The BQ Aquaris X5 will be offered by O2 it the UK

UK's O2 is planning to start offering the BQ Aquaris X5 this December and it turns out this might very well be the first Cyanogen OS phone that you can buy on contract in the country, perhaps even the EU. And while the phone itself isn't really spectacular in any way, we do hope it catches some attention as it could potentially set the tone for a future broadening of carrier device portfolios. It is no secret that most people tent to buy on-contract devices, as it is generally cheaper, not to mention immensely more convenient for not so "tech-savvy" users. This is definitely not a bad trend in itself, but it is also no secret that most carrier are naturally going to stack up on devices that are going to sale, which currently boils down to a large quantity of entry-level, often even custom branded models and just as many trusted name-brand mid-rangers, like Samsung, Sony or Lumia. Last, but not least, a select few of the very best flagships the market has to offer. This "safe" portfolio does limit variety and leaves out most of the really tantalizing offers, but also limits most users stuck to only a basic three-way choice of OS - iOS, Android or Windows (yes, yes, we know, there is the occasional BlackBerry too). But what about all the platform we nerds get to enjoy, like Cyanogen? Why can't my dad get it as well? The OS has come a long way since its expert-oriented roots and now has features like the integrated Privacy Guard and Truecaller dialer with spam protection, that hold a universal appeal. Well, hopefully the BQ Aquaris X5 is the first step to breaking the status quo. As already mentioned, the Spanish handset is one of the select few to run on Cyanogen OS out of the box, just like the OnePlus One did before it moved on to its own Oxygen OS. As already mentioned, its specs sheet doesn't exactly spell out power. It offers a 5.0 inch 720p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 412 processor, clocked at 1.4GHz, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a camera setup, featuring a 13MP rear shooter and a 5MP one on the front. Running the show is a 2900mAh battery. There is also dual SIM support and 4G connectivity. It might not be breaking benchmarks any time soon, but the handset still offers more than enough power to breeze through everyday tasks with the added bonus of full control over said hardware, courtesy of Cyanogen. The BQ Aquaris X5 will be available on O2's Refresh scheme, with plans starting at £19.50 a month (plus a £9.99 upfront cost) for 500 minutes and 500 megabytes of 4G data along with unlimited...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_bq_aquaris_x5_will_be_offered_by_o2_it_the_uk-news-15014.php

A whopping 12 million Fallout 4 copies (worth $750 million) shipped on launch day

Fallout 4, which came out on November 10 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC, had a record breaking launch. According to publisher Bethesda, a whopping 12 million copies of the game - which the company said represented "sales in excess of $750 million" - were shipped on the launch day. "Major retailers have informed Bethesda of the tremendous consumer interest in Fallout 4, with some noting it was the most pre-ordered game this year," the publisher said. Interestingly, world's largest pornography website PornHub revealed that its traffic dropped by as much as 10 percent when the game released. Keep in mind that the 12 million figure is the number of copies that were shipped to retailers - it isn't yet known how many were actually bought by customers. For comparison, the company's last game - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - saw 7 million copies shipped in the first two days. Via (GameSpot) | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/a_whopping_12_million_fallout_4_copies_worth_750_million_shipped_on_launch_day-news-15012.php

Vivo X6 make a visit to TENAA for a quick photoshoot

The Vivo X6 is coming, no doubt about it. Despite hearing about the handset fairly recently, the alleged flagship has already managed to stir up a lot of commotion, going through the hoops with teasers about 4GB of RAM and an e-payment compatible fingerprint reader, rumors, PR shots and even unearthed certifications - a rather full set. The latest piece of information also comes courtesy of a certification authority. This time the phone made a visit to TENAA. Sadly, the listing is yet to feature its usual specs rundown, but it does offers a few detailed photos of the unit from all angles. The uniform finish on the back, along with the two antenna lines make it abundantly clear that the X6 will have a metal body and a very clean one indeed. The widely-discussed fingerprint reader, a Vivo first, is also clearly visible, with a very Huawei-like positioning. Other control placement looks fairly standard with power and volume on the right and a SIM tray on the left. The camera on the X6 appears to have a slight bump, as evident by the side-shot and we can't help but notice that on one of the photos, the camera appears much lower than it should be. If you have any thoughts on whether it is just a mix-up or not, we would love to read them in the comment section. TENAA might have skipped on specs for the Vivo X6, but we have already gathered quire a lot of information on the subject from previous leaks. The rumor mill hints at a spacious 6" QHD screen with Force Touch in a 4mm thick frame, a 10-core MediaTek Helio X20 chipset, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 21MP camera on the back, 12MP front-facing one and a 4,000mAh battery. There's even talk of 1GB of dedicated video RAM, as in a discreet video solution! Sadly, none of this has been confirmed yet. The official release of the Vivo X6 is expected later this month. Source(in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_x6_make_a_visit_to_tenaa_for_a_quick_photoshoot-news-15011.php

iPad Pro's Lightning port is USB 3.0-compatible, Apple confirms

Less than a week after an iFixit teardown for the iPad Pro revealed a USB 3.0 controller, Apple has confirmed that the tablet's Lightning port is compatible with the new USB standard, something which the company didn't advertise initially. This means that the iPad Pro will support transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, which is more than 10 times faster than the USB 2.0's theoretical maximum of 480Mbps. However, keep in mind that the cable the tablet ships with is a standard USB 2.0 one, which means you'll have to purchase a separate USB 3.0 adapter to take advantage of the feature - sadly, such an adapter doesn't exist...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ipad_pro_features_a_usb_30compatible_lightning_port_apple_confirms-news-15010.php

Extended service plans are now available for the OnePlus X in India

Ever since the original OnePlus One, the Chinese OEM has been investing heftily in proper customer service. One prominent fruit of all the effort are the extended service plans that, much like Apple Care, offer some piece of mind that most accidents and damage to your beloved handset will be taken care of diligently in a certified service center. Naturally, said programs were extended to cover the OnePlus 2 as well and have been available since November in Europe and India. Now the OEM is making good on its promise to extend the service even further and make it available for OnePlus X units in India. The plans in question come courtesy of local partner B2X and can be carried out within any of the 59 OnePlus service center across India. Called On-Guard Plus on On-Guard and with price tags of INR 999 and INR 699, respectively, both build upon and compliment or extend the manufacturer's one year default warranty. The details of the coverage are as follows: B2X On-Guard Plus for OnePlus X Extends manufacturer's warranty by 1 additional year Fully covered during 2nd year of purchase Single window support by B2X and OnePlus Direct Support by Authorized Service Centres Need to be purchased within 120 days of purchase of the OnePlus X and register at B2X within 10 days of purchase of plan B2X On-Guard for OnePlus X Fully covered during 1st year of purchase Accidental damage and liquid damage protection 100% cashless coverage Free pick-up and drop services Direct Support by Authorized Service Centres Single window support by B2X and OnePlus Need to be purchased within 10 days of purchase of the OnePlus X and register at B2X within 7 days of purchase of plan You can pick up the one that suits you from Amazon today. Just hit the source links. You can also check out our in-depth review of the OnePlus X if you are currently considering to pick one up. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/extended_service_plans_are_now_available_for_the_oneplus_x_in_india-news-15009.php

