This is news a lot of people have been waiting to hear. Nokia Smartphones will make a mega comeback in a brand licensing deal made by the Finnish company with HMD Global Ltd. to manufacture Android based Nokia branded handsets for the next 10 years.
HMD Global and its Taiwanese partner, FIH Mobile of FoxConn Technology Group, will take over Microsoft’s feature phone business for $350 million, which Microsoft had bought from Nokia in 2014.
When Microsoft bought over Nokia,in 2014, for US $7.2 Billion, the Redmond based computing giant dropped the name “Nokia” and continued to use the name Lumia. Microsoft had acquired rights to use the Nokia brand in smartphones for two years which the company let go of much earlier.
The new venture “Nokia” will now manufacture Android OS based handsets along with Tablets and will also continue to manufacture feature phones under the brand and expertise of Nokia.
Nokia has a big market to penetrate with veterans like Samsung and HTC, and many new Chinese companies ruling the eco-system.
The Nokia brand still has a strong legacy and is sure to get the attention it deserves at comeback.
This Video by iGyaan Talks about All things Nokia:
The Micromax Canvas 6 has all the makings of a good, maybe even a great handset, great build and great specs. However, it lacks in basic OS operations and the software makes it fall way down in category. watch our video review.
The Moto G4 plus is the first handset under the Lenovo ownership, and while the company may claim to not interfere in the Moto brand language, a lot of clear changes appear in design and outlook of Moto as a brand and the new Moto G4 Plus.
Android N is the next big update to Android, and while Google already showed off Android N earlier this year. The official announcement focuses on important Security issues and productivity while ensuring better performance.
With the new Vulcan framework, Google will give developers direct access to the GPU and reduce CPU overload.
We have already seen the preview of Android N, and a lot of the features, including multi-window. And new notification customizations.
Those with eligible devices can enroll for the beta updates. Also, if you haven’t already you can submit your name options for the next version of Android.
Allo is Google’s new messaging app, another attempt from the company to take on the massive messaging space.
Featuring a new mode called whisper-shout, which lets you reduce or increase the size of the chat text before sending, Indicating your intent for the message.
The new app uses Google’s intelligent machine learning, to auto-predict replies and reduces typing by several times.
The Google Assistant sits within the messaging app and helps you do things like book movies, or reserve a table using open table. Things for which you would usually need to leave the app.
You can also have a one on one with the Google Assistant, asking questions and playing games with the virtual messaging buddy.
Allo will also include an incognito mode, which will encrypt messages end to end for the users.
Google at Google I/O started today has launched the Google Assistant, merging many Google technologies, including “Okay Google”.
Sundar Pichai showed off the assistant at the Google I/O, with real-time results and a conversationalist response system. The idea is to help in follow up question and to do tasks that you have wanted your virtual assistants to do.
The assistant will work across devices and Google strengths, at home, at work or in the car. A device called Google Home will work as a home management system. The unit will be launched later this year with the customizable bottom. It has a wireless speaker, but it does a lot more than that, as it contains the Google Assistant inbuilt.
It will do basics, like set alarms, make lists and reminders, but will also control various home network devices, like Nest Equipment, lights etc.
Later on you will be able to order groceries or flowers, or even have the living room ready before you reach home, with the right music, lighting, and temprature along with your home delivery food order.
Mixed up with the Google Assistant, serches will allow follow up questions and a single one line conversation with a more natural reply. “Skynet” Anyone?
Flipkart sees some bad days while the company is seeing a mark down in share value by up to 27%, a lot of manufacturers are choosing to go with other Online e-commerce players which offer not only better customer support but have better business practices.
A mutual fund managed by Morgan Stanley has recently marked down the value of Flipkart’s shares by 27%, indicating that global investors believe India’s largest internet company is overvalued.
Flipkart, who had in a press release, mentioned that the value of the company is at $15.2 billion right now. A 27% fall in Flipkart’s share price would imply Flipkart’s valuation now is around $11 billion vs. the 15.2 billion claimed.
But, yesterday’s launch of the Moto G4 was an indication of one of many manufacturers including Lenovo, and now Lenovo-owned Moto, who have shifted their sales to the like of Amazon with higher levels of customer satisfaction. Xiaomi, a brand who had launched in the country with Flipkart has also turned to Amazon this year for offering the Redmi Note 3.
Losing out on flash sales and exclusive launches means that E-commerce giants like Flipkart will also lose out on significant and quick revenues, a large chunk of traffic and customer loyalty.
Flipkart today released a print ad reading #motoOnFlipkart which is identical to the advertisement done by Amazon for their Moto on Amazon.
