Blackberry Venice live unit pictured, packs an 18MP OIS camera

It was about time the BlackBerry Venice followed the numerous leaks with a live appearance and today's the day. The Canadian company's foray into the Android realm is apparently imminent, now that a working device has shown up, in this case in the hands of the folks over at Techrum. While we already had a general idea how the smartphone would look, we're now treated to detailed (well, 0.5MP, but still) images of several key features. And what's the single most revered Blackberry feature, if not the hardware QWERTY keyboard? Only here, it's hidden behind the display and slides out of obscurity only when needed. Sure, you'll be provided an on-screen one for less intense typing. In a departure from tradition, the power button has been moved to the left side. In all fairness it would have been ridiculously out of place on the top plate of a tall, slider-type device. That spot has now been reserved for the SIM and microSD slots. Hands-on with the Blackberry Venice The headline feature may turn out to be on the back though, and that's the camera. An 18MP unit, the main shooter boasts optical image stabilization and fast focus, so we'd speculate there's some phase detection tech. The lens is also joined by a dual-LED flash. Finally, the images reveal what looks like Android Lollipop, but that's hardly any news, given that KitKat is two years old and Marshmallow hasn't been launched yet. BlackBerry Venice in the flesh Source (in Vietnamese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_venice_live_unit_pictured_packs_an_18mp_ois_camera-news-13754.php

Huawei Watch makes brief appearance on Amazon, could launch next week

While we already know that the Huawei Watch could soon be launched in the United States, it now looks like that's going to happen as early as next week - the smartwatch made a brief appearance on Amazon, revealing that it'll be available for purchase starting September 2. The listing - which has since been removed - also revealed that depending on the price and style, the wearable will cost in the range of $349 to $799, with the former being the price tag of the variant with stainless steel body and black leather strap, while the latter being the cost of the gold-plated model. Another important detail that was revealed was that the smartwatch will not only work with Android devices but also with iOS devices running OS version 8.2 or up. Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_watch_makes_a_brief_appearance_a_amazon_could_launch_next_week-news-13751.php

Android 5.1.1 seeding for European Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910F)

There's been a lot of angry users complaining about the way Samsung's treated the last generation top-end phablet, the Galaxy Note 4, in terms of updates. While that's the way users are, and updates can never come soon enough, Samsung did take its time with releasing the latest OS version to the last-gen Note. The rollout started nearly two months ago with a soak test on the SM-N910C version in Russia. Sprint followed suit and released the firmware for the "P" version early this month, and reports out of Poland confirmed that the update for the "C" variant is spreading to more territories. As of now Android 5.1.1 is also being seeded to the SM-N910F version, or the European one. So far, it's been spotted in Sweden over-the-air and is also available via KIES. The build version is labelled N910FXXU1COH4, it's dated August 12, and comes it at a huge 1.8GB. In other news, the Galaxy Note 8.0 two-and-a-half-year-old tablet with a stylus will be denied the move to Lollipop, and will remain on KitKat 4.4. While that was the official position of Samsung Gulf back in May, the UK branch has now confirmed it and has cited hardware limitations - the tablet wouldn't have been able to run Lollipop with TouchWiz smoothly. Source 1 Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_511_seeding_for_european_samsung_galaxy_note_4_smn910f-news-13753.php

Google starts displaying home services ads in its search results

Last month, after Google confirmed that it's hiring a portion of cleaning start-up Homejoy's staff, there were reports that the search giant is building a technology to allow online users to easily connect with local professionals. Looks like the feature has started rolling out. Now when you search for terms like "plumber" or "lock repair," Google displays a sponsored result box at the top containing listings for these services. These listings, as you can see in the screen-shot above, include information such as contact number, rating, location, picture of the service provider (or representative), as well as details of the service being provided. Although these are paid ads, the professionals/businesses are pre-screened by Google, which conducts license, insurance, as well as background and performance checks before qualifying them. As of now, the feature only works if you're searching for plumbers, handymen, locksmiths, and house cleaners around San Francisco Bay Area. Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_begins_showing_home_services_ads_in_search_results-news-13749.php

Apple iPhone 6s cases suggest Rose gold color option and no Sapphire crystal

Apple has the launch of the new generation iPhones set for September 9, and by the looks of it we may be seeing a Rose Gold color option for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. However, it doesn't seem to be quite the same candy tint from a previous leak. The speculation is fueled by the fact that case manufacturer Spigen has typically made cases in the same colors as the iPhones themselves. Already put up on Amazon and in stock, the cases for Apple's next-gen smartphones come in Black, Gunmetal, Champagne Gold, and Rose Gold. Another observation by one of our readers is that the cases are compatible with both the upcoming iPhone 6s and the existing iPhone 6. That points to identical dimensions and thus eliminates the possibility for a Sapphire crystal front, we would assume, as the new material would have called for a slight increase in thickness. Meanwhile, it has almost been set in stone that the iPhone 6s will come with a 12MP camera and 4K video recording. Force touch may also make it to this year's model and we are expecting RAM to finally get a bump to 2GB. Rumored to enter pre-orders on September 11, the 6s and 6s Plus will launch at the same prices as usual. Thanks to Simran Hora for the tip! Source 1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6s_cases_suggest_rose_gold_color_option_and_no_sapphire_crystal-news-13750.php

Extract the S Pen from the Galaxy Note5 while preserving detection (video)

We know you didn't listen to all the people screaming at you not to insert the S Pen of the Samsung Galaxy Note5 backwards, not to mention read the manual, which clearly states you shouldn't. Fret not, as there is apparently a simple solution, which can save your precious pen detection feature. That is, unless you've already managed to take the stylus out, in which case you're likely past the point of no return. Shown in the video below, the fix uses a piece of paper inserted parallel to the stuck S Pen, wraps around it and shields the detection lever as you're pulling the stylus out. Now, while that will preserve the tiny plastic detection lever, its unclear what you need to do of the S Pen's head gets properly jammed in the other lever deeper down, which is meant to keep the stylus firmly inside. Perhaps, another piece of paper on the other side might help. Via | Image...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/stuck_s_pen_can_be_removed_from_the_samsung_galaxy_note5_with_a_piece_of_paper_video-news-13748.php

