Misfit offering 30% discount on some of its products, including Vapor

Misfit offering 30% discount on some of its products, including Vapor

If you are planning to purchase the Android Wear 2.0-powered Misfit Vapor, you'll be glad to know the company is offering a 30% discount on the smartwatch. The deal is available in Europe (the UK, Germany, Italy, and France) you'll have to use the code WINTER30. In addition to Vapor, this 30% off deal is available on some other Misfit products as well (depending on the region). Here's the US promo, which ends January 15: And here's the UK promo, which runs through January 29: For more information, head to the links below. |

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Oreo arrives on OnePlus 5T in form of OxygenOS Open Beta 1

Oreo arrives on OnePlus 5T in form of OxygenOS Open Beta 1

Just days after Oreo Open Beta for the , the company has pushed out the update. The Android 8.0-based OxygenOS Open Beta 1 is now rolling out. So those part of the OnePlus 5T beta program will be able to experience Oreo goodies now. The update also includes Android fixes for the month of December. Following is the complete change-log published by the Chinese company:

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New Telegram update brings multiple accounts support on Android

New Telegram update brings multiple accounts support on Android

The Telegram messaging app has started receiving a new update. Arriving as version 4.7, the update brings support for multiple accounts on Android. So now you can add up to three Telegram accounts (linked to different phone numbers) on your phone. Use the side menu to switch between accounts. Also, notifications from all accounts are enabled by default you can change this from the Notification settings menu. Moving on, the update also adds a quick reply feature just swipe left on any message in a chat to access this functionality. Quick replies have been added to both Android and iOS clients. On iOS, the update also includes different font sizes and different accent colors for the Day theme. For more information, head to the links below.

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New Nokia 8 update begins rolling out

New Nokia 8 update begins rolling out

HMD has started pushing out a new update to its smartphone. The change-log mentions things like improved system stability and user interface enhancements, aside from the December security patch. This new update which arrives as Oreo version 4.390 and weighs in at around 330MB is currently hitting units in some European markets. It's worth mentioning that the device has already received the December patch in some markets (like India), but these extra changes weren't included in that update.

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Top smartphone reviews of 2017

Top smartphone reviews of 2017

Being a mobile tech reviewer definitely has its perks. Shiny new devices are great and all, but still, at the end of the day, the most gratifying thing is to see our work actually help out readers and eager buyers navigate the vast and often confusing smartphone market. 2017 was a really interesting year, with many great announcements and more than one interesting trend set in motion and ready to unfold in 2018. Before CES kicks off and draws our collective attention to the future of mobile, what better time to sift through the top ten reviews of 2017, as rated by your interest. Starting from the top of the list, it's clear that Samsung had yet another strong year in the business. Not only is the Korean giant getting the lion's share of sales in most markets, but it is also drawing ever-growing amounts of attention towards its industry-leading and trend-setting designs. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, in particular, really shook thinks up vigorously, with their bold Infinity Display, curvy profile, finally breaking the long-standing slab design mold. Besides, topping the review popularity chart, Samsung phones also proudly hold the sixth and seventh spot. Forth place goes to one of the company's devices as well, the Galaxy A5 (2017), but that represents a whole other 2017 trend, we are probably even more excited about the quest towards great value devices. It's true. Whether it is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, the more expensive Xiaomi Mi A1, or the pricier still OnePlus 5 budget flagship, more and more companies are trying their best to deliver great value handsets in most every price bracket. Better still, consumers are starting to expect and demand these offers. 2017 saw an interesting mix of value-first trends in the industry, along with a new breed of ultra-expensive flagships, officially passing the $1000 barrier. Nokia's surprisingly well-received comeback added, even more, excitement to the mix. We can only imagine what new developments and intriguing devices 2018 has in store. In the meantime, if you've missed any of our top reviews in 2017, now might be a great time to catch up.

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Huawei P smart's European pricing and launch time frame revealed

Huawei P smart's European pricing and launch time frame revealed

Acclaimed leakster Evan Blass recently that the will be globally available as the Huawei P smart. And now, a new report has revealing pricing and availability info for the device. As per the report, the P smart will go on sale in Germany sometime late January, and will carry a price tag of 249 (around $300). The report talks about the 3GB/32GB variant of the phone. No information yet on whether or not the 4GB/64GB model will be available in the region.

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New update hitting Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) and Sony Xperia XA

New update hitting Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) and Sony Xperia XA

Samsung has started rolling out a new update to its smartphone. Arriving as firmware version A720FXXU2BQL9, it's a security update that brings along Android fixes for the month of December. The update is currently hitting units in Mexico, but should soon be available in other key markets as well. Moving on, the meanwhile has also been receiving a security update that bumps the Android patch level from August 5 to November 6. The update carries a build number of 33.3.A.1.115. Currently only F3111 and F3113 models are getting the update, but other variants should also get it sooner than later. As is usually the case with OTA roll outs, it might take time for the update notification to pop up on your device's screen, so be patient.

