LG G3 Android 5.0 Lollipop ROM gets leaked

We have seen screenshots of an Android 5.0 Lollipop update running on the LG G3 before. Now, an xda user has uploaded a working ROM that you can install on your phone and try it out for yourself. The user notes that the ROM is an early build and not very stable. Also, it is only intended for the F400S variant of the G3. If you have a F400S G3, one that you don't mind bricking or potentially making it unusable, then you can try installing the update from the source link below. If you don't want to do that, you can just watch the video below. Source •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g3_android_50_lollipop_rom_gets_leaked-news-10166.php

Microsoft Lumia 535 photos and specs leak

The Lumia 5xx series have been by far the best selling Windows Phone handsets over the past few years so the mobile world's excitement when rumors of a new member come up is easy to understand. And this is a pretty big one - the Lumia 535 showed its face in live photos and got its specs detailed in the process. The images originate from China and seem to show a dummy device rather than an actual Lumia 535 unit, but still gives us a good idea of how it will look. It also confirms the dual SIM support of the handset but it appears that 3G is only available on one of the slots and there's no LTE at all. Microsoft Lumia 535 Either way, the Lumia 535 is expected to be the first smartphone of its family to carry the Microsoft branding after the company officially got rid of the Nokia logos. It's rumored to be unveiled on Tuesday, November 11 with a 5" qHD screen (540 x 960 pixels) and a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU on a Snapdragon 200 chipset. Internal storage is rumored to be 8GB, while RAM is set at 1GB. The Lumia 535 will come with a 5 MP primary shooter and an ancient VGA selfie snapper. The whole thing will be powered by a 1,900 mAh battery and will be available in black, white, gray, blue, orange, blue and green colors. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_535_photos_and_specs_leak_-news-10165.php

Motorola Moto X (2014) 5.0 Lollipop update now seeding to testers

Over the past two years or so Motorola turned regular firmware updates into one its top priorities and has been making sure that all its current smartphones run the latest available version of Android. And by the looks of it, things won't change with the release of 5.0 Lollipop. Not only has Motorola committed to updating its lineup, but it appears that it will be the first company to do so. In fact the Moto X (2014) that have signed up to participate in the company's soak testing are already receiving a beta 5.0 Lollipop build as an update. That's not quite the finalized ROM that will be distributed, but barring any major bugs that might pop up during the testing, that one shouldn't be too far away. We don't have an exact changelog for the update, just yet but Material Design UI has been confirmed as well as the battery life boost by Project Volta. We don't know if Motorola will be adding any touches of its own to the release, but the company usually likes to stick close to the vanilla user experience. Hopefully, the final release won't take too long to come and put the last pieces of the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_x_2014_50_lollipop_update_now_seeding_to_testers-news-10163.php

'Football Leather' Moto X (2014) now out at Verizon

Today, Verizon has officially unveiled a new color version for the Moto X (2014). It's got a fancy name, too: "Football Leather". It's a reddish hue, meant to make you think about (American) football when you look at it, since it's so close to the color of an actual football. The new version of the Moto X is exclusive to Verizon, so if you'd like to get it for use on another carrier you're out of luck. If you don't have anything against Verizon, on the other hand, you can buy the Football Leather Moto X for $119.99 (after a $50 mail-in rebate), if you sign a new two-year contract with the carrier. That's $20 more expensive than what the black model currently goes for, so it looks like you'll need to pay extra for that football look. Internally, though, there's absolutely no difference between these handsets. So inside the Moto X with Football Leather you'll still find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, a 2.5 GHz quad-core CPU, an Adreno 330 GPU, as well as 2GB of RAM. It has a 5.2-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, a 2 MP front camera, and a 2,300 mAh battery. It runs Android 4.4...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x_2014_with_football_leather_now_available_at_verizon-news-10162.php

Meizu MX4 review: Alternadroid

While Xiaomi's busy conquering the world with hardly leaving China, and the likes of Oppo and Huawei think globally, as they act locally, Meizu is somewhere in between. Some three years now and several generations of supercharged...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_mx4-review-1162.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 likely to feature a 6-inch AMOLED

Samsung has been teasing its development of a 4K AMOLED display for a long time now, but now a new piece of information suggests the first phone to brag with it is the Galaxy Note 5. According to a tip sent to PhoneArena, Samsung 4K AMOLED screen is 6" in diagonal and packs a pixel density of 743ppi. Take this information with a pinch of salt, of course, but it's very likely for Samsung to be considering this. The Galaxy Note family of smartphones grow ever so larger in terms of display, so a 6" would be a logical evolutionary step for the Galaxy Note 5. Moreover, a recent set of rumors suggest the Galaxy S5 will be powered by an Exynos 7420 chipset, which would have four Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53. We wouldn't be surprised to see this configuration in the Galaxy Note 5 as well. Traditionally, Samsung launches a new Galaxy Note smartphone in the fall at IFA consumer show in Berlin, Germany. There's a lot of time until September 2015 and the Galaxy S6 is the first of Samsung's flagships to be...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_5_likely_to_feature_a_6_4k_amoled_screen-news-10161.php

New Moto smartphone with Snapdragon 410 now in testing

Motorola is testing a new mid-range device using the Geekbench testing suite. The phone, which we assume is either the new Moto E or Moto G, features the Snapdragon MSM8916, more popular as the Snapdragon 410. It features a 64-bit quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU capable of running at up to 1.4 GHz. In the case of the unannounced Motorola phone, the Cortex-A53 runs at 1.19GHz and is backed by 1GB of RAM (reported as 884MB). The benchmark listing also confirms the phone is tested with Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Hopefully, when it launches, it will get the now latest Android 5.0 Lollipop. Sadly, that's all the information there is at this point. Motorola hasn't even given a codename for the phone. We'll have to wait a bit longer to learn about the phone's display, camera and other features. Since Motorola very recently unveiled the new Moto G, we guess the Moto E will be next to enjoy a refresh. And a Snapdragon 410 as its heart sounds very exciting. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_moto_e_or_moto_g_is_being_tested_with_snapdragon_410_soc-news-10160.php

