CyanogenMod 12.1 nightlies now available for the Mi 4 and Mi 3

Just in case you got tired of the MIUI on your Xiaomi Mi 4 or Mi 3 and want some stock Android action then you'd be happy to know that Cyanogen has released CyanogenMod 12.1 nightlies for both the devices. The latest ROM is built on top of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, which means you will be getting the latest version of Android, something both the devices are deprived of currently on MIUI. Being nightlies, these won't be as stable as, well, stable releases but if you don't mind experimenting and are aware of the risks that come with installing experimental builds on your device then it's worth a try. You can find instructions to download the files and installation process in the link...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cyanogenmod_121_nightlies_now_available_for_the_mi_4_and_mi_3-news-13665.php

The new Oppo R5s brings better specs inside the same slick body

Remember the Oppo R5? Its premium metal body, stunning aesthetics and thin profile really made it stand out among the crowd, making it a signature Oppo offer. It's now back with an improved specs sheet inside the same razor-sharp 4.85 mm body. The second version is dubbed the R5s and is already listed on the manufacturer European website. Improvements were made in two departments - RAM is now bumped up from 2GB to 3GB and internal storage is now double at 32GB. The rest of the phone is practically unchanged, making it just as visually appealing as its predecessor. It packs the same 5.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and 423 ppi. It still runs on the mid-range Snapdragon 615 SoC, but in our review of the Oppo R5, we found it to be quite snappy. The camera setup is also unchanged with a 13MP Sony IMX214 sensor on the back and a 5MP shooter on the front, both with an aperture of f/2.0. The R5s is also powered by a 2000 mAh battery, which is actually bad news, considering the low endurance rating of its sibling. So, that thin profile definitely comes at a price. Other than that the unit should boot Android 4.4.4 KitKat with the ColorOS 2.0 UI. Currently, the device is listed as "coming soon" and we can't really say when it will be available. However, according to the listing it should go for €199, which is actually a lot cheaper than the Oppo R5 and could significantly improve the phone's chances of success if it turns out to be...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_new_oppo_r5s_brings_better_specs_inside_the_same_slick_body-news-13664.php

If your iPhone 6 Plus takes blurry photos, it might be a camera defect that Apple is offering to fix for free.

Apple has always take great pride in its customer service and product warranties. Cupertino has adopted the habit of caring for its current customers, instead of just pampering to prospective ones and often times this involves recalls and defect removals at the company's expense. So, naturally, when reports started coming in for blurry photos from the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple looked into it and sure enough, found that a limited range of the phablet devices is equipped with a certain camera component that is prone to failure. In comes the camera replacement program. If you are getting bad quality shots out of your iPhone 6 Plus and it is equipped with the said component, then Apple will change your iSight camera free of charge. This can be done at an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Retail Store or directly from Apple Technical Support. Eligibility is worldwide, but repair locations might be limited to the original country of purchase. Also, only a small number of units is affected. Most of them were sold between September 2014 and January 2015, which might help you work out whether your phone is affected. For extra convenience, Apple has set up a nifty checker, so you can simply hit the source link, input your serial number and see if you can take Apple up on the offer. Even if your iPhone 6 Plus isn't exhibiting bad camera behavior it might still be a good idea to verify it doesn't have the faulty camera, just in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/if_your_iphone_6_plus_takes_blurry_photos_it_might_be_a_camera_defect_that_apple_is_offering_to_fix_-news-13663.php

Samsung's Ultimate Test Drive is already out of units

Yesterday Samsung launched a peculiar new campaign, geared at current iPhone users. The promotion, titled The Ultimate Test Drive offered iPhone owners inside the US a chance to get a brand new Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+ or Galaxy S6 edge for a 30 day trial and the cost was only $1. Apparently, the offer proved to be so tantalizing that mere hours later Samsung updated their website, informing that no more test units are available at the time. The Korean giant never actually revealed how many units it was giving away, but we can only assume we are talking in the thousands as it is a US-wide offer. The depleted quantities also come as no surprise. Even if you are pretty fond of your iPhone, chances are that you wouldn't turn down a shiny new toy, be it for a month. Furthermore, the phone did also come with an active SIM card from a US carrier of your choice and that has its allure as well. The more interesting part is how successful the campaign will be after the month has passed. The end goal is clear - steal away Apple users, but it is hard to say how many of the participants will opt to pay for the device and keep it after the test drive. If you are among the lucky ones, who managed to find out about the Ultimate Test Drive in time, we would love to get some extra information about additional conditions and the specific around the provided SIM card. Also, you might want to take good care of that loaner if you plan on taking it back, otherwise, Samsung will charge you for any damage. Still, unless you lose or absolutely destroy the phone, the fines don't look so bad. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_ultimate_test_drive_is_already_out_of_units-news-13662.php

Facebook is redesigning the Notes feature with a blog style interface

If you were around back in the early days of Facebook, then you surely remember Notes. They were the only way to post a lengthier piece of text on your wall and really satisfied a need, left out by statuses. Since then, however, much has changed, Facebook has risen the character limit and Notes were pushed to the side. They are still around, but you have to really know where to look for them to create one and it is barely distinguishable from a regular post anyway. Facebook is planning to change this and reimagine its Notes function. The new feature was spotted online and is apparently already in testing. You can actually check it out for yourself at the source link. From the looks of it, Notes will become Facebook's take on blogging. The new UI is wider and has a big photo on top, not unlike a cover. The title is also clear and big. The text itself is formatted with in a relaxed matter with a lot of room on all sides, just as it should for a pleasant reading experience. A Facebook spokesman had this to say about the new Notes: We're testing an update to Notes to make it easier for people to create and read longer-form stories on Facebook, Facebook is definitely be on to something, as the blogging fad might have become less trendy and bested by richer, quicker and more convenient mediums, but it still has its place online and is far from dead. With Facebook's massive existing user base and audience, the reimagined blog could definitely flourish, especially if the functionality is neatly and seamlessly integrated. Speaking of which, it is interesting to see how Facebook handles its redesigned Notes on smaller devices and its mobile apps. If the social giant plays its card correctly, Facebook blogging might become the next big old thing in social media. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebook_is_redesigning_the_notes_feature_with_a_blog_style_interface-news-13660.php

Asus Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special edition was showcased in Brazil with a whopping 256GB onboard storage

There is really no doubt about it, Asus truly loves its Zenfone 2. Ever since it was originally introduced back in March it came with quite a few choices, including color options and two different hardware variants - one with an Atom Z3580 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage and the other with an Intel Atom Z3560, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The line was extended even further a few weeks ago when the Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone 2 Deluxe were introduced, each with their own little twist to the original model. Now, it appears Asus is at it again as yet another version of the Deluxe model was unveiled in Brazil. Apparently the Taiwanese tech giant wasn't content calling a phone "Deluxe" simply because of its "premium-crafted polygonal design" on the back and decided to go ahead and spoil the user for choice yet again with a whopping 256GB storage option. This new variation is labeled as Asus Zenfone 2 Delux Special edition, which, despite being slightly silly, is quite a fitting title as you don't really see laptop-level flash storage capacity in a mobile device that often. To make things even more interesting, Asus has also left in the microSD slot from the rest of the Zenfone family, so if 256GB are simply not enough, you can pile on an extra 128GB microSD card. As for the rest of the device's specs sheet, it is mostly unchanged and still pretty impressive. The phone runs on an Intel Atom Z3580 SoC, which is a proper 2.5GHz, x86 CPU with eight cores and a PowerVR G6430 GPU. Memory is set at 4GB and the screen is the same 5.5-inch model with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The camera setup consists of a 13MP Pixelmaster camera on the back and a 5MP shooter on the front. A non-removable 3000mAh keeps the show running. Just like its siblings, the Asus Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special edition has Dual SIM support, Cat.6 LTE and the patented Asus Boostmaster fast charging technology. It boots Android Lollipop with Zen UI on top and the limited edition even comes bundled with an exclusive version of Asphalt 8 preinstalled. The phone should be available in Brazil as of next month, but the pricing is still unknown. Source (in Portuguese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_2_deluxe_special_edition_was_showcased_in_brazil_with_a_whopping_256gb_onboard_storage-news-13659.php

