Vivo V5 and V5 Plus said to feature a whopping 20MP selfie camera

Vivo's V3 and V3Max handset enjoyed quite a bit of popularity in the value segment of the market, after their release earlier this year. However things are now moving at a phenomenal pace and, despite their young age, both handsets are due for an update, if the Chinese OEM wants to stay relevant. Said update will likely come with the new Vivo V5 and its bigger sibling - the V5 Plus (apparently, the Max moniker is no longer in fashion). The pair have been popping up in the rumor mill from time to time over the past few months, but with no actual information to note. Now, a fresh new...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_v5_and_v5_plus_said_to_feature_a_whopping_20mp_selfie_camera-news-21602.php

Reliance now offers a fixed-wireless phone in India

Remember Reliance and more specifically, its Jio telecom sub-division? If you live in India, chances are, you are already familiar with the carrier's enticing 4G offers, which caused quite a stir on the local market, back in September. Despite receiving its fair share of criticism, the company seems to have a pretty good grasp on the needs and desires of the local consumer. This alone is a good reason to take a look at it's latest offer. It comes in the shape of a more or less traditional, albeit more techy home or business phone. Or what most would consider a landline. However, it...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/reliance_now_offers_a_fixedwireless_phone_in_india-news-21601.php

Pick up a Moto 360 Sport for only $120

Want to treat yourself to a shiny new wearable gadget this year? Or perhaps you wouldn't mind some early shopping for the upcoming holiday season? Well, a brand new, sealed, second generation, 45mm Moto 360 Sport for $119.99 is a hard offer to currently beat. Daily Steals has the listing and promises to keep it up over the next three days. So, you even have some time to think. Mind you, this is a whopping $160 down from the retail price tag, although Motorola is selling it at $200, flat. And we know November 25 is right around the corner and Black Friday deals will start pouring...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/pick_up_a_moto_360_sport_for_only_120-news-21600.php

The Google Pixel has a scary vulnerability that could compromise all your data

The PwnFest hacking competition, held in Seoul yesterday saw an interesting demonstration by a white-hat hacker group, called Qihoo 360. The hack successfully targeted Google's shiny new Pixel handset, won the group a $120,000 cash prize and opened-up a lot of patching work for Google. Both the regular and XL versions of the smartphone appear to be susceptible to the attack that utilizes what is know as a zero-day vulnerability. What that essentially means is a hole in the device's security, that was present on the initial software the units shipped with. And to our knowledge, no...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_google_pixel_has_a_scary_vulnerability_that_could_compromise_all_your_data-news-21599.php

SwiftKey for Android is now smarter with incognito mode

If you are a fan of custom and personalized typing experiences and have been so for a while, chances are that SwiftKey is your weapon of choice on Android, or at lest was at some point. It is one of the oldest and most mature apps within its niche and developers tend to take their work on it seriously, pushing updates quite often. The latest such package is already live on the Google Play Store and, among other things, introduces a brand new useful feature - Incognito mode. Just like an incognito tab on most any modern web browser, the toggle forces SwiftKey to temporarily stop...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/swiftkey_for_android_is_now_smarter_with_incognito_mode-news-21598.php

The HTC Bolt won't be coming to Canada

HTC shook things up quite a bit yesterday, with the announcement of the Bolt. The handset has already been compared by many to the Pixel XL, minus the Google branding and it is hard to deny there are quite a few similarities. HTC Bolt in Glacial Silver It is still early to judge properly on the merits of the 5.5-inch QHD smartphone, especially considering it does utilize the slightly outdated Snapdragon 810 SoC, plus 3GB of RAM. But even despite that, the all-metal handset has already managed to grab more than a few gazes with attention to details like the added IP57 dust and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_htc_bolt_wont_be_coming_to_canada-news-21597.php

Nintendo's NES Classic Edition went on sale today, and it's sold out everywhere

Nintendo made a great move just in time for the Holiday season. The NES Classic Edition is a mini-fied version of the original Nintendo Entertainment System, only it does not use cartridges and comes with 30 classic NES games pre-installed. The NES surrounded many of our childhood years and the item is already showing much popularity. The item went on sale today at Best Buy, Game Stop, and Target stores in the US (with more retailers like Walmart coming soon), as well as Amazon online. The item is already sold out at the retailers mentioned above. Many have seen people waiting at the store...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nintendos_nes_classic_edition_went_on_sale_today_and_its_sold_out_everywhere-news-21596.php

