Carry your battery pack around the waist with the Ion Belt, now on Kickstarter

Battery packs are heavy and bulky and are yet another item you need to remember to pick up when leaving home. Or risk being left with no power in your smartphone, but nobody does that, we've been told. Now, what if you could have batteries implanted or strapped to yourself, so you'd be guaranteed to have extra juice on the go? Or more realistically,...

Gionee Elife S Plus is an octa-core 5.5-incher, Indian launch imminent

Gionee is all set to launch the Elife S Plus phablet in India, apparently. Teasing the device on its Facebook page is part of the story, but the folks over at PhoneRadar have also managed to get their hands on a live unit and some press materials. The smartphone will come with a 5.5-inch AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 3, though the HD...

Apple giving $50 off on an Apple Watch when purchased with a new iPhone

Apple will be offering a flat $50 discount on select Apple Watch models in select retail outlets in the US, on purchase of any new iPhone. Customers will be able to get the discount on the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch in any color, size or strap combination. The offer is not available on Apple Watch Edition or Apple Watch Hermès. Then again,...

Oppo Find 9 reportedly not coming until next year

Last we heard, the Oppo Find 9 was a Snapdragon 810-powered device and was expected to launch in September, something which - quite obviously - didn't happen. Now, a new report out of China is suggesting that the device won't be coming until next year. Reason? The report says it's going be powered by Qualcomm's upcoming SD820 SoC, which the chip...

Samsung reportedly planning more job cuts

Back in September this year, there were reports that Samsung is planning huge layoffs. While the South Korean company quickly denied those reports, another report followed up claiming that around 1,000 jobs are at stake in China. Image credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg Now, a new report from the tech giant's home country is claiming that the company...

Facebook making changes to its real names policy in wake of criticism

Facebook has announced that it is making a couple of amendments to its 'real names' policy that requires users to use their real name on the social networking website. The announcement came in the wake of an open letter from groups including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and ACLU of California, claiming the policy is flawed...

Sony Xperia Z5 now available for purchase in Canada

As expected, the Sony Xperia Z5 smartphone - which was made official last month along with its Compact and Premium variants - has been officially launched in Canada, where local carrier Bell is exclusively selling it for CAD 649.95, which translates into just under $500. The handset, which is available in black and white color options in the country,...

Periscope for Apple TV is now available

Last month, there were reports that Twitter-owned live video streaming service Periscope is developing an app for the fourth generation Apple TV. Well, the company has now announced the availability of that app. "In our living rooms today, broadcast television is the closest thing we have to this. However, as live television becomes more and more...

BlackBerry Priv Verizon variant spotted online

Back in the days, when the BlackBerry Priv was just a rumor, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks revealed that the device - which was known then as the Venice - will be available on all four major US carriers. While none of the carriers have yet mentioned their launch plans for the handset, a Verizon variant has been spotted online. The above...

Google's new Who's Down app is aimed at teens

After a not-so-successful stint with Google+, search giant Google is apparently dipping its toes into the social media waters again - the company has just launched a new app, dubbed Who's Down, that's specifically aimed at teenagers. As you can see in the image above, the app lets you broadcast your availability for whatever you're interested in...

Specs of alleged Galaxy A5 successor show up in a GFXBench listing

Just days after it received Bluetooth certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the Samsung smartphone carrying model number SM-510F - alleged to be the successor to last year's Galaxy A5 smartphone - has now shown up on GFXBench. The GFXBench listing of the handset reveals that it is powered by Samsung's Exynos 7 Octa SoC with...

OnePlus almost launched a fitness tracker and a Bluetooth speaker

Here's a surprising revelation: according to its co-founder Carl Pei, OnePlus was on the verge of launching two more products, but decided against both at the last minute. We're talking about a fitness tracker and a Bluetooth speaker. Both of these were apparently just one month away from launch when they were canceled by the Chinese company. A timeline...

Motorola tells you why you need a shatterproof display through an infographic

Surely you know by now that Motorola has recently introduced what it's calling the world's first smartphone to feature a shatterproof display - the Droid Turbo 2 (as well as its twin headed to international markets, the Moto X Force). For those people who for some reason simply can't imagine why such a screen would be useful to have on a smartphone,...