Google Nexus 8 tablet dummy shows up in photos

Most of the talk around Google's devices now revolves around the Android Marshmallow pioneers - the LG Nexus 5 (2015) and Huawei Nexus 6. The two are rumored to see the light of day on September 29, but they may be joined by another surprise release. A couple of new photos, originating in China, claim to depict an upcoming Nexus 8 tablet, or at least a dummy unit of it. Photographed next to a ruler, the slate measures just about 200mm in length (with perspective roughly accounted for), which is the proper height for a 4:3 8-incher. And now that we've seen Google make the move to the more squarish aspect ratio with the Nexus 9, it's only natural for the company to continue the trend. Alleged photos and specs of the Google Nexus 8 The second photo gives a detailed look at one of the corners, and it seems the Nexus 8 will have a metal frame. Chamfered towards the end, it reveals what is likely a speaker grille, but it's hard to tell which exactly corner it is. Older info coming from a GeekBench listing (not the most difficult to fake, mind you) states that the alleged tablet will be powered by an octa-core processor, as most any device nowadays, save for the entry-level ones. The Android 5.1.1 OS version suggests the benchmark entry, if genuine, was made early into the tablet's development, as we'd certainly expect the next tablet to come with Marshmallow on board. Source (in Chinese) | Via (In...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_nexus_8_tablet_dummy_shows_up_in_photos-news-13747.php

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ review: Starborn

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, as its name suggests, is the bigger and flashier sibling of the SM-G925 smartphone that dazzled the world with its dual-curve display a few months ago. The newcomer is aimed at users who want a premium phablet, but don't covet the S Pen of the Samsung Galaxy Note5 that debuted alongside it.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6_edge_plus-review-1289.php

Huawei teases multifunction fingerprint sensor on the Mate 7S

Huawei is set to unveil its next phablet on September 2 at IFA in Berlin. And although there's still some confusion as to what it will be called (Mate 7S or just Mate S), it's clear that it's going to be a very important device for the Chinese company. Today Huawei head honcho Richard Yu has started a countdown of sorts on his official Weibo account, alongside which he posted what we can only assume is the first of a series of teaser images. So since at this point we're five days away from the event, we're told that the Mate 7S will come with a five-function fingerprint scanner. All of these things will fit in its 1 square cm footprint. One of those is obvious (unlocking the phone), but for the other features we're left guessing. Mobile payments could be one function, while using the sensor to lock certain content (such as images, videos, even contacts and messages) might be another. We'll find out for sure next week. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_teases_multifunction_fingerprint_sensor_on_the_mate_7s-news-13746.php

Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic pass through the FCC

Samsung has been teasing the Gear S2 smartwatch for weeks now. The company is clearly very proud of its first wearable with a round touchscreen, so much so that one of its executives has already shown us what it looks like on his wrist. As we get closer to September 3, which is when the big announcement will take place at IFA in Berlin, we're now seeing two models of the Gear S2 passing through the FCC. The US regulatory agency has certified both the Samsung SM-R720 and the SM-R732. According to past leaks and rumors, the former of those will be sold as the Gear S2, while the latter is due to get the Gear S2 Classic moniker. The FCC process has revealed that both of these will come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built-in, but neither will also sport mobile data connectivity. That's apparently going to be reserved for a third variation of Samsung's first round smartwatch. Previous leaks have suggested that the Gear S2 will come with a 360x360 AMOLED touchscreen, an Exynos 3472 chipset, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, NFC, as well as a bunch of sensors including a heart rate monitor. Source 1 • Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_s2_and_gear_s2_classic_pass_through_the_fcc-news-13745.php

Dutch iPhone 6s and 6s Plus prices leaked, still the same

The Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be unveiled on September 9 and pre-orders may start as early as September 11. The Netherlands will skip that process by the looks of it, new info suggests that the iPhone duo will go directly to stores no September 25 (perhaps a week after other Euro markets like Germany and France). Techtastic.nl has gotten hold of pricing information for Dutch carriers (KPN, T-Mobile and Vodafone). It suggests that the rumored Rose Gold version of the 6s generation won't pan out, leaving the standard Silver, Space Gray and Gold options. Here's the pricing, which is the same as the current pricing for the outgoing iPhone 6 duo. The only real surprise is that the cheapest models still come with 16GB of storage (that's what, a minute of 4K video?). .atable td { text-align: center !important; } .atable tr:first-child td, .atable td:first-child { font-weight: bold !important; } iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus 16GB €699 €799 64GB 7699 €899 128GB €899 €999 Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/dutch_iphone_6s_and_6s_plus_prices_leaked_still_the_same-news-13744.php

For the first time ever Apple will be streaming the iPhone event on Windows

Remember how most of the Apple events were streamed live, but only on Mac OS X and iOS? Well, this is about to change. Yesterday Apple announced it will be holding a press conference on September 9, where it will be announcing the next generation iPhones - the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. As tradition goes, the event will happen in San Francisco on September 9 at 10AM local time. Digging a bit into the Apple's official website reveals the event's placeholder for the live streaming. And there we can find this text: "Requirements: Live streaming uses Apple's HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. HLS requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Safari on iOS 7.0 or later, a Mac with Safari 6.0.5 or later on OS X v10.8.5 or later, or a PC with Edge on Windows 10. Streaming via Apple TV requires a second- or third-generation Apple TV with software 6.2 or later." It seems Apple will be streaming the event on Windows as well. There are some limitation - it requires Windows 10 and Edge browser, but it's still much better than the Apple-only offer we had so far. This means no more digging through third-party streams with awful quality, bad sound and huge lag. The official stream will be available to everyone. About time! Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/for_the_first_time_ever_apple_will_be_streaming_the_iphone_event_on_windows-news-13738.php

AMD Radeon R9 Nano packs the power of R9 in mini-ITX form-factor

AMD has announced the new R9 Radeon R9 Nano, a compact graphics card designed for mini-ITX motherboards and cases. But despite its diminutive size, the card packs the same internals as AMD's current flagship, the R9 Fury X. The R9 Nano has the same Fiji GPU from the Fury X based on the GCN 1.2 architecture with 4096 stream processors, 256 texture units, and 64 ROPs with a 4096-bit memory bus width, thanks to AMD's new 4GB HBM RAM. Compared to the R9 Fury X, the R9 Nano is clocked slightly lower at 1000MHz instead of 1050MHz, but has a considerably lower TDP of 175W compared to Fury X's 275W. The reference card has three DisplayPorts and one HDMI and requires a single 6-pin power socket. Due to the lower clock speed and lower TDP, it's unlikely the R9 Nano will be just as powerful as Fury X in actual gaming, but it should be close, which is still great considering the Fury X is a powerful card and the R9 Nano is positively tiny in comparison. The card uses an open air cooler that not only blows inside the case but due to the horizontal heat sink fins can spit air out the back of the card outside the case, which is important as mini-ITX cases tend to have much poorer ventilation. The Radeon R9 Nano is priced at $649, which is the same as the R9 Fury X. The Nano is aimed at a different market and is one of its kind for now for being able to offer so much power in such a small form-factor, and possibly the only card of this size that can do 4K, although don't expect 60fps PC Master Race framerates. If you were planning on building a high-end gaming HTPC for your living room, then the R9 Nano doesn't have much competition for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/amd_radeon_r9_nano_packs_the_power_of_r9_in_miniitx_formfactor-news-13741.php

