The Google Store is turning one, so the Nexus 5X and 6P come with $50 off

If are currently on the market for a shiny new Nexus device then now's definitely the time to strike. The Google Store is celebrating its first anniversary and is offering $50 off both the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. This means that you can get the former for as little as $299 and the latter starts at $449. The deal is also not limited to the US alone, as the Canadian store has the offer as well. The search giant is pretty generous in terms of time constraints, as the deal will be live all the way to March 27. It is also worth noting that the slashed price does not affect other current promotions for the devices. This means that purchasing a Nexus 6P will still get you $50 of credit towards a Huawei Watch. And as an additional deal reminder, signing up to Project Fi can get you up to $150 off the Nexus 5X and over in India, the device also comes with a special price - about $60 down and now retailing for INR 27,900 ($415) for the 16GB model . Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_google_store_is_turning_one_so_the_nexus_5x_and_6p_come_with_50_off-news-17201.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 keeps region lock, but that shouldn't concern you

Its officially happening, the first wave of Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units have reached eager customers across Europe and a small storm seems to be brewing online. It concerns a rather inconspicuous black sticker, found on the box of unlocked units, reading - "EUROPEAN SIM CARD ONLY". Why would the Unlocked phone, you payed top dollar for be locked after all? Is it a mistake? It must be serious since it is all caps. Well, it is all natural and nothing to get alarmed over. Your phone has a regional lock in place, bounding it to only European SIM cards, but it is very temporary. To be exact, it only takes five minutes worth of call time on a compatible network and then all restrictions are off. This is actually something Samsung has been doing for a few years now and it was only natural that the SM-G930F and SM-G935F would have the protection in place as well. It is a protection mechanism aimed at gray market re-sellers, who might try to offer Unlocked EU units in places they weren't meant to go. The bottom line is, if you are from Europe and currently have a Samsung Galaxy S7 box in front of you with the infamous sticker, you should simply relax and enjoy your shiny new phone. You've probably removed the lock by the time you finished bragging to all your friends about...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/your_new_unlocked_samsung_galaxy_s7_is_still_sort_of_region_locked_but_heres_why_it_shouldnt_concern-news-17200.php

Third-party app brings Always On Display to the Samsung Z3

Always on displays are definitely not a novice concept(remember how elegantly old STN displays used to handle the task?), but rather one of those ideas that is making a comeback as the tech world is rediscovering its appeal. This year it seems many of the new flagship offers, like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the LG G5 are rekindling the functionality, the latter even going to great lengths to do it with an LCD screen, so, Always on is back in style. Naturally, this has resulted in a spike withing the developer realm to bring new implementations of the feature, which OEMs seems to be currently launching only on new flagship models. Older models can quickly be mended through the use of a tird-party solution, like AcDisplay from the Google Play Store. Now app developer Amit Kushwaha has given Tizen users the opportunity to experience always-on as well. The app in question is specifically designed for the Samsung Z3, which, unlike its other smaller Tizen-powered Samsung sibling, the Z1, does have an AMOLED screen and is more than happy to light up a few pixels for an extended period of time, without killing the battery. In its current state, the software can only display an analog clock and a date. It can also use the phone's proximity sensor to turn itself off when inside a pocket. As per the description and the developer's own report, a digital clock option is also on the way, but, sadly, users shouldn't expect notification display any time soon, as the required API is not accessible on the still developing Tizen OS. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/thirdparty_app_brings_always_on_display_to_the_tizenpowered_samsung_z3-news-17198.php

More curved-edge display smartphones coming, Xiaomi Mi Note 2 next?

Samsung pioneered in the field of curved edge displays with the Galaxy Note Edge, and has since toned down the implementation to gentler curves but on both sides with the Galaxy S6 edge, S6 edge+ and now the latest S7 edge. Other manufacturers are starting to join in on the fun, for example Vivo with the recently announced Xplay5. Reports are coming in that Samsung will be (or in fact already is) selling curved displays to other Chinese makers, including Xiaomi. The rumor has it, Xiaomi's Mi Note 2 will be the next in line to have an extra bit of flair on the sides. The current Mi Note, already a couple of months past the usual one-year life cycle, is due to be replaced some time soon and the successor will allegedly feature such a display. The other manufacturer that's been mentioned is Huawei, and with costly curved edge displays destined to come in flagships only at this point, it's likely we're talking about a potential future Mate, possibly the successor to the Mate S. On the other hand, the Huawei P9 is coming in less than a month, and while leaks of its dual-camera setup on the back have been abundant, the front was only featured in a single render and never photographed in the wild. To be fair, we are clutching at straws here, it may end up being all smoke and no fire. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/more_curvededge_displays_coming_xiaomi_mi_note_2_next-news-17199.php

Here's how to roll back from Android N to Marshmallow on your Nexus

If the title peaked your interest, then we probably don't need to fill you in on the fact that Google released an early Android N build a couple of days ago, along with a Beta program to easily receive updates over the air. If you are anything like us, then you probably ignored the bugs and stability warnings and might currently be in a situation where your phone isn't exactly 100% usable and that fact eventually managed to outweigh the Android N bragging rights. Naturally, you can always manually flash a Marshmallow build back to your handset, or any custom ROM for that matter, but if you are after a more streamlined solution, Google has you covered. The Beta program seems to work with the same ease both ways. To roll back to the latest Android Marshmallow build, you simply have to go back to same page, where you opted to participate in the Beta and click the UNENROLL DEVICE button. This will result in an OTA being send to your unit within minutes, which is also stated in the confirmation prompt. But unless you clicked it out of curiosity, you probably weren't in the know about the reverse OTA. However, be advised that any path you chose to swap Android N back to an earlier OS build will result in a restart and a data wipe. So, be sure to back everything up if you haven't...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/heres_how_to_roll_back_from_android_n_to_marshmallow_on_your_nexus-news-17197.php

