Instagram brings back the Peek feature to its Android app

After momentarily introducing the Peek feature in the Android version of its app in the previous beta, Instagram later pulled the feature for unknown reasons. It seems the company is now ready to roll it out again, as some users are now seeing the feature back in the latest v7.14.0 of the app. For those not aware, the Peek feature is lifted from the iOS version of the app, which makes use of the sophisticated pressure sensitive display on the iPhone 6s to let you press harder on the screen to get a 'peek' at the image without actually opening it. This lets you quickly look at the image and then release the screen for the image to pop back. The Android version uses a cruder implementation, with the user having to press and hold on the screen for a while before the image pops up and then release it for it to pop back. As mentioned before, only some users are seeing the feature even now, even if you have the latest version installed. It seems the feature is enabled server side, so you may have to wait a while even if you get the latest update before you can start using it. Source •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/instagram_brings_back_the_peek_feature_to_its_android_app-news-15817.php

Microsoft joins other tech giants in warning users about suspected state-sponsored hacking attacks

Microsoft has joined the list of companies that claim to warn users they suspect may have been targeted by a state-sponsored attack. Quite recently, Yahoo jumped on the bandwagon, and other tech giants including Google and Facebook are also in the list. "We're taking this additional step of specifically letting you know if we have evidence that the attacker may be 'state-sponsored' because it is likely that the attack could be more sophisticated or more sustained than attacks from cybercriminals and others," Microsoft said in a blog post. "These notifications do not mean that Microsoft's own systems have in any way been compromised." Keep in mind that such notifications don't necessarily mean that your account has been compromised - it just indicates that Microsoft has the evidence that it's been targeted. However, in case you do receive such a notification, it's recommend that you take some steps, including turning on two-step verification, changing password, and making sure your computer software (such as Web browser and anti-virus) is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_joins_yahoo_google_and_facebook_in_warning_users_about_suspected_statesponsored_hacking_at-news-15814.php

Microsoft CEO says company's smartphone market share is 'unsustainable'

In a recent interview, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has said that the company's current smartphone market share is "unsustainable." He, however, argued that their aim is to create a world where a device is of lesser importance compared to the services it can access. "I think we do ourselves a disservice if we measure our success by just looking at: What's the market share of HoloLens? What's the market share of Xbox? What's the market share of PCs? What's the market share of our phones?" he said. "If you think of this more like a graph, these [devices] are all nodes. Sometimes the user will use all of these devices . sometimes they'll use only one or two of our devices and some other platforms — so be it. But we want to make sure that we are completing the experience across all of these devices." It's worth mentioning that market research firm Gartner in its latest report had revealed a Windows Phone market share of just 1.7%, down nearly 50% compared to Q3 2014. Nadella also touched on many other topics in the interview - to access the full report, head to the Via link...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_ceo_says_companys_smartphone_market_share_unsustainable-news-15816.php

Oculus Touch controller delayed, will now ship in H2 2016

Oculus has announced that the Touch controller for its Rift VR headset will be delayed. According to the company, the controller will now be shipping in the second half of 2016 - it was earlier scheduled to be shipped in H1. "On the path to perfecting Touch, we've decided that we need more time before release," the company said in a blog post. "On Touch hardware, we've made significant advances in ergonomics, and we're implementing many changes that make Touch even more comfortable, reliable, and natural. We're also implementing changes that improve hand pose recognition." Pre-orders for the controller will open a few months prior to launch. Meanwhile, the headset Rift remains on schedule, meaning it'll ship sometime in Q1 this year, with pre-orders launching "very soon," Oculus...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oculus_touch_controller_delayed_will_now_ship_in_h2_2016-news-15813.php

Windows 10 now claims nearly 10% of desktop OS market share

Launched around five months ago, Windows 10 now claims nearly 10% (9.96% to be exact) of the desktop OS market share, according to latest data from market research firm Net Applications. That's an increase of just under 1% from November, when the share was exact 9%. Given the fact that the OS' market share rose 1.06% in the October-November period, the growth seems to have slowed down, although only a little. For those who aren't in the know, the rise in Windows 10's share has been around 1% for past few months now. Windows 7 is still the most popular Windows OS with close to 56% market share. Among other older versions, Windows 8.1, 8, Vista, and XP now have a market share of 10.3%, 2.76%, 1.62%, and 10.93%, respectively. It's worth mentioning that all versions except Windows 10 saw a dip in their share last month. Overall, Windows claimed over 91.3% share of the OS market, down 0.07% compared to November. Other operating systems such as Mac and Linux claimed 7.02% and 1.66% share,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/windows_10_market_share_now_stands_at_nearly_10-news-15812.php

Samsung Galaxy Note5 starts receiving December security update in India

After the United States, the Samsung Galaxy Note5 has started receiving the December security update in India, too. Weighing in at 71.15 MB, the update bumps the firmware version to N920GDDU2AOL1, and also brings along improved voice call stability. Over in the US, the T-Mobile and Verizon variants of the smartphone have already received the December security update. Other Samsung flagships, including the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge+, started receiving the update just a few days ago. For those who haven't received the update yet, you can also manually check for it by heading to your device's settings. To know what all is included in the South Korean company's December security update, head to the Samsung Security link below. Via | Samsung...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note5_starts_receiving_december_security_update-news-15815.php

Microsoft Lumia 640 XL gets $50 price cut in US

The Microsoft Lumia 640 XL has received an official price cut in the US. The device (unlocked, white variant) is now listed on Microsoft Store website for $249.00, which is $50 down from its usual price of $299.00. Specs-wise, the handset is powered by a Snapdragon 400 chipset, and sports a 5.7-inch (720 x 1280 pixel resolution) IPS display. It comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 3,000 mAh battery. In terms of camera, the Lumia 640 XL features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. The device runs Windows Phone 8.1, but will be among the first to get the Windows 10...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_640_xl_gets_50_price_cut_in_us-news-15811.php

Android 6.0 Marshmallow rolling out to Moto G (3rd gen) in India

Motorola has started pushing out the Android 6.0 update to its third-generation Moto G smartphone in India. This was announced by the Indian arm of the company on Twitter. Here is something new and amazing for your Moto G (3rd Gen.), the Android 6.0 Marshmallow! pic.twitter.com/0etB1IncHi— Motorola India (@MotorolaIndia) December 30, 2015 The update weighs in at 2GB and carries a software version of 24.11.25.en.US. The roll out in India comes just a week after the update started hitting the Moto G (2015) devices in the United States and Canada. As for the update, aside from the regular Android 6.0 goodies, including Doze, Google Now on Tap, and redesigned app permissions, it also includes Google's security patches for the month of December. As in most cases, it's a gradual roll out, so it may take some time before the update hits your device. Meanwhile, you can also manually check for it by heading to Settings -> About Phone -> System Update on your handset. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_60_marshmallow_rolling_out_to_moto_g_3rd_gen_in_india-news-15810.php