Xperia X Performance receiving update that fixes accelerometer issue

An issue that has been affecting some users with the Xperia X Performance has been addressed by Sony and a fix is being rolled out now via OTA update. The issue was with the accelerometer that detects the phone's orientation. This sensor would simply stop working and the phone would be unable to detect when the user was changing its position. Until now, users have been having to work around this by manually restarting the phone, which would fix the issue at least temporarily. Sony first addressed the issue a couple of weeks ago once it had managed to replicate the problem. The...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xperia_x_performance_receiving_update_that_fixes_accelerometer_issue-news-21595.php

Apple said to be launching three new iPads in March

Barclays analysts, the same ones who make claims about the iPhone 8, are now reporting that Apple is working toward releasing three new iPads in March of 2017. Two of them are refreshed versions of both iPad Pro models which come in 9.7 and 12.9 inch sizes, and there's word of a new iPad model that would share the same size footprint as the 9.7 inch iPad Air 2, but feature no bezels. The model in question would yield a screen size between 10 and 11 inches, a new category of screen sizes for the iPad. As for the 12.9-inch iPad, it is also said to be getting a new True Tone display...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_said_to_be_launching_three_new_ipads_in_march-news-21594.php

Gionee S9 will have a front-facing flash, new teaser and live images show up

Gionee is going to announce the S9 on November 15, as revealed not long ago through a teaser image. The Chinese company has now outed another teaser for the upcoming S9, and this one tells us that the phone will come with a front-facing LED flash - to make the selfies you take in the dark that much better. Aside from the teaser, today two live images showing the Gionee S9 have been leaked, and you can see them below. The S9 features a full metal design, with a dual rear camera setup on the back, and a physical Home button on the front which probably doubles as a fingerprint...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_s9_will_have_a_frontfacing_flash_new_teaser_and_live_images_show_up-news-21592.php

Standalone Apple Support app is launching for iOS

Apple is currently rolling out a new app for iOS devices. It's called Apple Support and should be available soon in all countries through the App Store. For now, it only shows up in the store for the Netherlands, but that's clearly just a temporary thing. The rollout to other territories might be taking a few days though. The standalone Apple Support app groups everything that's support-related into one place. Its homepage lists your existing Apple devices, including detailed model information. It also offers some featured "How To" articles, which should be tailored to the products you...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/standalone_apple_support_app_is_launching_for_ios-news-21593.php

BlackBerry CEO confirms a device with a physical keyboard is in the works

BlackBerry CEO John Chen has confirmed in a TV interview that his company is in fact working on a new smartphone that will have a physical keyboard. Once a staple item in any BlackBerry design, the physical QWERTY keyboard has been missing from both of the company's most recent handsets, the DTEK50 and DTEK60. Those are full-touchscreen designs. Chen unfortunately didn't detail this upcoming smartphone at all, not even mentioning whether it will adopt a candybar form factor or if it's going to be a slider like the Priv. That said, such a phone has been rumored for quite a while now, and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_ceo_confirms_a_device_with_a_physical_keyboard_is_in_the_works-news-21591.php

Skype for Android gets UI tweaks in latest update

Microsoft's Skype for Android is receiving a new update through the Google Play Store. While this doesn't come with a huge number of new features or anything like that, it does contain some neat UI tweaks. First off, the Calls tab interface has been updated, now featuring quick call options as well as a new dialer button. Next up, the group call UI now indicates who the active speaker is at any given time. And finally, some audio routing issues that used to occur when playing voice messages have been resolved. That's it for this update, but it's definitely good to see even the small...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/skype_for_android_gets_ui_tweaks_in_latest_update-news-21590.php

OnePlus 3 Android Nougat beta update out this month, final release hits by the end of the year

Yesterday ZTE finally told us when to expect an Android 7.0 Nougat update to hit its Axon 7 smartphone, and today it's time for OnePlus to come clean regarding its latest flagship, the OnePlus 3. A beta build of Nougat for the handset will become available this month, apparently, with the final release being rolled out by the end of the year. That means OnePlus will beat ZTE at the update game, since the Axon 7 is only tasting Nougat in January. OnePlus has confirmed that its flagship offering from last year, the OnePlus 2, is also in line to receive a Nougat update at some point. However,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_3_android_nougat_beta_update_out_this_month_final_release_hits_by_the_end_of_the_year-news-21588.php

