Sony Xperia XA1 goes on sale, Hong Kong gets it first

The Sony Xperia XA1, which was officially unveiled in February this year, is now available for purchase. The device has gone on sale in Hong Kong, where it carries a price tag of HK$2,498 or about US$320. The model that has been launched in Hong Kong is the dual SIM one, which features a dual SIM tray plus a separate slot for microSD card. Color options for the device include white, black, gold, and pink. The phone is already available to pre-order in Malaysia, and its European launch is set for next week (April 10 to be precise). Source | Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xa1_goes_on_sale_hong_kong_gets_it_first-news-24339.php

Zenfone 3 Max update brings new Power Master app, optimizes fingerprint sensor and camera

Asus has started pushing out a new update to the Zenfone 3 Max (ZC520TL). Arriving as version 13.1.0.56, the update brings along several changes, including a new app as well as fingerprint sensor and camera-related optimizations. Specifically, the update includes a new Power Master app that the company says has been added "to excel battery performance." There are also optimizations related to fingerprint sensor, camera, as well as touch panel display. Moving on, LED notification effects (during charging) as well as the PLMN ID list have been updated. And finally, the update fixes...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zenfone_3_max_update_brings_new_power_master_app_optimizes_fingerprint_sensor_and_camera-news-24342.php

Google pulls the plug on its Map Maker service

Back in November last year, Google announced that it will pull the plug on its Map Maker service sometime March 2017. Inline with that, the crowdsourced editing tool for Google Maps has been retired - the service was closed on March 31. Google says many of the Map Maker's features are being integrated into Google Maps. "To make it easier for all Google Maps users to contribute changes to the map, we've started to graduate functionality from Map Maker to Google Maps on both desktop and mobile," a Google support page says. The Mountain View, California-based company also says they'll...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_pulls_the_plug_on_its_map_maker_service-news-24338.php

Oppo R9, R9 Plus, and F1s get Marshmallow update

A new update has started rolling out to the Oppo R9, R9 Plus, and F1s smartphones. Currently hitting units in Australia, the update brings along Android 6.0 Marshmallow (all three devices were launched last year running Lollipop). "An extra benefit to upgrading to the latest version of the ColorOS is that it will allow the OPPO R9 Plus and R9 to have a dual-sim function with 4G+3G compatibility," the Chinese company says on its Australian website. There's currently no information on when other regions/markets will get the update. Thanks for the tip, Shubham Sharma. Source

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_r9_r9_plus_and_f1s_get_marshmallow_update-news-24341.php

Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro getting new security update

Samsung has started pushing out a new update to its Galaxy C9 Pro smartphone. It's a security update that carries a build number of C900FDDU1AQC32, and brings along Android fixes for the month of March. Aside from the March security patch, the update also includes some bug fixes and performance enhancements. Given the fact that it's an OTA roll out, it might take time for the update to hit your device. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_c9_pro_getting_new_security_update-news-24340.php

Android 7.1.2 update starts rolling out

A couple of weeks after its second beta came out, the final Android 7.1.2 update has started rolling out. According to reports, the update is currently hitting the Nexus Player and Pixel C, although other devices should get it soon. In case you aren't aware, the Android 7.1.2 update isn't a big one - it is all about bug fixes and small enhancements, with no big new features. Also, keep in mind that the Motorola Nexus 6 and HTC Nexus 9 won't be getting the update. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_712_update_starts_rolling_out-news-24337.php