Oppo's upcoming R9 and R9 Plus have their full specs leaked

Scheduled to be unveiled next week, both Oppo R9 and R9 Plus have already passed through TENAA, giving us a good idea about their specs. Now, leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka @OnLeaks) has leaked the complete specifications for both devices. The specs leaked by @OnLeaks are more or less inline with what TENAA revealed (except for internal storage). Also, the rumor that the Plus variant has the Snapdragon 652 inside is corroborated by the new leak. The Oppo R9 will sport a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen and pack in an octa-core processor. Other specs of the device will include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, 2,850 mAh battery, and 16MP/13MP camera combo. The R9 Plus will come with a 6-inch 1080p display and be powered by the Snapdragon 652 chipset. It will also have 4GB of RAM, but offer 64GB and 128GB internal memory options. Both rear and front cameras will come complete with 16MP sensors while a 4,120mAh battery will provide the juice. Oppo has been running a teaser campaign for the R9, revealing features like VOOC fast charging and fingerprint sensor. Both R9 and R9 Plus will be announced on March 17, and are expected to carry price tags of RMB 2,498 (around $385) and RMB 2,998 (around...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppos_upcoming_r9_and_r9_plus_have_their_full_specs_leaked-news-17196.php

LG Lancet gets large price cut, now available for just $75

The Windows Phone 8.1-powered LG Lancet smartphone has received a large price cut. The device, which was launched last year, is now listed on Microsoft's US Store website for $74.99. That's a discount of over $100 if you're considering purchasing it from the Redmond, Washington-based company's online store, where it usually sells for $179.00. However, keep in mind that the handset costs around $120 if you directly buy it from Verizon. Specs-wise, the phone packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset and sports a 4.5-inch display. It comes with 8GB of expandable internal memory and features an 8MP rear camera...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_lg_lancet_gets_hefty_price_cut_now_available_for_just_75-news-17195.php

LG G5 to cost CAD300 on-contract in Canada, CAD800 sans agreement

While we already know that LG's newest flagship - the G5 - will go on sale in Canada on April 8, there has been no word on its price all this while. That, however, was until now as a couple of Canadian carriers have revealed the device's pricing information. Fido will be offering the handset for as low as $300 on a 2-year contract (depending on the plan, the cost may go up to $550), and $800 without any agreement. Similarly, Rogers will also be charging as low as $299.99 on contract and $799.99 if you purchase it outright. Other carriers like Wind Mobile still haven't put any price tag on the device, but we assume there won't be much of a difference. Aside from the three carriers mentioned here, the G5 will also be offered by Bell, Telus, Eastlink, MTS, SaskTel, and Videotron. Source (Fido) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/canadians_will_be_able_to_buy_lg_g5_for_300_oncontract_800_sans_agreement-news-17193.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge available for $700 in US

If you are in the United States, and are planning to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, you'll be glad to know that you can currently get it at the price of Galaxy S7. eBay seller 232tech is currently selling the new Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB) for $700, which is down $100 when compared to carrier locked variants at the moment and $200 cheaper if you purchase the phone outright. The unit on offer is unlocked and carries a model number of SM-G935F, which means that it's an international model. What's worth reminding here is that unlike US models (which pack in SD820 chipset), international Galaxy S7/S7 edge models are powered by the latest Exynos SoC. Available in gold color option, the phone is only compatible with GSM carriers. Source (eBay) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_available_for_700_in_us-news-17194.php

Nintendo's first mobile game Miitomo launching next week

Back in January, Nintendo confirmed that its first mobile game - dubbed Miitomo - will launch in March. And now, the Japanese company has revealed the launch date: March 17, which is Thursday next week. The revelation was made in a Tweet. スマホアプリ『Miitomo』の配信開始日が、2016年3月17日(木)に決定しました。なお、事前登録については3月16日の昼12時に受付終了しますので、お早めにご登録ください。 https://t.co/YbsKcr8qM7 pic.twitter.com/bTATmK1qHi— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) March 11, 2016 The game was initially set to arrive at the end of the last year, but was delayed to March citing promotional reasons. Pre-registrations for the app began last month, and they'll be closed on March 16, a day before the launch. As we've already told you before, Miitomo doesn't appear to be a game in true sense - it's more of a chat app that allows users to create and customize their Miis, through which they interact with other users in real...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nintendos_first_mobile_game_miitomo_launching_next_week-news-17192.php

Pre-orders suggest Galaxy S7/S7 edge more popular than previous Galaxy flagships in Europe

Samsung has revealed that the total number of pre-orders it received for its newest flagships - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - in Europe was over 2.5 times more than what it received for previous Galaxy phones in the region. People standing in line for new Samsung flagships The revelation, which was made by the Netherlands subsidiary of the South Korean company on its website, came just days after Samsung's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin said that Galaxy S7/S7edge pre-orders have been stronger than what the company was expecting. Samsung Netherlands also revealed that of the two flagships, the edge variant is more popular, accounting for a total of 61% pre-orders placed in Europe. In case you missed, the flagships officially went on sale worldwide yesterday. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/number_of_galaxy_s7_s7_edge_preorders_in_europe_were_over_25_times_greater_than_previous_galaxy_flag-news-17191.php