A Project Ara (A8A01) developer smartphone unit gets in the spotlight

Google canceled Project Ara modular smartphone endeavor back in September leaving many developers and potential customers who've been looking forward to the project empty handed. Our colleagues at Phandroid have managed to get their hands on a developer edition Project Ara unit with the model number "A8A01" and they've brought us some nice looking images. The Project Ara (A8A01) smartphone features a Snapdragon 810 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. At the front, there's a 5.46" 1080p TFT-LCD display, while on the back the modules it shipped with are a 2.1MP rear camera and a...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/project_ara_a8a01_developer_smartphone_unit_gets_in_the_spotlight-news-21586.php

Google recommends OEMs use USB-PD, could make it compulsory later

The Android smartphone charging protocol is a bit of a mess. While Google itself has been using USB Power Delivery protocol since last year to provide fast charging on its devices, most Android devices rely on Qualcomm's Quick Charge, while others have come up with their own version, such as the DASH charging on the OnePlus 3. Unfortunately, both of these are proprietary solutions and require a specific piece of hardware on the device/charger/cable, licensing, as well as messing around with the standard USB power delivery protocols. It also makes them incompatible with desktop or notebook...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_recommends_oems_use_usbpd_could_make_it_compulsory_later-news-21584.php

Wireless upgrade kit for HTC Vive cuts the wires out of VR

Virtual reality is still in its infancy and its held back by several things - including literally by cables. HTC has a clever chaperone system that keeps you from walking into walls and now the company (along with manufacturer TPCast) have a solution to the cable problem as well - the HTC Vive wireless upgrade kit. It is what it says - the multiple cables that power the headset now go into a dongle that transmits wirelessly to a second dongle you attach to the back of the headset (at the back of your head). HTC claims this kit will not noticeably impact the performance of the Vive (VR is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/wireless_upgrade_kit_for_htc_vive_cuts_the_wires_out_of_vr-news-21582.php

Samsung Gear S3 frontier and classic launch, global rollout begins

The Samsung Gear S3 classic and frontier were announced at IFA back in September, it feels so long ago. Now the Tizen-powered smartwatch is on sale in its home country of South Korea and will launch in several other markets in a week. Starting November 18, the S3 duo will be available in the UK, France, Germany, the US, Australia, Dubai and Singapore. Note that Samsung Pay on the watch is available in the US, Australia and Singapore (strangely, Korea is not listed even though the service debuted there). Be on the watchout for promotions on the changeable 22mm watch bands for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_s3_frontier_and_classic_launch_global_rollout_begins-news-21581.php

Xbox One outsells Sony's PS4 yet again - four months in row

Citing data from market research firm NPD, Microsoft has revealed that the Xbox One was the best-selling gaming console in the US for October. With this, the Xbox One has managed to outsell Sony's PS4 for four months in a row. In addition, the Xbox One was the best-selling gaming console last month in the UK and Australia as well. "Thanks to the passion of Xbox fans worldwide and their continued excitement for Xbox One S, Xbox One was once again the best-selling console in October in the U.S., U.K. and Australia according to NPD Group and GfK Entertainment," said Xbox's marketing...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xbox_one_outsells_sonys_ps4_yet_again__four_months_in_row-news-21578.php

Mysterious OnePlus Pixel with Snapdragon 820 SoC and 6GB RAM spotted on Geekbench

A mysterious OnePlus smartphone has been spotted on Geekbench. Listed as OnePlus Pixel, the device is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset and has 6GB RAM. The handset runs Android Nougat version 7.1. As you might already know, OnePlus is set to unveil a new phone dubbed OnePlus 3T on November 15. The possibility of the Pixel being 3T is almost nil given that the latter is confirmed to be powered by Snapdragon 821 SoC. Aside from what the benchmark listing has revealed, nothing else is currently known about the OnePlus Pixel. We'll keep you updated as and when we hear more about the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/mysterious_oneplus_pixel_with_snapdragon_820_soc_and_6gb_ram_spotted_on_spotted_on_geekbench-news-21580.php

HTC Bolt: First look

The first thing that comes to mind as I learn about the new HTC Bolt is the Verizon-exclusive HTC Thunderbolt, a very successful smartphone from 2011. Some things never change, don't they? HTC has now teamed up with another US carrier, Sprint, to release an exclusive device which introduces a new connectivity feature.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_bolt_hands_on-review-1519.php

Deal: $120 discount on Samsung Galaxy S7, free wireless charger included as well

If you are in the US and are planning to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, you'll be glad to know that both the phones (unlocked models) are currently available at discounted rates in the country. Specifically, Best Buy has the Galaxy S7 listed for $549.99, which translates into a discount of $120. The retailer is also including a free fast wireless charger (usually worth $60) with the handset. The Galaxy S7 edge, on the other hand, is listed for $669.99, which translates into a discount of $100. No freebies are included with the edge variant. Head to the Source links below...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/deal_120_discount_on_samsung_galaxy_s7_free_wireless_charger_included_as_well-news-21577.php

HTC Bolt dashes to Sprint: a 5.5" phone with HTC 10's design, IP57

The rumor mill built up a good deal of hype for the HTC Bolt - an un-Googled Pixel XL with extra stuff like waterproofing and fancy new headphones, what's not to love? HTC and Sprint (which has exclusivity on the phone in the US) even roped in famous sprinter Usain Bolt for the promotion of the phone. The HTC Bolt is carved out of aluminum using the HTC 10 design, but at a larger scale - the screen is 5.5" with QHD resolution. And the body is dust and waterproof - IP57, something neither the HTC 10 nor Pixels have. HTC specifically mentions that you shouldn't submerge it intentionally,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_bolt_dashes_to_sprint_a_55_phone_with_htc_10s_design_ip57_too-news-21565.php

alcatel IDOL 4S with Windows 10 and VR is now available for purchase

As scheduled, the Windows 10-powered alcatel IDOL 4S has been launched. The device is currently available for purchase in the US, where T-Mobile is selling it for $469.99 (or $19.59 per month for 2-years). Specs-wise, the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset and sports a 5.5-inch full HD display. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is 64GB. In terms of camera, the handset features a 21MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. A 3,000mAh battery is there to keep the lights on. The new alcatel IDOL 4S includes support for Windows Continuum, Windows Hello as well as VR - a VR...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_idol_4s_with_windows_10_and_vr_is_now_available_for_purchase-news-21579.php

Samsung Galaxy A8 (dual-SIM variant) gets security update

Samsung has started rolling out a new update to the dual-SIM variant of its Galaxy A8 smartphone. The update brings Android security patch for the month of October. In case you aren't aware, the standard Galaxy A8 received the October security update last month. As is usually the case with OTA roll outs, it may take time for the update to hit your device. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a8_dualsim_variant_gets_security_update-news-21573.php

Nextbit Robin's Mint color variant down to $170 as well

If you recall, earlier this month, Nextbit's cloud-focused Robin smartphone came down to $170 in the United States. The discount, however, was only on the Midnight color variant of the phone - the Mint model was listed for $197. If you have been waiting for the Mint color variant's price to come down as well, you'll be glad to know that has happened. A quick look the model's listing on Amazon reveals that now both color options are down to $170. For that price, you'll get a phone with Snapdragon 808 SoC, 5.2-inch full HD display, 3GB RAM, 13MP/5MP camera combo, 2,680mAh battery, and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nextbit_robin_mint_color_variant_down_to_170_as_well-news-21576.php

Blue Coral Samsung Galaxy S7 edge launching in South Korea today

Samsung has announced that the new Blue Coral color variant of its Galaxy S7 edge smartphone will be launched in its home country of South Korea on November 11 (today). The device will be available in both 32GB and 64GB storage variants, and will be offered by all major South Korean carriers, including SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus. The new model was officially announced by the tech giant earlier this month. It is already available for purchase in Taiwan and Singapore, while the US is expected to get it November 18 onwards. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blue_coral_samsung_galaxy_s7_edge_launching_in_south_korea_today-news-21575.php

Samsung Gear IconX gets a small price cut in US

If you are a Samsung fan in the US, and are in the market for wireless earphones, here is a deal for you: the South Korean company's Gear IconX earbuds have received a small price cut in your country - currently going for around $184. Amazon has the accessory listed on its website at that price. What's worth mentioning is that this price is only for the white color variant of the device. If you compare, the tech giant is officially selling the white Gear IconX for around $200, meaning purchasing from Amazon will save you around $16. For more details, head to the Source link...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_iconx_gets_a_small_price_cut_in_us-news-21574.php

