Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore Says Windows Phone Is No Longer Company’s Focus

By

-

Oct 9, 2017

There have been a lot of speculations regarding the future of Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform. Now, it seems that the company’s executive Joe Belfiore has put the matter to rest.

Joe Belfiore, former Windows Phone program manager and current Corporate VP for Windows, has tweeted that new features and hardware for Windows 10 Mobile “aren’t the focus anymore” for the company.

However, if you are the one who is still using Windows Phone, you’ll still get fixes and security patches, but don’t expect anything more than that. The fixes and patches will keep coming mainly due to the adoption of Windows 10 Mobile for Work in the enterprise market.

One of the major reason he pointed out for dropping the platform is to get developers to develop apps for the platform. He even said that Microsoft tried paying companies to make apps, but the lack of users became another problem as for most companies, the userbase was too low to invest.

Of course, there were more reasons behind the failure of Windows Phone. While the company failed to keep up with Android and iOS, it also had no specific hardware strategy, or so it appeared.

The tweets clearing the air regarding Windows Phone comes from Belfiore after talks about him switching to iPhone and Android devices as his daily drivers.

While it is clear that Microsoft is no longer focusing on the platform, at least not for the near future, the company seems to be more focused on developing and improving applications for Android, macOS and iOS.

Microsoft is encouraging employees to create cross-platform apps in their spare time with Microsoft Garage. Apart from that, it has also launched a few apps for other platforms, including Microsoft Launcher, Edge, Kaizala, Cortana, Next Lock Screen, among others.

As per the rumours, Microsoft is working on a new “mobile” device codenamed Andromeda, which is expected to launch next year. The device will run on the new “Windows Core OS” platform.

(Source)

Honor 7X Appears on Geekbench, Reveals Kirin 659 & 4 GB RAM

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 9, 2017

Honor has confirmed that it will be unveiling the Honor 7X smartphone on Oct. 11. It seems that the Honor 7X is being tested to check its performance before it official launch as it has allegedly appeared on Geekbench benchmarking site.

A smartphone labelled as “Huawei BND-AL10” has been spotted on the benchmarking platform. Rumors have revealed that the smartphone is codenamed as Bond and its 3C certification has revealed BND-AL10 and BND-TL10 model numbers. The Geekbench listing has also revealed that Honor 7X is running on Android 7.0 Nougat and it is powered by an octa-core processor along with 4 GB of RAM. Previous reports have revealed that the all-new Kirin 659 chipset would be fueling the Honor 7X.

On single-core test, the handset has scored 909 points and in multi-core test, it has recorded a score of 3159. This shows that the Honor 7X will be a mid-range phone. The Kirin 659 will be an enhanced version of Kirin 658 that powers phones like Huawei P10 Lite and Huawei Nova Youth.

The recently launched Huawei Honor 9i (also known as Maimang 6 and Nova 2i in other markets) is also fueled by the new Kirin 659 chipset. It is a 16nm chipset that features four cores of Cortex A53 running at 2.36 GHz and four cores of Cortex A51 clocking at 1.7 GHz. It includes Mali T830 MP2 graphics.

The rumor mill has already leaked its specifications and pricing. Since it is speculated to launch as a budget-friendly phone with dual rear cameras, it is expected to rival with Xiaomi Mi 5X. Like the Honor 6X, the Honor 7X is also rumored to be available for buying outside China.

(source)

Real Images and Video of Apple iPhone X Leaked Before Official Pre-Orders

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 9, 2017

At the launch event of iPhone X, Apple had made it official that its pre-orders will begin on Oct. 27. Few photos and a video of what appears to be a real iPhone X have now already appeared on Reddit.

The first image shows the lock screen of the iPhone X and the home screen can be seen in the second image. Since the screen of the iPhone X shows a date of Sept. 30, it appears that these images were snapped in the previous month.