It seems that Flipkart is now worried that it is losing a large chunk of its revenue to the likes of Amazon and even Snapdeal, and now foul play mode is on.
Earlier this morning the hashtag #motoOnFlipkart was trending on Twitter and some users noticed.
The OnePlus 3 leaks are not stopping and now, @evleaks has posted an image that is mostly the final render of the OnePlus 3. The image shows off the phone in an HTC style all metal shell with looks identical to the new HTC 10.
According to @evleaks the OnePlus 3 will have an AMOLED display and a 3000 mAh battery.
Previous leaks have pointed towards the Snapdragon 820 chipset, an option of 4GB or 6GB of RAM, a 16 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The leaked image also shows off a USB – Type-C and a fingerprint sensor.
Lenovo owned Moto, today launched the new Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus in India. While the Moto G4 Plus goes on sale, the Moto G4 will be available at a later date. The G4 Plus has a few additions, a 16 MP camera with laser autofocus vs the regular 13 MP on the Moto G4. You will also get a fingerprint sensor below the display, this is a first for Moto.
The Moto G4 Plus will cost Rs. 13499 for the 2GB RAM + 16 GB Storage variant and Rs 14999 for the 3GB RAM and 32 GB Storage variant.
Inside of the Moto G4 Plus you will get
Moto G4 Plus
Turbo Charger
Earphones
Documentation
The design of the Moto G4 Plus is unique to the Moto G series of phones. A flatter back panel and a more slimmer profile makes the Moto G4 plus look unique and much more premium than its predecessors.
The handset is still boasting a plastic frame, however is extremely durable and feels like metal thanks to the metal paint coating even though its not.
Lenovo branding is apparent, shown off on the box and each time you turn on the handset. The back features a 16 MP camera with a snappy auto-focus assisted with the laser focus and phase detection Auto-focusing. The camera also has a pro mode which like pro modes from many other manufacturers gives you great detail of control over your setting before you begin to capture a photograph.
The fingerprint sensor is quick with a response time of 750 millisecond and the sensor basically works from any angle.
The phone feels great in the hand and the back panel aka shell is available in a black or white at launch, you will be later able to buy coloured shells for changing out the back.
Moto has removed IP rating which means that the G4 unlike the Moto G Gen 3 will be not be water resistant, but the handset does have nano coating.
The sim slots come with nano to micro sim adapters, which is great if you have been using a nano sim slot device. If not, then you get free adapters.
Specs
Moto G4 Plus
Display
5.5 inches Full HD Display
Resolution
1920 x 1080 Gorilla Glass 3 401ppi
Dimensions
153mm x 76.6mm x 7.9 – 9.8mm (at camera)
Weight
155g
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 SOC
CPU
1.5 GHz octa-core CPU
GPU
Adreno 405 / 550 MHz GPU
RAM
2GB / 3GB
Storage
16GB / 32GB flash storage
Rear Camera
16 MP with laser auto-focus and phase detect auto-focus (PDAF)
f/2.0 aperture, Professional ModeAuto HDR
Video Stabilization
1080p HD video (30 fps)
Slow Motion video
Front Camera
5 MP
f/2.2 aperture
Field of view (FOV) 84 degrees
It looks like Moto has little to spare for its launch of the next generation Moto G aka, the Moto G4. With mostly all information out, little is left to the imagination. Now a new image by @evleaks points to the front of the display.
Calling it the “little bro” could lead to the non-plus version of the Moto G4. Leaks have pointed to a Snapdragon 617 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. With 16 MP and 13MP cameras for the Moto G4 Plus and Moto G4 respectively.
With the expected Launch of the next Moto G aka the Moto G4 and G4 plus to happen soon, there is already a lot of information that has been outed by tipsters and benchmarks. This is a roundup fo what to expect on the upcoming Moto G.
Name
The brand Motorola is no more and since the Lenovo acquisition is now complete the subsidiary brand is now called “Moto.” The Moto G revisions were known as the “Moto G” and the same with other phones. However, the interwebs and leaks suggest a proper Moto “G4” branding along with what rumors are pointing to as a Moto “G4 Plus,” which will either be a larger or a beefier specced handset.
Look
While @evleaks has been mostly responsible for leaking out Moto G4 images, some others have appeared online.
The images of the Moto G4 came out quite a while ago, they show the phone featuring a square front facing fingerprint scanner which may finally introduce the Moto lineup to fingerprint scanners. The rear shows a new camera layout along with dots that indicate either sensors or high-intensity microphones.
