You can now download Android Pay directly form the Pay Store

Google's ambitious Android Pay program is shaping up quite nicely and is now at a point where the online giant feels confident enough to start offering it more widely to its users. The app is now up on the Play Sore and can be freely downloaded, but, before you get too excited, there are still quite a few restrictions. First and foremost, Android Pay still only works inside the US and only for a select list of banks and types of cards. The full list is available on the Android Pay website, so, if you don't meet the above conditions, the platform is sadly unavailable to you. Still, we know that, like us, you probably want to check it out anyway, but don't bother. We tried and so did a lot of other users and even if you get past the regional restrictions and side load the app, it either crashes or naturally doesn't let you add a card. Also, if you are among the lucky ones who can now pay using Google's new one-tap solution, be advised that we are already getting reports of various bugs. For example, it appears the loyalty cards section can only be accessed once you add at least one valid credit card. But, these problems are sure to be quickly dealt with. And if you need a little back story or are feeling confused as to how this fits into the current situation and particularly Google Wallet, here's the short version. If you already have Google Wallet installed, it will be replaced by Android Pay via an OTA or if you click on the source link and install it manually. However, if you already have some cards inside Wallet, you will still have access to them in Android Pay and they are just a few taps away from being more secure than ever, thanks to virtual numbers and various other protection mechanisms. Android Pay will also work just like Google Wallet when paying at merchants. All you have to do is have your NFC enabled, tap the phone on a compatible terminal and that's it. So, if you are currently using Wallet, the change in habits should be non-existent, with the added benefit of extra security and tighter involvement of your bank in the whole process. The platform can also be used for gift and loyalty cards, although some restrictions do apply for those as well. Eventually, Android Pay will also handle online payment, much like PayPal does, for example. One hub for everything - online or offline, or at least that is what Google envisions as the future of payments. And if you are wondering what will happen with Wallet and those other features, like sending money between individuals and managing your physical Google Wallet Card, well, Google Wallet is being kept alive to handle precisely those two tasks. It preserves the name, but due to the aforementioned update procedure, has to be downloaded manually, also form the Play Store. One more thing, if you do happen to try Android Pay, be sure to come back and tells us about your experience in the comment...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/you_can_now_download_android_pay_directly_form_the_pay_store-news-14085.php

New leaked photos seem to show the LG Class, but not in a phablet form factor

If you've been keeping a close eye on LG lately, then you already know about the LG Class. We only recently got out first glimpse of the device in an official LG teaser and believed it to be an interesting metal, mid-range phablet offer. This was further backed-up by a timely benchmark leak, of a mysterious H740 device. But a new set of photos has now popped up online that seems to tell a different story about the LG Class. The device is, in fact, only hours away from unveiling and we know that part for sure, from LG itself, but it might not be a phablet at all. The new stills look quite believable, despite coming from a shady source and the depicted unit is undoubtedly the on featured in LG's banner. However, if we believe that the photos are legitimate, that also brings quite a bit of credibility to the accompanying specs. According to them, the LG Class will have a 5.0-inch 720p display, instead of a 5.7-inch 1080p one, like we previously thought. There are some discrepancies in the chipset as well, with the new leak citing the MSM8916 Snapdragon 410 SoC, instead of a Snapdragon 615 one. RAM, however, is still at 2GB and 16GB for internal storage, plus a microSD card slot. The camera setup seems to consist of a 13MP main shooter and an 8MP one on the front. So, if this new leak holds some air, the LG Class looks to be more of an entry-level device, rather than a mid-range one. It is also quite hard to guess whether the phone's 142 x 71.8 x 7.4 mm body is metal or not, based on the shots alone, but that is most likely a given, considering the teaser slogan - "Something New". This definitely puts a new twist to the story and begs the question of which information is true. There is also the possibility that both devices exist, perhaps even under the same Class name. But, we digress. In any case, this should all be cleared up pretty soon come the September 21 LG event. Thanks for the tip Informer Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_leaked_photos_seem_to_show_the_lg_class_but_not_in_a_phablet_form_factor-news-14084.php

Photos of the upcoming Meizu Pro 5 surface online and it is running vanilla Android

The Pro 5 is shaping up to be Meizu's next big announcement. We first saw a glimpse of the alleged device last week, along with some specs and a possible explanation for the lack of any apparent Meizu logos on the package. Apparently, the Chinese OEM is trying to launch a new premium sub-brand, named simply "Pro" in an attempt to differentiate it from the existing MX models. The Pro 5 is said to be the ambassador to this new effort and from the looks of things it definitely has the potential for a flying start. Meizu PRO 5 retail packaging After a grand photo tour of the luxurious retail box, today a few more live photos have surface online that seem to show a working Pro 5 unit in the flesh. Despite the low quality, the shots do give away a fair amount of info. The handset's design is quite reminiscent of the current MX5, meaning that the PRO line will keep the signature Meizu look and feel, at least for now that is. We can also clearly make out the metal unibody shell on the Pro 5, as well as the 2.5D curved glass effect on the front. Another interesting observation to be made is that the Meizu Pro 5 doesn't appear to be running on the company's own Flyme OS, but rather a quite vanilla Android build. This could be interpreted as a sign that the Pro 5 will run on stock Android or possibly have a "pure" edition of sorts, but it seems highly unlikely for Meizu to give up on its custom Flyme after investing so much effort into it. A far more likely explanation is that we are looking at an early prototype that simply has a basic Android build loaded for development. Meizu Pro 5 As for the alleged specs of the Meizu Pro 5, it is shaping up to be quite a powerhouse, even allegedly surpassing the Samsung Galaxy S7 in benchmarks, also said to already be in development. The PRO 5 will come in two versions, powered by either an Exynos 7420 chip, or Mediatek's much-hyped Helio X20 that boasts the first deca-core CPU, both reportedly benchmarked earlier. Meizu's VP has explicitly stated that we won't be seeing a Snapdragon 810 SoC inside a PRO 5, with some pretty harsh words on the chipset being uttered to justify the decision. By now it's also been confirmed that the smartphones will come with a 1080p display, likely with a 5.5-inch diagonal. Previous reports outlined different specs for the Exynos and Mediatek versions, but something along the lines of 3GB/4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a 21MP primary camera, is to be expected. We can't really say whether the cited hardware is true, but in any case, the wait shouldn't be too long, as according to Meizu's official schedule, the Pro 5 will be unveiled on September 25. A price around the CNY 3,000 ($470) ballpark has been...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/photos_of_the_upcoming_meizu_pro_5_surface_online_and_it_is_running_vanilla_android-news-14082.php