Meizu working on Android 5.0 Lollipop update for its phones

Meizu has already received the required files and is now working on updating its smartphone lineup to Android 5.0 Lollipop. The confirmation comes from Meizu's Flyme UI chief developer, who posted a screenshot of a command line interface showing Android 5.0.0 R2 being compiled. Presumably, the Meizu's software development team is working on implementing the latest version of Android on the Meizu MX4. Sadly, however, details are scarce and there's no additional information if the company's upcoming smartphones running Alibaba's YunOS will be updated to use Android 5.0 Lollipop as a base. While Flyme OS heavily modifies the Material Design user experience debuting on Android 5.0 Lollipop, it will take advantage of the underlying functionality such as Project Volta. Better facial recognition, improved camera API as well as more smooth experience are another benefits of Lollipop. The newest smartphone from the company is expected to be the Meizu MX4 Pro. Its launch is scheduled for November 19 in Beijing, but it's unlikely that Meizu will be ready with the Lollipop development by then so it will likely launch on KitKat and then wait for an update. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_working_on_android_50_lollipop_update_for_its_phones-news-10158.php

Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop build gets shown off on video

We have seen an internal build of the Android 5.0 Lollipop running on the Samsung Galaxy S5, courtesy SamMobile. Now they have managed to get their hands on an internal Lollipop build for the older Galaxy S4, and have a video for us to see below. In terms of design, the Lollipop build of the Galaxy S4 is pretty much identical to that on the S5. You have the new notifications that appear on the lockscreen and everywhere else in the UI. The stock apps have been updated with new Material Design UI elements. The multitasking menu also has the new card-style layout. In terms of performance, the build was said to be much faster than KitKat and better at managing memory. SamMobile haven't released the build because it's not exactly stable but you can watch check it out in the video...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_lollipop_build_gets_shown_off_on_video-news-10159.php

Microsoft to unveil new Lumia handset on November 11

Microsoft has just given us the date when we'll see its first smartphone after the drop of the Nokia brand. Using the hashtag #MoreLumia, the company's teaser confirms a new smartphone is on the way and it will break cover on November 11. The teaser itself doesn't give us too much information - we only see a corner of the smartphone which also holds the front-facing camera. Whether or not that is going to be one of the key selling points of the device remains to be seen - images like this one are often used in promo materials so it might just be a coincidence. The bit that Microsoft gave us aligns nicely with the Lumia RM-1090, which visited the Chinese TENAA certificate authority four days ago. The entry-level offering comes with a 5" qHD screen and offers dual SIM slots. There's no LTE support, but judging from Microsoft's recent phones there could be a single SIM 4G version too. Lumia RM-1090 We'll know for sure come Tuesday as Microsoft unveils its first non-Nokia...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_schedules_its_first_postnokia_lumia_announcement_for_november_11-news-10157.php

Nexus 6 now available on the Play Store in 12 additional countries

If you have been living outside the US and have been itching to buy the new Nexus 6, Google has some good news for you. The Nexus 6 has gone live on 12 additional countries around the world, although it's not yet available for purchase. The list of additional countries includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. As mentioned before, it's only listed in these countries and you can see the price but can't purchase it yet. Although the phone should go on sale shortly some time later this month, in very limited stocks, as...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nexus_6_now_available_on_the_play_store_in_12_additional_countries-news-10156.php

Samsung tipped to have a new series of smartphones on the way

According to a report in SamMobile, Samsung will soon launch a brand new smartphone series. The new lineup will allegedly feature single letter naming convention like the one seen in the newly launched Samsung Galaxy A3 and Galaxy A5. Launching a new series with single letter name will help the Korean giant streamline its vast product lineup. Duo to its sheer size, the latter requires the manufacturer to utilize long and rather difficult to track names for its devices. There are no details on the specs or the price range of the upcoming product family just yet. Hopefully, we won't have to wait long to find out. Earlier this week, alleged details on the next generation Samsung Galaxy S flagship. Codenamed Project Zero, the device will be feature complete redesign - it will not be an evolutionary step from the Samsung Galaxy S5. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_tipped_to_have_a_new_series_of_smartphones_on_the_way-news-10155.php

LG G watch R arrives in the Google Play store in the US

LG G Watch R is now available in the Google Play store in the United States. The wearable device is listed in stock and will will leave the warehouse in 1-2 business days after a user orders it. With a price tag of $299.99, LG G Watch R is the most expensive Android Wear smartwatch available at the moment. The circular P-OLED display-toting device carries a $50 premium over the Moto 360 and the Sony SmartWatch 3 (both are priced at $249.99). Last month LG announced its rollout plans for the G Watch R, so it is hardly a surprise to see the device on the shelves of the Google Play Store. A week ago, AT&T also confirmed that it will offer the smartwatch in the United States. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g_watch_r_arrives_in_the_google_play_store_in_the_us-news-10154.php

Vivo's Xplay 3S successor has its specs leaked

The recently outed X5 Max (with its insane 4.75 mm thickness) apparently isn't the only smartphone that Vivo is currently hard at work developing. A new leak from China details another device coming soon, and this is an even bigger phablet. Given its screen size and the specs at work, we assume this will be the official sequel to the Xplay 3S which was announced last December. The new handset is currently known just as the Vivo PD1305. It is said to sport a 6-inch QHD IPS touchscreen, a screen-to-body ratio of 79.95%, a 13 MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and dual-tone LED flash, as well as an 8 MP wide-angle lens front camera. At the helm will be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset, coming with a 2.7 GHz quad-core CPU and Adreno 420 GPU, aided by 3GB of RAM. 32GB of storage will be built-in, but will be further expandable via microSD. 4G support comes standard, as does a 3,500 mAh battery. The new Vivo will run Android 4.4.4 KitKat with the Chinese company's own Funtouch 2.0 overlay on top. While it's not going to be as thin as the aforementioned X5 Max, this new phablet will also be very slim compared to its competition - just 5.68 mm. The other dimensions are 158.2 x 81.23, and they too showcase a very compact phone given the display size. It will weigh 162g. Compared to its predecessor, it comes with a newer SoC, a higher-res front camera, a beefier battery, and more compact design. It's going to be 10g lighter too. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vivos_xplay_3s_successor_has_its_specs_leaked-news-10153.php

