Apple brings iAd to nine more European countries

Apple has updated the list of countries with iAd availability with nine new additions. The service is now available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. This brings the total number of countries to 25. iAd was Apple's advertising platform for iOS devices that promised more attractive and interactive ad experience. Unfortunately for Apple, the iAd platform hasn't quite taken off as expected and developers are reporting lower revenue compared to other service providers. Apple doesn't seem to have given up on it yet and the added countries suggests it's going to keep supporting it for a while at least. Source •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_brings_iad_to_nine_more_european_countries-news-9839.php

Microsoft files a suit against Samsung for $6.9 million

We heard rumors Microsoft and Samsung are considering ending their patent feud. Later we even saw reports of Microsoft taking Samsung to court over contract disagreement and unpaid royalties. Well, Microsoft has finally filed a suit yesterday against Samsung for $6.9 million. This is the interest of the $1 billion annual payment Samsung has delayed to pay last year. In 2011 Microsoft and Samsung inked an agreement for the Android royalties the Korean manufacturer had to pay for each Android phone it sells. The deal was agreed over a 7 year term and both parties also signed a partnership agreement for exchanging patents and Samsung had to invest into popularizing Windows-based tablets and smartphones. All went smooth, until Microsoft completed the Nokia Devices and Services acquisition. For some reason Samsung decided Microsoft has breached their contract. It still paid the royalties of $1 billion, but the payment came late. This is why Microsoft is suing the Korean manufacturer. Microsoft also says Samsung has threaten to discontinue the payments and this dispute should also be resolved by the court within the lawsuit. Still amidst all this Microsoft has issued a statement that it values its partnership with Samsung and expects it will keep it strong in the future. If you want to dig into details, you can read the unsealed lawsuit right here. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_files_a_suit_against_samsung_for_69_million-news-9838.php

Week 40 in review: Galaxy Note 4 build issues, HTC One (M8) Eye

The Week In Review is our series meant to recap all the major news of the week, which you might have missed. In Week 40 we saw first glimpses of HTC's new smartphones that are expected to debut on October 8. We also found that some early Galaxy Note 4 units had a less than stellar build quality and got to learn what a TouchWiz-spiced Android L looks like. A couple of phones went official this week - the Galaxy Grand Prime and Galaxy Ace Style LTE. Meanwhile the hotly anticipated Nexus 6 kept making the rounds in rumorland. .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; } First Samsung Galaxy Note 4 units plagued by build issues The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 went earlier on sale than originally planned in order to compete with the iPhone 6 Plus. However, it seems that Samsung's rush has resulted in some defective Galaxy Note 4 units, a report from South Korea suggests. As you can see, there's a gap between... Samsung issues statement about the Galaxy Note 4 gap issue "The reported issue does not impact the functionality or quality of the Galaxy Note 4. We assure our customers that all Galaxy Note 4 units meet our strict manufacturing and quality control standards," reads Samsung's statement sent to Trusted Reviews.So, Samsung is aware of the issue... Sony Xperia Z3X benchmarked, Snapdragon 810 in tow It looks like Sony is getting ready to launch a new phablet, to succeed the Xperia Z Ultra from last year. The device will be called Xperia Z3X and it's going to be a beast. The first details about it were actually leaked back in July, which is also when the image you can see below got created... Android L build for Samsung Galaxy S5 gets previewed By all accounts, Android L's release is coming soon, perhaps even this month (or in November). We've known for months what Google wants its next mobile OS version to look like, since the company's already presented its new Material Design. But what about the different phone makers? They've so far gotten used to... Unannounced HTC One (M8) Eye passes through TENAA The previously leaked HTC One (M8) Eye made its way through TENAA. As is the case with all such visits, the upcoming handset left behind photos and details on its specifications. The device, which passed through the TENAA certification carried the model number HTC M8Ew. The "w" moniker likely stands for its compatibility... Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime is official in India, costs $280 The Galaxy Grand Prime features a 64-bit 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and 1GB of RAM on the Snapdragon 410 chipset. Internal memory is 8GB but can be expanded with an additional 64GB microSD card. At the front, there's a 5" LCD display of qHD resolution (960x540 pixels)... Samsung Galaxy Ace Style LTE with AMOLED screen unveiled Samsung has silently outed a Galaxy Ace 4 version with an AMOLED display in Germany. The phone is called the Galaxy Ace Style LTE and features a 4.3" Super AMOLED screen with a 800x480 resolution.The phone is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM... Vertu Aster mates premium materials to high-end Android Besides the titanium and sapphire, the Aster features a hand-polished ruby key - a gem chosen both for its looks and its durability. For the back you have a choice of Calf leather (Onyx, Lagoon, Blush), Karung snake skin (Caviar, Tangerine, Raspberry) and Cognac...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/week_40_in_review_galaxy_note_4_build_issues_htc_one_m8_eye-news-9835.php

A 5.5" Asus Zenfone is reportedly in the works

According to a report in DigiTimes, Asus is working on a 5.5" Zenfone device. The upcoming smartphone is expected to debut during CES 2015. The yet to be revealed 5.5" Asus handset is all but certain to debut alongside the successors of the Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5, and Zenfone 6. The affordable trio broke cover during this year's CES. Asus is anticipated to move between 7 and 8 million Zenfone devices this year. Going forward, the Taiwanese tech manufacturer will reportedly up the production of LTE devices, and push them into key markets like the United States and China. Market pundits expect Asus to ship 16 million smartphones next year. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/a_55_asus_zenfone_is_reportedly_in_the_works-news-9837.php

Nokia Lumia 1020 has its price slashed to $339 off-contract

Nokia Lumia 1020 just received a massive discount off-contract in the United States. The smartphone is now priced at $339.99 off contract in the Microsoft Store, as well as Amazon. The handset on sale is an AT&T version with LTE on board. All three colors are currently available - white, black, and yellow. Announced in mid-2013, Nokia Lumia 1020 is still a proper photography powerhouse. Its 41MP camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar lens is still the gold standard still photography. It showed this year's crop of flagships how it's done in our six-way camera shootout back in July. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_1020_has_its_price_slashed_to_339_offcontract-news-9836.php

