The event will see the arrival of the OnePlus Ace Pro - a phone we are pretty confident is the 10T with a different name for the local crowd. OnePlus calls the Ace Pro “the new benchmark for performance” because it will come with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It will also have 120Hz screen, and rumors are pointing towards 150W fast charging, dedicated game mode and ultra-fast memory, probably...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 28
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg There was no shortage of movement in our trending chart this week, but the top remained firmly withing the grasp of Nothing's phone (1). The start of the pre-order campaign gave the Pixel 6a's a huge boost in popularity and it snatched second place as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is now third for the fourth time in a row. After spending a few weeks in the lower parts of the chart, the Redmi Note 11 is back in fourth, while the Galaxy A53 consolidated its fifth position. The iPhone 13 Pro Max follows, placing just ahead of last week's runner-up - the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. We then have...

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Google Pixel 6a in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/google-pixel-6a-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Google Pixel 6a recently went on pre-orders in over a dozen countries and we've got one for a review. Our unit comes in Sage color, but there are two more options - Chalk and Charcoal. Regardless of which color model you buy, the Pixel 6a's retail package comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to 3.5mm audio dongle, some paperwork, and a SIM card ejector. The box doesn't include a charger, so if you don't have a compatible power adapter already, you'll have to buy one. The Google Pixel 6a is powered by the company's 5nm Tensor chip and also has Google's Titan M2 security...

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Week 29 in review: Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 renders surface, a bunch of new phones announced
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg For yet another week, the Nothing phone (1) is dominating our news section but this time around everyone was eager to see what our reviewers had to say about it since the phone went official last week. We finally got the first official-looking press renders of the upcoming Samsung foldables - the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4. In other not-so-great Samsung news, the company allegedly decided to scrape the Galaxy S22 FE release in favor of manufacring more Galaxy S22 Ultra units. Xiaomi revealed the Redmi K50i 5G in China with Dimensity 8100 SoC and 144Hz LCD panel. Nubia made headlines...

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Flashback: a decade of Microsoft's failed attempts to conquer the phone market
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/flashback-a-decade-of-microsoft-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft and Verizon somehow managed to kill the Kin phones twice. The first generation came out in 2010 and was designed by Danger - the company behind the Hiptop (aka T-Mobile Sidekick). Danger was home to the likes of Andy Rubin and Matias Duarte, which people familiar with Android history should know quite well. We've covered the Kin story before, now we wanted to focus on what happened in the decade that followed. Well, Kin's fate was sealed from the beginning it seems, since the Windows Phone 7 platform was announced in early 2010. Evolution of Metro UI: 2nd gen Zune •...

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Weekly poll: can the iQOO 10 and 10 Pro power their ways into your heart?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/weekly-poll-iqoo-10-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Two hundred Watts – 200W! The announcement of the new iQOO 10 series brought the first phone to push that much power over a USB-C cable and into its battery, which can be fully charged in 10 minutes. This is with a 4,700mAh battery on the Pro model and is an impressive technological feat. Compared to the iQOO 9 Pro (which had the same capacity), the full charge is twice as fast (10 vs. 20 minutes). Is that a meaningful change or are we firmly in “diminishing returns” territory? And how do you feel about the new iQOOs in general – that’s the topic of this week’s poll. Pricing...

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Weekly poll results: Nothing phone (1) stirs heated debate, but the company needs to prove itself
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/weekly-poll-results-nothing-phone-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week’s poll shows that Newton’s third law applies to hype as well – for every hype there is equal and opposite hate. And few phone launches this year were as hyped up as the Nothing phone (1). That’s not to say that things are looking bad, necessarily. 1 in 10 people in the poll have already pre-ordered a unit, which means that they had jumped through all the hoops of the invite system. 1 in 3 people are waiting on reviews to make a decision. That’s reasonable considering that this is the company’s first smartphone and only its second product ever. It needs to prove itself, which...

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Realme GT2 Explorer Master in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/realme-gt2-explorer-master-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week Realme announced the GT2 Explorer Master flagship armed with the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and a bespoke design developed in collaboration with fashion designer Jae-Jung. We’ve received a review device now and these are our first impressions before the review team gets going with its tests. Design is the one aspect where the GT2 Explorer Master definitely stands out from other phones. We’ve got the Travel Trunk model on hand here and it features a distinct look inspired by the vintage luggage carrying equipment. The phone features a light grey vegan leather back and...

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Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro pricing revealed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/samsung-galaxy-watch5-pricing-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It's no secret that Samsung is working on a pair of new flagship smartwatches - the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro, with the latter replacing the Watch4 Classic from last year. So anyone looking forward to the release will be glad to see the prices ahead of the launch in August. According to Dealntech, the Galaxy Watch5 will be slightly cheaper than its predecessor. The Watch5 40mm (BT only version) will go for €259 while the 44mm flavor will ask €286. The Watch5 Pro's price tag will supposedly be €430 for the 45mm BT-only option, which is a slight price bump from last year. The...

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Honor X8 5G announced with SD 480+ and 48MP main camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/honor-x8-5g-offic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Honor rather quietly introduced the Honor X8 5G smartphone, which is supposed to be the 5G version of the already released Honor X8 from March this year. However, there's more to it than just added support for 5G connectivity. For starters, the new X8 5G has a smaller 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel with 720 x 1600px resolution. The Snapdragon 680 SoC has been swapped out for a Snapdragon 480+, which strangely is a more powerful alternative, despite its older manufacturing process and lower clock speeds. Memory options are limited to just one - 6GB/128GB. Honor had to cut some...

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Apple diversifies iPhone 14 suppliers ahead of the launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/apple-iphone-14-suppliers-diversified/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 14 series in September, and to avoid any delays in its launch, the company has diversified its component suppliers, which not only allows the Cupertino-based tech giant to reduce dependence on a single supplier but also have a bargaining position. And, ahead of the iPhone 14 launch, Apple's suppliers' list has expanded since China's SG Micro has passed the quality certifications for the higher-end iPhone 14 models. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Word comes from renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said SG Micro will likely ship the PMICs for the iPhone 14...

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OnePlus 10T camera setup revealed officially ahead of launch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/oneplus-10t-camera-revealed/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus is expected to release its next smartphone, the OnePlus 10T, on August 3 but it seems that the company doesn't want to wait much longer and unveiled the camera setup of the 10T in a community forum post. There are a couple of camera samples as well. OnePlus 10T camera samples For starters, the 10T won't have the Hasselblad Camera for Mobile as it's not the company's ultimate flagship. That seat is still reserved for the OnePlus 10 Pro. The 10T aims to be an all-rounder at a more affordable price point. Still, the handset will be running a proper camera setup with...

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OnePlus Nord Buds CE TWS earphones coming on August 1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/oneplus-nord-buds-ce-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus launched the Nord Buds TWS earphones in April, and it will follow up with the CE variant on August 1 - two days before the OnePlus 10T's unveiling. OnePlus Nord Buds CE is coming on 1st August to continue the legacy of amazing sound quality and great designs.— OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) July 22, 2022 OnePlus hasn't divulged any specs of the Nord Buds CE yet. However, images shared by the company on its official Indian website suggest the Nord Buds CE will support fast charging but won't come with the silicone tips the Nord Buds came with. OnePlus Nord Buds CE will...

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T-Mobile agrees to pay $500 million in class-action settlement for 2021 data breach
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/t-mobile-2021-data-breach-settlement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg US carrier T-Mobile has agreed to pay out $500 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement for a data breach that took place in 2021. Customer data of “approximately 76.6 million U.S. residents identified by T-Mobile” was compromised as per the court filing on Friday. A report from Motherboard back in August of 2021 identified that the customer data involved in the breach included Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and driver license information of affected customers. Of the settlement amount, $350 million will be divided between customers and lawyers (to pay fees and...

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Google Pixel 6a gets disassembled on video
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/google-pixel-6a-video-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google started taking pre-orders for the Pixel 6a yesterday, with official sales scheduled to begin on July 28. The Pixel 6a was announced back in May, and it represents an interesting departure for the "a" line, in that it uses the same Tensor SoC as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, while still being cheaper than both of those. If you've ever wanted to peek inside a Pixel 6a, today's your lucky day, as YouTube channel PBK Reviews has done just that, on video, for your viewing pleasure. It's a step-by-step teardown of the new phone, revealing all of its insides. It does start off with a...

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Motorola is announcing the Razr 2022 and Edge X30 Pro on August 2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/motorola-event-august-2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The next Razr foldable smartphone from Motorola was reported to be delayed just yesterday, but today the company has revealed its unveiling date: August 2. It will be joined at the same event by the Edge X30 Pro. The launch is happening in China, but the X30 Pro has long been rumored to launch elsewhere, rebranded as Edge 30 Ultra. It remains to be seen whether the Razr 2022 (also referred to in the past as Razr 3) will ever escape China, however. But given the history of the foldable Razr line, chances are high. Still, the initial announcement will take place in the home of Motorola owner...

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GSMArena

17-08-22, 22:56

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/vivo-v25-pro-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The new vivo V25 series has a passion for shooting photos and videos at night. And just like previous V-series models, it comes with a selfie camera that punches above its weight. We will be looking at both models, but let’s say “hello” the Pro first.vivo V25 (left) and vivo V25 Pro (right)The vivo V25 Pro has the better hardware of the two – this means better cameras front and back, but also a more powerful Dimensity 1300 chipset to do the image processing. This is a slight refresh of the 1200 chip that powered the V23 Pro.However, the V23 Pro had a very different camera...

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OnePlus 10T review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/oneplus-10t/review/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg

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Our video review of the Moto G62 5G is now up
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/motorola-moto-g62-5g-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Affordable 5G phones usually come with a list of compromises since the 5G hardware still eats up a decent chunk of the budget. But if you want the high speed and low latency of the next-gen networks and don’t have the budget for a more premium model, it comes down to finding the right compromise.The global Moto G62 5G carries a €250 price tag in Europe and its spec sheet is fairly typical of a current Moto G model and of the €200-300 5G phone segment as a whole. The G62 still finds ways to stand out.The Moto G62 5G has a 6.5'' IPS LCD display with 1,080 x 2,400px resolution and...

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vivo V25 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/vivo-v25-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg We got two new vivo phones in today and it’s time we turn out attention to the vivo V25 – a Dimensity 900 midranger with a 50MP selfie cam and a color-changing back. Let’s see what else it brings to the table in this key features roundup.The in-box contents include the phone, a SIM tool, a clear silicone case, a pair of wired earphones with an included 3.5mm to USB-C dongle as well as a 44W power brick and USB-C cable.Our vivo V25 review unit comes in the flashy Aquamarine Blue color which not only looks cool but also has the ability to change its hues thanks to the Fluorite AG...

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Honor 70 arriving in Malaysia tomorrow
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/honor-70-malaysia-launch-aug-18/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Earlier this year Honor launched its Honor 70 in China and now the phone is going global at a new event in Malaysia. The keynote is scheduled for tomorrow, August 18 at 8PM local time (12PM UTC) and Honor will also bring its MagicBook 14 laptop and Honor Pad 8 tablet.Honor 70 brings a 6.67-inch OLED with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G+ chipset and brings a 4,800 mAh battery with 66W charging support. It boasts a 54MP Sony IMX 800 main cam alongside a 50MP ultrawide module and a 2MP depth sensor.Honor MagicBook 14 is a...

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Report: Samsung lowers smartphone shipment target to below 2021 level
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-smartphone-shipments-target/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The market effects of the pandemic may be waning, but new issues have arisen that are complicating matters for smartphone makers. This has forced Samsung to reevaluate its production strategy for this year, reports TheElec.According to the publication, the original manufacturing target was 334 million smartphones (Samsung was going to make 284 million in its own facilities, leaving the remaining 50 million to its partner ODMs).Of those, the plan was to ship 300 million units. However, the company has reportedly revised that number down to 260 million and has slashed the manufacturing...

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Samsung introduces new 'Over the Horizon' remix by BTS member SUGA
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-over-the-horizon-suga-remix/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The default ringtone and theme song of Samsung’s Galaxy series, ‘Over the Horizon’, has seen many remixes over the years, but this is the first time that the same artist has been invited to do it a second time.As you can tell from its official title, ‘Over the Horizon 2022 Produced by SUGA of BTS’ was remixed by record producer and BTS member SUGA. This follows last year’s remix by SUGA, which launched alongside the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3.This new mix was produced for the new Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 foldables that will go on sale next week. However, it will also be delivered to...

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New vivo foldable is expected in September under the name X Fold S
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/03/vivo-x-fold-pad-first-looks-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Vivo is planning three separate phone launches in the near future. The most awaited device is the new foldable that should compete with the Galaxy Z Fold4, Mix Fold 2, and Mate Xs 2 in China.According to Digital Chat Station, the phone will be called X Fold S and will arrive in September.vivo X FoldBefore the foldable arrival, there is a new iQOO Z6 on its way. We suspect it will have 5G and 80W fast charging, but we have to wait a bit more from the vivo sub-brand to learn more. There is also an iQOO Neo7 that will run on the Dimensity 9000+ chipset.These three launches are...

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Motorola Moto Tab G62 announced: Snapdragon 680, 10.6" screen, and 7,700 mAh battery
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/motorola-moto-tab-g62-india-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg As promised, Motorola unveiled the Moto Tab G62 today, which is powered by the Snapdragon 680 SoC and runs Android 12 out of the box. It has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage onboard, expandable up to 1TB via microSD card.The Motorola Moto Tab G62 has a metal build and sports a 10.6" LCD of 2,000x1,200-pixel resolution. It comes with a total of two cameras - an 8MP selfie shooter on the front and another 8MP unit on the rear, having a 118° FOV.The Moto Tab G62 flaunts a dual-tone, water-repellent design and packs a 7,700 mAh battery that draws power through a USB-C port at up to 20W....

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Oppo Reno8 4G announced with 90Hz AMOLED and SD 680
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/oppo-reno8-4g-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Oppo’s latest Reno8 phone was launched in Indonesia – welcome to the Reno8 4G. This is the eighth member in the Reno8 family and brings specs that are indistinguishable from the Reno7 which was launched earlier in March.Reno8 4G packs a 6.43-inch AMOLED with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. There’s a small punch hole cutout for the 32MP selfie cam while the back houses a 64MP main unit alongside two 2MP modules for macro shots and depth data.Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 sits at the helm paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage which is the only RAM/storage combo offered. The...

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Weekly poll results: tiny Asus Zenfone 9 stirs big excitement
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/weekly-poll-results-asus-zenfone-9/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Is the Asus Zenfone 9 the perfect phone for people who want a small Android flagship? That seems to be the case, judging by the glowing reception in last week’s poll – half of people who voted want one.Another 30% would be interested, if Asus had offered software support longer than two OS updates and security patches spanning two years. To be fair, Asus said “at least two years”, but not everyone is willing to bet $700/€800 on the chance that patches keep coming after mid-2024.Admittedly, the poll is probably skewed – those interested in a small flagship are more likely to read...

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vivo V25 and V25 Pro launch officially today
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/vivo-v25-v25pro-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Today vivo hosted an event at which a new impressive midranger was introduced - meet thevivo V25 Pro. We also received a press release about a vivo V25 that did not appear at the launch and is still missing from the company website. The former brings a 6 nm chipset, 64 MP main cam and other flagship-tier specs, while the latter has a 50 MP selfie camera with AF.vivo V25 ProThe Pro member of the family comes with a mightier Dimensity 1300 chipset and a bigger 6.56” AMOLED display, which is also curved, while the fingerprint scanner made its way underneath the panel. The max refresh...

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Samsung Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A53 get August 2022 Android security patch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-galaxy-a52-a53-august-2022-android-security-patch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung continues to release the August 2022 Android security patch for its devices, and the latest smartphones to receive the patch are the Galaxy A52 (4G model) and Galaxy A53.The software update that upgrades the Android security patch level on the Galaxy A52 comes with firmware version A525FXXU4BVG2, while the update for the Galaxy A52 has firmware version A536EXXU3AVGA.Samsung Galaxy A53Samsung is rolling the August 2022 Android security patch for these smartphones in Russia, but the rollout should expand to more countries soon.If you live in Russia and haven't received...

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Watch the vivo V25 series announcement live here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/vivo-v25-live-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The vivo V25 series is scheduled to arrive today. The launch is scheduled for 12 PM Indian time (6:30 UTC), and the company will live-stream the event on YouTube. We've embedded the live stream video below.The new series is going to keep the color-changing feature that the predecessor vivo V23 introduced but we do expect to see some new colorways. Teasers also suggest a triple-cam setup including a 64 MP main shooter.Other specs reveal a big battery with 66W fast charging, Dimensity 1300 chip for at least one of the vivo V25 phones and 8 GB Extended RAM, likely for the mightiest...

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WhatsApp gets native Windows app, MacOS version still in beta but coming soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/whatsapp-gets-native-windows-app/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg WhatsApp lets users link a desktop computer so they can continue to make and receive calls and send messages without needing to have your smartphone nearby. This is done through WhatsApp Web via a browser, or a web-based WhatsApp desktop app.WhatsApp is launching a native Windows app, which no longer uses the old web-based backend and has been updated to be run natively on Windows. Although the app won’t really look different on the surface, the native app will run better, use fewer resources, and should launch quicker than before. These apps will also allow you to keep chats alive from...

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vivo Y22s and Y16 specs leak through a promo poster
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/vivo-y22s-y16-leaked-poster/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo is gearing up to unveil the V25 series in India in a few hours, but it's also got other models in the pipeline too, which should be launching in the near future. And today the main specs for two of those have been outed through a leaked promo poster.We're talking about the vivo Y22s and the vivo Y16. The former is revealed to have a 90 Hz touchscreen, the Snapdragon 680 SoC at the helm, 8GB of RAM (plus 8GB of Virtual RAM), and a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W charging support. The phone is going to be IP54 certified for dust and water ingress protection, and it will have a 50 MP main...

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Oracle is reportedly auditing TikTok’s management of user data and content moderation
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/tiktok-oracle-audit/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg TikTok has often been under the scrutiny of American lawmakers and users alike with concerns that user data was being transmitted and accessed by servers in China. With TikTok’s popularity exploding in the last few years, user data and privacy of the platform has been discussed at length.In a new report, Axios has learned that Oracle has been conducting an audit of TikTok’s operations. Specifically, Oracle is looking into TikTok’s feed algorithm and content moderation models “to ensure they aren’t manipulated by Chinese authorities”.During the Trump Administration, TikTok...

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Preview program offers a taste of Android 13 to vivo X80 Pro and iQOO 9 Pro owners in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/vivo-iqoo-android-13-preview-program/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo and iQOO are starting their Android 13 Preview programs in India today. Owners of a vivo X80 Pro or an iQOO 9 Pro can sign up if they want to test drive the upcoming major update to FuntouchOS. The preview software will actually roll out a week from now (August 23), so why the rush?Well, both the vivo and the iQOO programs will accept only 500 users each. So if you want in, you better hurry. The sign up process is simple – go to Settings, System Update, then tap the Settings icon in the upper right corner and then hit Trial version.A preview version of FuntouchOS 13...

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Some Pixel owners are getting an update for Android 12 instead of 13 by mistake [UPDATE]
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/pixel-users-report-wrong-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Update: This was not a mistake. Google did intend to release this Android 12 update, though that caused some confusion since it coincided with the rollout of Android 13. The wording of the update notification will be changed to clear things up. Here is a statement from the company sent to 9to5Google:On August 15, Pixel devices running an old version of Android 12 received a notification about a previously released Android 12 update with bug fixes. The messaging in the notification was confusing with the timing of Android 13, and is currently being changed for clarity.This update is...