Google on Desktop can now search for tweets

If you happen to be an avid Twitter user and often Google things on your mobile then you have most-likely noticed that the search giant can quite conveniently bring up Twitter results for you. The integration happened back in May and until now was only limited to mobile. Today, Google and Twitter bring the feature to your desktop as well. The announcement was made via Google's Twitter account in a typical lighthearted manner: .twitter-tweet{margin: 0 auto;} You got it, @google. We'll bring the Tweets. 🎉— Twitter (@twitter) August 21, 2015 The function should already be available to you on google.com with search queries in English. Results are presented in an info-card fashion and are undoubtedly convenient. Google has always been an invaluable resource for researching people, places and events and with a relevant twitter feed mixed-in with the results, you can easily see other people's opinion on the matters at hand as well. It really seems to be a perfect marriage and this new move will undoubtedly rekindle past rumors of a Twitter acquisition by the search giant. But speculations aside, the partnership is undoubtedly mutually beneficial, making both parties even more appealing than they already...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_on_desktop_can_now_search_for_tweets-news-13658.php

Xiaomi is planning to enter the Africa market this September

Xiaomi is definitely on a roll. Through a mix of hard work, competitive pricing, viral marketing and just a little bit of luck the Chinese OEM is now enjoying incredible interest in its handsets. In the past week alone, the company can boast record breaking sales on the Redmi Note 2, a gorgeous new MIUI 7 and rumors of a benchmark-breaking Mi5 flagship on the way. This presents the company with the opportunity to finally work on its ambitious expansion plan, laid out last year. After entering the huge India market with a flying start, a new report now suggests that an Africa expansion is just around the corner. According to Forbes, the Chinese OEM has already partnered with a pan-Africa distributor, Mobile in Africa Limited and will sell its smartphones in 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This local distributor strategy has already proven successful in Xiaomi's previous ventures, like Foxconn in Brazil and Redington in India. But, besides brick and mortar stores, online sales have a huge place in Xiaomi's expansion strategy as well. The expansion also includes a network of online stores in 14 countries, which will be set-up and maintained by Mobile in Africa as well. This all sound terribly exciting, but Xiaomi definitely has its work cut out, as tackling the Africa market is no easy task. The mobile business in most of the countries there is still developing and just like in India, the vast and young Africa market requires carefully-tailored and above all, competitively-priced offers. Google only recently managed to expand the Android One program to Africa with the $87 Infrix Hot 2, so the task should not be taken lightly. Initially, two Xiaomi devices will be made available - the Redmi 2 and the Mi 4. They will carry price tags of ZAR 1,999 or about US $160 and ZAR 3,999 or about US$ 320, respectively. More offers are sure to follow. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_is_planning_to_enter_the_africa_market_this_september-news-13657.php

iPhone 6s pre-orders to start on September 11, new leak reveals

We are now fast approaching the official unveiling for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Apple has held such events at the beginning of September for the past few years, and that month is almost upon us. Thus, more and more leaks nowadays focus on when you'll be able to buy the two new devices. Today we get a leaked image purported to have originated at a carrier in France. This company is allegedly informing its employees that pre-orders for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are due to start on September 11. That's a Friday, which also fits with Apple's actions in the past. If the company sticks to its traditional schedules, we should see the announcement that Tuesday or Wednesday, on September 8 or 9. On the other hand, actual availability of the new smartphones in the countries that will be part of the first wave could happen on September 18, again based on what Apple's previously done with such launches. These dates have also been rumored quite a bit in the past few weeks, so at this point we assume the only thing left to happen is for Apple to send the media invites for its event. The new iPhones have been said to come with 12 MP cameras, a new A9 SoC, 2GB of RAM, and touchscreens with support for "Force Touch". Otherwise, they should be pretty much identical to their predecessors from last year. Source (in French) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_6s_preorders_to_start_on_september_11_new_leak_reveals-news-13655.php

New rumor says that 18.4-inch Samsung tablet is real, specs leak

A few weeks ago we got word that Samsung may be working on a gigantic 18.4-inch tablet thanks to an import listing. Back then, though, its existence was the only thing revealed. Yet now a new rumor comes to confirm it's real, and even thankfully shares its most important specs. So, this device will have the model number SM-T670. It will come with a TFT LCD touchscreen with just 1080p resolution, which makes for a measly 119 ppi pixel density. The tablet should also sport the Exynos 7580 SoC with a 1.6 GHz octa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, an 8 MP rear camera, a 2.1 MP front-facing unit, and a 5,700 mAh battery. It will allegedly run Android 5.1 Lollipop when it launches, and its dimensions are said to be 451.8 x 275.8 x 11.9 mm. There's currently no telling when we'll see it in stores, or how much it will cost. Though with that size we assume this will be targeted at some pretty niche use-cases. Recently Samsung has also been rumored to be working on a 12-inch Windows 10 tablet, so the Korean company seems to be pretty serious about large (and extra large) tablets this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_rumor_says_that_184inch_samsung_tablet_is_real_specs_leak-news-13654.php

Samsung starts showing ads inside its devices' notification panes

Earlier this year HTC started showing ads in the BlinkFeed screen in its devices, and people were not happy. So we assume that people won't be happy this time around either, since Samsung has apparently decided that showing people ads in their devices' notification panes is a good idea. The ads show up "automagically" and they look like auto-expanded notifications. They are sent out by the Samsung Push Service app, which is one of those Samsung services that come preinstalled on all of the company's smartphones. For now, the only such ad spotted by users has been the one you can see above, which is for the Galaxy S6 edge+ handset. You're being announced that the S6 edge+ is now available to buy, and if you tap on the notification you're taken to a website where you can actually order one. This may of course be just a test or a limited rollout for now, but if so Samsung could have made it opt-in. As it is, you might just wake up one day to see your phone's notification pane overrun with ads. And that would not be a nice sight. In somewhat related news, the Peel Smart Remote app, which comes bundled on the Galaxy S6, has also started showing some notification ads of its own. It's unclear if Samsung itself has anything to do with this, though. Currently these ads are for TV shows, and when you tap on the notification the Peel app opens and you can set a reminder to watch that particular...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_starts_showing_ads_inside_its_devices_notification_panes-news-13656.php

Moto X Play might be headed to Verizon as the Droid Maxx 2

A lot of people were understandably upset when Motorola announced that the Moto X Play would not be sold in the US. However, it turns out that the Lenovo-owned company may not have meant what everyone thought it meant. Namely, it could just be that the Moto X Play won't be offered in the US under that name. Instead, it might be rebranded for Verizon and transformed into the carrier's Droid Maxx 2. With its huge battery the Maxx title is certainly warranted, and there have been no hints so far that Big Red is going to drop the Droid line this year. Alongside the Droid Maxx 2 (which will actually be the Moto X Play under another name), Verizon is also expected to launch the Droid Turbo 2 before the end of 2015. Whether this will turn out to be just a rebranded Moto X Style remains to be seen though. This information comes from a Hong Kong-based leaker of all things Motorola-related, who has gotten certain things right in the past. Thus, while you should take all of it with a grain of salt, there is a chance, however small, for this to be real. So you may just be able to purchase a Moto X Play in the US soon. That's the good news. The bad news is that if this is accurate, Verizon will be getting it exclusively. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x_play_might_be_headed_to_verizon_as_the_droid_maxx_2-news-13652.php

