Samsung launches the new Galaxy Alpha in India

Samsung launched the new Galaxy Alpha smartphone in India today. The device is priced at ₹39,990 ($654). The Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's first smartphone after a while to have a metal-body. It uses an anodized aluminum frame with chamfered edges on the side. The specs of the phone are mostly that of a flagship device but in a smaller body, and as such, it will be competing directly against the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, which was recently launched in India for ₹44,990. The Galaxy Alpha will be available in black, white, and gold starting next week. Due to a decision taken by Samsung India recently, the Galaxy Alpha, along with the upcoming Galaxy Note 4, will only be sold through offline...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_launches_the_new_galaxy_alpha_in_india-news-9773.php

Week 39 in review: iPhone 6 Plus bending, Galaxy Note 4 launch

The Week In Review is our series meant to recap all the major news of the week, which you might have missed. In Week 39 the spotlights were primarily on Apple again with the iPhone 6 Plus experiencing nasty bending issues. Many rival companies went on to mock Apple with #bendgate becoming quite popular. Meanwhile Apple didn't help its cause as it messed up the iOS 8.0.1 update badly, but at least it fixed things up quicky. In response to Apple's success with initial sales of the iPhone 6 duet, Samsung pushed sales of the Galaxy Note 4 earlier than expected. The phone is expected to come out a week earlier than initially planned and will launch in more than 140 countries by October. Continuing with Android, alleged Nexus 6 photo appeared next to the LG G3 and Oppo confirms the N3 will come in both stainless steel and alluminum-lithium alloy versions. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 16%; text-align: center; margin-left: -13px; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 84%; } .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; font: 400 19px Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Apple iPhone 6 Plus appears prone to accidental bending It appears that the Apple iPhone 6 Plus is prone to bending under typically benign circumstances. A number of reports around the web suggest that Cupertino's first phablet has bent its chassis while sitting in a user's front pocket. With the issue gathering increasing amount of attention throughout the day... Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge benchmarked We saw it with previous generations of Galaxy flagships - equalized scores despite very different chipsets. This year the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge will come with either a Snapdragon 805 or an Exynos 5433 SoC and their AnTuTu scores are practically equal. The Samsung N915L, aka Galaxy Note Edge with Exynos, scored... Apple officially responds to the iPhone 6 bending controversy Apple finally broke its silence about the iPhone 6 Plus bending controversy that took over the tech world over the past couple of days. The Cupertino giant told Re/code that the problem is "extremely rare." Despite all the noise surrounding the issue, Apple has so far received a total of nine complaints from customers with bent iPhone 6 devices... Samsung acts on Apple threat, launches Galaxy Note 4 earlier Apple has sold more than 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones in their opening weekend and Samsung isn't too pleased about the news. As a result, the company is moving the launch date for the Galaxy Note 4 forward. The phablet will launch in South Korea on September 26 instead of early October for all three... Alleged Motorola Nexus 6 appears in a live photo next to the LG G3 The Motorola Shamu, believed to be the upcoming Nexus 6 smarptohne, is starring in a live photo with the LG G3. The phone looks substantially larger than the G3, which carries a 5.5" display. This lends further credence to rumors that the Shamu is... Oppo confirms N3's lightweight aluminum-lithium frame Oppo is continuing its Oppo N3 teaser campaign that thus far focuses on its unique aluminum-alloy body. The aluminum-lithium body will reportedly have one-third the density of stainless steel, making it very lightweight. The teaser image drives that point home by showing the aluminum frame being lifted by helium balloons... Apple released and quickly pulled out iOS 8.0.1 firmware update Apple released and quickly pulled out iOS 8.0.1 firmware update. The reasons for the sudden halt of the update process were iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus reception and Touch ID issues, caused by the latest OS build. Apple iOS 8.0.1 was originally intended to bring a number of changes and bug...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/week_39_in_review_iphone_6_plus_bending_galaxy_note_4_launch-news-9766.php

The Korean manufacturer Pantech is now up for sale

The maker of Android smartphones and tablets Pantech is now up for grabs. The third largest Korean hardware manufacturer and its creditors presented a plan for the sale procedure to the Seoul Central District Court. Bidders will have until October 7 to submit their offers for the beleaguered manufacturer. Korean heavyweights like Samsung, LG, Hyundai Motor Group, and the network carrier SK Telecom are reportedly among the interested parties. SK Telecom is unofficially viewed as a front-runner. A purchase by a foreign company is not unlikely either. A number of Chinese and Indian tech giants would gladly place a bid and try to enter the Korean market. Despite its characterful and well-made devices, Pantech struggled against Samsung and LG in the highly patriotic Korean market. Declining sales forced the company into recording losses in six consecutive quarters. Source 1 (in Korean) | Source 2 (in Korean) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_korean_manufacturer_pantech_is_now_up_for_sale-news-9772.php

Google tipped to require more of its apps on Android devices

According to a report in The Information, Google will require more of its apps to be preloaded on Android devices. Confidential contracts obtained by the media have revealed the upcoming change. Allegedly, Google will require up to 20 of its apps preloaded going forward. Currently, the number hovers below 10. Additionally, the search giant will require the apps to be prominently displayed on a device's homescreen. The list of manufacturers in Google's contracts includes the likes of Samsung, HTC, and Huawei among others. The shift in Google's policy towards its own Android apps is reportedly related to the ever-increasing importance of the OS as an income generator. Google's apps and services have become a key contributor to its bottom line. Source (subscription required) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_will_reportedly_require_more_of_its_apps_on_android_devices-news-9771.php

Apple iPhone 6 review: Scaled to order

This is Apple like we've never seen before. Apple like we never thought we'll see. To begin with, there's supposed to be no better iPhone than the iPhone 6. That's the sort of thing you'd expect of Apple. Come September every year, the world grabs a bag of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6-review-1141.php

HTC M8 Eye with 13MP Duo Camera to land in October

According to a new rumor, we should see the smartphone codenamed HTC M8 Eye in stores before the end of October. This device is said to be nothing more than a One (M8) with a 13 MP Duo Camera on its rear. The 'vanilla' M8 has a 4 MP camera, in the now famous Duo configuration which features a depth sensor alongside the main lens. That depth sensing ability shouldn't be lost in the M8 Eye, but HTC seems prepared to finally let is much-loved UltraPixels go. These are the main feature of its otherwise low-res camera on the One (M8), as the company has long believed that bigger pixels equal better pictures. But now it looks set to put all of that aside for a 'normal' 13 MP sensor on this M8 Eye. The new handset will apparently launch running Android 4.4.4 KitKat with HTC Sense 6 on top. A previous leak on the matter did however claim that the Eye would have a 5.2-inch touchscreen, bigger than the One (M8)'s 5-inch panel (though keeping the same 1080p resolution). Even if the display size is still unclear, everything else about the M8 Eye should be identical to the One (M8). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_m8_eye_with_13mp_duo_camera_set_to_land_in_october-news-9770.php

