Nokia 3 will get Android 8 Oreo next, no 7.1.2 after all

One of the key selling points of the new Nokias is the promise for timely updates, and so far the company has been delivering - the Oreo rollout for Nokia 8 has officially started, and there have been reports of various updates for this Nokia, or that. The latter, the Nokia 3, was promised a 7.1.2 release in late October, but it never arrived and the lower-end phone has remained on Android 7.0. No worries, though - the 3 is still on track for receiving Oreo, it'll just skip the incremental .1.2 update, Juho Sarvikas, Chef Product Officer for HMD Global, has clarified on Twitter in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3_will_get_android_8_oreo_next_no_712_after_all-news-28553.php

OnePlus announces OnePlus 5T Star Wars Limited Edition

OnePlus unveiled a Star Wars Limited Edition of the OnePlus 5T during Comic Con India. The phone is expected to launch some time this month and tie-in with the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi slated to release on December 15. We also expect the phone to be exclusive to India. The Star Wars Limited Edition comes in a new color scheme, with an all white back with red Star Wars logo at the bottom. The front of the phone is black, as are the buttons on the side. The alert slider, however, is finished in bright red. More details will be provided next week.

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_announces_oneplus_5t_star_wars_limited_edition-news-28554.php

Verizon discounts the Pixel 2 and 2 XL by $300, sort of

Verizon has slashed the prices of the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL by $300, sort of, in a way - Big Red will still charge you the full $649.99 for the small phone or $849.99 for the XL, but will credit you back each month of a 2-year contract to the full $300. To sweeten the deal further, the carrier will also throw in a Google Home at 50% off - this one's an instant discount. Meanwhile in Germany, retailers MediaMarkt and Saturn are offering €200 discounts on both sizes of Pixel 2s. The large one has been out of stock pretty much since the promo started yesterday. Source

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_discounts_the_pixel_2_and_2_xl_by_300_sort_of-news-28551.php

Latest OnePlus 3/3T Open Beta brings aptX/aptX HD support, UI fixes

A new OxygenOS Open Beta update has started hitting the OnePlus 3 and 3T smartphones. Arriving as version 28 and 19, respectively, the update brings a bag full of changes, related to launcher, gallery, contacts, and system. Specifically, the update adds support for aptX/aptX HD as well as includes UI fixes for Quick Settings. Other system-level changes are mostly optimizations related to WiFi and battery. Moving on, while launcher-related changes are all optimizations, those related to gallery include new photo map to view photos by location and some UI enhancements. As for changes...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/latest_oneplus_3_3t_open_beta_brings_aptx_aptx_hd_support_ui_fixes-news-28549.php

LG V30 is getting a new update

LG has started pushing out a new update to its V30 smartphone. Weighing in at around 500MB, it's a security update that brings along Android fixes for the month of November. Aside from this, the device's usability and functionality has also been improved. As is usually the case with OTA roll outs, it may take time for the update notification to pop up on your device's screen. So be patient. While this latest update is still based on Android Nougat, the South Korean company is already testing the Oreo update for the handset in its home country. In other news, the HTC U Ultra has...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_v30_is_getting_a_new_update-news-28548.php

Galaxy A8+ (2018) is the new A7, poses for photos

Two years ago today, Samsung announced the Galaxy A-series lineup for 2016, while the 2017 roster waited for its namesake year, before going official on January 2, 2017. The 2018 models apparently won't meet the 2016 schedule and we won't be surprised to see them arrive with the new year. One of them, at least, will be getting a new name, a recent photo leak on Weibo indicates. With an internal designation SM-730, you'd expect that to be the next A7, but it will enter 2018 as the Galaxy A8+ (2018). Leaked live photos of an alleged Galaxy A8+ (2018) The change seems...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_a8_2018_is_the_new_a7_poses_for_photos-news-28550.php

User agent profile reveals new Sony smartphone (H8324)

