Mystery Sony smartphone spotted on GFXBench

Sony has been busy with a lot of re-imagining within its smartphone lineup lately. With the "Z" series now officially in the history books and the introduction of the new "X" moniker in its place, with devices like the Xperia X and X Performance, as well as another new Xperia XA lineup, hearing about new and mysterious Sony devices is hardly an isolated occurrence. However, that doesn't make these discoveries any less exciting and the same goes for the Sony 24UJ95LH34QX77B1, recently spotted in the GFXBench database. The model bears quite a lot of similarity to the Xperia X Performance....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/mystery_sony_smartphone_spotted_on_gfxbench-news-18476.php

Not sure what Amazon's Alexa service is all about? Echosim.io lets you test it online

Even if you are not particularly interested in the whole digital assistant, AI, home automation scene, chances are that you are at least somewhat familiar with projects like Microsoft's Cortana or Apple's Siri. Amazon's Alexa or Echo might also sound familiar, but, due to their novice and still conceptual and developing nature, there remain slightly unapproachable by many users. However, with both Google and Apple already lining up their own offers for the emerging market niche, powerful services like Amazon's Alexa and their hardware implementations might just be the next big thing in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/not_sure_what_amazons_alexa_service_is_all_about_echosimio_lets_you_test_it_online-news-18474.php

Android Wear 2.0 update? Here is a handy list of what we currently know

Google came prepared for I/O 2016 and packed the keynote with a few exciting announcements. Many of these, however, like the new Daydream VR platform in Android left us wondering about availability and support. The same goes for Android Wear 2.0, which was showcased on stage in an impressive presentation of new features, but we never got word on whether and when we will experience it on our smartwatch. In the absence of any official support list, as of yet the only solution is to deduce and hunt around for fragmented information. This is exactly what user konrad-iturbe on Reddit...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_wear_20_update_here_is_a_handy_list_of_what_we_currently_know-news-18475.php

LINE messaging app crosses 500 million downloads on Play Store

The LINE communications app has hit the 500 million downloads milestone on Google Play. With this, the app has made to the list that currently includes some biggies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Skype. The app - which is developed by a Japanese company, and is currently mostly popular in Asian regions only - is said to have a total of 700 million users. This compares to WhatsApp's 1 billion user base and Facebook Messenger's 900 million monthly users. LINE recently received an update that brought along the ability to make group voice calls to chat groups of up to 200...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/line_crosses_500_million_on_play_store-news-18473.php

OnePlus 3 passes through FCC, specs confirmed once again

As we approach June 14 - currently believed to be the release date for the OnePlus 3, we are naturally starting to see more bits and pieces of information about the upcoming handset with every passing day. After a few trustworthy leaks, followed by the obligatory appearance at TENAA and even a selfie camera sample all accounted for, we currently have quite a bit of info on the upcoming flagship. All that is left now is to simply wait it out until the phone's release and luckily, the aforementioned June 14 date might not be far off, as the OnePlus 3 (A3000 and A3003 model numbers)...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_3_passes_through_fcc_specs_confirmed_once_again-news-18471.php

Pebble Time currently going for just £79 in UK

Pebble might have unveiled the next-gen Pebble Time, but if you are in the UK, and are still considering purchasing the original variant, you'll be happy to know that the smartwatch has received a 50% price cut. Amazon UK currently has the device listed on its website for just £79, down £70.99 from its official price of £149.99. For those doing the math, this translates into a discount of 47%. What's worth mentioning, however, is that the £79 price is only for the black color variant - the red version costs £82.99, while the white model carries a price tag of £81.99. For comparison,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/pebble_time_currently_going_for_just_79_in_uk-news-18469.php