Sony rolls out Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet update

Sony has pushed a software update based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet. Dubbed User Experience upgrade, the new firmware brings PlayStation 4 Remote Play, hi-Res audio support and new Smart Social Camera apps (Sound Photo, AR fun, Multi camera and Face in). Initially, PS4 Remote Play was available for the Xperia Z3 series but now users of the older generation flagship can enjoy it too. The Hi-Res audio feature will work with PCM and DSD files. The Walkman app will also enhance the sound of MP3 and AAC files as Sony promises it will restore the experience, which is usually lost from compressing these formats. The update will also bring the latest version of the Battery STAMINA mode and will introduce the new Ultra STAMINA regime, which promises to get even better power autonomy out of your Xperia Z2. You can expect the phone to last more than a week in standby when used in this mode. Qucik settings will allow you to personalize them faster, while the Record Screen option will let you record a video of what you're doing on-screen. Expect the update to hit your Xperia Z2 phone and Xperia Z2 Tablet starting from...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_rolls_out_xperia_z2_and_xperia_z2_tablet_update-news-10152.php

Lenovo's latest quarter result show record profit

Lenovo outed its financial report for the quarter ending in September 2014 and the news is great for the Chinese manufacturer. Out of $10.5 billion in revenue, the company made $262 million in profit. As of September 30, the company has $3.2 billion in net cash reserves. Compared to last year, the company saw 7% increase in quarterly revenue with the pre-tax income also increased by 24%. Lenovo also boasts record high shipment of a total of 35.6 million smartphones, PCs and tablets. Lenovo's chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang commented that the company enjoys excellent market share gains and profit expansion. In the last month alone, Lenovo managed to close the deals on its Motorola Mobility and IBM x86 acquisitions. In smartphone sales, the company saw a 38% rise in shipments on a year-over-year basis. This alone made it reach the fourth spot below Huawei, but Motorola's acquisition bumps it to third. "With these two deals, we are now #3 in both businesses, but we are not satisfied. We will replicate our success in PCs by outgrowing the market to challenge the top two. Mobile and Enterprise are now our new growth engines, and over time, like PCs, they will become our profit pool as well,", he added. Throughout the globe, Lenovo is doing extremely well with revenue from China and EMEA regions of $3.8 billion and $3 billion, respectively. The laptop sales were the largest contributor to the company's bottom line with $5.5 in revenue globally. Mobile devices account for 13% of the company's total revenue, but they were down by 6% compared to the same period last year. However, Lenovo seems optimistic as it's now present in more than 45 markets. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovos_latest_quarter_result_show_record_profit-news-10151.php

500 thousand OnePlus Ones sold, 1 million by the end of the year

Despite issues with the pre-orders, OnePlus has managed to sell 500,000 of its OnePlus One smartphones. The number was revealed by co-founder Carl Pei, who said the company is targeting a million sales by the end of 2014. OnePlus isn't making much money on those sales - "We're making a single-figure dollar amount on each phone," says Pei. The company plays it smart, however, and has created a well-known brand with an advertising budget of $300, spend on trying out different Facebook ads, but now the brand is spreading by word of mouth. With such razor-thin margins OnePlus isn't hoping to make a living on the hardware. Instead, it's counting on accessories - "lifestyle products or specialized accessories" will be the big earners at first, claims the co-founder. And when OnePlus gets a multi-million user base it will build out software and services to add to the revenue stream. Of course, making plans and having them succeed are two very different plans as OnePlus found out with the first accessory it tried to put out - the Bamboo StyleSwap was cancelled, but leaks suggest the company isn't giving up on exchangeable back covers. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/500_thousand_oneplus_ones_sold_1_million_by_the_end_of_the_year-news-10150.php

Screenshots of Android 5.0 Lollipop for LG G3 hit the web

LG is already busy working on the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for its Nexus devices, but it's also taking care of its current flagship, the LG G3. A working version of the new software fell in the hands of eager bloggers who posted several screenshots. LG G3 with Lollipop (leaked build) Unlike the Nexus brand, the LG G3 features a customized Optimus interface and that won't change with Lollipop. From the three screenshots available it looks like there will be cosmetic changes to the notification area and those are definitely the new style notifications. LG G3 with KitKat In action the UI is reportedly smoother and features the new shadows and animations characteristic of the new design language for Lollipop, Material design. However, the overall look remains closer to Optimus than pure Android 5.0. The same is true for Samsung's early build of TouchWiz as it appeared on the Galaxy S5. Source (in Polish) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/screenshots_of_android_50_lollipop_for_lg_g3_hit_the_web-news-10149.php

Oppo U3 with 64-bit CPU hits benchmark website

Oppo is running its upcoming U3 smartphone under benchmark testing and thanks to the GFXBench website we can get a glimpse of the phone's specifications. The Oppo U3 is the company's first to utilize a 64-bit CPU. More specifically, the U3 is featuring a MediaTek MT6752 chipset with an octa-core 1.7GHz 64-bit CPU and 2GB of RAM. The GPU is an ARM Mali-T760. At the back, the Oppo U3 features a 12MP camera capapble of shooting 4K video. Selfies are done with a 4.7MP camera with 1080p video recording. The tester sports just 1.1GB of internal storage, but we suspect when it comes out, Oppo will give it at least 16GB. There's no sign if the phone will have expandable storage. With the Oppo U3 undergoing testing, we could see it launch in coming month or two. The company very recently unveiled the Oppo N3 cameraphone and Oppo R5 with just 4.85mm waistline. We're eager to see what the U3 will look like and so far it looks promising. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_u3_with_64bit_cpu_hits_benchmark_website-news-10148.php

Lenovo launches the VIBE X2 for Rs. 19,999 ($325) in India

Lenovo has launched the VIBE X2 in India. The phone is priced at Rs. 19,999 ($325). The Lenovo VIBE X2 has a 5.0-inch, 1920x1080 IPS display, octal-core MediaTek MT6596M with four Cortex-A17 cores clocked at 2.0GHz and four Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.7GHz, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage space, 13 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera, 4G LTE, dual SIM support (micro+nano), 2,300mAh battery and Android 4.4 KitKat. The VIBE X2 has a unique layered design. You can tack on additional layers, such as the JBL speaker layer or the battery pack layer, which will be sold...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_launches_the_vibe_x2_for_rs_19999_in_india-news-10147.php

