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Yahoo In a Soup; Might Put Itself Up For Sale

According to reports, Yahoo might be considering to put itself or its core businesses up for sale. This could include selling off Yahoo’s internet business, spinning off its shares in Alibaba, or doing both.

Yahoo has been deteriorating slowly through the years, and CEO Marissa Mayer had been given several years to work on it, in the hope to turn things around. Despite all of that, Yahoo’s biggest asset remains its stake in Alibaba. The company was planning to spin off its holdings in Alibaba for a while, however, the plan was never executed due to tax concerns.

If Yahoo does decide on selling off its internet business shares, it will end up remaining barely anything more than a holding company for its Alibaba shares. On the other hand if they decide to keep the internet business and let go of its Alibaba holdings; that will just leave Yahoo a weaker company than it is now. Despite such worrying reports emerging, Yahoo has not made any official announcement yet.

December 2, 2015
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
Huawei Likely to Manufacture Nexus 7

If rumours are to be believed,Google will launch a new Nexus 7 tablet in 2016, and it might be manufactured by Huawei. Though Google is yet to confirm another partnership with Huawei post Nexus 6P, but scales seem tipped in Huawei’s favour.

Teaming up with Google for the Nexus device has gotten Huawei a lot of exposure in the international tech circuit. Currently, the Chinese company is the third largest manufacturer of smartphones in the world in terms of the shipment volume, and the largest back home in China.

Huawei Nexus 6P

Google launched its original Nexus 7 tablet, manufactured by Asus, back in 2012. Both the original as well as its successor fared well in the market and proved to be very cost-effective gadgets, quite unlike the Huawei Nexus 6P which is a premium device at a premium price.

Let’s see what another collaboration between Google and Huawei -if it happens at all -is likely to bring to the tech world.

December 2, 2015
OnePlus Launches a Sandstone Cover for iPhone 6 and 6s

OnePlus launched a cover for iPhone 6 and 6s yesterday. No, we didn’t make a mistake -it has happened. The cover is called OnePlus Sandstone Case and is available on the OnePlus website for $19.99 (about Rs. 1400).

The Sandstone Case is made of polycarbonate and is expected to provide the same tactic feeling as OnePlus devices. The measurements of the accessory are 138.7 x 70.2 x 10.5 mm, and it weighs 20 grams.

Just when you thought you’ve seen it all -there’s more. For a limited period, that is the holiday season, buyers will also find themselves a OnePlus X invite in the box of the cover. You may have paid a hefty sum to get to lay your hands on an iPhone 6 or 6s, but would you be now willing to cover it with the OnePlus logo?

Makers of the Sandstone Case clearly seem to think you would. That’s one confident -and bizarre- move, OnePlus. Many see this as the company’s attempt to move away from the image of being solely an Android vendor. Let’s see how the market responds to this.

December 2, 2015
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 830 To Arrive With 8GB RAM

The Snapdragon 820 is still on its way, and the rumour mills have already begun churning out information about its successor – the Snapdragon 830. According to them, it will arrive with 8GB of RAM space; which could possible bridge the gap between a PC and a smartphone. The other piece of information is that, the Snapdragon 830 will incorporate a 10nm production process for the chip

Until then, what we need to know about the upcoming Snapdragon 820 is that it comes with a mobile data bandwidth of up to, wait-for-it, 600Mbps downstream and 150Mbps up over LTE-Advanced (X12 LTE). It will use four custom 64-bit Kryo cores instead of the usual Cortex and will arrive integrated with the Adreno 530 GPU and the Hexagon 680 DSP. The GPU is said to support an HDMI 2.0 and up to 4K at 60fps output.

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
Here’s a List Of Android Games You Must Play This Week

We cannot even remember the time when mobile phones were only used to make a call and send a text, today we can do almost everything on it. One of those many things include modes of entertainment; and we are here to bring you a list of six Android games that you must play this week.

December 1, 2015
OnePlus Brings The Luxurious OnePlus 2 Wild Phone Case to India

OnePlus brings the ultra luxurious Hard Graft accessory to India. Hard Graft has been a popular name and a leader in luxury leather goods brand. The accessory comes with a strong design and immaculate quality that sets it apart from the rest. The designers at Hard Graft have brought their Tuscan leather expertise to the Wild Phone Case for OnePlus 2.