OnePlus 2 starts getting OxygenOS 2.1.2 update

OnePlus has announced that it has started rolling out the OxygenOS 2.1.2 update to the OP2. The company says this is an incremental roll out, so if you own a OP2 smartphone and haven't received an OTA update notification yet, you'll have to be patient and wait for it. As for the update, it features improved UX for preview in Camera as well as performance improvements on app install and launch. It also brings support for lockscreen wallpaper, individual icon customization, and Russian & Turkish language. Aside from this, the update also includes security patches, as well as fixes for RAW format on 3rd party camera apps and bugs related to System Update. Some general bug fixes and performance improvements are also...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_2_starts_getting_oxygenos_212_update-news-15007.php

Microsoft offering free Display Dock with Lumia 950 XL in US and Canada

Following a similar promotion in the UK and Germany, Microsoft is now offering a free Display Dock with each Lumia 950 XL in the United States and Canada, too. Interestingly, it was initially mentioned that the offer will be valid for the Lumia 950 as well, but shortly thereafter the references to the handset were removed. As for the offer, it'll only be valid with purchase and offer registration between November 25 and January 31 while supplies last. The promotional code that users receive will have to be redeemed using the Lumia Offers app on the Microsoft Store, something which can be done until February 29, 2016. It's worth mentioning that both Lumia 950 and 950 XL aren't yet available for purchase. While the former will be an AT&T exclusive in the US (expected to go on sale next week), the latter will be available directly from Microsoft. Source 1 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_offering_free_display_dock_with_lumia_950_xl_in_us-news-15008.php

Gionee GN8001 with 6-inch display and 3GB RAM receives TENAA certification

The Gionee GN8001 - which along with the Gionee GN5001L and GN5002 was certified by China's 3C earlier this month - has now passed through the country's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center (TENAA). The listing on TENAA's website reveals that the device is powered by a 1.3 GHz octa-core processor, and sports a large 6.0-inch (1920 × 1080 pixel resolution) AMOLED display. It has 3GB RAM and 32GB expandable internal memory. In terms of camera, the listing says the Gionee GN8001 would feature at-least 8MP rear unit (could also go up to 13MP) and a 5MP front shooter. Weighing in at 206 gms and measuring 160.7×81.0×8.2 (mm), the handset runs Android 5.1 out-of-the-box. Connectivity options reportedly include 4G LTE, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, and USB, while color options include silver. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_gn8001_with_6inch_display_and_3gb_ram_receives_tenaa_certification-news-15005.php

Galaxy S7 flagship duo rumored to be already under testing at AT&T

According to the usually reliable leakster @evleaks, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is already being tested in the US. Specifically, he said that two variants of the handset (SM-G930A and SM-G935A) - which should be the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge - are under testing at AT&T. AT&T already testing both Galaxy S7 variants (SM-G930A and -G935A), adding weight to rumors of an early- to mid-1Q16 release.— Evan Blass (@evleaks) November 13, 2015 The revelation adds weight to a recent rumor suggesting the flagship device(s) would be announced on February 21 2016 - just a day before next year's Mobile World Congress. As for the specs, there's not much known at the moment, although there have been rumors that the device would sport a magnesium build, feature a USB Type-C port, and will come with 3D Touch-like features. A recent report also suggested that half of the Galaxy S7 units would be powered by the South Korean company's next generation Exynos 8890 chipset, while the other half would feature Snapdragon...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s7_duo_rumored_to_be_already_under_testing_at_at_t-news-15004.php

Huawei shows off batteries that can be charged to half capacity in few minutes

At the 56th Battery Symposium in Japan, Huawei showed off their new quick charging lithium-ion batteries that the company claims can be charged to half the capacity in just a few minutes. "Using next generation technology, these new batteries have achieved a charging speed 10 times faster than that of normal batteries," the Chinese company said in a press release. Huawei demoed the technology by showing off a 600 mAh battery that charged to 68% capacity in just two minutes, as well as a 3000 mAh battery that charged to 48% capacity in five minutes. The company also explained the behind-the-scenes working of the technology. "According to Huawei, the company bonded heteroatoms to the molecule of graphite in anode, which could be a catalyst for the capture and transmission of lithium through carbon bonds. Huawei stated that the heteroatoms increase the charging speed of batteries without decreasing energy density or battery...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_shows_off_technology_capable_of_charging_you_phones_battery_to_half_capacity_in_few_minutes-news-15006.php

HTC One X9 with 5.5-inch display and 5UP front camera passes through TENAA

The HTC One X9 smartphone - which has been the subject of some leaks and rumors lately - has now been certified by Chinese certification and regulatory authority TENAA, revealing some of its key specs. The TENAA listing reportedly reveals that the device is powered by a 2.2 GHz octa-core processor, and sports a 5.5-inch (1920 × 1080 pixel resolution) IPS display. It has 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory (which can be expanded up to 1TB), and packs in a 3000mAh battery. In terms of camera, the One X9 features a 13MP rear unit and a 5UP front shooter. It measures 153.2×75.9×7.99 mm, weighs in at 174 gms, and runs Android 5.0.2 out-of-the-box. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, USB, GPS, GSM, TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE, 4G LTE FDD, and WCDMA, while color options include silver...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_x9_passes_through_tenaa-news-15003.php

Serious new vulnerability found in Chrome for Android

A new vulnerability has been found (and thankfully, contained) by Qihoo 360 developer Guang Gong who had been working on the exploit for three months before demonstrating it at the PacSec conference in Tokyo. The exploit worked by targeting the Chrome app's JavaScript engine and installed a BMX bike game. Without requiring interaction of the user, the vulnerability demonstration exemplified complete control of the device. All the user has to do is visit a site that contains the vulnerability and the JavaScript hack will take care of the rest. Google had a representative at this conference who was able to see the bug working in action. As reward for Gong's work, he will be flown all the way to Vancouver for the CanSecWest Applied Security Conference where he will go on a ski trip. Thankfully this vulnerability can be patched through a Chrome update through the Play Store, unlike Stagefright which required a software patch to the OS. Most people are careful about the kinds of sites they visit. Particularly sites offering copyrighted material for free can be riddled with malware and virus links. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_travelpass_lets_you_call_text_and_surf_overseas-news-15002.php

Verizon TravelPass lets you call, text, and surf overseas

Many changes in the mobile industry have been thanks to T-Mobile (mainly eliminating phone subsidies in the US). If you had told me just two years ago that Verizon was going to let you roam overseas for a reasonable cost, I would have called you a liar. Earlier this month, Verizon has announced TravelPass, which will let you use data, texts, and calls while overseas. Keep in mind that data will be deducted from your domestic data bucket. Canada and Mexico cost only $2 per day and all other countries cost $10 per day assuming they are on Verizon's list of approved countries. While these fees are quite reasonable, you still have to make sure that you are traveling to a country on Verizon's list of TravelPass countries. Hopefully this list of countries will continue growing because it isn't nearly as large as T-Mobile's list of 140+ countries. Verizon's devices shouldn't have trouble getting signal overseas since they all come unlocked and have GSM radios. It isn't mentioned, however, if customers will have access to 4G LTE speeds or if they will be throttled to 3G or 2G speeds. I think this is great for Verizon's business customers since TravelPass will allow for unlimited phone calls (I assume). This is also a clue for other carriers (lookin' at you, AT&T and Sprint) to offer better international roaming...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_announces_travelpass__call_text_and_surf_overseas-news-15001.php