The “Confidential and Proprietary” disclaimer text present at the bottom of the lock screen suggests that the handset has a special build of iOS onboard. Hence, it indicates that the person who has leaked these images and video could be an Apple employee. The rear image of the iPhone X shows its sleek design and the vertically stacked dual cameras.

[envira-gallery id=”152297″]

The video of the iPhone X only lasts for 9 seconds and it shows the live wallpaper in action. The live wallpaper in the video feature red bubbles of different sizes floating on a rich black background. The black color is so rich that the notch present at the top of the phone is almost invisible. The video can be viewed through the source link.

The pre-orders of iPhone X is slated to begin later in this month. Recent reports have revealed that the smartphone is being manufactured in limited quantity since Apple is reportedly struggling with the production of the TrueDepth camera system.

During the unveil event of the iPhone X, the Cupertino company had confirmed that its shipments will begin on Nov. 3, but a recent report has claimed that the shipment of the first 1 million iPhone X units will begin in December. Some reports have also claimed that the iPhone X shipments will begin in February or March next year. If Apple is unable to meet the promise of releasing the iPhone X on Nov. 3, the company may issue an official statement on the delayed shipments by the end of this month.

The iPhone X was unveiled as the tenth anniversary iPhone from the company. The 64 iPhone X carries a pricing of $999 and its 256 GB model is priced at $1,199.

(source 1, 2)

Vivo X20 Now Comes In A Special Black And Gold Color Variant, Specs Remains Same

By

Jeet

-

Oct 9, 2017

Vivo X20 smartphone was launched last month, having some of the most popular features that are in demand. After seeing the response to the phone and the sales figures during the National Day in China, the company has now announced a new variant of the smartphone.

Making an announcement on the micro-blogging portal weibo, Vivo has launched a new Black & Gold color variant of its X20 smartphone. This new model is priced at 3398 Yuan, around 300 Yuan more than the regular price of X20 which is available in Gold, Rose Gold and Matte Black colors.

The smartphone comes in Black color with some elements of Gold color. The Vivo branding on the back of the phone, the camera module, and the fingerprint sensor have gold-colored embellishments.

Most of the specifications of this new model remain same as of original. The device comes with a 6.01-inch display and a screen resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. The display has an aspect ratio of 18:9, and the screen covers almost 85% of the body on the front side.

Under the hood, it is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 processor. It has 4GB of RAM, just like the original model, along with 128GB of internal storage. While the original device had 64GB storage variant, this special edition lacks the 64GB variant.

The camera setup also remains the same. It boasts a dual camera setup at back, featuring a 12-megapixel primary lens and a 5-megapixel secondary lens. The phone also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture.

The smartphone, which runs on FunTouch OS based on Android 7.1 Nougat, is powered by a 3,245mAh battery. The smartphone is expected to go on sale from tomorrow.

Vivo X20 in special Black & Gold color variant

(Source)

BlackBerry Motion Officially Unveiled with IP67 Body, 4,000mAh Battery

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 9, 2017

TCL has officially introduced the BlackBerry Motion smartphone today. It was unveiled through the GITEX Technology Week that is going on in Dubai, UAE. The BlackBerry Motion is a mid-range smartphone that comes with an all-touch display, water-resistant chassis and huge battery.

BlackBerry Motion Specifications and Features

The BlackBerry Motion does not feature a physical QWERTY keyboard. Hence, the frontside of the phone is occupied by a premium anti-scratch LCD display of 5.5 inches that produces a full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. The power-efficient Snapdragon 625 chipset is present under the hood of the phone along with 4 GB of RAM. The native storage available on the phone is 32 GB.

The presence of 4,000mAh battery makes it the largest battery smartphone from BlackBerry. With Quick Charge 3.0 onboard, the handset can be charged to 50 percent in 40 minutes. The Home button present below the display is embedded with a fingerprint scanner.