Cupertino might be a step closer to finally launching Apple Pay in China

Apple Pay is shaping up to be a top priority for Cupertino. Ever since it first saw the light of day, about a year ago, the US giant has been going through hoops to spread the platform and enforce it, along with its steep commissions on to banks and often distrustful retailers alike. And if there is one thing Apple is undoubtedly brilliant at, it is pushing products, so quite naturally, after a lot of hard work and grinding Apple Pay is now growing in popularity in the US, as well as abroad. But, while getting support in the UK and Canada hasn't really proven to be such a major challenge, China has remained tightly sealed off to the payment service, at least up until now that is. A new report suggests that Apple might have finally managed to permeate the vast Chinese market and is now closer to releasing Apple Pay there than ever. Apparently Cupertino has already registered an entity within the Shanghai free-trade zone that will be charged with coordinating Apple Pay. It is called Apple Technology Service Shanghai Ltd. and was registered on June 10, as the Shanghai government's company-registration database confirms. Its official business operations description includes - "consulting, services and system integration in the field of payments", which is all the evidence we need to prove that Apple is making progress. To give you a little backstory on the matter - operating a payment service within China must be sanctioned by the government and approved by the central bank. Apple had initially planned to push a partnership with UnionPay - which governs all NFC payments within the country, but negotiations between the two sides have been slow and unfruitful and government regulations and security concerns prevented Apple from reaching the final deal, initially planned for March 2015. Since then, Apple has also been trying to forge a partnership with China's own Alibaba. This was viewed as a potential path to introducing Apple Pay in China, through an integration with the company's own Alipay system. This however does not solve the problem as UnionPay controls the NFC payment system in the country so there is no going around the regulations. The founding of this new $13.4 million capital subsidiary, however, is a clear indication that Apple has managed to somehow move things along, meaning that it might finally have access to China's vast market, with over 400 million digital payment users on Alipay alone. Recently, Alibaba rival Tencent Holdings Ltd has also been gaining ground in the e-payment niche with its vastly popular WeChat messenger, which is another viable path that Cupertino could be using to expand. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long for an official statement from Apple to clear the air. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cupertino_might_be_a_step_closer_to_finally_launching_apple_pay_in_china-news-14080.php

New Windows 10 insider build brings bigger start menu, account-less Cortana and diverse emojis

Microsoft's Insider Program for Windows 10 has proven to be a great success so far. Not only has it become an invaluable source of feedback to power the company's new open development cycle, but it allows the tech community to get the inside track on the latest changes and developments inside the OS. The new Insider release is now out (Build 10547) and it brings a number of improvements, most of which in response to user-request. App updates A number of core Windows 10 apps have received improvements in the latest build. These include Groove, Maps, Calendar and Mail, but also the Windows Xbox app. The latter is now even more engaging with the addition of 'game progress comparison'. Overall, we are really starting to see Microsoft's vision of cross-platform gaming and a game-centric community taking shape and we can't wait for the project to evolve even further. A spacious Start Menu It turns out a lot of Windows users were feeling slightly constrained by the 512 elements limitation in the Start area. Microsoft has raised that to a whopping 2048 with a new forth column in the latest build, so you can now horde apps to your heart's content. Cortana is now untethered This is an issues we did actually have here at the office. Cortana is undoubtedly great and is perhaps the most lively and personality-rich assistant out of the bunch we currently have and keeping her around is quite fun. Sadly, if you happen to be on a Windows 10 PC that you wish to use with an offline account, instead of your Microsoft one, Cortana is left dead in the water. And if you try to tell her your credentials, Windows just assumes you no longer want to be so disconnected and requires you to switch to your online account. Well, apparently a lot of users weren't all too happy about this and Microsoft has indeed delivered a solution in the latest version, where Cortana can work without logging you in. However, bear in mind that she does still need internet to look things up for you and won't nearly be that personal if she doesn't get access to your shared online "Notebook". Improved gestures in tablet mode The task view in Windows 10 tablet mode is now a lot easier to operate. From it you can snap apps to left and right and replace a previously snapped app with another. Also a simple swipe down will now closes an app. New diverse emojis Adding more diverse emoji color options has already been discussed quite a few times within the Windows 10 community and they are also making a debut in Build 10547. Now the default keyboard has a color selection button in the bottom left corner that toggles all compatible emote icons. This does, in fact look to be quite convenient, perhaps even more so than Apple's approach, which involves selecting a variation for each typed emoji. Just like with any other Windows build, there are also a lot more fixes and improvements under the hood, but the above few is what definitely meets the eye upon first inspection. Furthermore, we are truly happy to see Microsoft's newly adopted open development process working out so productively and unlike most previous Windows version, this time around the platform is truly alive and evolving. Source | Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/latest_windows_10_insider_build_brings_bigger_start_menu_accountless_cortana_and_diverse_emojis-news-14083.php

OnePlus 2 goes on sale in Malaysia next week

Over a month after Maxis announced that it will soon start selling the OnePlus 2 smartphone in Malaysia, it has been revealed that the carrier will launch the device on September 22, i.e. coming Tuesday. As for the price, the 64 GB Sandstone Black variant will carry a price tag of RM1,788 or $423 (tax included). Those on the carrier's Zerolution plan will be able to purchase it for RM104 ($25) per month. It's worth mentioning that the handset, which was made official back in July this year and is currently available in limited quantities, will only be made available to those who have received a special invite from its website. In addition to the carrier's brick-and-mortar stores, you'll also be able to place orders for the device on the Maxis Online Store, something which you can do starting 10:00 AM on September 22, with deliveries beginning on September...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_2_goes_on_sale_in_malaysia_next_week-news-14081.php

Several apps in Apple's Chinese App Store found to be malware-infected

Chinese security researchers have found that Apple's App Store in the country is currently home to several malware-infected apps, a revelation that has been subsequently verified by US-based Palo Alto Networks. Researchers say hackers infected some versions of development tool Xcode hosted on third-party websites - for those who aren't in the know, the tool, which is also directly available from Apple for free, is used by developers to create iOS and OS X apps. These malicious versions have now been labeled as XcodeGhost. Examples of infected apps - which are more than 20 in number, and collect information like phone's name, UUID, language and country, current time. and network type when launched - include NetEase Cloud Music which has nearly 500 ratings, with an average of 4.5 stars. "Some of them are very popular and have tens of millions of installations," according to a researcher with Palo Alto Networks. Source | Via 1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/several_apps_in_apples_chinese_app_store_found_to_be_malwareinfected-news-14079.php

Cupertino might by a step closer to finally launching Apple Pay in China

Apple Pay is shaping up to be a top priority for Cupertino. Ever since it first saw the light of day, about a year ago, the US giant has been going through hoops to spread the platform and enforce it, along with its steep commissions on to banks and often distrustful retailers alike. And if there is one thing Apple is undoubtedly brilliant at, it is pushing products, so quite naturally, after a lot of hard work and grinding Apple Pay is now growing in popularity in the US, as well as abroad. But, while getting support in the UK and Canada hasn't really proven to be such a major challenge, China has remained tightly sealed off to the payment service, at least up until now that is. A new report suggests that Apple might have finally managed to permeate the vast Chinese market and is now closer to releasing Apple Pay there than ever. Apparently Cupertino has already registered an entity within the Shanghai free-trade zone that will be charged with coordinating Apple Pay. It is called Apple Technology Service Shanghai Ltd. and was registered on June 10, as the Shanghai government's company-registration database confirms. Its official business operations description includes - "consulting, services and system integration in the field of payments", which is all the evidence we need to prove that Apple is making progress. To give you a little backstory on the matter - operating a payment service within China must be sanctioned by the government and approved by the central bank. Apple had initially planned to push a partnership with UnionPay - which governs all NFC payments within the country, but negotiations between the two sides have been slow and unfruitful and government regulations and security concerns prevented Apple from reaching the final deal, initially planned for March 2015. Since then, Apple has also been trying to forge a partnership with China's own Alibaba. This was viewed as a potential path to introducing Apple Pay in China, through an integration with the company's own Alipay system. This however does not solve the problem as UnionPay controls the NFC payment system in the country so there is no going around the regulations. The founding of this new $13.4 million capital subsidiary, however, is a clear indication that Apple has managed to somehow move things along, meaning that it might finally have access to China's vast market, with over 400 million digital payment users on Alipay alone. Recently, Alibaba rival Tencent Holdings Ltd has also been gaining ground in the e-payment niche with its vastly popular WeChat messenger, which is another viable path that Cupertino could be using to expand. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long for an official statement from Apple to clear the air. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cupertino_might_by_a_step_closer_to_finally_launching_apple_pay_in_china-news-14080.php

