Apple iPhone 5se to come in Pink, in addition to Silver and Space Gray

The 4-inch iPhone is apparently happening, judging by the mounting rumors on the subject. Things have escalated to the point where we're now talking of a March 15 unveiling, alongside an iPad Air 3. There was significant debate on the naming, with sources pointing in different directions, but so far it's settled on iPhone 5se. So this iPhone 5se will come in at least three color options, Silver and Space Gray the more orthodox, but also Pink. And by pink this time we mean pink and not rose gold as on the current iPhone 6s/6s Plus (the 5.5-incher pictured above). A report from Japan cites exhibitors at the recent 81st Tokyo International Gift Show, who have compared the color to the one of the 6th-gen iPod touch and the 7th-gen iPod nano. It's unclear whether there will be a Gold color option, but Rose Gold seems to be reserved for the proper iPhone 6s. iPod touch In a way, the current iPod touch is already the iPhone 5se, minus the cellular radios. Specs of the 5se have been rumored to include a 4-inch display (duh...), A8 chipset, and 8MP/1.2MP camera combo - all of these are already aboard the iPod touch. The Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and NFC chips from the iPhone 6s just need to be bolted on, plus a larger battery, and it's good to go. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_5se_to_come_in_pink_in_addition_to_silver_and_space_gray-news-16488.php

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro spotted on GFXBench with 4GB of RAM and a 16MP camera

A couple of weeks ago a Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was said to be under development, though it wasn't clear how it would differ from the regular Galaxy A9 (2016). The other day customs data revealed that the SM-A9100 model had entered India for testing, again leaving the specs a mystery. A new entry in the GFXBench database finally sheds some light on the matter. Starting off with what doesn't seem too believable, the listing states that the smartphone's display size is 5.5 inches. The plain Galaxy A9 (2016) is 6 inches in diagonal, the A7 (2016) is at 5.5 inches and whether there will be a 5.7-inch Galaxy A8 (2016) or not, a 5.5-inch A9 Pro just doesn't make sense. The rest, however, looks pretty good. An octa-core CPU with Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.8GHz inside a Qualcomm chip all sounds like the Snapdragon 652. One of the notable spec bumps is the 4GB of RAM versus the 3GB in the non-Pro A9. The other is the primary camera, which the benchmark reports at 15MP. The 4,608 x 3,456 pixel resolution makes for 15.92MP and we're inclined to call that 16MP, but GFXBench seems to count only a complete million pixels as a megapixel, hence the 3,264 x 2,448 pixel front camera (7.99MP) is reported as 7MP. Anyway, the Galaxy A9 (2016) has a 13MP primary camera, while the Galaxy A9 Pro will allegedly have a 16MP one. The specific pixel dimensions of the image hint at the Sony IMX298 sensor, used in the Huawei Mate 8, but we have no way of verifying this for the time being. Samsung has used Sony sensors in the past, including on the current Galaxy S6 flagship, so it won't be a firs, that's for sure. That's all there is to know so far on the Galaxy A9 Pro (with a 2016 model year thrown in there somewhere, possibly), but by the looks of things, the smartphone is headed for official announcement in the coming weeks, and we'll keep you...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a9_pro_spotted_on_gfxbench_with_4gb_of_ram_and_16mp_camera-news-16487.php

Motorola Moto X Force now £300 in the UK, £180 off

The shatterproof Motorola Moto X Force has had its price slashed over at Carphone Warehouse in the UK. The retailer is now selling it for £299.99, or £180 off its regular price. We're talking about an unlocked SIM-free device. Meanwhile, on Motorola's UK site the Moto X Force goes for £499 (though you do get Motomaker in this case), Expansys currently sells it for £500 minus a penny, and you can find it on Amazon.co.uk for as low as £503.54. Makes it sound like a solid deal over at Carphone Warehouse, and you have close to 5 days left to make up your mind - the offer expires on February 11 at 8am. Thanks for the tip, Daniel! Source 1 2 3...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_x_force_now__pound300_in_the_uk__pound180_off-news-16486.php

Live images of an alleged Microsoft Lumia 650 XL raise all sorts of questions

Okay, we're officially confused. The Lumia 650 was supposed to be the absolute midranger, while the Lumia 850 was meant to sit higher up the Microsoft smartphone lineup, and rock a front-facing flash, and the general consesus was that both will be 5-inchers. These latest live images that have just surfaced, coming out of China, seem to paint a different picture. The source states that the smartphone in the photos is the Microsoft Lumia 650 XL, with a 5.4-inch 720p display. Judging by the side-by-side shot with a Lumia 1520, the alleged 650 does indeed look like a 5.4-inch device. There's nothing inherently wrong about that, the previous generation Lumia 600-series had the 640 and 640 XL at 5" and 5.7", respectively, so even if one diagonal is smaller, two differently-sized versions are sort of the norm with Microsoft (you're not forgetting the Lumia 950 and 950 XL either, are you). Scrolling down the Baidu post, we see that the 650 XL is powered by the Snapdragon 210/212 (only difference being CPU clock rate, both go by the MSM8909 internal designation at Qualcomm). Rumors so far had settled on this chip for the 650, so it looks entirely plausible that this 650 XL packs the same silicon. But here's where the puzzle falls apart - this supposed Lumia 650 XL looks just like the Lumia 850 from previous leaks, pretty detailed as of late too. Single speaker cutout towards the top of the front glass panel, instead of the 650's slits at the edges, a metal-looking frame, and most importantly - a front-facing LED flash. Alleged Lumia 650 XL/Lumia 850? So it's the 850 XL then, you say, or simply the Lumia 850, and it just comes in a single display size at 5.4 inches, instead of the rumored 5 inches. Well, alright then, by how can the 850 be powered by the lowly Snapdragon 200-series, what's going to happen to Microsoft's upper midrange? After all, there's not much space between the 850 and 950 for yet another device with, say, a Snapdragon 617, which was so far the rumored 850 chipset. Hopefully, some of these questions will be answered soon, if the Microsoft Lumia 650 does indeed get unveiled later this month. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/live_images_of_an_alleged_microsoft_lumia_650_xl_raise_all_sorts_of_questions-news-16485.php