Galaxy S7 could help you use Chromecast on hotel Wi-Fi with web-based login

You know this has happened to you before: You are going on a trip which involves staying overnight in a hotel so when you pack you are thinking to yourself: "I should pack my Chromecast too!" So you roll the USB cable up with your Chromecast and stuff it into a suitcase while you think about what a genius you are. Next, you get to your hotel room, hopefully it has a TV with HDMI ports. Then you plug your Chromecast in and power it up, only to realize that you cannot use it because in order to use your hotel's Wi-Fi, you need to use a web-based login page to gain access to the internet. You are like "Daaaamnnnn, I can't use my Chromecast. UGH! Maybe I can tether to my phone." But if you don't have unlimited data, you might hate yourself. But as it turns out, with the Galaxy S7, (In theory, as I haven't tried this myself) you'd be able to log into the web-based hotel Wi-Fiwith your phone, accept the terms and blah blah blah (now here's where it gets interesting). There's a feature on the Galaxy S7 (and edge) called Wi-Fi sharing. It allows your phone to act as a Wi-Fi repeater to retransmit the signal of another Wi-Fi network. All you have to do is the following: Log into hotel Wi-Fi using phone Turn on Wi-Fi tethering Factory reset your Chromecast with the app Set up Chromecast with phone's hotspot Mooch off hotel Wi-Fi To turn the Wi-Fi sharing feature off, you can go to Settings >> Mobile hotspot and tethering >> and tap on the MORE tab. Now, I don't have an S7 unit myself, so I cannot confirm if a secondary device is needed to control the Chromecast or if you can use the S7 to control the Chromecast directly. If you have an S7 and would like to try this out, let us know in the comments if you are able to tether your Chromecast to your S7 AND control the Chromecast WITH your S7. Via |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s7_could_help_you_use_chromecast_on_hotel_wifi_with_webbased_login-news-17190.php

New Galaxy S7 edge ad featuring Lil' Wayne pouring a bottle of champagne on his phone

One of the main reasons Samsung has been so successful alongside Apple in the past several years was by matching Apple's advertising campaigns and promoting the crap out of these phones. Samsung has already been promoting the Galaxy S7 a lot even before it launched today. Samsung started by throwing in a Gear VR with a pre-order of the new phone. Then, Samsung USA released three new ads a couple of weeks ago, next, a man with a jetpack flew alongside the Dublin River in a stunt coordinated with Samsung Ireland to promote the Galaxy S7. And finally today, Samsung released three new ads all featuring Lil' Wayne, the most notable of which shows Lil Wayne pouring a bottle of champagne all over a Galaxy S7 and then dunking it into a fishtank. Samsung really wants to make sure viewers KNOW this phone is fully submersible in water. Check out the ads released today featuring Lil' Wayne: And in case you missed them, check out the other bunch of ads that came out a couple of weeks ago. My favorite ads of the bunch are "Water" and "The Dark". I have to say after seeing the previous bunch of ads, they are all really good. The ads do a great job of building up a point and then slapping you in the face with the reality of why you need to get the Galaxy...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_galaxy_s7_edge_ad_featuring_lil_wayne_pouring_a_bottle_of_champagne_on_his_phone-news-17189.php

Deal: Moto X Pure Edition just $300 at Amazon, Best Buy and Motorola.com

(Also known as the Moto X Style outside the US) If you've been looking for a deal on the Moto X Pure Edition, look no further. Motorola's last phablet is slimming down its price across multiple retailers both online and brick and mortar. Best Buy has the phone available either shipped from virtual shelves or you can walk into a store and pick up the black model. Though, it'd be a good idea to check your local store's inventory before making the trip. If you don't feel like going anywhere and would rather let Amazon ship the phone to you with two-day Prime shipping, you can choose between a white and black model. And if you don't want either black or white, you can even design your own Moto X Pure Edition directly on Moto Maker! Even Motorola's official website has slashed the price of the Moto X. So you can customize your Moto X to exactly how you want it to look and still pay the same $300 discount price. That's a great deal for a great phone. The Moto X is compatible with all GSM and CDMA networks in the US including Sprint and Verizon. The Moto X features a Snapdragon 808 chipset paired with 3GB of RAM and Adreno 418 graphics. There's a large 5.7 inch LCD display big enough to enjoy photos taken with the 21MP rear facing camera. There is also a microSD card slot to store up to 128GB of your media library. Best Buy | Amazon | Moto Maker |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/deal_moto_x_pure_edition_just_300_at_amazon_best_buy_and_motorolacom-news-17188.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 review: A refinement act

Close your eyes and picture the Samsung Galaxy S6, but the way you wanted it to be, not the way it came out. Now open them and look at the Galaxy S7. Better? Let's see.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7-review-1408.php

MIUI 7.2 starts hitting a second batch of Xiaomi devices

Last week, Xiaomi announced the roll-out of version 7.2 of its MIUI ROM, revealing that the update will hit devices in batches. The first batch that got the update included the Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi Note Pro, Mi 4c, Mi Pad 1, Redmi Note 4G (Single SIM), and Redmi 1S. The good news is that the update has started hitting the second batch of devices, too. These should include the Mi Note, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Mi 2/2S, Mi Pad 2, Redmi 3, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 4G (Dual SIM), Redmi Note 3G, Redmi 2A, and Redmi 2. If your device falls in the second batch, you'll soon received an OTA notification, if not already. Alternatively, those feeling impatient can also download the update package from official MIUI website (head to the MIUI link below). Via |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/miui_72_starts_hitting_a_second_batch_of_xiaomi_devices-news-17171.php

Use Samsung Pay on your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, get a free $30 gift card