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iQOO Z6 Lite to launch next month
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/iqoo-z6-lite-india-launch-price-tipped/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The iQOO Z6 series currently includes three smartphones in India - Z6, Z6 44W, and Z6 Pro. A new media report claims these will be joined by a Lite model in the second week of next month in the Asian country.The source claims that the iQOO Z6 Lite will be a 4G smartphone and will be a version of the vivo T1x, which is powered by the Snapdragon 680 SoC. Note that we are referring to the dual camera model available in India since there's also a T1x with triple rear cameras. And then there's the Chinese T1x, powered by the Dimensity 900 chip. It comes with a 64MP camera and supports 5G...

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GSMArena

29-08-22, 23:29

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/poco-m5-m5s-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Poco has been working on a couple of new mid-rangers to add to its ever-expanding portfolio, and today the brand has announced that their unveiling will take place on September 5, via an online event that will start at 8 PM Beijing time (that's 2 PM CEST, 12 PM GMT, 1 PM UK, 8 AM EDT, 5 AM PDT, respectively). The devices in question are the Poco M5 and the Poco M5s, and the brand makes no secret of this, proudly displaying their names on the event invite. One of these is most likely going to be the previously teased smartphone running the MediaTek Helio G99 SoC. And according to past...

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More evidence surfaces that the iPhone 14 Pro duo will support 30W chargers
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/iphone-14-pro-3rd-party-30w-gan-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in March analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple will introduce a 30W GaN charger this year. Now leakster DuanRui reports that an unnamed brand is sending out new 30W chargers to media outlets for testing with the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro series. Another leakster, Kioriku, reports that the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will only charge at 30W near 0% and before dropping down to 27-25W (that’s how a typical charge curve works). The current iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max charge at 23W and 27W, respectively, so this will be a fairly small bump, unless Apple goes for a more aggressive charge curve...

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 trio begins receiving an Android 12L-based update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-series-android-12l-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung’s first device to run software based on Android 12L is the new Galaxy Z Fold4. Of course, the tablet-centric version of Android is coming to Samsung’s tablets too, starting with the Tab S8 series. The update has begun rolling out in Europe, watch out for the following versions: X70xBXXU2AVH2 for the Galaxy Tab S8, X80xBXXU2AVH5 for the Tab S8+ and X90xBXXU2AVH2 for the Tab S8 Ultra. The update is available for both the Wi-Fi only and 5G versions of the slates. It includes the August 2022 security patch. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series is getting updated to Android...

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The Dimensity 9000+ powered Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate is coming on September 19
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/asus-rog-phone-6d-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Asus has officially confirmed that it is working on a phone using the boosted Dimensity 9000+ chipset – the first official teaser names the phone as the “Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate”. The new model will be unveiled on September 19, three weeks from now. There will be simultaneous events in New York (8:00am), Berlin (2:00pm) and Taipei (8:00pm). The 9000+ officially promises 5% higher CPU and 10% higher GPU scores than the vanilla chipset. However, an early result from AnTuTu shows that the ROG Phone 6D is only a few percent shy of the performance of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+...

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Samsung previews IFA 2022 event: It’s all about the smart home
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-ifa-2022-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung will be part of this year’s IFA in Berlin, and the company previewed what it plans to unveil at the show. Jae Seung Lee, Head of Digital Appliances at Samsung Electronics revealed in a blog post that the Korean maker is betting on sustainability and energy efficiency in its future products, without naming what they could be. The executive revealed three key steps which will make Samsung “the No. 1 energy efficiency brand in home appliances” - a bold claim that aims to reach a Net Zero Home. JaeSeung Lee, Head of Digital Appliances, Samsung Electronics The first step to...

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Huawei Mate 50 Pro is bringing back the notch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/10/mate-20-pro-android-10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei will introduce the Mate 50 series on September 6 and the leak train is picking up the pace. We expect the Mate 50 Pro to have a wide notch, at least as wide as on the Mate 20 Pro, according to leaked photos of a protective glass cover. Huawei Mate 50 Pro protector Now reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station says the front will have a “1.5K curved screen”, with 1.5K being a term incorrectly used in China for displays that are between QHD (wrongly named 2K) and FullHD. The first smartphone on the market with such screen was the Redmi K50 Ultra, with a resolution of...

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Motorola Edge 30 Neo color options leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/motorola-edge-30-neo-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg A while back we came across a Geekbench listing for the upcoming Motorola Edge 30 Neo (aka Edge 30 Lite) and today we have more details on the phone’s design thanks to a series of new images of the phone in all four of it color options. Evan Blass and 91mobiles are bringing us the Black Onyx, Very Peri, Aqua Foam, and Ice Palace colors of the Edge 30 Neo. Motorola Edge 30 Neo design and color options Motorola Edge 30 Neo is expected to debut with a 6.28-inch pOLED with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will likely launch with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 chipset...

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Apple trademarks “Reality One” for its mixed reality headset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/apple-reality-headset-patents/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Apple will likely use Reality in its naming for the upcoming mixed reality headset as per a new series of patents. A new Bloomberg report details three separate patent fillings for Reality One, Reality Pro and Reality Processor. These are the likely names for the two versions of the long-rumored Apple MR/AR headset and its processing unit. Older applications also revealed a realityOS patent filling which is most likely for the headset’s OS. Possible names for Apple's mixed reality headsets The US Trademark and Patent Office shows Immersive Health Solutions as the patent filer for...

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Samsung to deliver major update for Galaxy S22 series' cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-promo-with-stranger-things/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung announced today that its new software update for the Galaxy S22 series will bring a number of improvements to the trio's cameras. Hyperlapse videos will be enabled for the telephoto camera, and the QR scanner will be improved for easier navigation. Samsung camera app improvements The Hyperlapse option in the Camera app offered recording with the wide and ultrawide cameras, but now a third 3x option is coming. The company also confirmed Astro Hyperlapse is currently in development - a cool feature that will allow users to have even more artistic photos of the night...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 34
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Apple's official confirmation of its September 7 iPhone 14 series event was the key event to influence this week's trending chart. Not only it helped the iPhone 14 Pro Max retain its lead, but it also lead to a true Apple invasion lower down the ranks as people started comparing their existing phones as they considered upgrading. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rose to second as the Galaxy Z Fold4 foldable lost more steam and is now down in seventh. Yet another phone from the Korean company, the Galaxy A53, completes the podium as the iPhone 13 Pro Max's charge came just short and it ended...

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Week 34 in review: Xperia 5 IV coming on September 1, iPhone 14 on September 7
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Another week down, let's take a look back at the top stories. Apple confirmed its iPhone 14 series announcement will happen on September 7. The lineup will almost certainly include the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Rumor has it the Pros will get the new A16 Bionic, ProMotion displays, the new pill-shaped punch hole Face ID instead of the notch, a new selfie camera with AF, and a new 48MP main camera with 8K video. The non-Pro's will retain the A15 Bionic, have 60Hz displays, and likely the camera setup of the iPhone 13...

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Our Google Pixel 6a video review is up
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/google-pixel-6a-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google finally released its mid-range offering from the Pixel 6 lineup and we couldn't miss reviewing it. Despite the Pixel 6a being marketed as a midranger, many of the phone's aspects are flagship-worthy. It has a bright OLED panel, albeit 60Hz, a flagship Tensor chipset and a nice set of capable cameras. We have every detail of the phone explored in our written review, but we totally understand those that would rather watch the highlights summed up on video as well. Ricky delivers all the highs and lows of the Pixel 6a in just under 9 minutes.

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Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/xiaomi-mix-fold-2-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has landed at HQ and we've got an unboxing for you. It comes with a case for the rear glass panel, complete with an adjustable kickstand, a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle, a 67W charger, and a cable. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is among the thinnest foldables around. It measures 5.4mm when unfolded, and 11.2mm when folded. Compare that to the Galaxy Z Fold4's 6.3mm/15.8mm, and the Xiaomi phone feels thin as air. There's a lot to say about the Mix Fold 2 in comparison to the Galaxy Z Fold4. The Xiaomi foldable has a conventional-feeling outer display with a 21:9 aspect, which...

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Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/mi-smart-speaker-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Smart Speaker IR Control is Xiaomi's latest audio product, at least in the Indian market. It's a modestly priced device for its category with one interesting new feature; it lets you control devices around your house with just your voice, as long as they work with an IR remote. Design The Xiaomi Smart Speaker is a relatively compact device, measuring 14cm tall and 9.5cm across. It is made out of matte black plastic that does unfortunately show dust quite readily and requires regular cleaning. On the front is a four character seven-segment LED display that mostly just...

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Weekly poll: is the Honor 70 the right midranger for you?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/weekly-poll-honor-70/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Earlier this week Honor brought over its Honor 70 to the UK market after it debuted in China earlier in the year and the phone is expected to arrive in more regions in the coming weeks. At £479.99 for the 8/128 GB trim and £529.99 for the 8/256 GB model Honor is having big goals for its new workhorse, but does it have what it takes to be your next phone? The Android midrange segment is arguably the busiest area in the smartphone market with plenty of great options from a variety of makers. The big names like Samsung, Xiaomi and the BBK group routinely offer great devices that come with...

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Realme 9i 5G hands-on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/realme-9i-5g-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme launched the 9i in January and followed up with the 5G version last week. It has Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, and Metallica Gold color options, but Realme is currently only selling the latter two models, with the blue variant coming at some later point. We got a chance to spend some time with the Metallica Gold version, so here are our first-hand impressions. The Realme 9i 5G comes in a yellow-colored box similar to its 4G counterpart, including a protective case, a SIM card ejector tool, a USB-C cable, an 18W power adapter, and some paperwork. The Realme 9i 5G is built...

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Weekly poll results: Most of you are excited about Android 13 as long as your phone gets it
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/weekly-poll-results-week-33/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Android 13 is an exciting update for most users according to your answers to last week’s poll. The majority of you are eager to test out the latest version of Android with its new Material You customization options and new security features. Sadly, nearly 26% of respondents say their phones won’t get Android 13. OS fragmentation is still one of Android’s weak points and plenty of devices launched in the past two years won’t receive the new update at all. For the rest, the update is either several weeks or months away depending on the manufacturer and class of device. Some makers like...

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Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/huawei-matebook-x-pro-2022-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei MateBook X Pro is the company's most premium laptop line and we have the 2022 model at the office today! The Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 is a sight to behold. Ever since Huawei introduced the thin-and-light MateBook X Pro series back in 2017, they've been one of the prettiest machines. We're talking MacBook Air 2022 bezels back in 2017. But this year, Huawei finally made some changes to the design, which we'll go over right after we get the unboxing out of the way. The MateBook X Pro 2022 comes in the same-looking white retail box with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a new 90W...

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Apple Watch Pro to be announced during the September 7 event
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/counterpoint-smartwatch-market-global-q1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As most of you probably already know, Apple is going to announce the next generation of iPhones during an event on September 7, but alongside the phones, some industry analysts believe that a smartwatch will also be revealed. This one is going to be slightly different than the standard Apple Watch - it's going to be more premium, with a different design and considerably bigger display too. It will likely be called Apple Watch Pro and according to a supply chain analysis, it's going to feature a flat display design with really subtle curvature towards the edges, which in turn might also...

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Snapdragon 6 Gen 1's specs sheet leaked
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/snapdragon-6-gen-1-specs-sheet/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Qualcomm has launched three chipsets based on the 4nm manufacturing process under the new naming scheme until now - Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Thanks to reliable leakster Evan Blass, we now know the company will also launch a Snapdragon 6 series chip with the same naming convention, called Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. Blass has leaked the complete specs sheet of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, which tells us it is a 4nm chip having part number SM6450. It supports 5G networks and Qualcomm's Quick Charge 4+ technology. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC consists of a...

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GSMArena

29-08-22, 23:30

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/iphone-14-pro-3rd-party-30w-gan-charger/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in March analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple will introduce a 30W GaN charger this year. Now leakster DuanRui reports that an unnamed brand is sending out new 30W chargers to media outlets for testing with the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro series. Another leakster, Kioriku, reports that the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will only charge at 30W near 0% and before dropping down to 27-25W (that’s how a typical charge curve works). The current iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max charge at 23W and 27W, respectively, so this will be a fairly small bump, unless Apple goes for a more aggressive charge curve...

More... (https://www.gsmarena.com/more_evidence_surfaces_that_the_iphone_14_pro_duo_will_support_30w_chargers-news-55566.php)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 trio begins receiving an Android 12L-based update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-series-android-12l-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung’s first device to run software based on Android 12L is the new Galaxy Z Fold4. Of course, the tablet-centric version of Android is coming to Samsung’s tablets too, starting with the Tab S8 series. The update has begun rolling out in Europe, watch out for the following versions: X70xBXXU2AVH2 for the Galaxy Tab S8, X80xBXXU2AVH5 for the Tab S8+ and X90xBXXU2AVH2 for the Tab S8 Ultra. The update is available for both the Wi-Fi only and 5G versions of the slates. It includes the August 2022 security patch. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series is getting updated to Android...

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The Dimensity 9000+ powered Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate is coming on September 19
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/asus-rog-phone-6d-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Asus has officially confirmed that it is working on a phone using the boosted Dimensity 9000+ chipset – the first official teaser names the phone as the “Asus ROG Phone 6D Ultimate”. The new model will be unveiled on September 19, three weeks from now. There will be simultaneous events in New York (8:00am), Berlin (2:00pm) and Taipei (8:00pm). The 9000+ officially promises 5% higher CPU and 10% higher GPU scores than the vanilla chipset. However, an early result from AnTuTu shows that the ROG Phone 6D is only a few percent shy of the performance of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+...

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Samsung previews IFA 2022 event: It’s all about the smart home
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/samsung-ifa-2022-preview/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung will be part of this year’s IFA in Berlin, and the company previewed what it plans to unveil at the show. Jae Seung Lee, Head of Digital Appliances at Samsung Electronics revealed in a blog post that the Korean maker is betting on sustainability and energy efficiency in its future products, without naming what they could be. The executive revealed three key steps which will make Samsung “the No. 1 energy efficiency brand in home appliances” - a bold claim that aims to reach a Net Zero Home. JaeSeung Lee, Head of Digital Appliances, Samsung Electronics The first step to...

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Huawei Mate 50 Pro is bringing back the notch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/10/mate-20-pro-android-10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Huawei will introduce the Mate 50 series on September 6 and the leak train is picking up the pace. We expect the Mate 50 Pro to have a wide notch, at least as wide as on the Mate 20 Pro, according to leaked photos of a protective glass cover. Huawei Mate 50 Pro protector Now reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station says the front will have a “1.5K curved screen”, with 1.5K being a term incorrectly used in China for displays that are between QHD (wrongly named 2K) and FullHD. The first smartphone on the market with such screen was the Redmi K50 Ultra, with a resolution of...

More... (https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_50_pro_is_bringing_back_the_notch-news-55562.php)

Motorola Edge 30 Neo color options leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/motorola-edge-30-neo-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg A while back we came across a Geekbench listing for the upcoming Motorola Edge 30 Neo (aka Edge 30 Lite) and today we have more details on the phone’s design thanks to a series of new images of the phone in all four of it color options. Evan Blass and 91mobiles are bringing us the Black Onyx, Very Peri, Aqua Foam, and Ice Palace colors of the Edge 30 Neo. Motorola Edge 30 Neo design and color options Motorola Edge 30 Neo is expected to debut with a 6.28-inch pOLED with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will likely launch with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 chipset...

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Apple trademarks “Reality One” for its mixed reality headset
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/apple-reality-headset-patents/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Apple will likely use Reality in its naming for the upcoming mixed reality headset as per a new series of patents. A new Bloomberg report details three separate patent fillings for Reality One, Reality Pro and Reality Processor. These are the likely names for the two versions of the long-rumored Apple MR/AR headset and its processing unit. Older applications also revealed a realityOS patent filling which is most likely for the headset’s OS. Possible names for Apple's mixed reality headsets The US Trademark and Patent Office shows Immersive Health Solutions as the patent filer for...

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Samsung to deliver major update for Galaxy S22 series' cameras
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/samsung-promo-with-stranger-things/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung announced today that its new software update for the Galaxy S22 series will bring a number of improvements to the trio's cameras. Hyperlapse videos will be enabled for the telephoto camera, and the QR scanner will be improved for easier navigation. Samsung camera app improvements The Hyperlapse option in the Camera app offered recording with the wide and ultrawide cameras, but now a third 3x option is coming. The company also confirmed Astro Hyperlapse is currently in development - a cool feature that will allow users to have even more artistic photos of the night...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 34
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Apple's official confirmation of its September 7 iPhone 14 series event was the key event to influence this week's trending chart. Not only it helped the iPhone 14 Pro Max retain its lead, but it also lead to a true Apple invasion lower down the ranks as people started comparing their existing phones as they considered upgrading. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rose to second as the Galaxy Z Fold4 foldable lost more steam and is now down in seventh. Yet another phone from the Korean company, the Galaxy A53, completes the podium as the iPhone 13 Pro Max's charge came just short and it ended...

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Week 34 in review: Xperia 5 IV coming on September 1, iPhone 14 on September 7
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Another week down, let's take a look back at the top stories. Apple confirmed its iPhone 14 series announcement will happen on September 7. The lineup will almost certainly include the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Rumor has it the Pros will get the new A16 Bionic, ProMotion displays, the new pill-shaped punch hole Face ID instead of the notch, a new selfie camera with AF, and a new 48MP main camera with 8K video. The non-Pro's will retain the A15 Bionic, have 60Hz displays, and likely the camera setup of the iPhone 13...

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Our Google Pixel 6a video review is up
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/google-pixel-6a-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google finally released its mid-range offering from the Pixel 6 lineup and we couldn't miss reviewing it. Despite the Pixel 6a being marketed as a midranger, many of the phone's aspects are flagship-worthy. It has a bright OLED panel, albeit 60Hz, a flagship Tensor chipset and a nice set of capable cameras. We have every detail of the phone explored in our written review, but we totally understand those that would rather watch the highlights summed up on video as well. Ricky delivers all the highs and lows of the Pixel 6a in just under 9 minutes.

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Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/xiaomi-mix-fold-2-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has landed at HQ and we've got an unboxing for you. It comes with a case for the rear glass panel, complete with an adjustable kickstand, a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle, a 67W charger, and a cable. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is among the thinnest foldables around. It measures 5.4mm when unfolded, and 11.2mm when folded. Compare that to the Galaxy Z Fold4's 6.3mm/15.8mm, and the Xiaomi phone feels thin as air. There's a lot to say about the Mix Fold 2 in comparison to the Galaxy Z Fold4. The Xiaomi foldable has a conventional-feeling outer display with a 21:9 aspect, which...

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Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/mi-smart-speaker-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Smart Speaker IR Control is Xiaomi's latest audio product, at least in the Indian market. It's a modestly priced device for its category with one interesting new feature; it lets you control devices around your house with just your voice, as long as they work with an IR remote. Design The Xiaomi Smart Speaker is a relatively compact device, measuring 14cm tall and 9.5cm across. It is made out of matte black plastic that does unfortunately show dust quite readily and requires regular cleaning. On the front is a four character seven-segment LED display that mostly just...

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Weekly poll: is the Honor 70 the right midranger for you?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/weekly-poll-honor-70/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Earlier this week Honor brought over its Honor 70 to the UK market after it debuted in China earlier in the year and the phone is expected to arrive in more regions in the coming weeks. At £479.99 for the 8/128 GB trim and £529.99 for the 8/256 GB model Honor is having big goals for its new workhorse, but does it have what it takes to be your next phone? The Android midrange segment is arguably the busiest area in the smartphone market with plenty of great options from a variety of makers. The big names like Samsung, Xiaomi and the BBK group routinely offer great devices that come with...

