Google's Android Pay gains support for 24 new financial institutions in US

The ever expanding list of Android Pay supported banks/financial institutions has been updated yet again. This time, a total of 24 new names have been added, including Bank of Idaho, Beehive Federal Credit Union, Citizens Bank (WI), Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, and Duke University FCU. Other names are First Community Bank (TX), Great Plains Bank, Guaranty Bank & Trust Company of Delhi, Gulf Winds FCU, Mascoma Savings Bank, Meadows Bank, Meriwest Credit Union, Nascoga Federal Credit Union, One Bank & Trust, N.A., Pen Air FCU, Security Federal Bank, Texas Brand Bank, The...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/googles_android_pay_gains_support_for_24_new_financial_institutions_in_us-news-27426.php

New update hitting Samsung Galaxy Note8 units on T-Mobile

It has come to light that T-Mobile has pushed out a new update to Samsung Galaxy Note8 units on its network. Arriving as version N950USQU1AQ15 and weighing in at under 200MB, the update includes some stability improvements related to the Navigation app, Google Maps, and the Weather Widget. Reportedly, the update also brings along Android security fixes for the month of August. It's already a week since the roll out began. However, in case you haven't received the update yet, be patient, as you likely see the notification soon. Source | Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_update_hitting_samsung_galaxy_note8_units_on_tmobile-news-27430.php

Oreo update for Huawei Mate 9 could be arriving soon

Looks like the Huawei Mate 9 could be receiving the Oreo update soon. The device with Android 8.0 on board has been spotted listed on benchmarking website Geekbench. For what it's worth, this is not the first time we are hearing about the Mate 9 Android 8.0 update - back in April this year, we saw a glimpse of Oreo-powered Mate 9 (the ROM was in early development stage at that time). A benchmark appearance doesn't guarantee, but does indicate that final testing is going on and if everything goes fine, roll out should begin sooner than later. Source | Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oreo_update_for_huawei_mate_9_could_be_arriving_soon-news-27432.php

Gionee GN5007 spotted on TENAA with 6-inch display, 5,000mAh battery

A new Gionee smartphone has been spotted on the website of China's TENAA. Listed as Gionee GN5007, the device is powered by an octa-core SoC with 1.4GHz processor, and sports a 6-inch display with 1440×720 pixel resolution. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is 32GB. The handset features a 13MP main camera and an 8MP selfie shooter. Measuring 156.3×75.6×8.6mm and weighing in at 187g, the phone runs Android Nougat (version 7.1.1) out of the box, and packs in a 5,000mAh battery. As far as color options are concerned, the TENAA listing only reveals black. There's currently no...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_gn5007_spotted_on_tenaa_with_octacore_cpu_13mp_camera-news-27428.php

Xiaomi sells over 1 million smartphones in India in 2 days

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi managed to sell over 1 million smartphones in 48 hours during online festive sales in India, carried out by retailers Flipkart and Amazon. If you break it down, that's 300 smartphones per minute on average. That's an achievement of sorts for Xiaomi, given that last year the 1 million figure was crossed after 18 days. "This achievement marks an industry first, and is a key milestone for Xiaomi India," the company said. The Redmi Note 4 was the top seller smartphone as far as Flipkart's Big Billion Day Sale is concerned, while of all the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_sells_over_1_million_smartphones_in_india_in_2_days-news-27431.php

Samsung's Bixby digital assistant now available in India

Samsung's Bixby digital assistant - dubbed Bixby Voice - debuted shortly after the arrival of the company's Galaxy S8 series smartphones. It was first launched in the company's home country of South Korea, following which it arrived in the US. Last month, Samsung started rolling out Bixby Voice worldwide. And now, the assistant has officially landed in India. Samsung says Bixby Voice features support for various Indian accents, and is hence capable of adapting to Indian dialects and contexts. The company notes that even those Indians who have opted for English (US) language can also...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_bixby_digital_assistant_now_available_in_india-news-27427.php