Instagram 7.5 brings support for landscape and portrait images and videos

Ever since its inception, Instagram has always allowed clicking and uploading images (and later videos) in the 1:1 square aspect ratio. Like Twitter's 140 character limit, it was a part of the platform's appeal, or a drawback, depending upon how you chose to look at it. Off late, a lot of people had begun uploading non-square images to Instagram using image editing tools to add whitespace to the sides. Clearly people don't seem fond of Instagram's aspect ratio limitation anymore and are willing to use odd hacks to upload a non-square image, even if it made their images look terrible. So Instagram finally caved in and decided to add support for landscape and portrait aspect ratios. Once you update to the new version 7.5 build on iOS and Android, you will get a button while choosing the image to switch to the original aspect ratio of the image instead of cropping it to 1:1, after which you can then proceed to edit the image as usual. This also works for videos, so you can now have full width widescreen videos on Instagram as well. There doesn't seem to be a limitation on the aspect ratio in landscape mode but in portrait mode you are limited to 4:3, so if you upload a 16:9 vertical image or video it gets its top and bottom cropped off to fit into 4:3. This is done to prevent images and videos from overflowing out of the viewing area within the app and that the image or video still remains entirely within the app's UI. If you click on the profile, you still see square thumbnails of images and videos to preserve the square grid layout of profiles. It's a somewhat controversial decision for sure, as some might bemoan the lack of uniformity now on their timeline, with images in oddball aspect ratios already popping up everywhere. It will also make for lazier photographers, as earlier you'd have to work harder to make the shot look good in the 1:1 aspect ratio while now you can just upload your standard 4:3 or 16:9 images from your gallery and be done with it (note the Instagram camera app still allows shooting only in 1:1). Others, however, will appreciate the flexibility of uploading non-square images as sometimes it is hard to get everything within that aspect ratio. It does show that Instagram is willing to listen to its uses. The question is, whether they should...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/instagram_75_brings_support_for_landscape_and_portrait_images_and_videos-news-13739.php

New reports of 12MP iPhone 6s with 4K video recording arrive

Rumors agree that with the iPhone 6s generation Apple will upgrade the camera that hasn't seen a major improvement since the iPhone 4S in 2011. The new shooter will have a 12MP sensor (or perhaps 13MP with the extra used for digital stabilization) and will record 2160p video. The new Apple A9 chipset will feature improved ISP for better image processing with hints of a top-notch HDR mode. The selfie camera, which may get a 5MP sensor, will reportedly use a white screen in lieu of LED flash on the front (a trick LG did with the LG G Pro 2, some apps do it too). The new camera will enable slow-mo selfies at 720p apparently and better video recording overall (current iPhones are stuck at 1.2MP/720p). The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be unveiled on September 9 and we have our fingers crossed for more base storage (thinking about 4K video in 16GB storage makes us...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_6s_could_use_screen_as_a_flash_for_selfies_in_the_dark-news-13736.php

Chrome will soon defer playback of background autoplay media and block flash ads

Your Chrome browsing experience is about to get a lot better and far less annoying thanks to these two new features that are coming soon. The first is deferred playback of autoplay media for background tabs. Right now, if you open a tab in the background that has autoplay media, it will start playing in the background when the page finishes loading, and you then have to hunt for the tab and silence whatever is playing. With this feature, Chrome will wait until the tab is in the foreground to start playing autoplay media, thus causing less annoyance and also using fewer resources for background tabs. The second feature is where Chrome will automatically pause Flash ads and other non-essential Flash content on the page. Soon, Flash ads will have a gray box asking the user explicit permission to play them. Google advises ad partners to switch to using HTML5 ads, as they use fewer resources to run than Flash content. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/chrome_will_soon_defer_playback_of_background_autoplay_media_and_block_flash_ads-news-13735.php

LG Nexus 5 (2015) rumoured to launch late next month

The LG Nexus 5 (2015) - alleged live photo (see below) of which made the rounds online early last week - will be released on September 29, according to a South Korean media outlet which cited a credible source. There was, however, no word on the release date of the Nexus device being manufactured by Huawei. If you aren't already aware, two Nexus handsets are expected this year - the one from LG is said to sport a 5.2" screen, while that from Huawei is said to be a 5.7" phablet. Apart from screen size, both are rumoured to have mostly the same specs. A recently-leaked 3D render of the LG's handset showed a fingerprint scanner on a plastic back with beveled edges, fitted on a metal frame. Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed yet, so take it with a pinch of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_nexus_5_2015_rumoured_to_launch_late_next_month-news-13734.php

US Cellular begins selling Moto G 2015

The third-generation Motorola Moto G smartphone - which was officially launched last month - is now available for purchase from US Cellular. You can grab the black color model for $130 up front, or $9 a month for 20 months, or one cent on a regular two-year contract. Specs-wise, the device is powered by a Snapdragon 410 SoC with quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 306 GPU, and sports a 5-inch 720p display. It packs in a 2470 mAh battery, and comes with 1/2GB RAM and 8/16GB internal memory options - US Cellular is selling the lower end variant. In terms of camera, the Moto G 2015 features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and comes with IPX7 certification, which means it is water resistant up to 1m for up to 30 minutes. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/us_cellular_begins_selling_moto_g_2015-news-13733.php

In a first, over a billion people logged onto Facebook in a single day

This past Monday was special for Facebook as the social network saw over a billion people using it on that day, something that has happened for the first time in the company's history. The statistic was revealed by none other than Mark Zuckerberg himself. "We just passed an important milestone. For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook in a single day," the CEO said in a Facebook post. "On Monday, 1 in 7 people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family." While Facebook has already achieved 1 billion monthly active users milestone, having the same number of people using the service in a single day is much more significant. According to official statistics, the social network had an average of 968 million daily active users and 1.49 billion monthly active users last...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/in_a_first_over_a_billion_people_logged_on_to_facebook_in_a_single_day-news-13732.php

Leaked Sony Xperia Z5 press shots confirm 23MP main camera

Alleged press images of the upcoming Sony Xperia Z5 made the rounds online. One of the renders confirms that Sony's next flagship smartphone will feature a new 23MP main camera with 1/2.3" Exmor RS sensor. A recent teaser by Sony suggests that the camera will also have advanced focusing capability. The latter will likely be possible thanks to a hybrid autofocusing system. Other than the camera sensor, the press renders of the Xperia Z5 reveal that the smartphone will be available in at least three color schemes - white, gold, and a shade of turquoise. Overall, the smartphone has retained the same design language as its predecessors. Sony Xperia Z5 will make its official debut in less than a week, on September 2. An Xperia Z5 Compact and Xperia Z5 Premium with 4K display are also expected. Source ...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/leaked_sony_xperia_z5_press_shots_confirm_23mp_main_camera_-news-13731.php