Next-gen Moto 360 gets photographed on people's wrists

At its big event last month, Motorola announced three smartphones but no new smartwatch. Still, the company is quite clearly working on a successor to last year's Moto 360, as has been revealed multiple times so far. The new wearable may even be offered in two different sizes, a la Apple. Today a few images have been leaked showing the new model in the wild, on people's wrists actually. Although it bears quite a resemblance to its predecessor, including that 'flat tire' for the screen, this is the next generation Moto 360 - and you can tell because of the position of its button. On the original this was placed at the 3 o'clock mark, while this time around Motorola's moved it to 2 o'clock for whatever reason. These shots allegedly come from around Chicago, an area in which Motorola has its US headquarters. So these may be company employees testing the device. As before, it looks like Motorola will bet big on customization. These pictures show two different versions of the 360, an all-black one with leather strap, and another with a Rose Gold casing and Cognac band. We could be quite close to the new smartwatch's announcement now that it's being internally tested. Source 1 • Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nextgen_moto_360_gets_photographed_on_peoples_wrists-news-13653.php

Samsung won't be updating Galaxy E7 with Lollipop

Samsung Galaxy E5 and Galaxy E7 were promised Android Lollipop upgrades earlier this year. Their updates were scheduled for release in Q3 2015. Well, we are in Q3 and naturally people started asking some questions. Samsung UK answered such a question via its official Twitter account and the news is not good. The Galaxy E7 Lollipop development was dropped for an unknown reason. What's really odd is that the Galaxy E5 has been already treated with Android Lollipop. Both E5 and E7 feature almost identical specs, the E7 even has more RAM. It's beyond us why it won't be getting Lollipop. There is a chance the Lollipop update for the Galaxy E7 is canned only for the UK as the tweet comes from there, but things are definitely not looking good. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_wont_be_updating_galaxy_e7_with_lollipop-news-13646.php

Speed test: Samsung Galaxy Note5 vs. OnePlus 2 vs. LG G4

Samsung is enjoying a comfortable performance lead with its Exynos 7420 that it didn't even overclock it for the Galaxy Note5, usually we see the Note get a souped up version of what the Galaxy S got. But how fast is it? Faster than the LG G4? Faster than the much more affordable OnePlus 2? This video intends to find out. Here's an unscientific (but telling) test. Keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy Note5 and OnePlus 2 have octa-core processors and 4GB of RAM, while the LG G4 has only six cores and 3GB of RAM (there are 2GB versions too). In terms of screen resolution, both the Note5 and G3 are at QHD (1,440x2,560px), while the OnePlus is at 1080p (1,080x1,920px). The LG G4 should finish last, right? Well, here's why you shouldn't trust "on paper" specifications. The power of the Exynos chipset is plainly visible in the video encoding part of the test. The downclocked Snapdragon 810 in the OnePlus 2 didn't really seem faster than the Snapdragon 808 in the LG G3. The video doesn't show how high-end games perform though - S810's better GPU smokes the G4 even when you ignore the difference in resolution. But even pure performance isn't the end of it. Samsung's TouchWiz does a poor job of memory management and it has to reload the two games, while the OnePlus 2 and LG G4 (with 1 gig less) kept them in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/speed_test_samsung_galaxy_note5_vs_oneplus_2_vs_lg_g4-news-13651.php

Samsung Galaxy Note5 review: The 5blet

As the fourth successor of the product that defined what a phablet should be, Samsung Galaxy Note5 is arguably the most radical release in the product family to date. The newcomer marks a noteworthy departure (no pun intended) from all of its predecessors in terms of both design and available hardware features...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note5-review-1286.php

Speed test: Samsung Galaxy Note5 vs. OnePlus 2 vs. LG G3

Samsung is enjoying a comfortable performance lead with its Exynos 7420 that it didn't even overclock it for the Galaxy Note5, usually we see the Note get a souped up version of what the Galaxy S got. But how fast is it? Faster than the LG G3? Faster than the much more affordable OnePlus 2? This video intends to find out. Here's an unscientific (but telling) test. Keep in mind that the Samsung Galaxy Note5 and OnePlus 2 have octa-core processors and 4GB of RAM, while the LG G3 has only six cores and 3GB of RAM (there are 2GB versions too). In terms of screen resolution, both the Note5 and G3 are at QHD (1,440x2,560px), while the OnePlus is at 1080p (1,080x1,920px). The LG G3 should finish last, right? Well, here's why you shouldn't trust "on paper" specifications. The power of the Exynos chipset is plainly visible in the video encoding part of the test. The downclocked Snapdragon 810 in the OnePlus 2 didn't really seem faster than the Snapdragon 801 in the LG G3. The video doesn't show how high-end games perform though - S810's better GPU smokes the G3 even when you ignore the difference in resolution. But even pure performance isn't the end of it. Samsung's TouchWiz does a poor job of memory management and it has to reload the two games, while the OnePlus 2 and LG G3 (with 1 gig less) kept them in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/speed_test_samsung_galaxy_note5_vs_oneplus_2_vs_lg_g3-news-13651.php

The Oppo R7 Plus hits international markets

Oppo might not be quite up to par with some of its more premium Chinese competitors, but the OEM has always had a distinct and unique approach to devices. There is nothing like a little twist to help sales along and the Oppo R7 and R7 Plus are no strangers to that strategy, boasting a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design inside a slick and clean body. The pair of devices have already been around for three months or so, but Oppo has been having some understandable troubles with international availability. The R7 actually hit international pre-orders around the end of June and has been a whopping success, especially in certain markets, like Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan. Now, its bigger sibling, the R7 Plus is following in its footsteps and is venturing into global sales with high hopes of sharing the same success. This ambition is pretty justifiable, given that the R7 Plus is a solid mid-range offer, just like its sibling and even better in many ways. Computing power on the R7 Plus comes courtesy of a Qualcomm 615 chipset with a 64-bit octa-core processor and 3GB RAM. Memory is set at 32GB, twice that of the R7 and a microSD slot is also available. Another key difference between the pair is the display size. The R7 plus swaps the 5.0-inch AMOLED display for a spacious 6.0-inch one, while preserving the impressive AMOLED technology and the FullHD resolution. Naturally, the device is also bigger and heavier, although not a lot. It measures 158 x 82 x 7.75mm and tips the scales at 203g. Both the R7 and R7 Plus come with a 13MP main camera behind an f/2.2 lens. Phase detection autofocus and a single-LED flash complete the picture on the R7, while the R7 Plus adds laser autofocus and a dual-LED flash. Additionally, the sensor inside the R7 Plus is of the RGBW variety, and the company claims 78% less noise and 32% better light gathering capability compared to conventional designs. Last, but not least, least, the Plus model also has a whopping 4,100 mAh battery, backed up by Oppo's patented VOOC fast charging technology and a fingerprint reader on the back. Now that is an impressive package. We already had a quick meeting with the R7 Plus at its unveiling event, but the final retail unit is already in the office, so we'll be as quick as possible to come up with one of our full reviews in the following...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_oppo_r7_plus_hits_international_markets-news-13645.php