A new Sony smartphone has been uncovered. Carrying a model number of H8324, the device has been spotted in a user agent profile, which also reveals 1080 x 1920 (16:9) display resolution. Take a look at the screenshot below: Sadly, nothing else is currently known about the handset, although now that it has started appearing in listings, we do expect to hear more about it in the weeks to come. Last month, the Sony H4133 came to light. Specs revealed by GFXBench included Snapdragon 630 chipset, 5.2-inch 1080p display, 3GB/32GB memory, and 21MP/8MP camera combo. The handset runs Android...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/user_agent_profile_reveals_new_sony_smartphone_h8324-news-28547.php

Samsung Gear S3 users reporting poor battery life post Tizen 3.0 update

Just a few weeks ago, the Samsung Gear S3 started receiving Tizen 3.0 through a Value Pack update. The update brought along plenty of new features, but if a recent report is to be believed, it has introduced battery issues as well. The report says several users of the smartwatch are complaining of poor battery life after the update. Officially, Samsung hasn't said anything on the matter yet. So it's difficult to say how widespread the problem is. However, it does look like not everybody is seeing the same behavior. There have also been complaints about an issue that prevents...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_s3_users_reporting_poor_battery_life_post_tizen_30_update-news-28546.php

Deal: Save around $130 on Google Home 2-pack

Google's voice-activated smart speaker Home has received a decent price cut in the US. Specifically, retailer Best Buy has the Home 2-pack listed for $129.98, which translates into savings of around $130. So that's basically a discount of around 50% on the Google Assistant-powered device. The promo is for a single day, which means those interested in availing it may have to act fast. For more information, head to the Source link below. Source

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/deal_save_around_130_on_google_home_2pack-news-28545.php

New $259 9.7-inch iPad coming in 2018, rumor says

A new rumor purportedly originating at "sources from related upstream suppliers" claims Apple is preparing the cheapest ever 9.7-inch iPad for next year. As you may know, the company released the iPad 9.7 (2017) back in March, and that model is priced from $329. At launch, it was the cheapest iPad of its size yet. But in 2018 its successor is allegedly going to start at just $259. If that pans out, the rumored device will undoubtedly start a resurgence of the tablet sector in the mobile world, which hasn't been doing all that well in the past few years. The slate is said to launch in the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/new_259_97inch_ipad_coming_in_2018_rumor_says-news-28544.php

vivo X20 King of Glory edition arrives on December 8

Back in October it was revealed that vivo was working on a King of Glory edition for its X20 smartphone, following in the footsteps of BBK Electronics' sister brand Oppo with its R11 KOG model unveiled in September. Now we're finally getting closer to the launch of the vivo X20 KOG edition, which will officially happen on December 8 - so exactly one week from today. This info was outed by vivo itself through Chinese social media channels. vivo X20 King of Glory edition The device will be priced at CNY 3,498, which at the current exchange rates translates into approximately $528...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_x20_king_of_glory_edition_arrives_on_december_8-news-28543.php

Oppo R11s in for review

In a world where smartphones are either Champagne/Rose Gold or Black, every different color option is appreciated. Huawei spent half of their P10 launch presentation on talking about the new colors. Samsung introduced a unique Galaxy S8 to match the autumn foliage. Now Oppo joins the company with its latest R11s flagship in a sexy Red color we received for a review. The color might be eye-grabbing, but the Oppo R11s is also great specs-wise. Coming as an update of the Oppo R11 introduced in June, it now has a tall 18:9 ratio AMOLED screen. The chipset and memory combo are the same as...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_r11s_in_for_review-news-28445.php