There is something special about washed Italian leather. It’s soft, relaxed and the rugged skin structure tells a million stories. Crafted with hand selected premium materials, the Wild Phone Case is the perfect home for your OnePlus 2.

The case is made of made of signature ash grey washed and traditionally tanned leather. The Wild Phone Case, made of premium material, uses “buttery soft leather” that gets smoother with each use. The outer leather protects your device from wear and tear while the inner lining made of wool keeps the screen clear and smudge-free.

The leather case also comes with two sleeves that lets you store your most important cards and money. The Hard Graft also has an opening to allow for headphones to be plugged in. The limited-edition accessory is available for a price of Rs. 7,499.

December 1, 2015
Microsoft Improves its Navigation Headphones to Help the Blind

Microsoft started an initiative last year called Cities Unlocked and introduced its first in-ear device on a trial basis in the UK. The highlight of this device was that it allowed users to hold conversations without the headset’s audio drowning out the voices.

The initiative, which was founded in 2011 as a partnership between Microsoft and a UK based charity called Guide Dogs, is now introducing its ‘phase two’ over-the-ears headset which includes audio descriptions and instructions related to directions, navigation and over-all surroundings of the user. The ‘3D soundscape’ of the device takes into account the direction of the incoming sound as well as the one the wearer is facing.

Jarnail Chudge, Microsoft’s project leader for Cities Unlocked programme, says, “After phase one last year we started to think deeply about how we can empower people to be more independent, more mobile, and act in much the same way as a sighted person would do.”

The audio prompts would be provided by the headset using a Bluetooth connected smartphone. More information about the surroundings can also be requested by the wearer, along with the option of replaying the audio they’ve just heard. The initiative aims to help over 285 million visually impaired people all over the globe using technology.

Find out more about this new headset in the video below.

https://youtu.be/Wm-AAkAKoTc

Source: Irish Examiner

December 1, 2015
Samsung Patent Reveals a Phone that Unfolds into a Tablet

Samsung recently filed a patent with USPTO, which has been revealed today. The patent shows a smartphone that unfolds into a tablet. Earlier this year, reports hinted that Samsung was working on a folding phone under the name ‘Project Valley’. The patent, titled Foldable Device and Method Of Controlling The Same, was submitted to the USPTO on May 26th, 2015.

The sketches on the patent application reveal several configurations of a folding device. One of the sketches also includes some onscreen icons like WhatsApp, Phone, Messages and even an iPod icon. Samsung and Apple have had a love-hate relationship for a while now, and both have been very guarded when it comes to keeping their patents a secret.

The designs, in fact, look quite innovative for smartphone displays, which are currently ruled by square, flat designs. A folding phone would give you access to the display even when the device is folded. Perhaps after introducing the first curved screen on a smartphone with the Round, Samsung plans to take it up a notch with this design. Only time will tell if the Korean manufacturer has something innovating up its sleeve.

December 1, 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
Over 40% Dissatisfied Apple Watch Users Still Willing to Buy the Next Gen Model

A survey conducted by Wristly has revealed Apple Watch users to be largely dissatisfied with their new gadget. The Watch has failed to perform on many fronts and is being touted as a bad choice especially in terms of speed.

A survey of 330 unhappy users of the Apple Watch revealed that 55% of them tried using the device for a fortnight or more to see if they could get a hang of it, but to no avail. The Watch is not only slow, according to the participants, but also hard to use. The constant need to tilt it in order to get the time is another feature that didn’t go down well with the users.

This survey is definitely not winning Apple many customers, especially in India where Motorola launched its Moto 360 2nd Gen today. Looks like customers in the country are likely to give the Apple gizmo a pass now.

Moto 360 2nd Gen

However, having said that, it should be pointed out that about 41% of the survey participants accepted they are likely to buy the 2nd gen variant of the Apple Watch. Reasons behind this can only be speculated as perhaps evaluation of the Watch from a technological point of view, or some sort of brand loyalism Apple is infamous for generating in its customers.

Either way, looks like the market offers tough competition to both the Motorola as well as the Apple smartwatch. Which one would you rather prefer?

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