The BlackBerry Motion comes pre-installed with Android 7.1 Nougat OS and it is going to receive the latest Android 8.0 Oreo update in 2018. A feature called Locker allow users to securely store their documents and photos on the native storage and make use of a PIN code or fingerprint scanner to access them. The Locker Mode allow users to save captured photos to the internal storage without sending to the cloud.

The Convenience Key is enabled with four customizable profiles such as Home, Car, Office and User. These can be automatically activated through a home Wi-Fi network, in-car Bluetooth, BlackBerry Hub synced meetings or frequently used apps.

For photography, the BlackBerry Motion is fitted with a f/2.0 aperture 12-megapixel snapper. The frontside of the phone includes an 8-megapixel selfie camera. It is the first BlackBerry branded phone to come with IP67 certified body. The handset features an aluminum frame and soft texture on its rear for better grip. It includes connectivity features like 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C, dual-SIM support, 4G and Wi-Fi.

BlackBerry Motion Pricing and Availability

Starting from today, the BlackBerry Motion is available on pre-orders in UAE with a pricing of Dh 1,699 (~$462) and in Saudi Arabia for 1,699 Riyal (~$453). As far as the global release of the smartphone is concerned, TCL has only revealed that it will be made available to select markets.

(via)

EXCLUSIVE: This Is The OnePlus 5T With A Tall 6-inch 18:9 Display

By

Joel Joseph

-

Oct 9, 2017

The OnePlus 5 has been selling well for the past four months, but it looks like a successor is already on its way. Our source reveals to us that a new model, which will go by the name of the OnePlus 5T will release in November 2017. This is very similar to what OnePlus did in 2016, releasing the OnePlus 3T just five months after the OnePlus 3.

So, what’s new in the OnePlus 5T?

At this moment, we have only a few details about the upcoming model. The biggest upgrade is said to be in the display department, with the company bumping up the screen size on the 5T model to 6-inches with 2160 x 1080p resolution, thereby making it an 18:9 smartphone. Major manufacturers, including ones like Vivo have released 18:9 flagship smartphones this year, so it makes sense for OnePlus to jump on the tall display bandwagon with a new model. But the OnePlus 5 is already up to date with powerful specs, so it will be interesting to see if there are any other upgrades in the new model’s specifications.

We have also got a low resolution render of the OnePlus 5T model. We can’t deny that the phone seems to draw its inspiration from the Galaxy S8 on the front. The bezels are thin on the top as well as the bottom and the 18:9 aspect ratio is evident from the taller than usual design. What’s even more interesting is that the sides look curved. Our source couldn’t confirm whether the phone has a curved edge display, so we can’t be sure of it right now. The render looks identical to the recently leaked OPPO F5, but our source claims that this is what the OnePlus 5T will look like as well, at least from the front.

While OnePlus is yet to confirm the launch of a new model, there are indications that a new model could be on its way. The OnePlus 5 is already out of stock in many countries right now.

Our source has been reliable in the past, so we are 80% sure that this information will turn out to be true. The internet has been silent about the existence of the OnePlus 5T so far, therefore we’ll have to wait and see whether more details emerge in the coming weeks. The launch is said to be around early November, so there isn’t a lot of time left for its official unveil.

(Source)

Meiigoo S8 Presale Begins On Banggood, Dual Cameras and 18:9 Display for $165

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 8, 2017

The Meiigoo S8 is a full-screen smartphone inspired by the Samsung Galaxy S8. Meigoo isn’t hiding where the design inspiration comes from and it is even evident from the name. The Meiigoo S8 packs impressive features for less than half the price of the Galaxy S8 though.

For $169.99, the Meiigoo S8 sports a 6.1-inch FHD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and 3D glass on top. It is powered by the MT6750T processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

The Meiigoo S8 has two camera at the back. There is a primary 13MP f/2.2 sensor paired with a 5MP sensor for adding depth of field effect. The selfie camera is a 5MP sensor. There is a 3300mAh battery and a fingerprint scanner on the rear. The S8 also comes with Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.