HTC Desire 626 is now available at Verizon for $192

It's been known for quite a while that the HTC Desire 626 will eventually be sold by Verizon too in the US. After HTC announced a few mid-range Desire-branded options for that market back in July, Big Red unveiled its plans to stock the Desire 626 alongside the Desire 526 a few weeks ago. And today the Desire 626 joins the already available Desire 526 in Verizon's roster. The Desire 626 can be had for just $192 outright. If you'd rather use the carrier's installment plan, then you pay $8 per month for the device for 24 months. There's only one color on offer, namely white with gold accents. The HTC Desire 626 comes with a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP main camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 chipset with a 1.1 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with HTC Sense 7 UI on top. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_626_is_now_available_at_verizon_for_192-news-13729.php

Archos Diamond Tab becomes official with 4G LTE support

Archos likes diamonds, or so it would seem judging by the French company's latest announcements. A couple of days ago we saw the Diamond S smartphone being introduced, and today it's time for a Diamond-branded tablet to become official. We're talking about the Archos Diamond Tab. This iPad Mini competitor (based on its size) comes with built-in 4G LTE support and an affordable price. It has a 7.9-inch 2,048x1,536 IPS touchscreen, a 5 MP rear camera, a 2 MP front-facing unit, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a 4,800 mAh battery. It's powered by MediaTek's MT8752 64-bit chipset boasting a 1.7 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU. Cat.4 LTE is in, with theoretical peak download speeds of up to 150Mbps, and you also get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The tablet runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 202 x 134 x 7.8 mm, and it weighs 360g. The Archos Diamond Tab will become available in October for £179, which is not a bad price at all considering the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/archos_diamond_tab_becomes_official_with_4g_lte_support-news-13730.php

Apple schedules iPhone 6s and 6s Plus event for September 9

Apple has started sending out press invites for its next big event. This will take place on September 9 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California, a venue with seating capacity for around 7,000 people, and one that the Cupertino company hasn't used before. This means we may witness one of Apple's biggest launch events in its history. It's obviously expected to announce the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, These have been said to sport Force Touch tech inside their touchscreens, a higher-res camera than their predecessors, a new chipset, and more RAM. As always with "s" releases, expect the exterior to remain unchanged. Pre-orders for the new smartphones will start on September 11, two days after their unveiling, while sales should begin a week later than that, on September 18, for the first wave of markets. A second wave of availability should hit on September 25. All of this information has been leaked numerous times already, along with a possible September 8 or 9 announcement date. So now that this has been confirmed, there's no point in doubting the rest of the rumored timeline. There could be other new stuff in store for us too. A more affordable iPhone 6c has been in and out of the rumors for many months now, so it's still unclear whether it will ever become reality. On the other hand, Apple might also unveil new iPads, perhaps even the much-rumored iPad Pro. A revised Apple TV may be in the works too, though there's no telling if it's going to be ready in time for this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_schedules_iphone_6s_and_6s_plus_event_for_september_9-news-13728.php

Huawei starts selling the Honor 7 in Europe, direct to consumers

As previously rumored, Huawei has brought its Honor 7 smartphone to Europe today, and officially so. The handset can now be ordered from the Chinese company's newly unveiled online store for the continent. This is live now, and can be used if you are in the UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, or Switzerland. You get free shipping for orders that are over £69.99 or €99.99, and you can currently choose from a few additional handsets aside from the Honor 7. But let's stick with this one for now. While the rumored price of "less than £200 at launch" hasn't actually materialized, you can get the Honor 7 for just £209.99 if you act fast. The normal price is £249.99, but if you order on or before August 31 and use the coupon code H7BRAVE40UK at checkout, you'll get £40 off. In countries other than the UK, the Honor 7 has a normal price of €349.99, but the H7BRAVE50EU coupon will neatly shave €50 off that if you place your order before the end of the month. Do note, however, that the smartphone is listed as a pre-order only, with no shipping date mentioned. If the Honor 7 doesn't interest you, perhaps the Honor 6+, Honor 6, Honor 4X, Huawei P8, or P8 Premium may do the trick. A certain selection of these can be ordered through the same site, though which models you're able to get depends on where you are. For example, the Honor 6+ and P8 Premium aren't available in the UK, but they are listed if you choose Germany as your...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_starts_selling_the_honor_7_in_europe_direct_to_consumers-news-13727.php

Smaller version of next-gen Moto 360 gets compared to last year's model

Motorola still hasn't announced its follow-up to last year's Moto 360, but if we go by the amount of leaks we're seeing about the next-gen smartwatch, that should happen soon. Until it does, though, pictures showing this year's Moto 360 keep on leaking. A few days ago we saw the 2015 Moto 360 on people's wrists in the Chicago area, and now someone in China has gotten hold of the smaller version of the smartwatch. This is shown in the image above by itself, but it also gets compared to the original 360 in the shot below. This leak pretty much confirms the hypothesis that Motorola is working on two sizes for its new wearable, emulating Apple's deeds in this space. We first heard that something like this would happen earlier this month. The small variant of this year's Motorola smartwatch will apparently be called Moto 360S, while the larger one (which should sport the same screen size as its predecessor) will go by Moto 360L it seems. And yes, both of them will keep the 'flat tire' display design introduced last year, we won't see any full circles this time around either. The two models launching in 2015 should have different screen sizes and different battery sizes at least. There's no word on what will happen to the display resolution, if it will be the same or not. Source 1 (in Chinese) • Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/smaller_version_of_nextgen_moto_360_gets_compared_to_last_years_model-news-13726.php

5,000mAh-packing Lenovo Vibe P1 Pro handled, still unofficial

Early this year specs for the Lenovo Vibe P1 Pro leaked but it has been pretty quiet since then aside from a TENAA certification. Someone posted hands-on photos and some specs on Weibo giving us the first real look at the device. Lenovo Vibe P1 Pro A roomy 5.5" 1080p screen is housed in a magnesium alloy unibody. Inside that is a whopping 5,000mAh battery. You can see a panel on the bottom comes off, allowing you to access two SIM cards and a microSD. It doesn't look like the battery comes out of there though. Lenovo Vibe P1 Pro The Vibe P1 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 615 chipset with 3GB of RAM, plus 16GB of storage. There's a 13MP camera on the back with dual-LED, dual-tone flash and a 5MP selfie camera. According to the about screen the phone is running Android 5.1.1. The Home key houses a fingerprint reader. Lenovo Vibe P1 Pro The Lenovo Vibe P1 Pro should be unveiled at IFA in a week. Hopefully we'll learn more about the charging situation - the S615 chipset supports Quick Charge 2.0 (up to 3A), but to fill a 3,000mAh battery quick Lenovo may have a trick up its sleeve. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/5000mahpacking_lenovo_vibe_p1_pro_handled_still_unofficial-news-13725.php