HTC Desire Eye with 13MP front camera tipped

The latest report coming from the rising upleaks spills the beans on an upcoming HTC codenamed Desire Eye. The smartphone is tipped to pack a 5.2" 1080p display and run on the powerful Snapdragon 801 chipset with a quad-core Krait 400 processor at 2.3GHz and 2GB of RAM. The most interesting feature is the camera department of the HTC Desire Eye - a 13MP front snapper for selfies coupled with a dual-LED flash and a 13MP rear camera. This should be quite interesting combo and a tough competitor for the upcoming Oppo N3. The rest of the tipped specs include 32GB internal storage, a 2,400 mAh battery and IPX7 certification for water resistance. The Desire Eye will run on Android OS with Sense 6 UI with Eye camera app on top of it. HTC is holding a press event on October 8 in New York, where it is may announce the rumored HTC One (M8) Eye with 13MP Duo rear camera alongside the expected to go official HTC RECamera. A new Selfie-centric camera app is expected to debut there too, and according to upleaks it will become available on HTC One, One mini, One (M8), One mini 2, One (E8) and One Max with Android L firmware updates. There is no info on the pricing and availability, nor is there on the official announcement. We are not sure if the Desire Eye will debut alongside the One Eye, but we guess we'll know soon enough. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_codenamed_desire_eye_with_13mp_front_camera_tipped-news-9834.php

HTC ends Q3 on a profit despite declining sales

HTC just posted its financial results for the Q3 of the year and the company is reporting a slight decline in sales. Despite the bad news, however, the phonemaker remains profitable as cuts in costs have offset the slowing in sales. The company's quarterly revenue is $1,38 billion (NTD 41.86 billion) of which profits were $21,1 million (NTD 0.64 billion). In comparison, the previous quarter was kinder to HTC with a revenue of $2,15 billion (NTD 65.1 billion) and profit of $75,5 million (NTD 2.3 billion). HTC saw the largest drop in sales in July by some 33% compared to the same period last year. However, in August the company saw 10% sales jump compared to the same month of 2013. Analysts blame the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for HTC's 7.9% fall in sales in September. The company hasn't specified yet how many units it managed to ship for the period. HTC launched a number of smartphones in Q3, including the high-end Butterfly 2 in Asia and the Verizon Windows Phone-driven One M8. The Desire 610 and Desire 510 broadened the company's scope in the mid-range sector. The company is hopefully looking forward to a brighter Q4 with products like the HTC One (M8) Eye and Nexus 9 tablet (Volantis) with Nvidia Tegra K1 chip. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_ends_q3_on_a_profit_despite_declining_sales-news-9833.php

Tesco Hudl 2 goes official: 8.3" 1080p display, quad-core Atom

Today Tesco officially announced its second generation Hudl tablet. The Tesco Hudl 2 packs an 8.3" 1080p display resulting in a pixel density of 265ppi. Under the hood, there's an 1.83GHz Intel Atom quad-core CPU and 2GB of RAM. The Huld 2 promises to last 8 hours on a single charge thanks to Android 4.4 KitKat and its optimizations. Internal storage is 16GB, but is expandable via the microSD card slot. Tesco has managed to pack in a 1.2MP camera at the front and a 5MP snapper at the back. There are also Dolby optimized speakers at the back. The price of the tablet is what makes it oh-so impressive. Tesco will sell the Hudl for just £129. Expect it to hit Tesco stores starting October 9. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tesco_hudl_2_is_official_with_an_83_1080p_display-news-9832.php

Unlocking the Sony Xperia Z3 bootloader degrades camera

Sony has put up a disclaimer on its website stating that unlocking the bootloader on its high-end models, namely the Xperia Z3, will lead to issues in the performance of its camera. After unlocking the bootloader of the device, taking photos in low-light conditions is going to be worse than before. Additionally, noise reduction algorithms might be removed altogether. The reason for the deterioration of the camera performance is that upon bootloader unlocking, the device loses certain DRM security keys. While this might seem unrelated to the camera, certain advanced camera algorithms in the phone are protected by DRM. The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is also on the list of affected high-end smartphones. It shares its camera module with the Xperia Z3, so this is barely a surprise. The two phones can now be rooted and flashed with a custom recovery, but this requires unlocking the bootloader first. However, you may want to think twice before doing anything as this will certainly have a negative impact on the camera of your brand new Xperia phone. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/unlocking_the_sony_xperia_z3__bootloader_degrades_its_camera-news-9831.php

Cyanogen reportedly declined acquisition bid from Google

According to a report in The Information, Cyanogen Inc. rejected acquisition interest from Google. Google's Android chief, Sundar Pichai reportedly discussed the search giant's interest in the small company in a recent meeting with its top brass. Instead of becoming part of Google, Cyanogen is in late-stage discussions for Series C round of financing. The company is seeking a valuation that is close to $1 billion, despite the fact that it is barely generating revenue. Potential Cyanogen investors have reportedly been told that the company has struck a deal with the Indian manufacturer Micromax. The latter's smartphones will be outfitted with custom Android ROMs, a la OnePlus One as part of the agreement. Cyanogen's exact plans are yet to be fully revealed. However, it looks like the future ahead of its small team looks brighter than ever. Source (subscription required) | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cyanogen_reportedly_declined_acquisition_bid_from_google-news-9830.php

Unannounced HTC One (M8) Eye passes through TENAA

The previously leaked HTC One (M8) Eye made its way through TENAA. As is the case with all such visits, the upcoming handset left behind photos and details on its specifications. HTC One (M8) Eye (click to enlarge) The device, which passed through the TENAA certification carried the model number HTC M8Ew. The "w" moniker likely stands for its compatibility with China's WCDMA networks. As you can see in the images above, the HTC One (M8) Eye will feature the same design as the version we already know. The only difference between the specs of the two is the 13MP main camera that the newcomer will bring - it is bound to be a significant improvement over the 4MP unit of the currently available M8. Physical measures of the upcoming device are 146 × 70.6 × 9.4 mm, while its weight tips the scale at 157 grams. Like its design, the waistline of the HTC M8 Eye matches that of the original. HTC One (M8) Eye is expected to debut next week, on October 8. HTC will also introduce an action camera at the event. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_m8_eye_passes_through_tenaa-news-9829.php

Samsung Galaxy Tab S slate with LTE-A tipped to launch in Korea

It appears that there is an updated Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablet on the way. An entry intro the Geekbench database revealed details about the upcoming tablet. The yet to be revealed Samsung device will carry the model number SM-T805S. It will be powered by a beefy Exynos 5433 chipset with octa-core CPU - a significant improvement over the Exynos 5 Octa 5420 we experienced in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and Galaxy Tab S 10.5. Support for LTE-A networks will also be on board. Reportedly, the updated Samsung Galaxy Tab S will launch in Korea at some point between mid-October and early November. There's no word if the device will make it outside of its home market. Source 1 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_tab_s_slate_with_ltea_tipped_to_launch_in_korea-news-9828.php

Alcatel Onetouch Fire C with Firefox OS launches in India

Alcatel launched the entry-level Onetouch Fire C smartphone in India. The Firefox OS handset will be exclusively available in the vast market through the online retailer Flipkart. The Onetouch Fire C will be priced at the highly affordable Rs. 1,990 (about $32). Alcatel's offering is already listed on Flipkart as coming soon. Overly anxious users can sign up for email updates. Alcatel Onetouch Fire C offers specs that are in line with its price tag. Key features include 1 GHz Spreadtrum 6821 CPU, 128MB of RAM, 256MB of expandable memory, 3.5" HVGA (480 x 320 pixels) display, and 1.3MP camera. Connectivity options include dual-SIM functionality, Bluetooth 2.1, and Wi-Fi...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_onetouch_fire_c_with_firefox_os_launches_in_india-news-9827.php

Xiaomi Redmi Note review: Warning note

The Redmi Note is Xiaomi's first phablet based on the solid Redmi 1S, which learnt from the Moto X and tried to repeat its success. We cannot think of a better example to follow in terms of sales potential and, with the right touches, the phablet can hope of a similarly warm reception...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note-review-1143.php

Lumia 530 out at T-Mobile on Oct.15, Cricket tomorrow

Back in July, immediately after the Nokia Lumia 530 was announced, T-Mobile confirmed that it would sell this device. And now the time has come for us to get an actual release date. The magenta carrier will have the Lumia 530 in stores on October 15. If you want one, you'll only need to pay $79.20. If you can't wait that long, you'll be able to get it from Best Buy and Microsoft Stores starting on October 5. If even that feels like too much of a wait, then you can buy a Lumia 530 tomorrow, though at Cricket - AT&T's prepaid arm. Over there the price is lower even, at $49.99, but you'll need to activate qualified wireless service when you purchase it. That said, as Cricket is a prepaid carrier you won't have to sign a two-year contract or anything like that. The Lumia 530 is Nokia's new entrant in the low-end smartphone space, which the company now owned by Microsoft clearly hopes will provide a healthy dose of sales given its low price. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cheap_lumia_530_out_at_tmobile_on_oct15_cricket_tomorrow-news-9826.php

Android L build for Samsung Galaxy S5 gets previewed

By all accounts, Android L's release is coming soon, perhaps even this month (or in November). We've known for months what Google wants its next mobile OS version to look like, since the company's already presented its new Material Design. But what about the different phone makers? They've so far gotten used to modifying the looks of stock Android quite a lot, so it's interesting to see how they'll approach this version. And now we can get a look at what Samsung's interpretation of Android L will look like, as someone got their hands on a pre-release build of the new OS for the Galaxy S5. This build is said to be very slow and buggy, so there's clearly a lot of work that Samsung still has to do (and this is the reason why it hasn't been made available for download). Android L for Samsung Galaxy S5 screenshots If you were hoping that Samsung would give up on its TouchWiz UI overlay entirely, well, you were wrong. Samsung's Android L doesn't look like Google's Android L - not entirely. There are many similarities, though, and it's nice to see Samsung finally change some design bits that have been left pretty much unaltered for years. Take for example the Settings menu. This is now white, and not blue. On the other hand, the quick settings in the notification shade look very similar to those in Samsung's KitKat release for the Galaxy S5. More screenshots showing Android L on the Galaxy S5 The good thing is that Samsung's built-in apps (such as Dialer, Memo, Clock, and so on) have been redesigned according to Material Design guidelines (though they aren't finished yet, as they have no animations at this point). The new lock screen from Google's Android L makes an appearance in Samsung's vision, but sadly the amount of notifications it can show is only two (compared to four in the stock OS). To get a better idea about what you can expect from Samsung's Android L update for the Galaxy S5, watch the video below. It's great to see Samsung already working on bringing the next version of Android to its flagship device. This should hopefully mean that there won't be a huge waiting period from when Google releases Android L to when the S5 will receive this update. In fact we have previously heard that it would roll out by early...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_l_build_for_samsung_galaxy_s5_gets_previewed-news-9825.php

Kantar: Windows Phone gains traction in Europe at iOS expense

The latest mobile operating system usage data from Kantar Worldpanel is out and the numbers show that Windows Phone is enjoying a slight rise in its market share in Europe. Year-on-year, Microsoft's mobile OS gained 0.7 percent points for the three-month period ending in August. Interestingly, a large part of Windows Phone's success comes at the expense of iOS. Apple is losing traction in Germany, Italy, France and the UK. The largest drop is in Italy, where iOS currently takes 10.6%, down from 13.8% from a year ago. Part of the good news for Microsoft is that in the UK, a key market for the company, Windows Phone has jumped the 10% mark and is at 10.3%. As for Android, it is also marking a significant increase in usage, save for Spain. There, it has declined to 88.1% down from 91.2% in the three months ending in August 2013. However, things aren't all sunshine and roses for Windows Phone, as in China the mobile OS stands at just 0.6%, a 1.9 percent points decline from the same period last year. There's also a 1.7 percent points drop in Australia. In the US, things look up with a slight 0.8 percent points increase to 4.7%. Across the board, Android is marking significant progress distancing itself from the pack. In Japan, Google;s OS has eaten a significant chunk of the iOS market share in a matter of an year. Android now stands at 70.2% market share up from 52.3% since last year, while Apple was 44.5% and now is down to 27.1%. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/kantar_windows_phone_gains_traction_in_europe_at_ios_expense-news-9824.php

Lumia 735 launches in the UK, Australia, Malaysia and Ireland

Microsoft is launching the Lumia 735 today. In the UK, this was expected and the company announced a few addition markets the phone is going to be available in and they're Australia, Malaysia and Ireland. The phone roll out to more regions in the coming weeks. Nokia Lumia 730 and 735 The Nokia Lumia 735 is among the first phones 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 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 costs €219 before taxes and subsidies. The Lumia 735 is available in dual-SIM and 3G-only variants, but their pricing is yet to be confirmed. It is available in a range of colors including bright orange, bright green, and the more neutral dark grey and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lumia_735_launches_in_the_uk_australia_malaysia_and_ireland-news-9823.php

iOS 8.1 to launch on October 20 with Apple Pay

Apple has already started seeding iOS 8.1 beta to developers, but now we get an idea when regular users will be getting to try it. The latest version of iOS will come with Apple Pay and will reportedly be ready for prime time on October 20. In addition to Apple Pay, iOS 8.1 will bring some other cool new features. Apple has listened to complaints regarding the removal of the Camera Roll section from the Photos app and with the latest iOS release, it's bringing it back. The Recently Added section provided just a 30-day history of your photos, but with Camera roll back, you'll get your full history. The iOS 8.1 release will give you the option to check out the permissions that any third-party app gets. A dedicated page in Setting will show which app gets access to what. You can toggle them on and off, too. Also from the Settings menu, you can turn off dictation in the keyboard. Visually, there's a change in the Widget list, albeit a subtle one. The icons of the widgets are now larger than before allowing for more visual impact. Lastly, there's a new iBooks icon. Source • Source (2) • Source (3) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ios_81_beta_is_live_could_launch_on_october_20_with_apple_pay-news-9822.php

Sony Xperia Z3 to launch in Canada at the end of the month

Sony is returning to the North American market in a big way - it has secured deals with multiple US carriers for its Xperia Z3 flagship and has now revealed it will make it widely available in Canada too. The waterproof Sony flagship will hit Sony stores and carriers on October 31. The following carriers will offer the Sony Xperia Z3: Bell, MTS, Rogers, SaskTel, TELUS, WIND Mobile. The handset will come in Black, White, Copper and Silver Green. Pricing is yet to be revealed, whether the Xperia Z3 Compact will follow is also unclear. In the meantime you can read our review for all details you might want. Thanks to Justin for sending this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z3_to_launch_in_canada_at_the_end_of_the_month-news-9821.php

Two million iPhone 6 reservations placed in the first 6 hours in China

Apple has officially announced the pricing and availability for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus just two days ago. The smartphone duo will kick off on October 17, while the online pre-orders start a week earlier - on October 10. Apple Retail pickups will be available as well, the official store reservations begin on October 14. Quite expectedly other official Apple partners - both retail stores and major carriers - have already begun taking reservations for the iPhone 6. The latest reports claims 2,000,000 reservations have been placed just in the first 6 hours of their opening. And this number is not the final one, because of inconclusive statistics. Keep in mind though that you don't need to leave a deposit or anything for those reservations so it's unclear how many of those will transfer to actual sales. According to the report, most of the reservations are for the 64GB versions of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus - CNY 6,088 (€780) and CNY 6,888 (€883) respectively. It's to be expected since a 16GB iPhone is rather unusable in the days of 1080p@60fps video and gigabyte-large apps. So, even with iOS problems, bending issues, even more expensive price tag, the new iPhone 6 generation may turn out the most successful one to date. We are yet to see if Chinese sales will set some new record for Apple once they kick off. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/two_million_iphone_6_reservations_placed_in_the_first_6_hours_in_china-news-9820.php

Vertu Aster mates premium materials to high-end Android

The new Moto X may have a metal frame and leather back options but it has nothing on the new Vertu Aster. The Aster is a more affordable (by Vertu standards) version of the Signature Touch. Besides the titanium and sapphire, the Aster features a hand-polished ruby key - a gem chosen both for its looks and its durability. For the back you have a choice of Calf leather (Onyx, Lagoon, Blush), Karung snake skin (Caviar, Tangerine, Raspberry) and Cognac Ostrich. The Android smartphone is hand-crafted in England from hardened titanium. It has a 4.7" 1080p screen guarded by sapphire crystal, surrounded by front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus tuning. The main camera is a 13MP Hasselblad-tuned shooter with dual-LED flash similar to the Signature Touch camera. There's also a 2.1MP front-facing camera, both back and front camera lenses are guarded by sapphire. The Vertu Aster is no slouch in smartphone terms either, it runs a modern Android 4.4 KitKat and on fast Snapdragon 801 chipset. There's 64GB of built-in storage. The new Vertu Aster has impressive connectivity too, with 19-band LTE (Cat. 4), including the Chinese flavor for global coverage. There's noise-cancellation and aptX for Bluetooth audio streaming, NFC too. There's a 2,250mAh battery and Qi wireless charging. The phone measures 143.4 x 69 x 11.2mm and weighs 193g. Prices start at $6,900/£4,200, climbing up to $9,700/£5,900 depending on your choice of back...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vertu_aster_mates_premium_materials_to_highend_android-news-9819.php

Sony denies working on stock AOSP ROMs for Xperia devices

There have been rumors of Sony working on stock AOSP ROMs for its Xperia series of phones. This naturally excited a lot of people, as it meant you could have a stock Android experience on your Xperia device and since the ROM came from the manufacturer itself, it would mostly be stable and usable for everyday use. Unfortunately, Sony has declined working on any such project as of now, although based on the feedback the company finds this idea "interesting", so there may be some hope in future. It's easy to see why some people jumped to this conclusion. After all, Sony has always been open to developers working on custom ROMs for their devices, even going as far as to provide binaries and source code to help make them create their own custom ROM. However, as the company clarified in its blog post, these binaries and source code are not enough to form a complete AOSP ROM and are intended as a base for developers to reduce their work. Hopefully, though, Sony will change its mind in future and start providing either an optional or a built-in stock or near stock version of Android for its users. Source •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_denies_working_on_stock_aosp_roms_for_xperia_devices-news-9818.php

Apple iOS 8 found to cause Bluetooth connectivity issues

It appears that Apple is yet to catch a break from iOS 8-related troubles. According to a new report, Bluetooth connectivity issues plague the Cupertino giant's mobile OS. The issue affects devices with iOS 8.0.2 as well. Users of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices have hard time pairing them with car audio systems. A wide number of car brands are reportedly affected, including the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Hyundai, Ford, and Toyota. Bluetooth issues are apparently not limited to cars only. Connectivity with wireless headphones and speakers is also affected. Apple support is said to be aware of the problem. Some users have had temporary luck in fixing it by resetting all settings of their device. However, taking this step could result in loss of iCloud Drive documents. As we know already, Apple is already hard at work on the next major update for iOS 8. Users with developer accounts who are already running iOS 8.1 report that the release takes care of the Bluetooth connectivity problems. Source ...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ios_8_found_to_cause_bluetooth_connectivity_issues-news-9817.php

European Samsung Galaxy S5 Active leaks out

It appears that the AT&T exclusivity on the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is about to come to an end. Live images of a version of the rugged smartphone for the European market made the rounds online. Visually, the EU-spec Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is practically the same as its US sibling. The only noticeable difference between the two is the lack of Galaxy S5 Active moniker and carrier branding on the newcomer. The European version of the smartphone is going to be offered in Titanium Gray and Camo Green. The model number of the device is reportedly going to be SM-G870F. In terms of specs, there will be no difference between the European version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active and the US model we reviewed. Key features include Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC, 2GB of RAM, 5.1" 1080p Super AMOLED display, and 16MP ISOCELL camera. Purportedly, Samsung Galaxy S5 Active will cost €629 when it launches in Europe. The leaked price tag falls right in line with past rumors. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/european_samsung_galaxy_s5_active_leaks_out_-news-9816.php

Samsung outs release timeline map for the Galaxy Note 4

If you're still wondering when to expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on store shelves in your particular country, this is clearly for you. The Korean company has posted an image of a map with a release timeline attached to it on its Facebook page. By quickly scanning it, you'll be able to know whether you'll see the Note 4 in your country by November 5, or if you'll have to wait some more. It is true however that in some territories (such as Europe) those dots are very much obscuring the places they're on top of, so for certain countries the Note 4's release date may still require a guessing game. And it doesn't help that some of the dots have incredibly similar colors. On the other hand, it appears that all of North America will get it on October 17. For the UK, we might be looking at October 10 as the launch date, while most of Western Europe should have it available a week later, on October 17. India could be receiving the phablet on October 10. At an event in Singapore, Samsung revealed that sales would commence over there on October 11, followed by Thailand on October 13, Myanmar on October 15, Cambodia on October 17, Vietnam on October 24, and Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines on October 25. Source 1 • Source 2 | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_outs_release_timeline_map_for_the_galaxy_note_4-news-9815.php

Motorola Nexus 6 seemingly photographed in the wild

Just a couple of days ago we got a pretty comprehensive leak about the upcoming Nexus 6, made by Motorola. Yet despite all the hardware details we received at that point, in terms of images all we had to go on was a render that was supposedly close to the real thing. Now though we might be looking at the first ever leaked photo showing the Nexus 6 in the wild somewhere. The front of the device is what this picture is all about. Of course we can't be sure that this is in fact the Nexus 6, codenamed Shamu, which has been leaking quite a bit recently. But it sure looks similar enough. You should however note that it's obviously been put in a case of some sort, so the only bit of its edges that is visible is where the case has cutouts for the power and volume buttons. The phone is running Android L, based on the design of the software-rendered navigation buttons (or this could be a custom ROM with an L theme on it). The handset does appear to have a speaker below the display too, as has previously been rumored for the Shamu. The Nexus 6 should sport a 5.9-inch QHD (2,560x1,440) touchscreen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC, and a 13 MP rear camera. It will allegedly be out in the latter part of October or in early...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_nexus_6_seemingly_photographed_in_the_wild-news-9814.php

LG Liger (F490L) with LG Odin SoC gets Bluetooth certified

Today the LG F490L has received its Bluetooth certification thanks to the Bluetooth SIG. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 as well as 4G LTE connectivity. The F490L is codenamed Liger according to past rumors, and it's going to be pretty special for the second biggest Korean smartphone maker. That's because the Liger is said to be the first LG device to come with the company's self-developed Odin chipset. This has been a very long time in the making, with leaked benchmark results of the Odin having surfaced all the way back in 2013. Based on those, the Odin is going to have an octa-core CPU, though there might be a version with just four cores too. The octa-core iteration may use four ARM Cortex-A15 cores alongside four Cortex-A7 battery-friendly ones in a big.LITTLE configuration. Reports about the GPU used have so far been pretty contradictory. It could either be ARM's Mali-T604 (for the quad-core variant), the Mali-T760 (for the octa-core CPU), or maybe even a PowerVR Series 6. Hopefully the LG Liger will get released soon as all of the details about the Odin SoC should officially surface when that happens. The first carrier to get the new phone may be South Korea's LG U+. Source 1 • Source 2 | Via (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_liger_f490l_with_lg_odin_soc_gets_bluetooth_certified-news-9813.php

Sony Xperia Z3X benchmarked, Snapdragon 810 in tow

It looks like Sony is getting ready to launch a new phablet, to succeed the Xperia Z Ultra from last year. The device will be called Xperia Z3X and it's going to be a beast. The first details about it were actually leaked back in July, which is also when the image you can see below got created. This may or may not depict the Z3X's looks, things aren't certain right now. Anyway, someone with an Xperia Z3X seemingly decided to run the AnTuTu benchmark on it, and as such most of its specs have become public. The Z3X has a 6.2-inch touchscreen with QHD (2,560x1,440) resolution, and a whopping 4GB of RAM. That amount isn't there by accident, as the phablet will be powered by Qualcomm's 64-bit Snapdragon 810 chipset with an Adreno 430 GPU. This part is expected to be in shipping products sometime during the first half of next year. It will have an octa-core CPU, with four Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53 ones. The Xperia Z3X that is currently being tested runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat. It's said to sport Sony's curved photo sensor that got unveiled around three months ago. This is rumored to be a 2/3 inch sensor with 22.1 MP resolution and f/1.2 aperture. It also has high dynamic range and a high signal to noise ratio. Of course benchmark results are not impossible to fake, so do take all of the above with a healthy pinch of salt for now. Source 1 (in Chinese) • Source 2 (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z3x_gets_benchmarked_sporting_snapdragon_810-news-9812.php