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Motorola Moto Z2 Force on T-Mobile gets Oreo

Motorola Moto Z2 Force on T-Mobile gets Oreo

T-Mobile has started rolling out the Oreo update to units on its network. The update carries a build number of OCX27, and also includes Android security fixes for the month of December. This comes a week after the Moto Z2 Force on Verizon getting Oreo, making Verizon the first US carrier to roll out the update. If you are on T-Mobile, you should be getting the update in the days to come, so be patient. |

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LG and Samsung also confirm not slowing down old phones

LG and Samsung also confirm not slowing down old phones

Apple , with plans to keep on doing it. This wasnt well accepted across the internet and major companies decided to dissociate from such practices. After , today LG and Samsung also confirmed not tinkering with the performance of older devices. Speaking to , an LG representative stated they never have never will do such a thing, adding that the company cares what the customers think. The other Korean manufacturer provided a longer answer: Product quality has been and will always be Samsung Mobile's top priority. The spokesperson makes clear that the battery life of Samsung phones goes through multi-layer safety measures which include software algorithms. The CPU performance is not reduced through software updates to keep the battery lifecycle longer.

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Nokia 3310 4G (TA-1077) spotted on TENAA, runs YunOS

Nokia 3310 4G (TA-1077) spotted on TENAA, runs YunOS

The Nokia TA-1077, which a certification in China earlier this month and is already said to be the Nokia 3310 4G, has now been spotted on TENNA. The listing also includes images of the device. While details are scarce on the specifications front, one interesting info the listing reveals is that the handset will be powered by Yun-OS, an Android-based operating system from China's Alibaba. No information yet on what price tag the Nokia 3310 4G will carry and when exactly it will be available. |

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Xiaomi launches the Yeelight speaker, powered by Alexa

Xiaomi launches the Yeelight speaker, powered by Alexa

Xiaomi joins the smart home speaker game with its latest announcement. The gadget is called Yeelight and is powered by Amazon's Alexa. The speakers design is similar to the Echo Dot with a blue LED ring and volume control buttons on the top. Specs-wise, the speaker has quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU with 256 MB RAM and 256 MB internal memory. The Yeelight has six microphones that listen in 360 degrees with a 5-meter range. To reduce the echo, Xiaomi is using Acoustic Echo Cancellation and Beamforming technology. It has 4 GHz/5 GHz dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, but can also be paired via Bluetooth. The Yeelight voice assistant also has Dual AI system to control other Xiaomi home automation products. Other devices should be supported in the coming weeks. Launching at the sweet price of CNY199 (about 25 or $30) on January 31, the Yeelight can be purchased on the Xiaomi online store.

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New OnePlus 5T update brings camera improvements

New OnePlus 5T update brings camera improvements

The has started receiving a new update. Arriving as OxygenOS 4.7.6, the update brings along multiple changes, including those related to camera and system. To start with, camera-related changes include clarity improvements for selfie in low light, performance improvements for third-party camera apps, and some stability improvements. Moving on, system-related changes include screenshot and WiFi display improvements. The update which weighs in at 86MB also adds assistive lighting for face unlock, and bumps the security patch level to December. In case you missed, an Oreo beta program for the handset is to be officially announced very soon. |

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Google Pixel C pulled from company's online store

Google Pixel C pulled from company's online store

While the 32GB variant was earlier this year, now Google has stopped selling the 64GB variant of the tablet as well. If you try accessing the device's Google Store listing now, you'll be redirected to the Pixelbook's page. The Android powered device was launched back in 2015. At launch, the 32GB variant carried a $499 price tag, while the 64GB model was $599. The Mountain, View California-based company has been offering discounts on the tablet, but looks like user interest dropped to a level that there was no other option but to stop selling it completely.

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Next-year Snapdragon 670, 640 and 460 specs leak

Next-year Snapdragon 670, 640 and 460 specs leak

Qualcomm announced its flagship chipset in the beginning of December at the Snapdragon Technology Summit. According to the latest leak from Weibo, the chipset company from San Diego is preparing three more SoC platforms for 2018 Snapdragon 670, Snapdragon 640 and Snapdragon 460. The SD670 comes as a successor of the SD660. The biggest change is the process it is built on it will be 10nm so it will be more power-efficient. The CPU will have eight cores 4x Kryo 360 at 2 GHz and 4x Kryo 385, clocked at 1.6 GHz. The GPU will be Adreno 620 and dual 14-bit Spectra 260 ISP. It will support smartphones with one camera up to 26 MP or a dual setup of 13 MP + 13 MP. The modem of the Snapdragon 670 is expected to be X16 LTE Cat.16 with a maximum download speed of 1 Gbps and upload speed of 150 Mbps. This chipset might be targeted at upper midrange phones but with such specs, it might act as a sub-flagship platform. The CPU of the lower tier Snapdragon 640, will have 2 powerful Kryo 360 cores at 2.15 GHz and six more at 1.55 GHz. GPU will be Adreno 610, but the ISP will be the same as in the 670. The modem is listed as X12 LTE with up to 600/150 download/upload speed. Snapdragon 460 is sharing the same modem as the 640. Most likely aimed to power the most affordable smartphones, the CPU of the 460 has eight Kryo 360 cores four at 1.8 GHz and four at 1.4 GHz. The memory has no system cache and the camera could be up to 21 MP with a Spectra 240 ISP. Unlike the other two, this chipset will be built on the 14 nm process technology. |