Deal: Buy one Verizon Desire 526, get a second free

If you are an HTC fan, and are in the market for a couple of low-end smartphones, here is a deal for you: Verizon is currently offering a buy one get one free (BOGO) deal on the Taiwanese company's Desire 526 smartphone. The promo was revealed by HTC itself in a tweet. Through this weekend, score two #Desire526 phones for the price of one at @Verizon: https://t.co/rzSFs3ZTms pic.twitter.com/oEwdc3C55H— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 27, 2016 As for price, the device carries a tag of $120 sans contract. Alternatively, you can also make it yours by paying $5 each month for a total of 24 months....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/deal_buy_one_verizon_desire_526_get_a_second_free-news-18468.php

Google says existing smartphones likely won't work with its Daydream VR platform

Has Google's new Daydream VR platform caught your fancy? Are you waiting to try it on the smartphone you own? Well, sadly, you are out of luck as Google has said that existing smartphones will "most likely" not work with the Android-powered VR platform. "I can tell you that there will most likely not be any retroactively Daydream-ready phones," said the Mountain View, Califronia-based company's VR division head Clay Bavor. "We want to hold a very high quality bar, and for that to happen all of the components need to be just right. So, to VR fans, I would say, hold off for a few...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_says_existing_smartphones_likely_wont_work_with_its_daydream_vr_platform-news-18472.php

Google Photos turns one, boasts 13.7 petabytes of uploads

Google's photo hosting and sharing service has turned a year old, and to celebrate, the Mountain View, California-based company has shared some interesting information related to the service. "Now 200 million of you are using Google Photos each month," Google said in a blog post. 'We've delivered more than 1.6 billion animations, collages and movies, among other things." "You've collectively freed up 13.7 petabytes of storage on your devices - it would take 424 years to swipe through that many photos! We've also applied 2 trillion labels, and 24 billion of those have been for ......

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_photos_turns_one_boasts_137_petabytes_of_uploads-news-18466.php

LG G Pad III 8.0 launched with octa-core CPU, 8-inch display

LG has launched a new tablet. Dubbed G Pad III 8.0, the device is powered by an octa-core processor, and sports an 8-inch (1920 x 1200 pixel resolution) display. It offers 16GB of storage (expandable up to 2TB), and features a 5MP rear camera. Measuring 210.7 x 124.1 x 7.9mm and weighing in at 309g, the tablet runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The LG G Pad III 8.0 is available for purchase in Canada, where Rogers and Fido are currently offering it for CAD 240, or around $185. As per Rogers, the tablet is targeted towards "youth and young adults looking for the best value device that...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g_pad_iii_80_launched_with_octacore_cpu_8inch_display-news-18470.php

Honor 5A and 5A Plus receive TENAA certification

A couple of new Huawei Honor devices - allegedly dubbed Honor 5A and 5A Plus - have been certified by Chinese telecommunication authority TENAA. The Honor 5A is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz processor, and sports a 5-inch HD display. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal memory, and packs in a 2,200mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a 13MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. Offering 4G LTE support, the handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box. Moving on to the Honor 5A Plus, the device is powered by an octa-core 1.8GHz CPU, and sports a 5.5-inch HD...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/honor_5a_and_5a_plus_pass_through_tenaa-news-18467.php

Samsung built a 5.5 inch 4K smartphone screen for VR

Remember when just a few short years ago, the smartphone industry was shifting from 720p (1280x720px) to 1080p (1920x1080px) displays and we thought: What for? We don't need so much resolution just to read text and see pictures off the screen, right? Well, no one would have predicted at that time that we'd be sticking our phones into VR headsets to enjoy an immersive virtual reality experience powered by our everyday smartphones and the displays they power. The demand for 4K (3840x2160px) has since sky-rocketed. Especially with Google recently announcing its VR platform called Daydream...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_built_a_55_inch_4k_smartphone_screen_for_vr-news-18465.php

Google Photos APK breakdown reveals Nexus users may get unlimited full-res uploads

