Samsung offers major discounts on accessory bundles with the Galaxy S9 and S9+

Samsung's offering some serious discounts on accessories for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in the US with two bundles in particular that bring massive savings - provided, of course, you actually need said accessories. The 'S9 Ultimate bundle' is priced at $99 and includes the Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand 2018 (MSRP $69.99), the Gear IconX wireless...

Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact pre-orders from Sony's store come with free goodies

We wrote about the open pre-orders of the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact in Europe last week, but those were third-party retailers' offers. Sony's launched its own pre-orders, with freebies and... you got the hint. A couple of Xperia XZ2s with assorted cases The pre-order offers aren't available in all countries where Sony has a presence, and even where...

Oppo R15 to go official on March 31 with a 16MP Sony IMX519-based camera

Oppo is gearing up for an action-packed end of March. After the scheduled announcement of the F7 on March 26, the company's now revealed that the R15 is coming by the end of the month too too (likely an R15 Plus as well) - five days later on March 31. Oppo R15 event posters The R15 will be unveiled at a televised event, scheduled to start at 8 p.m....

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact review

It's once again peak smartphone season and Sony is next to join the annual spring race. But while others do regular and plus-size models, Sony, as usual, is going towards the other end of the spectrum with the new Xperia XZ2 Compact. Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz2_compact-review-1737.p...

LG's non-G7 to come with an LCD instead of an OLED display as a cost-cutting measure

LG will reportedly opt for an LCD panel for the upcoming G6 successor, Korean market analysts predict. It will be a measure aimed at keeping costs in check as OLED displays, their advantages aside, can be two to three times as expensive as comparable LCDs. P-OLED LG V30 (left) next to LCD LG G6 That said, LG's G-series smartphones have traditionally...

Italian language support comes to Google Home

Google Home is not yet available in Italy, but that might happen soon as the support for Italian language has arrived on the smart speaker. With this, the Home now supports a total of nine different languages. Those who tested the new language support confirmed the device was able to recognize different voices. However, controls for home automation,...

alcatel's Android Go phone - the 1X - is hitting the US

During the MWC, alcatel - TCL's own smartphone brand announced a bunch of new devices, including the company's first smartphone to run Android Go - a leaner version of Android designed to run on lower-end hardware. This Android Go-powered phone is called the alcatel 1X. For the record, Android Go was renamed to Android Oreo (Go Edition). Given the...

Sony Xperia XZ2 pre-orders in the UK come with a free PlayStation 4 or PSVR

Sony's Xperia XZ2 got announced at MWC last month, and went up for pre-order in parts of Europe last week. If you're looking to pre-order one in the UK, both Carphone Warehouse and Three are giving you a free PlayStation 4 gaming console. If you already have one of those, you can choose to get the PlayStation VR Starter Pack for free instead. What's...

Mickey and Minnie Mouse AR Emojis launch for the Galaxy S9 and S9+

AR Emojis are one of the features Samsung was pushing at the launch event for the Galaxy S9 and S9+, because it simply had to respond to Apple's Animoji somehow. And now you get some new characters to play with if you enjoy AR Emoji-ing yourself. Mickey and Minnie Mouse are available, and right on time as today is the official release day for the...

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Pro might still be coming

As some of you might remember, prior to MWC, there were numerous hints that Sony will release a total of three new flagships at the show. Obviously, that didn't come to pass and eager fans are still an Xperia XZ Pro or perhaps XZ2 Pro short. It was supposed to be the ultimate flagship offer, complete with a 5.7-inch OLED touchscreen of 4K resolution...

Sony Xperia XA1, XA1 Ultra and XA1 Plus get Oreo update

The Sony Xperia XA1 trio - XA1, XA1 Plus and XA1 Ultra - is getting the Android 8.0 Oreo update as we speak. The update weighs about 900MB and bumps the Android Nougat Xperias up to Android 8.0 Oreo and brings the February 2018 security patch level. Android 8.0 Oreo update Android 8.0 Oreo has a lot of improvements like smart reminders and actions...

Samsung Galaxy Note8 starts receiving Oreo

The Oreo update is finally starting to roll out to the Samsung Galaxy Note8. A user in France has reported seeing the firmware and it isn't a beta realese. Samsung has officially scheduled the Galaxy Note8 for a March 30 rollout for the 8.0 Oreo update but it looks like things are happening sooner. The update carries the March security patch level...