Most interesting news stories of 2015: Q4

Getting closer to the present, Q4 2015 was focused mostly on the upcoming Galaxy S7. Display sizes and shapes, dimensions and specs - most of these remain to be established for certain, though obviously they have long been settled upon by Samsung. That said, the top read over the last quarter was the list of confirmed smartphones to receive Marshmallow. As with any Android release, the adoption of the latest version is a lengthy process and few devices will be graced with the coveted firmware, you were curious to know which ones. Xiaomi was again responsible for some of the most interesting stories, this time with the announcement of the Redmi Note 3, mere months after the Redmi Note 2, and the Redmi Note Prime gathered almost as many hits. Sure enough, the Nokia C1 popped up again and again, now rendered running Windows 10, and if that one's too smart for you, there's always the 2.8-inch feature phone Nokia 230. Soda companies will have smartphones in their portfolios, apparently, if the Pepsi Phone P1 is indication of new trend. Meanwhile Sony is reported to be working on as many versions of the future Xperia Z6 as there are days in a week. A fair share of announcements took place over the last three months of the year too. Microsoft's long overdue flagship came in the shape of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, the former making it to the top 20 most interesting news articles of the quarter. The HTC-copied-Apple-copied-HTC clamor was strong around the launch of HTC One A9, and Samsung made a complete overhaul of the A-series with brand new odd-numbered A's for 2016. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } The big Android 6.0 Marshmallow update list Here's a list of devices that have been confirmed to get updated to the new major Android version. EXCLUSIVE: Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Plus sizes and renders leak It looks like the next Samsung flagship will have a huge 6.0" version, in addition to the standard 5.1" one. Xiaomi launches Redmi Note Prime with 5.5-inch display, 3100mAh battery This is the Chinese company's second made-in-India handset after the Redmi 2 Prime. Galaxy On5 shows up on Samsung's site, a 5'' entry-level phone It seems like someone jumped the gun and the On5 is not officially official. A user manual for the Galaxy On7 was uploaded too, but no specs. New render claims to depict upcoming Nokia C1 running Android and Windows 10 Mobile The much-rumored device is supposed to be Nokia's first after having sold its smartphone business to Microsoft. Sony Xperia Z6 family to have five sub-models, a 4-inch Mini among them The regular 5.2-inch diagonal to remain, a revival of the Ultra is also reported. Nokia C1 leaks again with alleged specs and a new render Sources hint at the possibility of a revamped better specs sheet for the handset. Pepsi Phone P1 - an affordable, metal phone with a fingerprint reader The soda-branded smartphone has a 5.5" 1080p screen, octa-core processor and dual-SIM LTE connectivity. LeTV Le 1s is official with a MediaTek Helio X10 chipset The phone launches on November 3 in China and India with a pricetag of $173. iPhone 7 might come with 3GB of RAM and waterproofing A new rumor claims these will be the two main new features for the next generation of Apple smartphones. Galaxy S7 chipset gets crazy high benchmark score The Exynos 8890 scored a new record in leaked benchmark from...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/most_interesting_news_stories_of_2015_q4-news-15769.php

Verizon is giving you 50% off the LG Tone Pro Bluetooth headset if you buy a V10 smartphone

Verizon's latest deal concerns the V10, LG's latest high-end smartphone. If you decide to purchase the device from the carrier, you get $100 in instant savings, but also 50% off the LG Tone Pro Bluetooth headset. The accessory normally retails for $69.99, yet you can pick one up for just $35 if you also get the V10. You do however need to pay $23.83 for 24 months for the phone, using Verizon's installment plan. That adds up to $572, which is a good price for such a top of the line device, especially as the V10 is only a few weeks old at this point. And if you add the Tone Pro headset to your cart at the same time, you can get a nice amount of savings on that too. The caveat here is that it appears that this offer is only valid this weekend, so you need to act fast in order to take advantage of it. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_is_giving_you_50_off_the_lg_tone_pro_bluetooth_headset_if_you_buy_a_v10_smartphone-news-15809.php

Most interesting news stories of 2015: Q3

The third quarter of the year was perhaps the most action-packed. And not just because Apple's launch events customarily take place in this period, as do Samsung's Note series releases. No, there was plenty of other stuff going on. It was the Nokia C1 that made headlines again with two of the top three stories depicting the alleged Finnish (or Finnish-Chinese) return to the smartphone world. Placing in between those two, the announcement of Xiaomi's MIUI 7 Android overlay proved to be bigger news than almost everything this quarter. The Sony Xperia Z5 generation was often in the news too, rumors and all, but it was our own microscope examination of the Premium's 4K display that gathered the most hits. Sony's explanation on when and why it actually does work in UltraHD was almost as interesting, and the smartphone's announcement itself trailed both these stories. The continuous rumors and leaks regarding the Samsung Galaxy Note5 and S6 edge+ were top reads, right up to the phones' unveiling in mid-August. Again, the actual Unpacked event wasn't quite as interesting to you. Motorola announced three Motos in July, the Moto G (3rd gen), Moto X Play, and Moto X Style. Solid specs and competitive pricing made all three interesting to read about, as much as the iPhone 6s Plus' revealing. Sure we knew the next Android would be M, but the specific type of candy remained a mystery until August 17. Marshmallow became the official name, and officially one of the most interesting stories of the quarter. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Nokia's upcoming C1 Android smartphone allegedly shown in leaked renders This has been rumored to become the Finnish company's first in a line of new smartphones coming in 2016. Xiaomi announces new MIUI 7 based on Android 5.1 Lollipop Comes with a new image gallery with face detection, new themes, Mi Roaming, and Kids Mode. Live photos offer the first real look at the Nokia C1 Android phone The screen resolution has been promoted to 1080p according to the latest leak, unfortunately the pics offer no proof of that. Sony Xperia Z5 tipped to launch in September It is said to be powered by the yet-to-be-released Snapdragon 820 SoC, and pack in a 4,500mAh battery. Motorola Moto G (3rd gen) officially launched, two versions after all The midranger comes with either 1GB RAM and 8GB storage or 2GB/16GB; Snapdragon 410, 13MP camera and IPx7 certification for both. Galaxy J1 Ace featuring Super AMOLED display appears The budget-friendly device carries a price tag of INR 6,400, which translates into around $95. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium 4K display goes under our microscope Sony stole the show at IFA by introducing the world's first 4K display in a production smartphone, the Xperia Z5 Premium. Lenovo A7000 Plus goes official in the Philippines with 5.5" 1080p display As its name suggest, the newcomer is an updated version of the Lenovo A7000 that debuted in April. Obi Worldphone SF1 and SJ1.5: affordable Androids, premium design The SJ1.5 will cost $130 but features a a polycarbonate unibody layered on a magnesium-titanium frame. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 edge Plus hardware detailed 5.7-inch QHD displays on both, Note 5 to be powered by Exynos 7422, S6 edge Plus sticks with Qualcomm. Sony explains why the Z5 Premium only uses its native 4K resolution when needed A new official statement clears the air around the debated 4K capabilities of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/most_interesting_news_stories_of_2015_q3-news-15767.php