BlackBerry lays off 200 employees in Canada and the US

BlackBerry has just parted with "approximately 200 employees" total in both Waterloo, Ontario, and Sunrise, Florida. The company hasn't disclosed which branches of its operations the cuts are focused on, but earlier reports pointed at the BlackBerry 10 and Devices departments. The news comes a month after CEO John Chen asserted that the company's OS is "far from dead", a statement which was needed to clear the air after the previous day it was announced that BlackBerry will be switching entirely to Android for future smartphones. And while continuing support for existing devices certainly means that the OS is "far from dead", the lack of future BB10 devices does warrant cuts in the workforce. The layoffs are part of the struggling company's turnaround plan, which seems to be on the right track, given the last financial reports from December last year. At $15 million in the red, the company's loss was 4.5 times less than analysts had predicted, and the Priv seems to be doing nothing but good for BlackBerry. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_lays_off_200_employees_in_canada_and_the_us-news-16484.php

Apple now sells the View-Master VR through its own stores

Apple is now officially selling the View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack through its own stores, both physical and online. The VR/AR rig, similar to Google's Cardboard, but with View-Master's signature reels added on top, has already been available for both Android and Apple devices, but it's only now that the Cupertino company has made it available in its own retail chain. You can order it online, but it'll take a lengthy 3-4 weeks to ship. If you want one today, you can pick up a View-Master in Apple's physical stores, just check online if the one near you has it. The more prudent among you will certainly prefer Amazon, though, where the headset is available for $17.74 right now. Additionally, Apple stores are carrying the Experience packs (the reels, plus a card), each priced at $14.95. You need the card to unlock the experience in the app on your phone and to enjoy the augmented reality features. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_now_sells_the_viewmaster_vr_starter_pack_through_its_own_stores-news-16483.php

Galaxy S7 wireless charging pad listed on UK retailer's website

Samsung introduced built-in wireless (or rather inductive) charging capability with the Galaxy S6 a year ago, and made strides into making it nearly as quick as true wired charging by launching the fast wireless charger when the Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ came out last fall. Well, the Galaxy S7 range won't be missing the feature either, judging by a listing on a UK retailer's website. Clove's brief description of the accessory mentions that it's optimized for the upcoming Galaxy S7/S7 edge but will also be compatible with other smartphones complying to the Qi standard. And it's all fine and dandy, but the pictures show the existing Wireless Charging Pad mini, which has been available for a while now. The listing is clearly just a placeholder at the time, and it also doesn't seem too likely that Clove will give you a pound to pick up a charging pad, as the -£1.00 price suggests. The good bit is that Samsung isn't abandoning useful features (like microSD slot and removable battery) this time around. Wireless charging, coupled with the alleged 2-day endurance and 17 hours of video playback make a compelling case for the Galaxy S7, if they prove to be true. Thanks for the tip,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s7_wireless_charging_pad_listed_on_retailers_website-news-16482.php

Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact officially available in the US: February 7

The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will finally be available in the US starting this Sunday, February 7. The first retailers selling the latest Sony flagship phone will be: Best Buy, B&H, and Amazon.com. The Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact feature a 5.2 inch 1080p or 4.6 inch 720p Triluminous display, a Snapdragon 810 paired with 2 or 3GB of RAM, a 2700 or 2900mAh battery, and an immersion rating of IP68 with capless USB port. Remember, though, Sony is not including the fingerprint sensor on its Z5 line of devices for the US for some reason, most likely due to logistics. The Xperia Z5 will be available unlocked for $599.99 while the Z5 Compact will go on sale for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z5_compact_officially_available_in_the_us_february_7-news-16481.php

Deal: Nexus 5X going for $280 unlocked on eBay

This is not the first, second, or third time that we've seen the Nexus 5X go on sale since its release this past fall. This time around, you can get a 16GB Nexus 5X for a full $100 less than the launch retail price of $380 from eBay. The listing only has the Quartz and Carbon colors available and ship from Nashua, New Hampshire. They even come with the Google Play Music promo card inside the box. So if you haven't jumped to the Nexus 5X yet, this is a great deal. Though, you might want to hold off for a 32GB model. Still, the Nexus 5X embodies everything the Nexus branding stands for while maintaining a low cost and receiving the latest updates directly from Google. The Nexus 5X features a 5.2 inch 1080p LCD IPS screen, a 2700mAh battery, Marshmallow 6.0 out of the box, a quick Snapdragon 808 hexa-core chipset paired with 2GB of RAM, all enclosed in great looking hardware crafted by LG. Source (eBay) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/deal_nexus_5x_going_for_280_unlocked_on_ebay-news-16480.php

Galaxy Note 6 to land in the UK from the beginning, S7 edge+ not at all

Last year Samsung managed to anger many Note series fans in Europe by not officially launching the Galaxy Note5 on the continent in 2015. For some reason, Samsung decided that only the Galaxy S6 edge+ was to be sold in Europe, at least at first. While the Note5 did eventually become available too, many early adopters didn't like how they were forced to pick the phablet with the curved screen even if they wanted the one with the S Pen. Amazingly, Samsung seems to have learned something from that ordeal. If a new report is to be believed, the Korean company will not repeat that story. What's more, its strategy for this year's flagship phablets seems to be exactly the opposite, at least for the UK. Namely, it's said that Samsung will bring the Note 6 to the UK from the beginning, while the Galaxy S7 edge+ will not see an official launch in the country. Ever. It's probably safe to assume that the same thing will happen in Continental Europe. The information allegedly comes from a "source high up at one of the UK's major networks". The reason for the change in strategy has to do with a "backlash from loyal Note fans" over what happened last year. And sales of the S6 edge+ (pictured above) in the UK were quite disappointing, which is possibly why that market won't see its successor. The Galaxy Note 6 is due for release in August. The 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 and the 5.5-inch S7 edge are going to be unveiled on February 21 at MWC in Barcelona, and they are to go on sale in early March according to the same source. Hopefully you have taken all of this with a grain of salt, since we're still many months away from the Note 6's announcement - hence, even if these plans are true right now, there's still time for them to...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_note_6_to_land_in_the_uk_from_the_beginning_s7_edge_not_at_all-news-16479.php

HTC unveils new Desire 626 version in India

In the hopes of selling some more units undoubtedly, HTC has today unveiled a new version of its Desire 626 smartphone in India. This is an ever so slightly revamped iteration of the original 626 from last year, packing in the dual-SIM support of the Desire 626G+, but pairing it with 4G LTE capabilities as well. The new Desire 626 has a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP selfie shooter, the MediaTek MT6752 SoC at the helm (with a 1.7 GHz octa-core CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,000 mAh battery. Most of those things have been seen before in the 626 range, but what's definitely new is the software. The revamped Desire handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, with HTC Sense on top. That's in stark contrast to the original 626 shipping with Android 4.4 KitKat on board. The new device will become available in the subcontinent soon, priced at INR 14,990 - which means about $220 or €198 at the current exchange rates. The color versions are going to be called Blue Lagoon and White Birch. It's still unclear if it will ever launch elsewhere. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_unveils_new_desire_626_version_in_india-news-16477.php