Purported Sony Xperia Z5+ leaks in live photos

Sony is having a press-conference on September 2 in Berlin at a pre-IFA event. It's expected to announce the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, but there might be other devices in store. Just recently we saw a promotional photo for the Xperia Z5 Compact, while Sony began teasing some advanced focusing features for the Xperia Z5. And yesterday @evleaks shared some interesting intel on the upcoming Xperia Z5 lineup, which is also rumored to include a third member - the Xperia Z5 Premium or Xperia Z5+. This new Premium/Plus member is rumored to pack a 5.5" 4K display. You read it right, it's not a Quad HD a.k.a. 1440p display as seen on the LG G4/Galaxy Note5, but a full-blown 4K a.k.a. 2160p screen. This sounds more like a fan wish, but we won't dismiss it just yet. Today we can show you some live photos of the alleged Sony Xperia Z5 Premium (or Plus). There's no way to guarantee their authenticity, but the device pictured certainly carries the company's design language, adding a unique twist with its metal back. All three Xperia Z5 phones are expected to introduce a new 23MP camera with 1/2.2" sensor, f/1.8 aperture, improved autofocus and optical image stabilization. They are also expected to pack fingerprint sensors. While the Sony Georgia account on Facebook isn't an official one, @evleaks says its information coincides with the tips he is receiving. Anyway, September 2 is just around the corner and we'll know everything very soon. Source 1 | Source 2 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/purported_xperia_z5_premium_leaks_in_live_photos-news-13724.php

Samsung begins Samsung Pay closed beta testing in the US

Samsung Pay will officially launch on September 28 in the USA, but some Samsung users will be able to try it out right now. Samsung has just announced the closed beta test of Pay for the US market. Samsung Pay has been available in Korea for a week now and it's proven very popular and useful. More than 80,000 people signed in their cards on Samsung Pay. Samsung surely hopes for the same high interest in the USA and it is now organizing a closed beta test a month before the official launch. If you own a Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ or Note5, you can opt to be a beta-tester and eventually you may be chosen. If you are interested in trying out the Samsung Pay before launch, just head over this place for opt-in. Samsung Pay supports Visa, MasterCard, Bank of America, and US Bank Visa cards. All major US carriers except for Verizon will be natively supporting Samsung Pay. Verizon is yet to decide whether to participate or not. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_begins_samsung_pay_closed_beta_testing_in_the_us-news-13722.php

LG launches metallic G4 variants in India

After launching the G4 in leather and ceramic white variants earlier this year in India, LG has now launched the metallic options as well. The metallic variant comes in two colors, gold and titanium black, with a similar diamond shaped pattern on the back. It must be said though that even though LG calls it metallic, it's still very much plastic just like the ceramic version. The rest of the phone is identical to the leather and ceramic variants, with a 5.5-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 808, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, 16 megapixel rear camera with laser autofocus and OIS, 8 megapixel front camera, removable battery and microSD card slot. The metallic variant of the G4 is priced at INR 40,000...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_launches_metallic_g4_variants_in_india-news-13723.php

Obi Worldphone SF1 and SJ1.5: affordable Androids, premium design

John Sculley - former CEO of Pepsi and Apple - has gotten into the Android-phone game. The new company, Obi Worldphone, which aims to offer premium-designed phones to developing markets. Both are dual-SIM and cost between $130 and $250. The Worldphones will launch in Vietnam, India, Tukey, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (and others) soon. Obi Worldphone SF1 The higher end of the two phones, it has a 5" IPS screen with 1080p resolution. A "signature floating glass display" gives the front a distinct look (it's Gorilla Glass 4, by the way). The Obi Worldphone SF1 runs Android 5.0.2 customized with the Obi Lifespeed user interface. The software is powered by a Snapdragon 615 chipset with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. That's the $200 version, for $250 you can have 3GB RAM and 32GB storage (both have microSD slots). The phone boasts fast Cat. 4 LTE connectivity (it takes one micro and one nanoSIM), along with dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n (2x2), Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. Obi Worldphone SF1 The 13MP camera (Sony IMX214) with an f/2.0 aperture shoots 1080p video and offers OptiZoom multi-frame super-resolution. There's a 5MP selfie camera with its own too. The unibody features metallic accents and measures 146 x 74 x 8mm and weighs 147g, it has a generous 3,000mAh battery. By the way, SF stands for San Francisco. Obi Worldphone SJ1.5 Despite the higher number, this is the more affordable of the two. The Obi Worldphone SJ1.5 is priced at $130 and also comes with a 5" IPS screen and dual-SIM connectivity. The screen has 720p resolution though, while mobile data is capped at 3G (both card slots are microSIMs). That's backed by Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. You don't get a 32GB version, but the microSD slot should be enough. The SJ1.5 is also more modest when it comes to computing power - a MediaTek chipset with a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. It runs a newer version of Android though, v5.1. Obi Worldphone SJ1.5 The camera is an 8MP shooter (OmniVision sensor) with f/2.2 aperture. The selfie camera is the same 5MP shooter too. The Obi Worldphone SJ1.5 (San Jose) features a Magnesium-Titanium alloy chassis covered in polycarbonate. The whole thing measures 146 x 73 x 8mm and weighs 131g. Like the SF1 it has a 3,000mAh battery. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/obi_worldphone_sf1_and_sj15_affordable_androids_premium_design-news-13721.php

ZTE outlines plans for IFA, global flagship Axon is the centerpiece

ZTE is prepping for one of the biggest events in the mobile world in Berlin. This year's IFA takes place September 4-9 and as always will gather all the big names with their latest and greatest devices. What the Chinese company will bring to the show is members of its four global product lines - Axon, Blade, Nubia, and Spro. The ZTE Axon top model is the obvious choice to lead the pack - ZTE's first flagship, available globally. Joining it will be the Blade V6 - a more affordable entry, positioned in the midrange, and the thinnest Blade. Multiple Nubias will be present too, as ZTE attempts to make its sub brand more recognizable across the world. Smartphones aside, the company will showcase its oddball Spro 2 projector. True, the device has already been available for some time, but it's a head-turner nontheless, so it makes for a nice event attendee. On a press-only breakfast ZTE will have photographer Ed Kashi as a guest speaker, as it has become the norm for manufacturers to invite pro photographers to convince us on the merits of smartphone cameras. Additionally, a ZTE Fun Day will have German musicians Culcha Candela and Albert N'Sanda perform for the public on September...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_outlines_plans_for_ifa_global_flagship_axon_is_the_centerpiece-news-13720.php

Canon EOS M3 to launch in the US in October for $680

Canon has announced the EOS M3 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera for US. We talked about it earlier when it was launched in Europe back in February. The camera will go on sale in the US in early October for $679.99 body-only. You can also get it with the EOS M3 EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens kit for $799.99. Additionally, a two lens kit featuring the EOS M3 with the EF-M 18-55mm IS STM lens and the EF-M 55-200mm IS STM lens will be available for $1,049.00. The EOS M3 is the successor to Canon's first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the EOS M. The EOS M wasn't much of a success and it was panned for its lack of features and slow autofocus performance compared to other mirrorless cameras in its range, making it look like a rather lazy effort from Canon to avoid hurting its low-end DSLR sales. The M3, however, does seem like a much better camera, with a new 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100 - 12,800 and a new DIGIC 6 image processor, 49-point Hybrid CMOS AF III autofocus system, which is said to be 6.1x faster than the one on the EOS M, front and rear control dials, 3.0-inch 1040k dot tilting touchscreen display, and built-in Wi-Fi and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/canon_eos_m3_to_launch_in_the_us_in_october_for_680-news-13719.php

LG's new wireless portable keyboard folds into an easy-to-carry stick

LG has developed what it is calling "the industry's first solid rollable wireless portable keyboard." Dubbed Rolly Keyboard, the device folds into a stick that you can easily carry in your pocket, purse, or briefcase, the company claims. In its unfolded form, the keyboard is capable of connecting to two different devices at the same time via Bluetooth 3.0 - you can toggle between the devices by pressing a key. The device also has a couple of arms that fold out to support smartphones as well as tablets in an upright position. It is powered by a single AAA battery which LG claims gives up to three months of average use. "LG Rolly Keyboard is just one of the many premium input devices we'll be unveiling in the coming months as we expand our accessories offerings," the company said. "The goal was to create a product that could add more value to LG smartphones and tablets at the same time offering a unique design proposition that hadn't been explored before." The keyboard will be showcased at the upcoming IFA event in Berlin, and will be launched in the United States shortly thereafter. It will land in Europe, Latin America, and Asia in Q4 this year. There was, however, no word on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lgs_new_wireless_portable_keyboard_folds_into_an_easytocarry_stick-news-13718.php

Evernote is pulling the plug on its Food app

Popular productivity app company Evernote has announced that it is killing off its Food app, which was released back in 2011 and allowed users to find and save recipes and click food photos. "As of September 30th, we'll no longer support Evernote Food for iOS and Android," the company said in a blog post. "This means the apps will no longer be available for download and we won't be making any further updates to them. It also means that features within the apps, including sync with the Evernote service, will no longer work." In addition, Evernote said that its core apps and Web Clipper are now capable of doing what Food did best: clipping recipes and snapping photos of meals. The company is also suggesting users to check out its App Center Food Collection that features Evernote-integrated food-centric...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/evernotes_food_app_is_shutting_down_next_month-news-13717.php

Amazon's Prime Instant Video service to launch in Japan next month

Amazon Prime Instant Video, a subscription-based service that allows users to stream movies and TV shows to their device, will be launched in Japan next month. The service will be available at no extra cost for members of Amazon Prime, which launched around a decade ago in Japan, and is available for $32.50 a year or $2.71 per month in the country. As for the content, Prime Instant Video will include popular US and Japanese movies, TV shows, variety shows, anime, concerts, as well as Amazon Originals like Mozart in the Jungle, Transparent, and Tumble Leaf. Select titles will also be available in 4K Ultra HD. The service will also be available on the Amazon Video app for iOS and Android phones and tablets, Fire tablets, game consoles, and smart TVs. Incidentally, Netflix is also launching its streaming service in Japan next month - precisely, on September 2, i.e. next week. Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_bringing_its_prime_instant_video_service_to_japan_next_month-news-13716.php

Alleged press images of Microsoft's upcoming duo of flagship smartphones leak out

Alleged press shots showcasing Microsoft's upcoming duo of flagship smartphones made the rounds on Twitter, courtesy of @evleaks. Sporting the codenames Cityman and Talkman, the devices are expected to debut in the near future with 5.7" and 5.2" display respectively. Before the official images from @evleaks leaked out, the Microsoft Cityman showed up in a blurry photo. The handset will likely launch as Microsoft Lumia 950 XL (the blue device), while the Talkman will be unveiled as Lumia 950 (pictured in black). Both Windows 10 smartphones will feature QHD display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, 20MP PureView main camera, 5MP front-facing unit, and USB Type-C port. In line with past leaks, the Lumia 950 XL will pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC and 3,300mAh removable battery, while its smaller sibling will pack a Snapdragon 808 SoC and 3,000mAh swappable battery. An infrared iris scanner will be featured on both smartphones. The Lumia 950 XL will have integrated Qi wireless charging, while the Lumia 950 will support the feature via an optional cover. Source 1 | Source 2 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_press_images_of_microsofts_upcoming_duo_of_flagship_smartphones_leak_out-news-13715.php

Facebook's entry into the virtual assistant space is called M, lives in Messenger

After Apple, Google, Microsoft, and a few other, smaller companies, Facebook is now jumping straight into the virtual assistant space. The social network's newly revealed competitor for the likes of Siri, Google Now, or Cortana is called M. It lives inside Facebook Messenger. M is for now getting a very limited release, with just a few hundred people in the San Francisco Bay Area being lucky enough to be able to use it. It will be quite a long time before every one of the 700 million monthly users of Facebook Messenger will get M as an option in the app, especially because of how M is said to pair AI with actual human input. That will be its biggest differentiating feature, Facebook thinks. On one level, M works like its competitors - you can ask it stuff, and it will answer. It can also plan things for you, but it's capable of pulling off stuff out there 'in real life' too. For example, it can complete certain tasks, from organizing dinner parties to "tracking down an unusual beverage in New Orleans", or redecorating your office or whatnot. It will even call your cable company and endure through the hold times and various automated messages you hear before you can actually speak to a customer rep. All of this is possible thanks to "M trainers", Facebook employees who will make sure that every request made to M is answered. You won't know whether what M outputs comes from its AI or from actual humans working behind the scenes, however. At the moment, M is only using the data in Messenger to base its answers and suggestions on, not the stuff in the main Facebook app. That may change in the future, though. Source | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebooks_entry_into_the_virtual_assistant_space_is_called_m_lives_in_messenger-news-13714.php

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 duo now up for pre-order in the US