Reflexion is OnePlus' own photo app, now out for Android and iOS

OnePlus is surely having a busy week. Just yesterday the Chinese startup unveiled its third smartphone, the OnePlus X, and today it's launching something new already. This isn't a new device, however. Instead, it's a photography-focused app called Reflexion. OnePlus releasing an app may be surprising enough, but perhaps more so is the fact that it's...

iPad Pro to be available on November 11, report says

Apple unveiled the iPad Pro at its event at the beginning of September, but so far the company has not announced a release date for the biggest tablet it's ever made. Apple only mentioned the month of November as a time frame for when we should expect the iPad Pro to hit stores. Yet according to a report that is said to come from multiple trustworthy...

You can get a free wireless charger just for activating Samsung Pay

Samsung is now running a new promotion for its mobile payments service, aptly named Samsung Pay. If you activate Samsung Pay and add a valid credit or debit card to it, you can receive a Samsung wireless charger for your phone, totally free. The charger is a $49.99 value, apparently, so this deal is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you are a fan...

Upcoming Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro has its metal back leaked

Xiaomi is apparently working on a slightly improved version of the already available Redmi Note 2 phablet. This is reportedly going to be called Redmi Note 2 Pro, and today out of China comes the first leak about it - purportedly showing us its back casing. This is going to be a smartphone with a metal construction, as you can see. Furthermore, it's...

Lenovo Yoga 700 convertible laptop is official, sales start next month

Lenovo has launched the Yoga 700 convertible laptop in 11.6" and 14" size options. While similar in looks, the two Yoga 700 offerings are quite different from one another, save from the 1080p resolution on their touch screens and trademark 4 working positions. The Yoga 700 14" is powered by a Skylake Intel Core i7 with Intel HD Graphics 520. An optional...

HTC ends Q3 2015 on a $139 million loss, stops future earning forecasts

HTC has released its financial results for Q3 2015 and they haven't changed much from the grim unaudited ones outed in the beginning of October. Revenue was $660 million, almost half the $1.3 billion recorded a year ago. Operating loss is $151 million, which is $13 million more than the company's unaudited report suggested. In Q3 2014, the company...

Microsoft starts selling the Band 2 in the US

The Microsoft Band 2 is now available for purchase in the US. Major retailers, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores, are offering the smartband including Amazon, Best Buy, Dell and Target. Priced at $249, the band is offered in small, medium and large sizes. For the price, Microsoft gives you continuous heart rate monitoring, notification alerts...

UMI Iron Pro boasts fingerprint and eye security encased in metal

The UMI Iron Pro launched with a metal frame adorned with a number of security features. The affordable 5.5" mid-ranger has a fingerprint reader (works in just 0.32s) on its back and Eyeprint ID, a sensor that uses the unique veins in your eyes for authentication. The chassis is carved out of a single piece of aircraft-grade magnesium-aluminum alloy...

Microsoft Edge will let you cast photos, videos, and music to other devices

Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 Insider Preview Build that brings along various new features, including the ability to cast photos, videos, and music from the Edge web browser to other devices on your network. Dubbed 'Cast media to device', the feature allows you to cast media - like YouTube videos, Facebook photo albums, as well as music...

OnePlus X hands-on: First look

HTC One A9 is not just a phone, it's a corporate rejuvenation. A9 is the boost HTC needs to swim out of the murky waters and claim its piece on the market. HTC may have outed a few very capable phones this year, but it needs a game changer, a statement that the king is still alive and kicking... Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/one_plus_x_hands...

With iOS 9.1 already rolled out, Apple stops signing iOS 9.0.2

Last week, Apple outed iOS 9.1 for supported iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices, bringing more than 150 new emojis and better Live Photos functionality. Now, the Cupertino-based company has stopped signing iOS 9.0.2. Needless to say, this means that if you have already updated your device to iOS 9.1, you won't be able to roll-back to iOS 9.0.2,...

Apple releases Beats Pill+ app for iOS and Android

Apple has released a new app for those who own the Beats Pill+ Bluetooth speaker. The app is not just available on iOS but also on Android. Although you don't need the app to use the product, which works normally like any other Bluetooth speaker system, the app lets you control some additional functionality, such as being able to customize the audio...

Security-focused Tor Messenger enters beta

The Tor Project has announced the availability of the beta version of its security-focused, cross-platform chat application Tor Messenger. "There have been three previous alpha releases to the mailing lists that have already helped smooth out some of the rougher edges," the team behind the messenger said in a blog post. Image credit: Rob LeFebvre/Cult...

LG's new V10 smartphone begins shipping worldwide

LG has announced that the V10 smartphone, which was announced earlier this month, has started rolling out globally. The United States, China and Hong Kong are getting it this week, while key markets in North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Commonwealth of Independent States will get the device sometime this quarter....

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact receiving update with Stagefright patch

The Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact smartphones, which were made official last month and released this month, are now receiving a software update which brings along fix for the Stagefright exploit. All variants of the aforementioned handsets along with those of the Xperia Z5 Dual are getting the update. Sized at 281MB and carrying a build number of...

Android 6.0 update for HTC One M8 receives Bluetooth SIG certification

Shortly after Android 6.0 made its debut late last month, HTC released a list of smartphones that it said will receive the Marshmallow update. In that list, the company specifically mentioned that its One M9 and One M8 smartphones would get the update towards the end of this year. However, it now looks like the One M8 could get Android 6.0 a bit...

Google to combine Chrome OS and Android into a single operating system

Google is working on merging the Chrome OS and Android into a single operating system. The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal but has since been confirmed by the search giant. The new OS, which is in the works for the past couple of years, is expected to be ready for a preview next year, but would be launched only in 2017. Image credit:...

BLU Studio 7.0 LTE goes official with 7 inch display and dual-SIM

The Miami-based smartphone manufacturer BLU took the wraps off the Studio 7.0 tablets with 4G LTE connectivity and dual-SIM functionality. The unlocked slate is already available to order on Amazon in the United States for $199.99. BLU Studio 7.0 LTE features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of expandable memory. A 7" 720p...

BlackBerry details the Priv's main features on video, launches first ad

BlackBerry has been busy producing videos about its latest smartphone, the Priv. First off, we're treated to one that's all about the features that BlackBerry thinks will be the key differentiators for the Priv in the very crowded smartphone market. The BlackBerry Hub is mentioned, for example, which gives all your communications one simple inbox....

OnePlus X will have wood, kevlar, and silicone cases available on November 5

Unlike the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2 before it, the newly introduced OnePlus X does not come with a removable back cover. So obviously OnePlus can't sell you replacement backs made out of fancy materials such as wood. However, that hasn't stopped the Chinese company from creating a line of accessories for the OnePlus X. Only these are cases, and...

First public beta of iOS 9.2 is now out

Today Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 9.2. This build first went out to developers a couple of days ago, and now it's available for everyone who's signed up for Apple's beta program for software. As before, if you're in the beta program iOS 9.2 beta 1 will be offered to you as an over-the-air update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch....

Nexus 6P teardown yields very low repairability score

There are many differences between the two Nexus smartphones Google announced this year, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. One is cheaper, the other more premium, for example. But there's a new big difference between the two - how easy each of them is to repair. The Nexus 5X teardown which we told you about last week resulted in a 7 out of 10 repairability...

Samsung's huge Galaxy View tablet lands on November 6 for $599

Samsung finally announced the Galaxy View, its biggest tablet yet, through a press release yesterday. This came after many months of rumors regarding this particular device. While the official unveiling made no mention of its price or a release date, we now know both of those things. The Galaxy View will be out in the US on November 6, and you'll...

Moto X Force gets official as the international version of the Droid Turbo 2

The rumor mill was right about this one, too. Motorola's new top of the line smartphone with the world's first shatterproof display may be exclusive to Verizon in the US (where it's known as the Droid Turbo 2), but it's coming to international markets too. And outside of the US it will be known as the Moto X Force. Thus, this is the third Moto X...

Microsoft gives away a free Display Dock with each Lumia 950 XL in UK and DE

Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are the first Windows 10 running smartphones. Both are powerful enough to use the so-called Continuum feature - that's the ability to turn your phone into a full-fledged PC by plugging in an external monitor and a keyboard via the Microsoft Display Dock. This in theory make for lighter packing when traveling or...