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ZTE briefly lists the Blade V9 on its website

ZTE briefly lists the Blade V9 on its website

An official product page for the ZTE Blade V9 briefly went online and was subsequently pulled down. But, luckily, it was online long enough to grab all the information about the upcoming phone. The Blade V9 is ZTE's first phone with an 18:9 aspect screen (the tallest so far was the 17:9 ). The Blade V9 has a 5.7-inch LCD of 1080x2160px resolution. Inside there's a Snapdragon 450 chipset coupled with either 2GB, 3GB or 4GB of RAM with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB of internal storage, respectively. There's also a MicroSD card slot which doubles as a second SIM housing. There are two cameras on the back 16MP autofocus unit and a fixed-focus 5MP snapper, sitting behind f/1.8 optics. On the opposite side there's a 13MP selfie shooter. There's a 3,200mAh battery, a headphone jack and a fingerprint scanner (on the back). Body-wise, the ZTE Blade V9 has a dual-glass design with a metal frame in between. It looks like it will launch in Black or Gold but there's no information on price or date. | |

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Deal: The LG V30 is down to 700 at CarphoneWarehouse

Deal: The LG V30 is down to 700 at CarphoneWarehouse

The is still fresh on European shelves but it's already seeing its first discount in this case a 12% drop in price at CarphoneWarehouse in the UK. Originally a 795 prospect in both Silver and Blue, the 64GB LG V30 is now down to 700. Other retailers in the UK offer the V30 as well, but their price is harder to swallow. The V30 is in stock and available for next day delivery and there doesn't appear to be a timer on the new price. Mind you, at 700 the LG V30 is still rather expensive but so are its competitors such as the Pixel 2 XL, Galaxy S8+ or iPhone 8 Plus. CarephoneWarehouse has an ongoing sale with discounts on other phones and gadgets, too. At first glance, a few notable highlights include the Moto X4 (reduced to 250), and the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (100 off each), but you can always dig deeper.

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Gionee S11 to launch in India in January 2018

Gionee S11 to launch in India in January 2018

Gionee will be launching its S11 smartphone in India in January 2018, according to the sources at Techook. The phone first launched in China last month along with three siblings. The has a 5.99-inch, 18:9 FullView Display and a MediaTek Helio P23 processor with 4/6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It boasts a dual camera system on the front and back, with the rear having a 16MP + 5MP system and the front having a 16MP + 8MP system. Apart from that, the S11 has a 3410mAh battery, hybrid dual SIM slot, and Amigo OS 5.0 based on Android 7.1 Nougat. The phone is priced at RMB 1799 in China, which translates to about $275 or INR 17,637 in India.

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Apple & Samsung take 70% of holiday activations

Apple & Samsung take 70% of holiday activations

During this holiday season Apple & Samsung accounted for 70% of devices activated according to Flurry Analytics, with Apple taking the Lions share with 44%. Google was a no show. Flurry took a look at the most gifted smartphones and tablets around the globe this holiday season, examining activations throughout the week leading up to Christmas day. Flurry Analytics, part of Oath, is used by over 1M mobile apps and has insight into 2.1 billion devices worldwide. Similar to last year, 44% of new phone and tablet activations were Apple devices. Whilst Samsungs activation rate is up 5% from 2016 they fell short of Apple at 26%. Of note, Vivo who didnt appear in last years numbers, had a significant adoption, which was attributed to their growth in China and India. Notably absent is Google, Flurry reason that due to a limited number of phone models (4) and lack of consumer mind-share, the Pixel is failing to garner users interest. Due to their affordability the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6 beat out Apples latest releases the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, although the iPhone X was a close third. When combined ,however, Apples latest releases the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X made up almost a third of all new activations at 31.5%. The prominence of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 7 however proves that cost is still a priority for consumers. The iPhone 6 was relaunched this year in select international markets as a more affordable option. Continuing the trend, Phablets (5in 6.9in) have overtaken medium phones (3.5in 4.9in) to take 53% of the market share. With consumers not replacing their tablets as often total tablet activations dropped to 12% down from 17% in 2016.

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Here's a leaked list of devices sporting the Snapdragon 845 in 2018

Here's a leaked list of devices sporting the Snapdragon 845 in 2018

By now it's pretty clear that most of the top of the line Android smartphones of 2018 will have the at the helm, which was unveiled at the beginning of this month. Thus, the situation next year will pretty much emulate what happened in 2017 with the Snapdragon 835. Today from a source in China comes a list of handsets that will be using the SD845 in 2018 along with their expected announcement timelines. We can't verify the validity of this information, but the presence of these devices in the list is anything but surprising. In February, Samsung will unveil the and , which will feature Qualcomm's chip in some markets. LG will also take the wraps off the G7 during the same month. Then in April the Xiaomi Mi 7 will be outed, followed in May by the HTC U12. June will be the launch month for the OnePlus 6, ZTE nubia Z18, and Sony Xperia XZ Pro-A, while the Samsung Galaxy Note9 arrives in September, alongside the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 and LG V40. October is the month when the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL get announced, but also the nubia Z18S and Sony Xperia XZ2 and HTC U12+. In November Motorola will out the Moto Z 2019 with the SD845, while December is when OnePlus will release the 6T and Samsung will do the flip phone thing once again with the W2019, the successor to the . There are some interesting omissions in this list, so while it is comprehensive you shouldn't see it as exhaustive we could certainly see other devices powered by the SD845 in 2018, which aren't in it. (in Chinese) |