The top 10 trending phones of week 34

Another busy week is now behind us and so we take to the charts once again to see which devices captured your attention during the last seven or so days. It never seizes to amaze us what a whopping influence successful sales promotions can have on our regular top ten chart. This week, the element of surprise comes in the form of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2. The affordable smartphone was announced only recently and thanks to an immense success in its initial sale on the home Chinese market, it managed to swoop in out of the blue straight to fourth place. The flash sale saw around 800,000 units sell in just 12 hours, so it comes as no surprise that our specs page got a surge in hits as well. With the next batch set to go up for grabs on August 24, it will be interesting to see whether the Redmi Note 2 basks for longer in the spotlight. As for the rest of the chart, rearrangements are present, but they all seem to follow a long-standing logical pattern. An extra week of time was enough for the Samsung Galaxy Note5 to steal the first place on the list away from the Moto G (3rd gen), something it nearly missed to achieve a week ago. Other notable changes include the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy A8 which seem to have switched places and now occupy the fifth and seventh spot respectively, with the Galaxy S6 still unshaken in its popularity at sixth place. We can also see that both the OnePlus 2 and the Lenovo K3 Note are continuing their gradual descent down the ranks, another lasting trend. Finally, at the very bottom of the chart we find the Galaxy Note 4, which has settled in, replacing the iPhone 6. This is also quite natural as the previous generation Note is surely rubbing off some views from the Note5. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 25%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 75%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } #review-body .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { margin-top: 25px; line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 .phone-name { display: inline-block; width: 325px; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: text-bottom; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } .flat-button{ text-align:center; text-decoration: none !important; font: 400 22px Google-Oswald,Arial !important; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 150%; padding: 20px 60px !important; display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; margin: 10px 0; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; color: #fff !important; } .flat-button-1 { background: #0CADA7; } .flat-button-1:hover { background: #0A948F; color: #666666 !important; } .flat-button-2 { background: #FF7E47; } .flat-button-2:hover { background: #EE7440; color: #666666 !important; } .n-right .rank-info { display: inline-block; font-family: "Google-Oswald",​Arial,​sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 100; } .n-right .rank-info .current-rank { font-size: 23px; } .circle { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 #8fb28f; border-radius: 50%; height: 23px; width: 23px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px; } .arrow { width: 0; height: 0; border-style: solid; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px -1px 10px; } .arrow-up { border-width: 0 15px 25px 15px; border-color: transparent transparent #0cada7 transparent; } .arrow-down { border-width: 25px 15px 0 15px; border-color: #ff7e47 transparent transparent transparent; } Samsung Galaxy Note5 RANK: 1WAS: 2 specs review Motorola Moto G (3rd gen) RANK: 2WAS: 1 specs review Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime RANK: 3WAS: 3 specs review Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 RANK: 4NEW...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_top_10_trending_phones_of_week_34-news-13649.php

Ideas infographic: four ways to use the Samsung Level Link

Wires had their heyday with the telegraph and telephone, but these days we avoid them as much as possible. To help with the transition Samsung introduced the Level Link - a small Bluetooth fob that can wireless audio stream to anything from headphones to cars. The idea is pretty simple - a switch tells the Level Link if it's transmitting or receiving, then you just have to plug in the old-fashioned 3.5mm audio jack. When acting as a receiver, it lets you stream audio from sources that lack Bluetooth functionality - your favorite corded headset or your car's stereo (plug the Link into the AUX input). The transmitter functionality has potential too - you can watch TV with headphones but without cables. Check out the infographic Samsung has come up for some more...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ideas_infographic_four_ways_to_use_the_samsung_level_link-news-13650.php

Lenovo's ZUK Z1 ships in mid-October, to cost about $330

Yesterday we reported about the partnership between Lenovo's ZUK subsidiary and Cyanogen. ZUK's first smartphone - the Z1 - will be going international thanks to Cyanogen OS later this year. As promised, the international availability was detailed today. So, until the recently China exclusive, the ZUK Z1 will be going on sale internationally in mid-October. The smartphone costs about $280 in China, but its international price will be a bit higher, most probably around $330. As of today the retailer Gearbest has the ZUK Z1 in stock. It costs $340 in there and can be purchased in both white and gray flavors. Judging by the video, the Cyanogen OS running on the unit was a Preview version. This means either the retail OS will be seeded later with an update, or it's just an issue with the demo unit. Please note that Gearbest's warehouses are located in China and the US, so make sure you check any customs charges that may be due when shipping outside of those countries. The ZUK Z1 packs a 5.5" 1080p display and runs on the Snapdragon 801 chipset with 3GB of RAM. The rest of its specs include a 13MP main cam, an 8MP selfie snapper, 64GB storage, LTE connectivity, a fingerprint scanner and a beefy 4,100 mAh battery. There is also a USB Type-C port. Gearbest | Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovos_zuk_z1_ships_in_midoctober_to_cost_about_330-news-13643.php

Jolla Tablet now available on pre-order

The Jolla Tablet was successfully crowdfunded last year and it was targeted for shipping in fall 2016. It seems everything is going as planned as Jolla has announced the pre-orders for the Tablet are now open. The 32GB Jolla Tablet costs €267, while the 64GB flavor will set you back €299. Both prices include VAT. The slates will begin shipping in late October. The pre-order campaign applies for the EU, Norway, Switzerland, United States, Canada, Australia, India and Hong Kong. The Jolla Tablet is built around a 7.85" IPS display with 1536 x 2048px resolution. It runs on a quad-core 1.8GHz 64-bit Intel processor, and packs 2GB RAM, a main 5MP cam and a 2MP front snapper, and a 4,450 mAh battery. The Jolla Tablet is powered by Sailfish OS v2.0 and can be purchased in 32 and 64GB models, both featuring microSD expansion slot. There are no cellular-enabled versions planned for now. In case you are interested in pre-ordering the Jolla Tablet, head over to the Jolla's official online...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/jolla_tablet_now_available_on_preorder-news-13644.php

Xiaomi Mi 4c spotted at TENAA, benchmarked already

Xiaomi Mi 4i was launched this spring as an alternative, more affordable version of the popular Xiaomi Mi 4. It features a 5" IPS 1080p display, a Snapdragon 615 chipset and s wrapped in plastic instead of glass. Today a new Xiaomi Mi 4c leaked from various sources - the Chinese TENAA certification body, AnTuTu benchmark database, and previously it was spotted on Geekbench results. The pictures from TENAA reveals absolutely the same body and measurements as the Xiaomi Mi 4i. It seems the new Mi 4c is just a small upgrade over the 4i and will keep the slim profile and matte rear cover. Its footprint and weight are absolutely identical with its predecessor, too. But while the Mi 4c will offer the same 5" 1080p screen, it will bring an upgraded chipset - Snapdragon 808. The SoC, which debuted within the LG G4, packs a hexa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A57 at 1.8GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 at 1.44GHz, Adreno 418 GPU and 2GB of RAM. The Android version has also been bumped up to 5.1.1 Lollipop, which suggests the Xiaomi Mi 4c will most probably run on the MIUI v7. The rest of the specs confirmed by TENAA are the same as the Mi 4i - a 13MP main camera with dual-LED flash, a 5MP selfie snapper, 16GB non-expandable storage, LTE connectivity, and 3,100 mAh battery. All of those leaks suggest the Xiaomi Mi 4c announcement should be happening very soon. Thanks to everyone, who sent this in! TENAA | GeekBench | Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_4c_spotted_at_tenaa_benchmarked_already-news-13641.php

The Ultimate Test Drive: iPhone users in the US can take home a Galaxy Note5, S6 edge+ or S6 edge home for a whole month