Nokia 8 with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage officially confirmed to be coming next month

The Nokia 8 variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage was recently spotted in documents of the US FCC. And now, according to a new report, the model has been officially confirmed by HMD. The report notes the company has confirmed the variant will be made available in Europe (Germany, specifically) next month on October 20. It'll only be available in Polished Blue color option though. As for pricing, the device will carry a tag of €669, which is €90 more than what the regular 4GB/64GB version carries. There's currently no information on exactly when the variant will arrive in other key...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_8_with_6gb_ram_and_128gb_storage_officially_confirmed_coming_next_month-news-27429.php

Essential PH-1 now available from Best Buy

You can now get the Essential PH-1 (hands-on here) from Best Buy retails stores in the United States. The blue and yellow retail store's preorder period is over and you can now place an order for the Black Moon version of the Essential Phone and you can even pick one up in the store. It might be a good idea to check if your local store has one before making the trip. The Pure White model, on the other hand, isn't available just yet, though it is listed as "coming soon". On Best Buy's website. The Essential PH-1 has a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge display that it calls "Full Display". Aside...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/essential_ph1_now_available_from_best_buy-news-27423.php

PSA: Oreo is causing Google Alarm Clock app to fail for some

Oreo is Android's latest version release, and as with every release, there are always going to be kinks and issues that need to be ironed out in the following maintenance update. A considerable amount of users have been reporting that the Google Clock App is crashing. As a result of this, the moment a pre-set alarm goes off, the App Crashes and goes silent, causing many of these unsuspecting users to run late to work. You can find these over at Reddit. Google Clock App If you are running Android Oreo, you might want to check to make sure that your Alarm app is working as...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/psa_oreo_is_causing_google_alarm_clock_app_to_fail_for_some-news-27422.php

Professional photographer's take on the iPhone 8 Plus camera

As the iPhone 8 reviews come out, we will see a lot of different viewpoints discussing the various aspects of the phone. But there's something to be said about hearing the opinion of a professional photographer talking specifically about the new camera on the iPhone 8. And that's exactly what Austin Mann did after going around the state of Rajasthan in India and taking hundreds of pictures with his pre-production iPhone 8 Plus and describing it all in his blog post. The entire blog post in all its glory is linked below, but here are some of the key takeaways from it. Mann...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/professional_photographers_take_on_the_iphone_8_plus_camera-news-27421.php

Asus Zenfone 5 may launch as early as next March

Asus has just yesterday officially brought its Zenfone 4 family of smartphones to Europe, but it's already thinking about the next generation. According to a new report from the company's home of Taiwan, Asus CEO Jerry Shen himself says that we may see the Zenfone 5 series launching as soon as March next year. That would definitely not give the Zenfone 4 lineup a lot of time on the market, what with some models only arriving in stock in November (for example in the UK). Shen says Asus' smartphone business has returned to a growth track following a recent restructuring. In the fourth...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_5_may_launch_as_early_as_next_march-news-27419.php

Moto E4 Plus now goes for $148.89, $31.10 cheaper than usual

The Moto E4 Plus landed in the US last month, and now it's finally time for it to get its first promotional price reduction. Normally going for $179.99 unlocked, the entry-level model with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage can now be snagged from Amazon for just $148.89. This is the standard version, mind you, not the one that has lock screen offers and ads that is exclusive to Amazon Prime members. So if you act soon (because there's really no telling how long this deal will last), you're able to save a neat $31.10 compared to the phone's normal pricing. The non-Plus E4 model was discounted...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_e4_plus_now_goes_for_14889_3110_cheaper_than_usual-news-27420.php

'Check for updates' button in Android now actually works

The infamous 'Check for updates' button has been around on Android for what seems like forever now but in all this time it has been about as useful as the close door button on the elevator, which most of the time doesn't seem to do anything. Google developer Elliott Hughes has taken to Google+(!) to inform everyone that the button isn't actually useless anymore. The previous behavior was to check if an update is available and only when the update was readily available to your device and was somehow missed by the automated background check for update will it pull the update. With...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/check_for_updates_button_in_android_now_actually_works-news-27417.php