Here's good news for Nexus Owners that love taking a lot of photos and videos. According to Android Police, an APK breakdown reveals code that suggests Nexus device users can upload an unlimited amount of original quality photos that will not count against their Google Drive storage allotment. This would be most beneficial to Nexus device owners as they do not have the option of memory expansion for storing pictures, videos and media. It makes sense for Google to provide this nice gesture as 4K TVs and media become more common in consumers' households. Remember that Google...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_photos_apk_breakdown_reveals_nexus_users_may_get_unlimited_fullres_uploads-news-18464.php

Jawbone reportedly stopped producing both fitness trackers and Bluetooth speakers

A report from Tech Insider says that Jawbone has already stopped producing its UP line of fitness bands and has already sold them to a third-party reseller. The same report says Jawbone has been struggling to sell its UP bands and needed to resell the inventory in order to stay afloat. It has already been more than a year since Jawbone's newest UP4 band was released and so far there hasn't been any word of a successor to the UP4. Besides, we don't know if Jawbone will keep making such fitness bands anymore. To add insult to injury, the same report also states that Jawbone is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/jawbone_reportedlystopsmakingstuff-news-18463.php

Microsoft promo shaves $150 off the prices of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book

This isn't the first limited time price cut that Microsoft applies for the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, and it clearly won't be the last. It is a pretty sweet deal however, so if you've been eyeing either of these devices it would be a pity not to take advantage of it while it lasts. Through Microsoft's online store, you can now buy select Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book models for $150 less than before. This means that, for example, the Surface Pro 4 with 128GB of storage, Core i5 processor, and 4GB of RAM can be yours for just $849 (was previously $999). Get the tablet with the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_promo_shaves_150_off_the_prices_of_the_surface_pro_4_and_surface_book-news-18462.php

Apple's competitor for the Amazon Echo will reportedly have facial recognition

Since Amazon's Echo line of smart wireless speakers has been a lot more successful than anyone anticipated, it makes sense that now every big company in the tech space wants to put out a competitor for the Alexa-touting devices. Google announced its foray into this space at the I/O conference last week, and now it appears that Apple is working on such an offering of its own. According to a new report this device might interestingly sport a built-in camera, and facial recognition features will ensure the gadget knows exactly who is talking to it at any given time. This would obviously let...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apples_competitor_for_the_amazon_echo_will_reportedly_have_facial_recognition-news-18460.php

ZTE Axon 7 to cost $449 in the US, €409 in Europe

Yesterday ZTE took the wraps off the Axon 7, its new flagship smartphone. And while we got the full list of its specs, and quite a few official images, the company remained mum on the pricing of the handset. However, a report from its home country of China now comes to settle things in that regard too. According to this yet-unconfirmed claim, the Axon 7 will start at $449 in the US and €409 in Europe, in unlocked form of course. For those prices you'll get the version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. You'll obviously have to pay more for the top of the line model that sports 6GB...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_axon_7_to_cost_449_in_the_us__euro409_in_europe-news-18461.php

Accelerated Mobile Pages have landed in Google's app for iOS

The latest version of the Google app for iOS (which you can already find in the iTunes App Store) is all about speed. The app itself is now much faster than it was before, on iPhones and iPads alike. Opening the app as well as searching, you'll see that everything loads quicker. So much so, in fact, that Google says its app's users will save a combined 6.5 million hours this year. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) are now available inside the Google app for iOS, which means getting to certain content on the web will now be a lot faster too. That's because news articles from many publishers...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/accelerated_mobile_pages_have_landed_in_googles_app_for_ios-news-18459.php

T-Mobile starts Buy One, Get One free deal for all Samsung smartphones

T-Mobile has had a Buy One, Get One free (BOGO) deal for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge back in March, yet now it's relaunching it while also making it bigger than ever. See, from today onwards you can do the BOGO thing for every single Samsung smartphone that T-Mobile is currently offering. This means you can mix and match by picking from the S7 and S7 edge, but also the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, Note5, J7, Grand Prime, and Core Prime. As usual with these things, some caveats apply. The first smartphone has to be grabbed using an installment plan, while the second one can use that...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_starts_buy_one_get_one_free_deal_for_all_samsung_smartphones-news-18458.php

