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Apple May Give Us an Option to Delete Built-in iPhone Apps

Starting the day off with some good news – the current Apple Inc. CEO, Tim Cook, in a conversation with Buzzfeed News commented that a few in-house Apple apps may become optional. He didn’t indicate exactly when we should expect this change, but agreed that he understood that a majority of users wanted out. His comments suggested that the company was working towards making a bloatware-free iPhone a reality.

However, Tim Cook also said that we won’t be able to do away with all of the apps. Some of more important stock iOS apps such as Mail, Messages or Safari are interlinked with other functions of the phone and removing them may affect the phone’s performance, if removed.

We’ll figure out a way [for you to remove them]. It’s not that we want to suck up your real estate, we’re not motivated to do that. We want you to be happy. So I recognize that some people want to do this, and it’s something we’re looking at. – Tim Cook

Some of the apps we will be able delete are Tips, Podcasts, Compass, Stocks and iBooks. This would mean good news for people who have opted for the lower storage space iPhones. Considering the amount a 128GB iPhone costs, this is an excellent development.

Source : [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/twenty-minutes-with-tim-cook#.dxoNYbbmA”]Buzzfeed [/tw-button]

September 16, 2015

Unboxing and Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Touted as one of Samsung’s high-end phones which could give the iPhone some competition, the Galaxy Note 5 was grandly launched last month in New York. Packed with an S-pen and other features, the price of this phablet had been announced in India at Rs.53,900.

The Note 5 runs on the Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop) with an Exynos 7420 chipset, a Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 CPU and a Mali-T760MP8 GPU. As far as storage capacity is concerned, this handset comes in two variants – 32 and 64 GB along with 4GB of RAM. However, it does not have an expandable microSD card slot.

The phablet runs on the Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop) with a Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm processor. It does not have an expandable microSD slot, but comes in two variants – 32GB and 64 GB, both with a 4 GB RAM. The S-Pen this time comes at the bottom of the phone with a spring system which makes accessing it a lot more fun.

In the photography section, the Note 5 comes with a 16 MP, 5312 x 2988 pixels, optical image stabilization, autofocus, LED flash primary camera and a 5MP front camera. Other connectivity features include, Wi-Fi 802.11, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, the Bluetooth v4.2, with GPS and NFC support.

The Galaxy Note 5 has some very interesting features that allow you to perform various tasks such as signing documents with the S-Pen on your PDF directly, instead of having to print it out.

The Galaxy Note 5 is powered by a Non-removable Li-Po 3,000mAh, fast charging, wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA battery.

We as usual, bring to you the hands on and unboxing of this device, just as promised:

To give you a better idea, here are the complete specs:

Features	Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Display	5.7 inches
Resolution	1440 x 2560 pixels
Processor	Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad), 64 bit, 14 nm process
OS	Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
RAM	4GB
Storage	32GB and 64 GB
Primary Camera	16 MP, 5312 x 2988 pixels, optical image stabilization, autofocus, LED flash
Front Camera	5MP
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, the Bluetooth v4.2, with GPS and NFC
Battery	Non-removable Li-Po 3,000mAh, fast charging, wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA
Price	Rs.53,900

September 15, 2015

Huawei Nexus Passes GeekBench With Snapdragon 810 and 3 GB RAM

In an earlier post we had mentioned that Google is planning to launch two new Nexus phones on the 29th of September – LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus. New leaks have been found ahead of the Google event that reveal a few key specs of the Huawei Nexus. The phone codenamed ‘Huawei Angler’ was found to have passed through the GeekBench benchmark software.

As the image shows, the Huawei Nexus will sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, with 3 GB of RAM, and will run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The new OS will debut along with the Nexus smartphones on the 29th.

Other rumours that have surfaced on the Huawei Nexus in the past suggest that the phone will either have a 5.5 or 5.7 inch screen, with either 1080p or QHD display. The phone is also rumoured to have a USB Type-C port and a fingerprint scanner. We’ll have to wait for the 29th to see how many of these rumors are true. Follow this space for more on the Google event.

September 15, 2015
Shipping of iPhone 6s Plus Likely To Be Delayed

Apple’s new iPhones – iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus – were revealed last week. Pre-orders for the new models have already begun in the United States and other regions. However, due to some technical issues the shipping of the iPhone 6s Plus is likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.