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Top 10 fan favorite phones of 2017

Top 10 fan favorite phones of 2017

Popularity is one thing, but winning people's hearts is a completely different task. It's now time to look back at 2017 and see which phones you guys liked the best. We'll rank the phones that got the most favorites by the registered users on our site. The list features 9 flagships, which was to be expected high end devices cause most people to fall in love with them. Yet one midranger from a beloved brand managed to do the seemingly impossible and snatch second spot. The Xiaomi Mi 6 snatched the 10th place in the list. Fantastic specs, dual camera, and impressive looks are what attracted many of you. When the phone arrived in the first half of 2017, it was a statement from Xiaomi that the company is ready to fight it out with the big boys. The ugly ducklings LG G5 and LG V20, were quickly followed by the beautiful swans LG G6 and LG V30, sitting in 8th and 9th, LG was the first to introduce the tall display trend with the G6; then the company had six months to perfect a phone, to equip it with Snapdragon 835 and to create the V30. Next come the Nokia 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S8+, while the OnePlus 5 matches its name with a 5th place. The phone was quickly discontinued to make room for OnePlus 5T, but the new device didnt have make it to the chart. The Galaxy Note8 snatched fourth, being beaten to a podium spot by the Sony Xperia XZ Premium and its 4K screen. The Nokia 6 got second place an amazing achievement for the only midranger in the table. The Samsung Galaxy S8. No wonder so many fans picked this phone truly curved screen with tall aspect ratio, superb camera, and sexy looks. All hail the most loved phone of 2017!

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Garmin vivofit 4 activity tracker features always-on color display, over 1 year battery life

Garmin vivofit 4 activity tracker features always-on color display, over 1 year battery life

Garmin has launched a new activity tracker. Dubbed vivofit 4, the main selling points for the wearable include an always-on color display and over 1 year battery life. The device is also swimand shower-safe. In addition to basic activity tracking, the vivofit 4 can also track your sleep and intensity minutes. Other features include a countdown timer, stopwatch, alarms, weather info, and the Find My Phone functionality. Available color options for the activity tracker include White, Limegreen Speckled, and Black. As for price, the device carries a tag of $80, and is available for purchase through Amazon. There are also interchangeable accessory bands available, but those are sold separately for $20 each.

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Google planning to open physical stores in India to boost Pixel phone sales

Google planning to open physical stores in India to boost Pixel phone sales

According to a new report, Google is planning to open physical stores in India, a move that's aimed at boosting the sales of in the Asian country. The brick and mortar stores, or experience centers, could be launched towards the latter half of 2018. The Mountain View, California-based company had recently set up pop-up stores in malls across the country to showcase features of new phones. They even created a dark room at some locations, to show how good the recent flagships are when it comes to low-light photography. And the consumer response was better than expected, reportedly encouraging the company to think about opening dedicated physical stores in the country. The report notes representatives from a couple of malls have confirmed they have received requests from the company to setup outlets. In addition to smartphones, the stores will also carry other Google products like Home smart speakers, Chromecast devices, Pixel laptops, and Daydream VR headsets. When reached for comment, Google said, We dont comment on any rumours or speculation.

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Google Photos' 'Smiles of 2017' movie rolling out for some

Google Photos' 'Smiles of 2017' movie rolling out for some

It's the last week of the year, and Google Photos is offering a throwback to 2017 in the form of a new video collage. Dubbed 'Smiles of 2017,' the new Assistant-based collage is rolling out for some users. As the name suggests, the collage consists of pictures of people smiling, and the length of the slide show is about 40-60 seconds. Not all users are currently seeing it, but you can always check for it in the Assistant tab of the app or on the Web version of the service.

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Edward Snowden's Haven is a monitoring app for your surroundings

Edward Snowden's Haven is a monitoring app for your surroundings

Edward Snowden, along with security engineer Micah Lee, have released an Android app in partnership with The Guardian Project. This app is intended for citizens who themselves or their possessions are at risk and would like to monitor their surroundings to warn them of intruders. Called Haven, the app uses the sensors on your Android device to track various metrics. It uses the accelerometer to track the movement of the device and surrounding vibrations, camera to track movements of objects in view, microphones to track noises in the environment, ambient light sensors to track changes in the lights and power to check if the phone was unplugged or the power cut. The way this is supposed to work is that you should ideally install this app on a burner phone with a SIM card. The app is then configured to log all the information and send notifications to a number, ideally your personal number, over a secure channel like Signal or Tor with end-to-end encryption. If the app picks up any data from the sensors, such as someone entering your room or accessing your belongings (let's say, your laptop) then it will immediately send notifications to your main number. Alternatively, it can be installed on your main phone and have the notifications be sent to a trusted number, alerting them in case you come in physical danger. Admittedly, an app that uses sensors to track everything about your surroundings doesn't sound any less scary than the threats it claims to protect you against. But for those paranoid, the app is open source, so anyone can look at the underlying source code and the developers have invited people to contribute to it. You can also compile the app yourself using Android Studio and Gradle. All the necessary libraries and third-party dependencies are provided on their GitHub page. Haven is currently in beta and available for download for free on Android. 2