Netflix said to launch its service in India soon

One of the world's largest online video streaming company - Netflix - could soon be bringing its service to India. According to the sources at The Hindu, Netflix is expected to announce its India plans at CES this year. The Hindu further reports that Netflix will be partnering with one of the 4G service providers in India. For now, only Bharti Airtel and Reliance have 4G networks in India, and only the former has an operational network while the latter is only available for employees. Last year we had reported that Netflix could be launching its services some time this year, with some of the more iconic Indian shows being included as part of the service. It remains to be seen what the Indian portfolio will be like, and how many of the US television shows make it to India, as it's unlikely Netflix will be able to make all of them available without running into licensing issues. Secondly, there is also the question of censorship, and whether or not Netflix will be allowed to stream its content without going through the Indian censor board certification...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/netflix_said_to_launch_its_service_in_india_soon-news-15808.php

Most interesting news stories of 2015: Q2

With both major events on the calendar falling in the first quarter, the April to June period was a quieter time. The most read story was the announcement of the Lenovo K80 - an Intel Atom-powered 5.5-inch phablet with 4GB of RAM and a 4,000mAh battery. Oddly enough, it was also the last time we heard of the K80. Nokia made the news despite not being an actual player in the smartphone world. Or thanks to that, as every time word got out on its return, you flocked to read the details. Yu only made it to the third spot this quarter with the launch of its second smartphone, the Yuphoria. The announcement of the Xiaomi's Mi 4i was another top read, in the absence of a Mi 5. An alleged Sony Xperia P2 leak caused the Internet to explode, but the device never really materialized, and in hindsight it was likely just someone's vision of the perfect Sony smartphone. Instead, Sony's interim flagship Xperia Z3+ launched in Japan, carrying a Z4 badge. A couple of weeks before its announcement, the LG G4 was leaked in full glory making for one of our top Q2 stories. Perhaps that's why you don't see the actual unveiling in the list below. It was around this time that we first heard of the BlackBerry Priv. BlackBerry's first Android device first showed up on April 27, but no one was talking about Android just yet, and neither did the screenshots suggest such a development. There was the obligatory Lollipop update buzz too, with the Samsung Galaxy A7 leading the way. The Xperia Z-series started getting Android 5.0 during this period too. You were also queuing up to read what Google had in store for you with Marshmallow, at the time only known as Android M. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Lenovo unveils K80, a phone with 4GB RAM and 4,000 mAh battery This comes a few months after Asus announced the ZenFone 2, the world's first smartphone with 4GB RAM. Nokia will launch new smartphones in 2016, CEO now says The Finnish company won't be directly producing them, instead choosing to license its brand to partners. Yu Yuphoria brings metal frame, 4G LTE at INR 7,000 price point The Yu mid-ranger runs Cyanogen OS 12 and packs a Wolfson audio chip. Registrations start today. Micromax Canvas Spark with Lollipop launched for $79 The phone will be offered via flash sales exclusively on Snapdeal from April 29. Sony Xperia P2 leak promises compact phone with great camera A massive battery too, a whopping 4,240mAh . The camera is rumored to have large pixels and OIS. Huawei G Play Mini becomes official in Italy This smartphone shares all of its specs with the Honor 4C, but has a slightly different design. Android 5 Lollipop now seeding on Samsung Galaxy A7 Samsung began seeding Android 5.0.2 Lollipop on Galaxy A7, Russia is the first to get it. LG G4 gets revealed ahead of its scheduled debut A product page of the smartphone with a number of official images and specs went live for several hours. Huawei devices to start getting Lollipop next month The Lollipop update wrapped in Emotion UI roll out plan pans out from May to September. Elephone P8000 packs a 4,200 cell and 3GB of RAM for $210 The 5.5-inch Chinese smartphone comes with Lollipop and worldwide LTE support. New Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 specifications leak The next flagship tablet by Samsung will come in two variants - SM-P355C and SM-T355C. Sony Xperia Z4 launches with 5.2" FHD...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/most_interesting_news_stories_of_2015_q2-news-15765.php

Poll results: Samsung Galaxy Note5 is the Phablet of the year 2015

First phones, now phablets - Samsung made it a clean sweep in our devices of the year polls. Last week, we asked you to pick your favorite phone of the year, which turned out to be the Galaxy S6 and this week in the Phablet category the Galaxy Note5 received the same resounding support. There is no denying it, with a total score just shy of 40%, Samsung is basking in fan love yet again. It is also quite encouraging that even four months after its initial release the fifth iteration of the original phablet family is captivating fans and keeping prospective EU buyers on their toes, pending the still eagerly-anticipated 2016 release on the Old Continent. The rest of the top ten phablet chart also offers an interesting insight into fan preferences. We find the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium at second place with a respectable runner-up score of 15%. A quick look at last week's phone poll, reveals that the basic Z5 scored around the same ball park with 18% (especially considering that chart had only eight participants). This consistency is definitely encouraging for Sony and its long-overdue proper flagship line, but the same can't really be said for the Apple duo. Although still in the honorable fourth spot, the iPhone 6s Plus can only boast 9% of votes, compared to 19% for its smaller sibling. Again, these results are not exactly directly comparable, but it is definitely clear that Apple loyalists still tend to go for the more compact form factor. Quite the opposite observation can be made about the new Nexus family. The Huawei Nexus 6P gathered a lot of approval, snatching 12% of all votes, more than double the interest shown for the LG Nexus 5X last week. The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and LG V10 also deserve a mention, both with 8% of votes in the Phablet...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/poll_results_samsung_galaxy_note5_is_the_phablet_of_the_year_2015-news-15758.php