Meizu m3 note review: To the metal

We guess many users have always looked forward to the Meizu Note lineup. The m1 note (also known as Blue Charm Note in China) started it all - it boasted a big screen and an overall great package for the price. The m2 note simply widened the LTE network coverage and enabled memory expansion. The latest Meizu m3 note builds upon that with a faster processor, a bigger battery and a more premium, all-metal design.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_m3_note-review-1444.php

Honor 5X is now just $159.99 unlocked

Over in Europe you can now get the Honor 5X by Huawei with a 60-day return policy (at least if you act before June 8), as we told you yesterday. On the other hand, if you're in the US and crave the smartphone, you're treated to a pretty substantial price reduction - in terms of percentage points, that is. As of now the Honor 5X is offered by Newegg for 20% off its normal price of $199.99. So you can grab a unit for just $159.99, saving $40 in the process. That may not be very much, but this was a very affordable phone to begin with. One thing you do have to keep in mind is that there's...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/honor_5x_is_now_just_15999_unlocked-news-18457.php

Two new Xiaomi phones pass through TENAA

Xiaomi has really been working hard latel as evident by the recent announcement of the Mi 5 flagship, as well as the Mi Max in an ongoing effort to expand to new foreign markets. To keep the proverbial wheels turning, two new Xiaomi devices were just spotted over at TENAA, both bearing the Mi logo on the back, as well as the company's current design language. The devices are yet to be squarely identified and named, but the units numbered 2016030 and 2015115 do look quite a bit like the Xiaomi Redmi 3 and the Redmi Note 3, respectively. So, it is a good guess that we are looking at...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/two_new_xiaomi_phones_pass_through_tenaa-news-18455.php

Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus diagrams reveal a Smart Connector on board

New diagrams allegedly show the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus measurements and ports and fuel fresh excitement for the upcoming devices. The schematics reveal the new crop of Apple flagships will be 1mm thicker than the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Potentially, this could translate into a larger battery, but there's no confirmation of this just yet. As per the diagrams, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be just as wide and tall as their predecessors. Interestingly, the iPhone 7 Plus will have a dual camera setup whereas the iPhone 7 will only have a single sensor at the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_7_and_iphone_7_plus_diagrams_reveal_a_smart_connector_on_board-news-18452.php

Samsung Pay Mini coming to other Androids, iPhone and desktop

Samsung is building a version of Samsung Pay for non-Galaxy Androids and iPhones dubbed "Samsung Pay Mini." This app will handle online payments only (that is you can't use the phone to pay in-store). There are plans to add desktop support (PC and Mac) later on. Pay Mini already supports several cards: Samsung Card, Lotte Card, and Hana Card. Others, like KB Card, are considering joining the party. The app can be secured with a fingerprint reader where available or with just PIN or password elsewhere. So far online payments account for less than 20% of Pay transactions, so Pay...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_pay_mini_coming_to_other_androids_iphone_and_desktop-news-18451.php

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017) revealed by TENAA - 5.1" sAMOLED phone

You have a 2016 phone? That's cute. Here's the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017), as detailed by TENAA. No, not a typo, it seems that Samsung already has an entry-level phone for next year ready to go. There are two versions - SM-J3110 (probably the global version) and SM-J3119 (the China Telecom). The Galaxy J3 (2017) has a 5.1" Super AMOLED screen - 720p for the international version and 1080p for the special China Telecom version. The rest seems pretty identical - Android 5.1 Lollipop (really, in 2017?), quad-core processor (1.2GHz), 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage with...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j3_2017_revealed_by_tenaa__51_samoled_phone-news-18446.php

Jolla announces Jolla C and a new Sailfish Community Device Program

Jolla, a young Finnish company founded by ex-Nokia and MeeGo employees, has launched its second smartphone, the Jolla C. The phone is part of the new Sailfish Community Device Program meant for developers, who will get access to exclusive live community sessions, invitations to community events, and the phone itself. The phone will come with a stock version of Sailfish OS 2.0 with no third-party applications installed. On the hardware side you get a 5.0-inch 720p IPS LCD, quad-core 1.3GHz Snapdragon 212, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage with microSD support, 8 megapixel rear/2 megapixel...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/jolla_announces_jolla_c_and_a_new_sailfish_community_device_program-news-18450.php

This software promises to bring Force Touch to any smartphone

The perfect "clickbait" isn't it? Well, that's exactly what we thought as well, until we took a second look at the YouTube demo video, courtesy of the University of Michigan computer engineers (official channel and everything). It sounds almost too good to be true, but the technology does look pretty plausible and the creator - Yu-Chih Tung could actually be on to something big, despite skipping to mention the Huawei Mate S in his list of force-sensitive mobile phones. That small error, however, can be easily forgiven once you hear just how ingenious his squeeze and forceful touch...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/this_software_promises_to_almost_magically_bring_force_touch_to_any_smartphone-news-18445.php

Acer's 5,000mAh battery totting Liquid Zest Plus to go on sale in July

Acer has announced that its Liquid Zest Plus smartphone, which was made official last month, will go on sale in the month of July. The device will carry a price tag of $199 in the US, and will cost €199 in the EMEA region. It's worth mentioning that when the device was unveiled, it's price for the US market was announced to be $250. There's currently no information on why the company decided to drop the price, although it could well be because of the delay between the unveiling and the launch. Anyway, for under $200, you get a phone powered by MediaTek's MT6735 chipset with...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/acers_5000mah_battery_totting_liquid_zest_plus_to_hit_us_market_in_july-news-18444.php

Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (32GB, dual-SIM) now going for $630 in US

If you recall, earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge was going for $650 on eBay. However, if you missed that deal, here is some good news for you: the device is now available for $630 on the online auction site. The model on offer is G935FD, which means it's a dual-SIM model, but is not a US variant. For the uninitiated, unlike US models (which pack in the SD820 SoC), international Galaxy S7/S7 edge models are powered by the latest Exynos SoC. Another point worth mentioning here is that the device is not compatible with CDMA carriers such as Sprint and Verizon, and only...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/unlocked_samsung_galaxy_s7_edge_32gb_dualsim_now_going_for_630_in_us-news-18443.php

New Xperia Marshmallow beta coming next week; ability to transfer apps to SD card in tow

Sony will roll out a new Xperia Marshmallow beta build some time next week. According to the Japanese company, the update - which will bump the build number to 23.5.A.1.203 - includes as many as 400 fixes and improvements. From what is currently known, the update will introduce a new functionality that'll allow you to transfer all apps to your device's SD card. As for the fixes, the list includes solution to an 'Unknown call/private number' bug as well as Calendar app crashes. Needless to say, only devices participating in the Xperia Beta program - including the Xperia Z2 (D6503),...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_xperia_marshmallow_beta_coming_next_week_with_ability_to_transfer_apps_to_sd_card-news-18442.php

Samsung announces Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition

Shortly after teasing it, Samsung has officially announced the limited edition Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition smartphone. Dressed completely in black, the device features gold detailing and a Batman logo on the back. "We are excited to partner with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and offer a special edition of Galaxy S7 edge for fans of Injustice: Gods Among Us," the South Korean company said in a press release. "Samsung always seeks to provide the best mobile gaming experience for its users, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to the game's fans." Aside from the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_announces_limited_edition_galaxy_s7_edge_injustice_edition-news-18441.php

Chromecast Audio currently available for just £15 in UK

Google's Chromecast Audio dongle has received a price cut in the UK, where retailer Curry's PC World currently has the device listed for just £15, which translates into a solid 50% discount given that the Google Store is selling it for £30. The retailer is also offering the Google Chromecast at discounted rates - £25.00, down £5 compared to what Google is selling it for. However, other third-party retailers like Argos and Tesco are offering the same discount as well. In case you missed, recently, both Chromecast and Chromecast Audio received a $5 price cut in the US as...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/chromecast_audio_currently_available_for_just_15_in_uk-news-18440.php