Developer pulls top selling iOS ad-blocking app, says it 'just doesn't feel good'

Popular iOS ad-blocker Peace, which has been the number one paid app in the US since iOS 9's debut, has been pulled from the App Store. It was developed by Marco Arment, who is also the brain behind the popular read-it-later app Instapaper and podcast app Overcast. As per Arment, Peace was designed in a way that it treated all ads the same, an approach which he now labels as "too blunt." Apparently, the main issue he was facing was that the app was blocking ads from The Deck, the same publisher which serves ads to Arment's own website as well as those of some of his close friends. "Ad-blocking is a kind of war — a first-world, low-stakes, both-sides-are-fortunate-to-have-this-kind-of-problem war, but a war nonetheless, with damage hitting both sides." he said in a blog post. "Even though I'm "winning", I've enjoyed none of it. That's why I'm withdrawing from the market." Those who've already bought the app can ask for a refund. Source 1 2 | Via | Image...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/developer_pulls_top_selling_ios_adblocking_app_says_it_just_doesnt_feel_good-news-14077.php

Sony explains why the Z5 Premium only uses its native 4K resolution when needed

Sony has a long history of going all out at the annual IFA announcements, but this year it might have just set a new personal record with the Z5 family. After the messy overheating fiasco, involving its last line of flagships, the Japanese tech giant was eager to move on and direct fan attention away from the incident. Naturally, the Z5 Premium, with its world-first 4K display in a smartphone did the trick. But only a few days after the phone was made official the first accusations started coming in that the flagship isn't exactly 100 percent sincere about its 4K resolution. We looked thoroughly into the issue ASAP and confirmed that all the 8 million or so pixels are indeed there, but still the device's UI was using them only when displaying appropriate UHD media and otherwise running at 1080p. Sony has finally issues an official statement on the matter, confirming our findings and explaining why the odd behavior was necessary. In the OEM's own words: Xperia Z5 Premium features a 4K display with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels based on SID Standard and enables all video and image content to be enjoyed in 4K resolution. All other content is displayed at 1080P or lower resolution in order to optimise the performance and battery stamina for this device, ensuring you can enjoy the 4K resolution when you need it most. Well, there's that mystery solved and when you think about it, a per-need 4K was probably the best way to go. A 5.5 inch UHD display is a wild concept on Sony's part, but the OEM had to be careful not to go overboard with it. The pixels might be there, but the Snapdragon 810 chip inside the device and particularly its Adreno 430 GPU aren't really designed to constantly work to push out such a huge resolution. While the silicon is capable enough of rendering the content, doing it all the time will undoubtedly lead to overheating and a major strain on the battery. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Sony can't really afford either for obvious reasons and the Z5 Premium is marketed as having up to 2 days of battery life, just like its siblings - the Z5 and Z5 Compact. At the end of the day, this development doesn't take away Sony's achievement of being first in delivering 4K to the mobile realm, but it is a necessary clarification to put all the allegations at rest. Also, for a more in-depth analysis on the Z5 Premium, check out our hands-on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_explains_why_the_z5_premium_only_uses_its_native_4k_resolution_when_needed-news-14078.php

Google announces Android Marshmallow-themed event for September 29

Google sent out invites for an Android Marshmallow themed event in San Francisco on September 29. The occasion will all but certainly mark the debut Android 6.0, as well as new Google hardware. We are likely to see a duo of new Nexus smartphones made by LG and Huawei. The devices are expected to debut as Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P respectively. The LG-made Nexus 5X has already leaked on a number of occasions. Its rumored specs include Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC, 2GB of RAM, 5.2" 1080p display, 12.3MP main camera, and a fingerprint sensor. Nexus 6P on the other hand, is rumored to pack Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, 3GB of RAM, and 5.7" QHD display. The Handset will be Huawei's first Nexus device. An updated Chromecast is also expected to make an appearance at the event. An image of the device leaked out earlier today....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_announces_android_marshmallowthemed_event_for_september_29-news-14076.php

Samsung makes its S Health app available to all Android devices

In its quest to make the S Health app more accessible to more people, Samsung first published it on the Play Store a few months ago. And today the company has made it available for all devices running Android 4.4 KitKat or above. So S Health is no longer limited to Samsung smartphones. Anyone can use its health tracking options now, get coaching to reach certain goals, and improve fitness with various training programs. This rather surprising move of opening up S Health to everybody, not just Samsung handset owners, comes after the similarly interesting announcement that the Gear S2 smartwatch will work with non-Samsung Android devices too. Since S Health can use data from a smartwatch's sensors, these things can in fact be related. If you're going to use the Gear S2 with a non-Samsung phone, then you might as well use it with S Health, the company's thinking seems to be. Source | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_makes_its_s_health_app_available_to_all_android_devices-news-14075.php

Samsung to use magnesium alloy for the Galaxy S7, rumor says

A new rumor out of Samsung's home country of South Korea claims to give us an idea of the material that will be used in the upcoming Galaxy S7. This is based on samples that are already in development. Unlike the Galaxy S6, which uses an aluminum frame, the company's next flagship will allegedly be coming with a magnesium alloy construction. This will be a unibody design, marking a departure from the Galaxy S6, in which only the frame is metallic, with the back being made of glass. The S7 would thus be Samsung's first fully metal flagship device ever. The magnesium alloy was apparently chosen because of how light it is while still remaining strong and durable. Magnesium is said to be 2.8 times stronger than aluminum while weighing 65% less. Magnesium also gets less hot than aluminum, which is a feature that's of great use in the mobile world, where chipsets and displays generate quite a lot of heat. The Galaxy S7 will reportedly come out in the first half of 2016, though a less vague time frame isn't known at the moment. Source (in Korean) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_to_use_magnesium_alloy_for_the_galaxy_s7_rumor_says-news-14074.php

Upcoming Google phones allegedly called Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P

It's no secret that Google is set to announce two new Nexus phones by the end of this month, on September 29 if rumors are to be believed. According to some new information obtained by Droid-Life, the two phones will be called Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. As we know by now, the two phones will have 5-inch and 6-inch displays and will be manufactured by LG and Huawei, respectively. The Nexus 5X name had already been floating around for a while and now we also know that the bigger device might be called 6P. What the letters signify is anybody's...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/upcoming_google_phones_allegedly_called_nexus_5x_and_nexus_6p-news-14073.php

Android One ambassador BQ Aquaris A4.5 comes to Europe

Android One is coming to Europe! Well, while that might be technically true, the roll-out is still in its infancy, with one phone in particular entering Spain and Portugal. The device in question is the BQ Aquaris A4.5. It is a dual-SIM 4G smartphone with a 4.5-inch 540x960 pixel screen and a Dragontrail protective finish. Underneath the hood is a MediaTek MT6735M chipset, with a 1GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Storage is set at 16GB, but thankfully, there is also a microSD card slot for up to 64GB expansion. The camera setup consists of an 8MP shooter on the back and a 5MP selfie one. A 2,470 mAh battery runs the show and, of course, you get the latest vanilla Android 5.1.1 out-of-the-box with support and updates directly from Google. Android One has had some impact in developing markets, such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and The Philippines by delivering modern day hardware at really affordable prices. Yet this doesn't exactly seem to be the case with the new EU pricing. In Spain the BQ Aquaris A4.5 will go for €169.90 and even more in Portugal - €179.90. This is slightly troubling, considering that Android One hasn't been doing all that great in Turkey, where it recently launched with an equally steep price tag of $260. Source 1 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_one_ambassador_bq_aquaris_a45_comes_to_europe-news-14072.php