After having gone on sale in certain markets such as Hong Kong already, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 are now up for pre-order in the US. If you're after either tablet in Wi-Fi-only form, then you can already order from Samsung's own US online store. Each model comes in three color options: black, white, and gold. The 8-inch model is priced at $399.99, while the 9.7-inch Tab S2 goes for $499.99. So they're identical to Apple's latest iPads in this regard. More retailers should offer these devices later today, including Amazon and Best Buy. If, on the other hand, you'd rather get your Tab S2 from a carrier, complete with 4G LTE support, then both AT&T and T-Mobile will be happy to oblige. AT&T will start taking orders for the 9.7-inch version on September 4. The carrier will only have it in black, for $0 down and 20 monthly installments of $30. Alternatively, you can get it for $499.99 with a new two-year contract. You'll find the same 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 at T-Mobile one day earlier, on September 3. To purchase one, you shell out nothing upfront, then followed by 23 monthly installments of $27.09 and a 24th monthly payment of $26.92. That all adds up to the tablet's full price of $649.99. Source 1 • Source 2 | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_tab_s2_duo_now_up_for_preorder_in_the_us-news-13712.php

Cyanogen releases Android 5.1.1 update for OnePlus One, then pulls it

OnePlus may have already announced its smartphone offering for this year, but many people are sticking with last year's One. And this news is for them. The Chinese startup's first handset is now finally being updated to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, which is the base for Cyanogen OS 12.1. This is now rolling out to OnePlus One devices worldwide, though in a staged fashion - which means it may take a while for your phone to notify you about the update. If you're impatient, however, you can go to the Source link below and download the update - either as a full ROM, or just as an incremental jump from the last Cyanogen OS 12.0 release based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. The new software comes with everything that Google has included in Android 5.1.1 (mostly bug fixes), but also some Cyanogen-specific things. First off, you'll find out that your Chrome homepage has been changed to Bing. Thankfully though, you can easily get rid of Microsoft's search engine by using Chrome settings. Next up is a new Phone app, one that features integration with TrueCaller, a service that lets you identify who's calling even if you don't have that number in your phone book. The design is a little different too. Finally, the built-in launcher has received a new option for the app drawer, namely showing it as a vertically-scrolling list (and this is the new default). If you don't like the Android Marshmallow-like feature, you can switch back to the paged drawer from the launcher's settings menu. UPDATE: The rollout has been stopped, the new software has been pulled by Cyanogen without an explanation as to why. Only 2% of the OnePlus One units out there actually managed to get it. Clearly, some issues were spotted, but what those are is a mystery. Hopefully they will get fixed soon so the rollout can...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_one_gets_android_511_through_cyanogen_os_121_release-news-13711.php

Amazon Underground launches on Android giving away apps worth $10,000

Today Amazon has launched a new app for Android, which is basically a new version of its Appstore, but with a twist. It's called Amazon Underground, and it lets you download and install apps to your Android device, just like the Amazon Appstore. However, Underground comes with something special: over $10,000 worth of paid apps included for free. Or "actually free" as Amazon calls them - these all come without any in-app purchases. The apps are normally either paid or require in-app purchases to be usable. Some titles are OfficeSuite Professional 8, Goat Simulator, PhotoSuite 4, Frozen Free Fall, Star Wars Rebels: Recon Missions, Angry Birds Slingshot Stella, and Looney Tunes Dash. Amazon is paying the developers of these apps (and games) a certain amount depending on how much time you use them. You'll never have to pay anything though. With the launch of Amazon Underground, the "Free app of the day" promotion has disappeared from the Amazon Appstore. This has probably happened because you'll find all of those "free apps of the day" inside Underground anyway - and Underground isn't a limited-time thing either. According to Amazon, it is "a long-term program" which will receive new benefits over time. The Amazon Underground app is free to download, but you need to go to this website to get it. That's because the terms and conditions governing Google's Play Store forbid developers from uploading apps that offer apps or games inside them. Underground apps and games are automatically available on Fire HD and Fire HDX...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_underground_launches_on_android_with_10000_worth_of_free_apps-news-13713.php

Samsung Galaxy Mega On and Grand On have their specs leaked

Last week we got word that Samsung would soon add a new letter to its alphabet soup of branding: O. This would be a new series for the Korean company, and it's been rumored to make its debut with two devices - the Galaxy O5 and Galaxy O7. Now it seems those names have been dropped, with Samsung opting for the even more confusing Galaxy Grand On and Galaxy Mega On instead. A new rumor comes to fill us in regarding these two handsets' specs. First off, the Galaxy Mega On will have the model number SM-G600 and it will reportedly sport a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie snapper, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 SoC with a 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU at the helm, 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery. Its dimensions are set to be 151.8 x 77.5 x 8.2 mm, and it will weigh 145g. It will run Android 5.1 Lollipop from day one. It's already been certified by the Bluetooth SIG, by the way. On the other hand, the Galaxy Grand On will feature a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear cam, a 5 MP front-facing unit, the Exynos 3475 chipset with a 1.3 GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, and a 2,600 mAh battery. It too will run Android 5.1 Lollipop. Its dimensions are 142 x 71.9 x 8.5 mm, and it weighs 140g. Right now it's unclear when Samsung plans to launch these devices, how much they will cost, or what possible need there could be for them to exist at all, given how similar their specs are to many other smartphones from the same manufacturer. Perhaps it's all going to be in the design. Or maybe they will have some special VR features. Source 1 • Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_mega_on_and_and_grand_on_have_specs_leaked-news-13710.php

Samsung introduces three 360 wireless speakers - R1, R3 and R5

Samsung announced three new very interesting speakers - they are all 360-degree wireless standalones. The models are R1, R3 and R5 - successors of the R6 and R7. The new generation 360 Wireless Audio speakers offer "high-quality, balanced sound, and premium table-top design that enables them to fit seamlessly into any home." They have a brand new interface for easier control. Samsung's Multiroom App has been updated as well and supports those speakers on both Android and iOS. Finally, Samsung partnered with Qobuz and the R1, R3 and R5 supports the high-quality streaming service. Samsung will showcase the R1, R3 and R5 at IFA in Berlin next month. They will launch in the US and EU markets in Q4 this year. The R1 is priced at $199, the R5 is set to cost $399, and the R3 is somewhere in-between - probably $299. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_introduces_three_360_wireless_speakers-news-13709.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 treated to Android 5.1.1, Poland is first to get it

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 got its last firmware update in April and it wasn't version 5.1.1. Today, nearly 5 months later the ex-flagship phablet is finally getting Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and all of its critical fixes. The US carrier Sprint was the first to launch the update two weeks ago, but as of today the international model is getting the same treatment. The update is available over the air and via Kies. The new Android build features performance improvements and security fixes, but there is no info if the Stagefright vulnerability was taken care of or not. If Samsung didn't have the time to patch the Stagefright exploit, hopefully it will do so via another update soon. Poland is the first market to get the new 5.1.1 update, as it usually happens with the Samsung updates. In case you are impatient to get your hands on it, the official Poland ROMs are already available online (hit the source link below) and you can download and install the update via Odin. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_4_treated_to_android_511_poland_is_first_to_get_it-news-13708.php