Specifications
Leaks have pegged that the Moto G4 is expected to have a 5.5-inch display, 13MP camera and 16GB of internal storage. The Moto G Plus is also expected to get a 5.5-inch display, a 16MP camera and 16GB of internal storage.Two models the XT1622 and XT1642 have been spotted on the FCC website.
The Moto G4 has also been spotted on benchmarking site Geekbench, revealing some other specs, which include a Snapdragon 617 SoC, 3GB RAM, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
Launch Date and Price
After Motorola’s official invitation to their launch on the 17th of May, everyone is expecting the company to introduce the Moto G4 and G4 plus at the same event , while pricing has been speculated at around Rs. 21000 for the Moto G4 Plus, it seems highly unlikely that the company will launch the G4 for a different category when it has constantly stayed in the Rs. 15000 price bracket. So while the G4 Plus may be priced slightly higher we are expecting the Moto G4 to launch somewhere in the Rs. 14500 price range.
It is also official that the next phone (which we assume is the G4) will now be an Amazon exclusive.
It is no secret that Samsung is working on a smartphone with a foldable display which it will launch in 2017. The Galaxy X is the name chosen for this phone, which will juggle between a large and a small display unit without any major damage to the smartphone mechanism.
Manufacturing as a whole tends to stay away from moving parts in mobile handsets and portable devices. The more you knock these around the more prone to damage they become. Even most modern laptop hinges succumb to the weight of opening and closing several times a day. Samsung, however, claims that their new technology will not only revolutionize the smartphone segment but all segments on the way up to foldable television display that could be tucked away while not in use.
Samsung is expected to launch 5 handsets next year which will tie in with their flagship segment. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge, the Galaxy Note 7 and Note 7 Edge and the Galaxy X which will give the edge a new name.
Why fold a smartphone you would ask? A foldable display could mean the ability to carry a large phone/tablet without needing a lot of room to. The large screen would fold and fit in the pocket easily and will also remove the need for a secondary “tablet”.
While Samsung is always switching up their launch times, the exact launch period of the “Galaxy X” is unknown. But if it does launch in 2017, the industry may soon rush to catch up. On the flipside it could end up being one of these: and literally no one will care.
With almost every smartphone company forking out into a “budget online only model”, Lenovo too seems to have jumped on the boat. Zuk is a Lenovo owned brand targetted solely at the online space. The Zuk Z1 is their first handset and has been launched for Rs. 13499, Although is presently only up for preorder with sales starting 19th May.
The Zuk Z1 brings some old hardware like the Snapdragon 801, with some new improved cameras and a good looking, robust, metal shell with a glossy back panel. The phone also comes with 64 GB of Storage (53 GB Available) and 3 GB of RAM with no expandability, Dual SIM slots and Cyanogen OS 12.1. Reminds us of OnePlus and their launch strategy.
Google has put off implementing an Android variant of Apple’s 3D touch at the launch of their next big OS, Android N. A lot of people were excited about this feature, said to be implemented in Android N, providing support to hardware manufacturers to use 3d touch type functionality throughout Android OS.
Google’s next Nexus phones which are supposedly being manufactured by HTC will come with the hardware capabilities of 3D Touch, however, may not use this feature from the get-go.
According to a report in Recode, insiders in Google said
the feature will not be part of the initial Android N release and will have to wait for a later release of the operating system, most likely as part of a maintenance update to the software.
While this may be a let down to excited patrons, this also confirms that Google is indeed working on a 3D touch Android variant which has been loved by iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users alike.
There are already a few manufacturers that have used pressure-sensitive screens and have a more nimble version of 3D touch support on their phones. Googe has already seeded a pre-release dev beta version of Android N and is currently holding a poll to decide the name of this variant of Android.
Micromax’s Canvas 6 comes in after a mega revamp of the company, a new logo and new management. But is it enough to get a new outlook towards the brand? Or will Micromax need to do more?
The new canvas features a 5.5 inch display and a full metal body. The sharp edges are not very comfortable and pinch the hand. The phone is 173 gms in weight and 8.7 MM thick. Check out the unboxing video below. The phone is available for pre-order (here) and will start shipping 18th May.
Specs
Micromax Canvas 6
Display
5.5 inches Full HD
Resolution
1920 x 1080p
Dimensions
TBA / 173gm
Processor
MT6753 1.3GHz Octa coreMT6753 1.3GHz Octa core
GPU
Mali-T720
RAM
3GB
Storage
32GB flash storage
Rear Camera
13 MP, f/2.0, phase detection autofocus
Front Camera
8 MP
Expandability
microSD, up to 64 GB
Battery
Li-Po 3000 mAh
Connectivity
4G+, Wi-Fi 802.11ad, VoLTE, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC, VoLTE