The Meiigoo S8 is a dual SIM phone (hybrid -nano only) with the tray at the top of the phone. It has a 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom and surprisingly, comes with a USB Type-C port.

Meiigoo has done a nice job with respect to the design of the S8. The metal frame is just 3mm thin and the back has a mirror finish. The latter is a mixed bag though as while light bouncing off it may look good, it will also be a fingerprint magnet judging from the other phones we have seen employ this design. The phone comes in champagne gold, black, and blue.

For the duration of the pre-sale period which begins tomorrow and runs till October 15, the Meiigoo S8 will sell for $169.99 before returning to its original price of $199.99. Orders made within the period will also be entitled to a $49.99 gift bag which contains a wide-angle lens, a fill light, a Bluetooth headset and a ring holder.

You can find more info about the Meiigoo S8 here.

Buy Meiigoo S8 for $165 on Banggood

OnePlus 5 Out of Stock in Most Countries, New Phone Coming Soon?

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 8, 2017

OnePlus launched a JCC+ special edition of the OnePlus 5 recently. Although the specs are entirely the same as the 8GB RAM version of the device and availability is limited to certain countries. However, the regular version is now out of stock in a number of countries including US and Canada.

A lot of other countries also have the slate gray variant out of stock. India is the only country that has all models and color variants in stock. That is not surprising since the OP5 sold there is manufactured by the OPPO factory in Utah Pradesh.

So what’s happening with the unavailable stock in these key markets? While there is no evidence of a new OnePlus phone, some say it may launch a new phone soon. This contradicts recent reports of the OnePlus 5T being cancelled in favor of an early release of the OnePlus 6. It could also just be supply/production issues and they will be back in stock soon.

If OnePlus is indeed going to release a new phone, the key change will be the design, influenced greatly by the display which is expected to have an 18:9 aspect ratio as some other flagships. The rest of the specs may not change, at least we are sure of the processor being a Snapdragon 835 and RAM will either be 6GB or 8GB.

Last year, OnePlus released the OnePlus 3 in June and followed it up with the OnePlus 3T in November. Although the key change was the Snapdragon 820 processor which was replaced with the newer Snapdragon 821.

Continue

Pixel 2 Will Auto Switch To Do Not Disturb Mode When You Are Driving

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 8, 2017

A new app on the Play Store called Pixel Ambient Services has revealed a new feature for the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

The app description says it provides features based on local context for Pixel devices. The app screenshots actually explain a bit more. Remember the always listening Shazam-like feature of the new Pixels? This is the app that controls it. As you can see, you can even set it not to display on the lock screen.

A fourth screenshot mentions another feature which automatically turns on Do Not Disturb mode while you are in a moving vehicle. It says that this is determined by device motion and Bluetooth connections. So it will probably only turn it on when certain conditions are met. If you feel you do not like the feature or its not working properly, you can simply turn it off.

Continue

ASUS Zenfone 4 Selfie Lite Official in Philippines, Drops Dual Cameras

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 8, 2017

ASUS announced two new phones in the Selfie series a few months ago – the Zenfone 4 Selfie and the Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro. It has added a third one called the Zenfone 4 Selfie Lite (ZB520KL). Like the name suggests, it features a few downgraded specs.

The Zenfone 4 Selfie Lite shares the same design as its other siblings. It has a metal finish and the fingerprint scanner sits below the display. The specs are where the differences are.

The display is 5.5-inches but ASUS didn’t specify the resolution. The Pro has a 1080p display and the regular version has a HD resolution. Since the Lite version packs less specs than the standard variant, it is definitely a 720p screen as well. The IPS display has a 2.5D glass covering it.