Reports suggest that the delay is due to issues with the backlight hardware of iPhone 6s Plus. Japanese supplier Minebea, which produces the backlight for the iPhone 6s Plus, is having issues related to supply. According to a note by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo to investors, Apple will hand over the order of the backlight to its other suppliers, Radiant, which will see orders upto 4-5 million units in September.

“To accelerate availability, we believe Apple has been transferring substantial 6s Plus backlight module orders to Radiant. As such, we estimate the company’s iPhone 6s Plus backlight module orders to increase by 70-80 percent to 4-5mn units in September, boosting its order allocation from 35-45 percent to 70-80 percent,”

Apple is looking to top the pre-orders of last year’s first-weekend record that sold over 10 million iPhone units. Apple is expected to have 1.5-2 million iPhone 6s Plus units ready to be shipped on 25 September, according to Kuo’s note.

September 15, 2015
Moto X Style to Come to India Soon

We saw the arrival of the awesome Moto X Play that was unveiled yesterday, and now it’s time for more good news. Our readers had asked us when the Style is going to hit Indian markets and we now have an answer.

The Moto X Style is set to test Indian markets by the second week of October, as per reliable sources. No more details about the device have been revealed but if rumours are to be believed, the Style will definitely fit in the same price bracket as the OnePlus 2.

October is just two weeks away so we won’t have to wait long for yet another Motorola phenomena that should hopefully see success, like its counterparts.

Stay tuned for more updates and information about the Moto X Play and Style.

September 15, 2015
ASUS Launches an Affordable LED Flash Phone Accessory in India

Venturing away from smartphones, ASUS today announced the arrival of interesting accessories in India. They’ve added ‘LolliFlash’ and ‘ZenEars’ to their Indian portfolio, priced at Rs. 899 and Rs. 699 respectively.

Talking about the LolliFlash first, the accessory is a Dual-LED flashlight for smartphones. It slots into a device’s headphone socket and is perfect for adding the much-needed flash light for night time or low light selfies. The LolliFlash provides three brightness levels and a 70 degree beam.

What’s slightly disconcerting about the device is that it requires charging. The company claims that one full charge provides a 3-hour battery life. The accessory works with any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack. The portable device comes with three colour filters as well – white, blue and red.

Next, Asus introduced the ZenEars, which are earphones. The company claims that they fit perfectly into the user’s ears and effectively absorb reflected sound, reducing distortion and restore more music details. It consists of a patented damping system and transmission tube designed to deliver crystal clear and detailed sound.

Both accessories are available starting today.

September 14, 2015

Spec Battle: Moto X Play vs OnePlus 2

Motorola launched the Moto X Play in India today. The smartphone packs in a lot for a starting price of Rs 18,499 for the 16 GB variant.

The Moto X Play boasts of features that are sure to excite the masses. With a 21 MP camera, 3630 mAh battery, and expandable memory up to 128 GB, the Moto X Play is definitely worth its price. Other features include a 5.5 inch screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Snapdragon 615, and an Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU.

When comparing it to the OnePlus 2 that was released last month, we found that the Moto X Play has a lot more going for it. Take a look at the specs yourself.

Specs	Moto X Play	OnePlus 2
Display	5.5 inch, Capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3	5.5-inch, LTPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 403 ppi	1080 x 1920 pixels, 401 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615	Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 v2.1
Processor	Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53	Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 405	Adreno 430
RAM	2 GB	3/4 GB
Storage	16 GB/ 32 GB	16 GB/ 64 GB
Camera	21 MP rear, auto-HDR, dual-LED flash	13 MP with OIS, laser autofocus, dual-LED flash
Expandability	MicroSD expandable up to 128 GB	N/A
Battery	3630 mAh battery	Non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band Bluetooth v4.0, Micro USB v2.0	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot Bluetooth v4.1, A2DP, Micro USB, Type-C reversible connector
OS	Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)	Android OS, v5.1 (Lollipop)
Price	18499 (16 GB), 19999 (32 GB)	22,999 (16 GB), Rs 24,999 (64 GB)

As we can see above, the Moto X Play offers a lot more for a lot less. In the camera and battery department, the Moto X Play has the OnePlus 2 beat, at least on paper. Added to this is the the Moto X Play’s microSD card that allows up to 128 GB more memory, whereas the OnePlus 2 does not. The OnePlus 2 received some flak for its non-removable battery, non-expandable storage, and a regular full-HD display. However, the OnePlus 2 comes with a Snapdragon 810 processor which is far superior than the 615 in Moto X Play. While the former delivers on performance, the latter promises experience.