Unlocked LG V30 finally becomes available in the US, yours for $819.99

The LG V30 has been available from US carriers since October, but its unlocked version only went up for pre-order in the country towards the end of that month. Many weeks later, today the handset is finally in stock, though just at B&H for the time being. An additional caveat is that you can have it in any color as long as it's Cloud Silver. If none of that puts you off, then know that you need to shell out $819.99 for the unlocked device. This will work on all GSM-based carriers as well as "select CDMA carriers", though note that activation may not be supported by every CDMA network. If...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/unlocked_lg_v30_finally_becomes_available_in_the_us_yours_for_81999-news-28542.php

Deal: Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL get €200 discount

Google's latest phones, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, impressed us with amazing cameras and blazing fast performance, but unfortunately they are quite pricey. Not quite as much though, with the latest promo by German retailers Mediamarkt and Saturn. The Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL are offered at €200 off (discount applied in your shopping cart) until Monday, December 4. The stock is limited though, because units keep appearing on and off and if you are lucky enough to add one to the shopping cart, it might ship in a few days or even weeks. The 64GB Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL cost...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/deal_google_pixel_2_pixel_2_xl_200_discount-news-28540.php

Samsung W2018 clamshell phone goes official

Samsung and China Telecom announced the W2018 - a high-end flip phone with Android, two touchscreens and Bixby. The event was held in Xiamen, China and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the W series and 25th anniversary of Samsung in the Chinese market. Samsung W2018 Samsung W2018 has a pair of 4.2" AMOLED displays of Full HD resolution. The chipset is Snapdragon 835 and is coupled with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. There is also a microSD slot for up to 256 GB more. The W2018 is the first flip phone with Bixby on board, and Samsung proudly announced that the AI...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_w2018_clamshell_phone_bixby_two_touchscreens-news-28539.php

OnePlus 5T reaches over 400K registrations in China

The OnePlus 5T was launched for pre-order in China on November 28 and has scored over 400K registrations. Plenty of the registered users are involved into various raffles for a discount or a free unit of the latest OnePlus flagship. Bear in mind that the number of registrations does not mean actual pre-orders. The amount shows people that are having some interest in the OnePlus 5T and most likely only a small part of them will actually end up buying it. The OnePlus 5T will arrive in China on December 5 with two unique features - it comes with Hydrogen OS instead of Oxygen OS (so...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_5t_over_400k_registrations_china-news-28537.php

Oppo A83 with octa-core CPU and 13MP camera clears TENAA

A new Oppo smartphone has been certified by China's TENAA. Listed as Oppo A83, the device is powered by an SoC with an octa-core, 2.5GHz processor, and sports a 5.7-inch 1440 x 720 pixel display. RAM is 2GB, while internal memory is 16GB. The handset features a 13MP main camera and an 8MP front shooter. Measuring 150.5 x 73.1 x 7.7mm and weighing in at 143g, the phone packs in a 3,090mAh battery and runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Color options for the A83 include black and gold. No information on its pricing and availability yet. Source | Via

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_a83_with_octacore_cpu_and_13mp_camera_clears_tenaa-news-28531.php

Twitter Lite releases in 24 more countries

Twitter has launched its Twitter Lite app for Android in 24 countries around the world, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Israel, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Serbia, El Salvador, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Tanzania, and Venezuela. Twitter Lite is a mobile app for Android that is a scaled back version of the full app. It is optimized for low bandwidth connections with data saving features. The app itself is only 3MB, making it quick and easy to download even on 2G connections. Twitter...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/twitter_lite_releases_in_24_more_countries-news-28533.php

Google Pixel 2's issue with audio in video recordings fixed in Android 8.1 DP2

Among the list of Pixel 2 issues uncovered shortly after its launch, was one that resulted in poor audio quality in recorded videos. The problem was officially acknowledged, with Google saying a fix is incoming. And here it is - the fix is included in the latest Android 8.1 developer preview. The following videos clearly show the problem has been taken care of - first one is made with a Pixel 2 unit running Android 8.0 and the next with a phone running Android 8.1 DP2. There are more samples to confirm the issue has been resolved - head to the Reddit and Google Photos links...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_2s_issue_with_audio_in_video_recordings_is_fixed_in_android_81_dp2-news-28532.php