Samsung has launched yet another promotional offer hoping to help the adoption of its mobile payments service. This one is aimed at fresh owners of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge duo, handsets which only became available today (though pre-orders have been shipped three days ago). It's simple, really. Set up Samsung Pay on your S7 or S7 edge, make an in-store payment using the service, and you'll receive a free $30 gift card. If you use Bank of America debit cards or private label cards to complete that first transaction though, you won't be eligible for the gift card. As for the gift cards themselves, you can choose one from the following merchants: Best Buy, eBay, Whole Foods, Nike, or Regal Cinema. After you've made the aforementioned qualifying transaction using Samsung Pay, you'll see a pop-up informing you about the gift card offer, which is when you choose one of these merchants. The pretty obvious caveat is that the promo is US-only. Also, it's only going to be valid until March...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/use_samsung_pay_on_your_galaxy_s7_or_s7_edge_get_a_free_30_gift_card-news-17187.php

Samsung's 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablet is now available at Verizon

If you've wanted to pick up one of Samsung's huge, 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablets but for some reason decided to make your purchase from a carrier, then this is for you. The tablet which was initially announced back in October of last year is now up for grabs from Verizon. You can get it using a device payment plan, in which case you'll shell out $24.99 per month for two years. Or if you want to just pay the whole sum upfront, that will be $599.99. On the other hand, if you sign one of those old-fashioned two-year service agreements, the tablet will be yours for $499.99. You can add the Galaxy View to an existing Verizon plan for an amount that starts at $10 per month. The tablet comes with 4G LTE support, of course, as well as an 18.4-inch 1080p touchscreen, the Exynos 7580 chipset (with a 1.6 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, a 2.1 MP front-facing camera, and a 5,700 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1.1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_184inch_galaxy_view_tablet_is_now_available_at_verizon-news-17185.php

Microsoft Lumia 650 is now up for pre-order in the US and Canada, ships by April 1

Well, that didn't take long. Just yesterday Microsoft said availability details for the Lumia 650 in the US would be coming later this week, and here we are one day later and the phone is already up for pre-order. That's right, if you live in the US (or Canada) and insist on being among the first people in North America to sport a Lumia 650, you can pre-order one now for $199 (or CAD 199) straight from Microsoft's online store. The "ships by" date is the same for both countries - April 1 (and hopefully not a joke). That price obviously nets you an unlocked device, and one that even comes with dual-SIM functionality (which isn't something usually seen in North America). The Lumia 650 has a 5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP selfie cam, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 chipset at the helm (featuring a 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 1GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, LTE, and a 2,000 mAh battery. It runs Windows 10 Mobile. Source 1 • Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_650_is_now_up_for_preorder_in_the_us_and_canada_ships_by_april_1-news-17186.php

Apple software SVP says closing recent apps does not improve battery life

It is a question that seems to bother most smartphone users at one point or another - what happens to an app once its closed and is it eating away at that all-important battery life. It is a pretty valid concern and you can easily hear pretty convincing arguments on both sides, so it is quite understandable that one iPhone user decided to take it up with Tim Cook himself. We are far from the idea that this is the first such question to arrive on Apple's email servers, but it is one of those rare occasions when the person actually got a response. It wasn't from Tim Cook, but rather from Apple iOS chief Craig Federighi, who is arguably even more qualified to provide an answer. The response itself was short and straight to the point, leaving no room for hesitation - a resounding NO. This is probably the firmest somewhat official stance Apple has ever taken on the issue and the reply does fit nicely with previous examples of such email responses, like the ones Steve Jobs used to send out quite frequently. Plus, the email headers have already been verified for authenticity and everything checks out. The only thing missing from the response, however, is any form of clarification. We won't dig too deep into the matter, but we do feel it is necessary to mention that background tasks and services are very much a thing on iOS. That being said, a closed app is pretty much suspended and not using any notable resources on your device, but any app that has background syncing of any sorts, still uses up resources, battery and data, just take Facebook for instance. Thankfully, iOS has the Background App Refresh menu to help you with managing such activities, so you can generally mend any such drainage yourself, assuming the lack of app bugs that is. And as for forcefully closing Apps, Apple suggests you only reserve that as a drastic measure when something hands or misbehaves in any...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_software_svp_says_closing_recent_apps_does_not_improve_battery_life-news-17184.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 camera sensors compared: Sony vs. Samsung

Samsung unveiled its own camera with Dual Pixel autofocus, a 12MP unit just like the Sony IMX260. And both of those are used in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. But which one did you get? Does it even matter? You can use AIDA64 to check, under Devices you'll find a Camera ID field that says either SONY_IMX260 or SLSI_S5K2L1 (this is the Samsung one). Taskumuro procured phones with both camera sensors and went on a shooting expedition. The results show that there are indeed some differences, but there's no clear winner. The Sony sensor has the edge in some shots, the Samsung comes out ahead in others. So, there's no win or lose here. Samsung Galaxy S7 camera sample: Samsung sensor • Sony Sensor Thanks for the excellent work, Juha! Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_camera_sensors_compared_sony_vs_samsung-news-17183.php

Sony is seeding an early Marshmallow build to Z3, Z3 Compact and Z2 Xperia Beta participants

Sony is working hard to bring Android Marshmallow to its users. Naturally, the process started with the Xperia Z5 and more recently, the Z5 Compact, with the Z5 Premium is expected to join in any time now. However, the Japanese giant has also made a commitment to bring Android 6 to a slew of other devices across its lineup, going as far back as the Z3, Z3 Compact and even the Z2. Today, these three models are seeing their first taste of Marshmallow, but there are a few clarifications to be made. Sony is indeed seeding an Android 6.0.1 build for the Z3, Z3 Compact and Z2, but it is an early Beta release and only available for devices participating in the Xperia Beta program. For those who aren't in the know, the test was launched a few months back and limited to the following European countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany. The build in question bears the number 23.5.A.0.486 and although it is a higher version than the 6.0 ROM currently seeding to the Z5 and Z5 Compact, they actually contain security patches up until December 2015, instead of the current February 2016 ones. This is because, as we already mentioned, the builds are very early and intended as a beta test for future OTAs on these older Xperia models. It is also worth noting that we are talking about a release candidate software of sorts, that should eventually make its way to a full release, as opposed to the conceptual builds from last October, which were more or less and idea playground. We are happy to report that users will not only be getting the Google-provided new features, like Dozing and runtime app permissions, but also new Xperia software, like the much-needed camera app overhaul, as well as the new Xperia...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_is_seeding_an_early_marshmallow_build_to_z3_z3_compact_and_z2_xperia_beta_participants-news-17182.php