Check out our Honor 5X video review

The Honor 5X is surely a widely talked about phone. Especially with the company's first US-bound smartphone hitting the virtual shelves at the end of last month. The Honor 5X is a #NoNonsense smartphone with flagship-level features, all for $200 unlocked. The Honor 5X has a 5.5 inch 1080p LCD IPS display, a fast fingerprint scanner, a hefty 3000mAh battery, a 13MP camera, and Huawei's own feature-rich EM UI layered on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, upgradable to Marshmallow and powered by a Snapdragon 615 chipset. We are currently working on the full length written review, so we wanted to give you a teaser of what to expect with the Honor 5X. We've compiled a video showing off the well-roundedness of the Honor 5X and what you really get for $200. Stay tuned for our in-depth written review of the Honor 5X as...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/honor_5x_video_review-news-16475.php

Samsung Z1 Tizen 2.4 update starts rolling out

Samsung has finally started rolling out the Tizen 2.4 update (Z130HDDU0CPB1) to its Z1 smartphone. The update weighs in at around 262MB (~17MB for Tizen 2.4 Beta users), and is currently only available to users in India. Several new features are included in the update, such as WhatsApp Calling, Ultra Data Saving Mode, as well as the ability to create password-protected memos. In addition, many of the existing apps - including Camera, Message, Music Player, Smart Manager, Video Recorder, and Settings - have also received some changes. The OTA update is currently rolling out, so it may take a while before it hits your device. However, if you're feeling impatient, you can head to your device's Settings and check for it manually. Other countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are expected to get the update next week. Via 1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_z1_tizen_24_update_starts_rolling_out-news-16473.php

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) review: Stride across

Samsung reinvented itself last year and that gave the A-series a chance for a coup. It took the great new design from the S-phones and parred it down to a mid-range price.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a7_2016-review-1371.php

HTC One M10 leaks in full frontal live image

According to recent reports, HTC has chosen to unveil its next flagship smartphone, the One M10, at a dedicated event and not at MWC in Barcelona at the end of this month. That may be wise, seeing has how both the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 are set to become official at MWC. Recently we've seen a list of specs for the One M10 getting leaked, and today we are treated to what is alleged to be the first live image of the device. As you can see, the HTC logo is nowhere to be found on the front of the M10, and neither is the much-dreaded black bar that housed it in past One M series handsets. Under the screen we do however see a fingerprint scanner, which could double as a Home button. The power and volume buttons are on the right side of the phone, with the former being nicely ridged so you'll easily be able to tell which is which even if you're not looking. Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a second front-facing speaker underneath the display, so perhaps the much-loved BoomSound speakers aren't going to be making a comeback in this model. The One M10 seems to employ a full metal construction, like its predecessors. Previously rumored specs had it coming with a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 12 MP UltraPixel rear camera with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. It shall run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_m10_leaks_in_full_frontal_live_image-news-16478.php

Apple Watch is now cheaper by £50 to £120 in the UK

If you're in the UK and want to buy an Apple Watch, now's probably the time to do it. And make sure you choose either Currys or PC World as your supplier for Apple's first smartwatch. Why? Because both of those retailers are now offering the Apple Watch models with discounts ranging from £50 to £120. Those are quite the savings, especially for an Apple-made device. Let's exemplify. The 38mm Apple Watch Sport with a black or white strap is normally priced at £299, but it can now be yours for just £249. The 42mm stainless steel Apple Watch with the milanese loop band has a recommended retail price of £559, but is now offered for a mere £439. There are many more options to pick from, of course, with all iterations receiving a discount in the aforementioned range. It's unclear how long the new, reduced pricing will last, so make sure you act fast if you want to pick up a cheaper Apple...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_watch_is_now_cheaper_by__pound50_to__pound120_in_the_uk-news-16476.php

The Apple Watch accounted for two-thirds of smartwatch shipments in 2015

It is hardly surprising that Apple cashed-in big last holiday season, but it is interesting to note that according to Canalys, the company's smartwatch did particularly well, shipping 12 million units. Canalys estimates that this constitutes around two-thirds of all shipments - impressive volume indeed. In this chart, Cupertino is followed closely by Samsung with the Gear S2, which returned to the runner-up spot after releasing its improved designs. Pebble occupies the third spot and Huawei is forth. The latter is quite an impressive achievement form the Chinese OEM, which managed to top the likes of LG, despite having only one smartwatch to date. But statistics get even more interesting in the realm of bands, which would also include wearables without an OS and third-party app support. Here the Fitbit reigns supreme, followed closely by Xiaomi's Mi Bands, which sold just as well as the Apple watch at 13 million units during 2015. What this means is that the Fitbit actually outsold the Apple Watch in pure volume, possibly hinting that users still tend to go for more fitness-oriented wearables and let's not forget - cheaper ones. Analyst Daniel Matte commented on the matter saying: Software increasingly belongs on the wrist, and this is the direction the market is going . As the next step along this path, the Fitbit Blaze is the right product for the company to develop. It is competitively priced and is still being squarely focused on fitness. Canalyst's numbers also estimate that Fitbit, Apple and Garmin together contributed to an astounding growth of over 60% sequentially to the entire wearable device...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_apple_watch_accounted_for_twothirds_of_smartwatch_shipments_in_2015-news-16472.php

Verizon offer nets you a half off Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2 if you buy two

As Valentine's Day is fast approaching, most retailers and carriers are starting to make their special offers for the occasion known. Such is Verizon's case today, for example. The carrier is offering you the following arrangement: if you buy a Motorola Droid Turbo 2 or Maxx 2, you can get a second unit for 50% off. You can in fact 'mix and match' the two models, so you can purchase two of the same, or one of each if you so desire. If you choose one Turbo 2 and one Maxx 2, then the cheaper of the two will be the one receiving the 50% discount. New device payment activation is required for both phones. This deal will remain available until February 25, so there's still plenty of time to take advantage of it if you want to. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_offer_nets_you_a_half_off_droid_turbo_2_or_maxx_2_if_you_buy_two-news-16474.php