Google Maps on iOS gets updated to support iPhone X

Google has finally gotten around to updating its Maps app on iOS to support the iPhone X. This means instead of letterboxing the app will now occupy the entire screen, including the little ears around the infamous notch. Maps joins Google's slow but steady stream of iOS updates adding support for the iPhone X. So far apps like YouTube, Keep, Docs, Sheets, and Slides have been updated but almost every other, including the likes of Chrome, Gmail, Google Search, Drive, Photos, Calendar, and Gboard have not been updated yet. Also, even when it does update, it's not always perfect. The...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_maps_on_ios_gets_updated_to_support_iphone_x-news-28534.php

Huawei Nova 2S unveiling set for next week

Huawei has started sending out press invites for a product launch event next week. The invite image confirms that the Chinese company will be officially unveiling the Nova 2S during the December 7 event. This comes shortly after some images and the specs of the handset leaked. Design-wise, it's somewhat similar to the Mate 10 Lite. As for hardware highlights, the leak revealed Kirin 960 SoC, 6-inch 18:9 screen with FHD+ resolution, and 6GB RAM. Huawei nova 2S Other details include 20MP+16MP dual rear-camera setup, a dual 20MP front shooter, and 8.0 Oreo with EMUI...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_nova_2s_unveiling_set_for_next_week-news-28530.php

Google investigating Home Mini crash/reboot issue with songs at high volume

Google has started investigating an issue with its Home Mini smart speaker that users say causes the device to crash or reboot. Specifically, the behavior is observed when certain songs are played at high volume. There's a dedicated Reddit thread discussing this issue, where-in the original poster says they get the crash/reboot when music is played on max volume. Another user chimes in, saying they can observe the behavior with songs including Royals by lorde and icon by jayden smith. Over at Google's official forums, another affected user says they've even got their Home Mini unit...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_investigating_home_mini_crash_reboot_issue_with_songs_at_high_volume-news-28527.php

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ users reporting wireless charging issues after recent update

A number of Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ users are reporting issues with wireless charging on their units. Most of those affected say a recent update has completely broken the feature. @SamsungHelpUK @SamsungUK Firmware update has screwed up my fast charging feature on S8+; tested charging block on S7 Edge and all is fine! Good ol' Samsung and there software updates again. Bunch of idiots who accept no responsibility!— 🇬🇧 ShaVerZ™ (@_ShaVerZ_) November 25, 2017 @SamsungSupport my s8 stopped fast charging after the latest update. It takes almost 6 hours to charge. ...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s8_s8_users_reporting_wireless_charging_issues_after_recent_update-news-28526.php

Microsoft Edge now available publicly on iOS and Android

Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android is finally out of private beta and available for everyone. Users on iOS and Android can go to their respective stores and should be able to download it freely. As far as browsers go, there certainly isn't any shortage on either platforms, not even considering the excellent options that come by default. Still, if you are an Edge user on Windows 10 and wanted an easy way for your browsing history, passwords, logins, and open tabs to sync on your smartphone, Edge on mobile does exactly that. It's a browser for dedicated Edge users on desktop to carry...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_edge_now_available_publicly_on_ios_and_android-news-28525.php

AliveCor Kardiaband EKG reader is the first FDA certified medical device accessory for the Apple Watch

Today the US FDA has approved the first medical device accessory for the Apple Watch range. It's a watch strap called Kardiaband, it's made by a company called AliveCor, and it serves as an EKG reader for your wrist. This is a pretty solid development, considering that EKG machines are usually only available in doctors' offices and hospitals, and are mainly used after life-threatening events. The Kardiaband, tied with AliveCor's new software feature called SmartRhythm, can give you insight into your heart rate and potentially detect abnormal heart beats and atrial fibrillation (also known...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/alivecor_kardiaband_ekg_reader_is_the_first_fda_certified_medical_device_accessory_for_the_apple_wat-news-28524.php