Lenovo Vibe X3 (Lemon X) promo image breaks cover early

The Lenovo Vibe X3 inches closer to official status with a leaked promo image. The phone (codenamed "Lemon X") was allegedly designed by Motorola, despite the Lenovo logo on the back. The family resemblance is easy to spot, those front-facing speakers make it similar to the Nexus 6. It's smaller than the Nexus though, info from TENAA and GFXBench shows the Lenovo Vibe X3 wil have a 5.5" 1080p screen, Snapdragon 810 chipset and a 21MP camera on the back, just above the fingerprint reader. The new leak unfortunately lacks the last missing pieces of the puzzle - launch date and price. The @upleaks Twitter account, the source of this image, has been taken...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_vibe_x3_lemon_x_promo_image_breaks_cover_early-news-14071.php

Samsung Galaxy J7 review: Jeans & jacket

The smartphone jungle can be confusing, but the Samsung Galaxy J7 is surprisingly easy to decipher: J for "affordable price" and 7 for "big screen". This is the lite version of the Galaxy A7, offering semi-premium features but confined to the midrange. Another way to look at it is as an E7 Plus.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j7-review-1307.php

Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 gets certified in China

Despite its competitively priced and quite successful smartphone line of late, Xiaomi has also been trying its hand at a number of other gadgets and tech. Routers, battery packs, smart wearables and night lights, you name it and Xiaomi probably has it, wrapper up in its signature Apple-like viral design. Tablets also have a place on the list, albeit with only one model to date - the Xiaomi Mi Pad. Now, more than a year into its lifespan, it is naturally time for an update and rumors have been hinting at a Mi Pad 2 for quite some time now. This successor might actually be closer to a release than ever, as it was spotted on Chana's 3C Certification center website. This, means that the device is ready and rated fit to be sold in China. Certification listing Sadly, little additional information can be extracted from the listing, except, perhaps, the alleged model number - "2015716" and some info on what we assume to be the charger for the unit - 5.0 volts, rated at 2A. However, there is one more exciting rumor from Xiaomi today. According to industry sources the company has been experimenting with running the new Windows 10 Mobile on a lot of its devices, including flagships like the Mi 4 and the Mi Pad 2. If that's true we might have a Windows 10-powered tablet to look forward to. In any case, these are all speculations and we can't really know anything else about the Mi Pad 2 for sure, before Xiaomi reopens discussion on the device. The OEM does have an upcoming event set for September 22, when it will be unveiling the new Xiaomi Mi 4c. It is unlikely that the Mi Pad 2 will be announced at the same venue, as new Xiaomi products generally go through a lot of online teasers before launch and we are yet to see anything for the tablet. We'll keep our fingers crossed just in case,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_pad_2_now_has_a_3c_quality_certification_in_china-news-14069.php

iFixit dismantles the iPad mini 4, finds a smaller battery inside

Apple's last keynote witnessed the announcement of a couple of iPhones, the iPad Pro and next-gen Apple TV, and in between those the iPad mini 4 got a few brief moments of its own. It was described to have the iPad Air 2 performance in a mini enclosure, but that's marketing talk and nothing beats a good old-fashioned teardown. Specialists in the field from iFixit have taken an iPad mini 4 to pieces and report their findings. They call it a "pretty major overhaul", compared to the mini 3, and it starts with the fully laminated screen - a main contributor to the thickness reduction from 7.5mm to 6.1mm. A smaller battery also helps achieve the slim profile, with capacity dropped from 6,471mAh to 5,124mAh (those numbers!). A switch has been made to a single-cell unit, compared to the two cells of the predecessor, but at least it's just as easy to disconnect, which is apparently praise-worthy when it comes to repairability. The tablet is powered by the A8 chip as opposed to A8X, so the claim for bringing the iPar Air 2 performance into the mini 4 is not entirely true, but it's not like it wasn't in the specs. The 2GB of RAM has indeed moved to the iPad mini 4, so it's no longer a single-gig operation. A few elements have been shifted around in a push for optimization, and spots empty from function are filled with spacers to better support the display. In the end, however, the iPad mini 4 still receives a 2/10 repairability rating, meaning you'd be happier if you leave it to the pros. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ifixit_dismantles_the_ipad_mini_4_finds_a_smaller_battery_inside-news-14070.php

iOS 9 now at nearly 20% adoption

Apple's new iOS 9 has only been widely available to users for about three days and according to statistics by mixpanel, it already has about 20% adoption rating. That is a truly impressive rate, especially compared to rival Android, which is still dealing with major fragmentation with about 37% Lollipop dissipation and around 38.5% for KitKat and 21.5% still on Jelly Bean. That stems directly from the main philosophy of Apple - it has always operated on a closed and tight production process, where it has full control over updating the firmware of its products. If you have an iOS9-compatible device, but haven't tried it yet, we really encourage you to do so as it brings quite a few niceties. There's a new font throughout, a new multitasking app switcher, an improved Siri, split-screen multitasking for the newest big iPads, as well as a new News app built-in. The new Wallet app lets you store credit cards and reward cards in the same place for use with Apple Pay, and the Notes app has been revamped too. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ios_9_now_at_nearly_20_adoption_only_a_few_days_after_rollout-news-14068.php

Upcoming second generation Chromecast design and features leak

The second generation Chromecast launch is around the corner, and 9to5Google has received some documents that reveal the device's new design and some of the new features. First off is the frying pan like design, which seems confusing in the blurry low resolution images although we expect the pointy end to plug into your TV via HDMI as before. It also will come in three colors, black, red, and bright green. 9to5Google also claims the new Chromecast will have improved Wi-Fi, possibly adding support to 802.11ac band. There will also be support for content feeds on the homescreen, although it's not clear what the feeds refer to at this point (possibly news or social media). A Fast Play feature has been added that seemingly improves the speed to cast content to the Chromecast. There will also be something called Chromecast Audio, it will allow the Chromecast to output audio through an aux jack to audio systems. It will also bring multi-room audio somehow and have mirroring for Chrome or Android audio. The new Chromecast is expected to be announced on September 29 at an event, the same day the two new Nexus devices are expected to be...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/upcoming_second_generation_chromecast_design_and_features_leak-news-14064.php

Pinterest surpasses 100 million monthly active users milestone

Pinterest has announced that it now has over 100 million monthly active users, making it the first time the visual scrapbooking service has disclosed information on its number of users. "In fact, about 70% of these 100 million monthly users don't just visit Pinterest—they wind up discovering something so interesting that they also save or click on it to learn more and take action," Pinterest revealed in a blog post. While the total number of users reportedly doubled in the last 1.5 years, the number of international users have doubled in the past 12 months. The company also revealed that the number of searches on Pinterest has grown 81% compared to the last year. Source | Via | Image...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/pinterest_reaches_100_million_users_milestone-news-14063.php

Nextbit to offer Verizon-compatible version of its Robin smartphone

Nextbit has announced that its cloud-focused Robin smartphone will also be available in a Verizon-compatible variant. The device's initial variant is only compatible with GSM networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile. The company will also be running a flash sale wherein the Verizon-compatible variant will be offered for only $299 to the first 300 backers - after that the price will be $349. The sale will start at 10am Pacific on September 18. "The Verizon compatible version is available to current backers and after the flash sale, just choose any reward level. We will let you pick whether you want the original or Verizon model in your backer survey after the campaign is over," Nextbit said in a post. If you aren't already aware, the company has already raised more than one million dollars for the smartphone through a Kickstarter campaign. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nextbit_to_offer_a_verizon_compatible_version_of_its_robin_smartphone-news-14062.php