Both handsets are designed for comfort and offer similar resolution. However, with the Moto X Play starting at a fairly low price of Rs 18,499, and offering a variety of changeable colored back covers, the appeal is greater. Which smartphone would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.

September 14, 2015

Hands on Moto X Play

With Motorola’s launch of the newest gen Moto X Play edition in India, the company is showing that it is keeping India’s price conscious consumer in mind. Motorola has stabbed competition from the Chinese region, with this one.

The new Moto X Play has been launched in India starting at Rs.18499 for the 16 GB variant and Rs.19999 for the 32 GB variant.

Build Quality is top notch on the new Motorola devices, with the new X built on a metal chassis and on the outside a metal rim. The front has a Gorilla Glass 3 protected display which also counters down on either side of the phone, which feels great to use and avoids the pointy edges of the metal rim from hurting your fingers. The Moto X play is ip52 rated water resistant and can easily resist splashes or basic water damage. The back panes are replaceable too, Motorola calls them “shells”, these can be bought and swapped out to give a different look or material finish to the handset. Available in wood and leather as well, it allows the user to buy the phone at a lower price than add a cover to improve the finish and aesthetics, later on.

On the inside, is a new set of hardware, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-Core chipset has been seen on a variety of handsets, it seems like a good fit for the Moto X. Supporting it is 2 GB of RAM and 16 / 32 GB storage options along with expandability via micro SD.

Interestingly the 21 MP snapper is quick and snappy, but does not support 4k video, as the chipset may not manage to moderate the heat generated during capture. 1080p video is the maximum you will get and that too only at 30fps.

The new Moto X comes with a massive 3630 mAh battery and a turbo power charger , allowing for a quick charge and giving you multiple hours of usage in just minutes of charging. Motorola seems to have found the right mix of hardware and pricing. For India’s low price market, One Plus and Xiaomi need to rethink their strategy, as Motorola’s aggressive pricing for the Moto X play while cost them some major sales.

Stay tuned for our full review.

Specifications	Moto X Play (2015)
Display	5.5 inches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	FHD, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon615
Processor	Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2GB
Storage	16 GB / 32 GB
Expandable Upto	128 GB
Rear Camera	21 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Video	1080p HD video, 30 fps
Battery	3630 mAh
Operating System	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Connectivity	Bluetooth v4.0, A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, AGPS, GLONASS GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 7(2600), 20(800)
Price	Rs. 18499 for 16GB anf Rs 19,999 for 32 GB

September 14, 2015

Motorola Releases the Moto X Play in India

The mid-range Moto X Play has finally arrived in India. Like other Motorola smartphones before, the X Play will be available exclusively on Flipkart starting at Rs 18,499. The Moto range for 2015 includes two variants, the Moto X Play and the Moto X Style which is scheduled to come out later this month.

While the X Style will focus on design, the X Play is built for experience. The Moto X Play will have a 21-megapixel primary camera with dual-LED flash, and a 5-megapixel front camera. The rear camera will have an auto-HDR mode, which means the camera will automatically adapt to the conditions so you won’t have to spend time adjusting the settings manually. The phone will come with a standard HD quality video with 1080p at 30fps.

What the Moto X Play boasts of is its 3630 mAh battery, which will give you plenty of juice between charges. Both the Moto X Play and the X Style will have a microSD slot expandable up to 128 GB. This is welcomed as many smartphones today refuse to come with an SD slot. Other features include a 5.5 inch screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Snapdragon 615, and an Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU.

In terms of value for money, we think the Moto X Play packs in a lot. The camera and battery life are its main attraction and is a good choice for those who like to play a lot of games on the go and still expect to have enough battery life for the rest of the day.