Instagram adds face filters to live video

Instagram has introduced a new ability to its live video feature. Users can now use one of the many face filters that were recently introduced while streaming live to their followers. Not only can can the filters be chosen for a stream but you can switch between them during the course of the live stream. Instagram has also added a sunglasses filter, which will be available exclusively for live videos for the next week. Users can tap on the filter to change the scenery that is reflected off the glasses. As before, one the live broadcast ends, the user can choose to save their...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/instagram_adds_face_filters_to_live_video-news-27414.php

Apple shares 8 things to love about the iPhone 8 in its first ad

Now that the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have finally become available to purchase in the first wave of countries, Apple is starting its big marketing push for its latest smartphones. The company released the first ad for the duo today. It's basically a list of 8 things to love about the new iPhone 8 - a pretty quick and concise way of sharing what it thinks are the duo's main selling points. In case you can't watch the video embedded above, here's what you're missing. Apple says the iPhone 8 is special because it has the most durable glass ever in a smartphone, the new Portrait...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_shares_8_things_to_love_about_the_iphone_8_in_its_first_ad-news-27418.php

iPhone 8 teardown lays out its guts, results in average repairability score

You've already seen the new iPhone 8 scratch, burn, and bend tested, and now it's time for us to get a look at its internals - literally. iFixit has created another comprehensive teardown, and its victim was the iPhone 8 this time around. The handset became available today, and this information should help those that are looking to repair it on their own at some point. The iPhone 8 gets a 6 out of 10 repairability score (10 being easiest to repair). That's one point less than what the iPhone 7 Plus managed last year. The iPhone 8 provides straightforward access to the two components...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_8_teardown_lays_out_its_guts_results_in_average_repairability_score-news-27416.php

iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 8 now rule DxOMark's rankings with best smartphone cameras ever tested

With sales of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus starting today, DxOMark has published comprehensive reviews of both handsets' cameras. Lo and behold, they have jumped straight to the first two spots in the DxOMark rankings, leaving the HTC U11 and Google Pixel in the dust. The Pixel used to be the king of DxO until the U11 got the same score of 90. Now though, the iPhone 8 Plus' camera becomes the best that the lab has ever tested, with a score of 94. The iPhone 8's shooter isn't far behind, ranked No.2 with its 92 points. The iPhone 8 Plus shines in picture taking, with a record-breaking...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_8_plus_and_iphone_8_now_rule_dxomarks_rankings_with_best_smartphone_cameras_ever_tested-news-27415.php

Samsung Galaxy Note8 availability expands, arrives in Thailand and Malaysia

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 has been launched in a couple of more countries today. Asian markets Thailand and Malaysia are the newest regions where the device is now available for purchase. It was last week, when Samsung announced the global roll out of the flagship smartphone, releasing it in as many as 42 countries. Some of the regions that got the phone first included US, Canada, Singapore, Korea and major European markets. Recently, the Galaxy Note8 shipments began in India as well. Samsung plans to launch the phone in around 150 countries by the end of October. Via 1 2

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note8_availability_expands_arrives_in_thailand_and_malaysia-news-27413.php

Motorola Moto Z2 Force currently going for $500 in US

If you are a Motorola fan in the US, and are in the market for a flagship-level smartphone, here's a deal for you: the Moto Z2 Force is currently going for $500 in the country. Specifically, T-Mobile is offering the device at this rate. That, if you compare with the $750 price tag the handset usually carriers at the magenta carrier, translates into a solid discount of $250. You can also make a purchase by paying $20 upfront, followed by 24 monthly payments of $20 each. Officially, Motorola is offering the T-Mobile variant for $720, so you still get to save over $200 if you avail the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_z2_force_currently_going_for_500_in_us-news-27410.php