Samsung quietly outs the Galaxy Tab A (2016)

We have been having a pair of Samsung tablets on the radar for quite some time now - the Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab E. Now we learn that the former was quietly announced and is now listed on the company website. The listing in question can be found across a multitude of Samsung regional websites, but the German one seems to have the most details. In terms of specs, the device is rather modest and features a 7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. Underneath the hood is a quad-core processor, clocked at 1.3 GHz and 1.5GB of RAM. On-board storage is just 8GB, but thankfully there is a microSD card slot as well. The camera setup consists of a 5MP main shooter and a 2MP selfie one. The Galaxy Tab A boots Android 5.1 Lollipop, possibly with an all new Kinds Mode by Samsung and is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery. Available color options seem to include the basic black and white and we didn't manage to spot a network-enabled version to add on to the natural Wi-Fi connectivity, but maybe it will be made available as well. As for pricing, some early retailer listings suggest €169,00. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_quietly_outs_the_galaxy_tab_a_2016-news-17181.php

Galaxy S7 promotional video features a jetpack guy flying along a river

What would you do if you're tasked with creating a promotional video for your company's latest flagship phone? Rope in a guy with jetpack and record him flying along a river? Sounds weird? Well, Samsung did just that to promote the Galaxy S7 - see video below. The 30-second stunt was pulled off by Guinness World Record holder Nick Macomber, who took the flight along Dublin's River Liffey before landing on a raft with Samsung Galaxy S7 branding. According to Samsung Ireland, Macomber did what he did to deliver the flagship smartphone, although we aren't sure to whom. And he's off! The JetPack Man just took to the skies in Dublin to deliver a #GalaxyS7 #S7ANewPerspective pic.twitter.com/DIJTCOKKvn— Samsung Ireland (@samsungireland) March 9, 2016 In case you missed, the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge officially launched today around the world - in 60 countries to be specific. While the deal was originally associated with pre-orders, those in the US and Germany still get a free Gear VR headset with each purchase of either of the handsets. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s7_promotional_video_features_a_jetpack_guy_flying_along_dublins_river_liffey-news-17180.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge now on sale

No more pre-orders - the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge are now on sale. This also means some of you missed your chance to score a free Gear VR. Not US buyers, though, there you get a free Gear VR and a 6-game bundle (an estimated value of $150). Vodafone Germany will also throw in a Gear VR if you buy a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. O2 Germany is giving you a free 32GB card instead. In the UK, O2 offers a half deal - the Gear VR is half price when you buy an S7 (before April 21). EE is throwing in a 32GB microSD, a Juice Wireless charger and a screen...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_and_s7_edge_now_on_sale-news-17176.php

Nexus 5X discounted on the Google Store till March 27 in India

While India gets ready to celebrate Holi, Google decided to join the festivities with a sizable discount on the Nexus 5X. If you buy the Nexus 5X from the Google Store, you can get an INR 4,000 ($60) discount on the MRP. Currently, the phone is priced at INR 27,900 ($415) for the 16GB model and INR 31,900 ($475) for the 32GB model without the discount. Of course, some of the other retailers like Amazon and Flipkart have been offering the Nexus 5X at even lower prices for a while now but this discount does close the gap a bit. The discount is valid until March 27. Unfortunately, it is limited to the Nexus 5X and not available on the Nexus...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nexus_5x_discounted_on_the_google_store_till_march_27_in_india-news-17177.php

Huawei P9 leaks in more live photos

The Huawei P9 hasn't exactly been keeping a low profile despite the fact that it is yet to be announced. The smartphone has been featured extensively in various leaks over the past few months, which is generally a good thing, but once overdone is now causing more confusion than anything else. We've seen a couple of different renders of the P9 with rather contrasting design features, but a newly leaked set of live photos seems to coincide quite closely with the most recent batch of renders, finally providing some proof of the alleged final design. The Huawei P9 will have a thin metal body, with a plastic insert on the back, quite reminiscent of the Huawei P8 or the P8lite. The dual rear camera setup also seems to be confirmed, although we are yet to learn any definite specifics about the shooters. There have been rumors stating that in light of the recent partnership with Leica, the P9 could be the first mobile device to feature camera tech and possibly even software by the photography legend. As for the rest of the specs on the Huawei P9, the rumors are abundant but also somewhat confusing. There might be as many as four variants of the handset, but we have come to expect something along the lines of a 5.2-inch display, the company's latest Kirin 950 SoC and 4GB of RAM, perhaps even a whopping 6GB in the top-tier model. Huawei recently announced an unveiling event for April 6 this year where the P9 will be the star attraction. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p9_leaks_again_in_live_photos-news-17174.php