Samsung Galaxy A8 review: A-game

You don't need to be the best if you can be the crowd favorite. The Samsung Galaxy A8 is Samsung's thinnest smartphone yet and is certainly learning from the Note5 in some respects, but while it can't beat it on features it's likely to rival it on popularity.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a8-review-1288.php

European Samsung Galaxy Note5 shows up on Samsung's website

The saga around the existence and availability of a European/international version of the Samsung Galaxy Note5 continues. The mythical SM-N920F version has shown up on FCC and Bluetooth.org, and investigators on the matter have now spotted it on Samsung's own website. But before you get too worked up that the smartphone is coming to a store near you next week, you should know that the new bit of info is the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value of the F variant. The numbers are also the same as other versions already in existence. A SAR number is far for confirmation on availability though, and by now the only official word from Samsung states that the Galaxy Note5 won't be coming this side of the Atlantic this year. And even though the Korean report that claims an August 28 European launch date is the one we want to believe, there's still no solid data to corroborate it. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/european_samsung_galaxy_note5_shows_up_on_a_samsung_website-news-13707.php

Motorola will absorb Lenovo Mobile

You can expect a lot more Motorola models in the future. Lenovo has decided that in the smartphone market the brand recognition of Motorola is much stronger than that of its own brand and will integrate Lenovo Mobile into Motorola. That's not just a relabeling though, the President of Lenovo Mobile Group said that much of the organizational structure of Motorola will remain in place and will take lead of what is now Lenovo Mobile. Lenovo Mobile will cut down the number of models it produces until eventually all new models come out under the Motorola brand. The combined company will rely heavily on Moto's long experience in research and development. Lenovo's phone business will not be all Moto though, the company recently launched the ZUK brand. ZUK will work on the international scene and wants to become known for its high-end phones. Lenovo's last financial results showed a slight drop in shipments in Q1 (16.2 million) and a pre-tax loss of $292 million. This may have been the trigger for Lenovo to shift towards the more recognizable...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_will_absorb_lenovo_mobile-news-13706.php

Now you can get Samsung Galaxy Note5 and S6 edge+ in real gold

Hanoi is like the El Dorado of gold-plated phones with the Karalux Store pumping out gilded versions of various flagships. It worked through the Galaxy flagship line and has just unveiled the gold Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+. The engineers took the phones apart, a process that takes 10 steps. The flagship duo is made out of 7000 series aluminum, 60% stronger and lighter than stainless steel. Those metal parts are than taken through a complicated process to first lay a base, then gold plate them and finally put on a protective layer on top. It's the same process that was used to gold-plate this Rolls-Royce. The gold-plating process alone costs VND 8 million ($355), phone + gold plating is VND 25 million ($1110). If you're in Hanoi, you can visit the Karalux Store where the gilded phablets are available for viewing. Gold-plated Samsung Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/now_you_can_get_samsung_galaxy_note5_and_s6_edge_in_real_gold-news-13704.php

Meizu launches MX5 flagship smartphone in India

Nearly a couple of months after making it official, Meizu has launched its MX5 flagship smartphone in India. The Chinese company had already revealed the device's India launch plans last week. The handset is available in the country exclusively through online retailer Snapdeal, which is selling the 16GB variant for INR 19,999 (~$300) - color options include silver black and silver white. The 32GB and 64GB variants, however, are currently not available, but will be up for grabs in the near future. Specs-wise, the device is powered by an octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, and sports a 5.5-inch (1920 X 1080 pixel resolution) display. It comes with 3GB RAM and 16/32/64GB internal memory options, and packs in a 3150 mAh battery. In terms of camera, the MX5 features a 20.7MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop-based Flyme 4.5 OS. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, Glonass, and micro-USB. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_launches_mx5_flagship_smartphone_in_india-news-13703.php

YouTube Gaming, Google's answer to Twitch launching today

Over a couple of months after it was announced, Google's YouTube Gaming service - its Twitch competitor - is set to launch today in the US and UK. At the time of announcement Google said that the service will become available "this summer." " YouTube Gaming will be available on the Web as well as mobile (Android and iOS), with the former set to go live at 10am PT, while the apps will be available starting 1pm ET and 6pm BT. If you aren't in the know, the service will feature gaming-related videos and live streams, powered by what Google calls "the biggest community of gamers on the web." Over 25,000 games will each have their own page containing all the best videos and live streams about that title. There will also be channels from game publishers and YouTube creators. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_gaming_googles_answer_to_twitch_reportedly_launching_today-news-13702.php

Samsung Galaxy Note5 stylus reportedly jams and damages phone when inserted the wrong way

The S Pen on the Note5 might have a design flaw. As discovered by Android Police, if inserted the wrong way, it could get stuck and cause permanent damage to the phone. The S Pen on the Note5 is uniformly shaped throughout, unlike the styli on the previous Note devices. This means it goes in easily either way without much resistance. The problem is, if you accidentally do insert it the wrong way, the stylus goes most of the way in and then gets badly stuck in the phone's holding mechanism, making it difficult to pull out without the help of tools. If you do manage to pull it out, the stylus detection mechanism on the phone - which tells it when the stylus is inserted or removed - stops working permanently, as Android Police discovered on their review unit. The latter part might not happen 100% of the times. According to Ars Technica, the mechanism did stop working on their unit but putting it back in the wrong way somehow made it work again, which wasn't the case with Android Police's unit. Samsung's response to this is to read the manual. Unlike the manual that came with the previous Note devices, the Note5 manual specifically advises against placing the S Pen the wrong way inside the phone, meaning Samsung was well aware of the issue and the things that could happen if the user were to put the S Pen backwards but instead of altering the design decided to add a warning in the manual instead. While one could argue that anyone who inserts the stylus the wrong way deserves what's coming to them, no one in their right mind would do it on purpose. It's an unlikely scenario but in case someone manages to do it, it would have been better if the stylus simply didn't go in or even if it did wouldn't get horrible jammed and possibly damage the phone in the process. That seems like a way too serious a penalty for a simple mistake. Anyway, it doesn't seem like Samsung is going to do anything about it as the company has covered its tracks in the user manual so it's not like they don't warn you about it. As a user, you just have to be careful not to put the S Pen in the wrong way, which applies to many things in general. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_note5_stylus_reportedly_jams_and_damages_phone_when_inserted_the_wrong_way-news-13701.php