The Bluboo Xfire 2 comes with a metal body and fingerprint reader for $60

As with any other great tech advancement in history, smartphones have developed rapidly from luxury to a necessity and as such are constantly becoming more and more affordable. OEMs, especially those operation out of China are always pushing the envelope on what is possible on a shoestring budget and it is an undeniable fact that you can now get...

Google adds a Watch Later button to YouTube notifications on Android

It is a well-known fact that the best technology is the one that goes unnoticed, in other words, things that simply work and you feel like they are just the most natural thing ever and have always been. Amidst all the largescale and revolutionary work Google is doing in most every perceivable field of technology, the online giant still puts a lot...

Sony Xperia M5 and M5 Dual getting Android 5.1 update

Sony has started rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to both Xperia M5 and M5 Dual smartphones. The update also includes Android security patch for the month of January. Weighing in at around 600MB, the new update bumps the M5's build number to 30.1.A.1.33, and that of the dual-sim variant to 30.1.B.1.33. It brings along the ability to take...

Snapchat is aiming for sports fans with live score overlays for NBA games

Snapchat is one of those odd social app experiments that often confuse their very own user base, let alone newcomers. What started out as a fairly clever "no traces left behind" picture chat, has since exploded into a wild mess of often puzzling user content, specially crafted multimedia experiences within the Discover feature, as well as, more recently,...

Huawei officially announces January 31 launch for Honor 5X in US

Earlier this month, Huawei announced that the Honor 5X will be launched in the US at the end of this month. So, we were already expecting it to go on sale around January 31. Now, the company has officially announced the launch date. Yes, the device will be available for purchase in the US starting January 31. You'll be able to grab it online at HiHonor,...

Asus ZenWatch drops to $99 in the US

The first-generation ZenWatch from Asus has received an official price cut in the US. A quick look at the Taiwanese company's online store in the country reveals that the wearable device is now available for just $99. The model on offer is the silver/rose gold variant featuring a tan strap. Third party retailer Best Buy is also selling the same model...

MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets

MediaTek has officially confirmed the existence of a software bug that has put several Android devices running the company's chipsets at risk. The chip-maker says the issue in question only affects Android 4.4 KitKat devices. First reported by security researcher Justin Case earlier this month, the bug could potentially allow an attacker to enable...

BLU Vivo XL now available for purchase; company offers limited-time $50 rebate

Announced earlier this month during this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the BLU Vivo XL is now available for purchase in the US. "Celebrating the availability" of the device, BLU is offering an immediate $50 rebate to those purchasing the handset. This means that the Vivo XL will set you back $99, down from its regular price of $149. The...

New Google Calendar update brings smart suggestions

Google has pushed out a new update to its Calendar app. The update brings along a new 'smart suggestions' feature that the company claims lets you quickly create events. "When you begin typing an event title, you'll see matching suggestions―choose one or keep typing," Google explained in a blog post. Tapping "at..." lets you add a location to your...

Sprint HTC One M8 Marshmallow update imminent

If you are on Sprint and own an HTC One M8 or its special Harman Kardon edition, here is some good news: the carrier has announced the roll-out of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the handset, and it should begin anytime now. Sprint HTC One M8 / M8 HK Owners! Great news, we have received technical approval on the Marshmallow OS update! OTA will start...

LG hints its G5 will have a removable battery while poking fun at Samsung

Many users were upset when Samsung decided to discontinue a removable battery design and we hope LG does not go the same direction as Samsung as LG is one of the few phone makers that still design its smartphones with hot-swappable batteries. Samsung posted a picture of a Galaxy S6 edge+ with a caption stating that it can charge from 0-to-full in...

Xiaomi Redmi 3 review: Precious little one

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is not your usual budget smartphone. The word budget is hardly a good match for an aluminum unibody, a 5" IPS display, a powerful octa-core processor, a 13MP camera, and a beefy 4,100 mAh battery. And yet, here we are. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 may be cheap in price but it does not skimp on features... Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/x...

Sprint's HTC One A9 is now getting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update

HTC clearly wants to set a good example in the way it's dealing with software updates for the One A9. Perhaps the company got "inspired" by Apple in more ways than just the handset's looks. The update to Android 6.0.1 is already out for the A9 units that have been sold unlocked, and now it's time for the same software to roll out to devices bought...