ASUS has swapped the Snapdragon 430 SoC in the Zenfone 4 Selfie for the Snapdragon 425 mobile platform. The RAM is now 2GB and you get either 16GB or 32GB of expandable storage. However, the Zenfone 4 Lite keeps the dedicated MicroSD card slot (2TB max)

Another key difference between the Lite and its siblings is in the camera department. It drops the dual selfie cameras for a single 13MP f/2.0 sensor. It has a softlight LED flash, so you should be able to take decent selfies even in poorly lit areas. There is a portrait mode, beauty enhancements, GIF support and 9 filters.

The rear camera is also a 13MP sensor with PDAF. There is portrait mode in addition to time lapse mode (with power saving), beauty mode, panorama mode, and a super resolution mode of up to 64MP. The rear camera also has 3-axis EIS for when you want to record videos.

Other features of the Zenfone 4 Lite include FM Radio, dual SIM slot (nano only), a micro USB port at the bottom and a 3.5mm audio jack at the top. The phone comes with the same 3000mAh battery as the other Selfie phones and runs ZenUI 4.0 based on Android Nougat out of the box.

Continue

Amazing Discounts and Gearbest Buyer’s Guide [COUPONS]

By

Linus

-

Oct 7, 2017

There are plenty of online stores out there and a lot of buyers are unaware if those stores are reliable or not. Also, many users are not sure about the entire buying process like choosing a product, ordering it and so on as we receive a lot of questions on our email and social media accounts. Make sure to read the entire article to find amazing discount codes!

Gearbest is one of the most reliable stores you can find and buying from it is easy. In this article, we will explain the entire buying process at Gearbest.com and give you some tips and tricks to save money and finding a product that is best for you.

In order to buy anything from the store, you have to register on the site. I know, it may sound like a hassle but in reality, it takes like 30 seconds to create an account and you are good to go.

We will use our recently reviewed Xiaomi Mi Note 3 as an example. You simply have to add to cart any product you want and proceed to checkout.

You can also use any discount/coupon codes if you have one. E.g. Gizmochina readers get a special discount with the COUPON CODE: note364gb that lets you buy the phone for just $389.99 ($60 off the retail price).

Good news is that Gearbest usually offers free shipping for most of its orders if you are okay with a longer shipping time. Obviously, you can select another shipping method to get the item a lot faster.

Gearbest accepts debit/credit card payments or PayPal, which is one of the safest buying methods.

Gearbest now holds a mid-autumn festival that offers discounts up to 85%.

Check out Gearbest Mid-autumn festival deals

We also wanted to share some category COUPONS that give generous discounts:

Smartphones 8% OFF with the COUPON: GBMBP

Tablets 13% OFF with the COUPON: GBTPC

Consumer Electronics 13% OFF with the COUPON: GBCE

Electrical & Tools 12% OFF with the COUPON: GBTE

Computers & Networking 14% OFF with the COUPON: GBCNA

Toys&Hobbies – Remote Control Toys 18% OFF with the COUPON: RC18OFF

Toys&Hobbies 15% OFF with the COUPON: TOY15OFF

Automobiles & Motorcycle 18% OFF with the COUPON: CAR18OFF

Home & Garden 12% OFF with the COUPON: HOME

Health & Beauty 15% OFF with the COUPON: HEA15OFF

Electronic Cigarettes 15% OFF with the COUPON: ecig15off

Outdoors & Sports 10% OFF with the COUPON: OUT10OFF

LED Lights & Flashlights 12% OFF with the COUPON: GB17LED

Google Will Focus On Offline Stores for Pixel 2 Sales in India

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 7, 2017

Apart from the folks at Google, no one knows the exact amount of first-gen Pixel phones sold. A research from a few months ago puts the figure at close to 2 million. It is a no-brainer that Google will want to sell more units of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL this time around and to do that, it plans to take a different approach to sales, at least in India.

According to the Senior Vice President of Google Hardware, Rick Osterloh and the VP of Hardware Product Management, Mario Queiroz, the new Pixel smartphones will still be sold online and offline but will focus more on offline sales.

