Galaxy Note 3 Lollipop update allegedly surfaces

With all the recent hype around the long-anticipated Android 5.0 update rumors and speculations are spreading like wild fire for an array of different devices. Naturally Samsung is among them and all eyes are on the Korean giant to deliver updates to their current device lineup. Although nearing the end of its expected 2 year support cycle, last year's Galaxy Note 3 is by all accounts set to receive the Lollipop update. Late last month we even saw a video demo of an early build running on the device. Since then not much else has been spoken about the ROM and frankly, given Samsung's previous update schedule the heavily customized version of Android, along with the new TouchWiz still seems a long way off, due simply to the sheer amount of work that has to be put into transforming it to that traditional Samsung flavor of the OS. A new rumor regarding the Lollipop update has surfaced today on samsungviet.vn and one that appears to be very credible and backed up by photos as well as a convincing story. A user on their blog uploaded photos of what he claims is his SM-N900U unit running Android 5.0. The way he acquired it was by his own account from the website samsung-updates.com, where the build was supposedly uploaded by accident and then immediately taken down, but apparently not fast enough and this photo was provided as proof. However the ROM itself has not leaked and the screencap, despite its tiny resolution does poke significant holes in the story. Opening the URL visible in the browser window we indeed find a collection of updates for the Exynos Galaxy Note 3 and, unsurprisingly no version 5.0 ROM. Looking closely at the evidence we can't help but notice that the only thing that seems to differ between the current most-recent update and the Lollipop build in question is the OS Version column. Everything else from the build number all the way to the date and the change list are surprisingly identical. Furthermore the build number on the handset screen does not match the one on the site. At this point it seems very plausible that the whole story is based on some rather lazy and nearsighted Photoshop work. The other option is that there was a genuine mix-up and one lucky individual got hold of what truly is a functioning Android 5.0 for the SM-N900U and is now being less than generous to the internet by not putting it out in the open. In any case this information should definitely be taken with a grain of salt. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lollipop_update_for_galaxy_note_3_exynos_surfaces_or_does_it-news-10487.php

Samsung rumoured to unveil Galaxy S6 at CES 2015

Although Samsung typically announces its Galaxy S series smartphones in the February-May period, rumor mills are abuzz that the company could unveil its upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S6, a bit earlier this time. According to a report from Korean online publication Chosun Biz, which cites analysts from South Korea-based Mirae Asset Securities (MAS), the Galaxy S6 could be unveiled between January 6 and 9. That coincides with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Furthermore, if the latest rumors are to be believed, we might see the curved screen variant debut alongside the Galaxy S6. MAS analysts also predict that the South Korean company is aiming to sell a total of around 45 million units of the Galaxy S6, including 10 million units of the Edge variant. Needless to say, none of this has been officially confirmed by Samsung, so like all rumors take it with a pinch of salt. The Galaxy S6 is expected to feature an Exynos 7420 octa-core processor, 5.5-inch QHD (1440×2560 pixels) display, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB internal storage. The device is said to have a 20-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front snapper. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_rumoured_to_unveil_galaxy_s6_at_ces_2015-news-10486.php

No new WP flagship from Microsoft until September

The Lumia line had low-enders and flagships with nothing in between for the longest time. At IFA this year Microsoft corrected that with the introduction of the Lumia 73x and Lumia 830, there was also a new addition to the entry-level with the Lumia 535 (the first phone to officially be branded "Microsoft Lumia"). Now we're waiting for a flagship, but worrying info is appearing that we might have to wait almost a year. A few days ago we heard that Microsoft won't put out a new flagship until September next year and now the same rumor has cropped up from a different source. According to the rumor, Microsoft will attend the MWC next year (in early March), but will only show off new entry-level devices. A new 6-series device to replace the large Lumia 625 (the 5" Lumia RM-1090 perhaps), probably the Lumia 435 too (RM-1069 by the looks of it) and may one more device (RM-1110). The high-flying Lumia 1020 successor, codenamed McLaren, has been canceled and apparently there will be nothing to take its place until September 2015 or thereabouts. This will leave the Lumia 930 (announced April 2014) and Lumia 1520 (announced November 2013) as the flagships for nearly two years. The 930 in particular took its sweet time launching in the first place. Granted Windows Phone is completely dominated by its cheapest offerings - Lumia 520 mainly - but unless Microsoft gets more serious about a balanced lineup this will remain the case for years to come. It's hard to tell how this will impact the growth of the platform, but we can't imagine Microsoft wants to be in the little-to-no margin hardware business forever. Of course, none of these rumors have been officially confirmed and there's a real possibility they are wrong. Unless Microsoft has seen the tens of millions of flagships other companies sell and though "We don't want that."...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/rumor_no_new_wp_flagship_from_microsoft_until_september-news-10484.php