LG smartwatch with SIM slot headed to Verizon

Since its perpetual competitor, Samsung, has already announced a smartwatch with a built-in SIM card slot for direct mobile data connectivity, you probably won't be surprised to find out that LG wants in on that game too. An LG VC100 passed through the FCC as a "Smart Watch + CDMA", according to the Commission's own documents (see the image below). This pretty much spells out the fact that we're dealing with a wearable with embedded mobile connectivity, one that won't have to rely on a smartphone - just like Samsung's Gear S. Unlike Samsung's product, though, we assume the VC100 will run Android Wear. This particular smartwatch is going to be sold by Verizon, an anonymous source says. That's because it's allegedly been spotted in one of Big Red's databases, where it sits neatly alongside other LG devices already launched by the carrier. Although we don't have an actual picture of the VC100 yet, what is depicted in the image above is its profile, as seen from the rear. So it looks like it will have a design that will fall right in between the company's G Watch (which is much more squared) and G Watch R (which is round). Given the shape here, we expect it to sport a square display, but nothing's certain until it gets properly...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_smartwatch_with_sim_slot_headed_to_verizon-news-9769.php

Sony schedules US event for October 9

Sony massively scaled back its US presence, which meant that getting the latest Xperia was a difficult task for US residents. But is the Japanese electronics giant staging a comeback? T-Mobile already confirmed that it will carry the Xperia Z3 flagship and now Sony has scheduled an event for October 9. The Demand Great tagline is featured prominently on the invite, that's the line for all Xperia Z3 ads in case you haven't seen them (and indeed if you're in the US you probably haven't). The event will start at 1:30PM Eastern Time and will run for an hour and a half. That's plenty of time to unveil the Xperia Z3 (and perhaps the Z3 Compact, fingers crossed), can Sony have something else in store? The day before HTC has an event to unveil its action camera but Sony already updated its Action...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_schedules_us_event_for_october_9-news-9767.php

Sony schedules US event for October 10

Sony massively scaled back its US presence, which meant that getting the latest Xperia was a difficult task for US residents. But is the Japanese electronics giant staging a comeback? T-Mobile already confirmed that it will carry the Xperia Z3 flagship and now Sony has scheduled an event for October 9. The Demand Great tagline is featured prominently on the invite, that's the line for all Xperia Z3 ads in case you haven't seen them (and indeed if you're in the US you probably haven't). The event will start at 1:30PM Eastern Time and will run for an hour and a half. That's plenty of time to unveil the Xperia Z3 (and perhaps the Z3 Compact, fingers crossed), can Sony have something else in store? The day before HTC has an event to unveil its action camera but Sony already updated its Action...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_schedules_us_event_for_october_10-news-9767.php

BlackBerry shares rise as it reports unexpectedly small quarterly loss

BlackBerry outed its financial results for the quarter ending on August 30 and the news aren't as bad as the company expected. It's still bleeding money, but because the loss is less than expected, the company's shares rose 5% today. Net loss is reported at $207 million, which is 78.5% less compared to the same period last year. Then the company recorded a loss of $965 million, only to get stunned by a $4.4 billion loss the following quarter. However, BlackBerry is confident the cloudy days are now over as the restructuring of the workforce is now complete. "Our workforce restructuring is now complete, and we are focusing on revenue growth with judicious investments to further our leadership position in enterprise mobility and security," stated BlackBerry's CEO John Chen said in a statement. The company's latest smartphone to go on sale is the BlackBerry Passport. The phone features a full-size three row QWERTY keyboard and a 4.5" 1440 x 1440 pixels IPS LCD and carries the company's bright hopes of appealing to those felling nostalgic about mobile physical...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_shares_rise_as_it_reports_unexpectedly_small_quarterly_loss-news-9765.php

Xiaomi Mi 3 to make a return to India

The Xiaomi Mi 3 was a runaway success during its short stay in India earlier this year. The smartphone batches were selling out in seconds with thousands of people never managing to get the unit they wanted. That's why when the company announced that it will be stopping the sales of the former flagship and replacing it with the Redmi 1S it caused quite a lot of discontent. There's a silver lining to this cloud though - Xiaomi has reevaluated its decision and decided to bring the Mi 3 back to India. During an event in Bengaluru, a Xiaomi spokesperson confirmed that the smartphone will be back in stock in time for the Diwali festival (Thursday, October 23). There were no specifics mentioned about the pricing and availability channels, but there will likely be no changes there. This means that Xiaomi will probably stick to Flipkart as its partner and sell the Mi 3 for INR 13,999 (roughly $230). We are just hoping the Chinese manufacturer brings enough units this time so they last for more than a few seconds. If you are considering getting a Xiaomi Mi 3, you might want to check out our detailed review, where we put the handset through its...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_3_to_make_a_return_to_india-news-9764.php

Alleged Motorola Nexus 6 appears in a live photo next to the LG G3

The Motorola Shamu, believed to be the upcoming Nexus 6 smarptohne, is starring in a live photo with the LG G3. The phone looks substantially larger than the G3, which carries a 5.5" display. This lends further credence to rumors that the Shamu is going to feature a display in the 6" ballpark. The photo clearly shows that the Shamu features a soft-touch plastic back and keeps the metal frame from the Moto X (2014). This is clearly an indication that Google likes to keep the soft touch back that made a debut on the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 7 (2014). In terms of specifications, the rumor mill suggests the Nexus 6 by Motorola is going to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in memory. The screen is said to have a 5.92" diagonal and QHD resolution for a pixel density of 498ppi. At the back, the camera is reported to have a 13MP sensor, LED flash and 4K video recording skills. The battery of the Shamu is allegedly a 3,200mAh unit. As with all recent Nexus smartphones, don't expect a microSD card slot. The Shamu should be unveiled at Google's Android L release event and will run it out of the box. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_motorola_nexus_6_appears_in_a_live_photo_next_to_the_lg_g3-news-9762.php