Xiaomi Blackshark SKR-A0 spotted on GeekBench

Xiaomi seems to have a lot of exiting hardware in the pipleline at the moment. We are still anxiously awaiting the Mi Mix 2s, with its alleged next-gen full-screen display design. All the while another intriguing device is appearing on our radars every now and then. A recent GeekBench listing sheds a bit more light on the phone, designated as the...

Google Lens visual search now available on iOS

Just like many Google services before it, the Lens visual search platform has been slowly, but surely creeping out of exclusivity status and towards global availability. After first appearing on Google's own Pixel devices, the software has since seen an Android-wide release. Now, as promised, iOS users are getting the feature as well. Starting today...

Oppo F7 will come in two versions - F7 and F7 Youth - with a 25MP selfie cam

Oppo is refreshing the F-series with the F7, which will come in two models - F7 (with a more premium 128GB version) and the F7 Youth, which should have some deductions from the main F7 here and there and a lower price. Judging by the leaked poster below both models will share a 25MP selfie camera with AI features. We're expecting the Oppo F7 to look...

Xiaomi launches updated Redmi Note 5 with brighter camera, AI

Xiaomi has launched an updated version of the Redmi Note 5 Pro in China. Called just Redmi Note 5, this new variant features is basically the Indian Redmi Note 5 Pro with some crucial improvements. First, the similarities. Both models have the same 5.99-inch, 2160x1080 pixel IPS LCD panel, Snapdragon 636 chipset, 3/4/6GB of RAM with a 32/64GB of...

Oreo update rolling now to the Galaxy S8 and S8+ on Verizon

First the LG V30 and now the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are receiving the Android 8.0 Oreo update along with the Samsung Experience 9.0. Verizon was quick to update these two flagships before other carriers in the US. DroidLife received a couple of tips from readers that they have received notifications to update their Galaxy S8 and S8+ to Android Oreo. The...

Nest releases Hello Doorbell and x Yale Lock

Nest is a hardware company that markets and sells home security cameras. The company was acquired back in 2014 in a $2.3 billion dollar acquisition. The company's newest products are the Hello and x Yale Lock. Nest Hello is a doorbell which can accurately be described as "Nest's version of the Ring Doorbell". The design is certainly less blocky and...

Samsung Pay isn't working on some Galaxy S9 and S9+ units in the US

While the official release date for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ is tomorrow, pre-orders have already shipped, so there are quite a few people with the devices in hand. If you're one of them, here's some bad news, provided you bought your phone from the US. Samsung Pay doesn't seem to be working on units purchased unlocked. The Play Store listing...

Facebook Lite reaches the US, UK, and other developed countries

The Facebook Lite app for Android has amassed more than 200 million users since its launch in 2015. It was created to provide a better experience on lower-end devices with slow data connections in developing markets, just like Messenger Lite. And also like the company's chat app, Facebook Lite is now headed to some developed markets as well. Expect...

Android Wear rebranded to Wear OS by Google

Google has announced that Android Wear will henceforth be called Wear OS by Google. The new branding will show up on some of the watches and the mobile app over the coming weeks. If you were looking for something more meaningful, you won't find it here. Android Wear was a dying platform and a change in branding is not going to save it; it's like...

Apple supplier Wistron accused of using unauthorized components

A report from Taiwan website Commercial Times earlier today claimed Apple had suspended iPhone 8 Plus production at Wistron's plant in Kunshan, China. The reason is using waterproof components from a non-certified supplier. The manufacturer managed to reply by Taiwan Stock Exchange's closing time, dismissing the report and declining to comment. Wistron's...

Google Assistant now supports Hindi

Google has announced that Google Assistant will now be available in Hindi, the official language of India and the third most spoken language in the world behind Mandarin and English. Google Assistant in Hindi works the same way that it does in other languages. Users can talk to it in Hindi but it is smart enough to parse the occasional English word...

Samsung Galaxy S9+ review

Generation 9 in plus size - this is the Samsung Galaxy S9+. Unlike last year when the S8 and the S8+ had just size setting them apart, in 2018 Samsung's Plus means more than higher battery capacity and larger display diagonal. Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s9_plus-review-1736.p...

Deal: Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL get deep discounts in the UK

Carphone Warehouse is running a nice promotion on the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. You can get the SIM-free 128GB Pixel 2 for £559. The Kinda Blue model is only 64GB, though, so you'll have to choose between the Just Black or Clearly White. For reference the Google Store lists the 64GB model at £629 for and £729 for the 128GB one. The SIM free...

HTC's upcoming flagship U12+ leaks

HTC may not announce the U12 but rather go straight to the U12+. Earlier it was rumored that HTC will be ready to announce the phone in April, but sources close to the phone's production claim it's going to arrive in May. The specs that go along with the U12+ image are incline with previous leaks - 5.99-inch QHD+ screen, Snapdragon 845 with up to...