Project ARA new prototype and marketplace in the works

The Google ATAP division, in charge of project ARA, has recently released some exciting news regarding the current state as well as future plans for the revolutionary modular handset. A prototype of the latest circuit board can be found on the team's Google+ page. It is named Spiral 2 and brings about many improvements over previous development boards. It is now built around custom Toshiba chips, which frees up more room for developer modules. The board also boasts improved electromagnetic couplings for the modules. But the good news does not stop there. It appears that the ARA modules marketplace is also under heavy development. Globant, a well-known Latin American software company, with a long successful collaboration track record with Google revealed, that it has started work on the ARA market. The service will be executed in typical Google fashion and resemble the Play Store with extensive user feedback, opinions and reviews. The significant difference being, of course, that it will be intended to sell hardware modules to ARA users. Another reputable Google partner - Two Toasters will also be working on the dedicated mobile application for the service. The company specializes in mobile design, development and production and will undoubtedly deliver a superbly executed app to the ARA community. For those unfamiliar with the game-changing project - ARA, formerly Phoneblocks is an innovative new approach to producing mobile devices in a modular way. The main idea is for users to be able to pick-out hardware components for their handsets in much the same way as for a desktop computer. These modules, dubbed "blocks", will allow for greater flexibility and updatability of mobile devices and in turn ensure their longer lifecycl. They will also potentially bringing down costs and reduce the negative footprint on the environment from electronic waste. Google ATAP will be discussing the interesting developments around project ARA in detail during the second Project ARA Module Developers Conference in January (January 14 - Mountain View, CA / January 21 - Singapore). More exciting news and inside information is expected then, so be sure to keep an eye on the event, which will be streamed online on the official Project Ara website for a glimpse of the possible future of mobile tech. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/project_ara_new_prototype_and_marketplace_in_the_works-news-10483.php

World's thinnest smartphone - vivo X5Max - now available in India

vivo's super thin X5Max recently nabbed the crown of the thinnest smartphone in the world, coming in at a mere 4.75mm. The phone was officially announced last week and the company has now launched it in India. The vivo X5Max is priced at Rs. 32,980 ($525), which is a bit steep coming from an unknown brand in the country. Most Chinese manufacturers have so far targeted a more budget friendly price points, which is what most people are comfortable spending on these phones. It remains to be seen how vivo's pricing strategy pays off for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/worlds_thinnest_smartphone__vivo_x5max__now_available_in_india-news-10485.php

Xiaomi made just $56.1 million profit in 2013, filing unveils

Xiaomi has filed a report to the China Securities Regulatory Commission revealing its financial situation for 2013. The company had to disclose its 2013 results after purchasing a 1.3% stake in the publicly traded Media Group Co. The documents reveal that the company isn't as profitable as earlier reports suggested. For 2013, Xiaomi reports a revenue of $4.3 billion (CNY 26.58 billion), but a net profit of only $56.15 million (CNY 347.48). Additionally, the company's operating profit of $78.46 million reveal the company's tight, 2% operating margin. That's significantly less than Apple (28.7%) and Samsung (18.7%), which Xiaomi hopes to outpace in the coming years. According to a recent report by Strategy Analytics, Xiaomi is now the third largest smartphone maker after overtaking LG with a 5.6% market share. However, with the recent purchase of Motorola becoming official, Lenovo claims to have taken the third spot. Xiaomi expanded its operations outside China not too long ago and India has been an important market for the company. There, it's selling the Redmi Note like hot cakes, but was recently ordered to stop sales after found to infringe on Ericsson patents. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_made_just_561_million_profit_in_2013_filing_unveils-news-10482.php