Xolo Q2100 launches with fingerprint sensor, $219 price

The Xolo Q2100 launches today in India packing a fingerprint sensor at the back, a first for the company. It also has an IR blaster complete with a preloaded Peel Smart Remote app. The dual-SIM phone is powered by a MediaTek MT6582 chipset with a 1.3GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Internal memory is 8GB and is expandable via the microSD card slot. At the back of the Xolo Q2100, there's an 8MP autofocus camera with a Sony Exmor R sensor and dual LED flash. A 5.5" HD IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 layer takes care of displaying Android 4.4 KitKat with a pixel density of 267ppi. The back cover isn't removable and protects a 2,800mAh battery. It can last up to 22 hours of 3G talk time. However, it adds a bit of bulk to the phone, which measures 152.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm. The Xolo Q2100 will sell for $219 (INR 13,499) and is available in black and white color...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xolo_q2100_launches_in_india_with_a_fingerprint_sensor_in_tow-news-9811.php

Asus updates the Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6 with Android 4.4 KitKat

Hours after Asus released Android 4.4 KitKat for the ZenFone 4, its bigger brothers, the ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 are also getting treated to an updated firmware. The update is currently live in China and Taiwan, but will also hit more countries in Asia in the coming days. You can expect new features such as call blocking, full dual stand-by for the dual-SIM variants and a Do Not Disturb mode. The Asus Extended Easy Mode will now feature contacts, call log, dialer and messaging apps adapt for better readability. The Camera will also see an improvement with an automatic image stabilization. The update is 456MB in size, so make sure you're on Wi-Fi before downloading it. Happy updating! Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_updates_the_zenfone_5_and_zenfone_6_with_android_44_kitkat-news-9810.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 UK on contract prices revealed

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was announced by the Korean company last month during the IFA trade show in Berlin. Britons have been able to book their SIM-free unit for a while now as pre-orders have opened, but now we learn more about the on-contract prices of the phablet. So far only O2 plans are available, but other carriers should offer very similar pricing. Here it goes - if you sign a contract that costs at least £38/month you can get the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 at no up-front cost. The cheapest available contract is £18/month - if you opt for that you will need to pay £380 for the device itself. Naturally there are all sorts of options in between, so you can find a match for your needs. Black, White, and Gold color options are available, and devices will ship to customers on next Friday, October 10. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 offers a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED QHD display alongside either a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 or octa-core Exynos chipset, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of expandable storage. It'll keep thickness in check at 8.5mm while including a hefty 3,220mAh battery. For more on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, check out our hands-on from our time with it at IFA last...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_4_goes_up_for_preorder_in_the_uk-news-9809.php

Moto X (2014) hits UK in limited supply, costs £395

Sales of the the Moto X (2014) are already underway in the US, but in the UK the phone is yet to appear in stores. UK retailer Unlocked Mobiles has announced that it has the phone in stock, but supply is quite limited. The SIM-free, 16GB version of the phone currently retails for £395 in Black Resin color. If for any reason, you'll want to wait a bit longer, Amazon UK is also offering the new Moto X. Expected to ship as early as October 7 the Moto X costs £420 in its Black Resin variant and £440 for the one with Black Leather on the back. The latter is expected to ship on October 15. Motorola started selling its phones directly in the UK two weeks ago, but only offers the Moto G 2. We still await the phonemaker to start offering the Moto X (2014). The company is already giving you the choice to make your own design, but actually shipping it to you is yet to happen. Source • Source (2)|...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x_2014_hits_uk_in_limited_supply_costs__pound395-news-9808.php

Lumia 830 will go on sale this week

The Lumia 830 will hit store shelves this week at a recommended retail price of €330 before taxes and subsidies. The first of two mid-rangers showed off at this year's IFA briefly held the position of thinnest phone with optical image stabilization (now lost to iPhone 6 Plus). Its 10MP PureView camera with Zeiss optics and Rich recording is still pretty impressive. The phone has a metal frame and a 5" ClearBlack screen, similar to its Lumia 930 sibling, but the screen has 720p resolution instead of 1080p. Also the chipset is a Snapdragon 400 (quad-core Cortex-A7 at 1.2GHz, Adreno 305, 1GB RAM). The handset runs Windows Phone 8 with the latest Lumia Denim software. The Lumia 830 has 16GB of built-in storage and a microSD card, plus you also get 15GB of OneDrive...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lumia_830_will_go_on_sale_this_week-news-9807.php

LG F60 is an LTE-enabled mid-range handset

LG just unveiled the LG F60 - an LTE-enabled mid-range handset. It has a zippy quad-core processor and runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat spiced up with LG's proprietary Knock code and Gesture Shot. The phone has a 4.5" IPS screen with the disappointing WVGA resolution (207ppi). Still, a Snapdragon chipset with a quad-core 1.2GHz processor and 1GB RAM should keep it smooth, especially on KitKat. Knock Code adds a quick, relatively secure lockscreen. The built-in storage comes in 4GB and 8GB options (no word yet on whether that's expandable). LG F60 The LG F60 packs a 5MP main camera and a 1.3MP front-facing camera. Gesture shot makes selfies easier - you just make a fist to set up and open your hand to start a 3-second countdown. If you're in the dark, the display will glow white to serve as a front-facing flash. Connectivity is up to date with 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS. There's a 2,100mAh battery to power the show. The F60 measures 127.5 x 67.9 x 10.6mm and will come in Black and White colors (availability may vary by market). The LG F60 is essentially an LTE-enabled version of the recent LG L Fino with a slight camera...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_f60_is_an_lteenabled_midrange_handset-news-9806.php