Samsung is reportedly close to becoming OLED display supplier for future iPhones

A new rumor out of South Korea says that Samsung and Apple are in advanced talks about the former supplying the latter with OLED display panels for future iPhones. A deal hasn't been concluded yet, but apparently that's very close to happening. As such, the Korean company is looking to increase its OLED panel output in order to be able to meet the bigger demand that it shall face if it becomes Apple's supplier. In fact, Samsung could actually decide to build an entire OLED production facility just to supply Apple, if the deal goes through of course. It's possible that Apple will finance such a move, at least in part. The first step in Samsung's strategy is already occurring, as it is selling one of its LCD manufacturing facilities' equipment to a Chinese company. The money it will gain from this move will be used only to increase OLED panel production capacity. And if it builds production lines solely for Apple, Samsung could become the Californian company's biggest supplier of displays, moving past LG Display, certain unnamed sources are speculating. Samsung is already making OLED panels for the Apple Watch, so a deal for iPhones would be an extension of an existing agreement. Samsung is going to face competition in the OLED screen space from quite a few Chinese companies that have all planned to build production facilities soon, so it can no longer afford not to aggressively invest in its own lines. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_is_reportedly_close_to_becoming_oled_display_supplier_for_future_iphones-news-15000.php

128GB iPad Pro models ordered now only ship at the end of the month

It looks like Apple managed to somehow underestimate demand for the most expensive versions of its latest tablet, the iPad Pro. This is especially true in the United States, where ordering an iPad Pro with 128GB of storage (either in Wi-Fi-only or 4G LTE-capable iterations) will see you waiting until the end of the month for it to actually be shipped. The situation is less dire for the 32GB model, which should arrive at your doorstep in 4-5 days, depending on which shipping method you choose (the slower one is free, while the faster one costs $10). If you want the $949 Wi-Fi-only 128GB iPad Pro or the $1,079 128GB 4G model you need to wait until either November 30 to December 2 (for free shipping) or November 25 to November 30 (if you pay the $10 to expedite things). That's a delay of two to three weeks, so it's no small thing. Even worse is how long you'll need to wait if you order an Apple Pencil stylus or the Smart Keyboard accessory. Both of these are currently listed by the Apple store as "available to ship" in 4-5 weeks. That's pretty bad if you wanted to use the two essential iPad Pro accessories in Apple's view from the moment you get the tablet. Source | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/128gb_ipad_pro_models_ordered_now_only_ship_at_the_end_of_the_month-news-14999.php

Chrome beta for iOS makes its debut with 3D Touch support

There's been a beta version of Chrome for Android up for grabs in the Google Play Store since 2013, and now it's finally available for iOS as well. As you might expect, the beta brings with it certain new features that aren't yet out in the stable version of the browser. That said, these may be responsible for some bugs, so only take the plunge if you can live with those. To install Chrome beta for iOS you need to visit this page from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, hit the Download button, then enter your email address in the field that shows up, and wait for a code to arrive via email. You will input this code into Apple's TestFlight app, which you have to download onto your iOS device in order to take part in the beta test. So what would make it worth going through all this trouble? Well, how about support for 3D Touch? If you install Chrome beta and you force touch on its icon, you'll get three quick options as pictured in the image above. Of course 3D Touch only works on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, since they're the only handsets with the necessary hardware. The first version of Chrome beta for iOS also recognizes more keyboard shortcuts, which means you can now open, close, or change tabs and perform a voice search from your Bluetooth keyboard. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/chrome_beta_for_ios_makes_its_debut_with_3d_touch_support-news-14998.php

Moto X Pure Edition to receive Marshmallow update as well

Motorola received a lot of heat when people found out their beloved Moto E from last year was not going to receive any more software updates. Those who had a US carrier branded 2014 Moto X were also upset to learn their phone of just over a year of age was yet to be confirmed for a Marshmallow update. At one point, Motorola was the quickest to push updates to Android. Particularly, the Verizon Moto X was the very first device to get the Kitkat update even before some Nexus devices. Unfortunately, Motorola hasn't been as quick this time around. While the Brazilian and Indian Moto X Style and Moto X 2014 have already begun the update deployment process, the Moto X Pure Edition has begun the approval process and will begin rolling out "in the next few...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/international_moto_x_style_and_2014_models_getting_marshmallow_soon_pure_edition_maybe-news-14995.php

Samsung's $99 Gear VR is headed to T-Mobile on November 27

Samsung's newest virtual reality headset (which confusingly is called Gear VR just like its past two models) has gone up for pre-order a few days ago. This 'consumer edition' as the Korean company likes to refer to it is the cheapest Gear VR yet, going for only $99. It will be out on November 20 at some online retailers, but what if you want to pick one up from a carrier? Even if it's really not clear why you'd want to do that, T-Mobile will happily oblige. The magenta carrier has announced that it will have the Gear VR in stock starting on November 27. It will be priced at, you guessed it, $99. It will be offered through "participating stores" (read: not all), as well as online. But you probably shouldn't hope to buy it using one of those famous "Un-carrier" installment plans. One final note: the Gear VR is only compatible with Samsung's latest flagships, the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, and Note5. If you don't have one of these devices, you simply won't be able to use the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_99_gear_vr_is_headed_to_tmobile_on_november_27-news-14997.php

Gionee Elife S6 leaks in live, hands-on images days before unveiling

Gionee will announce the Elife S6 at an event on November 16, that much we already know from the Chinese company's own teasers. The S6 is shaping up to be very similar to the Elife S Plus that got official in India recently, except it comes with less RAM and a different design, employing metal. As we are just three days away from the big unveil, someone in China understandably managed to get their hands on an Elife S6 unit and proceeded to shoot a couple of blurry pictures of it. So here they are. Gionee Elife S6 The second image gives us a picture of some of the phone's internals, which is intriguing because it shows the S6 as having 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The model that got certified by TENAA, however, only had 2GB and 16GB, respectively. So perhaps there will be two price tiers for the S6, with two different amounts for RAM and internal storage. The base model should start at CNY 1,799, which right now means $282 or €263. The Elife S6 comes with a 5.5-inch 5.5-inch 720p AMOLED touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, a 1.3 GHz octa-core CPU, 4G LTE support, and a 3,150 mAh battery. It will run Android 5.1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_elife_s6_leaks_in_live_handson_images_days_before_unveiling-news-14996.php

OnePlus X review: Straight Up

Meizu did such a wonderful job with the MX5 that we were pretty certain a Pro edition wasn't needed this year. As it turns out Meizu thought otherwise and is giving us a bigger and faster Meizu Pro 5, with refined design, blazing-fast chipset and better camera sensor.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/one_plus_x-review-1337.php

New leaked HTC One X9 render offers a better look at the device

Now that the HTC One A9 is officially here, fans are already aiming their sights at the next possible HTC phone. That might very well be the One X9, which, despite being a relative newcomer to the rumor mill, has already stirred up quite a fuss amongst prominent tech tipsters. What was initially portrayed as a Mediatek Helio X20 high-end device, later got its alleged specs denoted quite a bit, making it more of an upper-midrange offer to come shortly before the One M10 flagship. As for the aesthetics on the device, there hasn't really been much to go by, except for a single press render, until now that is. This new image was leaked on Chinese social media Weibo and matches up nicely with the initially revealed X9 design. The distinct pair of groves on the front of the phone can easily be spotted in both renders, but the new one also offers a glimpse at the back. It appears to feature a prominent strip for the camera module, perhaps even slightly thicker than the rest of the unit's body, but it is hard to tell from this angle. Also, the bottom antenna line is clearly visible, hinting at a metal body. In any case, allegations of Apple-inspired design seem a lot less likely with the X9. As far as we currently know, the handset, model number E56, sports a 5.5-inch FHD display, and packs in a 3000mAh battery. Memory is 2GB/16GB, while a 13MP/4UP camera-combo is on-board. It should be launched in Q1 2016, around 2-3 months before the One M10...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_leaked_htc_one_x9_render_offers_a_better_look_at_the_device-news-14994.php

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium now available in Europe

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is now available for purchase across (most of) Europe. The handheld, which pioneers 4K display resolution on a smartphone, has been listed on several of Sony's local websites as well as third-party retailers. The privilege of owning an Xperia Z5 Premium was never going to come cheap, and the cash you'll need to part with amounts to £629 in the UK or €799 in most other countries. You could buy it for £599.95 SIM-free from major retailer Carphone Warehouse or opt for one of a myriad of installment plans. Over at giffgaff, the Z5 Premium is even a pound cheaper. Some German retailers will sell you one for up to €10 less than Sony, though most stick to the list price. If having a smartphone with a pixel density north of 800ppi isn't quite worth €800 to you, you could wait for potential carrier-subsidized deals, of which there are none just yet. We stumbled upon a "Buy now" link for the Xperia Z5 Premium on Sony's websites in the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy (€829), Greece (an even steeper €899, mind you), and so on, but the list is by no means exhaustive. If you've been craving the 4K display goodness for a while (which we are, even though we did have one for a brief hands-on a while back), make sure you check with Sony reps and retailers in your home country. Either way, the floodgates are open. Source 1 2 3 4 5 6 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z5_premium_now_available_in_europe-news-14993.php

Vivo's upcoming X6 smartphone certified by China's 3C

The upcoming Vivo X6 smartphone, which has been the subject of various teasers and leaks lately, has passed what's known as China Compulsory Certification (3C). As you can see in the screenshot above, the certification information reveals that the device will be available in two variants: X6A and X6L. There's, however, currently no information on the difference between these models. From what is known so far, the handset is powered by a 10-core MediaTek Helio X20 chipset, and sports a a 6-inch QHD screen with Force Touch. It has 4GB RAM (1GB dedicated for video), packs in a 4,000mAh battery, sports a 21MP rear camera, and offers 4G connectivity. The handset also features a fingerprint scanner and quick charging capabilities. However, keep in mind that none of these specifications has been officially confirmed...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vivos_upcoming_x6_smartphone_receives_3c_certification_in_china-news-14992.php

Apple Watch supplier confirms next iteration in works

The successor to the Apple Watch is currently being worked on, according to Barry Lam, chairman of Taiwan-based Quanta Computer, the company which assembles the wearable device for the iPhone-maker. Lam reportedly made the aforementioned comment recently during an an investor meeting, noting that the next-gen Apple Watch will perform better than the original variant. Soon thereafter, rumors started going around that the Apple Watch 2 would be launched towards the end of Q2 next year. These rumors are inline with previous reports that suggested a 2016 launch for the Apple Watch successor. There have also been rumors that the new wearable will continue sporting the existing square form...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_watch_supplier_says_next_iteration_is_in_the_works-news-14991.php

Cyanogen to bring $75 phones to market, Marshmallow-based v13 coming next year

Cyanogen Inc. aims to pick up the ball that Android One dropped. Google's initiative for low-cost smartphones for developing markets underwent several changes and reportedly, it no longer lives up to its original mission. Cyanogen is working with multiple OEMs to develop a number of $75 devices targeting several markets. They promise high performance on inexpensive hardware by keeping software bloat at bay. The phones will run CyanogenOS 13, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It will come out early next year, while the ROM version (CyanogenMod 13) will be out sooner - by the end of this year or in early 2016. The Cyanogen team will see these devices through several major Android versions, a promise also made by Android One phones. The team will provide its partners with SDKs for custom apps (which will differ by OEM and region) and make sure there are no overlaps. No two apps that do the same thing (Google-powered Androids often have two browsers, two email clients, two calendars and so on). It won't be just sub-$100 phones though, Steve Kondik had a "one more thing" moment and promised a flagship too. Currently Cyanogen OS powers phones from Yu, ZUK, Wileyfox, BQ and Smartfren. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cyanogen_to_bring_75_phones_to_market_marshmallowbased_v13_coming_next_year-news-14989.php

PlayStation Vue arrives on Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick; Chromecast support coming soon

Sony's Internet TV service PlayStation Vue, which was already accessible through the PS4, PS3, iPad, and iPhone, is now also available on Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. Support for Chromecast is also arriving soon. The Japanese company has also slashed the prices for the service's Core and Elite packages by $5 - the former is now available for $54.99 (down from $59.99) while the latter is available for $64.99 (down from $69.99). There's also a special Amazon promotion for new users who sign up for the service's aforementioned packages. "For a limited time starting November 15th, 2015, new users who sign up for a free trial of PlayStation Vue's Core and Elite multi-channel packages will receive a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with their first month paid subscription." The promotion, however, is only available in areas where where PlayStation Vue multi-channel packages are...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/playstation_vue_arrives_on_amazon_fire_tv_and_fire_tv_stick_chromecast_support_coming_soon-news-14984.php

Watchmaker Fossil Group acquires wearables company Misfit

US watchmaker Fossil Group has announced that it will be acquiring startup company Misfit for $260 million. Misfit's current CEO and co-founder, Sonny Vu, will become the CTO of connected devices for Fossil Group. Misfit is a wearable device manufacturer, maker of fitness trackers such as the Misfit Shine and the recent Misfit Shine 2. Fossil plans on using Misfit's technological knowhow into standard watches while also continuing existing Misfit products to sell alongside. Fossil recently announced its entry into the wearable space, with the launch of two fitness bands, a standard watch with some smart functionality, and an Android Wear...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/watchmaker_fossil_group_acquires_wearables_company_misfit-news-14988.php