Even iPhone users feel moments of doubt and Samsung wants to turn those into a sale. It started the Ultimate Test Drive promo in the US - if you're in the US, you can spend a whole month with a Galaxy Note5, a Galaxy S6 edge+ or a regular S6 edge, all for the cost of $1. No need for carrier contracts either, the phone will come with an active SIM card. The call, text and data limits aren't clear though. You can select which of the major carriers you're interested in, so you get a clear picture of how the phone handles the network coverage and speed. When the 30 days are over you can buy the phone if you liked it or just hand it back if you didn't. The $1 you pay is to verify your credit card info. Note that you have to visit SamsungPromotions.com from an iPhone (otherwise you get a polite message saying the promo is for iPhone users only). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_ultimate_test_drive_iphone_users_in_the_us_can_take_home_a_galaxy_note5_s6_edge_or_s6_edge_home_-news-13640.php

Samsung has started bringing Galaxy S6 edge+ features to the S6 and S6 edge

With the Galaxy S6 edge+ now official, fans are looking forward to experiencing Samsung's new double-sided curve design on a phablet scale. But, besides the extra screen real estate, the new phone also brings a few new software features and tweaks. From a software perspective, the S6 edge+ has perhaps become best known for the new Apps Edge interface that leverages the curvy display for convenient application switching. Luckily, Samsung has realized the universal appeal of such an interface and is now bringing it to other models in its lineup. Currently these are the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge flagships. New UI Apps Edge is already seeding via OTA to the said phones in Korea( with other markets sure to follow soon), along with a few other S6 edge+ goodies, like UHD upscaler and Vacuum Tube Amp Pro, as well as new icons, UI improvements and updates to KNOX and Samsung Pay. This is definitely good news for S6 and S6 edge owner, but there are still a few novelties that Samsung has decided to leave as an exclusive offer on the S6 edge+, for now at least. Most notably - the ability to shoot RAW format photos, as well as some other advanced camera features, like shutter speed control aren't part of the said OTA. However, Samsung has included other tweaks to the S6 and S6 edge camera experience, like YouTube broadcasting mode, so it appears that the decision to leave out RAW is a perfectly conscious and intentional one, probably motivated by apparent marketing reasons. But, we can't really be angry at Samsung for looking after the best interest of its new products and ensuring they are desirable. Hopefully, as the excitement dies out around the S6 edge+, the Korean tech giant will carry over the remaining cool features as...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_has_started_bringing_galaxy_s6_edge_features_to_the_s6_and_s6_edge-news-13639.php

Experience the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 edge+ virtually with these apps

Want to try out the new Samsung Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+, but can't make it to a store for an in-person hands-on? Samsung now lets you try out the two new flagships virtually. Samsung Galaxy Note5 Experience app You can view the two handsets in 360° and try the Edge UX of the S6 edge+, experience the 5.7" QHD screen and pretend to try the camera and its livestream feature. You can also learn more about the Fast Charging - wired or wireless - and browse a catalog of accessories. Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ Experience app You can download the Galaxy S6 edge+ app and the Galaxy Note5 app, provided you have at least an Android 4.1 device with a 720p screen and a 1.4GHz processor with 1GB of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/experience_the_galaxy_note_5_and_s6_edge_virtually_with_these_apps-news-13638.php

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ is now in stores

The wait is over and the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ has landed in stores in the US, Canada, Hong Kong and South Korea. The biggest Galaxy S yet - practically Note-sized - features a dual-curved 5.7" display that enables "apps edge" and "people edge" functionality but lacks the Note's trademark S-pen. In the US the S6 edge+ is available on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular. Samsung's website is a centralized place to check pricing on the 32GB and 64GB models (no plans for a 128GB model for now despite contradicting indications). Canadians can pick Rogers, Bell, Telus, SaskTel or Wind as their Galaxy S6+ carrier. You can check those carrier's sites or Best Buy. In Hong Kong the new flagship is on the four major carriers - CSL, CMHK, Three and SmarTone. In its home country, the Samsung Galaxy S6 has landed on SK Telecom, LG U+ and KT. The other phablet flagship, the Galaxy Note5, already launched in some countries and is hitting the US...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6_edge_now_in_stores-news-13637.php

OnePlus 2 gets its first OTA update

OnePlus is rolling out the first ever OTA update for the OnePlus 2. The Oxygen OS 2.0 on the phone is getting updated to v2.0.1, which brings with it several key improvements. The official update log includes: Added a patch for the Stagefright security exploit Improves battery performance Improves user interface logic and coherence Fixed an issue with pinch-to-zoom in Google Photos Fixed an issue where Dark Mode would cause instability in certain apps Fixed an issue related to import/export of contacts stored on SIM card Additional support for global carrier APNs Other improvements and bug fixes The update is already available in India and weighs in at 1.1GB, with the servers being slow right now so it's going to take a while to finish downloading. Not that it should be a problem as most people still don't have an...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_2_gets_its_first_ota_update-news-13636.php

LG G Watch R finally has Wi-Fi support with latest Android Wear update

A few months ago an Android Wear update brought with it support for Wi-Fi connections made directly from your smartwatch. However, not all Android Wear devices with hardware support for Wi-Fi got this feature enabled back then. There was one big omission: LG's G Watch R. It does sport the required chip, but it hasn't so far been put to use. Well, thankfully that all changes with the next iteration of the OS, which Google has just announced earlier. This is going to roll out over the next few weeks to all Android Wear watches. When it lands on the G Watch R it will come with more than just interactive watch faces and Google Translate built-in. That's right, Wi-Fi support will finally be enabled in LG's first round smartwatch. This means you'll be able to leave your phone at home when you go somewhere with Wi-Fi, and your wearable will still show you notifications and whatnot from that handset - provided it's connected to the Internet...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g_watch_r_finally_gets_wifi_support_with_the_latest_android_wear_update-news-13635.php

Samsung may be prepping a 12-inch Windows 10 tablet

You may not remember this, but for a while Samsung released some tablets running Windows under the Ativ brand. At one point we thought this would be to Windows devices what the Galaxy brand is to Samsung's Android offerings, but the Korean company hasn't launched an Ativ product in a long while. That could all be set to change later this year, though. According to a new rumor out of China, we'll see a 12-inch Samsung tablet running Windows 10 out of the box at some point in the future. It will apparently come with a Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 14nm Intel Core M processor, 4GB of RAM, and the S-Pen. It should be just 6.2mm thick and will weigh 600g. The screen's resolution isn't mentioned, but there's no reason to expect anything other than a high density panel. So perhaps 2,560x1,600 or 3,840x2,400 are good options to consider. This is nothing but a singular unconfirmed report at this point, so keep that in mind and take all of it with a pinch of salt for now. If Samsung really is working on this device, then a lot more leaks about it are surely headed our way. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_may_be_prepping_a_12inch_windows_10_tablet-news-13633.php