ZTE Grand X 3 is now available in the US from Cricket

At CES this year ZTE took the wraps off the Grand X 3, an entry level smartphone, and now this is already available to purchase in the US. You'll have to get it from Cricket, though, as that's the only carrier currently offering it. The Grand X 3 is priced at just $79.99 if you bring your number from another carrier, or $129.99 if you don't. Keep...

Samsung Galaxy S7 tipped to land in Europe on March 11

Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy S7 smartphone will begin rolling out in Europe on March 11. This was revealed by leakster @ShaiMizrachi, who has provided some credible information in the past. Mark your calendar: the first European rollout for #GalaxyS7 family starts on 11/3 pic.twitter.com/TdhtJIJ2dD— Shai Mizrachi (@ShaiMizrachi) January 29,...

Galaxy S7 to last for 17 hours of video playback at full brightness

The Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin has been the source of quite a few notorious leaks in the past, and most of his posts used to be ranked with high credibility. After Nokia's demise though his reports became controversial at best. Still, a good rumor is always worth reporting, so here is a new hot one concerning the upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship....

Oppo F1 Plus image shows it's differs in scale, not design

We have an image of the Oppo F1 Plus, but you'll have to trust us on this. Mostly because the phone looks exactly like the smaller F1. That's no surprise, the same design has also been used for the A53 and R7/R7s/R7 lite (but not the R7 Plus). In case you've missed it, the Oppo F1 Plus will be a bigger version of the camera-focused F1. The screen...

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) specs confirmed from kernel source code

After updating its "A" line for 2016, Samsung appears to be moving on to its budget "J" family. The Galaxy J1 (2016) is already here, well, at least in Dubai, while the J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) are expected shortly. The latter's existence now looks to be proven even further by some kernel sources, unearthed by one of our readers. The code was spotted...

Isaac Mizrahi-designed HP smartwatch has classic looks, hidden OLED display

HP has added another name to its revolving door of fashion designers who add the looks to the company's smartwatch brains. This one is done by Isaac Mizrahi. And sorry, guys, this one is ladies only. The watch is all form over function - a classic analog movement hides a small OLED display, normally invisible under the mirrored watch face. This isn't...

SwiftKey updated for Marshmallow, adds new emoji

Popular Android keyboard SwiftKey has been updated for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. One of the major changes, something users may have been looking forward to, is the inclusion of new emoji, that were added to Android in the latest 6.0.1 update. Of course, the new emoji will only be available to those on the latest version of Android, and updating SwiftKey...

Microsoft sold only 4.5 million Lumia phones last quarter

Only 4.5 million Lumia phones were sold by Microsoft in the last quarter of 2015, according to the company's just released Q2 fiscal 2016 earnings report. That's down from the 10.5 million figure reported in the same quarter the year prior. This translates into a drop of around 50% compared to the last quarter of 2014. Considering the latest IDC...

Huawei sends out MWC 2016 invites

Huawei has sent out invites for its Mobile World Congress press conference. The event will be held at Barcelona's Montjuïc Exhibition Centre on February 21, which is a day before this year's MWC formally begins. "We invite you to join Richard Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group, and other Huawei executives, for the global...

Google paid over $2 million to security researchers last year

Google has released some interesting statistics related to its Vulnerability Reward Program for the year 2015. The company revealed that it paid more than $2 million to security researchers as part of the program last year. The program was launched way back in 2010, and Google has paid a total of over $6 million to researchers till now. Last year,...

LG fixes vulnerability that affected millions of G3 devices

LG has fixed a vulnerability in its G3 smartphone that researchers said could potentially allow an attacker to remotely steal sensitive data saved on the device's SD Card. An estimated 10 million G3 units are said to be vulnerable. The vulnerability is in an app called Smart Notice, which comes pre-installed on new LG G3 devices, and can be thought...

Samsung Gear S2 Classic New Edition goes up for pre-orders in UK

Less than a week after it started rolling out globally, the new edition Samsung Gear S2 Classic smartwatch - which was unveiled at CES earlier this month - is now available for pre-order in the UK. Local online retailer Mobile Fun has both Rose Gold and Platinum finish variants listed on its website, offering them at a pre-order price of $570.99,...

Lenovo to launch a 'more innovative, more attractive' phone in US in Q3

Lenovo has plans to launch what it is calling a "more innovative, more attractive" smartphone in the United Sates later this year. This was revealed Chief Executive Yuanqing Yang in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal. © ChinaFotoPress The said device will be from the Chinese company's Motorola division, Yang revealed. If you recall,...