Nearly 33% of all active iPhones are models with 4" displays

There are numerous reports Apple will be unveiling a new iPhone model this March, together with the new iPad lineup and MacBook refresh. There are quite a few unbelievers there, but this recent report may help many understand why the possibility is more than real. According to Mixpanel's report on the iPhone models about 19% of all iPhone owners are still holding on to their beloved iPhone 5s. The iPhone 5 accounts for about 8% of the users while the iPhone 5c and iPhone 4s are 5.4% and 4.2% of all active iPhones. These numbers confirm that one-third of the active iPhones users are loving their 4" display and aren't exchanging it for a bigger one. If you add the iPhone 4s and older 3.5" models, we get a number close to 40% of users not using larger model iPhone. Sure, there are lots of reasons for people not upgrading their iPhones, but one of the most common explanations is because of the new bigger screen size. Many people are seeking an upgrade, Apple just isn't presenting them the device they want. These numbers can be easily translated into a demand for a smaller iPhone and then those rumors about an upcoming smaller iPhone 5se begin to make sense. We are sure Apple also acknowledges these shares and what's a better way to make those people upgrade if not an iPhone 5s spiritual successor - like an enhanced edition such as the iPhone 5se is rumored to be? Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nearly_33_of_all_active_iphones_are_models_with_4_displays-news-16471.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 for T-Mobile benchmarked, Snapdragon 820 delivers

The Galaxy S7 is just around the corner (February 21 announcement confirmed) and it's fair to say that Samsung will have little to surprise us with on the keynote. Specs and looks have been leaked time and time again to the tiniest detail, and the smartphone just can't come soon enough for us to actually put it through its paces. In the meantime, reports keep coming in on the S7's performance and it's hard not to be impressed with its alleged 2-day battery life. And now we're being treated to some GeekBench scores of what is likely a near final unit bound for US carrier T-Mobile. The Galaxy S7 in question is powered by the Snapdragon 820 (Exynos 8890 versions should also supposedly exist) and posts some pretty high numbers. The single-core result in particular is mightily impressive at around 2,300 points, while the Huawei Mate 8 we reviewed recently only managed about 1,600 with one of its Cortex-72 cores. Mind you, today's numbers are much higher than initial reports suggested, meaning Samsung and Qualcomm held back on performance in early designs. Today's figures are virtually the same as what Qualcomm's reference units were able to put out, which leads us to believe this is the Snapdragon 820 in its final form. That said, a single one of the Kryo cores inside Qualcomm's top chip is still behind (if only slightly) one of Apple's Twister cores in the A9 SoC found in the latest iPhone 6s. All four cores in the S820, on the other hand, easily top Apple's CPU, which only has a pair of Twisters. That said, T-Mobile's Galaxy S7 is still no match for the Mate 8 in the multi-core test. We'll be anticipating the Exynos 8890 to see how all of this year's flagship chips measure up. And if you believe none of this is actually relevant in the real life anymore, when high-end chips have surpassed the average user's needs, you may be half-right. But there are those that will take any performance improvement they can get - even better if paired with excellent battery life. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_for_tmobile_benchmarked_snapdragon_820_delivers-news-16470.php

Samsung Galaxy S II tastes Marshmallow thanks to Cyanogen nightlies

Samsung dropped the support for Galaxy S II a long time ago and officially the phone is stuck on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (up from 2.3 Gingerbread) forever. But the Galaxy S II is one of the most popular Samsung smartphones ever, and it has been seeing various third-party ROMs throughout the years. Cyanogen, the most popular ROM maker out there, has granted the Galaxy S II support for KitKat and Lollipop. As of yesterday, the Cyanogen team released the first nightly build of CyanogenMod 13 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Being a nightly ROM means there will be bugs and the OS is probably not stable enough for everyday usage. We are sure the fans still keeping their Galaxy S II units will be happy with the Marshmallow news. If you are interested in updating your Galaxy S II beyond Jelly Bean, Cyanogen is your best option right now. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_ii_tastes_marshmallow_thanks_to_cyanogen-news-16468.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 said to last two days on a single charge

The Galaxy S7 is coming and with February 21 already marked on the calendar, eager fans simply can't get enough of rumors, leaks and hints about Samsung's upcoming flagship offers. When it comes to next-get, the Korean giant won't simply limit itself to improved performance, battery life is in for a solid improvement as well. By all accounts, it is going to be a major one, as evident by the recently cited 17 hours of video playback at full brightness. A newly leaked pair of screenshots from what the dual-SIM variant of the Galaxy S7 show two days of uptime on a single charge. According to the post, courtesy of Eldar Murtazin, who has been the source of other S7 insights in the past, the score was achieved with an average usage pattern, which includes display brightness at 75% and LTE always on. We can't really be certain if improvement on such a scale is to be expected, but it does fall in line with a lot of the other improvements the handset will bring to the Samsung table. For one, there is the previously suggested...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_said_to_last_two_days_on_a_single_charge-news-16465.php

Android 6.0 Marshmallow now seeding on Sony Xperia Z5

Sony plans to update quite a few with the latest available Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS. It has been working on those updates for the entire Xperia Z5 series for quite some time, and they have been recently finalized. It was in just a matter of days for Sony to begin seeding those Marshmallow treats and the Xperia Z5 users are now receiving the new firmware over the air. Xperia Z5 Compact and Z5 Premium will be getting the same update any moment now, if not already. The first country to get the Marshmallow upgrade is Turkey, but we expect more markets to follow suit any time now. Yesterday Sony confirmed yet another smartphone to receive a Marshmallow update - the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua. Concept Marshmallow builds have been available for the Xperia Z3 series, which means the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact final updates should be upon us, too. Thank you, Ahmet Nuh, for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_60_marshmallow_now_seeding_on_sony_xperia_z5-news-16464.php

Canonical tries bringing the full PC Ubuntu experience in a tablet

Remember the Ubuntu Edge? It was Canonical's quite ambitious endeavor to bring a full desktop-grade Ubuntu experience in a dockable mobile phone. It all started and sadly failed in crowdfunding all the way back in 2013, way before Microsoft was even close to its strikingly similar Windows 10 Continuum experience. Now, well over two years later, the project appears to be still alive and kicking and more relevant than ever, as evident by Canonical's announcement of a brand new tablet that offers the PC dock experience. The concept is relatively simple - make a mobile OS that utilizes the same core as its desktop counterpart, or at least a subset of it, like Window's Universal apps or a common Linux kernel with specialized scalable UI elements, as provided by Ubuntu. Then you can simply run the same apps across all your devices just with slightly different interfaces - no need for porting and costly additional development. The newly announced Canonical tablet is a modification of the Aquaris M10 from Spanish manufacturer BQ. It is equipped with a 10.1 display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Under the hood is a Mediatek MT8163B SoC with quad-core CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. It is definitely not a powerhouse, but the key features are the onboard HDMI and USB Host that allow you to dock the device to a monitor plus keyboard, mouse combo. Also, the 7,280 mAh battery is a definite plus. Just like Microsoft's Continuum, the experience is still in its infancy, but Canonical is confident that it already has a library of supported apps to cover most basic use cases. If nothing else, most browsers scale nicely and so do LibreOffice apps, so Ubuntu Convergence is usable even in this early state. Canonical also feels confident that Ubuntu's technically skilled fans will find a way to load the OS onto other devices, as the Convergence feature is now basically a part of the latest version of the Ubuntu mobile OS. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/canonical_taking_another_stab_at_bringing_the_full_pc_ubuntu_experience_on_the_go_this_time_in_a_tab-news-16461.php