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Realme 9i 5G hands-on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/realme-9i-5g-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme launched the 9i in January and followed up with the 5G version last week. It has Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, and Metallica Gold color options, but Realme is currently only selling the latter two models, with the blue variant coming at some later point. We got a chance to spend some time with the Metallica Gold version, so here are our first-hand impressions. The Realme 9i 5G comes in a yellow-colored box similar to its 4G counterpart, including a protective case, a SIM card ejector tool, a USB-C cable, an 18W power adapter, and some paperwork. The Realme 9i 5G is built...

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Weekly poll results: Most of you are excited about Android 13 as long as your phone gets it
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/weekly-poll-results-week-33/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Android 13 is an exciting update for most users according to your answers to last week’s poll. The majority of you are eager to test out the latest version of Android with its new Material You customization options and new security features. Sadly, nearly 26% of respondents say their phones won’t get Android 13. OS fragmentation is still one of Android’s weak points and plenty of devices launched in the past two years won’t receive the new update at all. For the rest, the update is either several weeks or months away depending on the manufacturer and class of device. Some makers like...

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Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/huawei-matebook-x-pro-2022-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Huawei MateBook X Pro is the company's most premium laptop line and we have the 2022 model at the office today! The Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 is a sight to behold. Ever since Huawei introduced the thin-and-light MateBook X Pro series back in 2017, they've been one of the prettiest machines. We're talking MacBook Air 2022 bezels back in 2017. But this year, Huawei finally made some changes to the design, which we'll go over right after we get the unboxing out of the way. The MateBook X Pro 2022 comes in the same-looking white retail box with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a new 90W...

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Apple Watch Pro to be announced during the September 7 event
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/counterpoint-smartwatch-market-global-q1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg As most of you probably already know, Apple is going to announce the next generation of iPhones during an event on September 7, but alongside the phones, some industry analysts believe that a smartwatch will also be revealed. This one is going to be slightly different than the standard Apple Watch - it's going to be more premium, with a different design and considerably bigger display too. It will likely be called Apple Watch Pro and according to a supply chain analysis, it's going to feature a flat display design with really subtle curvature towards the edges, which in turn might also...

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Snapdragon 6 Gen 1's specs sheet leaked
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/snapdragon-6-gen-1-specs-sheet/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Qualcomm has launched three chipsets based on the 4nm manufacturing process under the new naming scheme until now - Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Thanks to reliable leakster Evan Blass, we now know the company will also launch a Snapdragon 6 series chip with the same naming convention, called Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. Blass has leaked the complete specs sheet of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, which tells us it is a 4nm chip having part number SM6450. It supports 5G networks and Qualcomm's Quick Charge 4+ technology. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC consists of a...

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GSMArena

09-09-22, 20:02

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-14-pro-85-percent-sales/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a renowned Apple analyst, the company's first wave of orders will be majorly dominated by the iPhone 14 Pro models. That's 85% to be exact. And the iPhone 14 Plus option will account for less than 5% of the sales. That's the same kind of sales performance that got the mini line cancelled.Early data on offline pre-order in China show exactly that and Kuo says that this is usually the case with early sales. However, this year the sales allocation of the Pro options is a bit higher than in previous years. This is likely because of the bigger feature disparity...

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Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and Edge 30 Fusion set to launch in India on September 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/motorola-edge-30-ultra-edge-30-fusion-india-launch-sep-13/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Yesterday Motorola revealed its revamped Edge 30 lineup consisting of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, Edge 30 Fusion and Edge 30 Neo. Now, Motorola India has confirmed the flagship Ultra and midrange Fusion models are coming to India on Tuesday, September 13.Moto Edge 30 Ultra nad Edge 30 Fusion posterBoth phones will be offered via Flipkart and leading partnering retailers. There is no word if the Motorola Edge 30 Neo will join the other two models in India.Be sure to check out our Edge 30 Ultra hands-on and our Edge 30 Fusion review.

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Kuo: Apple iPhone 15 lineup to bring a major reshape - Pro Max to become Ultra
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-14-14-plus-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg With the iPhone 14 out of the way, we now have the iPhone 15 series to look forward to. And a couple of popular Apple analysts - Ming Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman - have some interesting insight to share. Kuo thinks that Apple will rethink its regular iPhone 15 and Pro lineups in order to boost sales in the increasingly competitive market.Reportedly, Apple will create a bigger feature disparity between the iPhone Pro series and the standard ones in order to give customers more reason to opt for the higher-tier smartphones. This will increase Pro's shipment allocation and ultimately boost...

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Possible second Pixel foldable's camera details surface
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/11/google-reportedly-cancels-pixel-foldable-part-orders/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in July, a developer dug through Google's code and revealed some camera details about the Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, a Pixel tablet, and a Pixel foldable smartphone. That same developer went through the Android 13 Quarterly Platform Release 1's code and discovered camera details about what could be the second Pixel foldable.This second Pixel foldable, codenamed "Felix," has references to folded and unfolded states and outer and inner cameras. The camera system on the rear comprises three units - 64MP IMX787 (primary), 12MP IMX386 (ultrawide), and 10.8MP S5K3J1 (telephoto). The...

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Motorola Edge 30 Fusion review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/motorola-edge-30-fusion/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Apple iPhone 14 pre-orders open today
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-iphone-14-pro-iphone-14-pro-max-official/inline/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Two days after their announcements, Apple is opening up pre-orders for the brand new iPhone 14 series. All models will be up for pre-order in the first wave of countries today. These include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, the US, and more than 30 other countries and regions.iPhone 14 lineup in all its colorsApple’s online store will open at 12 noon UTC, which is 5AM PDT, 8AM in New York, 1PM in London and 5:30PM in India. Shipments for the iPhone 14, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are expected to begin a week...

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Ice Universe: the Galaxy S23 series will have basically the same dimensions, unchanged screen stats
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/samsung-galaxy-s23-series-dimensions-ice-universe/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A couple of weeks ago Ice Universe reported that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra design will remain basically the same and that the dimensions will differ by fractions of a millimeter. Now the leakster has published more detailed data, including the screen size, resolution and dimensions for the entire S23 family.Long story short, the display diagonal and resolution for all three models remain the same, while the height and width will grow by a few tenths of a millimeter. There is no word on weight, but it should be mostly the same as on this year’s S-series. S22 ...

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All Apple iPhone 14 models come with 6GB RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-iphone-14-all-models-6gb-ram/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg In the past two years, one of the many ways Apple differentiated its Pro and non-Pro iPhones was RAM capacity. The iPhone 12 and 12 mini each had 4GB RAM while the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max were equipped with 6GB RAM. The same scenario was played last year with the 13 mini and iPhone 13 again used 4GB RAM whereas the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max held the upper hand with 6GB RAM.iPhone 14 lineup in all its colorsNow, Xcode 14 beta confirmed that all iPhone 14 models get 6GB RAM. This marks the first time since the iPhone 11 series that all new models get the same amount of RAM. Previous...

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Google announces new features on Gboard, Nearby Share, Wear OS, and Meet
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/updates-to-android/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google just shared some new features coming to Android this month. There are updates ranging from Gboard and emojis, to a new accessibility feature. Google Meet, Wear OS, and Nearby Share are all getting some attention as well.Gboard is getting a new “emojify” feature that lets you quickly add emojis to a message after typing it. You can try this now on GBoard beta.Emoji Kitchen lets you fuse emojis together to create new ones, and Android has added a bunch of new mashups, including fall-themed ones.Google Meet gets a new live sharing feature that lets you watch and play...

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Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition's render surfaces
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/asus-rog-phone-6-batman-edition-leaked-render/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Asus unveiled the ROG Phone 6 and ROG Phone 6 Pro in July, and it could soon announce the vanilla model's Batman Edition that has leaked online.The Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition comes in black color. It has "Batman" written under the ROG branding and "ROG Phone 6 BATMAN Edition" below it.The source claims that the Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition will come with Batman-inspired themes and skins, but you can expect it to share the specs with the regular model.We don't know when Asus will make the ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition official, but that's not the only new smartphone we are...

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Google outs first beta for the first Android 13 Quarterly Platform Release
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/android-13-qpr1-beta-1/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Android 13 is now out of beta, but Google has another beta coming your way if you really missed having a beta around. So if you enjoy a beta, why not hop onto the Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1 train, which is now running?Let's unpack that for a second. We're talking about what Google calls the Android 13 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR)1 - this will be known as the December "feature drop" when it, well, drops, in December. And today the first beta of this Android 13 QPR1 is out for those who want to experience "new platform features, bug fixes, performance optimizations, and the September 2022...

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iQOO Z6 Lite price in India leaks
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iqoo-z6-lite-price-in-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo sub-brand iQOO already announced that the Z6 Lite is going to become official for the Indian market on September 14, and today a new rumor talks about its price.According to this yet-unverified information, the iQOO Z6 Lite will start at INR 13,499. This amount of cash will allegedly net you the version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. If you want the model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, it will reportedly cost you INR 14,999.The phone will be available through Amazon. According to past teasers, leaks, and rumors, the iQOO Z6 Lite has a 6.58-inch FHD+ IPS LCD...

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Motorola Edge 30 Neo hands-on
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/motorola-edge-30-neo-hands-on/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola announced a trio of new Edge 30 series phones earlier today and we got the chance to spend some time with the Motorola Edge 30 Neo. Here are our first impressions.The phone feels light in the hand which is not a bad thing. Despite being made from plastic Moto Edge 30 Neo feels solid and the back has a nice frosted coating that fends of smudges. The back also tapers to the sides which helps with the in-hand feel.Edge 30 Neo is the first phone to benefit from the newly formed partnership between Motorola and Pantone and it comes in four color options - Aqua Foam, Ice...

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Motorola Edge 30 Fusion arrives with 144Hz OLED display, Edge 30 Neo joins
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/moto-edge-30-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_0001.jpg The Motorola Edge 30 series welcomed three new members today. We already covered the Ultra here, now let's have a look at the Motorola and Edge 30 Fusion and the Edge 30 Neo now. Motorola Edge 30 FusionThe Motorola Edge 30 Fusion has a unique Neptune Blue version with a Vegan Leather back finish. There are three more colorways, though those feature traditional glass panels on the back.Motorola Edge 30 Fusion with a vegan leather back in Neptune BlueUpfront, it has a 6.55-inch FHD+ P-OLED with the same fast 144Hz refresh rate as the Edge 30 Ultra.The Fusion is powered by...

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Motorola Edge 30 Ultra hands-on review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/motorola-edge-30-ultra/hands-on/-347x151/gsmarena_002.jpg

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Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is here: 200MP cam, SD 8+ Gen 1 chipset, 125W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/moto-edge-30-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Motorola Edge 30 series is official with the flagship Edge 30 Ultra going on sale in Europe (this phone is based on the Moto X30 Pro that came out in China last month). The Edge 30 Fusion and Edge 30 Neo are joining it, but we'll cover those in a separate article.The Edge 30 Ultra is the pinnacle of Motorola smartphones. It brings the world's highest-megapixel camera - the 200MP ISOCELL HP1 - a 1/1.22″ sensor that does 16-in-1 pixel binning for resulting 12.5MP final images with a combined 2.56µm pixel pitch. The sensor can also output 50MP stills with 1.28μm individual pixels, and...

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Apple releases new cases for the iPhone 14 series
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-14-cases/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 series last night and with them comes a new set of accessories. While the new models look pretty much the same as the 2021 generation, the dimensions are not exactly the same, so compatibility with old cases is not guaranteed. Either way, there isn’t much innovation when it comes to cases.There are three styles: Clear Case, Silicone Case and Leather Case, all three are compatible with with MagSafe. Here are a few options from the Apple store:iPhone 14 casesiPhone 14 Plus casesiPhone 14 Pro casesiPhone 14 Pro Max...

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Apple Watch Ultra is compatible with 45mm Watch bands
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-watch-ultra-45mm-band-compatibility/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple unveiled three new smartwatches at its Far Out event yesterday - the new Watch SE, Watch Series 8, and Watch Ultra. Alongside these, Apple also announced new straps for the Ultra model - Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band.Apple Watch UltraWith a case size of 49mm, the Apple Watch Ultra is the biggest smartwatch yet from the Cupertino-based tech giant. But that doesn't mean the three bands mentioned above can't be used with some older Apple Watches since Apple says they are also compatible with Apple Watches of 44mm and 45mm case sizes. Since there's no mention of smaller...

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Realme C30S is coming on September 14, GT Neo 3T's India launch set for September 16
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/realme-c30s-gt-neo-3t-india-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme launched the C30 in June, and today the company announced it will introduce the 'S' model on September 14.The entertainment superstar is here! The all-new #realmeC30s is packed with powerful features in a sleek design to open the door towards #NayeZamaneKaEntertainment ????Launching on 14th September, 12:00PMKnow more: https://t.co/IFhQlmhGH5 pic.twitter.com/k96NKkjGhP— realme (@realmeIndia) September 8, 2022 Realme hasn't detailed the C30S' specs sheet yet, but the company has revealed its design and a few specs. The Realme C30S not just looks similar to the regular C30 but also...

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Tim Cook would rather convert Android users to iPhones than adopt RCS
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/tim-cook-buy-your-mom-an-iphone/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The discourse over messaging between Android and iOS users has been going on for years now and the green vs blue bubble debacle recently reached new peaks. Google launched an advertising campaign to get Apple to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, but it seems that will not happen any time soon as far as Apple CEO Tim Cook is concerned.Cook participated at the 2022 Code Conference alongside Laurene Powell Jobs, Jony Ive and journalist Kara Swisher. When asked about how Apple founder Steve Jobs would feel about the RCS standard being incorporated in iMessage, Cook...

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GSMArena

20-09-22, 12:40

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-14-ifixit-teardown/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg One of the lesser known hardware features of the new iPhone 14 is the fact that the back glass is now easier to repair. Even though the casing is carried over from last year’s iPhone 13, the regular iPhone 14 can be opened from the front and back while all other iPhones since the iPhone 5 days required you to first take off the screen and made cracked back repairs a nightmare. The team over at iFixit revealed all the details about opening up the new iPhone 14 in their teardown and it’s quite an interesting look. Apple did not mention the fact that it completely redesigned the iPhone 14...

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vivo X Fold+ appears on AnTuTu with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/vivo-x-fold-plus-miit-photos/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The vivo X Fold+ is arriving soon and we know it will have a new red color. It is also expected to run the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and today one unit was benchmarked on AnTuTu, giving us a sneak peek of the foldable’s performance. The benchmark revealed the phone with model number V2229A will have a 12GB RAM and 512GB storage version and will ship with Android 12 out of the box. vivo X Fold with a photoshopped Red panel The 1,100,438 score is not the highest we’ve seen on AnTuTu but is quite close to the top spot, frequently occupied by powerful gaming-oriented smartphones....

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Samsung could bring Exynos-powered Galaxy S23 phones after all
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/03/samsung-galaxy-s22-ultra-gps-issues/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung is having internal conflicts about whether Exynos should power Galaxy S23 smartphones, a leakster revealed. This information comes two months after Qualcomm nearly confirmed all the phones will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform. According to Ice Universe, the Samsung MX (Mobile eXperience) division is disappointed with the performance of the in-house chipset in the Galaxy S22 smartphones. On the other hand, top-level executives still want next year’s flagships to come with Exynos 2300, manufactured by Samsung Semiconductors. Currently, about 70% of Samsung Galaxy...

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OnePlus 10R Prime Blue Edition's launch set for September 22
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/oneplus-10r-prime-edition-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The OnePlus 10R Prime Blue Edition teased last week will launch on September 22. Something #OutOfTheBlue is coming your way to give you the smartphone experience you were always looking for!Keep an eye on amazonIN to know more!— OnePlus India (@OnePlus_IN) September 18, 2022 As expected, the difference between the regular and Prime Edition is only cosmetic since the promo page for the latter by Amazon.in on its website reveals the OnePlus 10R Prime Edition will come with the Dimensity 8100 Max SoC, OxygenOS 12, and a triple camera setup on the rear comprising 50MP primary, 8MP...

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DxOMark CEO says brands won’t send in a device if it isn’t likely to rank first
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/dxomark-says-brands-wont-send-devices-that-wont-rank-first/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg DxOMark is an independent organization that evaluates and assesses smartphones, lenses, and cameras. Many flagship smartphones receive photography, videography, and overall scores from DxOMark. Brands once cared deeply about the scores given by DxOMark, and they were used to boast about their camera’s performance and quality. In recent years, brands don’t use this metric, unless the new device ranks first place on DxOMark. This is what DxOMark CEO Frederik Guichard explained during an interview with Jiemian News. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (left) and Xiaomi 12S Ultra (right) Pertaining...

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Google Pixel Watch color versions leak, along with price range for the base model
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/google-pixel-watch-price-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google's Pixel Watch will be unveiled on October 6 alongside the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The smartwatch was already teased by the company back in May, and in the meantime a bunch of details about it have been leaked - including an alleged $399 price for the LTE-capable version in the US. Today a price range has been outed, this time for the base model without LTE (Wi-Fi+Bluetooth only) in the EU, and this one will apparently retail from anywhere between €250 to €350. That's a huge range to speak of, but presuming the actual price ends up closer to the lower side of that range, it's...

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vivo X Fold+ to have a bigger battery and be offered in a new red colorway
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/vivo-x-fold-plus-color-battery/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo's upcoming X Fold+, initially thought to be named X Fold S, has been in the rumors for a few weeks now, and we're clearly getting ever closer to its release date. We already knew that, compared to the original X Fold, it would have the upgraded Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, as well as support for 80W fast wired charging, and now some more details about the yet-unannounced device have surfaced courtesy of a Weibo post by vivo brand Vice President Jia Jingdong. Jia outed the fact that the X Fold+ will come in a new red colorway (the X Fold has only been offered in black and blue)....

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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-iphone-14-pro-max-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Hello and welcome to the best iPhone to date - the brand new iPhone 14 Pro Max. There are a lot of new and better things but the new iPhone carries over some old and tired stuff, like the Lightning connector and subsequent cable in the box. Looking at the iPhone 14 Pro Max from the back, you'd be forgiven if you mistake it for the old model. The only thing giving away the 14 for the latest iPhone is the titular Purple color we've got. But on the front, it's unmistakably the new iPhone, thanks to the Dynamic Island. It's Apple's clever word for the new notch and it's basically...

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ASUS ROG Phone 6D Ultimate review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/asus-rog-phone-6d-ultimate/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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Apple iPhone 14 passes durability test with top marks
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-14-jerryrig-durability/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The iPhone 14 is finally in the hands of users and Zach aka JerryRigEverything is here to test its durability with his usual set of tests including scratching, burning and bending. The design of the 14 is mostly carried over from last year’s iPhone 13 with a handful of improvements being under the hood. One key hardware difference is that Apple now makes the back glass easier to remove and repair costs are significantly lower. As usual, the durability tests starts with a screen scratch test which reveals minor scratches at level 6 on Mohs hardness scale and deeper grooves at level 7....

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KT's special Galaxy Z Fold4 bundle celebrates the Korean national football team
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/galaxy-z-fold4-korean-socceer-team-bundle/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Carrier KT has unveiled a special edition Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 that celebrates the South Korean national football team – KT has been an official sponsor of the team since 2001 and will continue to support it as it prepares for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. This special edition is whole bundle that comes in a suitcase that just might be large enough to take to Qatar. Besides the phone, there is also a Galaxy Watch5 Pro (Bluetooth), a special protective case for the fold and bespoke straps for the watch. The suitcase, phone case and watch strap have all been designed in collaboration with the...

