Xiaomi announces new MIUI 7 based on Android 5.1 Lollipop

Xiaomi has announced the newest version of MIUI alongside the new Redmi Note 2. MIUI 7 is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop and comes with a bunch of new features. One of the features is face detection mode in the Gallery app, that can recognize faces and sort images according to the people in it in the People tab. The software is even able to identify and differentiate pets. MIUI 7 also has a handful of new themes, including a pink 'Goddess' theme targeted at women and as usual you can download more from the store. MIUI also has a new feature called Mi Roaming, which acts as a virtual SIM for when you go out of your country, allowing users to purchase data packages from Xiaomi and use them instead of getting a new SIM. This feature is only available in China for now. MIUI 7 can also let you set videos for contacts, which play when the person calls you. Lastly, there is also a Kids Mode, which restricts what content kids can access on the device. MIUI 7 will start rolling out for Mi 2, Mi 2S, Mi 2A, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi Note, Redmi, and Redmi Note tomorrow in China. Xiaomi will be officially announcing MIUI 7 in India on August...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_announces_new_miui_7_based_on_android_51_lollipop-news-13519.php

UMI now teases ZERO 2 with genuine leather back, no E-Ink

UMI ZERO 2 is back with big promises. This time it takes aim at Vertu with genuine leather back (though the LG G4 seems like a more realistic target). "So no surprise even UMI want to design ZERO 2 is a true art and look-luxury, like Vertu," says UMI PR. If you're thinking "but what about the e-Ink back?" well it turns out this may be a different phone, UMI ZERO PRO. Even though the company's Facebook page is touting the UMI ZERO 2 with an image of a phone with an e-Ink back. It seems that the company itself isn't 100% sure what the ZERO 2 is going to be, but they seem pretty sure it will have a reversible USB Type C port with fast-charging support. Asking about price and launch date is asking to reveal too...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/umi_now_teases_zero_2_with_genuine_leather_back_no_eink-news-13517.php

Xiaomi announces Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime in China

Xiaomi has announced the new Redmi Note 2 and the Redmi Note 2 Prime in China. The phone comes with several improvements across the board over its predecessor, including a new design, display, processor, camera, and a new version of MIUI. The new Redmi Note 2 runs on the MediaTek Helio X10 chipset, with eight Cortex-A53 CPU cores. We have previously seen this chipset being used on the HTC One M9+, which was a flagship device unlike the Redmi Note 2. The phone also has 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage. The Redmi Note 2 Prime variant comes with 32GB storage, with the rest being identical. Other specs include a 5.5-inch 1920x1080 resolution LCD, 13 megapixel rear camera with Samsung sensor, and 5-element lens with f/2.2 aperture. The camera also has phase detection autofocus, which is much faster than conventional contrast detection autofocus systems. On the front is a 5 megapixel camera made by OmniVision. There is also dual SIM support, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, IR blaster, and a 3,020mAh battery. Finally, the Redmi Note 2 comes with the new MIUI 7 out of the box. In China, the Redmi Note 2 will be available in three variants. The 16GB model will be available TDD-LTE + TD-SCDMA and TDD-LTE + FDD-LTE variants, priced at RMB 799 (USD 125) and RMB 899 (USD 140), respectively. The 32GB variant, also known as Redmi Note 2 Prime, will support TDD-LTE + FDD-LTE and is priced at RMB 999 (USD...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_announces_redmi_note_2_and_redmi_note_2_prime_in_china-news-13515.php

Facebook's live streaming video feature will soon be available to all verified users

When Facebook announced its live streaming video feature last week, the company said that it will be exclusive to celebrities. However, the social network seems to have quickly changed its stance, saying that the feature will be available to all verified profiles in the future. This was revealed in a report from TechCrunch, which also said that the feature's availability is expected to be expanded before the holidays. For those who aren't in the know, the feature can be accessed through the company's newly launched Mentions app, which is currently only available to actors, athletes, musicians, and "other influencers," including Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Serena Williams, Luke Bryan, Ricardo Kaká, Ashley Tisdale, Lester Holt, Martha Stewart, and Michael Bublé. Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebooks_live_streaming_video_feature_will_roll_out_to_verified_users_soon-news-13513.php

LG announces its own high resolution music service for LG smartphones

LG has announced that it will be rolling out a new music service for users of select LG smartphones. The main attraction of this service is that it will allow users to download high resolution audio files to their device. While most music we listen today is sampled at 16-bit/44.1kHz, music from LG's service is sampled at a much higher 24-bit/192kHz, which should theoretically make it sound better (we say theoretically because most humans can't actually tell the difference between standard and high resolution audio). The service will let customers purchase tracks at up to 50% off the regular price and get two free tracks every month. The service will be available on phones that support high resolution audio, such as the LG G4, G3, G2, and G Flex 2. The service will start this month in nearly 70 countries, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom through the LG SmartWorld app and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_announces_its_own_high_resolution_music_service_for_lg_smartphones-news-13514.php

Android Experiments by Google showcases cool apps for the mobile platform

Google launched a dedicated website that showcases cool applications for Android. Dubbed Android Experiments, the webpage displays apps for smartphones, tablets, and Android Wear smartwatches. A number of projects are already on display on the Android Experiments website alongside links to download and install them on your compatible device. They leverage a number development platforms including Android SDK, IOIO, and Unity among others. Interested developers can submit their creations to Android Experiments via a dedicated link on the new website. Experiment submissions are open to everyone. Source 1 | Source 2...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_experiments_by_google_showcases_cool_apps_for_the_mobile_platform-news-13511.php