Gionee Marathon M3 is official with a massive 5,000mAh battery

Gionee has unveiled the Marathon M3 smartphone, which is currently available for purchase in Inda. One of the key features of the Gionee Marathon M3 is its battery, a 5,000mAh monster, which the company estimates can last up to 32 hours of 3G talk time and 33 days of stand-by. The Marathon M3 runs on Android 4.4 KitKat and is built around a 5" IPS LCD of 720p resolution. Naturally, a battery this big comes at a cost. The phone measures 144.5 x 71.4 x 10.4mm and weighs 180 grams without a battery. The company hasn't specified how much weight the battery adds to the equitation, but we guess it easily pushes it beyond the 200g mark. The phone features a MediaTek MT6582 SoC with a 1.3 GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Internal storage is 8GB and is expandable up to 128GB via the microSD card slot. At the back, there's an 8MP snapper, which offers 720p video recording, while a 2MP camera takes care of selfies at the front. In terms of connectivity, the Gionee Marathon M3 accepts two SIM cards and features FM Radio, GPS and Wi-Fi 802.11n. The device is now available in India for $210 (INR 12,999) in black and white versions. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_marathon_m3_is_official_with_a_massive_5000mah_battery-news-10146.php

Nexus Android 5.0 rollout seemingly delayed due to bugs

Although Google never revealed the exact date for the Android 5.0 rollout for the Nexus devices, unofficial sources had claimed that it should commence on November 3. In case you haven't noticed, it's November 6 today. So what happened to the update? As it turns out, Google found some major bugs in the developer preview of the Android 5.0 build, particularly one related to Wi-Fi, which drains the battery. Although Google has seemingly fixed the bug now, the unofficial release date has been pushed back to November 12, after which you'll start seeing the rollout on Nexus devices, starting with Nexus...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nexus_android_50_rollout_seemingly_delayed_due_to_bugs-news-10145.php

New malware affects Apple iOS devices in China

Large number of Apple iOS devices in China have been affected by a new malware. Named WireLurker, it affects mobile devices through repackaged applications for Mac OS X. The bug has affected hundreds of thousands of users who have downloaded software from a local OS X marketplace called Maiyadi App Store. The latter has been found to contain over 450 OS X apps affected by WireLurker, which have been downloaded over 350,000 times. WireLurker targets Apple iOS devices when connected to the USB port of an affected OS X machine. The malware reportedly infects installed iOS apps similarly to a traditional virus. It is the first to install third-party apps to iOS devices that are not jailbroken. Once installed on an iOS device, the malware is capable of stealing various information from it. The bug regularly requests updates from attackers and is under active development. Its ultimate goal is yet to be determined. The researchers who discovered the malware recommend that users don't install Mac software from third-party stores. Setting their Mac app restrictions to prevent installation of unknown third-party software is also essential. Users should also avoid connecting their iOS devices with untrusted accessories or computers. Jailbreaking iOS devices should also be avoided. Enterprise entities should route their mobile device traffic using a mobile security application. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_malware_affects_apple_ios_devices_in_china-news-10144.php

Unlocked Sony Xperia Z3 officially arrives in the US

Sony Xperia Z3 is now available to purchase unlocked directly from Sony in the United States. Previously, the Japanese tech giant's flagship was available only through on T-Mobile in the country. The factory unlocked version of Sony Xperia Z3 with AT&T and T-Mobile-friendly LTE bands is priced at $679.99. All four colors are available, while shipments are set to kick off this coming Monday, on November 10. Sony Xperia Z3 joins the likes of Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia M2, and Xperia T3 on the shelves of the company's online store in the US. The company recently launched Sony Xperia Z3v for Verizon Wireless as well. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/unlocked_sony_xperia_z3_officially_arrives_in_the_us-news-10143.php

Oppo U3 surfaces in benchmark, has specs revealed

Oppo recently unveiled both the N3 and the R5, but it definitely looks like the Chinese company has another device to out before the end of this year (or soon, anyway). The yet unheard of Oppo U3 got itself benchmarked using GFXBench, and as usual that means we can take a look at some of its most important specs. The phone will apparently come with a 4.6-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 12 MP rear camera with 4K (UHD) video recording support, a 5 MP front snapper with 1080p video capture, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. It runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat. It will be powered by a MediaTek MT6752 SoC with a 1.7 GHz octa-core CPU, and an ARM Mali-T760 GPU, aided by 2GB of RAM. The odd thing is that the benchmark reports 1.1GB as the built-in storage space, which is incredibly low given the handset's other specs. GFXBench usually lists available space, and not the total storage, but this would mean the Oppo U3 could come with just 4GB. Hopefully this was a mistake, or maybe we're dealing with a very early prototype of the smartphone and the company didn't feel the need to fit it with more memory. This is all we have on the U3 for now, but do expect more details to come in the future - once the leaks start, there's usually no stopping them. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_u3_surfaces_in_benchmark_has_specs_revealed-news-10142.php

iPhone 6 Plus vs. Galaxy Note 4: The Big Bang

Apple did the unthinkable while predictable Samsung delivers again. Right or wrong, this is a fight of old versus new, the Galaxy Note is in its fourth generation while the iPhone 6 Plus is Apple's first phablet ever. Samsung's release cadence...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_6_plus_vs_galaxy_note_4-review-1161.php

Stainless steel Apple Watch to cost $500, gold model $4,000

The stainless steel version of the Apple Watch is going to start at $500, a new rumor claims. While that may be expensive for a smartwatch, it's going to be a lot less than what you'll need to pay for the gold variation - between $4,000 and $5,000. $5,000 is also what one analyst believed the most premium variant would go for. The new details come from a source that has been reliable in the past, accurately reporting the dimensions of both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus before they got official. Apple has previously announced that its wearable will start at $349, and it looks like that will be the price of the aluminum model. As you can see, the stainless steel one will command a premium over that base level pricing, while the gold option will be priced accordingly considering the material used. Apparently Apple is still trying to do all it can in order to release the watch by Valentine's Day 2015. Manufacturers and resellers are preparing for it to land in mid-February. We've recently heard from Apple Retail SVP Angela Ahrendts that the Apple Watch will be out in "Spring 2015", so that's clearly the backup plan here, in case the February time frame isn't met. Source (in French) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/stainless_steel_apple_watch_to_cost_500_gold_model_4000-news-10141.php

Nokia Lumia 735 spotted at the FCC on its way to Verizon

The Nokia Lumia 735 has been through the FCC's process, it's been revealed today. The device got certified recently and it's got Verizon's cellular frequencies on board, as well as support for Big Red's LTE. So it's pretty clear that this variation will be headed to Verizon at some point in the future. Just when exactly that will happen is anyone's guess, though. Normally, you might expect Microsoft and Verizon to push it through quickly so it doesn't lose out on the all-important holiday shopping season, but a report from last month said we'd only see the Lumia 735 on Verizon store shelves in 2015. Since this isn't a high-end handset, and can't boast about having some standout features (aside from the 5 MP front-facing camera), we're hoping it will be dirt cheap when it does land. Otherwise, it might not be the success Microsoft needs. The Lumia 735 runs Windows Phone 8.1, and comes with a 4.7-inch 720p touchscreen, a 6.7 MP rear camera, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD card support, and a 2,200 mAh battery. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset with a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU. Source 1 • Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_735_spotted_at_the_fcc_on_its_way_to_verizon-news-10140.php

