Watch the Samsung Unpacked event live here

As most of you surely know, yet another Samsung Unpacked event is almost upon us. The show is set for 3PM GMT. But, just to eliminate any possible confusion, here is a nifty countdown timer: var CDown = function() { this.state=0;// if initialized this.counts=[];// array holding countdown date objects and id to print to {d:new Date(2013,11,18,18,54,36), id:"countbox1"} this.interval=null;// setInterval object } CDown.prototype = { init: function(){ this.state=1; var self=this; this.interval=window.setInterval(function(){self.tick();}, 1000); }, add: function(date,id){ this.counts.push({d:date,id:id}); this.tick(); if(this.state==0) this.init(); }, expire: function(idxs){ for(var x in idxs) { var now = new Date(); if( ((now.getTime() - this.counts[idxs[x]].d.getTime()) / 60000) < 59 ) this.display(this.counts[idxs[x]], "Now!"); else this.display(this.counts[idxs[x]], "Over"); this.counts.splice(idxs[x], 1); } }, format: function(r){ var out=""; if(r.d != 0){out += r.d +" "+((r.d==1)?"day":"days")+", ";} if(r.h != 0){out += r.h +" "+((r.h==1)?"hour":"hours")+", ";} out += r.m +" "+((r.m==1)?"min":"mins")+", "; out += r.s +" "+((r.s==1)?"sec":"secs")+", "; return out.substr(0,out.length-2); }, math: function(work){ var y=w=d=h=m=s=ms=0; ms=(""+((work%1000)+1000)).substr(1,3); work=Math.floor(work/1000);//kill the "milliseconds" so just secs y=Math.floor(work/31536000);//years (no leapyear support) w=Math.floor(work/604800);//weeks d=Math.floor(work/86400);//days work=work%86400; h=Math.floor(work/3600);//hours work=work%3600; m=Math.floor(work/60);//minutes work=work%60; s=Math.floor(work);//seconds return {y:y,w:w,d:d,h:h,m:m,s:s,ms:ms}; }, tick: function(){ var now=(new Date()).getTime(), expired=[],cnt=0,amount=0; if(this.counts) for(var idx=0,n=this.counts.length;...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/watch_samsungs_unpacked_event_live_right_here-news-13524.php

Sprint $200 trade-in leaflet reveals Galaxy Note 5 and S6 edge+

Samsung Galaxy Note and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ should go official at today's Unpacked event in New York. We know pretty much all there is to know about those two upcoming flagships, but in case you need a refresh - you may visit our rumor roundup article. Meanwhile Sprint has already printed leaflets, which depict both devices - the Note 5 and S6 edge+. They are participants in the trade-in program and Sprint will give you $200 and a free Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 if you return your old smartphone and opt for a Note 5 or S6 edge+. Naturally those will come up with a 2-year contract. Oddly the small print claims this offers expires on August 27, which is just 2 weeks from today. This probably suggests the devices will launch immediately after the announcement or just a few days after the event. There is less than 2 hours until the Unpacked event kicks off, so stay tuned for more...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sprint_200_tradein_leaflet_reveals_galaxy_note_5_and_s6_edge-news-13523.php