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Rumor: iPhone 15 Ultra to arrive with 8K video, better battery life
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-15-rumors-leaksapplepro/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The iPhone 14 series came out just last week (except the 14 Plus, which is coming next month) – is too early to start iPhone 15 rumors? No, those have been going on for a while now and LeaksApplePro just published a number of predictions. All iPhone 15 models are expected to drop Lightning in favor of USB-C. That isn’t surprising since USB-C will become mandatory in the EU just a few months after the 15-series goes on sale. There might be some reshuffling in the line-up with the “Pro Max” model being renamed “Ultra”. Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have already suggested as much....

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Redmi K60 to get a Dynamic Island type notification system
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/xiaomi-redmi-k60-dynamic-island-possible/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg With the introduction of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro series it was almost innevitable that makers in the Android realm will follow through with their takes on the feature. Developers for Xiaomi’s MIUI are already working on similar implementations and we may see an official implementation with the upcoming Redmi K60. Lu Weibing Weibo post (machine translated from Chinese) Xiaomi China President Lu Weibing asked users if they would “really need a Smart Island” on Weibo with multiple users responding they would like to see Xiaomi’s take on the Dynamic Island while others...

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Realme unveils international roadmap for Android 13, GT2 Pro is first in line
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/06/realme-gt-neo-3t-india-launch-tipped/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme already shared its plans for Android 13/Realme UI 4.0 updates in China, and today Madhav Sheth, President of Realme International, revealed the roadmap for the global audience. First in line is the Realme GT2 Pro, as it is already gathering users for Early Access, and by the end of the month it will be followed by the GT Neo 3 and the vanilla GT2. The new OS has Realme UI 4.0 on top but the interface hasn’t been officially launched and that’s why Sheth decided to speak only about Android. These dates are for Early Access rollout, meaning the rollout of the final stable...

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iFixit: iPhone's SOS via satellite feature uses the Qualcomm X65 modem and custom hardware
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/iphone-14-satellite-sos-custom-hardware/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg iFixit is busy tearing apart the new iPhone 14 models and has discovered a Qualcomm X65 modem inside. However, that isn’t enough to enable the new Emergency SOS via satellite service that was introduced with the new models. “iPhone 14 includes custom radio frequency components, and new software designed entirely by Apple, that together enable Emergency SOS via satellite on new iPhone 14 models,” Apple told Reuters. The iFixit teardown is still ongoing, so we’ll have to wait before we can have a closer look at this custom hardware. We already caught a glimpse of it in this iPhone 14 Pro...

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China Telecom gets exclusive Galaxy Z Fold4, Flip4 versions with 16GB RAM, new names
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/samsung-w23-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4 in August and now it about to release the annual versions exclusive to China Telecom. Those will have a slightly changed design, more RAM and new names. The Fold will be called Samsung W23, while the clamshell will go by as Samsung W23 Flip. The Samsung W23 smartphones will be sold exclusively with a golden cover and premium coating on the back, as well as up to 16GB RAM. The global Fold4 has 12GB RAM, while the Flip sits at just 8GB. The W series predates Samsung's foldable smartphones, it used to sell tailor-made clamshells...

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Xiaomi accidentally posts image of Redmi Pad tablet, leaks point to Wi-Fi and 4G variants
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/redmi-pad-image-details-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi is expected to unveil a pair of 12T smartphones this week and there was some hope that there will be a new tablet along for the ride – the Redmi Pad. However, the latest reports indicate that the Pad launch will happen in October instead. While we settle in for the wait a number of leaks have offered a glimpse of what to expect. One of them came from Xiaomi Kuwait, which posted this image on Instagram, which clearly shows the Redmi Pad (the camera design matches what we’ve seen in renders). This colorway will be called Mint Green and there will be two others: Graphite Grey and...

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Asus details its ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate in promo videos
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/asus-rog-phone-6-promo-videos/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Asus ROG Phone 6D series is now official and the ROG Global YouTube account posted several videos for the newly announced phones. The first video details the design and specs of the new ROG Phone 6D series with some nifty CGI. The ROG Phone 6D Ultimate has the ROG Vision color display on the back while the standard ROG Phone 6D settles for an RGB LED-illuminated logo. Both phones are equipped with MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9000+ chipset. The video also shows the optional AeroActive Portal cooling accessory, 6,000 mAh battery, Samsung 165Hz AMOLED display and AirTrigger 6...

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Leaked Tensor G2 details examined: same CPU, everything else is getting better
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/tensor-g2-internals-details/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg One of the earliest leaks about the Tensor G2 – the new chipset that will power the Pixel 7 series – revealed that the chip will retain the X1, A76 and A55 CPU cores (in a 2+2+4 configuration) as the original. Now developer Kuba Wojciechowski lends more credence to that claim by examining the details of a Geekbench result and others clues. Same Cortex-X1 core as before (note: 3396 decimal = 0xD44 hexadecimal) The Tensor G2 will reportedly be manufactured on Samsung’s 4nm process (the original chip came from Samsung’s 5nm foundries), which has enabled mild bumps in CPU clock...

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OnePlus teases Nord smartwatch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/oneplus-nord-watch-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg OnePlus India has started teasing the launch of its upcoming Nord smartwatch. Called simply the Nord Watch, the device looks to have a standard watch design with a squared off display, curved body, prominent lugs, and a push button that looks like a crown. The strap design is a simple silicone band, shown here in black that matches the watch' gray appearance. As for whether this will be an actual smartwatch or a glorified fitness band remains to be seen. OnePlus continues to use the term "smartwatch" to describe its existing OnePlus Watch despite the lack of any smart...

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GSMArena

09-10-22, 10:58

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/weekly-poll-results-vivo-x-fold-plus/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Foldable phones are a big deal in the premium smartphone market right now, but some are closer to perfecting the formula than others. As last week’s poll shows, a few tweaks to the X Fold formula produce a potential hot seller. The three colorways for the vivo X Fold+, including the new Huaxia Red There isn’t that much difference between the original and the vivo X Fold+, but all the changes are important. Starting from the outside, that new red colorway looks great and some commenters are really digging it. Going below the surface, the upgrade to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a...

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Google Pixel Buds A-Series TWS earphones get a new color option
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/google-pixel-buds-a-series-charcoal-color-official/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google unveiled the Pixel Buds A-Series TWS earphones last June in Clearly White and Dark Olive colors, which are now joined by a third color version - Charcoal. The Charcoal model is priced at $99 like the other two colors and can be pre-ordered from the Google Store. Aside from the color difference, the specs and features of the Charcoal Pixel Buds A-Series remain the same as the Clearly White and Dark Olive versions. You can read our Google Pixel Buds A-Series review here to learn more about the earphones. Source | Via

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WhatsApp launches paid subscription for businesses
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/08/whatsapp-view-once-screenshot-blog-leave-groups-silently/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg WhatsApp's premium subscription service hasn't officially launched yet and it's only available to beta users. This means that only the WhatsApp beta program members can access the Premium menu, where all extra features reside. According to WABetainfo, the premium subscription will be tailored towards businesses, which means that most of the paid features aren't going to be particularly useful for the average user. Reportedly, the premium account gives you a customizable contact link to your WhatsApp, which can be changed once every three months. It's supposed to be an easier way for...

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Apple releases new beta firmware for AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-airpods-pro-2-first-firmware-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Apple has released a new beta firmware for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. It has version number 5B5040c, but it's unclear what's new with this update since Apple hasn't provided any details about it. You can download the new beta firmware from Apple's Developer Center and install it on your AirPods by pairing them with an iPhone and connecting it to a Mac with a Lightning Cable. Then launch Xcode 14 beta on the Mac, head to the Settings > Developer menu, and select the "Pre-Release Beta Firmware" toggle under the AirPods Testing section. AirPods...

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Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" curved gaming monitor launched in India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-odyssey-ark-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" curved gaming monitor which was unveiled in August debuted today in India. It's priced at INR219,999 ($2,655/€2,725) and is already available for purchase through Samsung's official Indian website. The Odyssey Ark comes with a 3-year warranty and Samsung is offering a 2TB Portable SSD T7 Shield USB 3.2 for free till October 9 to the customers in addition to an instant cart discount of INR10,000 ($120/€124). Customers who purchase the display between October 10 and October 31, 2022 will also get the INR10,000 ($120/€124) cart discount in addition to a free 1TB...

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Google shares gallery with Pixel 7 Pro 30x Super Res Zoom samples
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/google-pixel-7-pro-super-res-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The so-called Super Res Zoom is undoubtedly one of the biggest upgrades the Pixel 7 Pro offers over its predecessor. It's a combination of software, hardware and machine learning that allows for solid 30x zoom photos even if the actual telephoto zoom caps at 5x. Here's a gallery of One World Trade Center in Manhattan. The zoom starts at 1x and ends at 30x. Super Res Zoom from 1x to 30x To show the power of the so-called Super Res Zoom, Google shared a gallery of photos showing what the Pixel 7 Pro is capable of. From 20x zoom and up, the phone uses a new machine...

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One UI 5.0 Beta 4 rollout for Samsung Galaxy S22 series expands to Germany and India
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-galaxy-s22-series-one-ui-5-beta-4-india-germany/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung released the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 Beta 4 update for the Galaxy S22 series a couple of days ago in the US, which is now rolling out in Germany and India. The update has firmware version ending with ZVJ2 and requires a download of about 1.3GB. It fixes bugs related to the DND mode, Object Eraser, Samsung DeX, and Quick Share. Samsung also fixed the continuous beeping sounds and vibration issue with the fourth beta update. Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra The fourth beta also bumps up the Android security patch level on the Galaxy S22 series to October 1,...

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OnePlus 7, 7 Pro, 7T, and 7T Pro finally receive Android 12 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/oneplus-7-7-pro-7t-7t-pro-android-12-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google released Android 13 almost two months ago, and today OnePlus has a new big Android update of its own to send to the OnePlus 7, 7 Pro, 7T, and 7T Pro. But it's not Android 13, instead we're talking about Android 12, a version that's already more than a year old. Better late than never? The Chinese company started beta testing Android 12 for the aforementioned four phones a few weeks back, and now those who were part of that process are starting to receive the final update. This means that people who were not in the beta group should also receive the Android 12 update in the coming...

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Motorola Edge 30 Neo review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/motorola-edge-30-neo/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg

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Google’s proprietary Pixel Watch app now online
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/google-pixel-watch-app/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Google launched the Pixel Watch yesterday and the wearable comes with Wear OS 3.5. The new user interface does not work with the old Wear OS by Google Smartwatch, meaning this device got its proprietary app. The application is now listed at Google Play only - it won’t pair with iPhones, because the Watch requires phone with Android 8.0 or newer, Google Account, and internet access. We can see from the uploaded screenshots users will be able to customize the watch face and what info to receive on it, there will be Notifications support, and the Exercise and Daily heart rate will be...

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The iPhone 14 Plus is now available in stores and online
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/iphone-14-plus-now-available/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Coming three weeks after its siblings the iPhone 14 Plus is now available for purchase through Apple Stores, authorized retailers and online. In the US you can pick one up for $900 or $37.45 a month (this is before any trade-in discounts). You can find more pricing details for the whole iPhone 14 series here. Note that some regions will get the Plus model next week and a few others will get it the week after that, check below for the list. As for the iPhone 14 Plus itself, it brings a 6.7” display – as large as that of the 14 Pro Max and just as sharp, with the same Ceramic Shield to...

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Steam Deck by Valve is finally available without reservations
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/valve-steam-deck-no-reservations/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Valve launched the Steam Deck over 12 months ago, but just in February, it started shipping the handheld gaming PC to those that reserved. After several months of issuing batches to Steam users who preordered the device, the company finally announced the reservation queue is done. This means the Steam Deck is available for purchase straight away. The company revealed in a post that it has been struggling with supply chain issues and component shortages, but after hard work from Valve, the ever-increasing reservation rate has been beaten. Of course, the maker also reserved the right to...

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Details on what could be the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 surface
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/snapdragon-sm7475-frequencies/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 has been used in only a couple of phones so far, falling well short of the popularity of the 700-series chips that preceded it. Qualcomm has a new 7-series chip in the works, the SM7475, though its position in the Snapdragon family is not quite clear. This could be the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 or it could be labeled 7+ Gen 1. The CPU will have a tri-cluster design with 1x Prime, 3x Gold and 4x Silver cores. Leakster Roland Quandt reports on the peak core frequencies for those clusters. The Prime core will run at around 2.4GHz, the Gold cores will peak at roughly the...

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Google Pixel 7 Pro disassembly shows not much has changed since last year
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/pixel-7-pro-disasembly/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The brand-new Google Pixel 7 Pro is official after months of leaks and rumors and YouTuber PBKreviews is here to bring us a closer look at its internals in his latest disassembly video. The process starts by removing the SIM slot and applying heat near the sides of the display to loosen up the adhesive. After prying the screen off we get at the metal bracket that covers the internal components. Once the screen is disconnected and the cover removed, we finally see the 5,000 mAh battery held in place by plenty of adhesive and we also see two neatly placed pull tabs. The main board is...

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New Motorola Moto E32 arrives with Helio G37 SoC and 50MP camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/new-motorola-moto-e32-india-launch/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Motorola introduced the Moto E32s in India in June, and today the company launched the Moto E32 in the Asian country. But the Indian Moto E32 isn't the same as the one announced in Europe in May with a Unisoc T606 SoC, 90Hz HD+ LCD, 16MP triple camera, and 5,000 mAh battery. It's actually a version of the Moto E22s with a different primary camera. Moto E22s • New Moto E32 That means you get the Indian Motorola Moto E32 with a Helio G37 SoC, 6.5" HD+ 90Hz LCD, and a 5,000 mAh battery charged through a USB-C port at up to 10W. The Indian Moto E32 runs a near-stock version of Android...

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Production of iPhone 14 costs 20% more than iPhone 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-iphone-14-pro-max-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nikkei Asia revealed component prices for the latest iPhones soared 20%, reaching an all-time high. Production of the iPhone 14 Pro Max costs $501, a huge increase from the $461 cost of its predecessor, and the main reason is the A16 Bionic chip, costing $110 alone. Prices for the Pro Max model have varied between $400 and $450 since the introduction of the model in 2018, Nikkei wrote. The news website made the logical assumption that if Apple is taking a hit in the manufacturing cost while not touching its US prices, the company is likely to get a hit in profits. The A16 Bionic...

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Samsung Galaxy S22 family gets One UI 5 Beta 4 update with plenty of fixes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-galaxy-s22-one-ui-5-beta-4/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung is pressing on with its public beta test for the next version of its Android skin. One UI 5 Beta 4 is now rolling out as an over-the-air update to members of the Galaxy S22 family in the US who are enrolled into the beta program. This is labeled as build ZVJ2, it's a 1.5GB download, and it brings with it the October 2022 security patch level, along with plenty of bug fixes. That said, there are still known issues, like a black screen being shown on the monitor when using DeX and the phone screen is locked, a force close occurring when you select a filter from the lock screen menu...

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Google to make a record number of Pixel 7 units
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/google-orders-8m-pixel-7/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Prior to the Pixel 7 series launch, Google made a record number of Pixel phone orders to its hardware partners. The information comes from the industry watchers in Nikkei Asia. More than 8 million units are reportedly on the way as Google wants to double its sales in 2023. It appears that Google is quite optimistic with its growth for next year. In addition to the flagship Pixel 7 series, the tech giant ordered about 4 million of a budget Pixel phone, likely named Pixel 7a. It's set for an early 2023 release. Source

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Google's Pixel Tablet will have a speaker dock, turning it into a smart display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/google-pixel-tablet-new-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google finally made the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch official today, but there was another product that it initially teased alongside all of these back in May: the Pixel Tablet. As revealed even then, this isn't coming until 2023, but today the company thankfully decided to share a few more details about it. The Pixel Tablet will have a (we assume optional) "Charging Speaker Dock". this will essentially make it akin to a smart display while it's docked, since the Google Assistant will be always listening and you'll be able to use it in hands-free mode, and of course it will also...

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Our video review of the Xiaomi 12T Pro is up
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/xiaomi-12t-pro-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The next big thing for smartphone cameras is the 200MP sensor from Samsung. Motorola became the first company to launch a phone with the ISOCELL HP1 platform, and Xiaomi introduced it in the latest 12T Pro. The phone places itself in the “flagship killer” category with a price tag of €750 and a top-tier chipset in the face of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and our YouTube team is ready with the video review, going through all the pros and cons of the 12T Pro. The phone has plenty of intriguing specs and features, and we loved the amazing screen with 12-bit color depth and fancy refresh rate....

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GSMArena

29-10-22, 11:30

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/10/google-pixel-7-pro-64-bit-only/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg All Android devices that support 64-bit apps have also supported legacy 32-bit apps. In the Android Developers Blog, Google confirms that the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the first Android phones to exclusively support 64-bit apps. Google explains there are a few benefits to dropping support for 32-bit apps. Not only does it reduce RAM usage, but it also improves performance and security. Google expects that over time, devices without support for 32-bit apps will be increasingly common. Google made the move with the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro because it believes the Android ecosystem is ready...

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Xiaomi 12 Lite 5G NE, Xiaomi 13 Lite, and Xiaomi Civi 2 might all be the same device
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/10/xiaomi-13-lite-imei-database/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The upcoming Xiaomi 13 Lite has been spotted in the IMEI database today, bearing the model number 2210129SG. The fact that a 13 Lite is in the works is no surprise whatsoever, we always assumed the 12 Lite would have a successor. Its model number, though, is very intriguing. That's because just last week the same model number was seen in another database, where its name was said to be Xiaomi 12 Lite 5G NE when it does eventually launch. This got us thinking that there are only a few options that explain what's going on here. Maybe Xiaomi decided upon one of these two names first, and...

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Realme 10 4G leaks in more renders, 5G version's battery capacity is confirmed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/10/realme-10-4g-more-leaked-images/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme has just recently confirmed that it's launching the 10 series in November, and today a new rumor claims the first sale will happen on the very first day of the month. Apparently, the Realme 10 4G will be available in "select markets" starting on November 1, in three storage options, with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 8/128GB, and 8/256GB. Its price is expected to be around $190-210. The Realme 10 4G will allegedly be offered in pink, gray, and blue. The phone comes with a side-mounged fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button, a tiny left-aligned hole-punch selfie camera,...

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Possible Motorola Moto X40 sighting on TENAA shows a quad-curved display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/10/motorola-moto-x40-miit/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Motorola Moto X30 (which launched as the Edge 30 Pro globally after slight modifications) has a flat display, the Moto X30 Pro (aka Edge 30 Ultra) had a dual-curved display. Things may get curvier in the next generation as China’s MIIT just posted images of the XT2301-5, which some suspect is the Motorola Moto X40. Not the X40 Pro, the vanilla model. That said, the square camera island and curved display do make it look more like the current Pro. But notice the reflections, the display is actually curved on all four sides. The Chinese authorities have not published additional...

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Apple Q4 earnings report highlights yet another strong performance
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/apple-q4-earnings-report/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg As expected, Apple released its Q4 earnings report for the fiscal quarter ending on September 24 and quarterly revenues sitting at an all-time high of $90.1 billion – an 8% increase compared to the same time last year. Yearly revenues are also up 8% YoY at $394.3 billion. Net income grew to $20.72 billion while earnings per share rose to $1.29 – a 4% increase compared to last year. Apple Q4 2022 earnings report Despite dwindling global smartphone shipments, iPhone revenue grew by 9.6% to 42.63 billion thanks to robust iPhone 14 series performance. The Services category accounted...

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's first leaked camera sample shows great improvement over S22 Ultra
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/10/samsung-galaxy-s23-ultra-ice-universe-camera-samples/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It seems that leakster Ice Universe has gotten his paws on a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra prototype and has shared a camera sample. Work on the phone is clearly not complete yet (it won’t launch for another few months), but the results are already promising. The S23 Ultra will be Samsung’s first 200MP phone, using a sensor developed by Samsung itself. However, it won’t be one of the 200MP ISOCELL sensors we have seen already (HP1 and HP3), but a new design (1/1.3”, 0.6µm, says the leakster). Also, it apparently will support a 50MP mode (instead of just 12.5MP and 200MP as originally claimed),...