Watch the iPhone 8 get scratched, burned and bent

The iPhone 8 is the newest phone to come out of Apple and as is the tradition, it must go through the Internet's torture test. More specifically, the JerryRigEverything durability test where phones get scratched, burned, bent and generally go through hell. The iPhone 8, however, survives through all of this, which isn't a surprise since last year's iPhone 7 did well, too. There are some things to note from this video The glass front and back are about as scratch-resistant as the front glass on the iPhone 7 so Apple's "most durable glass ever on a smartphone" claim will likely be...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_iphone_8_get_scratched_burned_and_bent-news-27412.php

Huawei Maimang 6 goes official with Kirin 659 SoC, four cameras

As scheduled, the Huawei Maimang 6 has been officially announced by the company. The device is powered by Kirin 659 SoC with octa-core processor, and sports a 5.9-inch display with 2160 x 1080 pixel resolution and 18:9 ratio. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is 64GB. Talking about camera, there's a 16MP+2MP setup on the back, and a 13MP+2MP setup on the front for selfies. Measuring 156.2 x 75.2 x 7.5mm and weighing in at 164g, the phone runs Android 7.0-based EMUI 5.1 and packs in a 3,340mAh battery. The Maimang 6 - which is likely to be sold outside China as Mate 10 Lite -...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_maimang_6_goes_official_with_kirin_659_soc_four_cameras-news-27411.php

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) users are reporting battery charging problems

For quite some time now, Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) users have been reporting issues with battery charging. Specifically, they say their device's battery doesn't charge beyond around 85%. Steps like clearing cache, swapping chargers, charging in safe mode, and even a full factory reset prove to be of no help. Reports say there's a bug in the device's Nougat build that's causing this issue. While the South Korean company hasn't officially said anything on it, some of those affected say they've been informed that a fix is incoming. A specific time-frame for the arrival, however, isn't...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a3_2016_users_are_reporting_battery_charging_problems-news-27409.php

Asus Zenfone 4 series is now official for Europe

As scheduled, Taiwanese manufacturer Asus has officially announced its Zenfone 4 series of smartphones for Europe. The unveiling took place during the We Love Photo press event in Rome. "We are very thrilled to announce the availability of the ZenFone 4 family to all of Europe," said CEO Jerry Shen during the event. The series consists of several devices, including the ZenFone 4 Pro, ZenFone 4, ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro, ZenFone 4 Selfie, and ZenFone 4 Max. Key details like European pricing of these models as well as their launch dates in the region, however, weren't...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_4_series_is_now_official_for_europe-news-27408.php

BlackBerry Keyone Black Edition reaches Canada next week

The BlackBerry Keyone Black Edition is slowly making its way to more and more markets across the world, and now it's almost time for it to land in the company's home of Canada. The device is expected to land there as soon as next week, but may only be out at certain retailers and carriers at the end of the month. Anyway, it is coming. The Keyone Black Edition will be priced at CAD 799 unlocked, and should be available from Amazon, Walmart, and Staples, among other places. Compared to the silver/black Keyone that was initially announced in February at MWC, the Black Edition has more RAM and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_keyone_black_edition_reaches_canada_next_week-news-27404.php

Asus Zenfone 4 and Zenfone 4 Max are officially headed to the UK

Asus is launching two members of its ever-expanding Zenfone 4 family in the UK this year. The Zenfone 4 and Zenfone 4 Max will both become available in the next few weeks from Carphone Warehouse, Amazon, and the Asus store in SIM-free form. The Zenfone 4 will cost you £449.99. It goes on pre-order in the aforementioned places on October 6, and will be released in early November. Asus Zenfone 4 It comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, the Snapdragon 630 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage (with microSD expansion), a 12 MP + 8 MP dual rear camera setup, an 8 MP selfie snapper,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_4_and_zenfone_4_max_are_officially_headed_to_the_uk-news-27405.php