Most interesting news stories of 2015: Q1

We greeted the New Year with fanfare and it's time for a recap of the one we sent off. And because we're all about order, we'll do it chronologically, starting with the most interesting stories from the first quarter of 2015. The top-read article, by a long stretch, was the market launch of the Yu Yureka. Micromax' subsidiary was a prominent player throughout the year, but it was precisely the Yureka that started it all. A distant second in terms of hits, the announcement of the Lumia 640 and 640XL at MWC was another hot topic. A whole bunch of Samsung Galaxies were unveiled on January 6, and also made for a top-three story. You were curious to read about Tizen's compatibility with Android apps on the Samsung Z1, and that even topped the announcement of the company's flagship pair Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. Lollipop updates were eagerly anticipated and the Android 5.0 firmware for Motorola's original Moto G accumulated the most hits, with a subsequent 5.1 release also making the chart. The promise for a bezelless Oppo R7 was another interesting read, and even though in the end it turned out little like the initial leaks, the smartphone and the entire family it ushered in proved to be solid performers. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Redmi 2 netted half a million hits in just its top two articles, and there were quite a few more stories around it. A chart topper in the bang-for-buck category, the Asus Zenfone 2 was announced at CES in January alongside the Zenfone Zoom. A smartphone with 4GB of RAM for $200 was sure to entice readers, though it did turn out that that the two numbers didn't come in a single device. An LG clamshell, what year is it? That's what you thought, apparently, and clicked to find out more. And then a Lenovo leak from February revealed most of the company's lineup for the year, with devices gradually getting official the following months. Wrapping up this improvised top 20 list is the article with the Galaxy S6's camera samples. It was an incessant stream of contradictory leaks regarding sensor manufacturer and megapixel count and you were curious to find out what Samsung did eventually. .news-item .n-left { float: left; width: 28%; text-align: center; } .news-item .n-right { float: left; width: 70%; } .news-item a { padding-bottom: 0; padding-left: 0; } .news-item .n-right h2, .reviews-item .n-right h2 { clear: both; padding: 0 0 3px 0px !important; font: 400 19px Google-Oswald, Arial; margin-top: -4px; } .n-right p { line-height: 155%; } .news-item { padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #ccc; } .news-item p { margin-left: 0; } .n-right h2 a { text-decoration: none; color: #000; } Micromax Yureka now available for purchase in India on Amazon The phone is running Cyanogen OS 11 out of the box and is available for just $145. Microsoft unveils 5-inch Lumia 640 and 5.7-inch Lumia 640 XL Both will launch with WP8.1 but will be updated to W10. The Lumia 640 XL packs a 13MP Zeiss camera. Samsung launches Galaxy E7, E5, A5 and A3 in India Samsung is launching the Galaxy A3, A5, E7 and E5 in India, announcing the last two as well. Samsung's Tizen-based Z1 will run Android apps upon launch OpenMobile's ACL will bring some of Android's versatility to the budget platform. Samsung unpacks Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge at MWC 2015 The first Samsung unpacked event for 2015 brought us a duo of flagships - Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. Moto G Lollipop update now rolling out in India Both the first and second generation models are being upgraded to Lollipop. Xiaomi Redmi 2 officially updated with 2GB RAM, 16GB storage Pricing and launch date is unclear though. Also, some already bought the 1GB/8GB version, now what? Micromax announces Lollipop update for its Canvas phones The Micromax Canvas Xpress A99 will be the first Micromax phone to get the Lollipop update. Leaked video shows the bezelless OPPO R7 in action The Oppo R7 has almost no bezels at the sides and expected to be as slim as...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/most_interesting_news_stories_of_2015_q1-news-15756.php

Happy New Year 2016 from our team, best wishes to all

'tis the season to be jolly! Time truly flies when you are doing the things you love and with another year behind us, we can't help but feel a little nostalgic and look back at what the past twelve months have brought us. . First things first - we would like to use this opportunity to wish you happiness and peace. Thank you for being with us and we hope to remain your preferred tech website in the year ahead as well. Our YouTube channel now has almost 150,000 subscribers and around 80,000,000 views. It is now entirely dedicated to our engaging lifestyle videos and commentary and we have separated all the camera samples in a convenient new channel that is also growing in popularity. Our Facebook group has also grown and now has over 830,000 likes and counting and so has out Twitter account, with over 107,000 followers reading along. We've also expanded our social media presence over at Google+, where we now have over 85,000 subscribers. But the growing fan base isn't the only milestone we achieved in 2015, as most of you surely remember GSMArena underwent a major redesign and no stone was left unturned. We really believe changes were for the better. Reviews, news articles and blog posts have a new and improved order, not to mention a new wider page design with improvements to readability and a better multimedia experience as well, thanks to the custom image viewer. Specs pages are now easier to read with highlights, the compare interface has an extra slot and everything is a lot more personal thanks to the new Account system, featuring avatars, favorite phones and many other improvements. It was a busy year indeed as evident by more than 3900 news articles, 1200 blog posts and as many as 170 reviews that have passed through the home page. But we are ready and eager for 2016 and can't wait to see what the New Year is going to bring to the tech world and we hope you stick around so we can share it with you. Happy New Year to all of you and the people around you and we wish you joy, happiness and success in the months to come. The GSMArena...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/happy_new_year_2016_from_our_team_best_wishes_to_all-news-15768.php

Asus Pegasus X005 is revealed through Chinese certification

Asus is almost ready to launch a new member in its Pegasus line of affordable smartphones, the X005. Before the official unveiling happens, the device has been certified for sale in China by TENAA, the country's relevant regulatory authority. As usual, this process has resulted both in images of the phone becoming available, as well as a pretty extensive list of its specs being outed. While in terms of naming the Pegasus X005 seems to be a successor for the Pegasus X002, when it comes to its internals it basically seems to be a slightly stripped down version of the Pegasus 2 Plus X550. On the other hand, the design of the new phone is clearly different from both previous Pegasus-named handsets. The Asus Pegasus X005 has a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, a 1.3 GHz octa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G, dual-SIM functionality, and it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with Zen UI on top. Its dimensions are 155 x 76.4 x 9 mm, and it weighs 176.7g. It looks like it has a metal frame. It will be offered in three color versions: blue, white, and gold. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_pegasus_x005_is_revealed_through_chinese_certification-news-15807.php

Alleged OnePlus 2 Mini gets approved by TENAA

The upcoming OnePlus 2 Mini just got a bit more real. The phone was just approved by TENAA, which is the telecommunications equipment certification center in China. According to the certification page, the phone, model number One E1000, has 4.99-inch 1920x1080 AMOLED display, 2.0GHz octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB storage with microSD support, 13 megapixel rear camera, 8 megapixel front camera, and Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The phone measures in at 140 x 69 x 6.9mm and weighs in at 138g. The images suggest it will have glass panels on the front and back with a metal frame around the sides, similar to the OnePlus X. Some of the specs contradict the previous ones we have seen on GFX Bench results, although TENAA is infinitely more reliable than any benchmark info, as the latter can easily be forged. We will have to wait and see when OnePlus decides to take the wraps off the new model. Source •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_oneplus_2_mini_gets_approved_by_tenaa-news-15806.php

Valve comes clean, admits Christmas day Steam glitch was due to DoS attack

We reported earlier that a weird glitch took over Steam on Christmas morning, as several users reported seeing other users' account information instead of their own. The issue was sorted out in a few hours, and later Valve confirmed that it was due to a caching issue. While that may have been the direct cause of the glitch, it was caused due to another problem altogether. Turns out, Steam was the target of a DoS (denial of service) attack, which prevented serving of store pages to users. It caused the traffic to the store to soar by 2000% over average traffic. In response to the attack, one of Steam's web caching partners deployed caching configuration to minimize the impact on Steam Store servers and continue to route legitimate traffic. A second caching configuration was deployed during the second wave of the attack, which incorrectly cached web traffic for authenticated users. This is what caused some users to see other users' pages. According to Valve, this would have allowed users to see the billing address, last four digits of their Steam Guard phone number, their purchase history, last two digits of their credit card number, and their email address. That's still a fair bit of information, especially since Valve initially said that no real information was seen by other users. The issue has since then been resolved but it shows rather poor communication from the company, especially since it concerned user...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/valve_comes_clean_admits_christmas_day_steam_glitch_was_due_to_dos_attack-news-15804.php