Oppo confirms upcoming N3 will also come in stainless steel

Chinese manufacturer Oppo teased us earlier this week with an ad campaign hinting at a lightweight, space-grade aluminum chassis on its upcoming N3 flagship. The latest teaser posted by the company yesterday confirmed this, but it has now been revealed that the device will also come with a more traditional stainless steel chassis for those not minding a heftier (and hopefully cheaper) N3 option. The aluminum alloy will apparently be used for the darker color option, while steel will take care of the lighter one. It's unclear at this point whether one version will be cheaper than the other, but more options are always a good thing, especially when it comes to device hardware. The Oppo N3 is expected to launch on October 29. Although that seems a ways away, the sheer amount of hype Oppo is hoping to generate means we'll likely learn a whole lot more about the N3 before it hits retail. Stay tuned. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_confirms_upcoming_n3_will_also_come_in_stainless_steel-news-9760.php

Sony launches the Xperia Z3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact in India

Sony has launched the new Xperia Z3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact in India. The two new models arrive not too long after the Xperia Z2 (May) and the Z1 Compact (February) were launched in the country. The new Xperia Z3 is priced at ₹51,990 ($846) and the Xperia Z3 Compact is priced at ₹44,990 ($732). The pricing is quite steep, especially when you consider the new Moto X was launched for ₹31,999 just a couple of days back. The new Xperia Z3 features thinner and lighter design, faster processor, and improved battery life. The Z3 compact gets a bigger display, faster processor, improved battery life, and stereo speakers. The Z3 is available in black, white, and copper, and the Z3 Compact in black, white, orange, and green. Both phones are now on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_launches_the_xperia_z3_and_the_xperia_z3_compact_in_india-news-9761.php

Apple iOS 8.0.2 is now seeding to devices worldwide

Slightly over 24 hours after the ill-fated iOS 8.0.1 update, Apple is seeding iOS 8.0.2 to compatible devices worldwide. As expected, the latest iOS build fixes the issues caused by its predecessor. In addition to providing remedy for the network and Touch ID issues that iOS 8.0.1 caused to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8.0.2 brings the originally intended changes and bug fixes to the platform. They include making HealthKit apps available, patching up issuers with third-party keyboards, fixing a bug that prevented apps from accessing the photos, as well as a number of other niggles. In case you haven't updated already, head over to your device's settings menu to get the process going. Initial impressions are that this firmware is not a trouble maker....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ios_802_is_now_seeding_to_devices_worldwide-news-9759.php

Apple iPhone 6 official sales kick off in a number of countries

Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus officially hit the shelves in over twenty new markets. Cupertino's duo of smartphones was initially available in the United States, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Beginning today, the two smartphones are officially on sale in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and UAE. Apple raked in over ten million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus sales during their launch. With the iPhone 6 bending controversy officially answered by Apple, there is no reason to believe that the devices' strong sales momentum is going to continue....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6_official_sales_kick_off_in_number_of_countries-news-9758.php

Archos 45c Platinum and 50b Platinum handsets go on sale

Archos unveiled the 45c Platinum and 50b Platinum Android 4.4 KitKat smartphones. The duo of entry-level devices is aimed at first-time smartphone buyers with a starting price tag of $99. Already available for sale, both smartphones offer MediaTek MT6582 SoC with 1.3GHz quad-core CPU, Mali 400MP2 GPU, and 512MB of RAM. Built-in memory is 4GB and can be further expanded via a microSD card slot. Dual-SIM functionality is also present in both devices. Unsurprisingly, their network connectivity tops out at 21Mbps HSDPA. Archos 50b Platinum is the slightly more capable device from the bunch. It offers 5" qHD (960 x 540 pixels) IPS display and 8MP camera, capable of capturing 1080p video, and 1900mAh battery. The 50b Platinum is priced at $119 unlocked. Archos 45c Platinum on the other hand, pack a 4.5" FWVGA IPS display. A 5MP camera with 1080p video capture and 1700mAh battery complete the highlights in tis spec sheet. The device costs $99 unlocked, free of carrier commitment....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/archos_45c_platinum_and_50b_platinum_handsets_go_on_sale-news-9756.php

Apple officially responds to the iPhone 6 bending controversy

Apple finally broke its silence about the iPhone 6 Plus bending controversy that took over the tech world over the past couple of days. The Cupertino giant told Re/code that the problem is "extremely rare." Despite all the noise surrounding the issue, Apple has so far received a total of nine complaints from customers with bent iPhone 6 devices. We reckon that the number doesn't include the YouTube enthusiasts who bent their devices for the sake of web notoriety. Furthermore, Apple pointed out that it has designed iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus with preventing accidental deformation in mind. Both handsets feature aluminum that has been treated for extra strength to prevent them from bending under normal circumstances. In case your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus bent from normal use, it will need to pass Visual Mechanical Inspection in order to qualify for warranty replacement. We are not familiar with the inspection's guidelines. Considering that Apple sold a cool 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus units during the launch weekend, we must agree that nine bent units is not exactly a large number. However, over the past couple of days, Apple's competitors poked fun at it on a number of different occasions. Source 1 | Source 2...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_officially_responds_to_the_iphone_6_bending_controversy-news-9757.php

Moto X (2014) makes its debut at Verizon tomorrow

Verizon has announced that it will start selling the new Moto X (2014) tomorrow. The smartphone was already available, but only if you wanted to purchase it unlocked or with an AT&T contract. Starting on September 26, though, you can choose Big Red as your carrier too. Over there the new Moto X will go for $99.99 with a new two-year contract. Verizon will have two 16GB versions of the new Moto X available online and in its stores: the black model, as well as a white one with a bamboo back (which is pictured above). For a limited time, both of these will cost $99.99 with a contract, though after a while the bamboo variant may set you back more. Also starting tomorrow, you'll be able to use Moto Maker to design a new Moto X for use on Verizon's network, which is where you can customize things a lot more. The 16GB units will start at $99.99, while the ones with double the storage will cost you at least...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x_2014_makes_its_debut_at_verizon_tomorrow-news-9755.php

Apple iPad Pro rumored to come with Apple A8X chipset

A report from Taiwan suggests that Apple's long-rumored iPad Pro with a 12.9" display will be powered by an A8X chip. It'll be slightly more powerful than the current A8 chipset residing in the iPhone 6 duet and will also carry 2GB of RAM. Apple did have a tradition of outing an "X" version of its chipset to the A5 and A6, but skipped the X version with the A7. According to the report, the A8 will have an A8X successor and it will be made by TSMC. If Apple is indeed planning a 12.9" iPad Pro, an update to the graphics department in the A8 chip will be a necessary step to ensure those extra pixels will get the push they need. Traditionally, Apple announced updated iPad line-up after its big iPhone event and the main star of the show is rumored to be the iPad Air 2. A dummy of the slate popped up a while ago and showed a thinner body and slightly altered design of the speakers. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_pro_rumored_to_come_with_apple_a8x_chipset-news-9754.php