HTC U11 Plus rumored for November with 6-inch 18:9 bezel-less screen

If you hate bezels but love HTC, it's been a bad year for you so far, considering the U11 and U Ultra's screen-to-body ratios. But good news may be just around the corner, if a new report from France is to be believed. The Taiwanese company is still working on new smartphones, despite the confusing Google buyout of some of its hardware engineers and designers. In fact, just a couple of days ago we heard that it plans to announce three new devices by the end of the year. One of those will allegedly be called U11 Plus (codename Ocean Master). This is said to be the first HTC handset to...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_u11_plus_rumored_for_november_with_6inch_189_bezelless_screen-news-27406.php

Moto G5S Plus lands in the US on September 29, pre-orders are live for $229.99

Yesterday was all about the Moto X4 and its US availability - in both the newly unveiled Android One iteration and the usual version with Moto software. Today the Lenovo-owned brand has news relating to the US and another of its smartphones, namely the Moto G5S Plus. This was announced in early August as the first member of the G line to boast dual rear cameras, and it's now on its way to the US. You can in fact already pre-order the G5S Plus from Motorola's online store. You can have it in Lunar Gray or Blush Gold, and the price is $229.99 for an unlocked unit. That is, if you don't mind...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_g5s_plus_is_landing_in_the_us_on_september_29_preorders_are_live_for_22999-news-27403.php

Meizu announces M6 Note One Piece special edition in red with yellow accents

Following yesterday's introduction of the M6, today Meizu has turned back towards the M6 Note smartphone it unveiled back in August and graced it with a special edition. The Meizu M6 One Piece special edition is styled to remind you of the Japanese manga series. It features a black front and red back, with red and yellow accents. The new paintjob isn't only on the outside - the handset also comes with One Piece themed UI elements, including wallpapers, icons and widgets. Fans of One Piece will surely be thrilled by this device. Spec-wise, nothing changes compared to the vanilla M6...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_announces_m6_note_one_piece_special_edition_in_red_with_yellow_accents-news-27402.php

Huawei Mate 10 Lite leaks in hands-on video, showing off its four cameras and 18:9 screen

To the disappointment of no one, we yesterday found out that Huawei won't rebrand the Maimang 6 for countries other than China as G10, instead selling the same device as the Mate 10 Lite. That leak also brought us full spec details and leaked press renders showing the soon-to-be Mate 10 Lite in all its glory ahead of its September 22 unveiling in China (as the Maimang 6 - it will only officially become a Mate on October 16). Today someone in China has outed a very short hands-on video with this smartphone, which quickly shows off a live unit for the first time. At this point you've...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_10_lite_leaks_in_handson_video_showing_off_its_four_cameras_and_189_screen-news-27401.php

vivo X20 and X20 Plus unveiled with 18:9 Full View screens, Snapdragon 660

Today vivo took the wraps off its latest creations, the X20 and X20 Plus. The X9s and X9s Plus are only a few months old but we already get newer, shinier members of the X family to gawk at - and they do contain almost all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a high-end smartphone in late 2017. Full View, near bezel-less screens with 18:9 aspect ratio? Check. Dual rear cameras? Check. As usual with vivo's X line, the main differences between the normal model and the Plus option are to be found in display and battery size - most specs are shared. The vivo X20 sports a 6.01-inch...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_x20_and_x20_plus_unveiled_with_189_full_view_screens_snapdragon_660-news-27400.php

Sony Xperia XA1 Plus launched in India

Sony has launched the Xperia XA1 Plus in India. The phone is priced at INR 24,990 ($384) and will be available starting tomorrow, September 22. The Xperia XA1 Plus is Sony's mid-range smartphone aimed at multimedia consumption. It has a large 5.5-inch 1080p display, which is larger than most Sony smartphones. It runs on a MediaTek Helio P20 processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. On the back is a 23 megapixel camera with f2.0 aperture and Sony's SteadyShot digital image stabilization for videos. On the front is an 8 megapixel sensor with f2.0 aperture and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xa1_plus_launched_in_india-news-27399.php