Xbox One update brings new UI, backwards compatibility

Microsoft has started rolling a major update for the Xbox One, which brings with it two new features, the New Xbox One Experience, which is based on Windows 10, and Xbox One Backward Compatibility. The New Xbox One Experience brings with it a new Dashboard and a new Guide. The focus here is on making everything faster, not just performance wise but more importantly, in reducing the number of steps involved in doing things. The guide helps out in this a lot. The guide is like a hub for all your friends, parties, messages, notifications, settings, and apps. The guide slides over from the left as an overlay on the Dashboard, in an app or even during a game, so you are never far away from important things. The other important thing is Xbox One Backward Compatibility. Now Xbox One users will be able to play over a hundred Xbox 360 games on their console, with more coming in the future. The Xbox 360 titles can be downloaded from the store if you had purchased them digitally in the past. If you have them on a disc, you have to enter the disc into the Xbox One, at which point the game will be downloaded from the store, with the disc acting as sort of a DRM. You can play multiplayer within these games with Xbox 360 owners and also have access to new Xbox One features, such as screenshots, in-home streaming, and Game DVR. The update is now rolling out and you can read more about it in the link...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xbox_one_update_brings_new_ui_backwards_compatibility-news-14985.php

Apple reportedly planning to add peer-to-peer payments capability in Apple Pay

Apple is planning to add a new feature in Apple Pay that will allow users of the mobile payments service to quickly send/receive money to/from their contacts, according to a latest report from Bloomberg. As per the report, the Cupertino-based company - which sold over 230 million iPhones last year - is already in talks with banks about the said peer-to-peer payments feature, and could announce it as soon as next year. For those who aren't already aware, a similar money-sending feature is already being offered by social networking giant Facebook - it's available to users of the company's Messenger app in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_planning_to_add_peertopeer_payments_feature_in_apple_pay-news-14983.php

Facebook testing Snapchat-like ephemeral messaging feature in Messenger

Facebook is currently testing a new Messenger feature in France that allows users of the chat application to send ephemeral messages that vanish after one hour. The feature can be turned on and off simply by tapping the new hourglass icon (see image below) included in the app. "We're excited to announce the latest in an engaging line of optional product features geared towards making Messenger the best way to communicate with the people that matter most," said a Facebook spokesperson in a statement. "Starting today, we're conducting a small test in France of a feature that allows people to send messages that disappear an hour after they're sent. Disappearing messages gives people another fun option to choose from when they communicate on Messenger. We look forward to hearing people's feedback as they give it a try." Clearly, this is yet another attempt by Facebook to take on Snapchat, which is arguably the most popular app in the category. For those who aren't already aware, Facebook launched a Snapchat-competitor - dubbed Poke - back in 2012, but it failed to capture people's imagination and was shut down last...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebook_testing_snapchatlike_ephemeral_messaging_feature_in_messenger-news-14982.php

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro passes through TENAA

Nearly a couple of weeks after it had its metal back leaked, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro smartphone has been spotted listed on the website of Chinese certification and regulatory authority TENAA. The leaked image we saw last month indicated a fingerprint scanner at the back and a metal construction. The images included in the TENAA listing (shown above) confirm these features. In terms of specs, the listing reportedly reveals that the device is powered by a Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 chipset, and sports a 5.5-inch FHD display. Memory configuration is 2GB/16GB, and the handset - which measures 149.98 × 75.96 × 8.75 mm and weighs in at 165 grams - packs in a 3060mAh battery. In terms of camera, the Redmi Note 2 Pro features a 13MP/5MP camera combo, and runs Android 5.0.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box. As for the price, while some rumors say the smartphone will carry a tag of CNY 999($156), others say it will cost CNY 1099...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_2_pro_passes_through_tenaa-news-14981.php

Apple is shutting down Beats Music service on November 30

Just over a year after acquiring it for $3 billion, Apple has announced that it's pulling the plug on Beats Music - the subscription streaming music service will shut on November 30. All Beats Music subscriptions will be cancelled on the aforementioned date. The Cupertino-based company, however, is encouraging users to make a switch to Apple Music, saying that they can move their picks and preferences over to the company's new music streaming service "right now." "All the pros that curated music for you are still crafting more amazing experiences," Apple said in a support document. "Plus, on Apple Music, you'll get even better recommendations based on music you already listen to and love, 24/7 global radio with Beats 1, exciting material from your favorite artist, and more." This comes less than a month after Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple Music - which was launched back in June this year - now has a total of 15 million subscribers, of which around 6.5 million are paying to use...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_is_shutting_down_beats_music_service_on_november_30-news-14980.php

Some BlackBerry Priv pre-order shipments are getting delayed

A couple of days ago, it was revealed that new BlackBerry Priv orders (placed through the company's online store) won't be delivered until November 23, and now, it is being reported that some pre-order shipments, too, are experiencing delays. The company is saying that the pre-orders in question will arrive no later than November 24. "This is a follow-up to the email we sent you on Friday to keep you updated on ShopBlackBerry PRIV pre-order deliveries. Due to demand, there has been a delay in shipping PRIV smartphones to some customers who pre-ordered," BlackBerry said in an email to customers. "We continue to deliver PRIV devices and expect all remaining pre-orders to arrive no later than November 24th. Once your order has been shipped you will receive a confirmation by email so you can track your order." For those who aren't already aware, BlackBerry officially started shipping its debut Android smartphone last week on November 6. The device is also available for purchase from AT&T in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/some_blackberry_priv_preorder_shipments_are_getting_delayed-news-14979.php

YouTube Music app now out for Android and iOS with free 14-day trial of premium features

The YouTube Music app that was announced last month alongside the YouTube Red subscription service is now live in both the iTunes App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android. Just like its name implies, YouTube Music is all about listening to music that's on YouTube. Everything in the app is designed for this purpose, so, for example, when you make a search only music results pop up - unlike what would happen if you use the YouTube app. The home tab recommends tracks for you and creates personalized stations based on your tastes, while the app lets you effortlessly discover new artists. In addition to quickly finding videos, songs, and albums, in YouTube Music you'll also see the remixes, covers, lyric videos, and concert footage that's on YouTube. If you're a YouTube Red subscriber, then you'll experience YouTube Music without ads. You also get to listen to music offline and switch to an audio-only mode if you want, where the music keeps playing even if you turn your phone's screen off or jump to another app. That said, YouTube Music is free to download - and you can use it without paying, though without the aforementioned premium features. To get a taste of what you're missing if you go that route, Google is giving you a 14-day trial of the "amplified experience" brought to you by Red. YouTube Music for Android is currently up for grabs through the Play Store only if you're in the US. But if you want to install it even if you're elsewhere, you can hit the Via link below for an APK download. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_music_app_now_out_for_android_and_ios_with_free_14day_trial_of_premium_features-news-14976.php