Pink Sony Xperia Z5 coming in January, rumor says

Sony is apparently looking to add a new color version to its Xperia Z5 lineup, if a new rumor out of Taiwan is to be believed. The company will allegedly launch the pink Z5 in Taiwan first, where it will land at some point in late January. Over there this hue will be exclusive to Chunghwa Telecom, which is one of the carriers you can pick from if you're in Taiwan. Hopefully the phone will then make its way to other territories across the world, but obviously nothing's certain in that regard since the pink Xperia Z5 isn't official yet. The launch is going to be perfectly timed for the Chinese New Year shopping season, as well as gift giving on Valentine's Day. Do note that the images are not leaked shots of the upcoming pink variation of the Xperia Z5, rather fan-created concept renders. There have been no leaks about the pink Z5 up to this point. If this pans out, it would sort of emulate the new color launch that Sony pulled off in late January of this year, that time around for the purple Xperia Z3. That one eventually became available throughout Asia, but in the UK as well. Clearly the new pink Z5 will sport the exact same internals as its siblings, with only the hue differing. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/pink_sony_xperia_z5_coming_in_january_rumor_says-news-15805.php

Xiaomi launching 70-inch Mi TV 3 variant

Over a couple of months after announcing the 60-inch 4K Mi TV 3, Xiaomi is launching a 70-inch variant of the smart TV. As with the former, the new model is also expected to be only available for purchase in China. The 70-inch variant is powered by an MStar 6A928 chipset with a quad-core Cortex-A17 CPU and Mali-T760 GPU, and sports an ultra-sharp 4K display. Internal memory is 2GB, but can be expanded up to 8GB. The TV is also said to feature Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity options. As for the price, it will set you back RMB 9,999, which translates into $1,540 at current exchange rates. For comparison, the 60-inch variant is priced at RMB...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_launching_70inch_mi_tv3_variant-news-15802.php

Microsoft says Lumia 950 XL out of stock at some UK retailers due to strong demand, refutes hardware problem reports

A day after there were reports that some retailers in the UK - including Carphone Warehouse (CPW) - have halted Lumia 950 XL shipments due to unknown hardware issues, Microsoft has issued a statement refuting the reports. "Demand for L950XL has been strong. CPW has listed L950XL as a pre-order purchase for more than a week as it has run out of stock and is awaiting more," the company said. "L950XL is available to UK customers via other outlets - see here. We are working to re-supply CPW and keep all our other channel partners stocked." Carphone Warehouse currently has the device listed for pre-order, with delivery expected by January 19. It's worth mentioning that Amazon Germany also recently halted the sales of the Lumia 950 XL saying that the device differs from its stated description, which in layman's terms means it is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_says_lumia_950_xl_is_out_of_stock_at_some_uk_retails_due_to_high_demand_not_due_to_alleged-news-15803.php

Following ban in India, Free Basics from Facebook suspended in Egypt

A week after it was banned in India, Facebook's Free Basics service - which aims to bring affordable Internet to the 5 billion people in the world who otherwise can't access it - has been suspended in Egypt. The service was suspended following the expiry of a mandatory permit that the Egyptian government issues. Free Basics was launched in the country only a couple of months ago, and according to Facebook, around 3 million people had already signed up for it, of which 1 million were accessing the Internet for the first time. "We're disappointed that Free Basics will no longer be available in Egypt," the social networking company said in a statement, adding that it hopes "resolve this situation soon." It isn't yet clear whether or not the suspension was related to net-neutrality concerns, as was the case in India. Via 1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/after_india_now_egypt_shuts_down_facebooks_free_basics_service-news-15801.php

OnePlus X Champagne Edition now available for purchase in India

The OnePlus X Champagne Edition is now available for purchase in India, where Amazon has it listed for INR 16,999, which translates into $255 at current exchange rates. FYI, It is the same price at which the standard Onyx variant can be purchased. The model made its debut in China, and is already available for purchase in several other countries. OnePlus has also announced open sales of the device on every Tuesday, but, unfortunately, that's only for international markets. This means, in India you'll have to have an invite to get the limited-edition variant, although an invite to the standard model will do. Source 1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_x_champagne_edition_now_available_for_purchase_in_india-news-15799.php

Twitter for Mac update brings what you've been asking for

Twitter has released a major update to its Mac client, bumping it to version 4.0.0 and bringing features like inline video playback, GIFs support, and group direct messages. With the update, Twitter for Mac users will be able to see videos play directly in their feed, see animations without leaving their timeline, as well as create and receive private notes with up to 50 people. In addition, you'll now also be able to mute specific accounts, and get your Twitter Highlights right on your desktop. The update also brings along an updated design, an optional dark theme, as well as Quote Tweet feature. The updated app is now available for download from the Mac App...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/twitter_for_mac_update_brings_what_youve_been_asking_for-news-15800.php

LG G5 to reportedly come with V10-like secondary display, Magic Slot

LG's upcoming flagship smarphone - the G5 - will come with a secondary display similar to the one that the V10 sports, according to a report from VentureBeat. The 160 x 1040 pixel resolution display will also be there on several other LG phones coming next year. As per the report, the smartphone will also come with a dual rear camera set-up - something that we already know - giving the main 16MP camera a 135-degree wide-angle capability. "In between the two lenses is a circle with a quartet of elements in a square configuration, according to the briefed individual, who was also shown images of the upcoming flagship," the report says. "Two of those are LED flash bulbs, while another one is a laser for assisting with autofocus, first deployed on 2014's LG G3. The fourth element is also found on G4: a so-called RGB sensor to further assist with autofocus and other scene-recognition functions." In addition, the device will also feature what the report calls a Magic Slot. "It is said to enable some functional expansion by way of hardware modules. The examples we were given range from an array of specified cameras — action, 360 VR, 'party' — to an audio amplifier to a physical keyboard." As for the other specs, the report notes that the G5 will be powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset, and sport a 5.3-inch QHD display. RAM will be 3GB, while internal memory will be 32GB. Featuring an 8MP front camera, the device will pack in a 2,800mAh battery, and also come with a fingerprint sensor on the back. There's no word on the pricing. As for availability, the report says the handset will see a "first quarter 2016 launch."...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g5_to_come_with_v10like_secondary_display_report_says-news-15798.php

Surface Pro 4 landing in India on January 7; Microsoft sends press invites

Last month, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that the Surface Pro 4 will land in India in January. And just last week, Microsoft's India chairman Bhaskar Pramanik revealed that the device will be launched in the country in the "first week" of the month. And now, we have the exact launch date. The Redmond, Washington-based company has sent out press invites (see image below) confirming that the launch event will be held on January 7 - which is exactly one week from now. If you aren't in the know, the tablet - which was launched in the US a couple of months ago - will be the first device in the line-up to be officially launched in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/surface_pro_4_landing_in_india_on_january_7_microsoft_sends_press_invites-news-15797.php

BlackBerry Priv reportedly coming to T-Mobile in January

As of now, the only US carrier that sells the BlackBerry Priv is AT&T. This might change, however, next month when T-Mobile (reportedly) launches the BlackBerry "Venice". One of Phone Arena's readers revealed T-Mobile's internal work calendar, with the launch of the BlackBerry Venice (The codename for the BlackBerry Priv) on January 26. Right now, the only way to get a BlackBerry for T-Mobile is by purchasing it unlocked, directly from BlackBerry's US online store. Still steep, it starts at $699.99. T-Mobile customers will now be able to acquire the new Android-powered BlackBerry with Jump On Demand, letting customers switch out their phones up to three times a year. The BlackBerry Priv is the first Android-powered BlackBerry device that put emphasis on security features for enterprise users. It features a 5.4 inch screen with an 18MP rear shooter powered by 3GB of RAM paired with a hexa-core Snapdragon 808 chipset. It also features a slide up screen that reveals BlackBerry's signature tactile QWERTY keyboard. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_priv_reportedly_coming_to_tmobile_in_january-news-15796.php