Android Wear gets interactive watch faces, Google Translate

Today Google has announced the next update for Android Wear. When it arrives on your particular smartwatch, this will bring some interesting new features with it. First off we have interactive watch faces. So with a tap the watch face you're using can change its design, reveal more information, or launch a specific app. For example, a face that gives you the current temperature aside from the time may want to let you tap on that in order to get a more detailed forecast. This obviously works for anything, though, be it a fitness-focused watch face or the new one Google calls Together. This lets two people stay connected to each other by basically making the entire watch face a space for sharing stuff with each other - photos, emoji, or even their current activities. Moving on, Google Translate has landed on Android Wear. In an interesting move, it will be built into the latest software update, so it's not a standalone app you can download right now. Translate will work on your wrist even if you don't have the corresponding app installed on your phone. To use it, just speak into your watch and what you say will be instantly translated into one of 44 supported languages. You can send the translated text to a friend with a flip of the wrist, and when that person answers in their language you flip your wrist back to see in your language what they've said. And so on. Since Translate automatically recognizes what language is spoken, once you start a conversation with someone you only have to keep talking naturally, and it will take care of the rest. For text-to-text translation, Google Translate works with 90 languages at the moment. The new version of Android Wear will be rolling out to all smartwatches running Google's wearable OS "in the coming weeks". Now that you know what's new, the only thing you need is patience. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_wear_gets_interactive_watch_faces_google_translate-news-13634.php

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact promotional image allegedly leaks

Sony's next Compact flagship smartphone is the star of what is said to be a leaked promotional image, which you can see below. This is allegedly going to be one of many official promo pictures that the Japanese company will make public once it announces the Xperia Z5 Compact. Speaking of which, said announcement could come on September 2, when Sony has confirmed it will hold an event at IFA in Berlin. On that occasion we might see both the Xperia Z5 and the Z5 Compact see the light of day for the first time. Officially, that is, because we've seen them both a couple of times so far in leaked live images, showing off their unmistakably Sony design as well as their side-mounted fingerprint sensors embedded in their Power buttons. The promo shot that's been outed this time around also confirms that in terms of design, Sony isn't planning on giving up its OmniBalance language, at least not this year. The phone is shown here in white, but it will surely be offered in black and probably another more 'daring' color as well. Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z5_compact_promotional_image_allegedly_leaks-news-13632.php

Verizon's HTC One M9 gets Android 5.1 Lollipop and Stagefright fix

If you own an HTC One M9 purchased from Verizon, you'll be happy to hear that an update is finally headed your way. We're talking about the one incorporating Android 5.1 Lollipop - and this is something that's already been rolled out in many parts of the world, as well as to One M9 units sold by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. And now it's Verizon's turn to release it. There are a couple of added goodies in there too, perhaps to try and make up for the delay in some way. HTC One (M9) Verizon customers! Received approval for L5.1 which will OTA out tomorrow. Includes Stagefright fix,Band 3 & 7 enabled -roaming— Mo Versi (@moversi) August 19, 2015 According to Mo Versi, HTC's VP of Product Management, the ugly Stagefright vulnerability has been fixed in the new software. Furthermore, you'll also get support for LTE bands 3 and 7 (1800 MHz and 2600 MHz) when roaming, so your phone will be able to connect to even more high-speed networks abroad. The update will start rolling out over-the-air today, but as usual do expect it to take a while for it to reach all the devices out there. If you're impatient you can keep checking for its availability by going to the appropriate section of your Settings...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizons_htc_one_m9_gets_android_51_lollipop_and_stagefright_fix-news-13631.php

Sony SmartBand 2 with advanced heart rate sensor will cost you €119

Sony has just announced its second generation smartband, and in the typical no-nonsense fashion the company calls its wearables, this one is dubbed the Sony SmartBand 2. Blunt naming aside, the gadget comes with the typical functions you'd expect, mostly focused on fitness and notifications. The now "advanced heart rate tracking" is a prominent feature in the press material, said to deliver "meaningful insights about your fitness, well-being and stress levels", as if you require an app to tell you that you need a couple of drinks (or a yoga class) at the end of the week. Either way, sports enthusiasts will appreciate the all-weather nature of the band, which has a rubber strap and IP68 certification for environmental sealing. The SmartBand 2 will also deliver notifications to your wrist, with both vibrations and color LEDs. Tap operation will allow you to control music playback on the connected device, and should you stray more than 10m away from it, the band will warn you. It will be able to do all that for up to two days on a single charge, Sony states. The band will be compatible with devices running Android 4.4 KitKat or newer and iOS 8.2. You'll be able to pick up a Sony SmartBand 2 starting September, and it'll set you back an eye-watering €119. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_smartband_2_with_advanced_heart_rate_sensor_will_cost_you__euro119-news-13630.php

Project Ara might be returning to Motorola supervision

Project Ara is still quite early in its lifecycle and yet can already boast a turbulent and arduous history. What began as an ambitious modular device concept under the name Phoneblocks, has since been adopted by Google, gained a spectacular amount of attention and gone through at least half a dozen different designs, implementations and prototypes. Luckily, the ambitions project has managed to survive, is still live and after a considerable period of silence has been quite active with status updates in the last few days. We now know that the previously planned Puerto Rico debut won't come to pass and that the launch is postponed for 2016 and perhaps even later. The latest development in the project Ara saga suggests that the initiative might be passed along to Motorola. Since Ara was first adopted by Google, Motorola Mobility was sold off to Lenovo for $2.9 billion, naturally leading to some restructure in the Moto-managed research and development. This affected many Google projects, but the search giant never sold off Motorola completely. In fact its large patent portfolio and "Advanced Technology Group" are still part of the Google family and might actually take over project Ara. Industry sources suggest that the work will be moved to Motorola's Beijing R&D facility. We are not quite sure how this will affect the modular project, but the existing partnership with Yezz for hardware development, as well as the completed Spiral 2 prototype are sure to be carried over. As for Spiral 3, which was planned to debut in the second half of 2015, it might undergo yet another major shift in design, as Google is reportedly worried about the durability of its modular creation. In any case, we will be sure to keep a close eye on Ara and keep you updated on any developments as they come. Source | Via | Picture...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/project_ara_might_be_returning_to_motorola_supervision-news-13629.php

Sony unveils Metal Gear Solid-themed Xperia J1 Compact for Japan

Sony is saying goodbye to Hideo Kojima with the Xperia J1 Compact Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Edition. The phone is limited to Japan only - Sony's first SIM-free phone for its home country and essentially an Xperia Z1 Compact variant. This one is special though - it features the Outer Heaven logo on the back that fans of Solid Snake & Co will instantly recognize. Solid himself makes a cameo on some of the bespoke wallpapers pre-installed on the phone. You also get two original soundtracks from The Phantom Pain and a ringtone, plus an $8 voucher to get Metal Gear comics in e-book form from Sony's Reader Store. You also gain a MGS V: The Phantom Pain art book PDF. The pre-loaded wallpapers The Sony Xperia J1 Compact The Phantom Pain Edition is priced above its plain counterpart - JPY 59,800 ($480) plus tax. It can be found exclusively in Sony stores. Source (in Japanese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_unveils_metal_gear_solidthemed_xperia_j1_compact_for_japan-news-13628.php

Huawei announces Honor 7i in China

Huawei has announced the new Honor 7i. The biggest feature of this phone is the rotating camera module that can be plucked out and pointed forward to take self portraits. Using the main camera for self portraits will result in much higher quality images, and the rotating camera also allows taking photos from different perspectives by simply pointing the camera module instead of turning the entire phone. The module is supposedly rugged and Huawei claims will last for two years even if you open it 132 times a day, which is quite a lot. Powering the camera is a Sony 13 megapixel BSI sensor with 28mm f2.0 lens. The Honor 7i is also the first phone to have a fingerprint sensor on the side of the phone. The sensor is on the left of the phone and Huawei claims it is the smallest sensor on any phone. The sensor can be used to unlock the phone and take pictures by touching with your thumb. The phone has an aluminum frame on the side with glass on the back and covering the 5.2-inch 1080p display on the front. Inside is the new Snapdragon 616 with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage although there is also a version with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. Both variants have a microSD slot. Powering it is EMUI 3.1 and a 3000mAh...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_announces_honor_7i_in_china-news-13627.php

Huawei Mate 8 leaks in live pictures, or is it Mate 7S or Mate S?