Xiaomi joins the Qi wireless charging consortium

Xiaomi has joined the Wireless Power Consortium, known for its Qi standard. That is the same standard that is supported by Apple, LG, Samsung (which also supports PMA) and others. The company has not made an official announcement, but it showed up on the member list at the Consortium's home page. One would think that the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 7 would be the first to include Qi wireless charging. Wireless charging has been gaining momentum over the last few years and cafes, airports and even Ikea have joined in. The latest high-profile participant is Apple, which switched to glass backs...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_joins_the_qi_wireless_charging_consortium-news-27397.php

Apple Watch Series 3 LTE version plagued from connectivity issues

The Apple Watch Series 3 has an LTE version - it was the major change in this generation. But it turns out that this headlining feature isn't ready for the spotlight yet. The review units that Apple sent out have issues when they strike out on their own - when connectivity to the phone is lost, the Watch would try to connect to unauthenticated Wi-Fi networks rather than jump on LTE. "We have discovered that when Apple Watch Series 3 joins unauthenticated Wi-Fi networks without connectivity, it may at times prevent the watch from using cellular," an Apple spokesperson told The Verge. "We...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_watch_series_3_connectivity_issues-news-27392.php

TENAA reveals the true specs of ZTE nubia NX595J

It turns out that just about nothing in yesterday's rumor about the ZTE nubia NX595J was true. First off, the phone very much has bezels - ample ones - and it has a relatively small screen. It does have a dual camera though the design is completely different. We turn to TENAA for the accurate truth. The NX595J has a 5.2" screen (1080p LCD) and measures 148 x 72.1 x 7.95mm, clearly not a "bezel-less phone". You can clearly see the fingerprint reader below the display. ZTE nubia NX595J (photos by TENAA) The phone will run Android 7.1 Nougat on an octa-core processor (2GHz,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_nx595j_specs_by_tenaa-news-27391.php

Deals: Amazon India offers great discounts, iPhone prices cut up to 30%

Amazon India is holding its biggest sales event yet - the Great Indian Festival. Here are some select deals (click on the prices to go to Amazon). There are iPhones at up to 30% off. The iPhone 7 is 30% off, down to INR 39,000. The older iPhone 6s is only 18% off, making it cost about the same as the 7, so not worth it. An even older iPhone 6 is 14% off, down to INR 25,134. If you want to pay as little as possible for an iPhone, then the iPhone SE is down to INR 19,000, 26% off. The iPhone 5s is cheaper ta INR 16,500, but we think the SE is a better deal (it's 3 years...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/deals_amazon_india_offers_great_discounts-news-27396.php

Nokia 8 India launch set for next week

The Nokia 8 flagship smartphone is coming to India next week. HMD Global has started sending out invites for an event, which will be held on September 26. The invite clearly says the event is about "unveiling the milestone of Nokia Phones." The device is already available in Australia as well as parts of Europe and Asia. The US hasn't got it yet, but new developments indicate the launch is not far off (and the country could even get the 6GB/128GB variant). Coming back to India, while availability has been finally confirmed by the company, there's still no information on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_8_india_launch_set_for_next_week-news-27393.php

Report suggests iPhone X production hasn't even begun yet

Apple will start pre-orders for the iPhone X on October 27 and expects to start shipping on November 3 but that may change. According to a chip analyst with Raymond James Apple hasn't begun mass production of the iPhone X. He says units will starts coming off the production lines in mid-October and likely ramp up into the final quarter of the year. If this turns out true then we can expect the iPhone X to be available in very limited stock if and when it launches on November 3 and it could even start shipping later than that. Source | Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/report_suggests_iphone_x_production_hasnt_even_begun_yet-news-27390.php

Nokia 8 with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage headed to the US