ASUS releases Android 4.4 KitKat update for the ZenFone 4

ASUS has announced on Twitter that the Android 4.4 KitKat update has started rolling out for the ASUS ZenFone 4. It's a bit late now to do this but better late than never. Meanwhile, those who bought the bigger and more expensive ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 are understandably miffed as their phones are still running Jelly Bean. ASUS hasn't commented on when these phones will be getting the KitKat...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_releases_android_44_kitkat_update_for_the_zenfone_4-news-9805.php

Lenovo VIBE Z2 Pro launched in India for 32,999 INR

Lenovo has launched the new Lenovo VIBE Z2 Pro in India. The phone is priced at 32,999 INR ($534). The Lenovo VIBE Z2 Pro has a 6.0-inch, 2560x1440 resolution display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage space, 16 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera, dual SIM support, 4,000mAh battery, Android 4.4 KitKat, and comes in black, gold, titanium. Considering the features, the pricing of the phone is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_vibe_z2_pro_launched_in_india_for_32999_inr-news-9804.php

Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch is back in stock

Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch is back in stock in the manufacturer's online store in both black and metal finish. Best Buy also has the two color options of device listed as available to order in the United States. #ItsTime #Moto360 is back in stock on http://t.co/5EZh0UFqjq (U.S. only). Hurry - quantities are limited: http://t.co/pNpDTAAvgI— Motorola Mobility (@Motorola) September 30, 2014 Moto 360 sold out hours after its retail launch in early September alongside the new Moto G and the 2014 Moto X. The Android Wear gadget is undoubtedly the one of the most anticipated wearable devices to launch this year. A recent firmware update to the Moto 360 brought improvements to its battery life. Motorola is yet to comment on how many units of the smartwatch it sold this far. Source 1 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_360_smartwatch_is_back_in_stock-news-9803.php

Alleged press image of HTC M8 Eye makes the rounds

The yet to be announced HTC M8 Eye appeared in an alleged press image. The previously leaked high-end handset is expected to debut next week, on October 8 alongside an action camera from HTC. As you can see in the image above, HTC M8 Eye has the same design as the HTC One (M8) we know already. However, the newcomer will swap the underwhelming 4MP UltraPixel camera of the HTC One (M8) for a proper 13MP snapper (likely the same as in the HTC Butterfly 2). The secondary sensor for depth of field measuring will also be on board. Camera aside, the specs of the HTC M8 Eye are tipped to be identical to those of the original. They include Snapdragon 801 chipset, 5" 1080p display, and Sense-d Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Overall, the HTC M8 Eye brings back memories of the HTC One X+. Launched in October 2012, the latter addressed some of shortcomings of the original One X. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_press_image_of_htc_m8_eye_makes_the_rounds-news-9802.php

Apple Watch production rumored to start in January

Apple presented its first wearable earlier this month, but the release of the Apple Watch is only going to happen next year. That said, the company was a bit vague on details when it came to this subject. In these situations, though, rumors sometimes come to the rescue. The latest one on this matter, originating in Taiwan, says we should expect mass production for the Apple Watch to start in January. That's because Apple wants to have it in stores in February, right before Valentine's Day. There's apparently going to be only one company making the Apple Watch, and that's Quanta. The Taiwanese OEM is looking to hire a lot of people for the plant that will handle the production for Apple's smartwatch, planning to reach a peak of 40,000 employees in January. Although Quanta is the exclusive manufacturer of the Apple Watch right now, it's unclear whether this exclusivity has an expiration date attached. On the other hand, some unnamed "industry analysts" believe that if sales of the Apple Watch will go well, there will be a second OEM added at some point next year. Interestingly, Quanta's deal with Apple might have terms prohibiting it from making smartwatches for any other company but Apple. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_watch_production_to_start_in_january_for_february_release-news-9801.php

Apple iPhone 6 Plus review: New rules

Apple caved to market pressure and created a phablet. This may sound as blasphemy but it's not the first time Cupertino is seen reacting to rivals getting too confident, too aggressive - too close for comfort. The first iPad mini had to respond back in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6_plus-review-1142.php

Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime is official in India, costs $280

Samsung just made the Galaxy Grand Prime official in India with its pricing and availability also revealed. The phone will launch by the end of the week with a suggested retail price of $280 (INR 16000). The Galaxy Grand Prime features a 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU and 1GB of RAM on the Snapdragon 400 chipset. Internal memory is 8GB but can be expanded with an additional 64GB microSD card. At the front, there's a 5" LCD display of qHD resolution (960x540 pixels). The dual-SIM smartphone (dual standby, too) runs Android 4.4 KitKat and comes with a 5MP selfie camera. At the back, there's a more capable 8MP shooter with LED flash and 1080p video recording. The phone measures 144.8 x 72.1 x 8.6mm and weighs 156 grams. Its 2,600mAh battery is user replaceable, but there are no estimates on talk and standby times provided. As for the color variants, the phone will be offered in white and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_grand_prime_gets_a_price_in_india_costs_248-news-9800.php

Samsung issues statement about the Galaxy Note 4 gap issue

Some early Samsung Galaxy Note 4 adopters reported an imperfect construction on their flagship phablets - a business card fits in the gap between the screen and the metal frame. Now Samsung has come out with an official statement on the matter but it's mostly PR talk. "The reported issue does not impact the functionality or quality of the Galaxy Note 4. We assure our customers that all Galaxy Note 4 units meet our strict manufacturing and quality control standards," reads Samsung's statement sent to Trusted Reviews. So, Samsung is aware of the issue but doesn't consider it a deviation of its "strict" standards. Not all Galaxy Note 4 units are affected by the issue and the company didn't say if it will correct the problem in future units. Pre-orders for Samsung's new flagship phablet are already underway in the States and European markets like the UK and Germany. The Galaxy Note 4 launched earlier than planned in its home country of South...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_issues_statement_about_the_galaxy_note_4_gap_issue-news-9799.php