Plants vs. Zombies Heroes gets a soft launch in select countries

EA has launched the next game in the Plants vs. Zombies series. Called Heroes, the ew game is a bit of a departure from the previous two mobile games in the series. While the first two games were essentially tower defense, the new game combines a bit of that with a whole lot of card play. The game has a whole bunch of new characters, which are introduced in the game through cards, similar to games like Hearthstone. You can choose from the new primary characters and then form a team of secondary characters that will be be deployed during the battle. Like the new Clash Royale, Heroes also includes online multiplayer. You can play as either the plants or the zombies. The game is now available on iOS and Android in select regions. Android •...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/plants_vs_zombies_heroes_gets_a_soft_launch_in_select_countries-news-17173.php

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 gets 20% price cut in India

Launched in India just a couple of months ago, the Surface Pro 3 has received a solid price cut in the country. The 2-in-1 detachable is now listed on Amazon India for INR 58,990 (around $880), down from its launch price of INR 73,990 (around $1,100). For those who aren't aware, the Surface Pro 3 landed in India in January this year, although only in a single variant that comes with Core i3, 4GB RAM, and 128GB storage. The 12-inch device runs Windows 10 Pro out-of-the-box. A quick look at the Microsoft US store reveals that the same variant is currently available there for $599, down from its usual price of $899. Source (Amazon India) | Microsoft Store...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_surface_pro_3_receives_20_price_cut_in_india-news-17170.php

Oppo's upcoming R9 to feature a fingerprint scanner that unlocks in 0.2 seconds

Given that Oppo's upcoming R9 smartphone is scheduled to be made official on March 17 (next week), the company has been running a teaser campaign for the device over the last couple of weeks. Continuing the campaign, a couple of new teasers have been released by the company revealing that the R9 will feature a front-facing fingerprint sensor capable of unlocking the phone in just 0.2 seconds. In addition, the Chinese company also reportedly dropped hints about the handset being ideal for making mobile payments - if you recall, there have already been reports that several smartphone manufacturers in China are planning to release their own payments service, although Oppo wasn't named explicitly. Coming back to the R9, the device (along with the R9 Plus) has already been spotted on TENAA, revealing a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen and a 1.95 GHz octa-core processor. Other specs include 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, 2,850 mAh battery, and two 16 MP cameras. As for the price, the handset is expected to carry a tag of RMB 2,498, which translates into around $385 at current exchange...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppos_upcoming_r9_to_feature_a_fingerprint_scanner_that_unlocks_in_02_seconds-news-17172.php

New Waze for Android update brings smart reminders, reduces battery consumption

The Android client of the Google-owned navigation app Waze has received a new update that bumps the version to 4.0 and brings along some new features like smart reminders, as well as various improvements. The updated app now gives you traffic- as well as drive times-based (in short: smart) reminders to leave on time for your Calendar events. The update also includes new ETA panel which is aimed at organizing everything you need in one place. "View reports, check alternate routes, add a stop on the way, or instantly send ETA to friends and family," the change-log says. In addition, the app now requires fewer taps for things like starting a drive as well as sending locations and directions. And finally, Google claims that the update reduces the app's battery consumption significantly. Source (Google...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_waze_for_android_update_brings_redesigned_reporting_menu_trafficbased_reminders-news-17169.php

MIUI 7.2 starts hitting second batch of Xiaomi devices

Last week, Xiaomi announced the roll-out of version 7.2 of its MIUI ROM, revealing that the update will hit devices in batches. The first batch that got the update included the Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi Note Pro, Mi 4c, Mi Pad 1, Redmi Note 4G (Single SIM), and Redmi 1S. The good news is that the update has started hitting the second batch of devices, too. These should include the Mi Note, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Mi 2/2S, Mi Pad 2, Redmi 3, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 4G (Dual SIM), Redmi Note 3G, Redmi 2A, and Redmi 2. If your device falls in the second batch, you'll soon received an OTA notification, if not already. Alternatively, those feeling impatient can also download the update package from official MIUI website (head to the MIUI link below). Via |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/miui_72_starts_hitting_second_batch_of_xiaomi_devices-news-17171.php

Q Motion is Fossil's first wearable that tracks sleep

Watch and accessories company Fossil has updated its Q series of wearables with a new device. Dubbed Q Motion, the wearable is basically a cylindrical shaped tracker that not only tracks user's activity, but sleep, too - making it the first wearable fitness device from Fossil to do so. Being an activity tracker, the Q Motion obviously tracks your movements. In addition, it also vibrates whenever user receives smartphone notifications - the device is capable of filtering notifications through its companion app installed on the user's phone. The wearable also includes a "smart tap" feature that, as the name suggests, lets you tap on the device a set number of times to initiate actions like playing music on your phone, finding your phone, and taking a selfie. The Q Motion will be on display at SXSW next week. It will go on sale sometime this summer carrying a $95 price...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/q_motion_is_fossils_first_wearable_that_tracks_sleep-news-17168.php

Samsung Z1 successor reportedly in the works

Samsung has outed a couple of Tizen-powered phones until now: the modestly-specced Z1 and a comparatively more powerful (although still entry-level) Z3. While the former was launched back in January last year, the latter arrived in October. Now, there are reports that a successor to the Z1 is in the works. Samsung Z1 The Z1(2016) is said to carry a model number of SM-Z150, and feature an AMOLED display like the Z3. Aside from this, nothing else is currently known about the handset, including when it's going to be available and what price tag it will carry. The report comes just a few weeks after an SM-Z510 - which is alleged to be the Samsung Z5 - was spotted listed on Zauba. Assuming that the Z1(2016) and the alleged Z5 are different phones, the latter could well be the successor to the Samsung...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_z1_successor_reportedly_in_the_works-news-17167.php