The design of the X Play is pretty solid with a textured back that has a rubbery finish, which feels comfortable in your hand. The back panel can be swapped for a different coloured one depending on your mood that day. The feisty phone will be available on Flipkart from midnight onwards so the wait isn’t long either.

Watch out for the Moto X Play hands on video and more information about it, today.

Specs

Display	5.5 inch, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 403 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615
Processor	Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2 GB
Storage	16 GB/ 32 GB
OS	Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Camera	21 MP rear, auto-HDR, dual-LED flash5 MP front
Expandability	MicroSD, up to 128
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-bandBluetooth v4.0, Micro USB v2.0, Type-C reversible connector
Battery	3630 mAh battery
Price	18499 (16 GB), 19999 (32 GB)

September 14, 2015

Apple Watch Expected in India Next Week

The wait is almost over for Apple fanatics in India who have been itching to get their hands on the Apple Watch. The Economic Times reported that the Apple Watch will enter the Indian market next week. Just a few days ago, Apple had launched its new iPhones and iPads as well as an upgraded WatchOS 2 to the Apple Watch.

While the new iPhones are scheduled to come out in mid-October, the Apple Watch will be here before the festive Navratri period which starts in October. The Apple Watch has been introduced in limited countries and the company is also set for the software upgrade. The upgrade will introduce Facebook Messenger and an app called iTranslate.

Apple has tied up with Hermes for brand new bands. But whether the gold and rose gold bands will make it to India next week is still not known, though Apple CEO, Tim Cook, has stated that the new options will be available in all the 24 markets where the watch is currently sold.

The Apple Watch is expected to be priced somewhere in between Rs 25,000-30,000. It will be interesting to see whether the watch will make it big in the Indian market as it has not seen much popularity in wearable technology, yet.

September 12, 2015
Cortana Will Soon Be Available On the Cyanogen OS

Microsoft’s Cortana has previously been integrated into the Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 as well as on Android devices and are soon planning to be available to iOS devices. New reports now suggest, that the latest partner to collaborate with Microsoft is Cyanogen.

Cyanogen has previously included Microsoft in it’s OS by incorporating apps such as – Bing, Skype, Office etc. But in a recent interview with International Business Times, Cyanogen’s CEO Kirt Mcmaster announced that they are definitely planning to incorporate Cortana into their OS. He also mentioned that this incorporation will be more than just adding an app on to their devices, but will in fact “deeply intergrate” Cortana into their system as a function.

This he believes will truly showcase the capabilities of Cortana, as compared to other digital personal assistants.

“When Apple launched Apple Music at WWDC, they showed the Siri integration with Apple Music. Siri doesn’t power Spotify like that so we can do these kind of things with for example, integration of Microsoft’s Cortana into the OS enabling natural language to power Spotify and other services.”

However, he did not mention how exactly this integration will function, so we cannot tell you anything more. It could be integrated into the UI’s control, which would then allow it to be used in apps, but really nothing is confirmed about it’s further usage.

So, let us know what you think about this new partnership. Do you think Cyanogen is the best platform for Cortana?

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_self” link=”http://www.ibtimes.com/cortana-cyanogen-ceo-kirt-mcmaster-building-next-great-smartphone-os-2093032″]ibtimes[/tw-button]

September 12, 2015
Google Finally Releases its NFC Payment System Android Pay

Android Pay, the revamped Google Wallet app, was launched in the US in a number of locations. The Android Pay will be a one-touch payment app much like the Apple Pay, using NFC technology and Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

Existing Google Wallet customers can update the app and see it morph into the Android Wallet. Google launched a separate app Google Wallet app that focuses on person-to-person payments between friends and family like Square Cash and Venmo.

In their blog Google describes the new app as “easy, fast, and free to send money directly from your bank account, debit card or Wallet Balance. When you receive money through Google Wallet, you can spend it using your Google Wallet Card wherever Debit MasterCard® is accepted in the US, use your Wallet Card to withdraw it from participating ATMs, or cash out to a debit card or linked bank account.”