Motorola Moto Maxx is official, comes to Brazil and Mexico first

Motorola just announced the Moto Maxx, which is the DROID Turbo's international version sans Verizon branding. In terms of specifications, the phone is identical to the DROID Turbo and sports a 5.2" QHD display, 21MP camera with 4K video recording and 64GB of storage. The battery is unchanged from the DROID Turbo and is 3,900mAh with support for Motorola turbo charging technology. The Moto Maxx is offered in either ballistic nylon finish or metalized glass fiber reinforced with DuPont kevlar. The display is covered with a protective layer of Gorilla Glass 3 and the innards are covered with a water-repellent nanocoating. The phone launches on November 8 in Brazil. Mexico is going to receive the phone later in November, while more countries in Latin America await their turn. The company hasn't specified if the phone will make it outside the continent. To find out more about the Motorola DROID Turbo and, in turn, get an impression what the Moto Maxx is all about, check out our detailed hands-on of the device. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_maxx_is_official_comes_to_brazil_and_mexico_first-news-10139.php

Samsung details the gifts you get with the Note 4 and Note Edge

Samsung has officially detailed the entire bundle of free goodies that are available to the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge owners. The company is throwing a lot of stuff at these users ranging from free cloud storage to free apps and subscriptions to various services. As it has been the norm lately with premium Samsung smartphones, you get 50GB of free Drobpox storage for 2 years for new users of тhe service. There's also a lot of subscriptions for various services and publications such as Audible, The Wall Street Journal, NYTimes and Bloomberg Businessweek+. You can check out the full list of Galaxy Gifts in the table below. Services Offer Audible Free 3 month subscription to Audible The Wall Street Journal Free 6 month subscription to The Wall Street Journal Kindle for Samsung 1 free eBook per month through Samsung Book Deals NYTimes - Breaking News Free 12 week subscription to NYTimes - Breaking News Bloomberg Businessweek+ Free 1 year subscription to Bloomberg Businessweek+ OnLive Free 3 month subscription to OnLive 100% Games 3,250 free gems in Dungeon Hunter 4 game Diddeo Free unlocked frame feature on Diddeo AmpliTube LE Free unlocked features on AmpliTube LE SketchBook for Galaxy Free unlocked professional-grade paint and drawing software with Pro features Parallels Access Free 6 month subscription to Parallels Access ArtRage Free download of ArtRage Dropbox Free 50 GB of Dropbox space for 2 years for new users RealPlayer Cloud Free 6 month premium membership to RealPlayer Cloud Pocket Free premium subscription to Pocket for 6 months Hancom Office 2014 Free download of Hancom Office's Office Editor for unlimited period Magisto Free 3 months of Magisto Premium CameraAce Free 6 months of premium features from CameraAce - Photo Slideshow Perfect365 8 premium animation effects on Perfect365 PayPal Visit www.paypal.com/samsung to get access to special deals from some of your favorite online stores. Consumers can shop using a variety of offers with a combined savings of $50 or more. Life360 Free 6 months of Life360 premium service Workout Trainer Free 6 months of Workout Trainer Pro+ TripAdvisor Exclusive functionality for users The Galaxy Gifts certainly add a lot of value to the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge. However, it's unlikely that people are opting in for these phones because of these bonus addons. According to Samsung's Senior Vice President, the Galaxy Note 4 is outselling its predecessor in North America and Western Europe, so the company seems to be one the right track. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_details_the_gifts_you_get_with_the_note_4_and_note_edge-news-10138.php

Lenovo Sisley S90 is official with a 5" 720p Super AMOLED display

Today, the Lenovo Sisley S90 went official and the company hasn't hesitated to confirm that it has drawn its inspiration from Apple not only for the design of the phone, but also for the way its presented. The Sisley S90's product page is an almost exact copy of the iPhone 6 website and it shows the S90 from angles that are very akin to what Apple usually uses for its smartphones. In one of the shots, the Sisley S90 even uses an identical wallpaper to the iPhone 6. The phone will launch with a 5" Super AMOLED display of HD resolution in addition to a Snapdragon 410 chipset with a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Internal storage is 16GB and the phone also features dual-SIM connectivity and NFC. Under the sleek back, which is the only altered design element of the Sisley S90, there's a 2,300mAh battery. The main camera has a 13MP sensor and doesn't protrude like it does on the iPhone 6. At the front, Lenovo has opted for a 8MP shooter and the Sisley S90 will run Android 4.4.4 KitKat out of the box. Images from the Lenovo Sisley S90 product page The phone will hit China with a price of $327 (RMB 1,999) and will be offered in pink, gold, silver and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_sisley_s90_is_official_with_a_5_super_amoled_720p_display-news-10137.php

Huawei Honor 6X is a 5.5" octa-core phablet with 3D camera

The Huawei Honor 6 is getting a phablet X version, the Honor 6X. It was certified by TENAA in two versions, one for China Mobile and one for China Unicom, other than carrier connectivity both have the same specs. Curiously, the Huawei Honor 6X has three cameras - that's right, the back camera is a dual shooter. The resolution is listed as 8MP but it's not entirely clear if it's for stereoscopic photos or for HTC One (M8) style effects. Both cameras look identical, suggesting Huawei is trying to bring 3D back in fashion. The camera records 1080p video. Huawei Honor 6X (photos by TENAA) Other than that the device is a 5.5" phablet like the Honor 4X but its specs are based on the higher class Honor 6. The result is a 7.5mm thick device that packs a 5.5" 1080p screen and a 1.8GHz octa-core processor with 3GB RAM running Android 4.4 KitKat. There's 32GB of storage out of the box and you can add 64GB extra with a microSD card. Connectivity covers 2G, 3G and LTE (with Chinese flavor). There's an IR blaster too. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_6x_is_a_55_octacore_phablet_with_3d_camera-news-10136.php