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Realme GT2 Pro gets Android 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/03/realme-gt2-india-launch-confrimed/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The Realme GT2 Pro is the company's top-tier smartphone for global markets so it's normal to lead the Android 13 update charge. The reports of Android 13 being delivered to GT2 Pro are all from India for the time being, but it should arrive globally soon. The update itself weighs 5.5GB and brings a ton of new features and a new look that Realme calls Aquamorphic. It introduces new, more natural and pleasant animations, shadows, UI elements, etc. There are also improvements in terms of efficiency and usability, security and gaming. The latter comes in the form of HyperBoost GPA 4.0...

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Omdia: global smartphone market down in Q3, but Apple grows
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/omdia-q3-2022/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In the latest report on the global market in Q3, Omdia's numbers echo Canalys - shipments are better than in Q2 but worse than Q3 2021. In Q3, the market recorded a modest 2.5% increase over Q2 but a 7.6% decrease year over year. Samsung retained its top spot with a total of 64.1m units shipped - a 3% improvement over Q2 but a 7.4% dip compared to the same period last year. Apple was in second with 52.2m iPhones shipped - a modest 2.6% improvement on last year. Huawei was the only other maker that didn't suffer a decrease in shipments YoY. Chinese makers were hit the hardest....

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Canalys: Q3 worldwide smartphone shipments declined by 9%
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/canalys-q3-global-shipments/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Global smartphone shipments for the July – September period totaled 297.8 million units according to the latest Canalys Smartphone Analysis report. The figure represents a 9% decline compared to Q3 2021 (325.6 million shipments) and is the third consecutive quarter of declining smartphone shipments. Q3 Smartphone shipments in Europe and Asia Pacific outperformed other regions with improved demand seen in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Despite the market trends, the premium segment saw strong demand for Apple and Samsung flagships while demand for mid and entry-level devices was...

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Kuo: Apple iPhone 15 Pro to bring solid state volume buttons
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/kuo-iphone-15-pro-solid-state-buttons/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In the latest edition of iPhone 15 rumors, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple will bring solid-state power and volume buttons to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The new buttons will function like the Touch ID sensor introduced on the iPhone 7 and still used today on the iPhone SE (2022) thanks to two additional Taptic Engines on the left and right sides of the frame. iPhone 14 Pro Max buttons The solid-state buttons will not sink in physically and will instead offer haptic feedback to confirm presses. These new buttons are only rumored for the iPhone 15...

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Galaxy S23 Ultra to have better telephoto camera image quality
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-galaxy-s23-ultra-same-zoom/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It has been somewhat clear now that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will mostly retain the same zoom cameras as its predecessor - a 3x and 10x periscope. So we mostly expected similar image quality, but according to popular tipster Ice universe, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will shoot much better telephoto images. Citing improvements in color and "some AI algorithms", he believes Samsung has made strides in image quality. Earlier he made similar claims about the Galaxy S23 Ultra's new 200MP wide camera. Sensor size and readout speed are big contributors to image quality, but computational...

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OnePlus 10T gets Android 13-based OxygenOS 13 Open Beta
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/oneplus-10t-android-13-oxygenos-13-open-beta/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg OnePlus released the Android 13-based OxygenOS 13 Open Beta for the OnePlus 9RT a couple of weeks ago, and now it's the OnePlus 10T that's getting a taste of the Chinese phone maker's newest custom Android skin through the beta program, albeit in India only. If you want to try the OxygenOS 13 Open Beta on your 10T, make sure it's running OxygenOS 12's A.08 or A.10 build and has at least 30% battery and 5.5GB of free storage before installing the update. The OxygenOS 13 Open Beta comes with the Aquamorphic Design and a new type of Always-On Display in addition to some optimizations,...

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's 200 MP camera brings better night photography and video, tipster says
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-galaxy-s23-ultra-improved-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra is rumored to sport a 200 MP camera. So what, you may ask, the much cheaper Xiaomi 12T Pro has one of those too. Right? Well, yes it does, but apparently Samsung's 200 MP camera won't be the same. Instead, it will be the best 200 MP camera the world has ever seen, at least until the point of its launch of course. This revelation comes from prolific tipster Ice Universe, who says the camera has unparalleled computational skills. Those will enable it to bring obvious, notable improvements to nighttime photos as well as nighttime videos. It's so...

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Moto G Play (2022) leaks: specs and images are out
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/moto-g-play-2022-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Motorola's ever-increasing roster of smartphones is about to get even bulkier, since the company is apparently planning on launching the Moto G Play (2022) at some point in the near future. The handset has been leaked today, complete with the images you see below and a full rundown of its most important specs. It comes with a 6.5-inch 720x1600 IPS LCD touchscreen, the MediaTek Helio G37 SoC at the helm, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 10W charging. On the back there's a 16 MP main camera flanked by a 2 MP macro shooter and a 2 MP depth...

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Google Pixel 7 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/google-pixel-7/-347x151/gsmarena_000.jpg

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Apple pauses the advertisement of gambling apps on App Store
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/01/apple-app-store-south-korea-payment-alternatives/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Recently Apple increased the ad space in its App Store in pursuit of bigger revenues from advertisement, but that backfired in more than one way. There was a public outcry shortly after as some of those ad slots were purchased by gambling services. This puts some sensitive users trying to battle gambling addiction in a tough spot or at least that's the main argument users are uniting around on the internet. In response Apple came out with a statement that it's pausing the advertisement of such apps. However, Apple's decision doesn't sound very permanent. It hasn't clarified how...

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Samsung posts teaser image of the Galaxy Z Flip4 Maison Margiela Edition
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-galaxy-z-flip4-maison-margiela-teaser-image/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week Samsung announced its new collaboration with Maison Margiela, the Paris-based luxury fashion house. As expected, they are working on a special edition of the Galaxy Z Flip4 and just published the first teaser image of the phone. Note that this is clearly not the actual design – they won’t cover up the cameras – but it’s a preview of what is to come. It seems that the fashion house is going for a cloth texture and has included the brand’s trademark number designations. These numbers are product categories, e.g. 3 is for fragrances, 8 is for eyewear and 11 is for...

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Canalys: Apple is the big winner as Chinese smartphone market shrinks in Q3
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/canalys-q3-china/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Chinese smartphone market did marginally better in Q3 than in Q2 with a total of 70 million phones shipped. But it still posted a yearly decline of 11%. The Mainland China market is nowhere near the level it was in 2021 not to mention pre-pandemic. vivo kept its number one spot with 14.1 million units shipped, but is still over 4 million fewer than in Q3 of 2021. Oppo (including OnePlus) was in second with 12.1 million units, down 27% YoY. Honor managed 12 million shipments for third, while Apple climbed to fourth with 11.3 million sales. Apple is the only vendor to record...

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The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer sets a new benchmark for fast charging - 210W
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/xiaomi-redmi-note-12-explorer-announced/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg When the USB-IF announced plans for adding a Power Delivery profile for 240W charging we thought it was something for the future. The standard way of doing things may indeed be something for the future, but today brings us almost at that point with the new Redmi Note 12 Explorer. This phone is based on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (which also debuts today), but ups the charging speed from 120W to 210W. The battery capacity does go down – from 5,000mAh to 4,300mAh – as Xiaomi had to build a battery to very exacting requirements. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer sets a new benchmark for...

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Xiaomi Book Air 13 announced, OLED display and Intel 12th Gen CPUs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/xiaomi-book-air-13-offic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg During today's event, Xiaomi announced a slew of new products, including the Xiaomi Book Air 13 - a 13.3-inch laptop with an OLED screen and the latest CPUs from Intel. The Book Air 13 comes in two main configurations, one with a Core i7-1250U CPU and one with i5-1230U. Either way, you will be getting 16GB of LPDDR5 5200MHz memory by default along with 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The OLED display measures 13.3" in diagonal and has a 2880 x 1800px resolution for a 16:10 aspect ratio. It also has a sheet of Gorilla Glass 3 for extra protection. That last bit is somewhat important since the...

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GSMArena

05-11-22, 00:09

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/11/samsung-drop-ship-app-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung launched a new file-sharing app that lets you transfer files between all kinds of devices. The app is called Dropship and is currently exclusive to South Korean users via the Galaxy Store. Dropship allows you to share up to 5GB worth of files per day by uploading them from the host device and then generating QR code which others then scan to receive the file.Samsung Dropship file sharing app interfaceThe file sender needs to have an Android 13 device with OneUI 5 on top - currently a Galaxy S22 series exclusive and a Samsung account. The recipient does not need to have...

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Samsung's latest ad wants Apple users to jump over the fence and get a foldable phone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-fence-sitting-apple-ad/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Apple’s walled garden is a real thing in the latest ad from Samsung – and in the confines of that garden there are no foldable phones. They are totally coming, but you will have to wait. “That’s what we do, we wait,” says the caricature of an Apple user in the ad.The Korean tech giant believes it has a good read on Apple’s roadmap when it comes to foldables – internal estimates reportedly point to a debut launch in 2024. That imaginary Apple fan from the ad will have to wait and watch the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Fold6 get released, two generations of Z Flips too, before Cupertino brings out...

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Samsung execs confident Apple will launch its first foldable device in 2024
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-apple-foldable-2024/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) held a meeting with component suppliers where it discussed several interesting topics including concerning its foldable phone strategy. A report from TheElec details that Samsung estimates up to 80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for its foldable until 2025.Samsung confirmed high demand for its folding phones in its home market and shared that South Korean iPhone users in their 20s and 30s are switching to Samsung foldables at a much higher rate than before - reportedly 3x to 4x higher than in previous years.Samsung MX officials expect Apple to...

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Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e update improves camera and Bluetooth stability
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-s10-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The fourth birthday of the Galaxy S10 series is coming up soon and it’s nice to see the phones still being supported. The series went up to One UI 4.1 this March and has been getting quarterly security patches. Now a bigger update has arrived that improves the overall stability of the phones.The Samsung Galaxy S10 series update notification (in Dutch) • Machine translationThe Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy S10e can now download the G97*FXXUGHVJ5 update in some regions, reports GalaxyClub. The update weighs in at 1GB and contains the October security patch. But it...

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CR: Smartphone market in India declines in Q3 as iPhone 13 becomes best-selling model
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/04/apple-now-makes-iphone-13-in-india/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Counterpoint Research posted its quarterly analysis of the smartphone market in India. The numbers for Q3 2021 revealed an 11% overall decline in sales on a yearly basis - down to 45 million units. This is the first yearly decline for the July-September period in India, mostly due to pent-up demand from Q3 2021, as well as lower demand in Q2 2022 due to the global macroeconomic situation.In the three-month period, Xiaomi remained on top, but Samsung managed to close the gap as the Korean company was among the few to achieve annual growth. Apple reached its highest share ever in India at...

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Oppo Reno8 Pro's Android 13-based ColorOS 13 stable update will roll out in India starting November 8
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oppo-reno8-pro-coloros-13-stable-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo released the Android 13-based ColorOS 13's beta update for the Reno8 Pro 5G in India in September, and today the company announced that its stable version will begin rolling out in India starting November 8.Additionally, Oppo confirmed the rollout of stable ColorOS 13 for the Reno8 5G and K10 5G in India will begin on November 18.Oppo will also release ColorOS 13 beta for four smartphones in India this month. The rollout for the Reno6 Pro 5G, Reno5 Pro 5G, and F19 Pro+ 5G will begin on November 9, while the A74 5G will start receiving it from November 18.ColorOS 13...

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Qualcomm confirms Samsung Galaxy S23 series will use only Snapdragon chipsets
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/qualcomm-all-but-confirms-snapdragon-s23-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung is expected to launch its Galaxy S23 series phones in the first week of February according to the latest rumors and this might be the year where all models will launch with the same chipset globally. Rumors about an all-Snapdragon lineup of Galaxy S23 series phones have been going on for months and the latest earnings call from Qualcomm all but confirm these rumors are true.During their Q4 earnings call (transcript in the source link) Qualcomm CFO Akash Palkhiwala confirmed expectations for a strong second half of the March quarter (Q1) 2023 which likely coincides with the...

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Galaxy S23 series is coming in the first week of February, Korean media says
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-s23-first-week-of-february/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg We have always known that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S23 series in Q1 next year – the S22 series was unveiled on February 9, the S21 series on January 14 and the S20 series on February 11. We didn’t have the exact date, however, and officially we still don’t. That said, a business official spoke to the Korean press about the likely reveal and launch dates.According to the insider, Samsung will hold a press event in San Francisco in the first week of February (that’s January 30 to February 5). After that Samsung traditionally does two weeks of pre-orders and sets the first shipping...

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Realme 10 Pro+ specs leak in China
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/04/realme-9-pro-plus-free-fire-limited-edition-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Realme 10 is scheduled to arrive on November 9, but we are alreayd getting intel on the next member of the series - the Realme 10 Pro+.The smartphone with model number RMX3687 appeared on China Telecom's website, where its key specs were listed, including chipset, screen, and memory.Realme 9 Pro+The Realme 10 Pro+ 5G will run on a Dimensity 1080, the listing revealed. The chip is an upgrade from the Dimensity 920, which was the SoC in the phone’s predecessor, the Realme 9 Pro+. Around the back the 10 Pro+ will have a triple camera setup - 108MP main alongside 8MP...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 gets third One UI 5.0 beta update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-z-fold4-one-ui-5-beta-third-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, which got its first One UI 5.0 beta update last month, is now receiving the third One UI 5.0 beta.The new beta build has a firmware version number ending with ZVK1 and requires a download of about 540MB. It comes with the November 1, 2022 Android security patch and squashes a lot of bugs. You can check the screenshots below for more details.Changelog of third One UI 5.0 beta for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4The third One UI 5.0 beta for the Galaxy Z Fold4 is currently seeding in India, but the rollout should expand to more regions soon.If you...

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Oppo A98 certified on TENAA with key specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oppo-a98-tenaa/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The Oppo A98 is now certified on China’s TENAA agency complete with images and key specs ahead of its imminent launch. The device bearing the PHQ110 model number features a 6.7-inch curved AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The back has two large cutouts though there’s no info on the number of camera sensors or their specifications.Oppo A98 (PHQ110) on TENAATENAA specified an eight-core chipset which is believed to be the Snapdragon 695. The device will have 6/8/12GB RAM and 128/256/512GB storage. Oppo A98 packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 67W...

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Xiaomi Redmi K60 is coming with new Dimensity 8200
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/03/redmi-k50-pro-pro-plus-design-key-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The Redmi K60 series is already in its design verification stage, and today a leakster revealed a crucial detail about the vanilla smartphone in the lineup. According to Digital Chat Station, the Xiaomi Redmi K60 will be powered by a chip called Dimensity 8200.The phone will also stick to a 48MP camera with OIS but we have no info on which sensor it's going to be, since 48MP imagers come in many sizes.This is the second time we hear details about the new Mediatek chipset that is supposed to follow the footsteps of the Dimensity 8100. Yesterday, the very same source claimed that...

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Realme 10's design confirmed as it appears in official image
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-design-official-image/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme has posted an image of the Realme 10 coming on November 9, corroborating previous design leaks. We are looking at the Clash White color variant here, sporting a 50MP primary camera.The image doesn't show us the Realme 10's front, but thanks to its leaked renders, we know it will pack a punch hole display. The renders also revealed that the Realme 10 will have at least three color options, but we don't know the marketing names of the other two yet.Realme hasn't detailed the Realme 10's specs sheet yet. However, the company has already confirmed that the Realme 10 will come...

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Nothing Ear (stick) is cheaper in India if you already own a Nothing product
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/nothing-ear-stick-discount-india/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Nothing announced the Ear (stick), its second entry into the TWS earbud space, in late October. The price for India is INR 8,499, which is the same as what the black version of the Ear (1) currently retails for, and more expensive than the white model of Nothing's debut earbuds, which is INR 7,299.This is odd, because elsewhere the company hiked the price of the Ear (1) by 50% ahead of the Ear (stick)'s launch, essentially pricing the latter the same as the former used to be. For whatever reason, the same antics have been skipped in India. Not just that, but today word comes of an...

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Motorola Razr 2022 review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/22/motorola-razr-2022/-347x151/gsmarena_001.jpg

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AMD announces Radeon RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/amd-radeon-7000/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg AMD today announced the next generation of its desktop graphics cards. The company today revealed two new flagship products, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and the RX 7900 XT.Based on the new RDNA 3 architecture, the new 7000 series GPU from AMD are the world's first to have a chiplet-based design. The GPU die has two main components, the Graphics Compute Die or the GCD and the Memory Cache Die or the MCD. The GCD is built using the new 5nm manufacturing process while the MCD uses the older 6nm process.The switch to a chiplet based design allows AMD to mix and match parts for...

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Samsung's Internet browser can now sync bookmarks with Google Chrome
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-browser-19/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Samsung Internet browser can now sync bookmarks with Google Chrome. The feature, which was first introduced on the beta channel of the app in the Summer, is finally available to all users.To enable bookmark sync, you'll first need to download the Samsung Internet Chrome Extension and log into your Samsung account. From there you'll need to select the Chrome bookmarks option and then Import.Make sure you have the latest Samsung Browser (19) from the Play Store or Samsung's Galaxy store, then go into Settings and enable the Sync with Samsung Cloud option. That's it.Samsung...

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Our Huawei Mate 50 Pro video review is up
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/huawei-mate-50-pro-video-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As per tradition, after our written review of the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, we have a video review to share with you.Despite the lack of Google Mobile Services, the latest Huawei flagship has a lot to offer. Arguably the best camera experience on the market is one reason to go for the Mate 50 Pro as well as superb display, great battery life with fast charging, and advanced Face recognition. In short - it has all the bells and whistles for a flagship phone in 2022.But without further ado, we suggest tuning in to our video review and let Will tell you all about it.

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Honor Magic5 tipped to launch with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 50MP main cam
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-magic5-tipped-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Qualcomm is expected to announce its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset at its annual summit that’s taking place between November 15-17 and we expect all the major Android OEMs to bring devices with it soon after. A new series of leaked specs from tipster Digital Chat Station suggest we’ll see the upcoming flagship chipset on the Honor Magic5.The device will also reportedly feature a curved high refresh rate 6.8-inch display with PWM dimming. In terms of cameras, Magic5 will bring a 50MP main shooter with AI ISP tuning. The flagship will also offer an IP-68 rating for water and dust...

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Samsung to bring the Light performance mode to Galaxy S23 phones for better battery life
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-s23-light-mode/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung will increase the battery capacity of the Galaxy S23 and S23+, according to rumors. The vanilla phone will go up to 3,900mAh, the plus model to 4,700mAh (+200mAh in both cases). Only the S23 Ultra will stick with the capacity of its predecessor, 5,000mAh. But Samsung has come up with another way to improve battery life – Light mode.This mode was introduced for Samsung’s foldables earlier this year and serves as an alternative to Standard mode. It prioritizes battery life and running cool over absolute performance.According to IceUniverse, the drop in performance will be...

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GSMArena

08-11-22, 00:10

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/03/xiaomi-redmi-k50-colors/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi's upcoming Redmi K60 flagship series is set to debut in the coming weeks, although there's still no official date set. The intensity of recent leaks suggests that's fast approaching, and so do the certification documents that are now flying in.The latest certification comes from the Chinese 3C, which reveals that the vanilla Redmi K60 will support 67W fast charging. According to previous rumors, the phone will offer a 5,500 mAh battery and 30W wireless charging.All in all, 3C's certification doesn't come as a surprise given that last year's Redmi K50 had the same charging...