Samsung announces global launch of its Galaxy S7/S7 edge flagship smartphones

While it was already confirmed that Samsung's newest flagship smartphones - the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - will officially go on sale starting March 11, the company has now made a formal announcement in this regard. "Samsung Electronics today announced the commercial launch of its new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge around the globe including US, Europe, Singapore, Australia and Korea, starting from today," the South Korean tech giant said in a post on its website today. In case you missed, Samsung's mobile chief Koh Dong-jin has already confirmed that the handsets will be available in 60 countries in the first wave of their global launch. Just yesterday, he revealed that pre-orders for the devices have been stronger than what the company was...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_announces_global_launch_of_its_galaxy_s7_s7_edge_flagship_smartphones-news-17166.php

A couple more photos of the HTC One M10 leak ahead of phone's launch

HTC, is taking its sweet time preparing for the launch of the HTC One M10 also codenamed ‘HTC Perfume' in even earlier leaks. Perhaps it's waiting for all the Samsung Galaxy S7 hype to be over before releasing its newest flagship. After seeing the rear of the phone in leaks, renders and teasers, I finally understand why HTC decided to go with such a large chamfered edge. It's more for ergonomics than aesthetics. The oversized chamfer gives the edges of the rear of the device a tapered edge, such that will make holding the device a more pleasurable experience. #HTC #HTC10 @angt29 via @tanalibera https://t.co/rASj57rJ3D pic.twitter.com/QawIhPxcDI— Steve Hemmerstoffer (@stagueve) March 10, 2016 The front of the device gives us a look at the homescreen of the device and judging by that weather widget, we could assume this leak originates from Beijing. We can also see a fingerprint scanner right below the screen now joined by two capacitive buttons on either side. A departure from the on screen buttons of the HTC One M9. The company hasn't been doing so hot in the past couple of years so let's hope this phone will be HTC's game changer for the year. If it doesn't, at least HTC could pray that its alleged future partnership with Google could help get it out of deeper...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/a_couple_more_photos_of_the_htc_one_m10_leak_ahead_of_phones_launch-news-17165.php

Reminder: 3G-enabled Samsung Gear S2 Classic goes on sale tomorrow

Everyone seems to have forgotten about Samsung's 3G-connected smartwatch which is also set to go on sale at the same time as the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. March 11, the same day as the official release of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Among all the madness of news surrounding the impending launch of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Samsung's Gear S2 Classic will be going on sale at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The only carrier who bothered to put a pre-order link on their website is AT&T which shows the pricing at $250 with 2-year service agreement. Which is still crazy for such a device but I guess when you consider the monthly service fee for maintaining a connected watch, it KINDA justifies it? The Gear S2 Classic is a smartwatch which features a more traditional watch design on the rotary-style dial and metal bodies with interchangeable bands. Source | AT&T pre-order...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/reminder_3genabled_samsung_gear_s2_classic_goes_on_sale_tomorrow_-news-17164.php

LINE introduces new group calls for up to 200 people

LINE brings you a new way to talk to people, a way that you might never have to use, but if you want to, you can! LINE is bringing group voice calls to chat groups of up to 200 people. "Calls can be initiated from within group chats or multiple person chats, and a notification message will be sent to all of the users participating in the chat. The number of people currently participating in the call can also be confirmed from within the chat. An icon is displayed above the user icon of the person currently speaking at the time, enabling users to easily communicate with each other." The feature is first rolling out to all countries outside of Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia. These countries will follow soon after. These countries hold a huge chunk of LINE's users and an update like this needs to be rolled out in stages. The feature is expected to come to LINE for Mac shortly after. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/line_introduces_new_group_calls_for_up_to_200_people_-news-17163.php

T-Mobile demoing Gear VR in Times Square

T-Mobile is usually the one to go all out with trash talking the other carriers, wireless promotions, and T-Mobile has also been aggressively advertising for a while now. Today is no different when T-Mobile set up its own transparent booths with hand-rails for passers-by of New York City to stop, try the Gear VR, take pictures, and talk about it to their friends. "Have you seen that VR thing? Oh, MAN, you gotta try it!" Surely enough, the reps that are aiding with setting up the demos for every person must be telling them about T-Mobile's buy-one-get-one-free deal for the New Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which is to be officially released tomorrow. Feast your 👀! Rock the #GalaxyS7 and the #GearVR at our #RealityCheck event in Times Square right NOW! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yJEez4TO9m— T-Mobile (@TMobile) March 10, 2016 Samsung is also clever to give these Gear VRs away for every customer who pre-orders the new smartphone. It is difficult to get people to buy something they don't know if they need, but by throwing it in for free, Samsung should be able to leverage more Gear VR units off the shelves by word of mouth. T-Mobile's official twitter account has been tweeting photos of the all the fun. Today was a beautiful day in New York and T-Mobile is taking advantage of the thousands of people who have come out to enjoy the incoming spring...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_demoing_gear_vr_in_times_square-news-17162.php

LG G5 arrives in the US in early April with free second battery and charging cradle

LG has announced that its recently unveiled G5 flagship smartphone is going to land in the US sometime in early April. Oddly enough the company hasn't revealed the actual release date for the handset, but that could very well be April 8 - because the G5 is launching on that day in both Canada and the UK. You'll find the G5 in stock at such carriers and retailers as AT&T, Best Buy, B&H, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon. Prices are still not known though. Emulating a promotion that we've seen run many times for last year's G4 and V10, LG will give people who buy a G5 in the US a free second battery and charging cradle. This offer will be available for a limited time, but the company hasn't said exactly how long you'll have to take advantage of it. At the same time as the phone, LG will also release the G5 Friends in the US. These are the modular accessories that were presented at MWC last month. Some of these help 'transform' the G5 into things like a "DSLR style camera" or a mobile virtual reality viewer. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g5_arrives_in_the_us_in_early_april_with_free_second_battery_and_charging_cradle-news-17161.php