T-Mobile's reply to YouTube's throttling accusations: "we are optimizing it"

Remember last week when YouTube accused T-Mobile of throttling video traffic? T-Mobile's reply: it wasn't throttling the video traffic but simply optimizing content for mobile consumption. The FCC will be keeping a close eye on T-Mobile with Binge-On's controversial nature against Net Neutrality since the service technically puts a kind of preference on a certain type of traffic than all other traffic. Remember, YouTube was the one who told the Wall Street Journal that T-Mobile was throttling YouTube's traffic. Saying that while reducing charges is good for customers, throttling traffic without customers' knowledge doesn't justify the former. T-Mobile clams the problem with its inability to correctly identify YouTube traffic is the system that flags video traffic to be exempt from the data allotments. Since the Q&A at the Uncarrier event, the point of implementing a better system to tell video traffic apart came up, T-Mobile answered that there are still some kinks to work out in the process of telling video traffic apart. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobiles_reply_to_youtubes_throttling_accusations_we_are_optimizing_it-news-15795.php

Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL with Windows 10 is headed to T-Mobile

The Android-powered iteration of the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL has already been announced by T-Mobile and MetroPCS, but we're still waiting for the Windows 10 running version of the same device to become official. That's probably going to happen soon, however, as a new rumor today claims T-Mobile will launch the Windows variant too. This will be the magenta carrier's first smartphone running Windows 10 Mobile. TMo will offer the handset in cyan, a color perhaps more reminiscent of Lumia devices of old. The Windows 10 iteration of the Alcatel One Touch Fierce XL will have a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera, a 2 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 SoC powering things, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling 2.0, capacitive buttons, and a non-removable 2,500 mAh battery. So it's definitely in the lower-midrange segment. It's apparently going to become available from T-Mobile "in the coming weeks", and you should be able to buy one for less than $100 sans contract. The Fierce XL could be just the first of many Windows 10 Mobile devices to launch at T-Mobile, because the carrier has set up an extensive training guide on Microsoft's new OS for employees to take advantage...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_one_touch_fierce_xl_with_windows_10_is_headed_to_tmobile-news-15794.php

ZTE teases a January 5 event, Nubia Z11 might get unveiled

Today on its official Weibo account ZTE's Nubia sub-brand is teasing something that will happen on January 5. It's probably going to be big, hence the need for the teaser, but it's unclear exactly what we are to expect. This may be when the Nubia Z11 becomes official as the company's next flagship smartphone. The Z11 has so far been rumored to sport a bezelless curved screen 5.2 inches in size and with QHD resolution, a 20.7 MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, a 13 MP selfie snapper, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of built-in storage, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset at the helm. It's also reportedly going to have a fingerprint scanner on the back, as well as a metal construction. On the other hand, ZTE could only be launching an international website (and, presumably, online store) for its Nubia brand on January 5. That's because the company has recently purchased the nubia.com domain name for a whopping $2 million, so it stands to reason that it would want to put that to good use as soon as possible. Anyway, we expect some more teasers in the next few days, which will hopefully reveal more about the upcoming January 5 event. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_teases_a_january_5_event_nubia_z11_might_become_official-news-15793.php

The LG G3 Marshmallow update officially available

Well, it is indeed official now - Android 6.0 has been released for the LG G3. And it is happening in Poland as we speak, but just so we're clear, it has started today, not yesterday. From what we gather, the firmware has to be installed via a PC, and an OTA update is not available for the time being though it could happen eventually. Both 16GB/32GB storage versions are eligible, and what looks like a soak test is so far limited to unlocked Polish market handsets. The procedure was more or less established over the past couple of months with the G4 - initial Marshmallow release in Poland, followed by South Korea, and then Europe. So while it may take a while to reach widespread availability, you can rest assured that Marshmallow is coming to your LG G3, sooner or later. Source 1 Source 2 Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g3_marshmallow_update_officially_available-news-15792.php

Lenovo said to release an Exynos 8870 device next year

Word travels fast in the mobile realm and once the cat is out of the bag on a topic, follow-up rumors seem to pile up almost instantly. It was only mere hours ago that we first heard of the Exynos 8870 SoC - a Samsung chip that will allegedly offer a toned-down version of the flagship Exynos 8890. That means it will probably feature the same in-house Mongoose 64-bit ARMv8 cores as the performance cluster, along with four more Cortex-A53 ones, just working at lower clock speeds. Initial info on the chip claims that it will be produced specifically for third-party Samsung clients, like Meizu, with the Meizu Pro 6 said to be one of the ambassadors of the SoC. Now, a mysterious industry source claims that Lenovo will be using the Exynos 8870 in one of its 2016 devices as well. Expected performance of the new chipset is along the lines of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, so even though it might not be as powerful as the 8890, it is still a flagship-grade offer, which means the Lenovo in question should be as well. The existence of the Exynos 8870 or any deal with Meizu or Lenovo is yet to be confirmed by Samsung or any of the other parties involved, but such a development does sound pretty plausible. Plus, it is worth noting that both Lenovo and Meizu have used Exynos chips in the past, so the partnership is not entirely new. Also, the Exynos 8870 might not be the only upcoming chip that Samsung is preparing for internal use and possibly third-party sales. Exynos 7650 and Exynos 7880 models were also spotted online, both said to perform in the Snapdragon 652 range (formerly known as the Snapdragon 620, before the renaming fiasco). They could, in turn, power a new line of mid-range offers in 2016. Source (In Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_said_to_release_an_exynos_8870_device_next_year-news-15791.php

Report: Apple considering LG and Samsung as flexible OLED suppliers

Earlier this month a report came out of Japan that JDI will build up capacity to manufacture OLED displays for an upcoming iPhone. Now a report out of Korea states that Samsung Display and LG Display will be mass producing displays for the iPhones. Like the JDI plans, this is a long-term investment for the Korean giants and the displays will ship in 2017 at the earliest or even 2018. They will invest a total of $12.8 billion over the next couple of years (Apple may provide part of that cash). LG will kick things off with 30,000 a month of Gen. 6 units, later moving to between 45,000 and 60,000 units a month. The upper limit is set by the size of the Gen. 6 substrate - it's enough for 60,000 5" displays (and obviously less for bigger ones). Interestingly, they will reportedly make flexible OLEDs. The LG factory has experience making flexible Gen. 4.5 displays, but the move Gen. 6 will be done cautiously. Samsung Display will provide a bigger share (30% more units) because it already has a functioning manufacturing line that can supply around 90,000 displays. An estimated 200,000 displays a month is required to meet iPhone-scale sales. ETnews reports negotiations between Samsung and Apple are not smooth sailing though. Part of the issue seems to be that Apple wants to buy the displays cheaply (single-digit percent profit margin), while Samsung Display has been making bank on selling Super AMOLEDs to Chinese smartphone companies. Neither Korean company has signed a deal with Apple yet and there are strong expectations that JDI and Foxconn will win the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/report_apple_considering_lg_and_samsung_as_flexible_oled_suppliers-news-15785.php

Apple agrees to pay €318 million as settlement in Italian tax fraud case

Apple has agreed to pay a sum of €318 million (around $350 million) to settle an Italian tax fraud case, according to a report from the country's daily newspaper La Repubblica. The Cupertino-based company has been accused of tax evasion between 2008 and 2013. It is alleged that the iPhone maker failed to pay €880 million in corporate taxes during this five year period, and the amount was transferred to its subsidiary in Ireland, a country where the corporate tax rate is less than half of that in Italy. Although the probe completed in March this year, the settlement took time as there were reportedly lengthy negotiations between Apple and Italian authorities. On its part, the country's tax office has now confirmed that a deal has been reached, but it did not reveal the financial details of the settlement. While Apple hasn't yet commented on the settlement, it had earlier said that the company is "one of the largest tax payers in the world and paid every euro of tax it owed wherever it did...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_agrees_to_pay_318_million_as_settlement_in_italian_tax_fraud_case-news-15787.php

Lumia 950 and 950 XL software update starts rolling out in UK and Ireland

Microsoft has started rolling out a new update for the Lumia 950 and the 950 XL, starting in UK and Ireland. The update brings the version number to 01078.00027.15506.020xx. The update includes the following changes: Stability and performance improvements. Improvements for SD memory card support. Improvements for automatic display brightness settings. Fix for a camera problem that was causing noisy images in low-light conditions for some users. Fix for a 4K video problem that was causing stripes to show up while playing back recorded videos for some users. Make sure to check your device to see if the update is available to download....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lumia_950_and_950_xl_software_update_starts_rolling_out_in_uk_and_ireland-news-15784.php

Sony Xperia Z6 Lite with Snapdragon 620 SoC to come in 2016

The Xperia Z5 family definitely brought a new and very overdue spark of life to the OEM's presence in the mobile realm and naturally got fans excited about the future of the brand. Consequently, rumors of a 2016 Xperia Z6 lineup have been flying all over the pace, but there are often conflicting and seem to raise more questions than they answer. Initial leaks hinted at a total of five models, including a 4-inch Z6 Mini, 4.6-inch Xperia Z6 Compact, 5.2-inch Z6, 5.8-inch Xperia Z6 Plus and a 6.4-inch Xperia Z6 Ultra - talk about spoiled for choice. However, a leaked T-Mobile roadmap later omitted any mention of a Z6 Mini, dropping the number of devices down to four - two allegedly powered by a Snapdragon 820 and the other by a Snapdragon 620 SoC (now renamed by the Snapdragon 652). However, a new Chinese source just added another twist to the mystery with talk of a Z6 Lite. According to Mobile-dad, the device will have a 5.0-inch display, placing it right between the Z6 Compact and basic Z6. The website also claims that said handset will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 SoC (known as the Snapdragon 618, prior to the renaming). A suggested price of $385 is also listed for the handset, along with a May 2016 release frame, but we can't really be sure which market this refers to, nor can we vouch for the authenticity of the source as a whole. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z6_lite_with_snapdragon_620_soc_might_be_joining_the_oems_2016_lineup-news-15783.php

Samsung's entire 2016 smart TV line-up will feature IoT support

Samsung has announced that all the TVs in its 2016 line-up will feature Internet of Things (IoT) support as well as SmartThings platform integration. For those wondering, SmartThings is an open platform that lets users connect, manage and control smart devices and IoT services, something which they can do directly from their smartphone and SUHD TV. The South Korean company says that its upcoming SUHD TVs will apply the home-grown IoT hub technology, allowing them to act as the controller for the entire smart home. The IoT ready TVs will be showcased at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which is scheduled to be held during January 6 - 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although the TVs will be SmartThings-enabled at launch, "the functionality will be activated regionally as SmartThings expands its platform availability," Samsung...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_entire_2016_smart_tv_lineup_will_feature_iot_support-news-15781.php

Teaser says Lenovo K4 Note has 'killer display'

The upcoming Lenovo K4 Note smartphone has a "killer display". This was revealed by the Chinese company in a recent teaser that was posted by Lenovo India on its Twitter account. The message accompanying the teaser says, "When is a display more than just a sum of its pixels?" When is a display more than just a sum of its pixels?Get ready to thrill your senses with the K4 Note#KillerNote2016 https://t.co/OnTMpyU0jY— Lenovo India (@Lenovo_in) December 29, 2015 The device has been the subject of many teasers recently. Late last week, the company confirmed that the handset will come with a fingerprint sensor as well as near field communication (NFC) capabilities. Prior to that, it was officially confirmed that there will be 3GB RAM. The K3 Note successor is expected to be launched on January 5 - press invites have already been sent and the event will be held in India's capital city of New...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/teaser_says_lenovo_k4_note_has_killer_display-news-15782.php

Over 300 Flash bugs were discovered (and fixed) this year

Adobe Flash was in news for all the wrong reasons this year - as you might know, a lot of Flash vulnerabilities were discovered this year. If you're wondering exactly how many, here the number: 316. Yes, a total of 316 Flash bugs were discovered (and fixed) in 2015. For those doing the maths, that's around 6.1 fixes per week. The last quarter of the year, especially, saw the company fixing a total of 113 bugs, which is roughly 1.5 per day. It's worth mentioning that Facebook's chief security officer Alex Stamos called for an end to Adobe Flash support back in July this year. His comments came just a week after hackers compromised an Italy-based spy software company's systems, revealing a major Flash vulnerability. Oh, and by the way, a new - and yet another - Flash vulnerability was recently discovered, and Adobe has released a patch for it. Head to the Adobe link below to know more about it. Via |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/over_300_flash_bugs_were_discovered_this_year-news-15780.php

Sidecar as we know it is shutting down

San Francisco-based ride-sharing service Sidecar is shutting down on December 31 (at 2PM Pacific Time). This was announced by the company's co-founder and CEO Sunil Paul in a blog post on Medium. Image credit: Hayne Palmour IV U-T San Diego "Today is a turning point for Sidecar as we prepare to end our ride and delivery service so we can work on strategic alternatives and lay the groundwork for the next big thing," Paul said. "This is the end of the road for the Sidecar ride and delivery service, but it's by no means the end of the journey for the company." For those who aren't in the know, founded in 2011, Sidecar was one of the first start-ups in the ride-sharing and car-hailing market, which is currently dominated by the likes of Uber and Lyft. It managed to raise a total of $35 million from investors including Union Square Ventures and billionaire Richard...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sidecar_as_we_know_it_is_shutting_down-news-15778.php