Verizon launches own-brand Ellipsis 10 tablet

To follow up on the original 7-inch Ellipsis from 2013, Verizon has today unveiled a new own-brand tablet called Ellipsis 10. As its name states, this is a 10-inch tablet, and it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. It has 1,920x1,200 resolution, a 5 MP rear camera, a 2 MP front-facing unit, a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, "angular firing stereo speakers", 16GB of expandable storage, 4G LTE support (XLTE ready), and a huge 9,100 mAh battery. You can already buy the Ellipsis 10 from Verizon for $199.99 with a new two-year contract or $299.99 all-in. Alternatively, you can choose the carrier's installment plan, shelling out nothing upfront and then paying 24 monthly installments of $12.49. The tablet only seems to be available in black, as pictured...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_launches_ownbrand_ellipsis_10_tablet-news-14978.php

Xiaomi tops device sales in China for Singles Day online shopping event

Singles Day is China's Single awareness day because of all the 1s in the date (11/11), but also doubles as a couples' if you think of all those digits like "you're my only one". As if this was not enough, Singles Day is also China's biggest shopping day of the year. Deals and sales fly every which way and many of them can be found online. Xiaomi announced it made top seller for the third year in a row with its handsets. It was also crowned top smartphone brand on Tmall, JD and Suning. Within the first 12 minutes of the sale, orders on Tmall surpassed CNY 100 million ($15.7 million, £10.3 million, or €14.5 million). Xiaomi made CNY 1.25 billion in total ($196 million, £129 million, or €182 million) by the end of the sale. Devices on offer were: Mi band, Mi Band Pulse, Mi Power Strip, Yi Smart Webcam, Mi Smart Scale, Mi TV, as well as Xiaomi's line of smartphones with heavy...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_tops_smartphone_sales_in_china_for_singles_day_online_shopping_event-news-14974.php

Moto X Style and Moto X (2nd Gen) start receiving Android 6.0 update

Motorola has started the rollout of its first Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates today. They are headed for the Moto X Style and the Moto X (2nd Gen). However, the updates will make it to the handsets in stages, as the rollout seems to be a very slow one. For now, only Moto X Style units purchased in Brazil and India are set to taste the new treat, along with Moto X (2nd Gen) units bought in Brazil. Full deployment is said to be taking a few weeks. Furthermore, you can't manually initiate the process yet - you need to wait for the update notification to show up on your device even if you're in one of those two countries. We expect Motorola's release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow to be out for Moto X Style and Moto X (2nd Gen) phones in more territories soon. In the meantime, the company has announced that the update for the Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen) is going to be out "in the next few weeks", as the approval process for it has started. Motorola has recently angered its fans by not committing to bring Marshmallow to some of its devices (such as the Moto E or certain carrier-branded Moto X models), but at least it seems not to have lost the will to be among the first companies pushing out new Android...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x_style_and_moto_x_2nd_gen_start_receiving_android_60_update-news-14977.php

iOS App Store finally gets Firefox

Apple tends to be more restrictive of what apps are available to iOS users. Especially when they pose a threat to customers using them instead of core applications. For example: Chrome, Google Maps, and Google Photos all have an associated counterpart on iOS: Safari, Apple Maps, and Photos, respectively. Mozilla has taken a long time to embrace the idea of making Firefox run on the Safari engine instead of its own as per Apple's requirements. This is perhaps due to Apple's wish for users to have a consistent experience. Much like its Android counterpart, Firefox on iOS has device syncing, tabs, bookmarks, private browsing, and its "Reading List" feature. The overall look and feel of Firefox is very fluid but also feels like Safari. Of course, if you use Firefox's cloud or sync features, this is a great secondary browser to use on your iPhone/iPad. too bad iOS doesn't allow you to set another app as the default web browser. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ios_app_store_finally_gets_firefox-news-14971.php

Windows 10 receives its first big update starting today

Today Microsoft has commenced the rollout for the first big update ever to hit Windows 10. The latest version of the OS brings with it a few new features alongside the usual assortment of bug fixes and performance enhancements. First off, you can use your Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 product key to activate Windows 10. Previously, you needed to install the older version first, then update to Windows 10 for free. The Start Menu can be four tiles wide now, and the total number of tiles it can show grows to 2,048. And a new Suggested Apps feature pops up from time to time recommending stuff for you. Moving on, colored title bars are now a thing for all your desktop windows if you want them to be. A "find my device" feature is built into the OS itself, negating the need for a third-party locator app. Cortana can now understand handwritten notes, it tracks tickets for movies from your email, and coupons for the sites you visit using the Edge browser. It syncs messaging and call history with your Windows Phone and notifies you of missed calls on your PC. And when you're out of the office (or away from home), Cortana can even put your computer to sleep. Finally, the virtual assistant now works without needing a Microsoft account tied to the machine. Microsoft Edge syncs Favorites and Reading list items across devices, while if you hover over one of your open tabs you'll get a preview of what's on that website. With this release, Microsoft thinks Windows 10 is finally ready for enterprise PCs, now being able to "confidently recommend Windows 10 deployment to whole organizations". Windows 10 is also on its way to Xbox One today, and we'll see its mobile version on select phones soon. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/windows_10_gets_its_first_big_update_starting_today-news-14973.php

Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 gets benchmarked with Intel chipset

Xiaomi's Mi Pad 2 has been a very long time in the making, with rumors about it surfacing as early as last December. Yet here we are almost one year later and the tablet is still not official. That might change soon, however. The Mi Pad 2 has been certified in China this September, and now someone in possession of a prototype has decided to put it through the paces of Geekbench. This thankfully reveals a few things about the device's hardware. First off, it's using an Intel chipset, namely the Atom x5-Z8500, with a 2.24 GHz quad-core CPU. The tablet has 2GB of RAM, and it's currently running Android 5.1 Lollipop. Those are all the details for now, but hopefully the Mi Pad 2 will get official soon. Past rumors spoke about it having a 7.9-inch 2,048x1,536 touchscreen, and 16GB of built-in storage (which should, however, be expandable). And since this is Xiaomi we're talking about, expect to see the latest iteration of MIUI on top of Android. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_pad_2_gets_benchmarked_with_intel_chipset-news-14975.php