BlackBerry offering free accessories worth $99 with Priv

If you are planning to purchase BlackBerry's debut Android-powered smartphone Priv, here is some good news: for a limited time, the Canadian company is offering free accessories worth $99 with the handset. The accessory bundle includes a Leather Smart Flip Case in black and Sync Pod with 1.2m USB cable. "Think of it as our way of saying 'thank you'...

Facebook brings live video streaming to every iPhone user

In August of 2015 Facebook unveiled its answer to Periscope and other similar apps focused on live video streaming. But up until now the social network's live video feature has been exclusive to verified celebrities. That's changing, though. From today the ability to stream live video is being rolled out to every iPhone user in the US, with an international...

LG Pay's White Card leaks out, will be required to use the service

We've known since October that LG is working on a payments service of its own, which should launch this year. However, unlike the payment solutions from Apple, Google, or Samsung, LG's entry into this field will not work through smartphones. In an odd twist, LG Pay will require a special "White Card" in order to be used. This card can be seen in...

HTC One M10 (Perfume) has its specs outed

A couple of days ago famed leakster @evleaks brought us news that the upcoming HTC One M10 flagship (codenamed Perfume) would sport looks that are similar to those of the already launched One A9. And today he's at it again, but this time with a pretty complete list of the phone's most important specs. Let's dive in then. The One M10 is said to have...

iPad Pro can update the firmware of accessories through Smart Connector in latest iOS 9.3 beta

Apple sent out the second public beta of iOS 9.3 to interested testers yesterday, and already a new feature has surfaced in this release. It turns out that the iPad Pro can now update the firmware of your accessories, using the Smart Connector. Two different sources have confirmed that this already works for the Logitech Create iPad Keyboard, when...

Oppo has big plans for MWC, teaser reveals

With Mobile World Congress now being less than one month away, the companies that are going to participate are starting their respective teaser campaigns for their events in Barcelona. Case in point - Oppo. The Chinese smartphone maker has not only talked about a new F1 Plus model at the launch of the F1 in India, but it's also released its first...

Apple issues voluntary recall of device chargers shipped from 2003 to 2015

Following in the footsteps of Microsoft, today Apple has issued its very own voluntary recall of AC wall adapters. However, in this case there seem to be a lot more units involved, because we're talking about chargers having been packed with certain Macs, iOS devices, and also as part of the company's World Travel Adapter Kit. Apple says device chargers...

Case listings confirm the existence of a new 4-inch iPhone

It has been just a little bit over four month since Apple unveiled the iPhone 6s line, but it seems its bubble has already burst, with fans already getting excited and anxious about Cupertino's 2016 releases. September is still some time away, but rumors about the iPhone 7 have been spreading like wildfire for some time now and understandably so...

OnePlus X will no longer require invites to purchase

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei announced on the company's official forum today that the OnePlus X will be available for purchase without invites from now on. Previously, potential customers only had "invite-free Tuesday" to get the phone. Currently, the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X are sold wihtout invites. For the OnePlus One the company needed...

BlackBerry Priv launched in India at a steep $923

BlackBerry finally launched the Priv in the Indian market. However, if you have been looking forward to buying this phone then you will have to come to terms with the rather steep pricing. The phone is priced at INR 62,990, which is around $923. In comparison, the phone is priced at $699 in the US, which was already considered expensive by many....

Grab a 128GB Samsung Galaxy S6 for £399.99 on eBay

Samsung Galaxy S6 has been offered in three storage flavors since its inception - 32, 64, and 128GB. Naturally, this means the bigger the memory, the higher the price. Most of the users usually opt for the 32GB, but the Galaxy S6 omits a memory expansion option, which should make you think twice before buying. Anyway, if you've considered getting...

Alleged Xiaomi Mi 5 screenshot reveals dual-SIM functionality, NFC support

Xiaomi's upcoming Mi 5 flagship smartphone will come with dual-SIM functionality as well as support for NFC. This was revealed in a screenshot - shared by chairman Lei Jun - alleged to be of the device's home screen. This isn't the first time we're hearing rumors of the Mi 5 supporting these features. If you recall, last month we reported on a document...