The Nokia 8 got certified by the US FCC in June this year. The device went official last month, and is already available in a bunch of markets. The list, sadly, doesn't include the US yet. However, this could change soon, as HMD has added some changes to the FCC listings for Nokia 8 variants TA-1004 and TA-1012, strongly indicating the company is preparing for the US launch. While that's definitely good news for Nokia fans in the US, here's the icing on the cake: the changes reveal the device will arrive in the country with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. For those who aren't aware,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_8_with_6gb_ram_and_128gb_storage_headed_to_us-news-27389.php

Purported BlackBerry Krypton images leak

Although the BlackBerry Krypton has collected almost all the necessary certifications (including those from Bluetooth SIG, WiFi Alliance, and the US FCC), there was no information on its design yet. Well, that changes now, as a couple of images of the handset leaked. They focus on the back of the device and reveal a return of the carbon finish. From what all we've gathered so far, the Krypton will be powered by either Snapdragon 625 or 626 chipset, and sport a Full HD display. RAM will be 4GB, and battery capacity will be 4,000mAh. The device is said to be full-touch, and is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/purported_blackberry_krypton_images_leak-news-27388.php

Unlocked Moto X4 coming to US, Motorola confirms

After detailing the UK and India launches of the Moto X4, Motorola made an announcement related to the US release of device, but that turned out to be for the Android One variant. But what about the standard Moto X4? Well, those who are looking forward to purchase the unlocked Moto X4 will be glad to know that the company has confirmed the it will also be made available in the US. Sadly, the company didn't share an exact date or month, although it did say the device will arrive in the country this year. A formal announcement in this regard is expected sometime next month. Pricing...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_confirms_unlocked_moto_x4_coming_to_us-news-27387.php

HTC and Google announce a $1.1 billion agreement for the future of Pixel

HTC and Google have officially announced that the companies have reached a deal. Google will pay HTC $1.1 billion in cash in exchange for some of its employees and Google will have access to HTC's intellectual property. So what does this mean for the future HTC and the Pixel lineup? Certain HTC employees, many of which are currently working with Google to develop the Pixel phones, will join Google. In addition, Google will receive a non-exclusive license for HTC's intellectual property. This means that Google will have access to HTC's manufacturing patents and designs for its future Pixel...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_and_google_announce_a_11_billion_agreement_for_the_future_of_pixel_phones-news-27383.php

PSA: Turning off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from Control Center in iOS 11 doesn't actually turn them off

The shiny new iOS 11 went out to supported iDevices yesterday. So you're probably already enjoying its many benefits, but here's something you may not know: the behavior of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles in Control Center is confusing. You swipe up from the bottom, Control Center appears, you tap the Wi-Fi icon, it dims / turns grey, and voila - you've turned off Wi-Fi, right? Wrong. And the same goes for Bluetooth. It turns out that using Control Center to turn off Wi-Fi only results in your phone immediately disconnecting from any network you are connected to (and auto-join for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/psa_turning_off_wifi_or_bluetooth_from_control_center_in_ios_11_doesnt_actually_turn_them_off-news-27382.php

Meizu M20 10,000mAh power bank fast charges both ways

The M6 isn't the only product Meizu unveiled today. Alongside the new smartphone, the Chinese company unleashed the M20 power bank, featuring 10,000mAh capacity and two-way fast charging. What that means is that the M20 will fast charge your phone, but it also fast charges itself. Its 18W input support means it can be fully charged in 3.5 hours when using a fast charger. It works well with MediaTek's dual fast charging. When it comes to topping up your mobile device, the M20 power bank maxes out at 24W, up from 18W in its predecessor introduced back in 2015. There's a button on top,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_m20_10000mah_power_bank_fast_charges_both_ways-news-27381.php

Microsoft Surface Pro LTE gets outed ahead of schedule by one UK retailer

Microsoft is widely expected to finally make the LTE-capable Surface Pro official in late October at an event in London. One UK-based retailer, however, simply couldn't wait until then - and decided to list the still unannounced device on its website. What's more, it's even taking pre-orders for the Surface Pro LTE. It's priced at £1,402.80 with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That's a £153.80 markup compared to what Microsoft is currently charging for the same configuration sans LTE connectivity. So expect the US prices to be around $150 steeper for the LTE-enabled...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_surface_pro_lte_gets_outed_ahead_of_schedule_by_one_uk_retailer-news-27380.php