New Samsung Gear S2 update is aimed at improving battery life

Samsung has started rolling out a new update to its Gear S2 smartwatch that is primarily aimed at improving the battery life of the device. Weighing in at 4.85MB, the update bumps the software version to R730TUVU1AOL3. A quick look at the change-log (see image below) suggests that the What's new section only lists "Battery life has been optimized". However, the update could also include some regular bug fixes and stability improvements. To install the update, open the Samsung Gear app on your phone and head to Settings. Once there, go to the About Gear option, and then tap the Update Gear button. This should do the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_samsung_gear_s2_update_is_aimed_at_improving_battery_life-news-15776.php

iPhone 7c mass production expected to start next month, report says

Earlier this month, there were reports that the rumored Apple iPhone 7c will be launched in September 2016. However, a recent China Mobile roadmap revealed an April launch. While there's still no confirmation on the launch time frame, a new report is suggesting that the device will go into mass production soon. As per the report, Apple is already done with a small-scale trial production of the smartphone, and the mass production is expected to begin in January. In addition, it was also revealed that the handset will be similar to the iPhone 5s in shape and size, and will also come in three color options just like the latter. Finally, the report also notes that the iPhone 7c (or iPhone 6c, or whatever it is called, as the name is also not yet confirmed) will pack in a 1,642 mAh battery. As for the price, the device is rumored to carry a tag of somewhere between $400-$500, presumably off...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_7c_mass_production_expected_to_start_next_month_report_says-news-15779.php

New lawsuit claims Apple slows down older iPhones on iOS 9

A new lawsuit is demanding $5M in damages from Apple for intentionally slowing down performance of legacy iPhones. The plaintiff claims that Apple has been engaging in deceptive business practices of purposely slowing down 100 members' iPhone 4S's. After performing the upgrade in software, these iPhone 4S's have apparently become so bogged down that they have become unusable in day-to-day conditions. Both first and third-party app loading delays are significantly longer with reported freezing and crashing as well. This bogging down of software performance is said to encourage users to upgrade their old devices to newer iPhones. The lawsuit continues by also claiming false advertisement from the installation notes for the new update. While these notes mention faster performance, enhanced security, longer battery life, and new app features, these same notes lack a warning of possible compatibility issues on older devices like the iPhone 4S. The same lawsuit is aimed at Apple's ecosystem saying that rather than upgrading to another phone OS, Apple's business structure of apps and music is more likely to keep people from jumping ship to avoid losing the investments of money spent on apps and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_lawsuit_claims_apple_slows_down_older_iphones_on_ios_9-news-15777.php

Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 (64GB variant) sells out within a minute on launch day

Announced last month in China, the all-metal Mi Pad 2 tablet from Xiaomi comes in both 16GB and 64GB memory configurations. While the former has been available for purchase, the latter was launched in the country this week, only to be sold out in just 60 seconds. That's right. According to a report out of China, the device was out of stock within a minute of going on sale. Not only the 64GB variant, but the standard 16GB model was also sold out on that day, the report notes. It isn't, however, clear whether the sell out was due to a strong demand of the tablet or limited stock. For those who aren't already aware, the 16GB Mi Pad 2 costs RMB 999 ($155), while the 64GB variant carries a price tag of RMB 1,299...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_pad_2_64gb_variant_sells_out_within_a_minute_on_launch_day-news-15775.php

Chinese company FiresVR launches a new VR headset JiDome-1

While virtual reality is still somewhat of a novelty, it hasn't stopped companies like FiresVR from making new VR hardware. The headset is going to be called the JiDome-1 and is among the first VR products directly comparable to Samsung's Gear VR. The company calls itself "the Xiaomi of China's VR industry". While other products like the Samsung Gear VR, Holo Lens, or the Oculus Rift are manufactured in China, they don't have many "official" Google Cardboard-type of VR accessories. This is the first company making a real VR product for China. The headset was demonstrated with a Xiaomi Note flagship phone but the company still has to work on compatibility with more phones on the market. Due to hardware and software limitations with the technology used, as of right now, the JiDome-1 is only compatible with 30% of the phones on the market. The JiDome-1 is said to be available to developers in the first quarter of 2016. It uses an optical structure that is able to adapt to different screen sizes. The headset features a 9-axis gyroscope and proximity sensor, cooling fans, and will hold a price tag for developers who wish to purchase it of ¥199 which converts to around 30 dollars. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/chinese_company_firesvr_launches_a_new_vr_headset_jidome1-news-15774.php

AT&T finally testing cross-VoLTE between US carriers

VoLTE is such a great way to hear callers with crystal-clear quality. While this feature is such a great advancement in the telecommunications industry, the problem with it is that they haven't enabled this feature for calls made between callers of different service providers. As of right now, if an AT&T caller dials a Verizon subscriber, both the recipient and the caller will only be hearing each other in standard audio quality. The only way for callers to take advantage of higher quality VoLTE is if the recipient happens to also be on the same cellular network as the caller. Well, also as of now, AT&T has announced that in very few markets, they have already begun testing VoLTE calls between AT&T and other carriers. It isn't explicitly mentioned which carriers they are testing, but there has been a previous mention of Verizon being such carrier. AT&T also mentions that it is also working with "other" carriers to bring the same cross-compatibility for VoLTE, acknowledging the previous announcements with Verizon in mind. The purpose of AT&Ts post was to announce the company's milestone of 27 million VoLTE subscribers in the US with reach to over 295 million Americans. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/_at_t_working_on_crossvolte_between_us_carriers-news-15773.php

Lenovo Vibe Shot review: Shoot to thrill

The Vibe series often breathes fresh air into the stale smartphone design segment and the Lenovo Vibe Shot wants to serve double duty by trying to break into the difficult high-end smartphone photography market as well.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_vibe_shot-review-1357.php

iPhone 7 rumored to get rid of the antenna stripes, waterproofing confirmed

We've already heard that one of the defining features of the upcoming iPhone 7 is set to be its waterproofing. This has been 'confirmed' today by a new rumor out of China. Both sizes of the iPhone 7 are expected to be waterproof. They will also apparently employ some "new compound materials" which will be used to hide their antennas and do away with those plastic stripes once and for all. This would let Apple streamline the iPhone design even more than before. Around 30-35% of the iPhone 7 chassis will be made by Catcher Technology, which will remain the largest supplier of this component for Apple. The information above reportedly comes from a research firm analyzing Catcher's future sales. As always with such things, don't forget to take everything you've just read with a solid dose of salt. Do however keep in mind that this is already the second rumor talking about waterproofing for the iPhone 7, so there may be some truth to that. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_7_rumored_to_get_rid_of_the_antenna_stripes_waterproofing_confirmed-news-15772.php

Windows 10 reaches 200 million installs

As 2015 draws to a close, Microsoft's latest operating system is reaching a new milestone in terms of device installations. Windows 10 has now been installed over 200 million times. That's up from 14 million in the first day since it became available, 50 million in less than three weeks after that, and 110 million at the beginning of October. 200 million is certainly an impressive number, and even more so when you consider that it's been reached in only five months. So we've got an average of 40 million installs of Windows 10 per month. Then again, this evolution is hardly surprising given how Microsoft has been pushing users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to update to Windows 10 (which, let's not forget, is a free process). Microsoft's goal is to reach 1 billion installs in three years, and that could very well happen, at least based on these first five months of availability. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/windows_10_reaches_200_million_installs-news-15771.php