Xiaomi Mi 4c will also be compatible with Micro USB cables

While we already know that Xiaomi's Mi 4c - which is set to be unveiled next week - will support USB Type-C, it has now been revealed that the device will also be compatible with Micro USB cables. In fact, the handset will come with a Micro USB cable out-of-the-box. However, there will be a USB Type-C adapter that will convert the Micro USB plug into a Type-C connector (see image above). Specs-wise - from what is known till now - the Mi 4c will be powered by a Snapdragon 808 SoC with hexa-core CPU, and sport a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen. It will come with 2GB/16GB, 3GB/32GB, and 3GB/64GB memory options, and pack in a 3,120 mAh battery. In terms of camera, the handset will feature a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It will ship running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop underneath Xiaomi's own MIUI 7...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_4c_will_also_be_compatible_with_microusb_cables-news-14061.php

Facebook introduces Signal, a new tool aimed at journalists

Just a week after Facebook opened its Mentions feature to journalists, the company has launched a new tool, dubbed Signal, that's exclusively aimed at them. Facebook describes Signal as a free discovery and curation tool for journalists, claiming that it is designed to help them source, gather, and embed newsworthy content from both the social networking website as well as Instagram. The tool not only lets you monitor trending topics, but also displays related content for deeper context on those trends. You can also use it to see which public figure is being mentioned the most on Facebook in real-time. Signal also allows you to search Instagram for "public posts related to specific hashtags, associated with specific public accounts, or tagged with locations using an interactive global map." While anything you find using Signal can be saved into custom collections for later use, the posts you find can also be easily embedded in your coverage. The tool - as already mentioned in the beginning - is free, and if you are a journalist you can request access to it by clicking on the Source 2 link below. Source 1 | Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebook_introduces_signal_a_free_discovery_and_curation_tool_aimed_at_journalists-news-14060.php

Samsung may be working on a competitor for Gorilla Glass

Corning's Gorilla Glass is everywhere these days, sitting on top of most smartphone and tablet display panels, protecting them while being quite sturdy in the process. There's also the less used Dragontrail Glass by Asahi, also boasting impressive toughness. Soon though these two may be joined by a similar offering from none other than Samsung. The company has filed for a trademark for Turtle Glass with the relevant authority in its home country of South Korea. The application for the trademark apparently states that it will be used for a protective tempered glass designed for phones, tablets, music players, cameras, and so on. Samsung's been one of Corning's biggest customers so far, so if it is indeed going to start using its own solution in the future, it will be interesting to see in what position that will put the maker of Gorilla Glass. As for the name itself, a turtle's shell is very tough, so that's where the inspiration came from. The world of protective glass for mobile devices is thus filled with animals, real or imaginary - gorillas, dragons, and now turtles. While Samsung could of course be planning to use Turtle Glass on the Galaxy S7, it's also possible that this type of glass will be employed in the production of those foldable smartphones the company has recently patented. The first one of those is apparently codenamed Project Valley and we may see it hitting the streets next year. Source | Via 1 (in Dutch) • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_may_be_working_on_a_competitor_for_gorilla_glass-news-14059.php

Huawei Watch is now up for pre-order in Europe for €399

Huawei is now finally in the process of bringing its first smartwatch to Europe. The Chinese company has started taking pre-orders for the Huawei Watch through its official European online store. Oddly enough, although the store itself is available for the UK, the Huawei Watch isn't yet on offer in that market. But you can pre-order it if you live in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, or Switzerland. The starting price for Eurozone countries is €399, while if you're in Switzerland you'll need to pay CHF 399. This nets you a silver Huawei Watch with a genuine leather strap. In some countries (but not all for whatever reason) there are some additional choices, all priced at €449 or CHF 449. You can pick a black model with leather strap, or get one of two stainless steel band options, with link or mesh design. Regardless of which model you pick, you'll have to wait between two and three weeks for your order to actually ship. The Huawei Watch runs Android Wear, is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, and comes with a 1.4-inch 400x400 AMOLED touchscreen, sapphire crystal protection, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, Wi-Fi, a six-axis motion sensor, a heart rate monitor, a barometer, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and a 300 mAh battery. Source | Via (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_watch_is_now_up_for_preorder_in_europe_for__euro399-news-14058.php

HTC One A9 might cost more than €700

The HTC One A9 has been rumored for many weeks now, first under the codename Hima Aero, then just Aero, and then from one point on using its commercial name. Just recently we found out that it will be a mid-range smartphone, using Qualcomm's Snapdragon 617 chipset, which itself only got official this week. The Snapdragon 617 comes with an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at up to 1.5 GHz, the Adreno 405 GPU, Hexagon 546 DSP, and Qualcomm's X8 LTE modem, capable of Cat.7 speeds, meaning theoretical peak downloads of 300Mbps, and 100Mbps uploads (with carrier aggregation supported both on the downlink and the uplink). Mid-range as it may be, it looks like the One A9 won't be cheap. At least that's if we go by one listing by one Dutch retailer, which is boasting that it's already taking pre-orders for the device. It's priced at €706.64 including VAT, which is a whopping $800. The phone is offered in four color versions: Topaz Gold, Deep Garnet, Opal Silver, and Carbon Grey. Before you decide whether the One A9's rumored specs (listed below) are worth this incredibly steep asking price, do keep in mind that various retailers like to put up such pre-order pages for upcoming smartphones without actually knowing what their pricing will be - just basically guessing. They get traffic and notoriety by announcing that they're the first to have a device for pre-order, so the usual grain of salt near you should be a pretty big one in this case. The HTC One A9 will reportedly pair the Snapdragon 617 SoC with a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, a 13 MP rear camera with OIS, a 4 MP UltraPixel selfie snapper, and a 2,150 mAh battery. The handset will have a fingerprint sensor, and it might run Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It could become official at an event that's taking place on September 29. Source (in Dutch) | Via (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_a9_might_cost_more_than__euro700-news-14057.php

LG Class shows its metal body in leaked live images

Next Monday, on September 21, LG will unveil a mid-range smartphone with a metal body. It will be called LG Class, as we found out yesterday, and it will pair LG's signature back-mounted buttons with a blockier design than what we've seen from the Korean company recently. Since the Class will not be a flagship, but will have a metal shell, it's probably best thought of as a competitor to at least one of the members of Samsung's Galaxy A series. After the teaser image LG released yesterday, now a set of live images showing the Class has been leaked in the company's native South Korea. You can see the full pictures by clicking on the thumbnails below. LG Class Interestingly, the LG Class is now said to feature a 5-inch touchscreen, which, if true, means that it can't possibly be the mysterious handset with the model number H740 that was benchmarked recently. Although that too is clearly mid-range spec-wise, it does come with a bigger, 5.7-inch display. Yet if the LG Class isn't the H740, then we actually don't know a lot about it - except for the aforementioned screen size. What is clear is that the model in these images is manufactured for LG U+, one of the three carriers in South Korea. Over there, it's rumored to cost around KRW 400,000, which right now means $342 or €302. It's unclear whether the LG Class will be sold globally or not. Source (in Korean) | Via (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_class_shows_its_metal_body_in_leaked_live_images-news-14056.php

iMovie for iOS updated to support 4K resolution

You may have noticed Apple mentioned during the last keynote support for 4K editing on the iPad Pro and the iPhone 6s. That app was iMovie and it has now been updated to support the higher 4K resolution. The new iMovie supports up to 3840x2160 editing on the new iPad Pro, iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. On the iPad Pro you can edit three 4K streams at the same time. You can also export videos in 1080p60 now. The 6s and 6s Plus also get 3D Touch shortcut to start video a new film from the homescreen. On the iPad Pro, you get a full height media browser and 1:1 viewer for 1080p videos. Other features include shortcuts for physical keyboard (such as the iPad Pro Smart Keyboard), option to hide Media Browser while editing, option to disable Ken Burns animation on photo, redesigned Project Details view to watch files before opening them, redesigned Video view, improved inspector on iPad, support for Slide Over and Split View in iOS 9 on the iPad, redesigned Audio browser, performance and stability improvements, and support for additional languages such as Canadian French, Hindi, and Traditional Chinese. iMovie is a free download and update on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/imovie_for_ios_updated_to_support_4k_resolution-news-14055.php