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Samsung announces new Link Bracelet and Milanese band for Galaxy Watch5 series
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-watch-5-series-link-milanese-bands/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Samsung announced a pair of new metal watch bands for its Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro smartwatches in South Korea. The Milanese strap is available for both the 40mm and 44mm sizes for the Galaxy Watch5 while the Link Bracelet is exclusive to the Galaxy Watch5 Pro.Link Bracelet for Galaxy Watch5 Pro in silver and blackThe new Link Bracelet costs KRW 253,000 ($181) and comes in two color finishes – silver and black. The Milanese strap is priced at KRW 99,000 ($71) and is available in the same two colors. Samsung is also selling the new watchstrap options bundled with the Galaxy...

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Huawei: No, Kirin chips won't return in 2023
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/huawei-mate-50-offic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg There's been a rumor going around on the Chinese social network Weibo, regarding Kirin's return in 2023. Due to US sanctions, Huawei has been restricted from using certain technologies and doing business with some entities and as a result, the company's in-house Kirin SoC's development and production came to a halt. So outside of a limited number of phones with mid-range Kirin 710A Huawei, the lineup is largely go.Now there were multiple reports that development has been restarted and we might see a return of the lineup. However, in an official response, Huawei denied those...

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Qualcomm to introduce 12-core ARM-based desktop CPU in 2024
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/snapdragon8-gen1-vs-a15-bionic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Qualcomm has been making PC chipsets since last year, but it's attempts so far has been rather tame, most reusing designs from its phone products. Now a reliable source familiar with the matter claims the company is about to finally take the project seriously and deliver a beastly desktop CPU. The report claims we will see it in 2024 and it's codenamed "Hamoa", which would help us track future leaks about the chip.The Hamoa chip will have of 12 CPU cores in an 8+4 configuration. The big cluster consists of eight performance cores, while the cluster of four is made of energy-efficient...

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Xiaomi 13 Pro renders show a curved display that will allegedly be slightly smaller than before
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/xiaomi-13-pro-renders-onleaks/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A few weeks ago we saw an alleged live photo of the Xiaomi 13 Pro. While the phone is expected to pack the same 1” IMX989 sensor as the 12S Ultra, the design seen in the photo was quite restrained – nothing like the “look at me!” design of the Ultra. Now OnLeaks and Zoutons have partnered to create renders of the upcoming flagship, showing the phone off from all sides.The camera island doesn’t look any more exciting from other angles, but it’s what is inside the counts – a huge 50MP sensor, specifically. Plus an ultra wide and a telephoto cameras (both 50MP, allegedly, sensor size and...

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Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series get stable One UI 5.0 update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-one-ui-5-introduction-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung is extending its OneUI 5.0 update to the Galaxy S21 series alongside the older Galaxy S20 series and the Note 20 duo as promised by the official update rollout schedule.European units of the Galaxy S21, the Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra are now getting their One UI 5.0 update with more regions expected to join in the coming weeks.The Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S20+ and the Galaxy S20 Ultra are also getting the update in Europe. The 4G models are getting the G98xFXXUFGVJE update build while their 5G counterparts get the G988BXXUFGVJE update alongside the October security...

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Disney Plus ad-supported tiers and increased prices arrive on December 8
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/03/disney-plus-100m-subscribers/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Disney revealed plans to introduce an ad-supported tier for its Disney+ service, and today we learned it is coming on December 8. Starting next month, users in the United States have to pay $8 per month for the basic tier, while the one without ads is getting a price hike to $11.Here’s the full list of the new prices: Tier New Price Disney+ Basic (with ads) $7.99 Disney+ Premium (no ads) $10.99 Bundle Duo Basic (new customers only): Disney+ & Hulu (with ads) $9.99 Bundle Trio Basic - Disney+ & Hulu &...

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Realme 10 5G and Pro+ to debut on November 17
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-launch-china/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Realme 10 is coming on November 9, kicking off the new 10 series. The brand now announced a bigger launch for its domestic crowd that will take place on November 17.There is not much info on what we’ll see at the Chinese launch of the Realme 10 series, but we do expect a Realme 10 Pro+ with curved sides, as well as a 5G-enabled vanilla version; both these phones were already certified by TENAA.The Realme 10 5G listing revealed a 108MP dual camera, 6.7” LCD with Full HD+ resolution and 33W fast charging for the 5,000 mAh battery.The Realme 10 Pro+ was also certified with a...

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Xiaomi 13 renders reveal flat sides and display
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/xiaomi-13-render/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The upcoming Xiaomi 13 renders reveal that the company is moving in a different design direction for its next generation premium series. According to these renders by CompareDial and OnLeaks, the Xiaomi 13 will have flat sides as well as a flat display.The new design direction is all too familiar and currently in vogue thanks to the recent iPhone generations. The front of the phone has a flat surface and sharp edges with minimal bezel along with a centrally-located hole punch camera up top.Meanwhile, the sides of the phone have also been flattened to create a somewhat boxy,...

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Honor’s next flagship phone is launching on November 23
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-new-flagship-nov-23/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor confirmed its next flagship smartphone will launch on November 23 at a special launch event in China from 2:30 PM local time (6:30 UTC). The phone in question could be the Honor Magic5 which is expected to debut the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that's set to debut at next week’s annual Snapdragon Summit.Based on rumors, Magic5 should bring a 6.8-inch display with PWM dimming, a 50MP main camera with AI ISP running, 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. The phone will also be IP-68 rated and we can expect it to boot the latest iteration of MagicOS based on Android 13....

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Apple confirms shipment delays for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/apple-iphone-14-pro-series-lower-shipments/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Apple issued an official statement on Sunday concerning the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in Zhengzhou, China – home of Foxconn’s primary iPhone 14 Pro series assembly facility. The statement confirms that the assembly line is currently operating at a significantly reduced capacity which will lead to lower shipments and longer wait times for customers.The statement only mentions the two Pro model iPhones as affected and does not specify the severity of the lowered production capacity for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models. This is the first time since the start of the COVID-19...

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Oppo Find N2 will arrive in December, leaked screenshots confirm specs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/12/oppo-find-n-announcement/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo is expected to bring two new Find N foldables - a clamshell, tentatively called Find N Flip and a Find N2 that is supposed to be a successor to last year’s horizontally folding device. Earlier reports suggested Color OS 13 out of the box, and today we get some leaked screenshots to confirm this and shed further light on the specs.The images reveal 120Hz screen refresh rate, 12GB RAM and 256GB storage and a CPU that looks to match the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset's.Oppo Find N2 screenshotsThe Find N2 is expected to have MariSilicon X NPU, Oppo’s in-house solution for...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 44
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Redmi Note 12 series still claims the top two spots in our trending chart in week 44. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ leads from the Redmi Note 12 Pro, although the other two members have lost some ground.This allowed the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra to sneak back onto the podium positions, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max climbed to fourth.The aging iPhone XR still plenty of people checking its specs page, allowing it to claim the fifth page, ahead of the Redmi Note 12. In seventh we have the Galaxy A53 ultra-popular mid-ranger, while the eight position goes to the outright ancient iPhone...

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Nothing Ear Stick review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/nothing-ear-stick-review/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Ear Stick are Nothing's newest wireless earbuds and only the company's third product so far. The Ear Stick are as much of a fashion product as a tech product, with a stunning rotating case design in what has become the company's trademarked transparent plastic.The Ear Stick are meant to be an alternative to the previously launched Nothing Ear 1. While the Ear 1 have a more common in-ear design, the Ear Stick use the older half in-ear design like the AirPods. As such, they also lack features like active noise cancellation and transparency mode.What they gain instead is a...

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Week 44 in review: Huawei Pocket S becomes the cheapest foldable as Dimensity 9200 promising benchmarks leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_007.jpg Another week down, let's recap. The MediaTek Dimensity 9200 flexed impressive muscle on AnTuTu and GFXBench, especially on the graphics front. It managed to top all current chipsets, including the Apple A16 Bionic, though cross-platform comparisons are rarely a great idea.Xiaomi announced the Redmi Note 12 series just last week and the first sale went great. The four phones scored 350,000 orders in the first flash sale, depleting the initial inventory.Meanwhile Xiaomi showed off a prototype with two of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra's 1-inch type sensors - one is the same as on the 12S Ultra,...

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Weekly deals: the best smartphone deals from the US, the UK and Germany
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/weekly-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Amazon US is running what it calls “early Black Friday deals”, but the truth is there will be discounts this whole month. Here are some of the best deals that we found in the US, but also the UK and Germany.Besides the offers below, you might also want to check out our Deals page, which covers multiple regions around the world and offers additional info like a price history for the last 30 days.OnePlus phones have been heavily discounted in the US and the UK and even in Germany, though not from the official site (due to a lawsuit by Nokia). Amazon Germany still sells them, however....

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Flashback: a look back at Intel-powered smartphones and tablets
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/flashback-intel-powered-devices/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While ARM and Qualcomm have released some awesome mobile GPUs, we kind of wish that Nvidia would start making smartphone chipsets again or at least license GPU designs. AMD dipped its toes back in again, why shouldn't Nvidia? For now we can only reminisce about Nvidia-powered phones. The GPU maker isn't the only one to drop out of the race either, Texas Instruments was farily popular at one point too.And then there is Intel. Still the dominant supplier of laptop, desktop and server CPUs, Intel's time as a chipset maker for mobile devices didn't leave such a legacy. It did start okay,...

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Weekly poll: would you be interested in one of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 phones?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/weekly-poll-xiaomi-note-12-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi broke new ground with the Redmi Note 12 series. Not only is this the first mid-range series to feature a 200MP camera, this series is also home to the first phone to break the 200 Watt charging barrier. Note that the four models are available only in China for now, but they should launch to an international audience soon enough. When they do (and assuming there aren't any deal-breaking changes), would you buy one?We’ll start with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro as it is the linchpin of the series. It is equipped with a 6.67” 120Hz OLED display (10-bit panel, Dolby Vision) and is...

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Interview: Realme 10 and past number series performance
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-madhav-confirms/-184x111/gsmarena_100.jpg Realme is debuting the first member of the Realme 10 series on November 9 and we managed to get an interview with Madhav Sheth - Realme VP and Head of Realme International covering some key aspects of the upcoming phone.The interview covers the sales performance of past Realme number series devices, the key hardware features of the Realme 10, software support and some other interesting topics like consumer preferences for phone screen sizes and battery endurance.Do you know how many units have the number series shipped?More than 50 million units globally in total between the...

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Weekly poll results: the Motorola Razr 2022 impresses clamshell fans
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/weekly-poll-results-motorola-razr-2022/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last week’s poll shows that not everyone is sold on the idea of flip foldables – or perhaps the idea of foldables in general – but most of those that are see the Motorola Razr 2022 as one of the best options out there. Not that there are many options, admittedly, but this certainly looks like it could pull some would-be buyers away from the Samsung flip.We published our detailed review this week. We found much to love about the phone, but also a few downsides. Among them the price, but the phone just launched in the West, so it’s selling at MSRP. Black Friday and the holiday season are...

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GSMArena

11-11-22, 00:11

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/huawei-watch-gt-3-se-matebook-14s-2022/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Huawei announced European pricing and availability details for its latest Watch GT 3 SE smartwatch and the new MateBook 14s 2022 laptop.Huawei Watch GT 3 SE is a sport watch with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, fitness tracking for over 100 sports modes and the usual mix of health tracking - heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress. It weighs just 35.6 grams and can handle Bluetooth calling thanks to the built-in microphone and speaker. You also get onboard GPS and a 14-day rated battery endurance and supports wireless charging.Huawei Watch GT 3 SE in black and greenWatch GT 3...

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Apple reveals $450m Globalstar investment enabled Emergency SOS via Satellite
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/apple-satellite/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg A $450 million funding in Globalstar, a US-based satellite service, has enabled Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, which is coming to the iPhone 14 lineup later this month.The funding is secured through Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Fund and will go towards critical enhancements in Globalstar's satellite network and ground stations. Those stations have been equipped with high-power antennas made by Cobham Satcom in California, while some 300 employees at Globalstar will support the new service.The service will use the spectrum in L and S bands, made specifically for...

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vivo X90 Pro+ appears on Geekbench with SD 8 Gen 2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/vivo-x90-pro-plus-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The vivo X90 Pro+ is expected to launch in December and we’ve already seen several leaks for its 1” main camera sensor (Sony IMX 989) and custom vivo V2 ISP chip. Now, the X90 Pro+ passed through Geekbench confirming its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 12GB RAM.vivo X90 Pro+ on GeekbenchWe also get confirmation the X90 Pro+ is booting Android 13, presumably with the newly announced OriginOS 3 on top. The X90 Pro+ (V2227A) managed a single-core score of 1,485 single-core points and 4,739 multi-core points which is in line with other phones that appeared on the benchmark with the...

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OnePlus 11 and Oppo Find N2 tipped to share a 50MP + 48MP + 32MP camera setup
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/op-find-n2-cameras/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Popular insider Digital Chat Station is at it again, this time with information regarding the upcoming Oppo Find N2 and OnePlus 11 (formerly known as 11 Pro). His report is that the pair will share the same camera system with a 50MP Sony IMX890 main camera, a 48MP IMX581 ultrawide, and a 32MP IMX709 2x zoom camera.There could be a slight difference in optical stabilization, the Find N2 reportedly is a lock to have OIS, while the OnePlus may miss out. Both are expected to have camera tuning by Hasselblad.Both phones are expected to debut sometime in December, starting with the Chinese...

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vivo V2 ISP officially announced with faster processing, better low lighting optimization
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/vivo-v2-isp-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo held a conference called “Dual-Core X Imaging Technology” in China where it announced its new ISP - vivo V2. The company also revealed it worked closely with Mediatek and future vivo phones with Dimensity 9200 will have AI and NPU improvements and new features.The new ISP (Image Signal Processor) by vivo is third-gen, following in the footsteps of vivo V1 and vivo V1+. This chip comes with unparalleled computing power capacity, power density, and data density, vivo claims. During the event, one vivo executive revealed there is a dedicated SRAM (Static RAM) cache unit that can...

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Spotify updates its WatchOS app with new interface
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/spotify-watchos-app-update/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Spotify just announced a new version of its WatchOS app for Apple's Watch. The improvements are mostly visual with animations getting the most attention. The Your Library tab now includes all your favorite music, podcasts and downloaded music.Bigger album art should help you navigate better around Your Library and animations are now more refined. You can now swipe to like a song too. Lastly, new podcast episodes will be marked with blue dots so you won't miss anything from your favorite podcasters.In addition to the WatchOS update, Spotify also announced that it's adding...

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iCloud Photos integration now rolling out for Windows 11 Photos app
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/icloud-photos-windows/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Microsoft has started rolling out the iCloud Photos integration for the Windows 11 Photos app. The feature is available via an update to the Photos app available on the Microsoft Store.In order to use this feature, users will also need to download and sign into the iCloud for Windows app, also available on the Microsoft Store. Post that, you will need to choose to sync your photos, which should allow them to appear within the Photos app.This feature essentially brings your entire iCloud Photos library to your PC. Subscribers of this service should be able to access their...

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Leica Leitz Phone 2 launches in Japan
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/leica-leitz-phone-2/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Following up last year’s Leica Leitz Phone 1 is the aptly named sequel – the Leitz Phone 2. The new device shares its key hardware with the Sharp Aquos R7 but it offers a more robust design with textured metal sides, Leitz branding and a metal cap for the rear camera.Leitz Phone 2There’s a 6.6-inch IGZO OLED screen with 2730 x 1260 px resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate up front, and a 16MP selfie camera housed in a punch hole cutout. The back has the same 47MP main camera with a 1” sized sensor. The Sharp and Leica co-developed sensor brings a seven-element Leica Summicron lens,...

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Realme 10 Pro+ design shown off from all sides in a photoshoot
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-pro-plus-photosession/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yesterday, Realme’s favorite topic was the new curved display on the Realme 10 Pro+. Now the company is focusing on the other side of the phone, showing off one colorway in particular named “Hyperspace design”. Here it is in the hands of actress and singer Yang Mi, who is the spokesperson for the phone:Realme 10 Pro+ in a photoshoot with Yang MiAnd a couple of more shots that focus on just the phone:A closer look at the Hyperspace design of the Realme 10 Pro seriesThere is also a short video showing how the light plays with the pattern on the back. Achieved in...

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Honor’s November 23 flagship is the foldable Magic Vs
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-magic-vs-ofic-date/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Honor promised a new flagship launch on November 23 and today we can confirm it is a foldable with the name Honor Magic Vs. The launch will take place at 2:30 PM local time, which is 06:30 AM GMT. The device should go global at a later stage, the President of Honor EU confirmed earlier.We got our hands on an official teaser, revealing the new foldable will bring minor changes such as the sides now being flat instead of slightly rounded.The image does not reveal the camera design on the back but we can see a single punch hole for the front-facing camera on the right-hand side of...

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Foldable iPhone is now a reality thanks to a year-long DIY project
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot//news/22/11/folding-iphone-v-mod/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Apple has been rumored to enter the folding phone race for a while but early reports suggest that’s at least a couple of years away at this point and it might not even be an iPhone but an iPad tablet device.Instead of waiting for the folding iPhone from Apple, the team over at Tech Aesthetics decided to venture out and create a clamshell foldable out of iPhone X internals and the chassis of a Motorola Razr 2019. The resulting device is called iPhone V and took nearly a year of hard work, reverse engineering and multiple trial and error instances to complete.The team behind the...

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Twitter adds a gray check mark for legitimately verified accounts
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/twitter-musk-deal-discount/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Twitter owner announced the platform will ask for $8 per month for users to get a blue verification check mark, essentially hollowing the meaning of the feature. Now the social media is adding a second, gray check mark for all accounts that are actually verified for being credible and representing an actual person or organization.At the moment of writing this article, media outlets like New York Times and The Verge have the gray check mark, while Elon Musk, Twitter’s new owner and current CEO, lacks one.Esther Crawford, currently VP at Twitter and head of the Blue subscription...

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Samsung starts testing Android 13-based One UI 5.0 for Galaxy A33 5G, Fold3 gets fifth beta
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-a33-5g-android-13-one-ui-5-beta-test/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung recently rolled out the Android 13-based One UI 5 stable update for the Galaxy A53 5G, and now it has begun testing One UI 5.0 for the Galaxy A33 5G internally. Its firmware has version A336EDXU4BVK1, but don't wait for a public beta since there likely won't be one.Besides, not all regions will get the stable update at the same time. Samsung aims to release One UI 5.0 for the Galaxy A33 5G in South Korea and Germany by the end of this month and in Malaysia next month. That said, the rollout schedule is subject to change, so the update could arrive late or earlier than...

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Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro snaps in half when subjected to bend test
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/asus-rog-phone-6-pro-durability-test/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last year the Asus ROG Phone 5 snapped like a twig when subjected to the now-classic bend test performed by YouTube channel JerryRigEverything. So, ever since the ROG Phone 6 Pro's introduction back in July, you may have been wondering how the new handset might fare when put through the same type of torture.As it turns out, you're in luck. In a pretty straightforward case of "better late than never", Zack from JerryRigEverything only got to the ROG Phone 6 Pro today. If you're anxious to find out whether the device survived, grab some popcorn and your favorite beverage and hit Play...

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Red Magic 7S Infinite Lagrange edition launched
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/red-magic-7s-pro-infinite-lagrange/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg There’s a new limited edition of the Red Magic 7S Pro and it’s made in collaboration with the Infinite Lagrange strategy game available on mobile and PC.The Red Magic 7S Pro Infinite Lagrange sports a silver color with accents from the Infinite Lagrange as well as a special box containing some accessories. There’s a cooling fan attachment, a special case and a 100W charger. The phone is exclusive to China and the official Red Magic Weibo account revealed that users can sign up from the Infinite Lagrange official app to enter a raffle for a chance to win the device.You can check...