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and Galaxy J5 (2016) pass Bluetooth SIG certification

The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) and the Galaxy J5 (2016) are now one step closer to market launch, as they successfully passed Bluetooth SIG certification. The predecessors of the two phones came out in June 2015, but the 2016 editions might be a little early. According to leaked benchmark results, the Galaxy J7 (2016) will have two versions - one with an Exynos 7870 chip, and another with a Snapdragon 615. The two versions will have different screen resolutions on the 5.5" display and RAM. The Exynos one will tout a 720p screen and 2GB of RAM, while the Snapdragon model will come with 3GB of RAM and 1080p display. The chipset of the Galaxy J5 (2016) has also been revealed through a leaked benchmark, and it's going to be a Snapdragon 410 one with a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU. The other known specs so far include a 12 or 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of built-in storage. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced. While MWC 2016 is a good opportunity for Samsung to officially reveal the phones, the company is unlikely to risk drawing any attention away from the Galaxy S7 lineup so those will probably come at a different point. Source • Source (2) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j7_2016_and_galaxy_j5_2016_pass_bluetooth_sig_certification-news-16463.php

Apple starts iPhone screen protector installation program in Japan

Apple has started iPhone screen protector installation program in Japan, along with Belkin. Apple customers in Japan will be able to hop down to their local Apple Store and get the Belkin screen protector professionally installed on their iPhone using an installation machine. The device allows placing the screen protector in place with the phone aligned on top and then when the protective film is pulled out the screen protector is precisely applied on top of the phone without any air bubbles. Still, if you're not satisfied, they will reapply another one for no additional cost. The application costs somewhere between $19 and $37 according to 9to5Mac. The program will be rolling out to other regions in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_starts_iphone_screen_protector_installation_program_in_japan-news-16462.php

Gionee S6 with 3GB RAM and 13MP camera lands in India

Just a few months after it was launched, the Gionee S6 is now available for purchase in India, making it the first country outside of China where the device is now officially available. In India, the device is exclusively being sold by online retailer Flipkart, which currently has Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold color options in stock. As for the price, the handset carries a tag of INR 19,999, which translates into around $295 at current exchange rates. Specs-wise, the Gionee S6 is powered by a MediaTek MT6753 SoC with 1.3GHz octa-core CPU and Mali T-720 GPU, and sports a 5.5-inch 720p AMOLED display. It has 3GB RAM and 32GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 3,150mAh battery. In terms of camera, the phone features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. It is just 6.9mm thick, and runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with the company's AMIGO OS 3.1 on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_s6_with_3gb_ram_and_13mp_camera_lands_in_india-news-16459.php

Windows Store visits hit 3 billion mark

Microsoft has released this month's report on Windows Store trends, revealing that the store has received a total of over 3 billion visits since Windows 10 was launched. The figure stood at around 2.5 billion in last month's report. The Redmond, Washington-based company also shared details on category-wise downloads for the Oct-Dec 2015 period. The data revealed that Games was the most popular category with over 30% downloads, while Utilities & Tools and Photo & Video rounded up the top three with 15% and 8% share, respectively. In terms of downloads by language, English - unsurprisingly - was at the top, followed by Spanish, Brazilian Portugese, Russian, and Hindi. The company also revealed several other interesting stats - head to the Source link below to take a...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/windows_store_visits_hit_3_billion_mark-news-16458.php

New Microsoft Lumia 650 renders surface; European price leaks

The upcoming Microsoft Lumia 650 will cost around €220 in Central Europe, according to a new report. The device will be available from carrier Orange in France, the report notes, adding that Cricket Wireless will carry it in the US. In addition to the price, some new renders of the Windows 10-powered handset - which is said to be aimed at business users - have also leaked, showing it from the side this time. The phone has been the subject of several leaks and rumors until now. It was earlier rumored to be unveiled in the first week of February, but subsequent reports have suggested that it has been delayed until the mid of this month. Via 1 2...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_microsoft_lumia_650_renders_surface_european_price_leaks-news-16456.php

WhatsApp Web is now officially compatible with Microsoft Edge

WhatsApp's Web extension now officially supports Microsoft's Edge Web browser. This was first noticed by users on Reddit. Until now, the functionality was officially only available on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari. It was not that users of Microsoft's Web browser were completely out of luck until now - there was a way out using which they could access WhatsApp Web on the browser. But it's always good to see official support arriving for the software you use. A quick look at the Reddit thread reveals that not every Microsoft Edge user is currently able to access WhatsApp Web. If that's the case for you, too, probably you need to wait a bit more given the possibility that the support is being currently rolled-out. Via |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_web_is_now_officially_compatible_with_microsoft_edge-news-16457.php

Apple asks Supreme Court not to take up Samsung's appeal

Less than a couple of months after Samsung took its patent battle with Apple to the US Supreme Court, Apple has requested the country's highest court not to take up the South Korean company's appeal. For those who aren't in the know, Samsung moved the Supreme Court after agreeing to pay Apple $548 million to settle their yearslong patent legal case. The company is seeking a re-examination of the decisions made in the case so far, arguing that the jury isn't given all the details on how to understand the patents when dealing with design patent-related cases, as well as questioning the way damages are calculated in these cases. In its arguments filed yesterday, Apple said it sees no reason for the court to review Samsung's verdict. "Samsung had its day in court — many days, in fact — and the properly instructed jury was well-justified in finding that Samsung copied Apple's designs and should pay the damages that the statute expressly authorizes," the iPhone maker said. "While this litigation may be high-profile, it is legally unexceptional, and Samsung has shown no reason for this Court to prolong it." In its response to Apple's filing, Samsung said, "If the legal precedent in this case stands, innovation could be diminished, competition could be stifled, and opportunistic lawsuits could have negative effects throughout the U.S....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_asks_supreme_court_not_to_take_up_samsungs_appeal-news-16455.php

