Android 7.0 update restarts for Xperia Z5, Z3+ and Z4 Tablet

Sony has re-issued the Android 7.0 update for the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 Tablet after it suspended it almost a month ago due to issues reported by early adopters. The update carries the build number 32.3.A.0.376 while the last update was 32.3.A.0.372. The firmware will be gradually rolling out to each Xperia device over the air but more experienced users could attempt to flash it onto their devices once the firmware becomes available - link to XDA thread here. Have you received an update? Drop us a line in the comments. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_70_update_restarts_for_xperia_z5_z3_and_z4_tablet-news-23306.php

Samsung Galaxy S8 to have 3,000mAh and 3,500mAh batteries

A report from an unnamed Samsung official says that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 duo will pack a 3,000mAh battery in the 5.8" S8 and a 3,500mAh in the 6.2" S8 Plus. This means the new flagships will have less capacity per inch of screen than the 5.2" Galaxy S7 (3,000mAh) and the 5.5" Galaxy S7 Edge (3,600mAh). If the report turns true that would mean that the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus will have the same battery capacity as the Galaxy Note7 although there's no reason to expect the same issues this time around, as Samsung has taken measures. Samsung is rumored to be unveiling the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s8_to_have_3000mah_and_3500mah_batteries-news-23305.php

B&O Beoplay H4 headphones combine Bluetooth listening with premium design

Maybe you missed out on the free B&O Beoplay H3 headphones that T-Mobile was handing out with the LG V20 and maybe the Beoplay H6 isn't to your liking. If that's the case, check out the new B&O Beoplay H4 cans. Using the dedicated Beoplay app, you can adjust the tonality and sound staging of these over the ear headphones. The app is available for the Apple Watch as well as smartphones (iOS and Android). If you don't want to use Bluetooth (v4.2, AAC codec is supported) then you can use your phone's 3.5mm headphone jack (a 1.2m/4ft long cable is supplied in the box). B&O Beoplay...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/b_o_beoplay_h4_headphones_combine_bluetooth_listening_with_premium_design-news-23303.php

Samsung trademarks 'Hello', a part of the Bixby voice assistant

We've been calling Samsung Galaxy S8's digital assistant "Bixby" but a trademark filing reveals that Samsung may have a more generic name in mind - Hello. The filing trademarks the word specifically and the description gives us a glimpse of the assistant's capabilities. You can ask it about weather, manage appointments, control the music player, organize your phonebook and get personalized news articles and information. All this is done "via voice command and voice recognition." So don't confuse it for Windows Hello which does biometric ID. It's possible that "Hello" is just the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_trademarks_hello_a_part_of_the_bixby_voice_assistant-news-23302.php

EU to remove geo-blocking of online streaming services within the region

The European Union is working on a law that will remove the geo-blocking by online streaming services within the region. Currently, streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple Music, etc. prevent the use of the service outside the home country. This means that if you are a Netflix subscriber in Germany you will not be able to access the content in Italy while travelling. With the new law, subscribers will be able to access all of their online streaming services while travelling, as long as they stay within the EU. This goes beyond just being able to access the service...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/eu_to_remove_geoblocking_of_online_streaming_services_within_the_region-news-23304.php

Facebook Lite now has 200 million active users

We've talked about Facebook's official Lite client in the past, as well as the separate Messenger Lite. Both are alternatives to Facebook's main application pair, which just seems to be on a mission to become the ultimate resource hog for the past few years. After a bit of a slow start and a few incremental releases, across what was initially supposed to only be developing markets, with slower devices and network speeds, the Facebook Lite app now seems to be pretty much globally available. Facebook features a link on its own website and if the Play Store just happens to deny you...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebook_lite_now_has_200_million_active_users-news-23301.php