Sony Xperia Z5's new SteadyShot for videos unshakes official promo

Sony finally brought a completely revamped camera for its flagship Xperia Z series. The new cam features a next-generation 23MP sensor with Hybrid autofocus (which gets an accurate lock in just 0.03s), but optical image stabilization wasn't in the cards. Instead the company imbued the Xperia Z5 family with the SteadyShot Intelligent Active Mode - a lot of words to say digital image stabilization. Here's an official video that shows the Xperia Z5 camera put in a tough, dynamic environment. The front-facing camera also supports SteadyShot to eliminate handshake from your selfie shots. Here's a 1-minute look at the new camera...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z5s_new_steadyshot_for_videos_unshakes_official_promo-news-14052.php

Hammer time: Oukitel K4000 meets nails, lives to tell the tale

Hammering nails with a smartphone - the less popular "Will it blend?", perhaps because few phones can actually make through it. The Oukitel K4000, a phone with a 4,000mAh battery and apparently a rock-hard forehead, drove several nails - some of them really thick! - into a piece of wood. All with no visible damage to the phone too, the touchscreen keeps working after colliding face first with all the nails. The screen isn't covered in anything outlandish, it uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Still, it can take on the second half of the hammer-and-nail pair - the hammer! Oukitel also says the K400 can crack 600 walnuts, no problem. Not that you should try that, but you don't need to be gentle with the handset either. PS. the Oukitel isn't the first phone to hammer in nails - here's the 6.65mm thick Oppo Finder doing it, we've also seen HTCs and (naturally) Nokias do it...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/hammer_time_oukitel_k4000_meets_nails_lives_to_tell_the_tale-news-14049.php

Europe not getting the Samsung Gear S2 3G, not yet

Okay, Samsung, what did Europe do to you? First no more laptops, then no Note5 and now no Samsung Gear S2 3G... That's right, the 3G-enabled version of the Tizen-powered smartwatch will be launching only in the US and South Korea, Europe and other markets are only getting the versions without mobile data. Samsung points to the e-SIM - an "embedded SIM" format that's available in the US but hasn't been adopted by EU carriers. It can't be removed from the device, instead carriers can reprogram it to make it their own. Apple has a similar feature, Apple SIM used in US iPads, and UK carrier EE even supports it. But not the GSMA-standardized e-SIM. The original Gear S used a tiny nanoSIM and avoided such problems. VP of Samsung Mobile for Samsung UK says that fitness is the driving factor behind smartwatch adoption and for that you need GPS. GPS is available only on the Gear S2 3G, the plain S2 and Gear S2 classic don't have a receiver. They still have fitness tracking functionality, but runners and bikers will be missing out. Launch details for the Samsung Gear S2 will be unveiled next week. The VP hinted at a price around £320 for the models to be available in the UK. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/europe_not_getting_the_samsung_gear_s2_3g_not_yet-news-14053.php

LG phones in Korea reportedly have razor-thin margins

It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and the mobile realm has become such a competitive arena that even major companies are often struggling to survive. LG, which is currently runner up in sales on its home Korean turf after Samsung, is facing major sales challenges and has reportedly been forced to depreciate its models to prices that bring in mere cents in profits. The information was obtained by analyzing recently released Mobile carrier SK Telecom statistics that include the average handset prices by Manufacturer. The numbers in question are for subsidized units on the company's most-popular contract - KRW 60,000, or about $51 a month. Apparently LG's phones average at around KRW 175,341 ($150), while Samsung units are valued much higher at KRW 414,357 ($354) and Apple's iPhones go for even more at KRW 858,533 ($733). What this means is that carriers are slashing unit prices to almost absurd levels just to ensure that LG at least sells it stock. And this is done with flagship models, like the LG G4, as well as mid-range offers. Consequently, LG's mobile division came flat in terms of year-over-year revenue in Q2, but with a whopping 99.7% drop in operating profits. This means that the OEM's phones are currently selling for about their factory value and that definitely spells trouble. This major depreciation is felt of international markets as well, which is even more worrying for LG. At least this strategy is moving units and should prevent the company form suddenly falling dead in the market with a lot of stock that it can't sell. Shipments have apparently dropped by only three percent year-over-year and are now at 14.1million units. Still spirits seem to remain high at LG, which boats a new record for LTE phone shipments, which now broke the 8 million marks and make up about 57% of all sales. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_phones_in_korea_having_razor_thin_margins_just_to_stay_afloat-news-14051.php

Amazon announces new Fire TV and Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote

Amazon has announced the new Fire TV. The main feature here is support for 4K content, with the device being able to play back 4K movies and TV shows from Netflix, Amazon Video, and Prime Video. The quality of 1080p content has also improved with the new HEVC codec support, that's also more efficient. The new Fire TV runs on a 64-bit quad-core MediaTek processor that is said to have 75% more processing power than the previous Fire TV. There's also Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO, microSD support, Amazon Mayday customer service, and Dolby Audio over HDMI and Bluetooth. The new Fire TV also comes with the new Fire OS 5 "Bellini", that includes Alexa, Amazon's new search assistant first seen on the Amazon Echo. The voice functionality works with Amazon's Voice Remote. As before, the Fire TV has support for Android games on the Amazon Appstore. You can separately purchase the wireless Fire TV Game Controller to pair with the Fire TV. Additionally, Amazon will also be selling a Fire TV Gaming Edition, that comes with the controller as standard, along with a 32GB microSD card and two free games, Shovel Knight and Disney's Ducktales. The new Fire TV is priced at $99.99 and the Gaming Edition at $139.99. The Fire TV Game Controller can separately be purchased for $49.99. Amazon also announced the new Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote. It's the same Fire Stick as before but now comes with the Voice Remote so you can use Alexa to search for things instead of typing on the remote. The Fire Stick is priced at just $49.99. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_announces_new_fire_tv_and_fire_tv_stick_with_voice_remote-news-14054.php