More Apple apps could land on Android

Last November, the Apple Music app landed on Google Play, making it the first Apple app to be available on Android. Now, it looks like the Cupertino-based company is planning to bring some of its other popular apps to Google's mobile OS as well. CEO Tim Cook dropped hints about this at the company's recent "Town Hall" event for Apple employees. He said that Apple Music for Android was a sort of "testing the waters" to see if the company could further expand its services on Android. So does that mean Android users will soon be able to access Apple's iCloud and iMessage services, and not to mention Apple Pay? Well, only time will tell. We're hoping that Apple will divulge more details on this in the near future, probably at its annual developer conference this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/more_apple_apps_could_land_on_android-news-16454.php

Huawei officially starts selling GX8 in US

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show last month, Huawei announced that the GX8 will land in the US sometime this quarter. Inline with the announcement, the device is now available for purchase in the country. Amazon US currently has the device in stock (though only 14 units are left as of writing) and is selling it for $350. The phone is also listed on the Chinese company's official online store GetHuawei for the same price, but is currently out of stock. For those who aren't already aware, the GX8 is a version of the G8 smartphone which is already available in other markets. It is the second Huawei smartphone - after the Honor 5X - to be officially available in the US. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_officially_starts_selling_gx8_in_us-news-16453.php

T-Mobile LG G4 seems to be receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow update

It looks like T-Mobile's version of the LG G4 (model number H811) is finally in the process of receiving the update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This has already made it to many other variations of the smartphone, so it's nice to see it landing on one more carrier version. Neither LG nor T-Mobile have officially announced the rollout yet, but it is happening, according to multiple people reporting as much on Reddit. Most of those who managed to install it have done so through the LG Bridge software for PCs and Macs, but there is one mention of an over-the-air update too. This means you should probably expect the OTA rollout to pick up some steam in the next few days, and hopefully reach all of TMo's G4 units out there soon. After you apply this update, you'll be on software version H81120I, by the way. There's no changelog to speak of just yet, but obviously all the new things Google has packed into Marshmallow are in - including Now On Tap, the battery-saving Doze function, the revamped permissions system, and much...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_lg_g4_seems_to_be_receiving_android_60_marshmallow_update-news-16452.php

Bing for Android update brings it on par with iOS app, new design and features are in

Microsoft has updated its Bing app for Android today, finally bringing it on par with the iOS version. This means the Android app has received a big redesign (which you can see in the screenshots below), as well as many new features. You can scan barcodes for products, and you'll get prices and customer reviews from big online retailers. If you search for "gas" or go to the Near Me section and select the Gas bubble you'll get fresh gas prices for your area. Then you can easily navigate to the station you're interested in. The redesigned home page requires just one tap to get to lists of restaurants, movies, images, videos, maps, deals, and attractions near you. Swiping up from the bottom lets you check out the current weather conditions and stay up to date with the major news stories of the day. The new Bing for Android is already available in the Google Play Store. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/bing_for_android_update_brings_it_on_par_with_ios_app_new_design_and_features_are_in-news-16451.php

Huawei's Honor 5X is now available in Europe from £169.99 or €209.99

It's February 4, so Huawei's countdown timer is gone from the page listing the Honor 5X in its European online store. Yes, the company's latest affordable smartphone is now available to buy if you're in Europe. Thankfully this means we now know how much it costs. The normal price is £189.99, €229.99, or CHF 229.90, depending on where you are. However, by just entering your email address in a form that can be found on the same page, you'll instantly receive a discount code which you can use to take that price down by £20, €20, or CHF 20. So essentially you'll be paying £169.99, €209.99, or CHF 209.90 for the device - while this promo code offer is still available. There's no telling how long it will last, though. Currently both the silver and grey versions of the Honor 5X are in stock and ready to be delivered to you, while for the gold model you will have to wait a few days (the exact number of which varies based on the country you order from). The Honor 5X can be purchased direct from Huawei if you are in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The phone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 615 chipset (with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G support, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop underneath Huawei's EMUI...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huaweis_honor_5x_is_now_available_in_europe_from__pound16999_or__euro20999-news-16449.php

The new Doom game launches on May 13 on PC, Xbox One, and PS4

It's official, ladies and gentlemen, the new Doom game will become available on May 13. This has been years in the making, and it will be the fourth installment in the wildly popular series. The original Doom 3 was launched back in 2004, so it's certainly been a long wait for fans of the well-known first-person shooter. On May 13, the new game will be released for PC, Xbox One, as well as PlayStation 4, thus covering all the big platforms. It's already up for pre-order at the moment, with prices starting at $60 for a Standard Edition, while the Collector's Edition is double that. The Standard iteration includes the full game (with solo campaign mode as well as multiplayer support). The Collector's Edition adds a 12-inch LED-lit statue of a Revenant demon. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_new_doom_game_launches_on_may_13_on_pc_xbox_one_and_ps4-news-16450.php

New Android Wear update brings support for speakers, new gestures

Google has just announced the latest update to the Android Wear platform. The new software is going to be rolled out to all smartwatches running Android Wear. It's expected to reach all the devices within the next few weeks. Here's what to expect when that update notification finally hits your watch. The new version of Android Wear brings with it support for built-in speakers for wearables (and the Huawei Watch already has one, for example, along with the 49mm Asus ZenWatch 2). This means you'll be able to take and make calls from your watch. It's also possible to listen to audio or video messages through certain apps. New gestures have been incorporated into this release too. You can expand a card, bring up your apps, or return to your watch face with a push, lift, or shake. These gestures arrive in addition to the already available ones that let you scroll up and down your card stream by simply flicking your wrist. Finally, support for sending messages with your voice has been expanded to include popular third party apps. So with this update you're able to say something like "OK Google, send a WhatsApp message to George: I'll be right there". And, of course, that will result in George receiving a WhatsApp message containing those exact words. The other apps supported for this functionality are Hangouts, Nextplus, Telegram, Viber, and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_android_wear_update_brings_support_for_speakers_new_gestures-news-16448.php