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Realme 10 Pro+ display specs confirmed, 61-degree side curvatures in tow
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-pro-plus-display-teaser/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme announced its vanilla 10 yesterday and the company is gearing up to release the 10 Pro+ option in China on November 17 alongside the Realme 10 Pro. To generate some hype, the company's Vice President teased the handset with some advanced display features.Teaser poster posted on WeiboThe Realme 10 Pro+ will sport a 6.7-inch OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 2160Hz high-frequency dimming. That's the highest PWM in the industry, which should reduce strain on the eyes.Additionally, the display will feature extremely thin bezels with a chin measuring only 2.33mm in...

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OnePlus Nord CE 3 specs leak
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oneplus-nord-ce-3-specs-leak/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The OnePlus Nord CE 2 launched back in February, followed by the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G later in April and we’re expecting a new model due in early 2023. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 and its key specs leaked in a new listing shared by tipster OnLeaks and it shows the upcoming phone will share most of its DNA with the CE 2 Lite 5G.OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5GNord CE 3 is said to feature a larger 6.7-inch FHD+ LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate. There’s a Snapdragon 695 chipset at the helm aided by 8/12GB RAM and 128/256GB storage. The camera department is getting an overhaul with a 108MP main camera...

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Realme 10 Pro details revealed by China Telecom: flat 6.72" display, 64MP camera
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-pro-china-telcom/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme is teasing a curved display for the upcoming Realme 10 Pro and 10 Pro+ phones. Or maybe just for the Pro+. Details on the Realme 10 Pro 5G that were uploaded by China Telecom show a flat display.Realme 10 Pro 5G (images from China Telecom)The Realme 10 Pro has a 6.72” display with 1,080 x 2,400px resolution (20:9) and will run Android 13 (with Realme UI) out of the box, according to the data from the carrier. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 695, based on what we’ve seen from Geekbench, with three memory configurations: 8/128GB, 8/256GB and 12/256GB.The phone...

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Meta fires 11,000 employees, blames the weak ad market and economy
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/18/09/facebook-security-breach/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Mark Zuckerberg released a message, revealing more than 11,000 “talented employees” will be released, which is 13% of the total workforce. The founder of Facebook said he takes accountability and is “especially sorry” to the impacted. He also pointed misjudgments in investments, the weak ad market and the macroeconomic downturn as some of the reasons for the mass layoff.The executive revealed that predictions on how the online world will move forward after COVID did not play out as expected, and the company faced increased competition, ad loss, leading to diminished revenue. Meta...

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The Honor 80 Pro+ may have a 160MP camera on the back, dual 50MP cams on the front
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-80-pro-plus-160mp-camera/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Previously, leakster Digital Chat Station detailed three Honor 80 models – vanilla, Pro and Pro+ with Dimensity 1080, Snapdragon 778G and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. That last one was supposed to have a 200MP camera.Now the leakster reports new details – the Honor 80 Pro+ may actually have a 160MP camera. Allegedly, a prototype of the Pro+ did indeed have a 200MP sensor, but it seems that the company has changed its mind. There’s still a chance that Honor will switch back.There’s more – the Pro+ will have dual 50MP cameras on the front, according to DCS, who mentions the recently...

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GSMArena

18-11-22, 18:55

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/iqoo-11-neo7se-rumors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg iQOO has already confirmed that its next flagship will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, however, the company has tried to keep some things under wraps. Things that inevitably leaked – here are some unofficial details about the iQOO 11. Related to that is the iQOO Neo7 SE leak, which describes a more affordable phone based on the Dimensity 8200.We’ve already seen a Geekbench result for the iQOO 11 and its new chipset. The unit that ran the test had 12GB of RAM – that would be LP-DDR5X RAM, according to the rumors. The fast chip will also make use of its support for the new UFS 4.0 storage...

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The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 used by Samsung will have an overclocked GPU too
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-s23-faster-snapdragon-8-gen-2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Some upcoming smartphones with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 have already gone through Geekbench – the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra, for example. When they did it, the benchmark reported the following frequencies for the three clusters: 3.36GHz Prime core, 2.80GHz Performance cores and 2.02GHz Efficiency cores.It’s not just the Samsung flagships, though, there are plenty of upcoming phones that will feature the 8 Gen 2 chipset. And we’ve seen benchmarks from some of those too, e.g. the vivo X90 Pro and iQOO 11. But look closely – the frequency of the Prime core on those is listed as...

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Oukitel WP21 is a rugged smartphone with Helio G99 SoC and a 9,800 mAh battery with 66W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oukitel-wp21-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg The latest phone from Oukitel is here with the WP21 and it brings a mix of the usual rugged phone specs like water and dust resistance and a large 9,800 mAh battery with few other tricks like a second AMOLED screen on the back and the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset.Oukitel WP21 brings a 6.78-inch FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate while the back houses a second AOD screen that can show your notifications, music controls and even serve as a camera viewfinder. Oukitel is also offering several distinct watch faces for the secondary screen.The back also brings a 64MP main camera...

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Prototype outward foldable from Xiaomi leaks
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/xiaomi-outward-fold-prototype-leaked-images/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Back in 2019, Xiaomi filed a patent with the CNIPA for an outward folding phone which resembled Huawei’s Mate X series devices. More than three years later, developer Kuba Wojciechowski (@Za_Raczke) shared some real-life images of the device which actually made it to the prototype stage but sadly never got a commercial release.Xiaomi outwatd folding phone patent filing We can see the basic design from the patent filling is carried over to the prototype model. The device houses a total of four camera sensors, an LED flash and a button for unlatching the screen on its back. There...

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Poco C50 is launching in last week of November
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/poco-c50-india-launch-november/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Xiaomi's Poco unveiled the Poco C40 in June, and today the company's Indian branch announced it will launch the Poco C50 in the last week of November.Poco hasn't revealed any specs of the C50 yet, but the company in a press note said the C50 will be a "budget disrupter" and an "overall package" that will deliver "stellar camera performance, immersive multimedia experience," and "long battery life with a sleek design."Poco C40We'll know more about the Poco C50 as we inch closer to its launch.

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Oppo Pad with Dimensity 9000 in the works
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oppo-pad-2-rumors/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Oppo is apparently working on a successor to its Oppo Pad with a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset and a 2800x2000px resolution screen. The new rumor comes from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station and suggests the flagship tablet from Oppo is coming soon.This year’s Oppo Pad brought a Snapdragon 870 SoC alongside an 11-inch IPS LCD with 1600 x 2560px resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device also packs quad speakers, an 8,360 mAh battery with 33W charging and up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. It remains to be seen what other upgrades will follow on the next-gen Oppo Pad.Source...

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Twitter in disarray, closes offices for the weekend
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/twitter-possible-bankruptcy/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Twitter closed its offices until Monday, November 21, according to an official statement to staff. The company did not give a reason for the decision but reports are there are simply too many people quitting. Elon Musk was quoted to say that “the best people are staying” and he isn’t “super worried”.Message sent to Twitter staffMusk’s plans to make Twitter more financially stable included selling a blue Verified tick to anyone willing to pay $8 per month, as well as terminating half of the workforce to try and minimize expenses.Twitter staff had time until yesterday, November...

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Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy M14 5G appear on Geekbench with Exynos 1330 SoC
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-a14-5g-m14-5g-specs-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We know Samsung is working on the Galaxy A14 5G since its renders surfaced last month. But the Korean conglomerate is also working on the Galaxy M14 5G, which has appeared on Geekbench with the Galaxy A14 5G.The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has model designation SM-A146B and is powered by the Exynos 1330 SoC. It runs Android 13 and has 4GB of RAM onboard. However, there could be more RAM options that are yet to be confirmed.The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G, sporting model code SM-M146B, has the same specs - Exynos 1330, 4GB RAM, and Android 13. However, it scored lower than the Galaxy M14 in...

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It's the Galaxy A52's turn to receive the One UI 5 with Android 13 update from Samsung
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/galaxy-a52-android-13/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung's impressively quick rollout of the update to One UI 5 based on Android 13 continues. Earlier today we brought you news that the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 got the stable release, and here we are a few hours later with some more good news, which this time is aimed at owners of the Galaxy A52.This has been one of the best-selling members of the A-series, and it's now receiving the update, following in the footsteps of its successor, the A53, which got it last week.For now, the update to One UI 5 based on Android 13 for the Galaxy A52 only seems to be going out in one...

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World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and more Blizzard games will stop working in China in January
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/blizzard-games-stop-china/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg In a rather shocking turn of events, Blizzard has announced that come January 23, 2023, most of its games will stop working in China. This is a consequence of the company not renewing its 14-year-old licensing agreement for the Chinese market with NetEase, the second-largest gaming company in that country.Games such as World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch, the StarCraft series, Diablo III, and Heroes of the Storm will all be gone. The company says, "the two parties have not reached a deal to renew the agreements that is consistent with Blizzard's operating...

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 get stable One UI 5.0 and Android 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/samsung-us-galaxy-z-deals/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg Last week, Samsung released a stable update to One UI 5.0 based on Android 13 for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4, but it was made available only to beta testers in the US. Now, the Korean tech giant has open the floodgates and is seeding the new more widely.As of now, reports are coming from South Korea, but we should see other markets get the latest and greatest from Samsung and Google in the following days. The firmware update also comes with a November 2022 security patch that fixes all sorts of security vulnerabilities.Also, don't forget to play around with the brand...

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OnePlus Buds Pro 2 renders emerge
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/oneplus-buds-pro-2-renders/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg OnePlus is readying a new pair of premium wireless earbuds and we finally get our first look thanks to renders shared by the 91mobiles team. OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are shown in their Olive Green color and the buds look nearly identical to their predecessor.The case has Dynaudio branding, which suggests OnePlus used help from the Danish audio experts for tuning the buds. The rest of the hardware suggests no changes compared to the first-gen OP Buds Pro.OnePlus Buds Pro 2 rendersThe leaked specs list for the Buds Pro 2 suggests the earphones will bring dual drivers with one 11mm...

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Asus unveils ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/asus-rog-diablo-edition-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Asus unveiled its ROG Phone 6 series with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 back in July before releasing a Dimensity 9000+ version in the ROG Phone 6D series in October. We later got a special themed ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition and now Asus is collaborating with Blizzard Entertainment on a Diablo Immortal Edition ROG Phone 6.Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition box and accessoriesThe Diablo Immortal ROG Phone 6 brings an exclusive Aura RGB logo with Diablo Immortal graphics and a Hellfire Red semi-matte finish on the back. Asus extended the customization to the software where you get...

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vivo V21s arrives with Android 12 and waterdrop notch
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/21/07/vivo-v21-5g-uk-on-sale/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo just announced a new phone in Taiwan. The vivo V21s packs Dimensity 800U chipset and Funtouch OS 12, based on Android 12. It comes 18 months after the first V21 smartphone was announced, and will have a vivo V23 and vivo V25 to keep it company on the store shelves in Taiwan.The vivo V21s is not a new smartphone either - it is largely identical to the V21 5G, but adds NFC. That means't it's also identical to vivo V21, but with the 5G radio enabled.The FuntouchOS 12 is the only change vivo brought to the table. The screen is the same 6.44” AMOLED with 1080p resolution and a...

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Confirmed: the vivo X90 will feature 120W charging, use Samsung E6/BOE Q9 displays
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/vivo-x90-display-charging-specs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Today vivo officially confirmed that the vivo X90 will feature 120W fast charging. The company also revealed some details about the display – users will have a choice between Samsung E6 and BOE Q9 panels (the X80 series used E5 panels). In either case, the display will use 2,160Hz high frequency PWM dimming.Meanwhile, TENAA has uploaded a spec sheet for the V2241A – this should be the vivo X90 – revealing yet more specs. It doesn’t name the chipset explicitly, but from Geekbench we know that it will be a Dimensity 9200. It will be paired with 8, 12 or 16GB of RAM and 128, 256 or 512GB...

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IMO and Tesco launch £80 IMO Q5 smartphone
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/imo-q5-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg IMO Mobile announced its latest affordable smartphone for the UK market in collaboration with British retailer Tesco. The IMO Q5 brings a 5.5-inch IPS LCD with HD resolution and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The back houses a 13MP main camera which is joined by a VGA unit. You also get a 5MP selfie shooter which handles face unlocks.IMO Q5 in Midnight BlueThere’s a Unisoc SC9832E chipset at the helm aided by 2GB RAM and 16GB storage which is expandable via the microSD slot. IMO Q5 features a 2,500 mAh battery and boots Android 12 out of the box. Other features included a face unlock, FM...

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Leakster: the OnePlus 11 will have a ceramic body, lots of RAM and fast storage
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oneplus-11-ceramic-dcs/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg It sounds like the OnePlus 11 is moving upmarket – the next generation will focus on a high quality build and top-notch performance, according to leakster Digital Chat Station.The phone will allegedly have a ceramic body built on a metal frame. Ceramics have been used on smartphones before, including the now forgotten OnePlus X. They have a unique sheen and feel to them, though they are both pricey and heavy.And the OnePlus 11 will be a top of the line model. It has been all but confirmed that it will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. According to DCS the flagship chip will be...

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Realme GT Neo 3 and GT Neo 3 150W receive Android 13-based Realme UI 3.0 stable update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-gt-neo-3-gt-neo-3-150w-android-13-update/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Realme has released the Android 13-based Realme UI 3.0 stable update for the GT Neo 3 and GT Neo 3 150W in India.The Neo 3's update comes with firmware version RMX3561_11.C.12, whereas the Neo 3 150W's update has firmware version RMX3563_11.C.12. The update is rolling out to a limited number of users right now, and a broader rollout will begin by the end of this month.However, you'll receive the update only if your GT Neo 3 is running firmware with version number RMX3561_11.A.15 or RMX3561_11.A.16. The GT Neo 3 150W, on the other hand, should be running firmware RMX3563_11.A.15 or...

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Kuo: Only iPhone 15 Pro series will get USB 3.2 speeds
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/kuo-iphone-15-pro-usb-3-2-only/-184x111/gsmarena_00.jpg Apple is switching to USB-C for its new phones though it remains to be seen when the change is taking place. Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is confident that the port change will happen in the second half of 2023 which should coincide with the iPhone 15 series launch.Kuo believes Apple will bring USB-C to all its new iPhone 15 models though only the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will get USB 3.2 standard or at least Thunderbolt 3 which should manage up to 40 Gbps for data transfers. The iPhone 15 and 15 Max will remain stuck at USB 2.0 speeds (up to 480 Mbps) just like the current...

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Here are the companies working on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powered flagships
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/upcoming-phones-with-snapdragon-8-gen-2/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg As expected, just after Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 a number of companies took to Weibo to announce that their next flagship will use the new chip. During the announcement Qualcomm did share a list of brands working on a Gen 2 powered phone, but some might need longer than others. Here are the ones racing to be first on the market.OnePlus opens with a big promise – the OnePlus 11 series will be the first with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (more rumored details here). It doesn’t go into details, so we don’t know how many phones to expect.Xiaomi also calls “first”, so we can...

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GSMArena

21-11-22, 19:00

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/tsmc-arizon-fab-3nm-confirmed/-184x111/gsmarena_005.jpg Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) founder Morris Chang confirmed his company is developing a new $12 billion investment in a new plant in Phoenix, Arizona. The plant will focus on 3nm chip production and will be located in close proximity to the Pheonix wafer fab complex which currently fabs 5nm chip designs. TSMC is expected to hold a “tool-in” ceremony for its new plant on December 6.TSMC founder Morris Chang (image: Reuters)TSMC is already rumored to supply its 3nm chips based on the N3 process for the next-gen Apple iPhone chipsets and Apple silicone SoCs for iPad...

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Rumor: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 FE is incoming with an LCD, stylus support
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-tab-s8-fe-lcd/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in September Geekbench results from a Samsung SM-X506B tablet were discovered (code name “Birdie”). The speculation at the time was that this is the new FE slate – something that leakster Roland Quandt now confirms.The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 FE will reportedly have an LCD display like its predecessor (presumably a larger LCD than the one on the Tab S8, the Tab S8+ and S8 Ultra have AMOLED displays).Also like its predecessor, the Tab S8 FE will have native stylus support using a Wacom digitizer.From the Geekbench leak we know that the tablet will be powered by MediaTek’s...

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The upcoming iPhone 15 tipped to have rounded back, titanium chassis
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/09/apple-iphone-14-pro-max-ifr/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg According to a tipster specializing in Apple-related leaks, Apple is planning a big design overhaul for its iPhone 15 lineup. Reportedly, the new chassis will be made of titanium while the glass back panel will have round edges.The front will likely remain flat, though, resembling the good old iPhone 5C. So a smoother transition between the side frame of the phone and the back glass is expected. A more comfortable grip is likely the goal and the titanium build will probably reduce weight. The tipster does say that it's too early to confirm the changes and even if there's an internal...

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Samsung US updates its Black Friday deals for phones, tablets, laptops and accessories
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-us-black-friday-deals-21-11/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg While it’s technically Cyber Monday, Samsung US continues offering Black Friday deals. The usual suspects are here – Galaxy S22 and Z 4 series – but there are a few interesting additions to the offers.We’ll start with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. It can go as low as $310 with the $150 instant discount and a maximum of $600 enhanced trade-in credit. You will get a minimum of $150 credit for a Galaxy device regardless of its condition. If you have nothing to trade in, not even a beat up, age-old Galaxy device, you will get a $50 extra discount. ...

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vivo X90 Pro+ camera and display features leak in full
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/vivo-x90-pro-plus-full-specs-leaked/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The vivo X90 series is arriving on November 22, and the mightiest member of the family, the X90 Pro+ was alrwady confirmed to have a 1” sensor. Today a leaked image, apparently designed for the official web page, revealed the phone’s full camera details, as well as most of the info regarding the new display, with some other key features in the mix as well.The vivo X90 Pro+ will indeed sport the Sony IMX989 1” sensor, and the screen will be a Samsung E6 OLED with LTPO 4.0 technology.The phone is likely coming with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with a vivo V2 ISP that will...

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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE gets One UI 5.0 update, Tab S6 Lite receives Android 12L
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-s20-fe-one-ui-5-tab-s6-lite-12l/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Galaxy S20 FE is the latest Samsung phone to receive the One UI 5.0 update. Samsung has issued the G780FXXUAEVK3 update for the Exynos 990 version of the device and it comes in at just under 2GB in size.The firmware update also brings the latest November security patch. The update is currently seeding to users in Europe and Russia. More regions are expected to join in the coming days. The One UI 5.0 update is likely the last major Android OS update for the S20 FE which launched in 2020 with One UI 2.5 based on Android 10.Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Exynos) One UI 5 update changelog...

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Oppo Find X6 Pro rumored to bring three 50MP camera sensors
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oppo-find-x6-pro-cameras-rumor/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The ongoing Oppo Find X6 rumors are starting to form a clearer picture and the latest bit of info seems to confirm the upcoming flagship’s camera hardware. Tipster Digital Chat Station claims the Find X6 Pro will feature three 50MP cameras on its back with Sony sensors behind all three lenses.The main one will be the Sony IMX 989 – a 1-inch sensor with a 7P lens and OIS. The ultrawide module will house a Sony IMX890 sensor while the third one is also expected to be a Sony IMX890 lens with 2.7x optical zoom and OIS. Oppo will also bring a ToF (time of flight) sensor to help with depth...