Xiaomi launches Mi Body Composition Scale

Xiaomi has launched the Mi Body Composition Scale in India. The device is designed to track various body stats when paired with the Mi Fit app. The Mi Body Composition Scale looks like a standard weighing scale at first glance. The surface is made out of tempered glass with anti-slip finish for use with wet feet. It has a large LED display that lights...

Authorities to decide on Apple's Shazam acquisition on April 23

Back in December Apple struck a deal to acquire music recognizing service Shazam for $400m but the deal was put on hold by the European Commission, pending an investigation. The concern is that Apple will acquire a lot of user data with Shazam, much of it outside of its ecosystem - UK-based Shazam is a global service. Apple has filled a formal request...

Deals: Samsung Galaxy S8 for £475 new, £360 for a refurbished unit

The Galaxy S9 is a fine phone, but it just launched and its price hasn't had time to cool off. The Galaxy S8 is a different story. It's price in the UK is under £500, compared to £740 for the S9. You can find a new unit from Amazon for £475 or from Alternate for £490. It's the G950F model with Exynos 8895 (single SIM). Samsung Galaxy S8 G950F You...

Beta testing ends: Huawei P10 now receiving Oreo

Huawei has some good news for the Philippines - the Oreo update for the Huawei P10 and P10 Plus is ready for download. Chances are that it's a staged rollout and other regions are getting it now or will get it soon. Leave a comment with your region if you got the notification. And if you haven't, head over to Settings, System update to check manually....

Samsung Galaxy A6 and A6+ potentially spotted at Geekbench

Samsung's A-series spans the range of smartphone sizes from big to small, but it has gaps - there's an A5 and an A7, but no A6. Or is there? A Samsung SM-A600FN and an SM-A605G showed up on Geekbench. If they follow Samsung's typical naming convention, they will be the Galaxy A6 and Galaxy A6+ (hopefully with a year attached, to keep things consistent)....

TP-Link launches Neffos N1 with dual cameras

TP-Link is famous for its network solutions, but the Chinese company also has a portfolio of Neffos smartphones and it just added a new device to it. The company announced the Neffos N1 in Malaysia - its first dual-camera smartphone that packs a MediaTek chipset and costs just around €230/$280. Neffos N1 official images The Neffos N1 comes with a...

Android One Moto X4 gets updated to Oreo 8.1

The Android One edition of the Motorola Moto X4 is getting updated to Android 8.1 Oreo as we speak. The firmware is labeled OPW28.46-3 and brings along the March 1 security patch. The standard version of the phone will likely get the 8.1 update soon. The Android One Moto X4 got the 8.0 Oreo update just a week earlier. Oreo 8.1 brings the Pixel 2...

Meizu patents under-display fingerprint scanner technology

Samsung said a fingerprint scanner could not be incorporated in its Galaxy S8 and Apple had no better luck so it had to ditch the authentication option completely with the iPhone X. All we have left is the Chinese giants to propel this trend forward, just like vivo did with the X20 Plus UD, announced in the beginning of 2018. Meizu is the next big...

Xiaomi brings a new Redmi 5A color to India to mark 5 million units sold

Xiaomi has announced a new color variant of its Redmi 5A will go on sale in India this month - Lake Blue. The color joins the Rose Gold which was announced in February and the Grey in which the Redmi 5A was originally announced back in November. Indian buyers can order a Lake Blue (or any other color) Xiaomi Redmi 5A at the phone's next sale, which...

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro arriving in Europe for €230

Last month Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 5 Pro, also known as Redmi Note 5 in China. After its debut in India, the phone is set to arrive in Europe, according to popular Twitter tipster Roland Quand. He revealed the dual-cam midranger is being prepared with all the appropriate LTE bands and should be launched "soon". According to @rquandt, the new...

Google Pixel 2's portrait mode is made open source

There's no denying that the Google Pixel 2 has a really great camera. Although the camera UI does not offer manual controls, Google's HDR+ algorithm is really good at exposing most scenes very evenly. It can even do this fairly well in lower-lit conditions. HDR+ aside, Google made a Research Blog post about the Google Camera's portrait mode. The...