The Huawei Mate 8 has been in the rumorland for quite a while. It was touted for an August 20 release, but we got the Honor 7i today instead. Then it was reportedly coming in Berlin's IFA next month, while some latest rumors postponed its launch for early next year. We thought we were sure Huawei will be outing the rumored Mate 7S or just Mate S at IFA, but now we are not so confident. The last couple of days the supposed Mate 7S leaked via the Chinese TENAA and it looks slightly different from what we are seeing today. Particularly the placement of the front camera is wrong. So we are either looking at two different devices, or just one with a massive name confusion created by all the leaks. Anyway, the Mate 8 showed its face through some nice renders and its IFA announcement seems imminent after Huawei itself began teasing its next flagship. Today we can finally see the Huawei Mate 8, or Mate S, or Mate 7S, or whatever it's called in live photos, and while those are low-res, they seem like the real deal. Check it out. The Mate 8 is expected to come with a bezel-less 6" IPS Quad HD display and to run on the powerful Kirin 950 chipset with 3GB or 4GB RAM. The Kirin 950 chip is expected to pack an octa-core processor with 4x Cortex-A72 at 2.4GHz and 4x Cortex-A57. The GPU in charge of graphics will be a Mali-T880. The Mate 8 is also rumored to offer a 20.7MP main camera and an 8MP selfie shooter, a fingerprint sensor, LTE Cat.6 connectivity, a massive 4,500 mAh battery, and a brand new Emotion 4.0 UI on top of Android Lollipop. September 2 is very close, so everything will become clear very soon, including the name of this device. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_8_leaks_in_live_pictures-news-13626.php

Lenovo's ZUK Z1 is all but set for international release with Cyanogen

The ZUK Company and brand were created with Lenovo's support earlier this year. Their first product is the ZUK Z1 smartphone - an affordable 5.5" smartphone priced at about €250. The Z1 was available exclusively in China, but ZUK is now promoting the phone to international release. According to the official statement - the ZUK Z1 for the international markets will be keeping its specs, but will switch its custom Android Lollipop for a Cyanogen OS 12.1, also Lollipop-based. The ZUK Z1 packs a 5.5" 1080p display and runs on the last year's everybody's favorite Snapdragon 801 chipset with 3GB of RAM. The rest of its specs include a 13MP main cam, an 8MP selfie snapper, 64GB storage, LTE connectivity, a fingerprint scanner and a beefy 4,100 mAh battery. There is also a USB Type-C port. ZUK has already announced its partnership with Cyanogen and outside China the Z1 will be running on Cyanogen OS. ZUK is going to announce the international markets and the pricing tomorrow. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovos_zuk_z1_is_promoted_for_international_release-news-13625.php

LG smartwatch with 1.77-inch screen and CDMA passes through FCC

The Next LG smartwatch is rumored to come with a high-resolution screen at 480 x 480px. While the FCC doesn't test screen sharpness, at least it was kind enough to measure the screen and snap a photo of the new watch. The images show a rectangular watch with a metallic bezel and a silicone wrist band. The screen of the LG-VC110 smartwatch was measured at 1.77" making for 383ppi pixel density. Note that the FCC has since removed the pages that contained the images That would make it the sharpest smartwatch screen yet - beating the 2" 300ppi screen of the Samsung Gear S and 1.53" 326ppi of the Apple Watch. It will also blow past the LG Watch Urbane's 240ppi. Like the LG Watch Urbane LTE, this smartwatch has its own mobile connectivity - CDMA in particular (compatible with Verizon and US Cellular). It will be the first LG watch with mobile data outside of South Korea. Source (images removed) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_smartwatch_with_177inch_screen_and_cdma_passes_through_fcc-news-13624.php

Analyst: Galaxy O is a VR-centric phone (or maybe a headset)

Senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray Gene Munster has been writing about the future of VR and Facebook's role in it (the social network giant bought Oculus). Munster suggests that the Samsung Galaxy O is a series of phones aimed at virtual reality. Samsung already has a strong partnership with Oculus, having created a couple of versions of the Gear VR (in partnership with Oculus). There's a small chance that the Galaxy O may be a standalone headset - no phone required, unlike the Gear VR. Anyway, the latest Galaxy Note5 launched without Gear VR support so that functionality may be moving to the Galaxy Os. Samsung co-CEO JK Shin did say that the third-gen Gear VR will launch "soon" but didn't explicitly say that it's for the Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+. Oculus is holding a developer conference "Connect2" starting September 23, the other opportunity for a Galaxy O/Gear VR reveal is the fast-approaching IFA where Samsung will show off the Gear S2 smartwatch. By the way, Munster had something to say about the Oculus Rift too, that pre-orders for the delayed consumer model will kick off in Q1 next year. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/analyst_galaxy_o_is_a_vrcentric_phone_or_maybe_a_headset-news-13622.php

The Apple iPad Pro might come with a Force Touch stylus accessory

At this point rumors about the elusive iPad Pro are getting a little out of hand. After the recent talk of a second-screen case for the mysterious tablet, today brings a new batch of wild speculations - this time about a stylus accessory for the still unconfirmed device from Cupertino. The rumor talks of a Force Touch stylus, which, like the name suggests, will allegedly be aware of the amount of pressure with which it is pressed and react accordingly. The idea for such an accessory, however, isn't currently based on any evidence and is simply the result of predictions, courtesy of reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. While he does have a pretty good track record of foreseeing Apple's moves, it is worth noting that the Force Touch stylus is currently nothing more than wishful thinking for a largely unconfirmed device. As Mr. Kuo explains: We also believe a Force Touch-enabled stylus will enhance productivity as it would offer more precise operation than using only fingers, . Technically, we believe the stylus can be made compatible with iPad models other than the 12.9-inch version, but it depends on the support of software. The idea of a Force Touch stylus is definitely captivating and would truly let Apple brush elbows with other performance-oriented tablet products, like the Microsoft Surface or Galaxy Note Pro, for example. Still, it is all conceptual, but if such an accessory does exist in the future, chances are that it will be sold separately and perhaps even made compatible with other Apple products. As for the iPad Pro, it remains just as shrouded in mystery and uncertainty as it was back in 2013 when we first heard rumors about it. It will allegedly be Apple's biggest tablet to date with a spacious 12.2-inch or perhaps a 12.9-inch screen. Other rumored specs include an A9 CPU, Force Touch, NFC and USB Type C. Industry sources now suggest a late September on November release date for the product, just in time for the holiday shopping craze, so we just have to wait and see if Apple lives up to fan expectations on this one. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_apple_ipad_pro_might_come_with_a_force_touch_stylus_accessory-news-13623.php

A sneak peek of the upcoming Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch

Just when we thought that the Samsung execs were wrapping up the event for the announcement of the Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+, they went out and teased the next-gen Gear smartwatch. Round it is, that was clear, but the brief video shown on stage only gave us a short glimpse of what's to expect. Good thing then that Samsung has released a new more detailed promo video, showcasing the interface of what's likely going to be the Gear S2. Sports tracking, heart rate monitoring and weather forecasts are among the key features, and believe it or not, the wearable can also tell the time. It's also apparently going to have cellular connectivity, judging by the phone and messaging app icons. Then again, the original Gear S supported 2G/3G networks, so it would actually be surprising if the new one doesn't. The new smartwatch is scheduled to be unveiled at IFA in Berlin, with the date set for September...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/a_sneak_peek_of_the_upcoming_samsung_gear_s2_smartwatch-news-13620.php