US unlocked HTC U11 Life receives Android 8.0 Oreo update

The Android 8.0 Oreo update for the HTC U11 Life is rolling out starting today. As always, it may take a few days (or even weeks) for it to reach every single device out there. If you're confused because you thought this handset actually launched running Oreo, read on. While the international Android One version of the U11 Life did have Google's latest tasty treat pre-installed, that wasn't the case for the HTC Sense-infused units sold in the US. These have been offered either unlocked, or by T-Mobile. The unlocked US units are the ones that are now being graced with Oreo. Mo Versi,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/us_unlocked_htc_u11_life_receives_android_80_oreo_update-news-28523.php

How the OnePlus 5T secondary camera works

OnePlus announced its new flagship — the OnePlus 5T — at an event in New York a couple of weeks ago. The new model comes a scant six months after the launch of the previous flagship, the OnePlus 5. Naturally, it's not a big upgrade, as the name clearly suggests, but the phone does feature some notable changes, one of them being the camera. Like the OnePlus 5, the OnePlus 5T features a dual camera system on the back but with one key difference. While the primary wide-angle lens is common between the two devices, the 5T swaps the telephoto camera for a low-light optimized camera. To...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/how_the_oneplus_5t_secondary_camera_works-news-28502.php

Meizu 15 and 15 Plus coming next year to mark anniversary, CEO shows us the box

If you were expecting to see M, MX, or Pro branding on the first flagship smartphone duo that Meizu will be launching next year, then you're in for a surprise. The phones will be called Meizu 15 and Meizu 15 Plus, to mark the fact that the Chinese company celebrates its 15-year anniversary in 2018. This has been revealed today by none other than Meizu founder and CEO Jack Wong. Furthermore, he's shared this picture showing the box of the 15 Plus. As you can see, the packaging doesn't give anything away about the contents, and Wong didn't out any more details about the fifteenth...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_15_and_15_plus_coming_next_year_to_mark_anniversary_ceo_shows_us_the_box-news-28522.php

Samsung W2018 flip-phone clears the FCC

Samsung's flipphone-to-be, W2018, is getting closer to a debut, as evidenced by its FCC application. The application shares details relating to the phone's communications abilities, such as NFC, LTE, Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy and Wi-Fi. The FCC application also reveals ANT+ support and the model number - R38J906NX2E. The Samsung W2018 will have two 4.2-inch 1080p Super AMOLED screens, a 12MP camera on one side and a 5MP on the other. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 835 and a 2,300mAh battery. Rumor has it that it will be announced on December 1 in China and will later go on...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_w2018_flip_phone_clears_the_fcc-news-28519.php

LG appoints new mobile division chief

The third quarter LG financial results showed profit from almost all divisions, with only Mobile Communications being in decline. In an attempt to "enhance competitiveness", the Korean company announced new appointments and promotions. There are new chiefs of the mobile, technology and marketing departments and an entirely new company for overseeing B2B product sales. The current president of LG Mobile Communications Company takes on a new role within LG. He will be replaced by Hwang Jeong-hwan who has years of experience in R&D, including the first LG smartphones in 2009. The...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_new_mobile_chief-news-28520.php

OnePlus 3 and 3T also get Face Unlock with Android Oreo

Last week we reported that OnePlus started pushing the Oreo update to the OnePlus 3/3T duo and the OnePlus 5. Now all three phones are getting the Face Unlock feature that OnePlus introduced in their latest flagship. Enabling the feature is quite easy. Just head to the Security menu in Settings, then select Smart Lock. Trusted face option should be available, and it sets up with holding the phone at a face level in a room with normal light (not too bright or too dim). The phone can unlock even faster with "Improve the face" option. With the latest OTA updates, three discontinued...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_3_and_3t_face_unlock_android_oreo-news-28518.php