In Rick Osterloh’s words “Our focus was online last year. People tend to not buy such premium products so if people can see the device and experience it, will help quite a bit”.

Offline sales are very important and should not be overlooked even in developed countries. Xiaomi learnt this the hard way and has opened 200 Mi Stores in its home country this year alone. People want to see what they want to buy and experience what it has to offer before shelling out so much money.

How Google plans to tackle the problem is still unknown but the chance of standalone Google shops is slim. It will most likely be modular shops in popular retail stores and malls.

Continue

Android One’s Xiaomi Mi A1 Now Available in Europe

By

Habeeb Onawole

-

Oct 7, 2017

Xiaomi joined the launched its first smartphone for the Android One program, the Mi A1, a few months ago. The new smartphone is actually the Mi 5X, released this year as well but with pure Android on-board.

The Mi A1 was first released in India and then Malaysia. Unlike other Android One phones released in the past that are limited to certain regions only, the Mi A1 will be available in 37 countries with a bunch of them in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.

If you live in the Netherlands, Poland, and Greece, you can now order the Mi A1. Retail price however varies in all three countries. It sells for €260 in the Netherlands but is higher in Greece with a €284 price tag. Poland has it for PLN 1,300 (~€302).

It will be available in Spain for €228 but not until next week. That is the same time it is expected to go on sale in Hungary and Russia though at higher prices (HUF 75,000/€240 and RUB 19,000/€280 respectively).

Continue

Leaked Screenshots Reveal New Features of Android Oreo-Based EMUI 6 on Mate 9

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 7, 2017

Huawei Mate 10’s October 16 launch is just at the corner, the flagship model is expected to pack a whole lot of new hardware including a new AI-capable Kirin 970 processor. While the focus has been on the hardware the Mate 10 is expected to feature, we almost forgot the flagship will also get a new EMUI 6 interface based on Android 8.0 Oreo. Before now, little is known about the new interface, like it would be based on Android Oreo but a new leak has emerged which shows the real features EMUI 6 would bring with it.

The screenshots of a Mate 9 running on Android Oreo-based firmware is the new leak here and it comes courtesy of XDA Developers. The screenshots reveal details such as Picture-in-Picture mode will be one of the features included in EMUI 6. One of the screenshots shows the Background app notification of Android Oreo will be included. Users of smartphones which have gotten updates to Oreo have reported persistent ‘app is running in the background’ notification and that is same with the EMUI-based Oreo.

Basically, EMUI 6 will come with features of Android Oreo, most of which we already know since Google announced its latest OS version. The new features that would likely be on the EMUI 6includes a screen resolution option in display settings which will let users switch between HD and Full HD resolution mode (720p & 1080p).This will definitely be a good power conservation mechanism. Also, EMUI 6 looks to be bringing the option of hiding the navigation bar by including a new button which you can place on the navigation bar. That button will add a small arrow to the left side of the navigation bar and with a swipe from the bottom, you get to hide or show the nav bar. You can check out more features of the new EMUI 6 from the screenshots below or use the source link below to go check out XDA’s post.

(source)

Huawei Focuses On India In Its Bid To Displace Apple & Samsung

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 6, 2017

Huawei considers India a strategic market for its growth, according to a statement from Jay Chen, CEO of Huawei India wh also disclosed that the company was looking to expand its growth in the local market. The Huawei Exec was speaking on the sidelines of the India Economic Summit held in New Delhi within the week. He disclosed that the company has made a sizeable level of investments and formed key partnerships in the telecommunications sector in its near two decades of existence in India.

Despite Huawei’s deep ties in the telecoms business where it provides hardware for mobile telecom outfits, the Chinese tech giant is still struggling to carve a niche for itself in the massive Indian smartphone market. A recent report by Counterpoint Research places Samsung as the market leader by smartphone shipment in India for the second quarter of 2017. Samsung is closely followed by Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO and