Category: Mobile

Smartphone News and Reviews, Latest Cellphones, Accessories, New Launches, Specifications, Details with Image and Video from Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, Moto, HTC, Xiaomi, Oneplus, Meizu, Sony, Lava, Micromax Yu Mobile and More.

Sony to Announce a New Smartphone at CES 2016

Sony is ready to start the new year with a whole range of new products that will be revealed at the upcoming CES 2016 press conference to be held on January 5. In the invite sent out by the company, a number of products are teased that include VR headsets, hi-fi gear, a CyberShot camera, an ultra thin TV, and a smartphone.

The news of an alleged new smartphone has triggered a number of debates as to the identity of the device. While many believe it to be the much spoken about Xperia Z6 flagship, others feel that the Z6 is still a long way off from being a reality. Furthermore, a flagship device like the Z6 would practically kill the sales of the Z5 trio that came were launched as recent as September.

On the other hand, we have been hearing a lot about major OEMs like Samsung who are pushing forward the dates for their flagship launches. Samsung is planning to unveil the Galaxy S7 devices in January with a February launch. Sony is perhaps trying to join the intense rat race.

Sony Xperia Z5

A more plausible unveiling can be of the Z5 Ultra. The Z5 Ultra phablet packs some exciting features like a 6.4-inch display with 2160×3840 pixel resolution, a 23MP primary camera and 4GB RAM. In the phablet department, the Z5 Ultra could likely lead the pack, though tough competition from Samsung, HTC and Xiaomi is expected, who are all preparing to launch flagship phones early next year.

Leading up to the January event, we may see some leaked images or teasers by Sony of the Z5 Ultra device or whatever the company has in store at the CES press conference. Follow this space for more on Sony’s upcoming launch.

December 2, 2015
Motorola Testing Marshmallow On Moto X Pure

We are aware that Motorola’s Moto X Pure Edition will soon be receiving the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. Further reports suggest that David Shuster, Motorola’s Senior Director of Software Product Management, announced that Motorola has started the soak test for the update.

Last month Motorola had sent out the update to a couple of devices on a simple test drive, but this time around the real soak test will begin. If everything goes according to plan, then Motorola will be ready to launch it eventually. So, the Moto X Pure Edition should begin receiving this update in a couple of weeks.

The update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow is expected to bring significant changes such as the new Google Now on Tap, a granular permission model, improved volume controls, as well as a smart battery saving feature called Doze.

https://youtu.be/Kq06uPwt188

The Moto X Pure Edition is priced at $399 and comes with a 5.7″ 1440p Quad HD display and front-facing stereo speakers, 21MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera, 4k video capture, has a 3000 mAh battery with TurboPower charging, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808, has a 3GB LPDDR3 RAM, and 16GB/32GB/64GB internal memory that is expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card slot.

December 2, 2015
Android Users Are Switching To iOS Faster Than Ever Before

Newly found reports suggest that the number of Android users switching to iOS is increasing. The Consumer Intelligence Research Partners report indicates that 26% of people who bought the iPhone 6s switched over from Android within the first month itself.

“The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch attracted a greater percentage of Android owners compared to a year ago,” explains Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP.

Statistics show that previously, Android switchers accounted for 12% of iPhone 6 buyers and 23% of iPhone 5s buyers. However, this year’s reports have exceeded both the previous stats. Here is a CIRP chart showing the percentage of iPhone buyers who are switching over from Android:

Further reports also suggest that iPhone buyers are switching to buying the larger iPhone models this year. Here’s a table:

The above table indicates that the sales for the iPhone 6s Plus accounted for 37% of sales of new iPhone models this year, whereas the iPhone 6 Plus accounted for just 25% of new model sales in 2014; and thereby proving the second point. Overall, Apple seems to be moving forward in its goal of capturing the smartphone market slowly but steadily.

Source

December 2, 2015
What a Thinner iPhone Could Mean for You: Pros and Cons

Apple has been obsessed with making its iPhones thinner for a while now and has consciously and noticeably worked on reducing the thickness of its devices in the past. However, it may have not always ended too well for the company -Bendgate definitely not being the highlight of Apple’s history.

Though the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were thicker than their predecessors at a 7.1 mm and a 7.3 mm, iPhone 7 is rumoured to be slimmest iPhones so far. Since speculations about this new Apple device have already begun,let’s see what this could mean for the user.

Pros:

No Ear-Phone Port:
If rumours are to be believed, Apple is planning to get rid of the earphone jack to make the iPhone 7 thinner than any of its predecessors. This move is part of Apple’s patent which aims to make the new device waterproof by getting rid of the port, thereby reducing the number of potential entrances of moisture and liquids for the device. Voila! Say hello to a waterproof iPhone (or at least one less exposed to damage by liquids), boys and girls.

Consequently, the device will probably need to have one common adapter that makes all earphones compatible with it. Additionally, Apple could also include a standard pair of earphones that could be used with the help of a connection to a Lightening conductor. Even if the device requires third-party adapters, they will be available at a fairly affordable price. Bluetooth can also be used as a replacement for earphones.

Convenient Size:
A thinner iPhone would definitely be easier to carry around. In all likelihood, it will weigh less than the 143 gms of the iPhone 6s and the 192 gms of iPhone 6s Plus, and thus would be lighter and more portable for the user.

Also, the current iPhones -6s and 6s Plus- have a thickness of 7.1 mm and 7.3 mm respectively. With its latest devices, Apple has come a long way from Bendgate. None of that was witnessed this year as the devices seems sturdy and hardy, in addition to being water-resistant. Time to rejoice, Apple fans and loyalists.

Cons:

Yes, the Ear-Phone Port:
Users would have to use Bluetooth or the Lightning connector instead of the earphone port. A Lightning cable or a 3.5 mm-to-Lightning adapter would have to be provided by third-party sellers in order to ensure compatibility with iPhone 7. These third-party sellers and their products, the hassle of extra accessories, or the need to use adapters -all of it will make things more complicated for users.

Apple is expected to take care of earpods that would connect to the Lightning port and launch accessories specific to the iPhone 7 and its absence of an earphone port. Needless to say -if this happens, be prepared to burn a whole in your pocket for a pure and authentic iPhone 7 experience.

Might be Sturdier, But Not Comfortable:
A thinner iPhone will not be very comfortable in the hand. The device will not provide a firm grip to the user if made too thin. The attempt of making the device sleek and stylish will completely backfire if it keeps slipping out of the hands. As sturdy as it might be, it will still be an iPhone.

Apple would also have to notch-up the speaker quality to ensure a decent over-all sound experience for iPhone 7. Instead of getting rid of the ear-phone jack, the company can instead tone down its paranoia of being repetitive with design, and let go of their obsession of making tech breakthroughs with a new iPhone every year. But if that happens, Apple would perhaps cease to be Apple.

December 2, 2015
Yu Yutopia To Launch In India This Month

Micromax has finally announced that, the highly advertised Yutopia will be launched in India on the 7th of December 2015. The Yutopia, referred to as The Real Beast, will finally see the light of day, and we will be able to see what the fuss is all about. The upcoming phone claims to have a better battery life than the Apple iPhone, a better display than the OnePlus 2 and is also expected to arrive with a better camera.

https://twitter.com/YuYutopia/status/671620046624428032

There isn’t much that is known about the confirmed specs of the phone but speculations suggest that it could include a 5.2 display, 64 bit class Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 backed by a 4GB RAM, 32GB memory with expandability and a rumoured 21MP primary camera with an 8MP front camera.

As the phone makes some big promises with regards to its high resolution camera, powerful battery, enhanced display and metal body. Let us hope it’s not all just big talk.

December 1, 2015
Apple Experimenting With Five Prototypes For the iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 has not even been announced, and the the iPhone 6s released just a couple of months back. But, that does not stop users and tech fans to get preposterously curious about the next iPhone – the iPhone 7. So, there is good news for them – a new report suggests that Apple might be looking at five different prototypes this time, for the iPhone 7.

The timeline for the iPhone goes somewhat like this – the iPhone 3GS was followed by the Apple iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s which introduced Siri. The following year saw the iPhone 5 with a 4 inch screen and then came the revolutionary iPhone 6 with a 4.7 inch screen and the 6 Plus with a 5.5 inch display; after which we know about the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

Now, returning back to the good news bit, Apple is also testing a bunch of new features on the prototypes; such as – testing a USB Type C port that supports headsets, wireless charging capabilities, fingerprint scanner within the phone’s display, multi-Touch Force, and maybe a dual camera set-up for the rear of the handset. There are also further reports that claim that Apple is experimenting with an AMOLED screen too. Apple has not confirmed anything yet, but until then let us hope that the iPhone 7 is another revolutionary smartphone.

December 1, 2015
Huawei Teases Their Upcoming Device Showcasing a Swiveling Camera

Huawei released a teaser of their upcoming phone, revealing a camera that flips back to front. Therefore, this phone will take high quality pictures and selfies just like the Oppo N1, which offers a camera that swivels around, allowing the user to take selfies with its 13MP camera.

This teaser was posted bu Huawei’s Portugal division, however, there are no further reports on this phone. The company has been doing well globally, with reports stating that it had the largest gain in the global smartphone market share between July to September 2015.

Huawei released its first stock Android handset with Nexus 6P and has recently introduced the Huawei Mate 8 which is expected to arrive with the new Kirin 950 chipset.

December 1, 2015
Blackberry Exits Pakistan Due To Government’s Data Requests

Blackberry is withdrawing its services and operations in Pakistan, and has ascribed ‘security concerns’ as the main cause. Earlier in July, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority sent out notifications to the country’s mobile phone operators stating that BlackBerry’s BES servers won’t be allowed to operate in the country starting December due to “security reasons”.

These “security reasons” have not been specified, but speculation suggests that it has to do with the fact that the Pakistani government requested for an unrestricted access to their customers’ information/data. Blackberry refused to consent to this request and has therefore, received the notification to shut down.

“The truth is that the Pakistani government wanted the ability to monitor all BlackBerry Enterprise Service traffic in the country, including every BES e-mail and BES BBM message; but BlackBerry will not comply with that sort of directive.” said BlackBerry.

However, the government had only requested for Blacberry’s BES servers, the company has decided to stick to its decision of exiting the country altogether.

December 1, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft’s Lumia 950 and 950 XL

Microsoft held an event last month where it unveiled a slew of products that included the new flagship smartphones – Lumia 950 and 950 XL. The devices have finally been launched in India. The Windows 10-powered handsets boasts of top notch specs and performance. Here’s everything you need to know about Microsoft’s newest Lumia devices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snEIjWR4lQw

Display

The Lumia 950 sports a 5.2-inch AMOLED display with 2560×1440 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 564 ppi for clear, sharp images. The 950 XL, on the other hand, comes with a larger 5.7-inch IPS display with 2560×1440 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 518 ppi. This is the first time Microsoft has used QHD display in its Lumia lineup.

Design

Except for the camera housing at the back, the Lumia 950 XL is basically a scaled-up version of the Lumia 950. The devices sport Gorilla Glass 4 on the top while the rest of the body is made of polycarbonate, which is quite grippy. In other words, the plastic feel of the device will find both acceptance and criticism from users. Though the devices are made for a firm grip, the look itself may feel too generic, and one may expect more from a flagship device. It is also likely that Microsoft has focused a lot more on specs than design, perhaps going for affordability.

Processor

The Lumia 950 is powered by a hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor with 3GB of RAM while the 950 XL packs in a 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with 3GB of RAM and features a liquid cooling technology, similar to the one found in the Surface tablet computer, which will keep the temperature of the processor low.

Both the devices are offered in 32GB storage option and come with a MicroSD slot that allows up to 200GB of expandable storage.

Camera

Both the devices sport a 20MP primary camera with triple LED flash and fifth generation OIS, all of which promises detailed low light pictures. The devices also come with a 5MP front-facing camera and a physical camera button.

Software

Even though the devices fail to make a mark on the design and hardware front, the software truly wins the battle for Microsoft. The Lumia devices are the first set of smartphones to feature Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 operating system. Windows 10 is the company’s effort to try and bridge the gap between smartphones, tablets and PCs.

One of the biggest USP of the new Windows 10 is the Continuum feature which lets you “use your Lumia 950 like a PC by connecting it to a bigger screen, keyboard and mouse with Microsoft Display Dock, an optional accessory that enhances the new Windows 10 Continuum experience for phones — and simultaneously charges your device.”

While the above mentioned features are some of the main highlights of the device, the Lumia smartphones also come with standard connectivity options like Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.1, NFC, USB Type-C, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS. Sensors include Accelerometer, Ambient light, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer and Proximity.

Finally, the 950 and 950 XL are fitted with 3000mAh and 3,340mAh batteries, respectively. The devices are priced at Rs. 43,699 for the 950 and Rs. 49, 399 for the 950 XL. Here’s a detailed spec list of both devices.

Specification	Lumia 950	Lumia 950 XL
Display	5.2-inch Quad HD AMOLED	5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED
Resolution	2560×1440 (564 ppi)	2560X1440 (518 PPI)
Processor	64-bit hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor	64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	3 GB	3 GB
Storage	32 GB	32 GB
Rear Camera	PureView camera with 20MP sensor, Zeiss optics, OIS,triple LED natural flash, and4K video recording	PureView camera with a 20-megapixel sensor, Zeiss optics, OIS, triple LED natural flash, and 4K video recording
Front Camera	5MP wide-angle 1080p front-facing camera	5MP wide-angle 1080p front-facing camera
Expandability	200 GB	200 GB
Battery	Removable 3000mAh battery	Removable 3,340mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1	Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1
OS	Windows 10	Windows 10
Price	Rs. 43,699	Rs. 49,399

November 30, 2015

Microsoft 950XL Launched With 5.7 Inch Display and Windows 10

Microsoft has unveiled the 950 XL at an event in New Delhi, showcasing a sleek design and a 5.7inch Quad HD display. The Lumia 950 XL is one of the two phones that have been revealed; both of which run on the Windows 10 OS.

The 950 XL that comes with a 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1 mm dimension, weighs only 165g and is encased within a polycarbonate protection. It comes in two colours – Black and White; and has three physical buttons – power, volume and camera. On the storage front it comes with 3GB of RAM space and 32GB of internal storage which is expandable up to 200GB via a microSD card, and also supports OneDrive storage.

The Windows 10 powered handset comes with a 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED display with 2560×1440 resolution and 518 ppi pixel density, and also being protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 4. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with Octa-core CPUs and 64-bit capabilities. On the camera front it comes with a 20MP PureView rear camera with 4K recording and a 5MP wide-angle front camera with 1080p resolution.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G LTE and Bluetooth 4.1. The handset is packed with a removable 3340mAh battery that supports wireless charging too and is priced at Rs.49,399.

Here are the specifications:

Specifications	Lumia 950 XL
Display	5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED
Resolution	2560×1440
Density	518 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, Octa-core 64-bit
RAM	3GB
Storage	32GB
Expandable Upto	200GB and One Drive Storage
Rear Camera	20MP, PureView, Zeiss optics, OIS, triple LED natural flash, and4K video recording
Front Camera	5MP, wide-angle 1080p
Battery	Removable 3340mAh battery, USB-C fast charging, wireless charging
Operating System	Windows 10
Connectivity	Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, 4G LTE
Price	Rs.49,399

November 30, 2015

Microsoft Lumia 950 Launched in India

Microsoft launches its Windows powered Lumia 950 in India -a phone which is being touted as the phone that works just like your PC and runs on Windows 10. It features a 5.2 inch Quad HD display and measures 8.25 mm in thickness.

Lumia 950 comes equipped with Cortana, Microsoft Office and the Windows Store, and can be connected to a bigger screen, keyboard and mouse using an additional accessory called Microsoft Display Dock. The Displa Dock also charges your phone simultaneously. While the apps run on the big screen, the user can still continue to make calls and receive messages on the phone at the same time.

The handset further boasts of a 20 MP main PureView camera, capable of 4K video capture; the front camera is marked at 5 MP. Nokia 950 has 32 GB of internal storage, expandable up to a 200 GB using a microSD card. The battery of the phone is of 3000 mAh. The phone is available in two colour variants -black and white, and is priced at Rs. 43, 699.