Apple iPad Pro gets its first batch of reviews

The Apple iPad Pro is now on sale and the first batch of reviews are already in. Our colleagues have shared their thoughts on the 12.9" tablet and, naturally, have compared it how it competes with modern laptops. The iPad Pro starts at $799 for the 32GB option, but if you want more storage as well as the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, you're looking at a nudge over $1200. Over at ArsTechnica, Andrew Cunningham summarizes the iPad Pro experience like so: Even with a bigger screen and new accessories, the iPad still feels like a "sometimes computer." I can take it with me on vacation instead of a MacBook and do pretty much everything I want, and I can even get quite a bit of work done on one (the majority of this review was written on an iPad Pro, usually while also chatting in Slack or Messages or firing off e-mails). But what really does it in for me are the many small ways in which the iPad Pro is not quite a traditional computer and iOS is not quite OS X. Walt Mossberg from TheVerge isn't quite happy with Apple's Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro, but confirms it's killer for graphics use, especially with the Apple Pencil: But, for me — a person already using his laptop a lot less in favor of the iPad — the Pro is just not likely to eliminate my laptop use entirely. And I say that knowing that, for instance, there will be better keyboard covers and cases. There already is one: I prefer the the Logitech Create I used to write part of this column. But it still doesn't work nearly as well in my lap as a MacBook Air, partly because, like Apple's keyboard, it only has one angle. But, even if the iPad Pro doesn't fully replace a laptop, it does have a killer app: graphics, in all its forms, when used with the optional $99 Apple Pencil. Daring Fireball's Jon Gruber concedes with Mossberg that the iPad Pro is suitable for graphics professionals: The iPad Pro is "pro" in the way MacBook Pros are. Genuine professionals with a professional need — visual artists in particular — are going to line up for them. But it's also a perfectly reasonable choice for casual iPad users who just want a bigger display, louder (and now stereo) speakers, and faster performance. Overall, reviewers agree that the iPad Pro has an amazing display, a great battery life and the Apple A9x chipset is devilishly fast, but it inexplicably lacks 3D Touch and it's way too expensive for a casual user to pick for couch entertainment. Apple however have done a great job with the stylus, especially for their first attempt and direct comparison to the Surface 4 stylus are well in its favor. Interested to know more? Here's a list of nice reviews of the device: -CNET iPad Pro review -TheVerge iPad Pro review -DaringFireball iPad Pro review -ArsTechnica iPad Pro review -StuffTV iPad Pro review -Wired iPad Pro video review -9to5Mac unboxing and impressions Our own review might take a while longer, but rest assured, we're more than eager to put the biggest and baddest of them iPads through its...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_pro_gets_its_first_batch_of_reviews-news-14972.php

Walmart and BestBuy reveal their Black Friday offers

True, there are two whole weeks until this year's Black Friday on November 27, but the build-up to the one-day shopping frenzy has already started. BestBuy and Walmart have published their offers and there are a few items to grab your attention. Walmart will drop $100 off the iPad Air 2, though for a very specific Gold 16GB Wi-Fi only model and will sell you one for $399. An iPad mini 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi, space gray or silver) will go for $199, a $69 discount. Perhaps the best deal on an Apple product (sort of) is the $130.95 discount on Beats Studio headphones, for a sale price of $169. If you're into Android, Walmart has a great deal for you too - a Samsung Galaxy S5 for just $229, albeit on Walmart's own MVNO Straight Talk Wireless. Now, the $250 advertised savings might be a little exaggerated, as you can find this 16GB model for less than $400 unlocked, but still. BestBuy is big on wearables, promising savings up to $100 on the Apple Watch, as well as $50 off the Samsung Gear S2. Activity trackers from Fitbit, Jawbone, Samsung and Garmin will also be heavily discounted, and any second-gen Moto 360 will come with a $50 gift card. The iPad mini 4 is BestBuy's choice for an Apple tablet discount, knocking $100 off the pricier 64GB/128GB versions. Meanwhile, the 12-inch MacBook, the MacBook Pro and 27-inch iMac will be graced with $150 price cuts. Samsung's more affordable Tab A and Tab E offerings will see price reductions too, while the flagship Tab S2 9.7" will sell for $399 instead of the regular $499. Of course, those are just our quick picks after briefly grazing through the listings. Feel free to sift through the pages in preparation for yet another year of Black Friday deals on stuff you want, but most probably don't need. Source 1 Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/walmart_and_bestbuy_reveal_their_black_friday_offers-news-14970.php

Xiaomi Gemini (Mi 5) appears on Geekbench, will use Snapdragon 820

Xiaomi has chosen not to respect the de facto standard one-year update cycle for its Mi 4 flagship, instead pumping out differently-specced versions of it. The Mi 4i and Mi 4c were thus born, but successful as they may be, a proper high-end heir is called for. Apparently, what is going to be the Mi 5 lives an underground life as Xiaomi Gemini, as indicated by a Geekbench listing. The benchmark entry shows that the smartphone is powered by a msm8996 chipset, which is the internal designation of the mighty Snapdragon 820. Mighty it is within the Mi 5, scoring a whopping 2,140 in the single-core test, where Qualcomm's unfortunate Snapdragon 810 scores around the 1,300 mark. Current Exynos heavyweights from the Samsung Galaxy line are good for about 1,500 points, but the top dog in single-core performance remains the Apple A9 chip with results in the 2,500 ballpark. Multi-core numbers are perhaps not as impressive, as the Gemini is outclassed by the Galaxy S6 generation, which can all push upwards of 5,000. Whatever the numbers, Xiaomi's future flagship will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 inside, and with that chip only - no parallel models will be made. Earlier reports indicated that there might be tension between the two companies, but a Weibo post by analyst Kevin King, director of Chinese IHS Technology Research dismisses the issue. Source 1 Source 2 | Via 1 Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_gemini_mi_5_appears_on_geekbench_will_use_snapdragon_820-news-14969.php

Acer's Predator 8 gaming tablet is now up for preorder at $300

Back in September at IFA 2015, Acer introduced two new interesting additions to its growing Predator lineup. To live up to their moniker, both devices were, as expected, gaming-oriented, evident by the sharp aggressive lines and red color palette. These were the Predator 6 phone and Predator 8 tablet. At the time both looked to be in a pretty early stage of development and while we did get to play around with the handset for a hands-on review, the tablet proved to be even more elusive, hinting that it might still be far from release, if ever. Well, it is now a couple of month later and the Predator 8 does seem to be on its way to consumers and is now even up for preorder. Preorders are now live on Acer's own site, as well as TigerDirect. The price for the Intel-based device is set at $299.99, which is a pretty penny. A while ago there were reports that Newegg would have a timed exclusive launch of the Predator 8 on November 6, but that didn't come to pass. However, new rumors now suggest that the event will still take place and some units will be dispatched for the e-tailer on November 17. The Predator 8 has an 8.0-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, 2GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of onboard storage. Powering it is an Intel Atom X7-Z8700 processor, which is incredibly powerful for a tablet and is bundled with capable Gen. 8-LP Intel HD Graphics that will surely give the NVidia Shield a run for its money. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/acers_predator_8_gaming_tablet_is_now_up_for_preorder_at_300-news-14968.php

BlackBerry Vienna renders surface - bar form-factor, QWERTY keyboard

The BlackBerry Priv, the company's first Android-running smartphone, is yet to reach wide availability, but rumors have surfaced of a second smartphone by the Canadian company, running Google's OS. At this point codenamed Vienna, this new device is pictured in some early renders suggesting a more orthodox BlackBerry design, compared to the sliding Priv. A traditional bar phone with an always-available physical QWERTY keyboard, Vienna can be described as a stretched-up Classic. Or a narrowed-down Passport. Hence, no longer a square display as on these two - the device adopts a (still-irregular by smartphone standards) 3:2 screen, aiming to strike a reasonable compromise between display proportions and overall dimensions, while fitting the revered keyboard. On the back, aside from the BlackBerry logo, a fine textured pattern can be spotted, resembling the one on the Leap. Similar to it, the back cover is unlikely to be removable, as indicated by what appears to be a card slot on the left side. So far, that's all that's been revealed on the alleged Vienna, and it's not much. It may very well be an artist's vision of a possible BlackBerry handset, instead of an actual early design. And with the company's device future largely hanging on the Priv's market success, it's not entirely impossible that even if it is the real thing, the Vienna may not get to see the light of day. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_vienna_renders_surface__bar_formfactor_qwerty_keyboard-news-14966.php