Quad-camera Huawei Maimang 6 to be sold outside China as Mate 10 Lite, not G10

On September 22, Huawei is set to unveil the Maimang 6 for its home market of China. This phone has been leaking a lot lately, and we thought that it would end up being sold elsewhere as the G10 (since the Maimang 5 got rebranded to G9 Plus outside of China). However, it turns out that Huawei is set to surprise us. While the Maimang 6 will indeed be offered in other markets, it will arrive bearing the name Mate 10 Lite, according to a new report from the usually reliable Evan Blass of @evleaks fame. This is a change in strategy for the Chinese company, but it makes some sense when you...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/quadcamera_huawei_maimang_6_to_be_sold_outside_china_as_mate_10_lite_not_g10-news-27379.php

Moto X4 Android One smartphone becomes official for Fi, priced at $399

The previously leaked Android One version of the Moto X4 has been made official by Google and Motorola today. It's the first Android One device that will be sold in the United States. You'll be able to purchase it from Fi, Google's carrier, for $399. Under the hood this is identical to the already unveiled Moto X4, coming with a 5.2-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery. On the rear there's a 12 MP + 8 MP dual camera setup, while selfies are snapped by a 16 MP shooter. The Moto X4 is IP68 rated for water...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x4_android_one_smartphone_becomes_official_for_fi_priced_at_399-news-27378.php

LG Q6+ launches in India with extra memory

After a month-long wait, the LG Q6+ was officially launched in India. It's the same bezel-less mid-ranger as the regular Q6 but you get more memory (at a higher cost, of course). The Q6+ is available now with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage, putting it closer to the G6 flagship. However, the performance chasm between the two remains - Snapdragon 435 just isn't very fast. That may have been okay for an INR 15,000 device ($235/€195), but it's going to be a tough sell at INR 18,000 ($280/€235). To be fair, that is still half the price of the full fat LG G6. Source

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_q6_launches_in_india-news-27377.php

KGI: Apple to use FaceID on all iPhones next year

Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities correctly predicted that Apple will drop the fingerprint reader, though he wasn't right about the gesture area. Now he's back with another forecast for the future - in 2018 Apple will drop the fingerprint reader altogether. This means that the company will fully rely on the new Kinect-like TrueDepth camera and FaceID system. But the camera does more than authentication - it also enables animojis and future tech based on the system (like the Snapchat demo). The in-display fingerprint reader reportedly remains a challenge as Apple's 3D Touch makes the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/kgi_apple_to_use_faceid_on_all_iphones_next_year-news-27376.php

Huawei Mate 10 to come in four flavors, here are their code names

The Mate family tree is getting complicated - according to the most recent rumors, there will be three or even four versions. They will differ in what screens they use and the Leica camera will be reserved for the higher-end models. The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is code named Blanc and will have a 5.9" AMOLED screen with QHD resolution and a new Leica dual cam. The base Mate 10 will stick to an IPS LCD screen with 1080p resolution, but will keep the camera. This one is dubbed Alps. These two will start at $850 and $650 respectively. Then there's the Mate 10 Lite (aka Rhone), which...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_10_to_come_in_four_flavors-news-27375.php

HTC reportedly has a huge announcement for tomorrow

China Times claims that trading of HTC shares will be suspended tomorrow, September 21, pending a major announcement. The publication goes on to say that the HTC headquarters are busy with people preparing for a major presentation - the second floor is filled with chairs and screens. It has been rumored for months that Google is interested in acquiring parts of the HTC business. Note "parts" 0 the HTC brand will remain independent but will be refocused to the Vive VR headset. Google will acquire the manufacturing and R&D capacity of the Taiwanese firm that brought the first Android...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_reportedly_has_a_huge_announcement_for_tomorrow-news-27374.php