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Google looking into Pixel 2 WiFi disconnect issue on mesh networks

Google looking into Pixel 2 WiFi disconnect issue on mesh networks

Yet another issue has come to light. It's related to random WiFi disconnects, with most reports mentioning the problem occurs while the device is on a mesh network setup. The problem seems to be affecting both first and second gen Pixels running Oreo. On the network side, those with Netgear's Orbi routers seem to be affected the most. There's even a dedicated forum thread related to this on the official Netgear forum where users say Android 8.x crashes their router. For its part, Google is asking for bug reports as well as some additional information. |

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Xiaomi Mi Max 3 to have 7-inch display, 5,500mAh battery

Xiaomi Mi Max 3 to have 7-inch display, 5,500mAh battery

In love with large screen smartphones? Here's an exciting piece of news for you: the next Xiaomi Mi Max series smartphone is rumored to feature a massive 7-inch display. That will be an 18:9 panel with minimalistic bezels on both top and bottom. The rumor further says there will be a bump in battery capacity as well, with the Mi Max 3 packing in a 5,500mAh battery. There will be a dual camera setup on the back, and the phone will also feature Quick Charge 3.0. As for SoC, there will be two variants one powered by Snapdragon 630, while the other by Snapdragon 660.

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Motorola Moto X4 Android One smartphone gets Oreo update

Motorola Moto X4 Android One smartphone gets Oreo update

The of the has started receiving a new update. Carrying a build number of OPW27.1, it's a major update that brings along Android 8.0 Oreo. In addition, the update also includes the latest Android security fixes. The roll out is inline with the 'end of the year' time frame that was promised by the company when the phone was launched. Given that it's an OTA roll out, it might take time for the update to hit your device, so be patient. |

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Gionee S10 Lite launched with 4GB RAM, 16MP selfie camera

Gionee S10 Lite launched with 4GB RAM, 16MP selfie camera

Gionee has launched a new smartphone in India. Dubbed S10 Lite, the device is powered by Snapdragon 427 SoC and sports a 5.2-inch HD display. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is 32GB. The handset features a 13MP rear camera and a 16MP front shooter. Measuring 148.773.77.9mm and weighing in at 155g, the phone runs Android 7.1 Nougat and packs in a 3,100mAh battery. There's a home button-embedded fingerprint sensor as well. The Gionee S10 Lite carries a price tag of INR 15,999 ($250), and comes in black and gold color options. It'll go on sale in India starting tomorrow (December 23), and will be available through offline stores.

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We might see the Snapdragon 845 in Chromebooks

We might see the Snapdragon 845 in Chromebooks

Just like the Snapdragon 835 in 2017, we can expect to see the Snapdragon 845 in many high-end smartphones during 2018. Qualcomm its Snapdragon 845 CPU at a launch event in Hawaii. At the event, Qualcomm had a about the Always Connected PCs running Windows 10 on the ARM architecture. Chromebooks may also be able to take advantage of Qualcomms Always Connected PC ideology, according to a couple of Chromium commits found by . The first of these commits references a new board called chezea while a later commit defines chezea as a new board overlay for a reference device that runs the Snapdragon 845. This means that we might see Chrome OS devices powered by the super-efficient Snapdragon 845. Weve already seen how well the CPU can handle Windows 10, so imagine how well it would run the much lighter Chrome OS while minimally sacrificing battery life. |

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First 5G spec has been finalized, expect to start seeing 5G in 2018

First 5G spec has been finalized, expect to start seeing 5G in 2018

3GPP is an organization whose purpose is to define the industry standards for technologies that would succeed the 4G LTE standard. Today, 3GPP has set the specifications for 5G equipment in both towers and smartphones alike. This means that 5G standards have been set so that network and radio engineers can all work on a single platform for all 5G devices. Features, functions, services, and standards are set for carriers, phone makers, and radio equipment manufacturers now have a basis to begin to produce and roll out 5G equipment and services to capable networks around the world. If you wish to get down and dirty with all the technical talk of the new 5G specs, you can head to the 3GPP Source Link below. This covers things like system architecture, core network interface, network slicing, and migration from 4G. A number of carriers, smartphone makers, and component manufacturers (Qualcomm, Orange, T-Mobile, AT, Samsung, ZTE, Sprint, Telefonica, Verizon, Sony, Nokia, MediaTek, and Huawei to name a few) have expressed their excitement and commitment for a future with 5G wireless. We wonder which smartphone maker will be the first to make a 5G-enabled smartphone. Any predictions? Sources: |

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Honor X series sales hit 40 million milestone

Honor X series sales hit 40 million milestone

Huawei sub brand Honor has announced that global sales of its X series of smartphones consisting of devices from to has hit the 40 million milestone. The company also revealed some sales figures for the newly-launched Honor 7X smartphone. 30,000 units were sold within the first two hours of November 11 sale in China, and 20,000 units were sold out in one hour in each of the three flash sales in India. In London, sales in the first two weeks were double that of the Honor 6X, while in Russia, the number was triple, making Honor one of the top 3 brands in the country. In the United States, Honor 7X achieved a 250% growth in pre-paid orders from 5th Dec to 14th Dec compared to the sales of Honor 6X during the first 10 days of its debut, the press release said.