Verizon HTC 10 set to receive new update starting May 27

If you are on Verizon and own an HTC 10, here's some news for you: a new software update will be rolling out to HTC 10 units on Verizon's network starting May 27. This was announced by HTC's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter. Verizon HTC 10 owners! We have the approval for the MR update that includes camera improvements and additional fixes. OTA to start tomorrow.— Mo Versi (@moversi) May 26, 2016 As for what changes the update will bring along, Versi mentions "camera improvements and additional fixes." Apparently, it's the same update that started rolling out to unlocked...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_htc_10_set_to_receive_new_update_starting_may_27-news-18439.php

Deal: Buy HTC 10 and get RE Camera free

If you are an HTC fan and are in the market for a new smartphone, here is a deal for you: as part of its Memorial Day Sale, the Taiwanese company is offering an RE Camera unit for free with each purchase of its newest flagship smartphone the 10. Not only this, the RE Camera itself has been discounted by 60%. And if that's not enough, there's a 40% discount on accessories as well. The offer is only available in the US, and valid from 9 pm PT on May 26 to 11:59 pm PT on May 30. Head to the Source link below for more information on the deals. Source

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/deal_buy_htc_10_and_get_re_camera_free-news-18438.php

Honor 7 and Honor 5X now come with a 60-day return policy in Europe

Huawei is so confident that its Honor sub-brand creates great phones that people don't want to part with that it's temporarily changing its returns policy on its European online store. The store is available in the UK, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland - so if you're in any of these countries you can buy an Honor direct from Huawei. And if you choose the Honor 7 or Honor 5X by June 8, you'll get a 60-day return window - but only in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. That's much more than the usual 14-day period for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/honor_7_and_honor_5x_now_come_with_a_60day_return_policy_in_europe-news-18437.php

Moto Z Droid Edition shows its back in leaked press renders, three color versions outed

It's already been revealed that this year Motorola will unveil a successor each for the Moto X Style and Moto X Play from 2015, yet this time around they will bear Moto Z branding. While the Moto Z Style and Moto Z Play will be available internationally (and possibly unlocked in the US), let's not forget about the company's ongoing partnership with Verizon for Droid-branded handsets. What you see below is the 2016 entry in the Droid hall of fame, the successor to the Droid Turbo 2 from 2015. It will probably be called Moto Z Droid Edition, and it's likely to share its specs with the Moto Z...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_z_droid_edition_shows_its_back_in_leaked_press_renders_three_color_versions_outed-news-18436.php

Skype 7.0 for Android brings a new tablet interface

The latest update for Skype's Android app introduces a Material Design style to tablets, following a similar revamp for phones from last year. In Skype 7.0 for Android, the tablet UI has been changed from the ground up. It's now complete with a floating action button, and a multi-pane view when you're using your tablet in landscape mode (as seen in the screenshot below). You can also send messages and files and check your latest conversations even while you're in a video or voice call. The new iteration of the app brings Skype's improved universal search to Android tablets too, which makes...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/skype_70_for_android_brings_a_new_tablet_interface-news-18435.php

Samsung is still world's largest SSD maker

The latest report from storage market tracking company TrendFocus shows that Samsung remains the top dog in the SSD market. According to the report, a total of 30.77 million SSDs were shipped during Q1 2016, an increase of 32% from the same period last year. The company has over 40% market share and for Q1 2016 shipped 12.93 million SSDs compared to 9.42 million last year. SanDisk follows with 12.8% of the market while Lite-On is third with 11.4% market share. Samsung's SSD business includes not only selling products to PC makers like Lenovo, Apple and HP, but also directly to...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_is_still_worlds_largest_ssd_maker-news-18434.php

Samsung Galaxy C7 goes official as well - SD625 SoC, 5.7-inch display, and 4GB RAM

Following the Samsung Galaxy C5, the Galaxy C7 has been made official as well. The device is powered by Snapdragon 625 SoC with octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 506 GPU, and sports a 5.7 inch full HD display. The handset has 4GB RAM and comes in 32GB and 64GB expandable internal memory options. In terms of camera, the phone features a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. A 3,300mAh battery (with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 support) is there to keep the lights on. Measuring 156.6 x 77.2 x 6.7mm and weighing in at 165g, the Galaxy C7 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_c7_goes_official_as_well__sd625_soc_57inch_display_4gb_ram-news-18433.php

Upcoming Moto Z will have MotoMod modular case accessories

Lenovo is preparing to launch a follow-up to the Moto X range of smartphones with the soon-to-come Moto Z. The new flagship is going to sport interesting snap-on accessory cases, dubbed MotoMods, which today have been leaked by @evleaks Each case is semi-modular and has distinct function - there's one with an extra battery inside, while another will have stereo speakers and a built-in pico projector. The third one on the right is camera-oriented and has a dedicated camera sensor, lens and flash. Rumors suggest the range will consist of "adventure," "theater," "stereo," "power,"...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/upcoming_moto_z_will_have_motomod_semimodular_case_accessories-news-18427.php

ZTE just launched a VR headset to go with Axon 7

The ZTE Axon 7, just announced today, boasts quite a serious flagship-grade specs sheet. And if you are aiming for the top, you better go all out, a lesson the Chinese OEM seems to be putting into practice with the ZTE VR. Details about the virtual reality headset are still mostly unavailable, but going by the official render ZTE has provided, there isn't really much room for surprises. It looks to be ZTE's take on the Samsung Gear VR - more or less a holder to place the Axon 7 a few inches away from your face and let it do most of the heavy lifting. Just like the Samsung Gear...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_just_launched_a_vr_headset_of_its_own-news-18432.php

Samsung Galaxy C7 inspected by TENAA, feast on specs and photos

A week after the C5, the Samsung Galaxy C7 also passes through TENAA. This gives us nice, clean photos of the device and detailed, accurate specs. The phone boasts a 5.7" Super AMOLED screen with 1080p resolution. On it you'll get to watch a TouchWizzed version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow (with a roomy 4GB of RAM), which runs on an octa-core processor (Snapdragon 625 chipset according to rumors). Storage is a choice between 32GB and 64GB, a microSD is slot available too. Samsung Galaxy C7 (photos by TENAA) The Galaxy C7 will have a 16MP main camera with 1080p video capture...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_c7_inspected_by_tenaa_feast_on_specs_and_photos-news-18428.php

The ZTE Axon 7 is now official and aiming for the big leagues

ZTE hasn't really been shy when it comes to the new Axon. Originally thought to bear the logical Axon 2 moniker, the device cleared TENAA all the way back in April and has been exciting fans with its specs and premium appearance since. Well, today, as promised, the device was finally made official as the ZTE Axon 7. That's a rather odd choice for a second in-line device with a 5.5-inch display, but hey, 7 seems to be the number to have this year, considering the Samsung Galaxy S7, upcoming iPhone 7 and perhaps even a Galaxy Note 7. ZTE Axon 7 Quartz Grey Odd naming...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_zte_axon_7_is_now_official_and_aiming_for_the_big_leagues-news-18422.php

New Apple patent might reinvent the walkie-talkie

Yes, you read it right and yes, the idea does sound silly on the surface. Still Apple has pulled off even stranger reinvention stunts in the past, so, we have to at least give the newly uncovered patent the benefit of the doubt. The document in question outlines a "Point-to-point ad hoc voice communication", which, taking into consideration the diagrams as well, seems to boil down to using a short range communication technology, like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to establish a voice link between individuals on a peer-to-peer basis. So, the walkie-talkie analogy is a perfect fit, but we can only...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_apple_patent_might_reinvent_the_walkietalkie-news-18430.php