However, as of now if one tries to download the new app, users will not find it as Android Pay, but rather Google Wallet (New) with its logo similar to the old Google Wallet app but with softer colors much like the recently changed Google logo. This can cause some confusion to users initially. Google will most likely work out the bugs and come out with a separate Android Pay.

The app will be made available in new locations and will support Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards from banks including Bank of America, US Bank, PNC, and others. The app will come pre-loaded on new Android phones. No details on when the app will come to India.

Click here to download.

September 12, 2015
OnePlus to Host an Open Sale for the OnePlus 2 Soon

Ever wonder why OnePlus follows the annoying invite system? It’s actually a smart business move by the company. It is there to ensure that their company takes strong and steady steps forward. Thanks to the system, OnePlus only manufactures enough inventory as the demand. While at times the demand may be higher than the supply, their supply will never overpower the demand. They said it was their solution to managing risks. And for such a young company, that is one of the most important things they need to think about.

However, the same system is a tiresome ordeal for potential customers. With the launch of OnePlus’ second flagship, we had hoped that the company would be better prepared this time around. Unfortunately we were mistaken. It seems like everyone is waiting to get their hands on the product, even after a month after launch. OnePlus has admitted there is a reason for that.

I’d like to apologize on behalf of OnePlus for the delay. To our fans, sorry. We were equally excited when we saw your excitement around the OnePlus 2. We know how it feels waiting and waiting for something you really want, while being given ETAs that go unfulfilled.

In a blog post, Co-founder Carl Pei acknowledged that they messed up the launch of their product. He apologised to the fans, partners and collaborators for the delay in rolling out the product. He said the reason for the delay was a young “inexperienced team” managing cash flow, inventory, supply chain and production. To make up for it, the company will be hosting an 1-hour open sale sometime this month, or early next month.

There was no word about the specific countries for the sale, but since OnePlus considers India as one of the first tier countries, we needn’t worry.

September 12, 2015
Sony’s Alpha 7s II to Have 4K Video, Up to 409,600 ISO

The Alpha 7s II is Sony’s latest offering and a successor to the Alpha 7s that was released last year. The Alpha 7s II will be a mirrorless, full-frame digital camera and will come with a 12-megapixel sensor much like the original. But it is in the new internal 4K video recording that makes the Alpha 7s II stand apart. While the original model could record 4K videos using an external recorder, the A7s II will have an in-built 4K recording (3,840 x 2,160) capability which can shoot at 24 or 30 fps. It can also record 1080p footage at 120 fps.

Furthermore, the A7s II boasts of a massive 50-409,600 ISO range that comes with a 12.2-megapixel sensor and the BIONZ X image processing. While the original model triumphed in capturing images in low-level light, the A7s II promises even better low-level light pictures.

One of the new features of this model is the 5-axis stabilization which will reduce the jitter on shots taken at night or with a long, telephoto lenses. The A7s II will also be Wi-Fi and NFC compatible, which will allow users to hook the camera to an Android or iOS device. Though the 12 megapixel camera may come as a disappointment for many, the 4K video recording will make up for it as videographers are sure to appreciate this feature. The A7s II will be available in Europe from November with no details about it coming to India.

September 11, 2015
Rumour: Motorola’s Droid Turbo 2 To Launch Next Month

Twitter is always afloat with rumours about the upcoming gadgets, so obviously one of the many profiles had revealed that the Moto X Force would be launched in the Unites States as the Droid Turbo 2. This phone will apparently go on sale exclusively on Verizon.

https://twitter.com/upleaks/status/641986567108628480

However, new leaks from @upleaks has now provided us with a launch date for the above mentioned device too. The Droid Turbo 2 is expected to be launched sometime in October while the international variant, called the Moto X Force will be launched in December. The International launch is only for China and Europe, as of now.

So, mark this date on your calender if you’re a Moto X fan, till then, here are a couple of other details we know about the upcoming handset- it could come with a 5.43 inch QHD display, Snapdragon 810 chipset, 3GB RAM, 32/54GB storage, 21MP rear camera and 5MP front camera, and finally it is expected to be fuelled by a 3,760mAh battery.

Keep watching this space for more updates.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”https://twitter.com/upleaks?ref_src=twsrc^tfw”]Twitter.com/upleaks[/tw-button]

September 11, 2015