International Samsung Galaxy S III LTE receives Android KitKat

Following the launch of Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the Korean version of the Galaxy S III, Samsung is launching the very same update for the international LTE version of the phone (GT-I9305N). The software version of the update is I9305NXXUFNI4 and is currently available in the Nordic region. Users can expect the latest Android version to give their Galaxy S III LTE phones faster performance and improved battery life. There are some user interface improvements too, such as white status bar icons, fulscreen album art from the Music player and updated Samsung apps. The update is meant for the LTE version of the phone only, which comes with 2GB of RAM. For the owners of the device, who are impatient, the link below will lead you to the firmware update for manual flashing. Trying to do update the regular GT-I9300 model will result in bricking the device, so it's not advised to undertake it. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_iii_lte_receives_android_444_kitkat-news-9753.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge benchmarked

We saw it with previous generations of Galaxy flagships - equalized scores despite very different chipsets. This year the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge will come with either a Snapdragon 805 or an Exynos 5433 SoC and their AnTuTu scores are practically equal. The Samsung N915L, aka Galaxy Note Edge with Exynos, scored just under 48,000 points while the Samsung N910S, aka Galaxy Note 4 with Snapdragon, got just over 48,000 points. The benchmark seems to show negligible difference in multi-core performance and RAM speed. The multi-core result is interesting because the Exynos 5433 is SMP-enabled meaning it can run all eight cores simultaneously, even if they are at a lower clockspeed than the four Krait 450 cores in the Snapdragon 805. With similar CPU and RAM either scores, the GPU score can't be very different - it's Mali-T760 vs. Adreno 420, both rendering at 1,440 x 2,560 pixels (the curved part of the Edge screen is not supported by the benchmark). We'd like to run a full battery of tests before drawing a conclusion but it doesn't seem like there will be any performance difference between the two models (Note 4 and Note Edge) and their two sub-versions. You can find more info on both the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge from our hands-on. Source 1 • Source 2 (in Korean) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_note_4_and_galaxy_note_edge_benchmarked-news-9752.php

Oppo confirms N3's lightweight aluminum-lithium frame

Oppo is continuing its Oppo N3 teaser campaign that thus far focuses on its unique aluminum-alloy body. The aluminum-lithium body will reportedly have one-third the density of stainless steel, making it very lightweight. The teaser image drives that point home by showing the aluminum frame being lifted by helium balloons. That's a more down-to-earth image than the space-based teaser from a couple of days ago but aluminum-lithium alloy is being used by modern airplanes like the Boeing 777X. This will be the first time this material is used on a phone. Lithium also promises to improve the stiffness of aluminum, so hopefully the N3 won't bend like the pure-aluminum iPhone 6. This latest teaser image shows that the initial leak we received did not show the actual design of the Oppo N3. The second leak seems right on the money, though. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/here_is_oppo_n3s_lightweight_aluminumlithium_frame-news-9750.php

Vertu Aster hits the FCC, shows its premium build

The Vertu Aster is the company's upcoming luxury Android smartphone, which is close to launch after it payed a visit to the US FCC and China's TENAA. The Aster looks a bit different than the Signature Touch unveiled a while back, but sports similar specs. At the front, the Aster features a 4.7" display of 1080p resolution and on the connectivity side is packed with LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.0 LE. Under the premium leather wraps resides a Snapdragon 800 chipset with a quad-core 2.3GHz Krait CPU and 2GB of RAM. Internal storage is generous at 64GB, as there's no microSD card slot available. At the back, there's a 13MP camera with LED flash and the phone weighs 195 grams with a waistline of 11mm. And that's no wonder, since Vertu has used cool materials such as titanium alloy. The Aster runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat with special UI treatment by Vertu. The phone is listed to be available in a number of different colors including black, blue, red, brown, orange and pink. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced, but we guess you'll need a fat wallet to afford one. Source • Source (2) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vertu_aster_hits_the_fcc_shows_its_premium_build-news-9749.php

Apple apologizes for iOS 8.0.1 issue, offers a temporary solution

Yesterday's iOS 8.0.1 update didn't quite go as planned. Although it featured some important bug fixes, including a fix for HealthKit, the update broke cellular and Touch ID functionality on the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Apple became quickly aware of the problem and pulled the update shortly after it was released but several people had already updated by then. Apple now has a support page on their website, that details how users can reinstall the previous iOS 8.0 update by downloading the files for their respective device and then installing it through iTunes. Apple also gave the following statement to The Verge We have a workaround for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who lost cellular service and Touch ID functionality today after updating to iOS 8.0.1. Affected users can reinstall iOS 8 through iTunes, for more information visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6487. We apologize for the great inconvenience experienced by users, and are working around the clock to prepare iOS 8.0.2 with a fix for the issue, and will release it as soon as it is ready in the next few...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_apologizes_for_ios_801_issue_offers_a_temporary_solution-news-9751.php

HTC's action camera looks like a toy periscope

HTC has sent out invites for October 8 and we were hoping for a Nexus 9 tablet or maybe a water-proof selfie phone but it seems that all the company will unveil is an action camera like GoPro, Sony Action Cam, Contour and others. Unlike them, however, the HTC cam dubbed RECamera will look like a toy periscope. From two leaked promo images we see a relatively thin cylinder that bends at the top. This form factor allows for easily adjustable mount. Hopefully HTC has more up its sleeve than a unique (if questionable) form factor. It's a given that the camera will be controllable from a smartphone (it doesn't look like there's any screen at all on its bent cylindrical body). Zoe-like functionality seems likely too. HTC hasn't had a tablet since 2011's Jetstream and the large Nexus line has been mostly neglected so we really had high hopes for the event. Note that the images came from recamera.com where you can also see a short teaser video (which doesn't actually show the camera). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htcs_action_camera_looks_like_a_toy_periscope-news-9748.php