CompareMyMobile: iPhone 5 most often traded to get a new iPhone

CompareMyMobile is a site where users can trade in their old devices to help fund the purchase of a new one. Now that the new iPhones are out, they find themselves on the wishlists of most people - 51.5% of those who traded in a phone, to be precise. Of them, the overwhelming majority had an older iPhone - just over 88% - and few traded in an Android (7.3% had a Samsung, 3.2% had an HTC). For comparison a third of the people who went for a Galaxy S5 sold an iPhone. Apple was hoping to draw in Android users with the new iPhone 6 Plus, but that doesn't seem to be working. It's not just that there were few Android trade-ins, 86% said they'll buy an iPhone 6 while only 14% said they're going for the 5.5" iPhone 6 Plus. The two year old iPhone 5 accounted for the majority of old devices (56%), the 16GB version became the most traded-in device on the site, taking over from the Galaxy S III from a few years ago. Surprisingly last year's iPhone 5s came in second with just over 20%. Last year's Galaxy flagship, the Galaxy S4, was one of the rarer devices at 1.6% trade-ins, less than even the new HTC One (M8),...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/comparemymobile_most_old_devices_traded_to_get_a_new_iphone-news-9798.php

Ireland accused of granting tax aids to Apple

Ireland may be in trouble after granting Apple tax breaks and giving it unfair advantage by marking its affairs as "state aid." A preliminary report by the European Commission accuses the country of granting Apple state aid and thus allowing for "selective advantage." The report cites two rulings in 1991 and 2007 and outlines how Apple Ireland's net profits would be calculated. In the two cases, the Commission requires Ireland to answer for its decisions to lower the tax amount that Apple had to pay. Regarding marking Apple's operations as "state aid," the report goes on to say: The aid in question does not appear to be intended to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest nor to remedy to a serious disturbance in the economy of Ireland, nor is it intended to promote culture or heritage conservation. In a matter of few weeks the Commission will publish the report in question in its Official Journal and then third parties will have one month to submit comments. They'll be taken into consideration as part of the investigation. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ireland_accused_of_granting_tax_aids_to_apple-news-9797.php

Project Ara smartphones will allow module hot-swapping

The recent silence surrounding Google's modular smartphone Project Ara has been broken at the Linaro Connect US 2014 conference. There, Project Ara team leader Paul Eremenko announced that users will be able to swap parts of the modular phone when it's powered on. For example, if the memory of the phone is full, you'll be able to swap with another memory module and go on with your day. Swapping the battery is also possible without turning the phone off thanks to a power reserve. The only two parts that will not be hot-swappable are the phone's processor and display. Google is targeting a $50 entry price tag for the Project Ara smartphone. Pricing of the various modular blocks isn't known yet. Expect the first Project Ara modular smartphone to get its official announcement in January 2015. It will run a modified version of Android L, which will be also interesting to check...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/project_ara_smartphones_will_allow_for_hotswapping_modules-news-9796.php

NTT DoCoMo outs the Galaxy S5 Active, Note Edge and Tab S 8.4

Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo is having a Samsung field day today with a triple announcement. The carrier is launching today the Galaxy S5 Active, Galaxy Note Edge and the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. The carrier will start selling the Galaxy Note in black from the end of October. NTT DoCoMo is currently taking pre-orders for the device, which will also available in frost white from the middle of November. The Galaxy Note Edge will come with Xi LTE and VoLTE support as well as FeliCa, NFC and Wi-Fi 802.11ac. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Active will hit Japan in Camo green and Titanium gray from October 4. The IP67 and MIL-STD-810G certified smartphone packs a 5.1" 1080p Super AMOLED display and a 2,800 mAh battery. Finally, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 will be the last to hit NTT DoCoMo shelves in December. The tablet is lightweight at 298 grams and packs an 8.4" 2560x1600 pixel Super AMOLED display. Specific pricing for SIM-free versions of the devices hasn't been specified by NTT DoCoMo yet. Source • Source (2) • Source (3) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ntt_docomo_outs_the_galaxy_s5_active_note_edge_and_tab_s_84-news-9795.php

Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus kicks off in China on October 17

The Chinese regulator approved the iPhone 6 for sale in the country just a few hours ago and Apple has rushed to announce the new generation iPhones' pricing and availability. Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will become officially available on October 17 in the Apple online and retail stores. The online pre-orders will kick off on Friday, October 10, while in-store pickup will be available from Tuesday, October 14. The two models will be available in all three color flavors and all three storage options. Here is the official pricing: Apple iPhone 6: 16GB - CNY 5,288 (€678) 64GB - CNY 6,088 (€780) 128GB - CNY 6,888 (€883) Apple iPhone 6 Plus: 16GB - CNY 6,088 (€780) 64GB - CNY 6,888 (€883) 128GB - CNY 7,788 (€999) The iPhone 6 duo was initially available in the United States, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. As of September 25 it also launched 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. Even more countries will be joining those until the end of the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6_and_iphone_6_plus_kicks_off_in_china_on_october_17-news-9794.php

Chinese regulator approves iPhone 6 for sale in the country

Apple can now officially sell iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in China. The Cupertino giant received a license that allows the duo of smartphones to be used on the country's networks. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology delivered the news about the approval. It tested the security credentials of the iPhone 6 before clearing it to hit the shelves. Apple is expected to begin selling the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in China on October 10. The large market is considered vital for Cupertino's financial performance. Entering it will likely propel Apple to a record-shattering financial performance during the quarter that includes the holiday shopping season. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/chinese_regulator_approves_iphone_6_for_sale_in_the_country-news-9793.php

More purported details on Nexus 6 by Motorola emerge

More alleged details on the upcoming Nexus 6 made the rounds on the web. The high-end device from Motorola is expected to debut at some point in the second half of October. The new report reveals new details on the homescreen layout of the device. As seen in the render above, the Nexus 6 will come with revamped icons, as well as a brand new folder for Google Drive and its suite of editing apps. It will join the Google and Play folders. The latest leak confirms the device's previously leaked specs. They include Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC, 5.9" QHD display with 496ppi, 13MP camera, and front-facing stereo speakers. Nexus 6 will feature similar design as the new Moto X, but in a larger form factor. The upcoming handset is also said to be capable with the Motorola turbo charger....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/more_purported_details_on_nexus_6_by_motorola_emerge-news-9792.php