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Here are all the ways Android Oreo protects your phone and data

Here are all the ways Android Oreo protects your phone and data

Android Oreo is now making its way to more and more devices and it brings with it much smarter security features. It packs clever software that you never knew was protecting your phone and data, such as safer install of apps that come from unknown sources, rollback protection which prevents hackers from downgrading your phone to an older OS version that's susceptible to an exploit, and more. OEM Lock Hardware Abstraction Layer (aptly named HAL) prevents your phone from being reset without your security credentials. The full list of security advancements is laid out in the source below.

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Netflix now supports HDR on Windows 10

Netflix now supports HDR on Windows 10

Netflix has rolled out support for HDR on the Windows 10 platform. Users can now finally access Netflix' growing library of HDR content if they are connected to a compatible HDR monitor or television. As with 4K support on Windows 10, the HDR support comes with a handful of provisos. First of all, you need the four person plan to access HDR content. Also, just like 4K, you need to use Microsoft Edge or the Netflix app to view HDR content. These will only show up as HDR if you are connected to an HDR display. Apart from that, you also need an Intel 7th generation or newer Core processor or an NVIDIA 900 or 1000 series graphics card. Netflix currently has over 200 hours of content in HDR, including popular shows like Stranger Things, Daredevil, Chef's Table, Star Trek Discovery, Mindhunter, Marco Polo, and more.

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BlackBerry Keyone Black Edition gets price cut in Canada

BlackBerry Keyone Black Edition gets price cut in Canada

If you are a BlackBerry fan in Canada, and are in the market for a new smartphone, you'll be glad to know that the Black Edition has received a price cut in the country. Walmart has the device listed for CAD 648 (around $505), down from its usual price of CAD 799 (around $622). Other third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy have the model listed for higher rates CAD 775 and CAD 799, respectively. So, purchasing from Walmart surely saves you a decent amount. For more info, head to the link below.

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Pokemon Go on iOS now supports Apple's ARKit for improved mechanics

Pokemon Go on iOS now supports Apple's ARKit for improved mechanics

Today Niantic Labs and the Pokemon Company, the entities behind the hugely successful Pokemon Go game, have announced a new set of features coming to iPhones. They are collectively called AR+, and are made possible by leveraging Apple's ARKit framework, which debuted in iOS 11. For that reason, you need to be running that version of the OS or a newer one in order to see the new functionality. You also have to sport an iPhone 6s or newer model. So what's the fuss about? Well, first off, with AR+ the Pokemon are fixed to a point in space, so you can walk up real close to them and see how they look from a few inches away. But wait, there's more. The Pokemon are now aware of you getting close, and they will run away if you push it too much. You can sneak up close to earn an Expert Handler bonus, but you do need to be extra careful not to scare the Pokemon away. An awareness meter will appear next to each monster, and when this fills up the creature will flee. If this happens you can tap on the tall grass nearby, as that might cause the Pokemon in question to reappear. If you're able to catch one while in its close proximity, you'll have a better chance of earning Great and Excellent Throw bonuses, on top of the aforementioned new Expert Handler bonus. This awards even more XP and Stardust. |

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Latest Samsung Galaxy S8 Oreo beta includes App Permission Monitor

Latest Samsung Galaxy S8 Oreo beta includes App Permission Monitor

Samsung's comes with a feature dubbed App Permission Monitor. It alerts you when permissions you select are being used by app running in the background. Not only that, you can also take a quick look at the permissions history for an app. Well, the feature is no longer Galaxy Note8-exclusive, as it's now available in the latest Oreo beta build. Samsung has made several useful additions in the Oreo build. Recently, it came to light that screenshot naming has been improved by the company now the default file name includes name of the app from within which the screenshot was captured. The Samsung Galaxy S8/ are first in line to get Oreo. A beta program is , and it's expected that the final update will begin rolling by the end of January or start of February. |

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Razer Phone update brings camera and audio improvements

Razer Phone update brings camera and audio improvements

Last month, we were that the will get a camera improving update in next few weeks. Well, good news is that the update has arrived, and it features some audio improvements and other changes as well. So the shutter speed control has been improved when in low light conditions as well as when using HDR. Other camera related improvements include improved picture quality and reduced noise. Some bug fixes and performance improvements are also there. Coming to audio-related changes, call quality for HD audio has been improved and some Dolby audio related issues have been fixed. The change log also says Tweaked the knobs for better playback clarity. Other changes include better auto-brightness luminosity and some theme related tweaks. The update weighs in at 97MB.

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Sony Xperia XZs drops to $400 in US

Sony Xperia XZs drops to $400 in US

The Snapdragon 820-powered launched in the US back in April this year, carrying a $699 price tag. But currently, you can get the device for as low as $399.99. Amazon has the handset listed for that price. Officially, the phone is also available through a couple of other third-party retailers, but they are offering the XZs in $500-$550 range. So purchasing from Amazon will save you at-least $100. No information on when this discount ends.