Alleged image and details of Nexus 6 make the rounds

Alleged image and details on the upcoming Nexus 6 made the rounds online. The Motorola device is said to go official next month, and hit the retail shelves a month later, in November. Also known as Motorola Shamu and Nexus X, the soon to be revealed device appears to carry the exact same design language as the 2014 Moto X. The leaked image reveals similar camera setup with dual-flash, the signature Motorola dimple on the back, as well as the volume rocker and the power/lock key of the device. The last two have been moved down in order to accommodate easier operation of the large display. Nexus branding is noticeably missing from the above image. However, word is that the design has not been completely finalized. The finished product is certain to carry Nexus branding when it goes official. In line with past rumors, the alleged specs of the Nexus 6 by Motorola include Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in memory, and 5.92" QHD display with 498ppi. A 3,200mAh battery reportedly powers the handset. The camera of the Nexus 6 is going to be a 13MP unit capable of capturing 4K video. The front-facing 2MP unit is purportedly the same as the one found in the new Moto X. As expected, the handset will debut with Android L on board. Motorola's custom features will not make it to the Nexus 6. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_image_and_details_of_nexus_6_make_the_rounds-news-9747.php

Apple released and quickly pulled out iOS 8.0.1 firmware update

Apple released and quickly pulled out iOS 8.0.1 firmware update. The reasons for the sudden halt of the update process were iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus reception and Touch ID issues, caused by the latest OS build. Apple iOS 8.0.1 was originally intended to bring a number of changes and bug fixes. They included making HeathKit apps available, patching up issuers with third-party keyboards, fixing a bug that prevented apps from accessing the photos, as well as a number of other niggles. Apple is currently investigating the iOS 8.0.1 issues and will provide an update soon. Older iPhone models don't appear to be affected by the above issues. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_released_and_quickly_pulled_out_ios_801_firmware_update-news-9746.php

Sony Xperia Z3 review: Hat trick

To say we are eager to get the Xperia Z3 out for a spin would be a massive understatement - with the race track still warm from the Compact. After all, if the Robin in Sony's IFA lineup can do that well, we can only imagine what Batman is capable of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z3-review-1140.php

Samsung Galaxy A7, A5, and A3 get rumored prices

Over the past week or so three new Samsung smartphones got leaked. These bear the model numbers SM-A300, SM-A500, and SM-A700, and they will probably launch as the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 (pictured below), and Galaxy A7, respectively. Now we have some rumored price points for each of them, along with some interesting details about the A7. It turns out that this particular device may only be launched in select countries, and not become widely available as the other two. Since its name and model number both seem to imply that it will be the best specced out of this trio, such a decision by Samsung is intriguing for sure. It may be that the company doesn't believe in the Galaxy A7's prospects of selling well everywhere. Or we could be looking at the exact opposite - it being afraid that the A7 would eat into the sales of the Galaxy Alpha. Either way, the Galaxy A7 is said to cost around $450 to $500. The Galaxy A5 will be priced at $400 to $450, while the Galaxy A3 will be the cheapest of the bunch at $350 to $400. All of these prices are obviously for unlocked models. All three Galaxy A handsets are going to feature built-in LTE connectivity, and they could all get official by the end of this month. They should have similar designs to the Galaxy Alpha as well as a premium feel, though whether metal will be used to achieve that is not yet...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a7_a5_and_a3_get_rumored_prices-news-9745.php

Sapphire screen inside Apple Watch costs $27 to make

The Apple Watch was made official by its maker not long ago, but the company did not go into much details about the wearable's specs. Thankfully, though, we have analysts for that. NPD DisplaySearch estimates that the version of the watch marketed by Apple as coming with a 42mm height features a 1.5-inch display, while the smaller 38mm Apple Watch sports a 1.3-inch screen. In both cases the resolution is said to be the same: 240x320. This makes for a pixel density of 299ppi on the smaller model, and 261ppi for the bigger one. The display tech at use is apparently flexible AMOLED (on a plastic substrate), and the panel itself is made by LG. The sapphire glass that sits on top of it is supplied by GT Advanced. Overall, the entire screen for the Apple Watch (including the panel, the sapphire, as well as all other parts, labor costs, and whatnot) is estimated to cost exactly $27.41. This is for the bigger, 42mm version. The display module makes out $7.86 of that, while the sapphire-covered touch panel is worth $19.55. Keep in mind though that this estimation is made rather complicated by the fact that Apple has only one supplier for the display panel and one for the sapphire glass. Also, this is the first time anyone's used this combination of flexible AMOLED with sapphire glass on top. The point is - do take all of this with a pinch of salt. The Apple Watch will become available in early 2015, starting at $349. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sapphire_screen_inside_apple_watch_costs_27_to_make-news-9744.php

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge will be a limited edition concept

In just a couple of days Samsung will start selling the Galaxy Note 4. But if you've been patiently waiting for the other Note that was unveiled at IFA earlier this month, you'll have to continue to be patient. According to a Samsung official, the Galaxy Note Edge will be treated by the company as a limited edition concept. This is a nice way of saying that it will forever be a niche device. Samsung apparently plans to ramp up production for the Edge pretty slowly, and it doesn't look like it will be launched in many places at once - rather, the rollout will go country by country. The company expects to sell around a million units this year. We've already heard that the Note Edge will be quite expensive, and that would clearly relegate it into niche device territory, and definitively so. What's becoming clear now is that this was always Samsung's plan. So perhaps we should think about the Galaxy Note Edge more in terms of being a successor to last year's (also very niche) Galaxy Round, and not as a higher-end version of the Note 4 (thanks to its unique screen). In South Korea, the Note Edge might be out in late October, while it will only make it to other territories in November. However, if Samsung staggers its rollout, then it could very well be 2015 before it's out in most regions. Source (in Korean) | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_edge_will_be_a_limited_edition_concept-news-9743.php

BlackBerry Passport launches today in the US, Canada and UK

The sales of the BlackBerry Passport start today, just as promised. The square screen smartphone hits Canada first with local carrier Telus claiming first dibs. Until October 1, it will run for $200 on a two-year contract, and after that, for $250. The BlackBerry Passport is also landing in the US on AT&T. There, the phone will cost $250 with a two-year commitment. You can also get it SIM-free from BlackBerry's online store for $599. Note, that this is a temporary promotion from the phone's regular price of $699. The company will launch the phone in a total of 30 countries including France, Germany, Singapore and the UK, just to name a few. In the UK, an unlocked BlackBerry Passport will cost £484.98. The Passport has so far been revealed to come with a 4.5-inch 1,440x1,440 touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, and a 2 MP front snapper. Running the show will be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC with a 2.2 GHz quad-core CPU, aided by 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable built-in storage. BlackBerry's CEO praised the Passport for having 36-hour battery life, and that will be possible thanks to its big 3,450 mAh battery. BlackBerry OS 10.3 debuts on the Passport. It will also be available for all BlackBerry OS 10 devices in the coming weeks and months. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_passport_launches_today_in_the_us_canada_and_uk-news-9742.php