First software update is now rolling out to the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in the US

Last week Samsung pushed out the first software update to the Galaxy S9 and S9+ units meant for Germany, and this contained the March security patches. Today the US-bound S9 and S9+ are starting to receive their first update as well, but in this case unfortunately the security patch level remains unchanged - February 1, 2018. The update does however...

vivo can't help itself, lists the V9 early in India revealing all of its specs

vivo's upcoming V9 has been the star of a few leaks so far, the biggest of which came yesterday. Now vivo itself apparently wants in on the leaking game, since it's managed to list the V9 on its website for India, complete with new press renders (though rather low-resolution) and a full list of specs. The V9 is apparently powered by the Snapdragon...

vivo X21 with under-display fingerprint sensor stops by Geekbench too

vivo is going to unveil the X21 at an event in China on March 19, and now that we're only a few days away from that a prototype has been spotted in the Geekbench database. As usual, this reveals some of the phone's specs. Note that the device that was benchmarked is the UD version, as you can see from the screenshot, which means it will have an under-display...

Huawei P20 goes to Geekbench running Android 8.1

The Huawei P20 - code name Emily or EML-L29 - took its Kirin 970 chipset for a run in the Geekbench fields. The chip performed as expected and seeing Android 8.1 as the software version was a pleasant surprise. The Oreo will be topped with EMUI, of course, but Huawei has really made an effort to keep the software fresh recently. 4GB of RAM isn't...

Meizu E3 info leaks: specs to brag about at a modest price

Details of the Meizu E3 have surfaced ahead of the scheduled March 21 unveiling. Not the best way to celebrate Meizu's 15th birthday, but we're not complaining. The E3 will join the 18:9 display movement with a 5.99" 1080+ screen. Its body is made of metal with a noticeable indent on the side - that would be the fingerprint reader. Around the back...

Huawei P20 Lite goes on pre-order in Poland, ships on March 26

The Huawei P20 Lite was supposed to go official on March 27 along with its P20 and P20 Pro siblings but either there was a last minute change of plans or somewhat jumped the gun. The phone is now up for pre-order in Poland with shipments poised to begin on March 26. That's close to a week after it's China-bound Nova 3e counterpart becomes official....

New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ now on sale

Raspberry Pi has announced a new model of their low-cost computing devices. Conveniently called the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, it is the successor to the obviously named Raspberry Pi 3 Model B launched over two years ago. The new Model B+ has a slightly faster 1.4GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 64-bit Broadcom BCM2873B0 processor that now also features better...

Motorola Moto G6, G6 Plus, G6 Play, E5 and E5 Play get certified

It looks like the Moto G6, G6 Plus, G6 Play and the Moto E5 and E5 Play will become official soon and the initial release market will be Asia. The Moto G6 series has received network certification in Thailand and Indonesia while the Moto E5 and E5 Play have been certified in Indonesia. The Moto G6 family will be topped by the G6 Plus with a 5.93-inch...

Broadcom withdraws from Qualcomm deal following presidential order

First, there was an offer by Broadcom to acquire Qualcomm for $105 billion, followed by an improved one worth $121 billion. They were both denied, and later the San Diego upped its NXP acquisition bid that led to a lower offer of $117 billion. The discourteous dance was abruptly ended by a presidential order, followed by an official statement that...

Huawei P20 Lite / Nova 3e appears in short hands-on video

Huawei Nova 3e - P20 Lite's name in China - will go official in a week. Clearly, someone got a unit ahead of schedule andmade a very short video showing off the phone. This is the White color option. We saw a photo of the Blue one a couple of days ago and another one a few days before that. There will be a Gold model too. While the video doesn't...

ZeroLemon doubles the Galaxy S9+ battery life with new 5,200 mAh case

Samsung launched the Galaxy S9+ with the same battery as the Galaxy S8+. Some concerns were raised that a 3,500 mAh charge was not going to be that great, even with Qualcomm's promised 30% better power efficiency of the new Snapdragon 845. US owners can opt to get far longer power autonomy with latest ZeroLemon case that comes with 5,200 mAh Li-Po...

Xiaomi launches Redmi 5 in India

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 5 smartphone in India. The phone will be available through Mi.com and Amazon India. The Redmi 5 is the smaller variant of the Redmi Note 5 launched in India last month, which is also known elsewhere as Redmi 5 Plus. The Redmi 5 has a 5.7-inch, 1440x720 pixel IPS LCD with 18:9 aspect ratio. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm...

Sony on why it dropped the headphone jack: the other kids were doing it

Sony dropped the headphone jack from the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact. Here's their rational: Why did you remove the headphone jack on XZ2 and XZ2 Compact? This is part of the shift to our new Ambient Flow design language. In order to create the beautiful seamless design, our designers needed to remove the headphone jack. Plus, we're aware of the major...