LG's quarterly results show declining smartphone shipments, company still posts a profit

LG's mobile division turned in its quarterly with mixed feelings. It sold 8.1 million LTE smartphones worldwide for the quarter, a record for the company. Also, in North America revenues went up by 36% on a yearly basis, driven largely by the successfully mid-range smartphones and tablets. Now for the bad news - performance in its home country of...

Alcatel Fierce XL: 5.5'' Android with Polaroid camera for MetroPCS, T-Mobile

Alcatel unveiled a low-cost, large-screened Android for one of the smaller carriers in the US, MetroPCS. The Alcatel Fierce XL will cost $139 when it launches on November 2. It will be available on T-Mobile alter this winter too. The phone has an 8MP main camera plus a 2MP selfie camera, which are bundled with Polaroid Photo Editing Software. The...

Sony ends Q3 2015 profitable thanks to PlayStation, image sensors

In spite of a lagging mobile division, Sony announced today it ended Q3 with a profit. The company's PlayStation and image sensor divisions are to thank for the $278 million (JPY 33.6 billion) profit. Overall revenue for the quarter is down 0.5% over a year ago to $15.8 billion, partly because of the strong dollar. Operating profit came in at $733...

Qualcomm refutes Snapdragon 820 overheating rumors

A couple of days ago, there were rumors that Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 820 chipset has overheating issues just like its predecessor SD810, and Samsung - which is manufacturing the SoC - is working to fix to the problem. Now, Qualcomm has responded to the aforementioned rumors, clarifying that there are no such issues with the chipset. The company...

IDC: Q3 smartphone shipments were second highest on record

A total of 355.2 million smartphones were shipped worldwide in Q3 this year, which is the second highest number on record, according to a latest report from market research firm IDC. When compared to Q3 2014, that's a 6.8% growth - a total of 332.6 million units were shipped in that period. The total number of smartphones shipped in Q3 this year,...

Former Apple creative director is Huawei's new chief UX designer

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei has hired Apple's former creative director Abigail Sarah Brody as its new chief UX designer. She will also be serving as the vice president of Huawei's Device & Consumer division. A quick look at Brody's LinkedIn profile reveals that she has worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies in her 20 years carrier....

The OnePlus X is a Snapdragon 801 5-incher with a Ceramic body option

OnePlus is diversifying its current portfolio of one model (spreading two generations) with the brand new OnePlus X. Announced today, the new smartphone will fight a whole different battle - where the OnePlus One and 2 were meant as flagships on a budget, the X aims to put design on top of its list of priorities. The OnePlus X comes in a choice of...

Huawei ships 27.4M smartphones in Q3, 4M P8 units

Last week, market research firm Canalys revealed that Huawei has surpassed Xiaomi to become China's largest smartphone manufacturer in Q3 2015. While the firm did not share the exact shipment numbers, Huawei has now revealed that it shipped a total of 27.4 million smartphones last quarter. The information was revealed by the Chinese company in a...

Samsung's Q3 earnings report reveals first profit growth in two years

Samsung has released its earnings report for the third quarter, and as expected, the company has registered its first profit growth in the last two years. The report reveals an operating profit of around $6.4 billion, which is an impressive increase from $3.6 billion it reported in the same period last year. Overall revenues stood at $45.6 billion,...

YouTube Red ad-free subscription service is now live in US

As promised, Google has launched the YouTube Red ad-free subscription service in the United States. Although it's priced at $9.99 a month, it comes with a one-month free trial so you can get a taste of it before you start paying for it. For those who aren't aware, the new service - aside from being ad-free - also lets you save videos on your mobile...

Xbox One Kinect bundle and Kinect for Xbox One receive price cuts

Microsoft has announced a limited-period price cut for both Xbox One Kinect bundle and standalone Kinect for Xbox One units. While the price of the former has been dropped by $100, the latter has received a $50 price cut. The Xbox One with Kinect bundle - which includes 500GB Xbox One console, Kinect sensor, Xbox One wireless controller, as well...

Alleged Samsung Galaxy A5 successor passes Bluetooth SIG certification

Over a week after its showed up on Zauba, a website which tracks India's import and export, the Samsung device - which is alleged to be the successor to last year's Galaxy A5 smartphone - has received Bluetooth certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Keep in mind that the reason the new handset is being said to be the sequel...