LG unveils G2 Lite and L Prime entry-level droids

LG unveiled two new phones on its Brazilian website. We haven't found them anywhere else yet, but before you get jealous you should know both are entry-level devices. One bears the G2 name but doesn't deserve it much. LG G2 Lite The LG G2 Lite sits below the LG G2 mini. It has a 4.5" IPS screen with WVGA resolution (480 x 800px, 207ppi) and is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor (Snapdragon chipset) with 1GB of RAM. It has 4GB of built-in storage with Android 4.4 KitKat installed and a microSD card for up to 32GB more. LG G2 Lite The main camera has a decent 8MP sensor but it only records WVGA video. There's a VGA front-facing camera too. The LG G2 Lite weighs a hefty 153.7g and packs a relatively small 1,820mAh battery. It comes in White, Black and Gold. It has quad-band 2G and 3G connectivity, plus Wi-Fi. There's built-in digital TV (typical for Brazilian devices) and FM radio. The phone does have some G2 genes with the characteristic keys on the back and software features like Knock Code and Quick Selfie. The LG G2 Lite goes for around BRL 615 ($245/€200). LG L Prime The LG L Prime is bigger with a 5" IPS screen, but resolution is virtually unchanged - WVGA (480 x 854px), leading to an even lower pixel density of 196ppi. This one runs Android 4.4 KitKat too and is powered by a marginally faster Qualcomm chipset with a quad-core 1.3GHz processor and 1GB RAM. LG L Prime The cameras are better too, the 8MP main camera records 720p video, while the front-facing camera shoots 1.3MP selfies. There's a bit more storage out of the box - 8GB - but the expansion is still limited to 32GB. The connectivity includes quad-band 2G and dual-band 3G, plus Wi-Fi, digital TV and FM radio. The LG L Prime has a good 2,460mAh battery and comes in White, Titanium and Gold. It feature's G-style keys on the back, along with Knock Code, Smart Button and Quick Selfie. The L Prime is bit pricier than the G2 Lite at BRL 750 ($265/€210). Source 1 • Source 2 (in Brazilian) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_unveils_g2_lite_and_l_prime_in_brazil-news-10135.php

HTC to remain top seller in Taiwan in Q4, top exec believes

HTC North Asia President Jack Tong anticipates a rise in the company's sales in Taiwan during the current quarter of the year. Provided this happens, HTC will remain the top smartphone manufacturer in Taiwan, climbing on top of rivals like Asus. Tong notes that it took 1 year for HTC to ship one million units of the HTC One (M7) and the HTC Butterfly, which launched in 2013. This year, it HTC needed just six months to ship the same number of One (M8), Desire 816 and Butterfly 2 units. The company's main focus until the year of the year will be marketing the HTC Desire Eye and the Desire 820 dual-SIM. Taiwanese customers will also have the chance to purchase the Nexus 9 tablet. The Desire Eye, which the company hopes will sell well, costs $456 (NTD 13,900). The Desire 820, which sports a 64-bit Snapdragon 615 chip retails a bit cheaper at $324 (NTD 9,900). HTC outed its financial report for the third quarter of the year recently. It showed the company is still making a profit, if only just. We'll see how thing go in the holiday quarter - it should really show if the company has completed it recovery. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_to_remain_top_seller_in_taiwan_according_to_top_exec-news-10134.php

Incredibly thin Vivo X5 Max passes through TENAA

A yet to be announced Vivo X5 Max made its way through TENAA in China. The upcoming smartphone from Vivo is bound to replace the Oppo R5 as the world's thinnest smartphone when it debuts in the near future. The physical measures of Vivo X5 Max are 153.9 × 78 × 4.75 mm, while its weight tips the scale at 146 grams. In comparison, the Oppo R5 is 4.85 thick - a whopping tenth of a millimeter more than the X5 Max. Hardware specs of Vivo X5 Max include 1.7GHz octa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 5.5" 1080p display. A 13MP main camera, 5MP front-facing unit, LTE, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat round up the known highlights. Vivo X5 Max will likely debut in the immediate future. We don't if the device will be available outside of China. Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/incredibly_thin_vivo_x5_max_passes_through_tenaa-news-10133.php

LG and Google announce global patent license agreement

LG and Google announced a global patent agreement. The cross-licensing deal is a long-term one and covers a broad range of products and technologies. The agreement covers the tech giant's existing patents, as well as those that will be filed in the next ten years. specific terms of the partnership have not been disclosed. Naturally, both LG and Google are pleased with the outcome. By getting possible patent litigation out of the way, both companies will be able to fully focus on product development. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_and_google_announce_global_patent_license_agreement-news-10132.php

Android 4.4.4 for Sony Xperia Z2 and Z2 Tablet rolls out

Today, Sony has announced the Android 4.4.4 update for the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet. The rollout has started already, but as usual it might take a while for the new software to reach your particular device - depending on where you are and if you bought a carrier-customized unit or not. Accompanying the decidedly small OS update are some new features that Sony baked in. Both the Z2 and the Z2 Tablet will get PS4 Remote Play functionality, following in the footsteps of the Z3 family. This means the smartphone and tablet will be able to act as a remote screen and to connect to and control your games on the PlayStation 4. The Z2 series also receives support for playback of PCM and DSD audio files via the 3.5 mm jack, in addition to the USB Hi-Res playback. The Walkman app now has Sony's DSEE HX tech built-in, which enhances the sound of your MP3s or AACs as well as songs you bought from Sony's Music Unlimited service. On the music front, you'll also be able to select optimized settings for different Sony headsets you may be using. The Z2 family gets access to the latest Xperia Camera apps, as well as the newest Battery Stamina mode. The Xperia Z2 can use Ultra Stamina mode too, which lets it sit in standby for more than a week apparently. Smart screen rotation prevents unwanted rotations, while the new Record screen feature lets you do just that - record a video of what you're doing on the screen. Finally, the Z2 and Z2 Tablet now have Bluetooth Unlock, which automatically unlocks them when they are in close proximity to Sony's SmartBand, SmartBand Talk, or SmartWatch 3. Thanks for sending this in,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_444_update_for_sony_xperia_z2_and_z2_tablet_rolls_out-news-10131.php

Nokia Lumia 635 arrives at Cricket on November 7

After having been launched by T-Mobile and AT&T, the Nokia Lumia 635 is headed to Cricket. AT&T's prepaid arm will start selling the smartphone on November 7 - this Friday. To purchase one from Cricket, you'll need to pay $99.99. As this is a prepaid carrier we're talking about, you won't have to sign long-term contracts, naturally. Interestingly, Cricket will only offer the Lumia 635 in cyan, a color that hasn't so far been available anywhere else. You'll be able to get it online and from Cricket stores. The phone comes with a 4.5-inch 480x854 ClearBlack LCD touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera, no front-facing snapper, 8GB of internal storage, microSD card support, and 512MB of RAM. At the helm is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset with a 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU and Adreno 305 GPU. The Lumia 635 runs Windows Phone 8.1 and it's kept alive by a 1,830 mAh...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_635_arrives_at_cricket_on_november_7-news-10130.php

Samsung Galaxy S6 gets first round of rumored specs

Sure, the Galaxy Note 4 might be doing pretty well in terms of sales (at least in some places), but that doesn't mean Samsung isn't already working on its next top of the line device. As you may have guessed, we're talking about the successor to the Galaxy S5 (pictured to the left). The Galaxy S6 apparently has the codename Project Zero, and some unnamed "insiders" have allegedly come forward and shared a few of its specs. The screen resolution will be QHD (2,560x1,440), just like that of the Note 4, which is hardly a surprise. The exact display size is still a mystery, though, possibly because Samsung execs haven't yet decided on it. The rear camera will apparently be borrowed from the Galaxy Note 4 too, thus being a Sony-made IMX240. What's still up for debate over at Samsung HQ is whether to go for a 16 MP module or a 20 MP one. In either case, hopefully it will come with optical image stabilization. The selfie snapper at the front will be bumped to 5 MP, matching the sensors in the recently unveiled Galaxy A series. Storage-wise, Samsung seems ready to move to 32GB as the new base level - so no more 16GB model. Handsets with 64 or 128GB of built-in storage will also be offered, and we assume the microSD expansion will stick around too. In terms of chipset, the Galaxy S6 will be powered by an Exynos 7420, which is on track to be the company's first SoC with active 64-bit support. The Exynos 5433 in the Galaxy Note 4 is also technically 64-bit, but Samsung has only enabled 32-bit support for it until now. That might have something to do with the fact that Android will only work with 64-bit chipsets starting with version 5.0 (Lollipop). Anyway, the Exynos 7420 should sport four Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53. It will get a new in-house developed modem, the Exynos Modem 333 (model SS333). This will replace the Intel modem found in older Exynos chips. Broadcom's BCM4773 will be inside too, and this combines Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS on the same chip, allowing for lower power consumption compared to devices on the market today. The Galaxy S6 will also have a version powered by a Qualcomm SoC, as has been the tradition for many years now. The part used will be the Snapdragon 810, Qualcomm's first 64-bit high-end chipset. Finally, we have the S6's model number to speak of. This will be SM-G920 or SM-G925, depending on carrier and local version. Since all of this comes from one source, don't forget your grain of salt. Now that the floodgates (of Galaxy S6-related rumors and leaks) have opened, we're sure we'll find out more pretty...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6_gets_first_round_of_rumored_specs-news-10129.php

Galaxy Note 4 sales outpace the Note 3 in North America and EU

Samsung's Senior Vice President, Kim Hyun-joon, revealed that the Galaxy Note 4 sales in North America and Western Europe are doing great. In fact, in those regions the Note 4 is outpacing the sales of its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3, from last year. The senior exec added that Samsung expects Galaxy Note 4 sales to improve further in the following months. The holiday shopping season as well as the expanded availability of the phablet are all in the company's favor. The Galaxy Note 4 hit the 4.5 million sales mark in a month after its September 26 launch, but that is 500,000 short of what its predecessor managed for the same period. Nevertheless, the jump in sales in the developed western markets is certainly making Samsung happy, as those regions traditionally have high concentrations of iPhones. Samsung's Senior Vice President shared that in the short term the company will focus on maintaining stable double-digit margins. No more specifics were given, but we're yet to see the official Galaxy Note 4 sale numbers in the company's Q4 financial report. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_note_4_sales_outpace_the_note_3_in_north_america_and_eu-news-10128.php

HTC Desire 820s with MediaTek chipset goes official

HTC unveiled the MediaTek version of its Desire 820 phablet on social networking site Weibo. The HTC Desire 820s is based on an MT6752 chipset, which promises more power than the Snapdragon 615 in the original version announced a couple of months ago. The MediaTek chipset has eight 64-bit enabled CPU cores, Cortex-A53, clocked at 1.7GHz. The Snapdragon has the same layout but is clocked lower - half of the A53s are at 1.5GHz, the other half at 1GHz (a sort of big.LITTLE solution). The GPU is different too - Mali-T760, instead of the Adreno 405. The Mali cores are the same as in Samsung's top Exynos 5433 chipset, though it's not clear how many of them they are. Anyway, the rest of the HTC Desire 820s is the same - a 5.5" 720p screen, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, 13MP main camera and 8MP selfie camera and LTE connectivity. A version of this device, Desire 820us, was certified by Chinese wireless authority TENAA. Source 1 • Source 2 (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_820s_with_mediatek_chipset_goes_official-news-10127.php

Microsoft details Lumia Denim update, coming this year

Microsoft has detailed the Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 plus Lumia Denim upcoming firmware release. It is going to roll out by the end of this year and will be available to all Windows Phone 8-running Lumia phones. The Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 brings these new features: Cortana: Updated in the US; Beta in the UK and China; Alpha in Australia, Canada and India. Folders on the Start screen. Apps Corner mode - very similar to Kid's mode - a separate and secure Start screen with customized access. SMS merge and forwarding. Consumer VPN. Faster Internet Explorer. Naturally all of these enhancements will be available to all Windows Phone 8-based smartphones, not just the Lumia range. The Lumia Denim update is exclusive to Lumia devices though and also brings lots of new features: Better and faster Lumia Camera app. Faster photo snapping (not available on Lumia 1020, Lumia 920 and Lumia 925). Moment Capture feature shooting 4K@24fps videos (sensor-dependent, may be limited to 1080p). Rich Capture - Auto HDR and Dynamic Flash. Improved image processing for even better photos. "Hey Cortana" - voice activation (Lumia 930, Lumia Icon, Lumia 1520). Better Glance Screen with Bing Weather, Bing Health & Fitness. So, Lumia Denim running on top of the Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 will be coming before the end of the year. Not all features from Denim will make it to all devices, but at least Microsoft is doing its best to keep everything up to date. Are you excited about the new...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_details_lumia_denim_update_coming_this_year-news-10126.php