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Google Hangouts now optimized for iPhone X

Google Hangouts now optimized for iPhone X

With the launch of Allo, some folks were reluctant to switch from Hangouts due to a number of reasons. If you are one of those people who are still using Hangouts on an , youll be glad to know that the app has been updated to support the iPhone Xs strangely shaped display. The 21.0.0 version of Hangouts bring optimization for Apples display and will no longer show you black bars in the app. The app will now take full advantage of the display and correctly flow up either side of the devices notch in the display. Much like how the brought a wider aspect ratio, developers have to redesign apps user interfaces for the new displays. You can grab the latest update to Google Hangouts on the App Store. Google is slowly but surely updating its iOS app catalog to work properly on the iPhone X. |

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Upgraded AirPods for 2018

Upgraded AirPods for 2018

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today issued a pair of notes to investors covering the availability of AirPods and the possibility for a revision to the hardware in the second half of 2018. Since their launch in 2016 Apple struggled to keep up with demand for AirPods. Even so, Kuo estimates that AirPod shipments will experience 100 percent growth and reach 28 million units in 2018. Kuo didn't offer up any details regarding the design or feature set for the revised AirPods other than that they will include a smaller quartz component. Kuo also stated they could have a higher average selling price. Currently manufactured by Inventec, Apple has also recruited Luxshare to manufacture AirPods. Additionally, it's believed that a constraint in the supply of the RF printed-circuit boards for AirPod batteries are one reason why Apple can't meet the demand. Next year Apple are launching the AirPower mat that is capable of charging an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously. Current AirPods required the new inductive charging case, whilst it's possible you'll be able to buy a skew of the AirPods that include the new charging case.

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Taiwanese Investment Commission approves HTC/Google deal

Taiwanese Investment Commission approves HTC/Google deal

Back in September, HTC and Google worth $1.1 billion which gives Google access to HTCs intellectual properties and some of HTCs hardware team to help develop the next Pixel devices and further develop HTC's VR division with products like the Vive. This weekend, the Taiwanese Investment Commission (similar the USs anti-trust regulators) has approved the deal taking place between the Google search giant and the Taiwanese smartphone maker. The deals approval has caused the shares to spike up when the stock market opened on Monday morning, stocks could rise even more once the deal is completed in 2018. With HTCs new partnership with Google, the Taiwanese company could make a grand comeback in the States. Also, Googles partnership with HTC shows that the Mountain View-based company is invested in the nation of Taiwan. 2018 will definitely be an interesting year for both HTC and Google. |

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Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ front panels leak alongside rumored battery capacity

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ front panels leak alongside rumored battery capacity

Last week we showed you CAD-based , which have showed the devices from all angles (there are even render videos). Today coming to further confirm the minimal design changes for the S9 duo from their predecessors is a shot of their front panels. The image clearly shows a very similar design to the and , but with ever so slightly smaller screen bezels. The trimming is especially noticeable when you glance at the bottom bezel, but it's definitely still a bezel the once-rumored complete cutting of that hasn't panned out, it seems. From a different Chinese source comes word that the smaller S9 will ship with a 3,200 mAh battery, a welcome 200 mAh bump from the S8. It's unclear if the S9+ will have a bigger cell than the S8+. The charger bundled with the S9 will allegedly be a 12W part, and the phone will support Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 standard. Mass production for the new S-series duo is set to start in January, ahead of the recently revealed timeline. (in Chinese) | (in Chinese) | | (in Italian) |

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Deals: Google discounts Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL on both sides of the pond

Deals: Google discounts Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL on both sides of the pond

The new Pixels were worth their weight in gold at launch, but the occasional promotion makes them a tad more affordable. Deals are available in both the US and Europe. Googles online store in the US dropped the small to $600 (64GB) or $700 (128GB). The larger is $774 (64GB) or $874 (128GB). Theres an alternative deal brought to you by Target and Verizon you need a contract and a visit to Target, but you get $300 credit for your monthly bills and a $250 gift card for the store. In mainland Europe, both the Pixel 2 (64GB) and the Pixel 2 XL (64GB) get a 150 discount to 650 and 790 respectively. The 128GB storage is 110 on top of that 760 and 900. You can get the same deal from youll see the discount applied in the shopping cart. Over the channel in the UK, the Google Store offers a 60 discount for the small Pixel 2 down to 580 and an even bigger discount for the XL model from 800 to 700. The extra storage still costs 100 more.

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Facebook to start demoting posts with engagement bait titles

Facebook to start demoting posts with engagement bait titles

Facebook has announced a new policy that should cut down on a lot of spammy garbage from your timeline. Going forward, all posts that ask users to engage with them in any way will be demoted and buried out of view. Engagement baiting is a tactic that has become popular on the internet recently where the headline goads the reader into interacting it in some way or the other. On Facebook, these usually manifest themselves as posts that begin with Like this if or Tag someone who or Comment if you, etc. These get people to interact with them, which in turn increases their engagement quotient and makes them rank higher. Well, not for long. Facebook will soon start downranking these type of posts. The developers have reviewed and categorized hundreds of such posts to create a machine learning model, which will go through all the posts and demote those that fit the bill. Facebook is currently giving a warning period to publishers time to adapt and stop their engagement baiting techniques before rolling out the changes in the coming weeks. Pages who continue to do so will see significantly reduced reach for their posts and eventually the entire page itself. This is a useful change considering just how much of Facebook and the internet in general is littered with such content. It's likely these publishers will come up with other tactics to attract users but hopefully now that Facebook has woken up to them it will be more proactive in stopping any such trends in future.