Fast.com reaches quarter billion speed tests milestone, adds sharing options

Fast.com, a service by Netflix, was launched last year as a way to quickly and easily check the download speed of your internet connection. Since then, the company has generated a quarter billion speed test results from around the world. According to some Fast.com data, the top countries using the service are the U.S., Brazil, India, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Italy, Great Britain and Egypt. Users are evenly split between the desktop and mobile web/apps. Users test speed around the day but particularly around evening time or during network connectivity issues. In Japan, people...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/fastcom_reaches_quarter_billion_speed_tests_milestone_adds_sharing_options-news-28517.php

Rumored Snapdragon 845 specs point to next-gen Kryo cores, but old process

Qualcomm should announce the Snapdragon 845 chipset by the end of the year but some unconfirmed info is making the rounds. The new flagship chip will be built on a 10nm Low Power Early process (from TSMC rather than Samsung). So we can't expect performance gains due to the process. Gains will be had, however, as new chip will use 3rd gen Kryo cores - four of them, based on Cortex-A75. Those will be paired with four A53 cores for efficiency. The graphics will be upgraded to Adreno 630, though little is known about it beyond further AR and VR optimizations. The Snapdragon 845 will...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/rumored_snapdragon_845_specs-news-28515.php

Amazon launches an AI camera and machine learning tools for businesses

Amazon might be the biggest online retailer, but the company wants to be even more influential, launching a set of AI products. The subsidiary Amazon Web Services introduced a $250 AI camera called DeepLens, a new platform named SageMaker for deploying machine learning and a new AI service for transcription and translation, all aimed at developers and businesses. The DeepLens camera comes with pre-installed AI tools, including object, image and character recognition. According to AWS press release, it can detect "cats, dogs, faces, everyday objects, motions and even hot...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_ai_camera_machine_learning_tools_for_businesses-news-28516.php

Xiaomi Redmi 5 to come with MIUI 9 out of the box

Xiaomi Redmi 5 will arrive on December 7, but with so many leaks there might not be much left to announce. We already saw what the phone will look like and learned a bunch of its key specs. Latest information reveals that the Redmi 5 will have a dual hybrid SIM slot and run MIUI 9 out of the box. According to a leaked PDF that appears to be the warranty card, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 can have either two nano SIM cards or one, coupled with a micro SD. There is a disclaimer that only one of the cards can use a 4G network, meaning the Redmi 5 will most likely have either a Snapdragon...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_5_miui_9-news-28513.php

HTC U11 Life launches for SoftBank as the HTC X2

Suspected to be a sequel to the HTC U Play, the HTC X2 is actually an Android One phone for Japanese carrier SoftBank - specifically it's a local version of the U11 Life. As such, it sports a 5.2" 1080p screen and its body is IP67 certified. There's a fingerprint reader/home button below the screen (this design predates HTC's jump to 18:9). The increasingly popular Snapdragon 630 chipset is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage (there's a microSD slot if you need more). The HTC X2 runs fresh Android 8.0 Oreo, of course, a benefit of Android One. There is a 16MP camera on the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_u11_life_launches_for_softbank_as_the_htc_x2-news-28514.php

Huawei nova 2S shows its face, specs detailed

Huawei just announced the Honor V10 and we're already seeing glimpses of its upcoming projects. The latest leak comes brings us images and specs of the Huawei nova 2S. The phone looks similar to the Huawei Mate 10 Lite and might end up to be a new name for the previously rumored Huawei nova 3. Huawei nova 2S The Huawei nova 2S has a 6-inch 18:9 screen with FHD+ resolution, a 20MP+16MP dual camera on the back, a dual 20MP camera on the front and a 2016-flagship grade Kirin 960 chipset with 6GB of RAM. The software on board is Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI 8.0. All that remains...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_nova_2s_shows_itself_with_dual_camera_6gb_of_ram_and_kirin_960-news-28511.php