Amazon announces new Fire HD, Fire, and Fire Kids Edition Tablets

Amazon has announced three new tablets as part of the new Fire series (notice the dropped 'Kindle' from the name). There is the new Fire HD, the Fire, and the Fire Kids Edition. The Fire HD is the most expensive model and comes in two sizes, 8-inch and 10.1-inch. Both tablets have a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The tablet runs on an unspecified quad-core 1.5GHz chipset, has a new thin and light body that is also said to be 2X more durable than the iPad Air 2, stereo speakers with Dolby Audio, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, new Fire OS 5 "Bellini" based on Android Lollipop, that looks quite similar to stock Android with Material Design, 5 megapixel rear camera and HD front camera, microSD support, and 8 hours of battery life. The Fire HD 8 will be available in 8 and 16GB and the Fire HD 10 in 16 and 32GB. The Fire HD 8 starts at $149.99 and the Fire HD 10 at $229.99. Both are available in black, magenta, blue, and tangerine. Next is the Fire, which is Amazon's cheapest tablet. Starting at just $49.99, the Fire has a 7-inch 1024x600 resolution IPS display, quad-core 1.3GHz processor, 8GB internal memory with microSD support, 2 megapixel rear camera with VGA front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11n, 7 hours of battery life, and Fire OS "Bellini". The Fire Kids Edition is essentially the Fire in a kid-proof case and free two-year 'no questions asked' replacement guarantee if your kid still manages to break it. There's also a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited access thrown in for good measure. All this comes at just $99.99. Source 1 • Source 2 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_announces_new_fire_hd_fire_and_fire_kids_edition_tablets-news-14050.php

The Elephone "Vowney" has a QHD display and 3GB of RAM for $299 and it runs Windows 10 Mobile

For a number of quite sound marketing reasons Windows-powered mobile phones rarely come near to the hardware in current Android powerhouses, but with the introduction of Windows 10 and sophisticated features like Continuum, this is set to quickly change. Higher-end offers, like the Acer Jade Primo are starting to appear and it naturally, it was a matter of time before China OEM's enter the market as well. The latest such offer comes courtesy of Elephone. Its "Vowney" model was first spotted a few months ago and if rumors are true, it does promise to dual-boot Android and Windows 10 on quite a capable hardware platform. This includes a 5.5-inch, QHD display (2560 x 1440 pixels). 3GB of RAM and an octa-core Mediatek MT6795 SoC. Other details include a 21MP camera (probably an Exmor RS IMX230 sensor), a large 4200 mAh battery and even a fingerprint sensor on the back. The phone can be preordered today, starting at $299, which is definitely not a bad price for a capable Windows 10 device. It is also worth noting that unlike Android, which has free access to AOSP, Microsoft charges OEM for its OS, so, presumably, there is a charge for the software calculated in there as well. According to the website, the first units should start shipping on September 30, so if you get on board, the wait isn't all that...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/want_a_capable_windows_10_phone_the_elephone_vowney_has_a_qhd_display_and_3gb_of_ram_for_299-news-14048.php

Xiaomi-backed Amazefit smart wearable line by Huami is now official

Rumors about a successor to the highly-successful Xiaomi Mi Band have been spreading like wild fire lately. A few months ago, we saw a new wearable that resembles the current smart band plus an added heart-rate sensor with the name Mi Band 1s. This seems to be in keeping with Xiaomi's current portfolio and naming convention, but a subsequent rumor from a few days ago threw a new curve ball into the mix, by showcasing an entirely new round device with a whole new name - Amazefit. Now, the full story is finally unriddled and it turns out the latter Amazefit device was more than a mere speculation. It is now official and comes courtesy of a company called Huami and doesn't bear the Xiaomi name. The quick-growing Chinese OEM does, however, have some part in the wearable, mostly in financing. The Amazefit portfolio is now officially up on amazefit.com and consists of a small donut-shaped smart tracker in two colors - white and black and a wide selection of bands and straps. It looks to be pretty simple by design and even lacks the LED's of the Mi Band. In terms of functionality, it is quite similar with step counting and activity tracking, vibration alarms and notifications and a sleep tracker. Amazefit also adds scenario monitoring and smart home control to the mix, as well as wireless charging. The whole backstory is as follows - the insanely popular Xiaomi Mi Band, that sold over a million units in the first three months of availability was actually the result of a partnership between Xiaomi and Huaheng Electronic Technology. The joint venture was dubbed Huami Technology and had the benefit of Xiaomi financing, combined with hardware development expertise from Huaheng, which has its own track of manufacturing consumer electronics. The original Mi Band is actually a Huami product, which bears the Xiaomi brand. Amazefit on the other hand is Huami's new project, for which it has allegedly already secured about $35 million in investments from Banyan Capital, Sequoia Capital, and Morningside Capital. Xiaomi, apparently backed the new wearable at first, but did not participate in the second round of funding. What this means is that Amazefit is no longer solely paid for by Xiaomi and is spinning off into its own separate line, but we can understand the tendency to still associate the two. The undoubtedly stylish Amazefit is still not up for sale and judging from the Chinese-only website, international availability is doubtful, at least at...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomibacked_amazefit_smart_wearable_line_by_huami_is_now_official-news-14047.php

Apple reveals updated iCloud storage prices for regious outside the US

Apple has announced the new pricing for its updated three tier iCloud storage options. The company had previously announced the prices only for the US but now also revealed it for other regions. In Europe, for example, the 50GB tier is priced at EUR 0.99, 200GB at EUR 2.99, and 1TB at EUR 9.99 per month. If you're in India, you'll be paying INR 65, 190, and 650, respectively. People in Australia will be paying AUD 1.49, 4.49, and 14.99, respectively. Apple has listed prices for other regions on its support site in the link...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_reveals_updated_icloud_storage_prices_for_regious_outside_the_us-news-14046.php

Report says competition forcing LG to cut prices of its high-end smartphones

LG is feeling the heat of rising competition, which is forcing it to cut the prices of its high-end smartphones, according to a report out of the company's home country of South Korea. The report cites data released by South Korea's top carrier SK Telecom, according to which, the average cost of 17 smartphones manufactured by the country's number two smartphone vendor was around $150 for customers who opted for SK Telecom's $51 level subscription plans. This compares with smartphones manufactured by Samsung - the country's No. 1 player - which went for an average of around $355, and Apple's iPhones, which sold at an average price of around $735. LG hasn't had a great second quarter - its mobile division's revenues were largely flat, operating profit was down a whopping 99.7%, and smartphone shipments decreased 3% Y-o-Y in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/report_says_competition_forcing_lg_to_cut_prices_of_its_highend_smartphones-news-14045.php

Google gives its Glass project a new name: Project Aura

Google has changed the name of its Glass project to Project Aura, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Keep in mind that Project Aura is different from Project Ara, the company's modular smartphone effort. The report also says that engineers, software developers, and project managers that previously worked with Amazon's Lab126 hardware division have been hired as part of the new Project Aura team. Most of them were laid off after the Fire Phone debacle. Interestingly, a quick look at the LinkedIn profiles of those who have been hired reveals that the Project Aura team is also working on wearables "beyond" the Google Glass, the report notes. For those who aren't in the know, the Mountain View, California-based company stopped selling the head-mounted gear to the general public earlier this year, but still offers a version to to firms in industries such as health care, manufacturing, and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_google_glass_project_gets_a_new_name_project_aura-news-14044.php

New Galaxy S6/S6 edge update brings more Microsoft apps

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge smartphones are receiving a new update that installs more Microsoft apps including Office, Word, and PowerPoint on the devices. The handsets already come with Microsoft OneDrive and OneNote apps pre-installed. Sized at around 220MB, the update carries a build number of LMY47X.G925FXXU2COH2, and reportedly installs the aforementioned apps without the user's consent - you'll find them installed after you're done updating your device. Whether or not you'll get the update depends on your region and carrier - currently there's not much information available on it. Via 1 2...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/latest_galaxy_s6_s6_edge_update_brings_more_microsoft_apps-news-14043.php