Apple iPhone 6 has a more secure TouchID than iPhone 5s

Tech security blog Lookout's Marc Rogers has hacked the Apple iPhone 6's TouchID fingerprint scanner using a stolen print (his own), cyanocrylate (super glue) and fingerprint tape and has an interesting tale of the event. The same Marc Rogers was able to hack the TouchID button on last year's Apple iPhone 5s using the same means. The road to a fake fingerprint isn't short and it's safe to say it can't be achieved by your run of the mill criminal-minded person. The results of the hacking show that the iPhone 6 uses a higher-resolution scanner and is in turn more sensitive and that it appears to scan a wider area. That results in it being far harder to fool as you need more accurate fingerprints . Also a "slightly dodgy" fake print which managed to unlock the iPhone 5s didn't succeed with the iPhone 6, which could be due to the wider scanning area of the new TouchID. As the hacker notes, he still loves the TouchID scanner saying it does a good job of protecting your phone against most people wanting to unlock it. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_6s_touchid_more_sensitive_than_5s-news-9741.php

Oppo N3 might feature a lithium alloy body

Another day, another hint of what we can expect from the Oppo N3 gets published by the Chinese company. The latest teaser goes a bit deeper than yesterday's words from Oppo that we can expect an aerospace grade material to feature in the N3 build. Interestingly, the company might be using aluminum-lithium alloy for the body of the Oppo N3. The description below the photo published on Oppo' Weibo account goes "The lightest metal elements into Oppo N3. Do you know what the world's lightest metal element is?" Since we're no chemists, we did a quick Google search to find that lithium is the lightest metal element on Earth. However, since Lithium is an extremely reactive material unsuited to use on its own for phone-building purposes we'd go on a limb and guess Oppo will also go with aluminum. Another hint in that direction is the fact that Oppo is talking about metal elements (plural). An aluminum-lithium alloy build sounds exotic for a smartphone, but it has been used in recent years for aircraft and aerospace purposes. Reports suggest the special aluminum-lithium alloy is being used in the Boeing 777X. In the end, Oppo's goal is clear - make the phone as tough and lightweight as possible. We're intrigued to say the least and will patiently wait to see what the company has to offer. So far we've seen leaked press renders of the phone showcasing the swiveling camera of the N1 will also be a key feature of the N3. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n3_might_feature_an_aluminumlithium_alloy_body-news-9740.php

Microsoft Lumia 735 hits the UK on October 2

Microsoft is launching the Lumia 735 in the UK starting October 2. The company didn't reveal a SIM-free price for the phone, only a base monthly price on contract - £20. Nokia Lumia 730 and 735 The phone is the first phone in the UK to run Windows Phone 8.1 with the Lumia Denim update out of the box. It features a 4.7" OLED display with a 720p resolution, a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Internal storage is 8GB and at the back, there's a 6.7 MP camera with LED flash and Carl Zeiss optics. The Lumia 735 also claims to be good at selfies with a 5MP wide-lens 1080p camera. Last, but not least, a beta version of Cortana is also available for UK users. The Lumia 735 is also available in dual-SIM and 3G-only variants. Their pricing is also yet to be confirmed. Microsoft claims that all major retailers will offer the device, which will have versions in orange, green, black and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_735_hits_the_uk_on_october_2_with_cortana-news-9739.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launches in two days, hits 140 countries

Today Samsung held a "Galaxy Note 4 World Tour" in Seoul where the company detailed the availability of the phablet. The Galaxy Note 4 will officially launch in the country on September 26, just like a Samsung representative unofficially confirmed yesterday. After that Samsung aims to bring the phablet to whopping 140 countries by the end of October. The company intentionally moved the Galaxy Note 4's launch earlier than planned because of the pressure by Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus duet. While detailed pricing and availability are going to vary from region to region, in South Korea a SIM-free Galaxy Note 4 will run you at approximately $920, which is the cheapest of any Note phablet so far. Pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 4 are already underway in the US. There, the phone is confirmed to launch on AT&T and T-Mobile on October 14. In fact, pre-orders of the phone on the country's three largest operators are now sold out. SK Telecom, the country's biggest carrier, managed to sell out its pre-order stock in just 9 hours, while KT and LG Uplus did the same in three days. Currently, there's no official information about the pricing and availability of the Galaxy Note Edge. The phone packs a curved 5.6" 1600 x 2560 pixel Super AMOLED screen and latest rumors indicate the phone won't be cheap. Suggested prices are between the €880 and €1000...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_4_launches_in_two_days_hits_140_countries-news-9738.php

New Moto X launched in India, available exclusively on Flipkart

Motorola has launched the second generation Moto X in India in partnership with Flipkart. The phone will be available exclusively on Flipkart starting midnight tonight (IST). Motorola will be selling the new Moto X in only the base 16GB variant, which is an odd move since there is no expandable memory available on this phone. The base model is priced at ₹31,999 ($525). Along with that, there will also be a leather and wood finish option. The leather model will be black with black leather, and the wood option would be white with bamboo finish. These variants are priced at ₹33,999 ($558). Hopefully, Flipkart and Motorola will offer additional leather and wood options, along with 32GB capacity in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_moto_x_launched_in_india_available_exclusively_on_flipkart-news-9737.php

Samsung Gear S will arrive in the United States this fall

Samsung Gear S will make its way to the United States at some point this fall. The Korean giant announced the upcoming availability of its latest smartwatch. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile will all offer the 3G-capable wearable device. Pricing and exact availability of the gadget will be announced at a later date. Announced late last month, Samsung Gear S features curved 2" Super AMOLED display, extensive connectivity suite, and Tizen OS. You can find out more about the smartwatch in our extensive hands-on. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_s_will_arrive_in_the_united_states_this_fall-news-9736.php