‘Night mode' (eye strain reduction) could make a return on Nexus devices

Many were upset that ‘Night mode' went missing on the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X once the Android Nougat 7.1 beta OTA was installed. After much buzz about the omission of Night mode, Ian Lake from Google spoke about why the feature went missing: "it requires driver support that is no present on Nexus devices," This was about a couple of weeks ago. "Night Light" feature from Google Pixel Many users submitted feedback for the beta (as this is what the program is meant for), and many of them reported the lack of night mode as a bug: saying that night mode should be in the settings, but it...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/night_mode_eye_strain_reduction_could_make_a_return_on_nexus_devices-news-21572.php

WhatsApp enables two-step verification in its Android and Windows betas

Today WhatsApp has started turning on two-step verification in its beta releases for both Android and Windows Phone. On Android, this feature is live in version 2.16.341 and above (maybe even earlier). On the Windows side, you'll see it if you're using WhatsApp 2.16.280 or newer. If you're using the betas for either operating system, you'll find the two-step verification option added to your account settings, as portrayed by the screenshot on the left in the image below. Once you tap on the new entry, you'll be taken to the Enable screen you can see in the right screenshot. You need...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_enables_twostep_verification_in_its_android_and_windows_betas-news-21571.php

Instagram Stories now support mentions, links, and Boomerang

Today Instagram is adding some new features to Stories, the section it initially ripped off from Snapchat, but then made it better. Last month Stories started being featured in Instagram's Explore tab, for example. As part of Instagram 9.7, which is rolling out through the iTunes App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android, and Windows Store for Windows 10, Stories now support Boomerang videos. Boomerang is also a standalone app that lets you create short looping videos that pretty much behave like GIFs, but now these can be shown in Stories too. If you swipe right from your feed...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/instagram_stories_now_support_mentions_links_and_boomerang-news-21570.php

ZTE Axon 7 will receive Android 7.0 Nougat update in January

ZTE's Axon 7 has so far managed to do pretty well in the market, playing OnePlus' game of offering very good specs in a package that's priced like a mid-ranger. The Axon 7 is however still running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, so you may be wondering when (or if) to expect an update to the newer and tastier Nougat. Thankfully, ZTE's German arm has actually answered that question today, through its Twitter account. The company is announcing that the Axon 7 will receive an update to Android 7.0 Nougat at some point in January 2017. That's certainly not the fastest turnout for a new Android...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_axon_7_will_receive_android_70_nougat_update_in_january-news-21569.php

Google's Daydream View VR headset will support Cardboard soon

Before it unveiled Daydream and the Daydream View headset, Google's push into VR was called Cardboard. This consisted of a simple and cheap headset design, an actual cardboard headset made by Google, as well as an app ecosystem for Android. While the first two of those have been superseded by the release of the Daydream View (which is available today), what about the Cardboard apps? Do they run on the Daydream View? At the moment, the answer is no, apparently, because the Cardboard app can't yet use the View's controller. It does, however, already recognize that you have a Daydream View....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/googles_daydream_view_vr_headset_will_support_cardboard_soon-news-21568.php

Huawei P9 sales reach 9 million

The P9 is proving to be quite the successful smartphone for Huawei. The Chinese company seems to be selling P9 units like hot cakes across the world. Back in September we heard that the P9 had crossed the 6 million sales mark, and today Huawei has unveiled that its flagship smartphone has achieved another milestone. Up to this point, Huawei has sold more than 9 million P9 units, from its launch in April. What's more, this means the company was able to move around 3 million units in the past two months alone, which is certainly impressive given that the P9 has been available for quite a...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p9_sales_reach_9_million-news-21567.php

PayPal gains Siri integration, you can send and request money with your voice

Starting today, PayPal's mobile app for iOS is getting Siri integration. This means that if you own an iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 you're able to send and request money through PayPal just by telling Siri. It's as easy as it sounds. You need to say something like "Hey Siri, send George $50 using PayPal". And that's it. The new feature is available today in 30 countries, the full list being accessible at the Source link below. PayPal says it expects to process 17 million peer-to-peer money transactions in the month of December alone, and this move will certainly help it achieve...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/paypal_gains_siri_integration_you_can_send_and_request_money_with_your_voice-news-21566.php

Sony announces FS7 II video camera

Sony FS7 is one of the most popular semi-professional video cameras on the market. It is popular among indie filmmakers and YouTube content creators for its high quality video, feature set, compact design, and affordable pricing compared to professional video cameras. Sony has now launched a successor in the form of the FS7 II, which will be sold alongside the older model. Most of the changes on the new model won't seem like much on paper but they are all carefully selected design changes based on user feedback that should make the lives of the person operating the camera...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_announces_fs7_ii_video_camera-news-21564.php