Introducing time-saver reviews

Today we're introducing a new take on our detailed, long-form articles. These are the time-saver editions of some of our most popular reviews. The goal with those is to bring you the gist of our full-length reviews without getting into too many technical details. But they are more than merely abridged versions of our full-fledged review.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/introducing_time_saver-review-1406.php

LeEco Le 2 Pro has even more specs leaked

Only two days ago we got a glimpse at the upcoming LeEco Le 2 Pro smartphone, through some leaked images showing it. Back then we found out a couple of its most important specs, and today thanks to a new leak we get a more complete list. LeEco is the Chinese company formerly known as LeTV, which grabbed the international spotlight when it was the first to release a device powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820. And it looks like it really likes that chipset, since it's going to use it again in the Le 2 Pro. The image you can see above purportedly shows the back label from the box of the Le 2 Pro, which helpfully lists the handset's specs. The Le 2 Pro should thus come with a 5.7-inch QHD touchscreen, a 21 MP rear camera with LED flash, an 8 MP selfie snapper, the aforementioned Snapdragon 820 SoC on board, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, LTE support, a USB Type-C port, Dolby Audio, and a 3,100 mAh battery. It will obviously run Android, but which exact version isn't clear yet. Nor is how much it will cost, or when it's getting official. Or, for that matter, whether it will ever be sold outside of China. Anyway, its specs certainly make it worthy of the flagship moniker. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/leeco_le_2_pro_has_even_more_specs_leaked-news-17159.php

Microsoft Lumia 950XL review: Time-saver edition

The Microsoft's Lumia 950 XL is the face of the new Windows series and a reboot of the company's smartphone business. Microsoft may have been slow in adopting new tendencies and features, but it made sure everything is done right with the Windows 10 Mobile premiere.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_950_xl_time_saver-review-1379.php

Huawei Mate 8 review: Time-saver edition

The Huawei Mate 8 is the latest phablet by the Chinese phone manufacturer. It's a premium device all around and it surely doesn't come cheap. But for the price you pay for it, you are certainly treated to an excellent user experience and some of the best specs in the industry.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_8_time_saver-review-1378.php

Apple iPhone 6s review: Time-saver edition

The latest iPhone rarely needs an introduction - it's always one of the most anticipated flagships each year and often sets the bar for the premium smartphone niche. Fans know Apple has put its heart in it and media's reviews, whether praising or not, usually don't matter and don't affect masses' decision.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_6s_time_saver-review-1377.php

Samsung Galaxy Note5 review: Time-saver edition

The Samsung Galaxy Note5 is the latest in the line that introduced us to the concept of a phablet in the first place. Following the Galaxy S-line's adoption of glass and metal, Samsung's taken the premium build to the Note series.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note5_time_saver-review-1376.php

Motorola Moto X Play review: Time-saver edition

In many ways, the Moto X play is a sort of middle ground, half-step between the Moto G and the Moto X, but with a clear-cut stride towards the higher end of the scale.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_x_play_time_saver-review-1374.php

LG V10 review: Time-saver edition

LG issues a serious challenge to other makers on the camera and audio battlefields with the V10. The phone is also LG's first to feature a fingerprint reader since 2009's GW820 eXpo (not counting the Google-designed Nexus 5X).

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_v10_time_saver-review-1407.php

Huawei Watch starts at $269.99 today only

Huawei's first foray into the smartwatch world, the aptly named Huawei Watch, is now seeing its first decent price cut ever. The device normally starts at $349, but you can now pick one up from Amazon for as low as $269.99. You do have to act fast, however, as this deal is only valid today. The cheapest version is represented by a silver stainless steel watch with a leather strap. If you want a stainless steel link band instead, you'll have to pay $279.99 ($120 less than usual). The silver model with a stainless steel mesh bracelet now costs $314.99, down from $399.99. If you get the black watch with a black link band you'll shell out $319.99 ($130 off), while the gold-plated watch with brown leather band goes for $589.99, $110 less than before. The Huawei Watch comes with a 1.4-inch 400x400 AMOLED touchscreen, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset (with a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, IP67 certified water and dust resistance, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a heart rate monitor, and a 300 mAh...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_watch_starts_at_269_today_only-news-17160.php

Apple announces March 21 event, new 4-inch iPhone and 9.7-inch iPad Pro expected

Apple has finally made the date of its spring event official. It's going to happen on March 21, so the rumors we've heard so far about the date being either March 15 or March 22 were off, but not by a whole lot. The event invite, which you can see below, is as vague as possible, in typical Apple fashion. We shall however be 'looped in' on that occasion, as you can see. Apple is expected to announce both a new 4-inch iPhone and a 9.7-inch iPad Pro. The former will probably be called iPhone 5se or just iPhone SE, and will be incredibly similar in looks to the iPhone 5s from 2013. The internals will be updated, however, with rumors mentioning the A9 chip, as well as the camera system from the iPhone 6. It will also have NFC and Apple Pay support. The next 9.7-inch Apple tablet will reportedly ditch the Air branding and instead be introduced as a smaller variation of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. That makes sense considering that it's been rumored to borrow most of the standout features of that bigger model. The 9.7-inch device shall also have a Smart Connector, quad-speakers, but in a first for an Apple tablet is also apparently going to sport a LED flash for its main camera. The Apple Watch could get some refreshed accessories, but we don't expect an entirely new model to be announced this month. We should also see new iterations for MacBook hardware, in both the Air and Pro lines (perhaps even a Retina MacBook Air). There's always the possibility of new software-related stuff to come...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_announces_march_21_event_new_4inch_iphone_and_97inch_ipad_pro_expected-news-17158.php