Samsung Galaxy C5 official - 6.7mm thick, all metal mid-ranger

The Samsung Galaxy C5 just burst on the scene and online stores in China are already accepting pre-orders (the actual sales are scheduled to start on June 6). The Galaxy C5 is a slender metal mid-ranger, it's just 6.7mm thick. It also has a 5.2" Super AMOLED screen (1080p resolution) and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Home button below the screen is a fingerprint reader. Samsung Galaxy C5 in gold and rose gold You get a better camera than the A5 (2016), a 16MP f/1.9 shooter on the back and an 8MP f/1.9 camera on the front. The chipset is fairly similar - Snapdragon 617...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_c5_official__67mm_thick_all_metal_midranger-news-18431.php

WhatsApp rated world's most popular Android messaging app; BBM least downloaded

According to a new report from digital analytics firm Similar Web - which analyzed Android data from a total of 187 countries - WhatsApp is the most popular app in the world, claiming 109 countries, or 55.6% of those surveyed. Some of the countries where the Facebook-owned messaging service leads are Brazil, Mexico, India, Russia, and many other countries in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The second spot was claimed by the Facebook Messenger app, claiming a total of 49 countries including Australia, Canada, and the US. So, in all, there are more than 150 countries...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_rated_worlds_most_popular_messaging_app_bbm_least_downloaded-news-18426.php

5.7-inch LG Stylus 2 Plus unveiled in Taiwan

LG has announced the Stylus 2 Plus phablet in Taiwan, though announced may be an overstatement. Had it not been for a TENAA certification, the smartphone would have gone unnoticed for who knows how long. LG Stylus 2 Plus at TENAA (as LG G535) The Stylus 2 Plus is undoubtedly the better phablet, compared to the already announced Stylus 2. Its 5.7-inch display gets a proper FullHD resolution and the phone is powered by a more powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 430. This means an octa-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, versus half the number of cores in the Stylus 2. 3GB of RAM and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/57inch_lg_stylus_2_plus_unveiled_in_taiwan-news-18424.php

Leak reveals Samsung is working on a Gear VR controller

The Oculus Rift shipped with an Xbox controller, soon the Samsung Gear VR will have a controller of its own too. Instead of reusing a console controller like the Oculus, Samsung designed a custom device. The advantage of going bespoke is that the controller snugly fits inside the Gear VR headset when not in use, making it easier to transport (and portability is the Gear VR's main advantage). The controller itself bears the Oculus logo and has a single analog stick, four action buttons and two shoulder buttons. It connects to the phone over Bluetooth and reportedly weighs a hefty 300g...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/leak_reveals_samsung_is_working_on_a_gear_vr_controller-news-18425.php

Samsung teases Batman-themed Galaxy S7 limited edition

It's not like Bruce Wayne to be late to the party, but here we are. Back in February, we heard of a 'Batman v Superman' themed Samsung Galaxy S7 edition that would debut alongside the movie. Only now Samsung is releasing teasers of such a limited edition. It seems like the cross-promotion isn't tied to the movie, but to the Injustice: Gods Among Us game. The first teasers feature the Bat logo and promise a "new device." You can see a tantalizing flash of the logo on a box too, but still nothing on customizations to the actual Galaxy S7 phone. Injustice is about to be served....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_teases_batmanthemed_galaxy_s7_limited_edition-news-18423.php

SD820-powered HTC 10 arrives in India for $790, One X9 launched as well

As scheduled, HTC has officially announced its newest flagship smartphone, the 10, in India. The device carries a price tag of INR 52,990, which translates into around $790. While HTC has already cleared the air on this, it's still worth mentioning that the it's the same global variant - which is powered by Snapdragon 820 and has 4GB of RAM - that has been launched in India. For the uninitiated, after the device was officially unveiled by HTC early last month, there were reports that some regions - including India - will get a downgraded variant (dubbed HTC 10 Lifestyle)...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sd820powered_htc_10_arrives_in_india_carrying_790_price_tag-news-18421.php