Google improves Hangouts quality on the web

Google is rolling out an update to the web version of Hangouts that brings with it a handful of important changes. For one, calls will now start much quicker without the several seconds of delay with a blank screen that used to happen before. Second, Google has also improved the video quality, so now the videos look much crisper and stay that way throughout the duration of the call. Google has also cleaned up the interface and now there are fewer distractions in the fullscreen mode so you can concentrate on the call instead. Lastly, inviting people to a call is now also easier. The new interface is rolling out slowly to web users. It is optional, so if you don't want you can roll back to the previous one. This might be important to some as the update removes the support for apps that let you do silly things in Hangouts calls. So if you want them you might want to stick to the classic...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_improves_hangouts_quality_on_the_web-news-14967.php

iFixit tear down the iPad Pro to find out what your money goes into

We have little doubt that you've heard of Apple's "next big thing" by now - the iPad Pro and the most impatient among you might even be reading this article on its crisp retina screen, seeing how it has been available for purchase for a day or so now. The iPad Pro is big in every sense of the word. The Spacious 12.9 inch screen definitely fits the bill, but so does the eye-watering price tag, starting at $799 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model and if you are unfortunate enough to reside in Europe, even worse - €899/£679 for a basic one. So, for the value of a decent gaming rig or even a modest second-hand car, we think it is only fair that we know what is inside the iPad Pro and makes it tick and more-importantly, how difficult will it be to mend it if it stops ticking. Enter iFixit, who have taken up the task yet again. The end result is a reparability rating of 3 out of 10, which doesn't sound too good, but is still an improvement within the iPad realm. The iPad Air 2, for example, scored a point less. So, let's dive into iFixit's findings shall we. The iPad Pro is still mostly held together with glue and lots of it. This is a typical trend for Apple tech, especially tablets and it makes tasks like heating and dismounting the display a real challenge. A few other aspects of the iPad Pro's internals, however, seem to be a lot more reminiscent of an iPhone build. For instance, the display is not hinged to an edge of the device, but tethered to the very center. Also, if you've ever seen an iPhone battery getting replaced, then you surely remember the signature adhesive pull tabs that make of a clean and easy removal. Well, they are making a tablet debut in the iPad Pro and its pair of 10.3Ah (38.8W) battery packs. Other details about the hardware that deserve a mention include the self-balanced speakers, which consist of drivers and resonance chambers, actually cut inside the back of the iPad Pro itself - neat! As for some of the hardware vendors, the two 2GB RAM modules come courtesy of SK Hynix and iFixit found their unit had a Toshiba 32GB NAND storage chip. The A9X processor is, of course, labeled Apple. The gyro is an InvenSense MP67B and most of the other controllers come from NXP. You can check the source link for more details and the step-by-step disassembly process, although we hope not many of you will be attempting any teardown procedures at...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ifixit_tear_down_the_ipad_pro_to_find_out_what_your_money_goes_into-news-14965.php

Firefox released an app that lets you try Firefox OS without flashing anything

In the middle of the battle of the mobile operating systems, Mozilla is still trying to become relevant. Firefox has released a new developer preview of its OS in APK form. Simply install it as a launcher on an Android phone and you can poke around Firefox's UI. You'll need to sideload the APK file found on Mozilla's website. This is a great way to get more developers attention since it makes it easier for them to try the OS and consider developing apps for it. The Firefox site says: "If you can build for the Web using HTML and CSS, you can build Firefox OS." This is much better than say, flashing an image on an Android phone, because it takes much less time and effort for developers to try the OS and then get their phones back to its usual state. While this is a good idea, I was not able to use the dialer in the developer preview. It was very buggy and restarted my Nexus 6P a couple of times. But this developer preview is not in any way ready to replace your standard launcher, so install with caution. It does, however, show that Mozilla is really invested into making Firefox OS relevant in today's wild mobile industry. Via |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/logitech_releases_backlit_keyboard_case_for_the_ipad_pro_along_with_another_protective_case-news-14962.php

Samsung Exynos 8 Octa 8890 is official

Samsung has just pulled the wraps off its next-gen high-end chipset. The Exynos 8 Octa 8890 (quite a mouthful, we reckon it'll go by Exynos 8890 once it hits the streets) was unveiled in Seoul, and has a few firsts to show off. Manufactured on a 14nm FinFET process like the Exynos 7420 before it, the new chip marks Samsung's entry into custom-built cores. The big.LITTLE arrangement in the 8890 features a quad-core array of those in-house Mongoose 64-bit ARMv8 cores as the performance cluster, while more mundane tasks will be handled by another four Cortex-A53 cores. Promising a 30% performance increase, the new chip benefits from what's dubbed Samsung Coherent Interconnect (SCI) technology, for better interaction between the two separate clusters. That won't adversely affect battery life, on the contrary - the chip is said to be 10% more power efficient. And before you jump to conclusions, that doesn't straight up mean 10% increase in battery life of a phone as whole. Another first for Samsung is the integrated modem, which supports Cat. 12/13 LTE with carrier aggregation for download speeds up to 600Mbps. Much like Huawei's recently announced Kirin 950 chipset, the Exynos 8890 features a Mali-T880 GPU, but as with all of ARM's graphics processors, the secret is in the number of cores (the x in MPx, which follows the GPU model number). Samsung uses the Mali-T880MP12 with a total of a whopping twelve cores, as opposed to Huawei's MP4. The new chip supports display resolutions up to 4K UHD (4,096 x 2,160px) or WQUXGA (3,840x2,400px), and that may be a hint of what to expect in future flagships. Or not, as the existing Exynos 7420 has support for such displays, but we haven't seen a device with one just yet. So far these are the sketchy outlines, provided by Samsung - details such as clock frequencies remain to be revealed. The big question is when we'll see the chip in an actual device and a safe bet would be the Galaxy S7 some time in the beginning of next...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_exynos_8_octa_8890_is_official-news-14964.php

Android Wear gets cellular data and calling support

Google has announced that Android Wear will be getting cellular support, which means compatible devices will now be able to use cellular data to access the watch functions even when the phone is not around. It also brings calling functionality, so now you can make and receive calls on the watch itself. This means the watch will no longer be dependent on your smartphone, and can function fully without it, which is perfect for times when you want to leave your phone behind, such as when you are working out, but still want to stay connected. The first Android Wear device to get cellular support is the LG G Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, which has more words in its name than total Android Wear devices. It's a stunning looking watch nonetheless with a fully circular 1.38-inch 480x480 P-OLED display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 768MB RAM, 4GB storage, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, heart rate monitor, 570mAh battery, and IP67 certification. The LG G Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE (sigh) will be available on AT&T and Verizon in the US. The international variant will be coming in a few months. Other manufacturers will also be coming with their own cellular compatible watches in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_wear_gets_cellular_data_and_calling_support-news-14963.php