Dual SIM Galaxy S6 edge+ confirmed, on sale for $999.99 on eBay

The newly announced Samsung Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ gathered quite an interest since the announcement but as it turns out Samsung left few important things out. Apparently both the Note5 and S6 edge+ will be available in dual-SIM models. We already reported the dual-SIM Galaxy Note5 being spotted on pre-order in the Philippines. And it has been also confirmed the second SIM slot won't take microSD cards as some people were hoping for. Now the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ Dual SIM is available for purchase on eBay. The seller is from Singapore and has in stock all four color options. He wants $999.99 for the smartphone and will ship it immediately with FedEx. All the specs remain the same as on the regular Galaxy S6 edge+ and again - there is no option for microSD expansion on the second SIM slot. There is no official info on which markets will be getting the dual-SIM models, but we know from experience with the past Galaxies that eventually the dual-SIM versions become available almost on every official market. Thank you, Carnim, for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/dual_sim_galaxy_s6_edge_is_now_on_sale_for_99999_on_ebay-news-13621.php

Here is a short glimpse at BlackBerry Venice promo videos

Alleged tidbits from BlackBerry Venice promo videos made the rounds on Twitter, courtesy of @evleaks. The high-end smartphone might debut as early as next month during IFA with sliding QWERTY keyboard and Android OS. Eye candy. pic.twitter.com/GtJwOfOus8— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 19, 2015 The latest BlackBerry Venice leak falls right in line with past unscheduled appearances of the smartphone. It once again reveals that the device will feature a screen with slightly curved glass, as well as a loudspeaker that remains visible even when the slider is closed. .@halfnibble More of an "Android Maya job," innit? pic.twitter.com/4Fhll0Bfv0— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 19, 2015 Rumored specs of BlackBerry Venice include Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset, 3GB of RAM, QHD display, and 16MP main camera. Last month, @evleaks also revealed that the handset will launch on AT&T. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/here_is_a_short_glimpse_at_a_blackberry_venice_promo_video-news-13619.php

WhatsApp's Web interface now finally works with its iPhone app

WhatsApp launched its Web interface back in January, but with one glaring omission: it hasn't so far worked with its iOS app. That all changes starting today. If you're wondering why a Web interface for a messaging service has to work with the same service's mobile apps, there's a simple explanation. While you can use WhatsApp Web to read and send messages, these aren't stored at a central location somewhere - they're still on your phone, which is why the Web UI needs to communicate with the WhatsApp app on your handset in order to work. And believe it or not, up until now this hasn't been available for iOS. However, as you can see from the screenshot above, iPhone support has finally been added to WhatsApp Web. In order to use the Web UI, you first need to make sure that the new "WhatsApp Web" option shows up for you in the Settings menu of the iOS app. If it does, then just head on over to web.whatsapp.com on your computer and follow the easy instructions for pairing with your phone (you basically just need to scan a QR code). Do note that the functionality seems to be rolling out in a staged manner, so it may not be live for you just yet. But it is (finally) coming. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapps_web_interface_now_finally_works_with_its_iphone_app-news-13618.php

LG picks on Samsung for not launching the Galaxy Note5 in Europe

It was undoubtedly a bit shocking for many people to find out that Samsung actually has no plans of launching the Galaxy Note5 in Europe, at least not until 2016. And that's especially after all four predecessors of the phablet have been sold in Europe. LG is now the first competitor to openly mock Samsung's marketing policy in this regard. Samsung decided that people in Europe don't have as much use for the S Pen stylus of the Note series as those in Asia and the US, but LG is having none of that. LG's arm in Jordan tweeted the image you can see above, obviously implying that if you're disappointed with Samsung and its antics you should consider buying the G4 instead. LG stresses that its current flagship smartphone is available across the world, without any artificial limits imposed on its distribution. "We'd never do that to you" is the message here, and we hope other manufacturers don't go Samsung's way in the future and start to geo-restrict their high-end devices more. Thanks for the tip,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_picks_on_samsung_for_not_launching_the_galaxy_note5_in_europe-news-13617.php

Lenovo A2010 gets official as India's cheapest 4G smartphone

Today Lenovo has announced a new smartphone for the Indian market. It's called A2010 and it has become the subcontinent's cheapest 4G-capable handset. The Lenovo A2010 features a 4.5-inch 854x480 touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2 MP selfie shooter, MediaTek's MT6735M 64-bit SoC with 1 GHz quad-core CPU and Mali-T720 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM functionality, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 131.5 x 66.5 x 9.9 mm, and it weighs 137g. It will be offered in black and white. The black model will be available exclusively at Flipkart through flash sales which start on September 3. Registrations for these are now open. The smartphone is priced at INR 4,990. That's currently around $76 or €68. According to a Flipkart exec, today one in three 4G phones sold in India is a Lenovo. So the A2010 could be pretty successful...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_a2010_gets_official_as_indias_cheapest_4g_smartphone-news-13616.php

Alleged iPhone 6s frame gets put through bend test

Last year Apple revealed a new design for its iPhones, but with it came the (in)famous 'bendgate' saga. Apple's new iPhones (but mostly the iPhone 6 Plus) were extensively tested by different outlets and found to bend a lot easier than competing products. Obviously this hasn't stopped Apple from selling millions and millions of those phones, but the company has apparently been working on a fix for bendgate for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus that should be outed in a few weeks. Mainly this has to do with using a different type of aluminum alloy this year, one that's stronger and bends less easily. This will be more expensive for Apple, but with the margins it still commends we assume that won't be a problem. So just how much stronger is this new alloy compared to the one used last year? Well, in a comparative video test, the shell for the iPhone 6 bends at 30 pounds of force applied, whereas an alleged iPhone 6s shell only bends when 80 pounds of force are applied. So it's pretty safe to assume then that bendgate will be a thing of the past once the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus launch. The new devices use 7000 series aluminum, which seems to be more than twice as sturdy as the 6000 series alloy employed in the original iPhone 6...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_iphone_6s_frame_gets_put_through_bend_test-news-13615.php

HTC is selling its Shanghai factory to counter bad financial results

The financial struggle is all too real for HTC and like many others, the Taiwanese manufacturer is battling hard to stay profitable. A recent guidance revision for Q2 2015 foretold a whopping loss of $257 to $291 million that the OEM is facing and naturally, damage control was imminent. It appears that HTC is going to sell off its Shanghai-based factory in an attempt to counter some of the losses. The negotiations are already under way, but all we currently know about the mystery byer is that it will be a local Chinese manufacturer. This, however is no reason for despair, as the sale is simply part of a strategic plan for reducing costs that HTC is carrying out in order to stay relevant on the dynamic mobile market. Other OEMs are often taking similar measures as well. HTC's business restructuring will also include major lay-offs, which some reports suggest will represent as much as 15% of the company's current staff. The factory in question is one of HTC's many manufacturing facilities, scattered across China and Taiwan, so the deal shouldn't really affect availability or distribution of devices. Plus, the company's latest flagship - the One M9 hasn't really been doing well in sales, so naturally, shrinking sales lead to a reduction in manufacturing. Still, the 147 square meter complex has been known to work quite efficiently. During HTC's hayday around 2010, it actually operated at double its capacity. Times might be rough for HTC, but hopes are still high. Industry sources claim that the OEM already has its sights at a new flagship - the Snapdragon 820-powered HTC O2. So, here to hoping for a brighter future for HTC. Source | Via Image...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_is_selling_its_shanghai_factory_to_counter_bad_financial_results-news-13614.php