Xiaomi launches Redmi 5A in India, sales start December 7

Right on schedule, Xiaomi has announced the Redmi 5A in India. The phone starts selling on December 7 at a price of INR 5,999 for the 2GB/16GB model (first 5 million units will sell at a INR 1,000 discount - INR 4,999) and the 3GB/32GB variant will retail for 6,999. Both models come in either Grey or Gold. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A was marketed as the Desh ka SMartphone - meaning the country's smartphone - and is Made in India. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A launched in China in October. Source

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_launches_redmi_5a_in_india_sales_start_december_7-news-28512.php

Essential PH-1's camera gets Portrait Mode

During its most recent Q&A session on Reddit, Essential promised that the Camera app on its PH-1 smartphone will shortly get an update, enabling Portrait Mode as well as bringing along some other changes. Well, that update is now live. In addition to Portrait Mode, the update also includes reduced JPEG compression (aimed to improve image quality) and some stability fixes. It also adds exposure compensation for all regular camera modes. During the session, the company also announced that Android Oreo Beta V2 will rollout next week. For all details related to the AMA, head...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/essential_phones_camera_app_gets_portrait_mode_other_promised_changes-news-28510.php

Google's new Datally app lets you keep track of apps' data usage, control it

Google has launched aimed at helping you track, control and save on mobile data dubbed Datally. It tracks real-time mobile data usage for individual apps, as well as overall usage through hourly, daily, weekly and monthly stats. It also lets you control background apps data usage by turning on the Data Saver bubble, and helps you save data by offering personalized recommendations and notifying if you're near public Wi-Fi. The company has been testing the app for the past few months in the Philippines, and has now made it available globally. Datally is compatible with devices...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/googles_new_datally_app_lets_you_keep_track_of_apps_data_usage_control_it-news-28509.php

Verizon pushes KRACK fix to Samsung Galaxy Note5 and S6 series phones

After updating the Samsung Galaxy Note8 units on its network, Verizon has also started pushing out a new update to some former Samsung flagships - the Galaxy Note5 and the S6 series (S6, S6 edge, and S6 edge+). The update in question includes a fix for the KRACK Wi-Fi WPA2 security vulnerability as well as Android fixes for November. It arrives as software version N920VVRS3CQK1, G920VVRS4DQK1, G925VVRS4DQK1, and G928VVRS3CQK1 for the Note5 and S6 series devices, respectively. Source 1 2

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/verizon_pushes_krack_fix_to_samsung_galaxy_note5_and_s6_series_phones-news-28508.php

Google testing tech aimed at detecting people secretly looking at your phone's screen

Do you feel frustrated when someone around you tries to peek at your phone when you're using it (especially when looking at sensitive info)? Well, good news is that a solution to the problem is in the works. Google is currently working on a technology that uses the phone's front camera in combination with eye-detecting artificial intelligence to alert you when more than one person is looking at the screen. The following video gives a good idea about how the solution works: It's clear from the video that the face detection process is quite quick, with the company claiming that it...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_testing_technology_that_detects_people_secretly_looking_at_your_phones_screen-news-28505.php

A Huawei Daydream controller strolls through the FCC

Huawei appears to be the first manufacturer to partner up with Google in creating a non-Google Daydream VR headset. This comes as a surprise as we've not heard of Huawei making such a device. We do, however, recall Huawei talking about Daydream compatibility at its Keynote at CES early this year, even before Google opened the platform to all developers. So Huawei has shown special interest in the platform in the past. Since the Daydream controller uses a Bluetooth radio, an FCC filing is a must. The filing has a plethora of photos to look at, including photos of the controller's...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/a_huawei_daydream_controller_strolls_through_the_fcc_-news-28506.php