Find other specs of Nokia 950 below:

Specification	Lumia 950
Display	5.2-inch Quad HD AMOLED
Resolution	2560×1440 (564 ppi)
Processor	Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 808 processor, Hexa-core CPUs and 64-bit support
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	3 GB
Storage	32 GB
Rear Camera	PureView camera with 20MP sensor, Zeiss optics, OIS,triple LED natural flash, and4K video recording
Front Camera	5MP wide-angle 1080p front-facing camera
Expandability	200 GB
Battery	Removable 3000mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1
OS	Windows 10
Price	Rs. 43,699

November 30, 2015

The Fossil Q Founder Smartwatch Will Now Be Available On Google Store

The Fossil Q Founder smartwatch that was only available for purchase at select Fossil Stores and their website, will now be available at the Google Store as well. This watch is available in two model options – light stainless steel case with silver-finish steel bracelet and light stainless steel case with leather band.

The Q Founder is the result of a collaboration between the three companies – Fossil, Google and Intel. The smartwatch runs on Intel’s processor while Google provides it with an operating system that is compatible with Android and iOS. However, the Intel Atom processor isn’t named, and neither is the amount of RAM. Although we do know that it has a 4GB of internal memory along with sensors for activity tracking and Bluetooth; and comes packed with a 4,000mAh battery.

The price for Google Store hasn’t been mentioned yet, however the smartwatch is priced at $245 (Rs.19,709) in stores across USA.

November 29, 2015
US Sets Up Three Centers for Treatment of Smartphone Addicts

Nomophobia is the fear of not having access to a smartphone. Yes, it exists and is real enough for an American fascility called Morningside Recovery to provide formal, systematic treatment for it. The treatment begins with collecting the smartphones of individuals with the condition. Following this, they are allowed only limited access to their devices, promoting other kinds of activities they may have been missing out on lately. By cutting contact with the outside world, the individuals are encouraged to interact with each other, and participate in group and individual activities.

The sufferers of nomophobia are encouraged to develop new behavioral patterns that do no involve smartphones. With the help of breathing exercises, the individuals are trained to deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Morningside Recovery has three centres providing this treatment located in California, Texas and Arizona.Dr. Waterman, the director of the programme, advises not just his patients but also smartphone addicts all over to “just try to put it [smartphone] down for a few moments and re-focus on their daily interactions.” Kindly take note. In a world where smartphones have become an extension of our bodies, it is not long until facilities like Morningside Recovery start popping up in India as well.

November 28, 2015
Samsung Galaxy A7 To Arrive With Better Battery Life

New reports suggest, that an FCC certification reveals the new Galaxy A7 to offer a 3,300mAh battery. It also says that the A7 is 151.8mm long and 74.5mm wide. Connectivity wise, this phone will have 4G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS.

The FCC has not given out anymore specifications of the phone, however another benchmark had leaked them. So, according to that, the A7 will have a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front camera, 3GB of RAM, a 1.7 GHz octa-core processor, and will run on Android 5.1 Lollipop. As of now, Samsung has not confirmed anything, but with all the leaks and rumours, let us hope that something gets confirmed soon enough.

Source

November 28, 2015
Waterproof iPhone 7 May Have No Earphone Jack

According to sources, Apple has applied for a unique patent called “Electronic Devices with Housing Port Shutters”. This patent is unique in the realm of smartphones because it aims at sealing off all ports on the body of the handset to protect it from the entry of moisture or any kind of liquids. As a result, iPhone 7 is expected to come minus an ear-phone jack.

This technology would determine that the ports of the phone remain shut until there is a direct use for them. Like the speaker-shutters would shut if the sensors pick up any kind of moisture. In case of a call or message, the shutters would open to convey the sound, keeping the device protected from external agents at all other times.

Unofficial render of the iPhone 7

Additionally, a Japanese website, Macotakara, reported that Apple would remove the 3.5 mm port for earphones to make iPhone 7 slimmer. Users would have to use Bluetooth or the Lightning connector instead of the earphone port. Apple is also expected to take care of earpods that would connect to the Lightning port. A Lightning cable or a 3.5 mm-to-Lightning adapter would have to be provided by third-party sellers in order to ensure compatibility with iPhone 7.

Despite rumours of an early 2016-release, iPhone 7 is expected to arrive in September. Would you be willing to take chances with a handset that comes minus an earphone jack? Or has Apple taken it a little too far this time?

November 28, 2015