LG G Flex2 now $199.99 unlocked for a limited time

The first smartphone from a major brand to run on the Snapdragon 810 chipset, the LG G Flex2 was announced at last year's CES and during most of its lifetime was the most affordable high-end device, often costing half of what competitors charged. But if even that was too much for you, you can now pick up one at $199.99 unlocked, in the US at least. There are a few more caveats, as with most such deals. For one, you can only order the Black color option (or as LG calls it - Platinum Silver), and not the flashier Flamenco Red we had for review. It's also an AT&T-branded version, previously locked and subsequently unlocked by carrier. You can expect to find AT&T bloatware installed, and potential updates will be dependent on AT&T's blessing. On the other hand, you'd be getting the better specced version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (there's a lesser 2GB/16GB variant). The self-healing back cover and eye-popping curved body are also carrier-independent features. You have some time to weigh the pros and cons, but don't overthink it - the deal expires in 5 days. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g_flex2_now_19999_unlocked_for_a_limited_time-news-16445.php

Huawei Honor 7 Premium Edition to launch in Europe soon

Today was the official launch of the Huawei Honor 5X for Europe, and it can be purchased via the official online store in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. In the wake of the launch, Huawei teased another device it will be launching very soon in Europe - the Premium Edition of the Honor 7. While there wasn't any official specs sheet in this edition, Huawei detailed its storage - 32GB, and the retail box will be coming with a 9V/2A fast charger. Most of the specs will be the same as on the regular Honor 7 - a metal body with a 5.2" 1080p display, Kirin 935 chip with 3GB of RAM, a 20MP main camera, an 8MP selfie snapper, and a 3,100 mAh battery. You can find even more specs in our Honor 7 database listing. The Premium Edition of Honor 7 for Europe will be available in Gold and Mystery Grey colors. The pricing and exact date are yet to be...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_7_premium_edition_to_launch_in_europe_soon-news-16447.php

Apple Pay is now available at 2 million locations in four markets

Apple Pay was launched in 2014 with the iPhone 6 series and is currently supported by the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and the Apple Watch. The iPad Pro, Air 2, mini 3, and mini 4 can also use Apple Pay but within apps only. Apple had a target of physical 1.5 million locations for the 2015, and it managed to surpass this milestone by a lot. Today Apple Pay is available at more than 2 million locations globally and is continuing its expansion. That's still far from a wide-spread service, but its future sure looks more promising now. The next wave of supported merchants is going to include Chick-Fil-A, Crate & Barrel, and Au Bon Pain. Popular food chains like KFC, Dominos, Chili's, and Cinnabon will be adding Apple Pay later on. Apple Pay will also expand its reach to China later this year. Currently, it is available in four markets - USA, Hong Kong, Spain, and Singapore. Finally, Apple Pay got an enormous increase in in-app payments, a feature not widely advertised but often used nevertheless. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_pay_is_now_available_at_2_million_locations_in_four_markets-news-16444.php

Gionee Elife S8 spotted on Geekbench running the Helio P10 SoC

Last month it became clear that Gionee will follow-up MWC 2015 launch of the Elife S7 with at least one new device lined up for the event this year. By all accounts, that is going to be the Gionee Elife S8, which prior to the February 22 announcement made a quick stop at Geekbench (we are fairly certain GN9011 refers to it). The listing reveals a MediaTek MT6755 SoC, also known as the eight core Helio P10. This falls in line with the legacy of the Elife line, which typically employs MediaTek chips. The benchmark also reported 4GB of RAM on the handset, as well as an Android 6.0 platform. The cited scores are also not bad at 4511 points on multi-core and 1079 on single, courtesy of the ARM Cortex-A53 cores. Sadly, the leak doesn't offer any other information, but Gionee was kind enough to share some more insight on the Elife S8, a while back: At MWC 2016, GIONEE will introduce a new member to its S series - the Elife S8, an innovative mobile device that comes with hassle-free photo-shooting features and a pressure-sensitive display. While a pressure sensitive display is nothing really new, here's to hoping Gionee manages to introduce even more exciting uses for the technology and possibly more compatible and optimized software to make it worthwhile. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_elife_s8_spotted_on_geekbench_running_the_helio_p10_soc-news-16446.php

Adreno 530 (Snapdragon 820 GPU) benchmarked, competition crushed

Everyone is eager to forget the Snapdragon 810 issues and move on to the 820. Early processor benchmarks didn't wipe out the competition, but maybe the new Adreno 530 GPU could impress. Qualcomm promised a 40% performance improvement on top of a 40% power reduction over the Adreno 420 used in the S810. Early GFXBench tests show the difference can be even bigger than expected. Only the iPhone 6s Plus GPU, the PowerVR GT7600 (6-core), comes close and even that one doesn't quite catch up. Even the Google Pixel C (a large tablet with a Nvidia Tegra X1 chipset ) barely wins out. .jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 146px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GFX 3.0 Manhattan (1080p offscreen) Higher is better ??? (Adreno 530) 48 Google Pixel C (Nvidia Maxwell) 48 iPhone 6s Plus (PowerVR GT7600) 39.5 Huawei Nexus 6P (Adreno 430) 25 Galaxy Note5 (Mali-T760MP8) 21 Huawei Mate 8 (Mali-T880 MP4) 17 GFX 3.1 Manhattan (1080p offscreen) Higher is better Google Pixel C (Nvidia Maxwell) 35.5 ??? (Adreno 530) 31.5 Huawei Nexus 6P (Adreno 430) 17 Galaxy Note5 (Mali-T760MP8) 15 Huawei Mate 8 (Mali-T880 MP4) 9.9 This is, of course, assuming the benchmark score is legit. And it says nothing of the promised battery savings. Thanks to madstunt for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/adreno_530_snapdragon_820_gpu_benchmarked_competition_crushed-news-16443.php

Pebble update brings Health data to watch faces, canned responses

Pebble updated both the firmware for its smartwatches and its smartphone apps. The biggest additions are that watch faces can now display Health data (steps counter and sleep tracker) and you can quickly send a text back to someone. Also, Pebble Health is more accurate with the updated firmware. And it can show distance in kilometers (vive la metric system). The watch now supports Cyrillic for notifications and alerts too, making it even more useful for its non-American users. Another new feature is the option to reply with a canned text message whenever someone calls. You can also start a conversation by sending a voice note or emoji to recent and favorite contacts. An additional feature of the firmware is improved Watch-only mode. It disconnects Bluetooth and stops activity tracking to keep showing the time (with backlight and alarms with soft vibration) as long as possible. Performance has been improved too, with smoother animations for the Pebble Time, Time Steel and Time Round. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/pebble_update_brings_health_data_to_watch_faces_canned_responses-news-16441.php