Teardown analysis reveals iPhone 6 production costs

Hot on the heels of last week's iFixit treatment, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus became subject of a more detailed teardown analysis. Performed by the research firm HIS, the breakdown reveals estimates about the smartphones' production costs, as well as the profit margins they deliver. Apple iPhone 6 with 16GB of built-in memory costs $200 to build in parts and labor, while a 128GB model requires $247 to put together. The iPhone 6 Plus production costs on the other hand, range between $216 for a 16GB model and $263 for the 128GB version. Apple's iPhone 6 family profit margins are estimated to be about 69% for the 16GB device models. The range-topping 128GB versions deliver slightly higher, 70% profit margins. The most expensive component in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is their display. Made by LG Display and Japan Display, the component costs $45 for the iPhone 6, and $52.50 for the iPhone 6 Plus. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covers the screen of both models. Apple's 20nm A8 processor is made by TSMC and, combined with an attached co-processor, costs about $20. Apple previously relied heavily on its rival Samsung for the production of the iPhone and iPad processors. NXP Semiconductors provides the NFC chip for the iPhone 6 range. Combined with the rest of its built-in sensors, it costs $22 for both devices. You can see a video detailing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus production costs below. The clip also contains a sped-up iPhone 6 disassembly. Your browser does not support iframes. Source ...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/teardown_analysis_reveals_iphone_6_production_costs-news-9735.php

iPhone 6 Plus appears easily prone to accidental bending

It appears that the Apple iPhone 6 Plus is prone to bending under typically benign circumstances. A number of reports around the web suggest that Cupertino's first phablet has bent its chassis while sitting in a user's front pocket. With the issue gathering increasing amount of attention throughout the day, a crafty YouTube user posted a video, which tests the rigidity of the iPhone 6 Plus. See it below. In order to be fair, the same YouTube user tested the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 under the same circumstances. See what happened below. As you can see in the video above, the iPhone 6 Plus does indeed appear to bend easily. The person in the video also observed before the test that his device already displayed slight indentation. The weak spot appears to be on its left side, right below the volume buttons. Oups, l'iPhone 6 se déforme dans la poche ! http://t.co/szFfovaHB7 pic.twitter.com/Zru9uozhMU— Florian Paulmier (@FlorianP123) September 23, 2014 According to an unofficial engineering opinion, the iPhone 6 Plus might be a victim of its elegant aluminum unibody. The device's significant footprint doesn't help its case either, as, combined with the thin body, it affects its bending strength. The 4.7" Apple iPhone 6 doesn't appear to be affected by the issue. Suggested iPhone 6 Plus remedies include dressing it in a protective case. Apple is yet to officially comment on the matter. It is needless to say that we are all waiting on a reaction from Cupertino. Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_6_plus_appears_easily_prone_to_accidental_bending-news-9734.php

HTC Desire 820 lands in India along with 820Q and 816G

The HTC Desire 820 was announced for India today. The 64-bit recently unveiled mid-ranger will be joined in the subcontinent by a new quad-core variant called the Desire 820Q, as well as by a 3G-only iteration of the Desire 816, which is going to be sold as the Desire 816G. The Desire 820 and 820Q are identical in terms of specs, save for the chipset used and the amount of RAM in each of them. As previously announced, the Desire 820 comes with dual-SIM support, a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, and an 8 MP front snapper. Running the show is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC, with a CPU featuring four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and four at 1.0 GHz. The phone has 4G LTE, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD). The Desire 820Q, on the other hand, sports a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, with a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, and just 1GB of RAM. The Desire 816G is basically the same as the Desire 816 that's been on sale for months, except for three things: it only has 3G connectivity (so no LTE), it's powered by a MediaTek chipset coming with a 1.3 GHz quad-core CPU, and it has 1GB of RAM. The original 816 boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 and 1.5GB of RAM. The HTC Desire 816G will become available in India in early October for INR 18,990 ($311, €241). The other two devices haven't been priced, but they are going to be in stores in early November. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_820_launches_in_india_along_with_new_820q_and_816g-news-9733.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 pre-orders sold out in South Korea

Mere hours ago we told you about Samsung's plan of countering the great publicity (and great sales numbers) of Apple's two new smartphones by launching the Galaxy Note 4 phablet earlier than anticipated. The handset is due to become available in the company's home of South Korea on September 26, which is this Friday. Prior to the official release, however, the three Korean carriers took pre-orders for the Note 4. And each had a set number of units available for pre-order. Already, all three carriers report having sold out their respective pre-order supplies. SK Telecom, the country's biggest carrier, managed to sell out its pre-order allotment in just 9 hours, while KT and LG Uplus did the same in three days. Pre-orders were supposed to be taken from September 18 to September 25. But since the carriers have sold out their supplies, you can't pre-order a Galaxy Note 4 from them anymore. All you can do now, if you're in South Korea and crave a Note 4, is wait until Friday and hope you'll be able to find one in stock somewhere. The Galaxy Note 4 will be the cheapest Note flagship ever sold in Korea, going for around $919...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_4_preorders_sold_out_in_south_korea-news-9732.php

Leaked images show Moto S back panel, Motorola Droid Turbo

Sure, it's launched the new Moto X and Moto G only a few weeks ago, but Motorola apparently has more devices planned for this year. And today details about two of those have been leaked. First up we have the Droid Turbo. As its name implies, this one will be a Verizon exclusive, and aims to be the successor to last year's Droid Ultra. In the image below, the Droid Turbo (on the left) shows its back next to the Droid Maxx from 2013. The Motorola Droid Turbo will supposedly come with a 5.2-inch touchscreen, front-facing speakers, and a dual-LED flash for the main camera. Interestingly, Verizon chose to put the Droid logo right beneath its own on this phone's back. Moving on, the other handset that's in the works over at Motorola's HQ is the Moto S. In the image below we can allegedly check out its back panel, which clearly shows this will be a phablet (thanks to its size when compared to the back panel of this year's Moto X, that has a 5.2" screen). As you can see, the design of the back will be very similar to that of the new Moto X. The Moto S could in fact be the device codenamed Shamu that got benchmarked a while back and has been rumored to get official as the next Nexus offering from Google. Past speculation had the Shamu coming with a 5.9-inch touchscreen, and based on this back panel's size that now seems entirely possible. Of course, there's also a chance that the Moto S and the Shamu are two different things. Or if they aren't, that this won't actually be the next Nexus. Even these images may have been faked in some way, so don't lose sight of a grain of salt for now. Source | Via 1 (in Portuguese) • Via 2 (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/leaked_pictures_show_moto_s_back_panel_motorola_droid_turbo-news-9731.php