Oppo teases F1 Plus with 5.5" screen, 4GB RAM

After just releasing the first entry in its new "F" line, the Oppo F1, today the OEM announced that it plans to out an upgraded F1 Plus version soon. The handset should arrive this April and is said to offer a bigger 5.5" display with FullHD resolution and 4GB of RAM, compared to the smaller 5" HD panel and 3GB of memory on the F1. The announcement...

Samsung Galaxy S5 now available for just $260 in US

Samsung's flagship from 2014 - the Galaxy S5 - is now available for just $260 (unlocked) in the United States. Daily Steals is selling the device at that price, with color options including white, black, and gold. The discount is on the G900A version of the handset, which is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile - those on Verizon...

Huawei Honor Holly 2 Plus unveiled with 13MP camera, 4,000mAh battery

As expected, Huawei has unveiled the Honor Holly 2 Plus, which is the successor to the Chinese company's Honor Holly from 2014. The Holly 2 Plus is powered by a 64-bit MediaTek MT6735P SoC with quad-core CPU and Mali 720 GPU, and sports a 5-inch HD IPS display. It has 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, which can be expanded up to 128GB via microSD...

IDC: Samsung retains leadership in smartphone shipments for both Q4 and 2015

Samsung was the top smartphone vendor worldwide last quarter, capturing 21.4% of the market, up from 20% it claimed last year, according to latest data revealed by market research firm IDC. The South Korean company shipped a total of 85.6 million smartphones in Q4 2015, up from the 75.1 million figure it reported in the same quarter the year prior....

Gionee Elife S8 to be launched at MWC next month

Gionee has announced that its upcoming Elife S8 flagship will be launched at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is scheduled for next month (Feb 22 - Feb 25). The handset has been the subject of little to no rumours or leaks lately. As clear from the image above, the launch event is set for the first day of MWC 2016 - February 22. The Chinese...

Google Sheets, Slides, and Docs gain mobile commenting feature

Google has announced that the real-time collaborative commenting feature in its Sheets, Slides, and Docs productivity apps is now also available on mobile. You can now instantly add a comment using the comment bubble present on the right side of a doc. To add a new team-mate to an ongoing conversation, you just have to type their name in the comment....

LG announces global rollout of its K10 and K4 smartphones

LG has announced that its newly-unveiled K10 and K4 smartphones will be launched globally this week. While the K10 is already available for purchase in the company's home country of South Korea, the K4 was recently spotted listed on LG's Russian website. LG says both handsets will be available in Europe as well as the Commonwealth of Independent...

Samsung will update Kids Mode for a new tablet this year

Samsung's kids mode has been found in the past few iterations of Samsung flagship tablets and smartphones designed to let kids play with notes, voice recordings, games, and a special camera app, all without letting kids wander around your smartphone's sensitive information. According to a source, there will be a new major Kids Mode update coming...

T-Mobile increases its prepaid data allotments without price hikes

T-Mobile has been the one to disrupt the mobile industry in the US these past few years. The prepaid market space in the US, while still a great value, T-Mobile strives to provide an even greater value with its newest data hikes. T-Mobile is raising its data allotments for $40, $50, and $60 prepaid plans from 1GB, 3GB and 5GB to 3GB, 5GB and 10GB...

Huawei Mate 8 review: Checkmate

The Huawei Mate 8 has dropped the Ascend badge, but it offers all the key pros of the Ascend Mate7 and then some. Coming a year after the Mate7, it was only expected that the Mate 8 will show maturity and address its predecessor's shortcomings, most notably the poor graphics performance and the less than stellar camera output. Source: http://w...

T-Mobile offering 'buy one, get one half off' deal on select Apple, Samsung, and LG phones

T-Mobile is currently running a promotion that lets you purchase a qualified Apple, Samsung, or LG smartphone and get 50% off the second device. Appropriately dubbed Buy One Smartphone, Get One Half-Off, the promo can only be availed by making a call or heading to a local T-Mobile store. Eligible devices include the Apple iPhone 6 and above, the...

Samsung Galaxy S7 with S820 benchmarked, here's how it compares with the Exynos 8890 version

You've probably heard by now (how could you not) that the Samsung Galaxy S7 chipset strategy will be split again - some get the Exynos 8890, some the Snapdragon 820. Last week we saw the 8890 take a swing at the Kirin 950 (Huawei's latest and greatest), but now the AT&T version of the Galaxy S7 has passed through Geekbench 3 too, giving us an...