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro shows up on Zauba

Early last week, there were reports that Samsung is working on a Pro variant of its Galaxy A9 smartphone. The variant was said to carry a model number of SM-A9100. Now, the device has been spotted on India's import-export tracking website Zauba. As is the case usually, the Zauba listing of the handset doesn't reveal much, except that it sports a large 6-inch display and carries a price tag of INR 24,179 (around $360). Keep in mind, however, that pricing information on Zauba is not always precise, and that seems to be true in this case given that the standard Galaxy A9 costs $490. As for availability, previous reports have suggested that the Galaxy A9 Pro is aimed at the Chinese market. The standard model - which was launched around Christmas last year - is also currently only available in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a9_pro_spotted_on_zauba-news-16442.php

GoPro discontinues budget HERO series of cameras

GoPro has announced that it will be discontinuing its budget series of HERO cameras. The series consisted of the $300 HERO+ LCD, the $200 HERO+, and the cheapest $130 HERO. The lineup will now only consist of the more expensive HERO4 series of cameras, which includes the tiny $200 HERO4 Session, the $400 HERO4 Silver, and the flagship $500 HERO4 Black. The company is also planning on launching a new HERO5 camera later this year, along with the 4K Karma drone. The drastic change in lineup follows a lackluster quarter, with a 31 percent drop in revenue compared to last year. The company will now focus only on its flagship...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gopro_discontinues_budget_hero_series_of_cameras-news-16439.php

Alleged Xiaomi Mi 5 GFXBench listing and glass back panel spotted online

Xiaomi's own Wanqiang Li and Hugo Barra have both already confirmed that the MI 5 flagship is on its way, most likely scheduled for February 24 and it is definitely shaping up as an exciting offer. We have already seen the phone depicted in renders and even a couple of live shots, but we are yet to catch a glimpse of its glass back, until today, that is. A new photo claims to depict the panel and a few things instantly stand out. For one, the material has a pattern, which rumors failed to reveal. Also, the part is Gold in color, which makes us wonder if other variants will be available as well to go better with the Black, Pink and White, cited for the Mi 5. We can't also fail to mention that the leaked panel is obviously flat, which doesn't fit well with the current info that the back will be curved. Still, the two things aren't necessarily incompatible. The back panel of the Samsung Galaxy Note5 is relatively flat as well when detached from the frame. As for the specs on the Mi 5, we already had a pretty good idea what to expect, but a new GFXBench listing now promises the full story. According to the report, the Xiaomi Mi 5 will have a 5.7-inch, 1080p display and will be powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 820 SoC. This clearly contradicts the 5.5" and 5.2" size reports, as well as QHD resolution, tossed around in the past. Memory will be set at 3GB for RAM and 64GB for storage. We have also heard rumors of another 4GB version, as well as 16GB, 32GB and 128GB storage versions, but all are still largely unconfirmed. GFXBench doesn't mention anything about the camera setup, but from what we have heard, the Xiaomi Mi5 will have a 16MP main shooter with f/2.2 aperture and an 8MP one on the front. Other expected features include Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, BDS, OTG and NFC. The phone is shaping up as a single SIM offer and 4G LTE is a given. Xiaomi's launch event is a few weeks away, but by some accounts, the Mi 5 will also make an appearance at MWC 2016 in Barcelona, so, hopefully, we can catch a first glimpse of the flagship then. It is too early to talk about availability and pricing, but industry sources suggest a price tag of around 2500 CNY. Source 1 (in Chinese) | Source 2 | Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_xiaomi_mi_5_gfxbench_listing_and_glass_back_panel_spotted_online-news-16440.php

Amazon Now brings 2-hour delivery for household items to India

Amazon has introduced the Amazon Now service in India. The service promises two-hour free delivery for household items, such as groceries, food and beverages, cosmetics, and other essentials. The service has to be accessed through the dedicated app, currently only available on Android. The app lists all the items across categories. Amazon will then fetch these items from partner stores, such as Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh, Godrej Nature's Basket, etc. and deliver them to you in minimum of 2-hours if you choose the express delivery option, although you can schedule for a later time as well. The delivery options are free right now as an introductory offer. You also get 20 percent cashback on orders above INR 250, with maximum cashback of INR 100. The service is currently only available in Bangalore in certain regions but should be coming to other regions and cities in future. Download •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_now_brings_2hour_delivery_for_household_items_to_india-news-16438.php

LG G5 Case shows camera setup in detail

The LG G5 has just been confirmed for an MWC announcement on February 21, and with just two weeks until then it's no surprise that the leaks keep coming in. This time we're getting a more detailed look at the rear of the device, and specifically the camera. The all-new dual-camera setup was already featured in a couple of leaks, as well as some case renders, but we now get a peek at what's between those lenses, until now masked by bad lighting or designers lacking detailed drawings. LG G5 case So these new renders reveal a dual-LED flash, but oddly both diodes are the same color, which would suggest that LG went for power instead of color accuracy when designing the flash. Either that, or more plausibly the case maker was only given dimensions and layout, but no color info. Underneath the LEDs there's what appears to be a laser autofocus window, which would make sense given LG's history in the field - the G3, G4 and V10 all employ such tech. The rest is very much inline with what we knew so far - the volume buttons have moved to the side, and the circular power button on the back will double as a fingerprint sensor. Additionally, most of the cases listed on Amazon have March 28 set as their availability date, so by deduction there will be more than a month between the G5's announcement and actual availability. Then again, the case from the above image will be available in just two days, and it's obviously already been manufactured, so at least we know the design is final. Thanks for the tip, Blagovest Alikov! Source 1 Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g5_case_shows_camera_setup_in_detail-news-16437.php

Xperia M4 Aqua will directly be updated to Marshmallow, Sony confirms

Back in June last year, Sony announced a list of devices that it said will be updated to Android 5.1 Lollipop. Notably missing from the list was the Xperia M4 Aqua, which was just three months old then. However, in October, the phone made it to the list of handsets that the company said will get the Marshmallow update, indicating that it'll be a direct jump from Android 5.0 to Android 6.0 for the device. Now, the company has confirmed exactly that. @KarCerKK Regarding your question the Xperia M4 Aqua will skip Android 5.1 and will receive Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).— Sony Xperia (@sonyxperia) February 2, 2016 Responding to a user query on Twitter, the Japanese company confirmed that the M4 Aqua will skip the Android 5.1.1 update, and will directly be updated to Marshmallow. There was, however, no word on when the update would be rolled out. Meanwhile, the Android 5.0 firmware for the phone as well as its Dual variant has been updated by the company in the Nordic region. Head to the Via link below to access the FTF firmware files. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xperia_m4_aqua_will_directly_be_updated_to_marshmallow_sony_confirms-news-16436.php