New OnePlus X update brings November security patch

OnePlus has started pushing out a new update to its OnePlus X smartphone. The update - which arrives as OxygenOS 3.1.4 - brings along several changes, including the Android security fixes for the month of November. In addition, the update - which is being rolled out incrementally - also includes fix for launcher-related crashes and features auto-brightness optimization. System stability has also been improved, and some general bug fixes are included as well. Source

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_oneplus_x_update_brings_november_security_patch-news-21563.php

Honor UK has launched a EMUI 5 beta test for the Honor 8

A few days ago, Huawei unveiled its new Mate 9 pair and really upped the stakes in the high-end smartphone market. Besides its undoubtedly impressive specs sheet, the Mate 9 also shines with the new and improved EMUI 5. It brings about numerous tweaks and changes, most of which stem directly from user feedback. And even though, Huawei specifically outlined the close integration between the OS and its new Kirin 960 chipset, it is good to hear that the OEM plans to bring the ROM to other handsets as well. The Honor 8 will apparently be first in line as the UK branch of the company...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/honor_uk_has_launched_a_emui_5_beta_test_for_the_honor_8-news-21562.php

ASUS launches ZenFone 3 Max in India

ASUS has launched the new ZenFone 3 Max in India. The phone is being launched in two variants with a 5.2-inch display and 5.5-inch display. The 5.5-inch model has a 1080p display with Snapdragon 430, 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, 16 megapixel, f2.0 rear camera with laser and phase detection autofocus, 8 megapixel f2.2 front camera, dual SIM support, fingerprint sensor, and 4100mAh battery that can also charge other devices using the bundled OTG cable. The 5.2-inch model has a 1080p display with MediaTek MT6737T, 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, 13 megapixel rear...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_launches_zenfone_3_max_in_india-news-21561.php

Quick Charge 4.0 may provide up to 28W of power, smartly

Growth in battery capacity seems to have stalled but one thing keeps growing - the rate at which batteries charge. Qualcomm is rumored to introduce Quick Charge 4.0 soon which will push a whopping 28W of power to supported phones. For comparison, current Quick Charge 3.0 tops out at 18W, Huawei' Super Charge is faster at 22.5W, Oppo's VOOC is at 20W. Google is reportedly considering pushing manufacturers to adopt the Power Delivery standard for phones that use USB Type-C - Google's own Pixel phones support it, but they top out at 18W (technically, the standard can do up to 100W, but...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/quick_charge_40_may_provide_up_to_28w_of_power_smartly-news-21560.php

Android 7.0 'Galaxy Beta Program' officially announced by Samsung

Samsung has officially announced Android 7.0 'Galaxy Beta Program' for users of the company's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones. While we know that the program is already live in South Korea, the announcement says the Galaxy Beta Program is now open to users in the US and UK as well. Users in China will also be able to participate soon. "Applicants are currently being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis," the company says. "Throughout the Galaxy Beta Program period, users can get a feel for Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung's latest UX, and can provide feedback on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_70_galaxy_beta_program_officially_announced_by_samsung-news-21558.php

Nikon announces D5600 entry-level DSLR

Just under two years after releasing its first touchscreen camera - the D5500 - Nikon is announcing its successor. The D5600 builds upon the D5500 with Nikon's SnapBridge which keeps the camera constantly connected to a smartphone through low energy Bluetooth. The touchscreen interface now has a virtual Fn button, which gives quick access to key features like the Auto ISO. Nikon's "frame advance bar" interface allows you to view photos quickly on the touchscreen by dragging your finger - you can even lock the zoom for all images so you can pixel peep right on the screen. Nikon...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nikon_announces_d5600_entrylevel_dslr-news-21559.php

Nougat-powered ZTE BV080 with octa-core CPU and 13MP front camera spotted on GFXBench

A new ZTE smartphone has been spotted on GFXBench, revealing some of its key specs. Listed as ZTE BV080, the device is powered by a Snapdragon chipset with octa-core 1.4GHz processor, and sports a 5.2-inch full HD display. RAM is 3GB, while internal memory is 32GB. In terms of camera, the handset features a 13MP rear unit as well as a 13MP front shooter. The device runs Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. Details on BV080's pricing and availability aren't yet known. Source

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nougatpowered_zte_bv080_with_octacore_cpu_and_13mp_front_camera_spotted_on_gfxbench-news-21556.php