‘Move to iOS' app by Apple arrives in Google Play

Apple released an Android app to help users switch to one of its iOS offerings. Conveniently dubbed "Move to iOS," the solution is available to download and install for free in Google Play. As its name suggests, the application allows newly minted iOS users to move content from their old Android device to their new Apple toy. Moveable items include contacts, photos and videos, bookmarks, calendar appointments, email accounts, and messages. Syncing of devices takes place over a private Wi-Fi network created by the iOS device. "Move to iOS" will boot on all Apple devices running Android 4.0 and up. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/move_to_ios_app_by_apple_arrives_in_google_play_-news-14042.php

More live photos of BlackBerry Venice maker the rounds online

Another set of live photos showcasing the unannounced BlackBerry Venice made the rounds online. The high-end Android smartphone is expected to launch at some point in November on all major carriers in the United States. The latest batch of images falls right in line with past leaks. It confirms that BlackBerry Venice features slide-out QWERTY keyboard, slightly curved display, and main camera with dual-LED flash. On the software side, the device appears to boot a mostly stock version of Android. BlackBerry has reportedly added a number of productivity-centric goodies, including hardware keyboard shortcuts, as well as easy access to composing emails and messages. Hardware-wise, the BlackBerry Venice is once again rumored to pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset, coupled with 3GB of RAM. The device's camera is expected to be an 18MP unit with dual-LED flash. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/more_live_photos_of_blackberry_venice_maker_the_rounds_online-news-14041.php

iOS 9 is now rolling out while bug delays watchOS 2

If you live in the iOS world, today is the big day. It's when the rollout for iOS 9 has started. The new software is now on its way to all supported devices. You can get iOS 9 as an update if you own an iPhone 4S or newer, an iPad 2 or newer, any version of the iPad mini, or an iPod touch (5th or 6th generation). If you haven't received the notification yet, you can manually check for the new bits by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The download is only around 1.3GB in size this time around, so it should be easy to get even if your device has just 16GB of storage. Despite clearly being just an evolutionary step forward, iOS 9 comes with a lot of new things. There's a new font throughout, a new multitasking app switcher, an improved Siri, split-screen multitasking for the newest big iPads, as well as a new News app built-in. The new Wallet app lets you store credit cards and reward cards in the same place for use with Apple Pay, and the Notes app has been revamped too. Today was also supposed to be the day when watchOS 2.0 got released, but that won't happen. Apple was forced to pull the new software version for its smartwatch at the last minute, because of "a bug in development of watchOS 2 that is taking a bit longer to fix than we expected", according to a company spokesperson. watchOS 2 is still coming, of course, but it will not be out today. We assume it won't take more than a few days for Apple to fix that nasty bug and send the new software to Apple Watch owners everywhere. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ios_9_is_now_rolling_out_while_bug_delays_watchos_2-news-14040.php

Sony Xperia M5 review: Changing swim lanes

Sony's tight flagship release schedule went in overdrive this season with the Z3+, Z4v and the Z5 all right on each other's heels. Making no attempt to slow down, the Japanese are taking that spirit to the midrange as well. What are you waiting for? Upgrade.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_m5-review-1306.php

10-inch Amazon Fire tablet gets shown in leaked press renders

So far, Amazon hasn't gone past the 8.9-inch mark with its Fire-branded tablets, but apparently that's set to change in the future. Aside from reportedly working on a budget $50 tablet, the retail giant is now rumored to also have a 10-inch Fire tablet in development. In fact, what you see below are said to be leaked press renders of just that device. A few interesting things stand out here. As the source is the almost always reliable @evleaks, we have no reason to doubt the authenticity of these renders. However, it does appear that Amazon is going to go with a more stock-looking Android fork for this tablet, compared to its previous efforts in the space. That said, there's no sign of any Google apps, so we're probably still going to get Amazon's forked Android, completely devoid of Google. But at least in this case the interface is a lot more Android-like. Amazon has added a few tabs to its launcher, which allow you to easily go from Home to Books to Videos to Games and so on, presumably by swiping right or left. No specs have been leaked complementing the picture, so for now this is all we have to go on. Look for more details to hopefully arrive through future leaks and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/10inch_amazon_fire_tablet_gets_shown_in_leaked_press_renders-news-14039.php

Xiaomi Mi 4c will finally be unveiled on September 22

The Xiaomi Mi 4c has been leaked and rumored a lot over the past few weeks, and in just a few days it will finally become official. The Chinese smartphone maker has announced that it's holding an event on September 22, during which it will introduce the Mi 4c to the world. This exact date was already mentioned in a past leak. The handset has been rumored to arrive as a slightly beefed up version of the Mi 4i that launched in India earlier this year. So far we've heard that the Mi 4c will be sold only in China, but that may change in the future. According to the TENAA certification that it's already received, the Mi 4c will be identical in looks to the Mi 4i, and it will have the same dimensions too. The new things it brings to the table are thus all under the hood. The Mi 4c is expected to sport Qualcomm's Snapdragon 808 SoC with a hexa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, or 3GB of RAM paired with 32GB of storage. There will also apparently be a 64GB model, but it's unclear how much RAM it will have. Otherwise the Mi 4c sports the same internals as the Mi 4i. It has a 5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, a 5 MP selfie snapper, LTE support, and a 3,120 mAh battery. Unlike the Mi 4i however, the Mi 4c will ship running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop underneath Xiaomi's own MIUI 7 layer. The Xiaomi Mi 4c will apparently start at CNY 1,499, which is about $235 or €207 at the current exchange rates. Source 1 (in Chinese) • Source 2 (in Chinese) • Source 3 | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_4c_will_finally_be_unveiled_on_september_22-news-14038.php

Metal-clad LG Class phablet to become official on September 21

Yesterday a previously unknown LG phablet was spotted in a benchmark's database, rocking mid-range specs and a 5.7-inch touchscreen. Back then it was known only by its model number, H740, but today more information about it has leaked. It's supposedly going to be released as the LG Class, and the Korean company is already teasing its announcement through its social media channels. As you can see from the teaser image to the left, the Class is set to become official on September 21, which is next Monday. Interestingly, LG has opted for a fully metallic construction of the smartphone, despite the fact that it's not a premium offering (thus somewhat mirroring what Samsung's been doing with its Galaxy A series). The trademark back-mounted buttons are where you'd expect them to be, yet the whole design is more blocky than LG's past products. The LG Class (or H740) is expected to come with a 5.7-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 12 or 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie cam, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of (probably expandable) storage, all the usual connectivity options, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 615 chipset at the helm. It will run Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. LG's also holding an event in New York City on October 1, yet that may be reserved for the company's future flagship device. Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/metalclad_lg_class_phablet_to_become_official_on_september_21-news-14037.php

New LG Nexus 5 leaks in mint attire

The bulk of leaks we've been seeing recently has revolved around Google's upcoming device launches, the pair of them. The LG Nexus 5 and the Huawei Nexus 6 take turns appearing in the hands of insiders, and this time it's the former. The angle here is that the smaller Nexus will be available in a third Mint color option, in addition to the already seen White and Black. The picture shows a very gentle tint and if it weren't for the source to testify that it is indeed mint, one could have just assumed it's white, and the camera messed up the white balance. Not much else gets revealed this time around and we're left with previously rumored specs, which point to a 5.2-inch FullHD display, Snapdragon 808 chipset, 3GB of RAM and a 12.3MP/5MP camera combo. Pioneering Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the LG Nexus 5 (2015), or maybe Nexus 5X, is rumored to be unveiled on September 29 alongside the higher-end Huawei Nexus 6 (2015,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_nexus_5_mint_leaks-news-14036.php