5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Grand 3 benchmarked with 64-bit CPU

The Samsung Galaxy Grand will grow into its name with a 5.5" version, which left its footsteps in the GFXBench database. The phone was dubbed "Galaxy Grand 3" by the rumor mill and features a bigger, 5.5" screen - up 0.25" on the Grand 2. The new large-screened mid-ranger has been upgraded from head to toe. The 5.5" screen has 720p resolution (unlike the recent Galaxy Grand Prime) and is powered by a 64-bit processor inside the Snapdragon 410 chipset - quad Cortex-A53 at 1.2GHz, 1.5GB of RAM and Adreno 306 GPU. The phone ran Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the benchmark. The Galaxy Grand 3 retains the 5MP selfie camera of the Grand Prime but upgrades the main camera to 13MP stills. Both cameras can record 1080p video. There was 12GB user-available storage, with 4GB going to Android and TouchWiz. There's no info on when the Samsung SM-G7200 - that's the model number of the Galaxy Grand 3 - will launch (rumors say in a few weeks), but it has already been certified for Bluetooth 4.0 compliance. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/55inch_samsung_galaxy_grand_3_benchmarked_with_64bit_cpu-news-10125.php

Meizu sends out invite for MX4 Pro launch on November 19

Meizu has started sending out invites for a launch event on November 19. The event is for the launch of the upcoming MX4 Pro, the next flagship device from Meizu. The event will be held in Vice Pavilion of the Beijing National Stadium. The Meizu MX4 Pro is said to have a 5.5-inch, 2560x1440 display, Exynos 5 Octa processor, 3GB RAM, and a 20.7 megapixel camera with 4K video recording. The phone is expected to be priced around 2999...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_sends_out_invite_for_mx4_pro_launch_on_november_19-news-10124.php

Samsung Master Dual flip phone headed to South Korea

We've already saw Samsung Galaxy Golden premiering in South Korea and possibly other markets. It is a dual-screen flip phone running on Android OS. Today Samsung introduced another stylish clamshell for South Korea, but this time it appears to be a feature phone. Samsung Master Dual comes with a 3.0" internal and 2.2" external display combo, nice design, a 3MP rear and a 1.3MP front snappers, GPS and FM radio. Its proprietary software features a safety alert service, which notifies a pre-defined list of contacts with your GPS location after a specified interval of phone inactivity. Samsung Master Dual will launch soon on SKT in South Korea and it will set you back KWR 300,300 (about...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_master_dual_flip_phone_headed_to_south_korea-news-10123.php

HTC to update One M8 and M7 to Lollipop within 90 days

HTC has announced that it will be updating the HTC One M8 and M7 to Android 5.0 Lollipop within 90 days from now. The company claims to have received the source code from Google and is working on the update. It's rather odd that HTC is receiving the source code now, considering Google is supposed to provide the source code to OEMs in advance as they had promised earlier. Also, HTC made the Nexus 9, so they clearly had access to Lollipop source code before this. Anyway, if you have an M7 or an M8, expect to hear from HTC soon regarding the update. No word on when the other phones will be getting the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_to_update_one_m8_and_m7_to_lollipop_within_90_days-news-10122.php

Android in October: KitKat distribution share edges past 30%

Google released the Android distribution report for the month of October. Unsurprisingly, Android 4.4 KitKat continued its march towards bigger distribution share - it now boots on more than 30% of all devices out there. Android 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 Jelly Bean is still the most dominant OS version with 50.9% share. However, it is down almost 3% from the month of September. The three-year old Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is still booting on 8.5% of all devices. Android 2.3 Gingerbread on the other hand saw its distribution share drop into single digits to 9.8%. The latest Android 5.0 Lollipop will likely appear on the map during next month's distribution report....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_in_october_kitkat_distribution_share_edges_past_30-news-10121.php

Moto Maxx gets pictured as the international Droid Turbo

Last week we told you to expect Motorola to launch a global version of its Droid Turbo smartphone (which is exclusive to Verizon). Back then rumor had it that this would be called Moto Maxx, and today the name has been confirmed. A Brazilian national on Google+ posted a few pictures showing the Moto Maxx in all its glory, and you can feast your eyes upon it too (click the thumbnails for full size images). Moto Maxx As you can see, the Moto Maxx looks exactly as much like the Droid Turbo as an identical twin should. The Maxx is expected to sport the exact same specs too, and a few of these have been confirmed by the leftmost image above. So the Moto Maxx will have a 5.2-inch QHD (2,560x1,440) touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera, a 3,900 mAh battery, 64GB of built-in storage, Turbo Charging capability, and it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC, complete with a 2.7 GHz quad-core CPU - just like the Droid Turbo. The unveiling of the Moto Maxx will take place in Brazil on November 5, which is this Wednesday. So we've only got a couple of days to wait for it to become truly official. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_maxx_international_droid_turbo_smiles_for_the_camera-news-10120.php

HTC Nexus 9 review: Game on

The Google Nexus 9 will be curiously gazed upon by both Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 owners, as HTC gets back on the roster to take over from Asus and Samsung. The 8.9" beauty is a return for HTC to both the Nexus family and the tablet realm in general...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_nexus_9-review-1160.php

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge kicks off in the USA on Nov 7

Samsung has just announced the availability of the Galaxy Note Edge for the United States. The smartphone will become available as early as this week and major operators will be carrying it. Samsung Galaxy Note Edge was announced back at IFA expo in September, but later Samsung specified it will be a limited availability device. NTT DoCoMo and KDDI in Japan were the first to offer the Note Edge, but now its reach is expanding beyond Asia. All major carriers - AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular - will be getting the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge by the end of this week. It will be available with a two-year agreement or SIM-free. Aside from the carriers, you will be able to get the unique phablet from the Samsung Experience Shop in Best Buy and some other unspecified retailers. AT&T was the first to detail the Galaxy Note Edge availability - it will go on sale urchase on November 7. As expected the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is quite a pricy device - it costs $399.99 with a two-year contract or $945.99 if you go contract-free. Naturally AT&T Next lease options are available as well. We guess the other carriers will offer similar pricing to AT&T's and the release date should be around the same time. Just a quick reminder - the SIM-enables Samsung Gear S smartwatch is also set to launch on November 7 in the USA, so you might want to pair your new Note with the powerful Gear S. Source 1 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_edge_kicks_off_in_the_usa_on_nov_7-news-10117.php