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6+ Unpacked: what to expect

It's hours until the Unpacked event, which will see the debut of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+. Okay that's what we think from the rumors, let's recap them while we pass the time to the curtain opening. It goes without saying: spoilers ahead. By the way, the event starts at 15:00 GMT. There will be a livestream so you can watch the unveiling, but it isn't available yet so check back in a few hours, we'll post it so it's easy to find. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Last year Samsung unveiled two Notes, but the fifth generation will likely be a solo act. The phablet king will be based on the Galaxy S6 both in terms of design and inner hardware. The screen is expected to stay at 5.7" QHD, though Samsung probably has some technology improvements for Super AMOLED. The back will drop the faux leather look, switching to glass instead. The chipset is rumored to be an Exynos 7420. Samsung usually uses a beefier chipset for the Note compared to the Galaxy S, but there's no word on a new Exynos. Perhaps we'll see higher clock speeds, but talk of a new 7422 chipset died out so new hardware is unlikely. Like the chipset, the camera department will stay put - 16MP camera with optical image stabilization on the back and a 5MP selfie camera. There's a chance the camera will move to a Samsung sensor or mix them up with Sony-supplied sensors. The Galaxy Note 5 should have 4GB of RAM, the extra gig will afford some extra room for Android 5.1 Lollipop, TouchWiz and apps. The new model will come with extra storage options - the usual 32GB, plus 64GB and 128GB. In case you haven't heard, chances of a microSD card slot are slim to none. Samsung is also cutting off access to the battery. It already did that with the Galaxy S6 and it seems the Note 5 won't escape that fate. We may see the microSD slot return on the dual-SIM Note 5, but we wouldn't bet on it. We expect to hear how fast the UFS 2.0 storage is and how power efficient the new screen and chipset are, but those are small consolations. Especially when Galaxy Note 5 is expected to have a 3,000mAh battery - 220mAh smaller than the previous generation. Wireless charging is a very likely addition for what that's worth and we're going to see some variation of Fast Charge (but no USB 3.0 or Type C). Here's a potential plot twist - will the S Pen stylus be clickable or not? Will it auto-eject? (our bet: "no" for both) Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ It may have been the Note Edge that pioneered the screen side curve, but that seems to be moving exclusively to the "S6 edge" line. The Galaxy S6 edge+ will be the same size as the Note 5, but it will not have an S Pen (so it's not a "Note"). The ~5.7" screen will have its left and right sides curved as on the smaller S6 edge. Stylus aside, the hardware will be pretty much identical - Exynos 7420, 16MP+5MP cameras, no microSD slot and a sealed 3,000mAh battery. We're not sure what could have prompted that decision, Samsung advertises the S Pen as the biggest reason the Galaxy Note is better than other phablets. Will the curved screen be enough to set the Galaxy S6 edge+ apart? Well, it better. It's expected to cost €800/$875 for the 32GB model so it's definitely priced like a Note. Pre-orders should start around August 20/21 in France and South Korea, the launch two weeks later. Samsung may be betting on a physical keyboard cover for the S6 edge+, which slides on the bottom of the phone and turns it into an OmniaPRO throwback. Something else A Galaxy S6 mini? An 18.4" tablet? A Tizen smartwatch? New Gear VR? The Samsung corner of the rumor mill is quite busy and we might see one of the gadgets standing there get promoted to official status. Last year at IFA the company unveiled two Galaxy Notes (4 and Edge), the Gear S smartwatch and a Gear VR headset. However, if Samsung brings out a new watch and headset today it won't have much left to show at IFA (which is less than a month away). Pulling the Note 5/S6 edge+ announcement forward was to give them some breathing room before Apple drops the new iPhone 6s/6s plus, so the focus will likely stay on...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_unpacked_what_to_expect-news-13522.php

A Geekbench 3 screenshot suggests iPhone 6s may pack 1GB RAM

The next generation iPhones will premiere this September at an official Apple event, but the details on those have been leaking for months. Today's latest info sheds some light on the RAM amount of the iPhone 6s duo. As the Geekbench 3 shot suggests the iPhone 6s packs just 1GB RAM, just like its predecessor. If true, this would probably put 1GB RAM into the iPhone 6s Plus as well. Of course this shot is super easy to manipulate, so we'd advise against take all of this as certain. The S generation iPhones have always been the ones to bring a big performance jump, while the non-S models traditionally introduce a new design. The iPhone 6s generation are rumored to come with the same design, but upgrade the chipset, introduce ForceTouch display and a new 12MP main camera. There is about a month until the official event so we'll know everything soon...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/a_geekbench_3_screenshot_suggests_iphone_6s_may_pack_1gb_ram-news-13521.php

Xiaomi announces Mi Wi-Fi nano

Xiaomi also announced today the Mi Wi-Fi nano, a smaller version of the already small Mi Wi-Fi mini. The new router is slightly larger than a credit card and fits in the palm of your hand. It has two PCB antennas and offers a range of 150m², which Xiaomi claims is stronger and more stable than competing routers that are also bigger in size. The router supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and has a speed of 300Mbps. It powers via a microUSB port and you can even power it using a power bank and it will last for 30 hours from a 10,000mAh battery. The Mi Wi-Fi nano is priced at RMB 79 (USD 12) in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_announces_mi_wifi_nano-news-13520.php

Lenovo plans to lay off over 3000 employees and put Motorola in charge of mobile

Lenovo is quickly becoming part of the long list of legendary brands struggling for profits in today's vast tech branch. The Chinese giant is far from sinking, but both its PC and smartphone businesses haven't been doing well recently and the latest fiscal report from Q1 2015 paints a gloomy picture. The company's revenue has a 3% percent year over year increase, but the $10.7 billion are still short of the $11.29 billion forecast. Worse still - Lenovo's net income is down by 50%, compared to the same period last year. This has caused the company to do major restructuring to restore its profitability. One of these measures involves laying off about 10% of the company's employees from non-manufacturing sectors. That amounts to about 3200 people and a total of 5% of Lenovo's 60,000 staff. This should theoretically bring savings of up to $640 million by the end of the year. But Lenovo doesn't really plan on sitting on that money, quite the opposite. It should go toward a major restructure in the mobile business. The manufacturer plans to rethink its handset portfolio and bring it down to just a few signature models. Also, international sales are going to play a much bigger role in Lenovo's future strategy. But perhaps most interesting of all is the decision to put Motorola's expertise in charge of the mobile division. A Lenovo's CEO letter to employees urges the company's Mobile Business Group to better leverage on the complimenting strengths of Lenovo and Motorola, suggesting that Moto will be focusing on smartphones and Lenovo on PCs. We can't wait to see what new goodies emerge from the new arrangement. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_plans_to_lay_off_over_3000_employees_and_put_motorola_in_charge_of_mobile-news-13516.php