Samsung acts on Apple threat, launches Galaxy Note 4 earlier

Apple has sold more than 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones in their opening weekend and Samsung isn't too pleased about the news. As a result, the company is moving the launch date for the Galaxy Note 4 forward. The phablet will launch in South Korea on September 26 instead of early October for all three major carriers - SK Telecom, KT and Uplus. "The positive reaction from consumers to those two Apple devices prompted us to launch the Note 4 earlier than previously scheduled. Samsung will be aggressive in promoting the Note 4 as it's true that we are being challenged and pressured amid a difficult situation," said a Samsung official working at the company's marketing division. Samsung has set a goal of shipping 15 million Galaxy Note 4 smartphones in the first 30 days after its launch. It's believed the company will have about 3.75 million Galaxy Note 4 units available on its launch weekend. In retrospect, Samsung shipped 10 million Galaxy Note 3 phablets in two months after the device launched, so it's certainly aiming at huge growth. Interestingly, this is the cheapest Galaxy Note phablet ever. The suggested retail price of a SIM-free Galaxy Note 4 in South Korea is $919 (KRW 957,000). The original Galaxy Note sold for $960, while the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 3 cost $1038 (KRW 1.08 million) and $1018 (KRW 1.06 million), respectively. Pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 4 are already underway. In the US, the phone is confirmed to launch on AT&T and T-Mobile on October 14. In Europe, the phone will carry a €699 price tag when it launches in early October. There's no information if Samsung will also launch the Galaxy Note 4 in these markets earlier than expected, though. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_calls_on_apple_launches_galaxy_note_4_earlier-news-9730.php

Apple iOS 8 reaches 46% of iDevices in less than a week

It has been less than a week since Apple unleashed iOS 8 to the masses and already it's running on 46% of all iOS devices linked to the Apple App Store. The numbers are from the official Apple developer portal. Naturally, as iOS 8 numbers are rising, the iOS 7 usage has started falling down. It's currently at 49%, but it's going to continue spiraling down in the coming days and weeks. Versions prior to iOS 7 are taking up the remaining 5%. Just five days ago, the iOS 8 adoption rate stood at 16%. AppleInsider cites a report from ad network Chitika, which has monitored iOS 7 adoption over the past year. It says that iOS 7 reached its peak at 90% for iPhones and 85% for iPad days before iOS 8 was revealed at WWDC in May. Now with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus getting their spots in stores around the world, iOS 8 will gain even more traction. Here's our in-depth preview of iOS 8, which will show you everything that's new in Apple's latest mobile OS. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ios_8_distribution_is_at_46_after_less_than_a_week-news-9729.php

Oppo N3 teased with a space-grade metal construction

The Oppo N3 is launching in October, but the company won't be missing the opportunity to do some more teasing until then. This latest iamge comes from Oppo's official Weibo account and suggests the N3 will be using some premium materials in its design. "Built for what may come," says the photo with a satellite pictured on the bottom right. Oppo has added in the description of the photo that the phone will using "aerospace grade metal" in order to strike the balance between lightweight and toughness. Such a material also allows manufacturing of slimmer panels, so we hope it will help keep the N3 profile under control. This information aligns nicely with the exclusive leak of the phone we received last week. There, we saw two Oppo N3 official photos showing the smartphone's metal clad body. There's still no word on specifications, though. We'll know more as the launch day of the Oppo N3 approaches. Mark your calendars for October 29, when Oppo will debut the N3 in Singapore. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n3_teased_with_a_spacegrade_metal_construction-news-9728.php

Apple Watch to have 512MB RAM, 4GB storage

A report out of investment research firm Cowen and Company has attempted to ascertain a more detailed look at the specifications of Apple's Watch with an examination of the device's supply chain. At this stage of production, it has been revealed the watch will sport 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. The RAM will come by way of Samsung, Micron, and Hynix, while the 4GB of onboard DRAM is expected to be supplied by a number of major NAND manufacturers. Timothy Arcuri of the Cowen Group believes that Apple could potentially ship a variant of the Apple Watch with 8GB of onboard memory, but it is likely that the 4GB model will be the standard configuration. Also reported is a wireless combination chip similar to the iPhone 5s's Broadcom BCM43342, which sports a GPS radio. This goes against Apple's announcement that the Watch will have to be tethered to an iPhone to provide GPS data, which means that it could either be a modified version that doesn't have a GPS sensor, or Apple will disable onboard GPS functionality to save on battery life. More notably, Apple Watch will be one of the first smartwatches to feature a dedicated system-on-chip. Unlike other smartwatch models which use smartphone SoC's, Apple's S1 SoC is expected to provide superior power efficiency due to its specific design. Either way, current reports indicate daily charging for the Apple Watch, but it's likely Cupertino will be doing more work in that department leading up to the early 2015 launch date. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_watch_specs_to_include_512mb_ram_4gb_storage-news-9726.php

Jolla smartphone finally arrives in India, costs $270

The Jolla smartphone is finally available for purchase in India. The phone is currently exclusively available on Snapdeal, but we expect in the coming days to see a wider release on more retailers. The first 90 buyers of the Jolla smartphone will receive a complementary Other Half back cover in Poppy Red, Keira Black and Aloe colors. The phone retails for $270 (INR 16,499) and delivers a 4.5" qHD display with Gorilla Glass 2 protection, 1.4GHz dual-core Cortex-A7 on the Snapdragon 400 chipset and 1GB of RAM. At the back, there's a 2,100mAh removable battery and an 8MP camera with LEd flash. The big story for the Jolla is its Sailfish OS, done by former Nokia engineers. We did a preview of the phone a while back and went into details of the Sailfish OS performance and cool gesture-based interface. While the phone was set to launch in August, it appears Jolla faced some issues, which delayed the arrival in the subcontinent. The phone hit Europe nearly a year ago with a price tag of €399, and although it got a few price cuts since, it's still more expensive than it is in India. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/jolla_smartphone_finally_arrives_in_india_costs_270-news-9727.php

Korean Samsung Galaxy S III receives Android 4.4.4 KitKat

Samsung has issued a software update for the Korean version of the Galaxy S III (SHV-E210S), bumping it to Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The latest version of Android comes to the device ten months after it received Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The update carries a build number E210SKSUKNI3 and is available either via OTA or KIES. In addition to bug fixes and slight boost in performance, Android 4.4.4 KitKat also brings security fixes. Samsung denied a KitKat update for the international version of the Galaxy S III, saying that its hardware can't provide a smooth enough experience under the latest Android version. News dating back from May suggest that this won't happen because of the phone's 1GB of RAM. The Korean version of the phone packs 2GB of RAM and as such has been graced by KitKat....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/korean_samsung_galaxy_s_iii_receives_android_444_kitkat-news-9725.php