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Sony Xperia XZ2 alleged render shows the bezel-less design

Sony Xperia XZ2 alleged render shows the bezel-less design

Specs of a Sony flagship, codenamed H8216, . Now we have the first alleged render of the phone that might arrive as the Xperia XZ2 or the Xperia XZ1 Premium. The image suggests the device will have no bezels on three sides of its screen akin to the . The phone appears to have the power button on the side, most likely with the fingerprint scanner embedded. There is also a volume rocker and dedicated camera button on the right side. The tall screen spans all the way to the bottom, leaving a small bezel on top for the speaker, proximity sensor, and earpiece. We already know to expect the first bezel-less Xperia phones in 2018, but at this point it isn't clear if the image is legit or not. So until we get an official announcement, or at least more solid evidence, don't take anything for granted.

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Kirin 960-powered Huawei MediaPad M5 leaks

Kirin 960-powered Huawei MediaPad M5 leaks

A new Huawei tablet has been spotted in Bluetooth certification documents. The device carries the 'MediaPad M5' moniker, with documents revealing SHT-W09 and SHT-AL09 model numbers. The previous MediaPad M series tablet Huawei launched was the , so it's likely the company will stick to Chinese practices and skip number 45. Some of the key specs for the slate were also confirmed, including Kirin 960 SoC with octa-core CPU, 8.4-inch 2560 x 1600 pixel display, Bluetooth 4.2, and Android 8.0 Oreo. No information on the tablet's pricing and availability was provided, though. |

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LG V30+ goes on sale in India

LG V30+ goes on sale in India

As , the has been launched in India. It is now available to purchase exclusively from Amazon, which has the device listed for INR 44,900 ($700). Color options include silver and black. Specs-wise, the V30+ differs from the standard V30 in terms of storage it comes with 128GB storage, compared to the vanilla model. The variant was first made official in August, and released the next month.

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LG Pay to debut on company's mid-range phones with K10 (2018)

LG Pay to debut on company's mid-range phones with K10 (2018)

It was back in July this year when LG that it will allow its mobile payment system LG Pay to work with the company's mid-range devices. Now, a recent report from South Korea has confirmed that the LG K10 (2018) will be the first mid-range device to feature LG Pay. The mobile payments service was in June this year, with in Korea being the first one to get it. LG Pay is based on Wireless Magnetic Communication tech, compared to Samsung Pay which uses the Magnetic Secure Transmission technology. The LG K10 (2018) is at CES next month.

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Hey Google wakeup command for phones seeing more widespread roll out now

Hey Google wakeup command for phones seeing more widespread roll out now

It was a couple of months ago, when Google the ability to activate Search or Assistant on phones by saying Hey, Google. It was a limited roll out initially, but the command is seeing a more widespread roll out now. You'll need to re-setup the voice model for this new setting to work a notification asking the same should appear on your Android phone (if haven't already). Manually, you can do this by heading to Settings -> Google -> Voice. Once done, you can use both Okay, Google and Hey, Google to perform Google searches or bring up the Assistant.

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Nokia 2 in for review

Nokia 2 in for review

The is here and enters the line for review. It packs modest specs in a modest package 5-inch LCD, 1GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 212 chipset but comes at an attractive price 99/$99. So who is it for? And what does it offer in exchange for that attractive price? The Nokia 2 is for the buyer that needs the cheapest smartphone, but also wants good battery life. Traditionally, low-end phones had pretty poor endurance, but HMD aims to change that. Our review will include a detailed battery test of the Nokia 2 but the specs sheet is promising. Couple a 4,100 with a low-res 5-inch screen and a low-power Snapdragon 212 and you have a good recipe for long-lasting battery. HMD promises you'll get 2 days of use, which sounds quite impressive for this price range. When you get your hands on the Nokia 2 you're immediately surprised by its build quality. It feels solid and well made. The entry-level price means there are no luxuries like a fingerprint scanner or stereo speakers, but there is a metal frame and a grippy plastic back. The retail box has the necessities covered a charger and cable it's microUSB as the Nokia 2 didn't make the switch to USB-C. The display is surprisingly good too. It's resolution is only 720p but at 5-inches wide you won't see any pixelation. The panel is contrasty and gets decently bright too. The Nokia 2 comes with Android 7.1.1 that's almost purely stock. Sadly that isn't enough to make the Nokia 2 a snappy device. Even UI animations stutter a bit on the Nokia 2 while running intensive apps like YouTube causes noticeable lag. We guess a bit of lag is par for course in this price range but it may put some buyers off. Of course the performance issues can turn out to be an issue fixable through software we'll check it out in detail in our full review. Expect a complete rundown of software, performance, camera, battery life and more, coming soon.

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