Waze update brings 'OK Waze' voice commands, new motorcycle mode

Community-based traffic and navigation app Waze has started receiving a new update that brings some new features, including motorcycle mode, carpool lanes support, and 'OK Waze' voice commands for hands-free operation. Lets begin with the voice command support. The hot-word OK Waze activates this feature, allowing you to request useful information or even report things like accidents and traffic conditions without using your hands, effectively making your drive safer. For example, you can say the hot-word, followed by instructions like "take me home" or "find a gas station" or...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/waze_update_brings_ok_waze_voice_commands_new_motorcycle_mode-news-28507.php

YouTube unveils stories-like feature for creators called "Reels"

YouTube has unveiled a new feature for creators called "Reels". This is YouTube's official spin on the popular stories format first popularized by Snapchat before it took off on Instagram. The feature is an expansion to YouTube's efforts to join creators with their fans on a more intimate level with YouTube Community, a place where creators can post updates and snippets between video releases. Unlike Instagram and Snapchat stories, YouTube's Reels will not necessarily expire after 24 hours. They can be kept forever, and they can be organized into different events or projects. For...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_unveils_storieslike_feature_for_creators_called_reels-news-28504.php

Recap of today's Essential AMA - Portrait mode, Oreo beta, and more

Essential promised to hold AMA (Ask me anything) sessions on Reddit to keep the transparency and intimacy between customers and fans, alike. Today's AMA session came and went and we're going to take a look at some of the points that were touched on earlier today. Probably the most significant piece of information from the AMA is that the camera will be receiving and update that will enable portrait mode on the Essential PH-1 and Android Oreo Beta V2 is coming next week. Here are the points that were discussed during Essential's AMA on November 29 2017. The AMA was held by Rebecca...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/recap_of_todays_essential_ama__portrait_mode_oreo_beta_and_more-news-28503.php

Apple has already fixed the macOS High Sierra root bug

Yesterday a very nasty bug was discovered in Apple's macOS High Sierra, the latest version of its software for computers. In short, this bug allowed anyone with access to your computer to log in as the 'root' user. That's bad, because the 'root' user has access to everything and read and write permissions on all the files on your Mac, including system files. Thankfully, Apple has already issued a fix for this problem, which is part of a new security update for Macs that is now available to download and install. This patch will be automatically pushed to and installed onto devices running...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_has_already_fixed_the_macos_high_sierra_root_bug-news-28501.php

Xiaomi Redmi 5 TENAA certification leaves nothing to the imagination

Yesterday some leaked press renders of the upcoming Xiaomi Redmi 5 were making the rounds, and a few hours ago the Chinese company decided to officially tease it, while also revealing that it will be made official on December 7. Ahead of that, the Redmi 5 has today received TENAA's certification, a prerequisite for every device that's to be sold in China. As usual, this means we have a couple of new images of the phone to look at. What's more, a pretty comprehensive list of specs has been revealed by the certification authority too. The Redmi 5 will have a 5.7" 18:9 touchscreen with...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_5_tenaa_certification_leaves_nothing_to_the_imagination-news-28500.php

Sony's upcoming bezelless flagship has its specs leaked

Sony is rumored to finally cut the bezels of its premier smartphones next year, adhering to the biggest trend of 2017 in the mobile world. Better late than never, then. The company's first flagship 'bezelless' offering is allegedly going to have the model number H8541, and its specs have been leaked today. Through a spec sheet that's claimed to be authentic we get to know the upcoming device a little bit better. It will apparently have a 5.7" 4K HDR touchscreen with Gorilla Glass 5 on top, and a 3,420 mAh battery. Interestingly, the H8541 is said to be powered by Qualcomm's...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sonys_upcoming_bezelless_flagship_has_specs_leaked-news-28499.php

Motorola Moto X4 review

Once Motorola's flagship phone, the X went through an episode of multiple personality disorder in 2015 (remember the Style, Play and Force?) only to be replaced at the top by the Moto Z last year. Feeling at home in the midrange, the X-series is now in its fourth generation. Meet the Moto X4.

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_x4-review-1691.php