Gionee S9 set to be unveiled next week

Gionee has announced that the S9, which - along with the S9T - was recently spotted on TENAA, will be unveiled next week (November 15 to be precise). The announcement came in the form of a teaser image that also confirmed dual rear-camera setup on the phone. The teaser doesn't contain any mention of the Gionee S9T, so it's not yet confirmed whether the variant will also be made official on November 15, but it'd be reasonable to assume so. The S9T, in case you aren't aware, differs from the standard S9 in terms of processor, weight, and color options. Some of the key specs of the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_s9_set_to_be_unveiled_next_week-news-21555.php

Microsoft rolls out update aimed at fixing latest Surface Pro 3 battery issues

It's been months that Microsoft Surface Pro 3 users have been complaining that their device is reporting lower battery capacity than expected. The company released a fix for the issue back in August this year, but just a few weeks later some users again started complaining about battery life-related problems. Now, the Redmond, Washington-based firm has rolled out a new update that it claims fixes these latest issues. "v38.10.90.0 corrects an error that may occur on a limited number of Surface Pro 3 devices where the full charge capacity of the battery is misreported to the operating...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_rolls_out_update_aimed_at_fixing_surface_pro_3_battery_problem-news-21554.php

Tipster confirms Samsung Galaxy S8 model numbers, reveals new Galaxy Note is in the works as well

Samsung's Galaxy S flagships from last year - the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge - carried model numbers of SM-G920 and G925, respectively. The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones launched earlier this year came with SM-G930 and SM-G935 model numbers. So, it was reasonable to expect that the Galaxy S8 flagships will carry model numbers of SM-G940 and SM-G945. However, contrary to expectations, a rumor from September revealed that the device will come with SM-G950 and SM-G955 model numbers instead. Now, the usually reliable leakster Evan Blass - who goes by the handle @evleaks on Twitter - has also...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tipster_confirms_samsung_galaxy_s8_model_numbers_reveals_new_galaxy_note_is_in_the_works_as_well-news-21557.php

Android 7.0 beta firmware for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge leaks

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, and would like to try out Nougat on your device, here's some news: a firmware based on Android 7.0 beta has leaked online. For the Galaxy S7, it bumps the version to G930FXXU1ZPK4, and for the S7 Edge, to G935FXXU1ZPK4. Before you go ahead start installing it, keep in mind that it is a beta firmware, meaning it's not stable as there are likely to be some bugs. The official Galaxy S7/S7 edge Nougat update is expected to start rolling soon given that Samsung has already pushed out a beta update to eligible devices in its home country of South...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_70_beta_firmware_for_samsung_galaxy_s7_and_s7_edge_leaks-news-21551.php

64GB SanDisk microSD card going for around $45 in US

If you are a SanDisk fan, and are in the market for a microSD card, you'll be glad to know that the 64GB SanDisk Extreme Plus memory card is currently going for around $45 in the US - $44.81 to be precise. Amazon has the card listed on its website at that price, down from the $119.99 tag it usually carriers there. It supports up to 95MB/s transfer speeds, up to 80MB/s read speed, and up to 50MB/s write speed. The card is temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray proof as well. Source

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/64gb_sandisk_microsd_card_going_for_around_45_in_us-news-21553.php

There are some reports of Pixel users with LTE issues

Google's phone hasn't had major issues or bugs upon its release. However, a small number of folks, namely in South America, whose carriers primarily use Band 4. Some other reports of the same issue have come from Telus and Bell customers in Canada, despite these reports, there haven't been any issues reported from the US. What most of the reports had in common was the reliance on Band 4 to connect to LTE. The Pixels affected were not able to connect to the LTE network and the connection would fall back to HSPA+. The Google Product Forum was filled with replies and gets pretty...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/there_are_some_reports_of_pixel_users_with_lte_issues-news-21552.php

YouTube VR app for Android goes live in the Play Store

Google is getting serious about VR this year. With VR capabilities built into the latest Android release, and with its very own Daydream View VR headset becoming available tomorrow, the search giant has released a new app into the Play Store today. It's called YouTube VR, and is, well, YouTube in VR. As you can see from the screenshot below, it turns browsing YouTube and watching videos into a 3D experience. Using this app, your Google Pixel or Pixel XL smartphone, and the Daydream View headset, you can watch 3D 360-degree videos, but also "standard rectangular videos". In fact,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_vr_app_for_android_goes_live_in_the_play_store-news-21550.php