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Samsung Galaxy A14 5G with Dimensity 700 also pops up on Geekbench
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-a14-mediatek-geekbench/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is preparing a Galaxy A14 smartphone with 5G connectivity. The device with model number SM-A146B appeared on Geekbench with an unannounced Exynos chipset, but a new listing revealed the model is also getting a different version with a Mediatek platform.An SM-A146P phone was benchmarked with Dimensity 700, and it managed to score lower than the Exynos sibling both on the single-core and multi-core fronts.Samsung Galaxy A14 5G with Dimensity 700 and Exynos 1330Geekbench tells us the Mediatek-powered Samsung phone will have a 4GB RAM option and will ship with Android 13...

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Nokia X30 in for review
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/nokia-x30-in-for-review/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg We first got our hands on the Nokia X30 at IFA 2022 in Berlin, and now the phone landed at our office for a full review. We've got the Ice White color version, but there's one more option - Cloudy Blue.The Nokia X30 comes in a recycled box with the usual paperwork, SIM tool, and a USB-C to USB-C cable. It doesn't come bundled with the power adapter, though, so you'll have to buy one separately if you don't already own a compatible charger.The Nokia X30 is built around a 6.43" FullHD+ 90Hz AMOLED screen protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. The display has a fingerprint reader...

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Top 10 trending phones of week 46
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/top10-trending-phones/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg It's now four straight weeks that the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ leads our trending chart, but the difference to second placed Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the lowest it has been. We can't rule out a change at the top, come week 47.The Samsung Galaxy A53 has jumped two spots to get the final podium position, pushing the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max down to fourth in the process.The long in the tooth iPhone XR and iPhone X are still going strong though and are now fifth and seventh.Between them we have the Redmi Note 12 Pro, while the newly unveiled Realme 10 Pro+ is just behind in eight...

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Week 46 in review: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 arrives, Realme 10 Pro and Pro+ announced
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/19/04/week-in-review/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The past seven days were marked by the annual Qualcomm summit in Hawaii, where the company announced its new flagship chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Pretty much all major manufacturers confirmed they will launch a phone with the SoC but the latest reports revealed Samsung is getting a special version with higher frequency.The platform itself promises a 35% increase in performance with 40% higher efficiency. The main CPU core, the Kryo Prime, runs at almost 3.2GHz, then we have four cores at 2.8GHz, and three for efficiency at 2.0GHz. Qualcomm also developed ray tracing in partnership with...

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Flashback: how Amazon Fire Phone's big bet on 3D and impulse purchases failed
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/flashback-amazon-fire-phone/-184x111/gsmarena_0000.jpg In 2004 Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos created a team to build an ebook reader – in 2007 the Kindle was born and it went on to dominate its market. Then in 2011 the Kindle Fire Android tablet arrived and while it couldn't quite achieve the same domination it became a major player in its niche. What was next?An Android phone – but not one that is beholden to Google. At the end of July 2014 Amazon unveiled the Fire Phone. It ran Fire OS, the company’s fork of Android that has been reworked to slot into the Amazon ecosystem much like the Kindle readers and Fire tablets were.By that we mean that...

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Weekly poll: do flagship chipsets still matter?
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/weekly-poll-flagship-chipset/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg This week Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The week before MediaTek announced its Dimensity 9200. And, of course, Apple’s iPhone 14 series came out recently, but only the Pros got the new chipset. The next generation flagship chips are ready to prove their mettle in benchmarks – but do flagship chipsets even matter ?After years of impressive improvements smartphone chipsets are showing no signs of slowing down. Right now ray tracing support is becoming standard on high-end GPUs and the AI accelerators are improving by leaps and bounds. CPU efficiency is going up too. However,...

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Weekly poll results: the Realme 10 fails to impress
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/weekly-poll-results-realme-10/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Realme started as a company focused on value-for-money phones and expanded from there. That means that handsets like the Realme 10 should be its bread and butter, but people in last week’s poll were not impressed. The phone costs too much for what it offers. Or offers too little for how much it costs. Either way, tech enthusiasts on a budget will largely be passing on this one.Some of those that are on a tight budget say they will pick up a second hand phone instead – something older that still holds up. Others are looking at alternative offerings from Poco, Samsung, Motorola and others...

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Interview: Lava's route from featurephone dominance to smartphone player
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/lava-interview/-184x111/gsmarena_003.jpg Indian handset maker Lava currently operates in 40+ countries and is aiming to take the fight to the Chinese makers, which dominated the Indian market. We sat down with Mr. Tejinder Singh, Product Head, Lava International, to talk about the company's current position and future plans.Mr. Tejinder Singh, Product Head, Lava InternationalMr. Singh talked about the innovations brought by Lava to its users, and the challenges Lava faces as an Indian brand. You can read the full interview below.What's Lava's current positioning in the Indian smartphone market and phone market in...

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Low-end Motorola handset gets 3C and TENAA certifications
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/budget-motorola-phone-certification/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Motorola will probably announce a bunch of new smartphones very soon, judging by all the certifications lately. The supposed Motorola Edge 40 Pro passed through TENAA and FCC this month, which will likely be accompanied by the vanilla Motorola Edge 40 as well. Today, 3C and TENAA listings surfaced, suggesting a third, another Motorola smartphone is in the pipeline.In both documents, the phone is referred to as XT2335-3. As usual, the 3C listing doesn't reveal much, but the TENAA one has a few key specs for us. The display is a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with a modest 720 x 1600px resolution and an...

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Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4 get first software update with new features and bug fixes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/fitbit-sense-2-versa-4-first-software-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 unveiled in August are receiving their first software update. The firmware for both wearables comes with version 1.184.52 and includes bug fixes, improvements, and new features.The new update now lets Sense 2 and Versa 4 users use the wearables' built-in speaker and microphone for phone calls.Besides, you can now cover the Sense 2 and Versa 4's screens with your hand to turn them off if you don't want to wait for them to turn off automatically after a few seconds or when you put your wrist down.Additionally, the software update brings Google Pay...

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Apple is bringing a proper battery-saving mode to watchOS 9
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/05/counterpoint-smartwatch-market-global-q1/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg In a new watchOS 9 update for Apple Watch, the company is finally bringing a real power-saving mode to extend the watch's battery life when needed. It can be activated manually through the Control center or the settings menu. It also prompts the user when there's a 10% battery charge left. It turns off automatically once it reaches 80% on the charger.The battery-saving mode turns off the more demanding features such as AoD, heart rate notifications, arrhythmia tracking, heart rate and blood oxygen measurements. Workout reminders are also turned off.Interestingly enough, if there's...

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Microsoft's SwiftKey keyboard is back on iOS, new features expected
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/18/09/swiftkey-translation/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Back in September, Microsoft pulled SwiftKey out of Apple's App Store after an official statement, leaving many disappointed because it was one of the better alternatives to iOS' default keyboard. Well, it seems that the company has changed its mind and the SwiftKey keyboard is back on App Store.Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard is BACK on iOS! ????????????????Stay tuned to what the team has in store for it!Link ➡️ https://t.co/X6eIq0VJgP pic.twitter.com/23OA67UynZ— Vishnu.one (@VishnuNath) November 18, 2022 A recent tweet by Microsoft's Vice President of Office Product Group confirms that SwiftKey is...

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AR-based search with Live View for Google Maps coming soon
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/google-maps-live-search-view/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google announced an AR-based Live View search for Maps back in September and the company is now ready to move forward with the update. The new functionality, however, will be made available in select cities starting with Los Angeles, London, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Tokyo.The feature works just like the current Live View that helps you navigate using the phone's camera in real-time. The Live View mode will overlay arrows on top of your surroundings as well as point to landmarks or other places you are looking for. Using billions of Street View images, AI and...

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GSMArena

24-11-22, 19:10

https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/07/weekly-poll-results-xiaomi-12s-series/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Xiaomi posted its quarterly financial analysis, and the numbers show a significant decline. Revenue for the July-September 2022 period was CNY70.5 billion, just south of $10 billion. Of them, 50.5% came from overseas markets.The revenue is 10% lower compared to last year. Net profit dropped even more - 59% year-on-year to CNY 2.1 billion ($294 million). However, that was partially due to the CNY 829 million ($116 million) investment in the newly set up EV business and other projects that should bear fruit in the future.The company also revealed investments in R&D increased by 25%,...

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Realme 10 Pro series is launching globally on December 8
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/realme-10-pro-series-global-launch-date/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The Realme 10 Pro and 10 Pro+ unveiled last week in China will begin their global journey on December 8. The launch event will begin at 3PM UTC +8, except in India, where Realme will hold a separate event starting at 12:30PM IST (7:30AM UTC +8).Since Realme has already detailed the specs sheets of both smartphones, we know what they have on offer. The Realme 10 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC, sports a 6.72" 120Hz FullHD+ LCD, and packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 33W charging. It features a 108MP camera on the back with a 2MP depth unit.The Realme 10 Pro+, on the other...

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Oppo Reno9 series debuts: Pro+ comes with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 16GB RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/oppo-reno-9-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Oppo announced today a trio of Reno9 smartphones - a vanilla Reno9 with Snapdragon 778G, a Reno9 Pro that shares the same body but runs on Dimensity 8100, and a mighty Reno9 Pro+ with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and three cameras on the back.The Reno9 Pro and Reno9 Pro+ both launched with 16GB RAM as a base option, which is a first for the Reno series, and a feature we haven’t seen in an Oppo phone since the Find X3 Pro flagship, launched over 1.5 years ago.Oppo Reno9The vanilla smartphone of the trio brings a 6.7” AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution. It supports 120Hz...

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The OG Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G gets updated to One UI 5.0
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-5g-one-ui-5-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg Samsung is on a roll with its One UI 5.0 rollout and the latest device to get the Android 13-based update is the Galaxy Z Flip 5G which launched a few months after the original first-gen Z Flip back in 2020.The firmware update is reportedly exclusive to the 5G model for now though Samsung will also bring the update to the LTE model as per the official One UI 5.0 update rollout schedule. Galaxy Z Flip 5G owners in Europe have reported the update is available for their phones and we can safely expect more regions to follow in the coming days.The latest One UI 5.0 update is probably...

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iQOO 11's design officially confirmed, launching in China on December 2
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/iqoo-11-series-launch-date-china/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg The iQOO 11 will be launched in Malaysia on December 2 as the country's first Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered smartphone. Today, iQOO announced it will also be introduced in China on the same day.The promo page set up on vivo's official Chinese website reveals the iQOO 11 series launch event will begin in China at 2:30PM local time, and since the company uses the word "series," it's safe to say iQOO will unveil multiple smartphones next Friday (likely vanilla and Pro models).The page also includes pictures of what's said to be the iQOO 11 5G, corroborating a recent design leak. You can...

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You’ll soon be able to react to a Google Message with any emoji
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/google-messages-react-with-any-emoji/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Google continues to improve the experience with the default Android messaging app, Google Messages. Following a failed #GetTheMessage campaign highlighting Apple’s lack of RCS support and a new app icon update, Google Messages is now testing the ability to react to a message with any emoji. Previously, reactions were limited to only seven emojis. This news comes from 9to5Google after it previously confirmed the feature by enabling it in a previous version.Now when you tap and hold an incoming message on the Google Messages app, you can react with any emoji you wish. A new icon in the...

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iQOO 11 Pro runs Geekbench with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 16GB of RAM
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/iqoo-11-pro-benchmarked/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo sub-brand iQOO is gearing up to launch its next flagship smartphone, the 11 Pro, which will be among the first devices to use Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Not the first, mind you, as the X90 Pro+ from vivo has that crown.Today an iQOO 11 Pro prototype ran Geekbench 5, and that means its result is now available for all to see in the benchmark's online database. The phone managed a 1,466 single-core score and a 4,686 multi-core score.The benchmark run confirms that the iQOO 11 Pro will indeed be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, aided by a whopping 16GB of RAM in the...

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Honor Earbuds 3i bring ANC for a low price of $70
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-earbuds-3i-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The big Honor event today saw the arrival of premium smartphones and foldable flagships, and they were accompanied on stage by a completely new pair of audio wearables. Meet the Honor Earbuds 3i that bring ANC, AI noise reduction and a big battery for the equivalent of $70.The new Earbuds 3i come with a 10 mm dynamic driver, hidden in the well-crafted body. During the event, Honor CEO said “pebble look” multiple times, and we can see why he was so excited about the design - the earbuds look silky smooth in their only color option of White.There are three microphones on each bud,...

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Lava Blaze NXT's launch teased
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/lava-blaze-nxt-launching-soon/-184x111/gsmarena_002.jpg Lava unveiled the Lava Blaze in July with a glass back, near-stock Android, and a price tag of INR8,699 ($106/€103). The company then followed it up with a Pro model and a 5G version, and now it's teasing the launch of a new Blaze series smartphone, dubbed Lava Blaze NXT.Lava hasn't revealed the specs of the Blaze NXT yet, but an image it posted on Twitter shows the smartphone will have the volume rocker and power button on its left-side frame.The Indian handset maker also posted a short clip on Twitter showing the comments it received from its users, which suggest the Blaze NXT...

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Honor 80 Pro and Honor 80 debut with 160MP main cams, 66W charging
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-80-series-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Honor held a big two-day launch event in China where we saw the debut of the MagicOS 7.0 interface yesterday while the big hardware announcements were left for today - among which three new phones. Honor 80 Pro and Honor 80 bring 160MP main cameras as well as Qualcomm chips and curved OLED displays. Honor 80 SE is the most affordable entry among the three and gets a Dimensity 900 and 64MP main camera.Honor 80 Pro and Honor 80Honor 80 Pro is the star of the show and gets a 6.78-inch curved OLED with a 2700×1224px resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The 10-bit panel features a...

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Limited edition Xiaomi 12T Pro brings contemporary art look inspired by sculptural objects
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/xiaomi-12t-pro-daniel-arsham-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg The Xiaomi 12T Pro arrived in a Daniel Arsham Edition, the manufacturer announced today. The phone comes as a joint project with the New York-based artist who developed the device to be a “sculpture with a purpose outside of it as a functional object”.The device itself is a 12/256 GB version with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and 200 MP camera but the back panel is green, with copper-colored crystals that shine differently under angle.Daniel Arsham said in 20 years people who will have this phone will use it as a sculptural object, linked to a particular moment in time and...

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iQOO 11 design leaks, shows the trade mark racing stripes
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/iqoo-11-poster-design/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Yesterday vivo became the first company to officially unveil a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powered phone. It is only one of several brands that are expected to launch 8 Gen 2 devices before the end of the year and the list includes cousin iQOO. The iQOO 11 series will be unveiled on December 2, based on an invite we received.As it turns out there is also a poster floating around the web, which confirms the date but also shows off one of the iQOO 11 models. The white body with the racing stripes is immediately recognizable as an iQOO phone.For this generation, iQOO will stick with the...

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MediaTek's Dimensity 8200 specs leak, minor upgrade over the 8100
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/10/dimensity-9200-antutu-benchmark/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg The Dimensity 8200 still isn't official, but we already know that it will power up Xiaomi Redmi phones and the upcoming iQOO 7 SE. And now thanks to prolific tipster Digital Chat Station we get the SoC's key specs and they suggest a minor upgrade over the Dimensity 8100.It would employ the same 4x Cortex-A78 and 4x Cortex-A55 cores, but in a different configuration at higher clock speeds. The A78 will be divided into two clusters - 1x Cortex-A78 clocked at 3.1 GHz and 3x Cortex-A78 running at 3.0 GHz. The four efficiency Cortex-A55 cores remain at 2.0 GHz.For comparison, the...

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Honor Magic Vs arrives with improved hinge, lighter body
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-magic-vs-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Honor holds a massive two-day event in China, which culminated today with the announcement of its new foldable flagship - Honor Magic Vs. It is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and the company revealed the weight reduction comes from an entirely new sophisticated hinge design, allowing the phone to close without a gap.The Magic Vs comes with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which might not be the latest from Qualcomm, but is still a pretty capable flagship chipset. The phone has 12/256 GB and 12/512 GB memory options, as well as a new, more affordable variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB...

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vivo X80 Pro gets Android 13-based Funtouch OS 13 stable update
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/vivo-x80-pro-android-13-funtouch-os-13-update/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg vivo launched the vivo X80 Pro in China with Android 12-based OriginOS Ocean, but its global version sold in other countries came with Funtouch OS 12 instead. vivo began rolling out the Android 13-based Funtouch OS 13's beta version for the X80 Pro's global models last month, and it seems the beta testing has gone smooth since the company has released the Funtouch OS 13's stable update for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-powered smartphone.The update arrived on our vivo X80 Pro in India with firmware version PD2185BF_EX_A_13.1.10.13.W30 and requires a download of 6.24GB. It's the Funtouch OS 13...

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Watch the Honor Magic Vs launch here
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-magic-80-live-stream/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Honor is holding a major two-day event in China, culminating in the announcement of its latest smartphones. We already know the Magic Vs will be officially introduced, as well as the Honor 80 series. These phones will pioneer the just unveiled Magic OS 7.0.The stream begins at 14:30 local time, which is 06:30 AM GMT, 07:30 Central European time, and 12 PM/noon IST. The event will be in Chinese, but there will be simultaneous translation in English.The Honor Magic Vs is going to be a foldable smartphone that will inherit the overall design from the first Magic V. The big change...

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Samsung Galaxy A71 and F62 are the latest to receive One UI 5 update with Android 13
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/samsung-galaxy-a71-f62-one-ui-5/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Samsung has been releasing Android 13 updates left and right for the past few weeks at a seemingly unstoppable pace, and we're getting to a point now where multiple new phone models receive the new software on the same day.Case in point: today, the update to One UI 5 based on Android 13 started rolling out to two handsets that haven't had the pleasure of tasting it so far. We're talking about the Galaxy A71 (4G) and the Galaxy F62.Samsung Galaxy A71The former is seeing the update rolling out in Poland so far, but as always it should expand to other countries and territories (at...

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Here's the official introduction video for the vivo X90 Pro and X90 Pro+
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/vivo-x90-pro-pro-plus-video/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg vivo made a trio of new phones official today, as you may already know. We're talking about the X90, X90 Pro, and X90 Pro+, the latter of which is the first device to be announced sporting the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC.Its camera is touted to be the king of one-inch sensors, and like previous X series devices, this one definitely has a big camera focus (excuse the pun). To followup on the announcement, vivo released an official introduction video for the X90 Pro and X90 Pro+, which you can see embedded below.Yes, that's Chinese, you're not mistaken - but we feel like the most...

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The Phantom X2 from Tecno is coming next month with a Dimensity 9000
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/tecno-phantom-x2-dimensity-9000/-184x111/gsmarena_000.jpg Last year Tecno revealed its most premium phone dubbed the Phantom X. Its focus was on the display and especially the camera (the main module featured a 1/1.3” 50MP sensor). Now there is a sequel on the way and it will be the most powerful Tecno phone to date.The original X featured a Helio G95 – Tecno uses MediaTek chips almost exclusively. Since then there have been a few 5G phones with a Dimensity 810 or a 900, but nothing that uses a proper flagship chip.The Phantom X2 series is about to change that – the company officially revealed that the upcoming phones will be powered by...

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Honor announces MagicOS 7.0 and early rollout schedule
https://fdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/news/22/11/honor-magic-os-7-ofic/-184x111/gsmarena_001.jpg A day before the grand unveiling of the Honor 80 series and foldable Magic Vs, Honor announced MagicOS 7.0 - its latest Android interface. The new release succeeds Magic UI 6.2 and will be present on all upcoming Honor phones. MagicOS brings a visual overhaul complete with several noteworthy features.MagicOS 7.0 features a more streamlined design with flat icons, fluid animations and the new Honor Sans font used throughout the UI. The home screen now houses larger folders that are easily accessible. The new widgets allow for a more personalized experience. Honor also introduced a new...

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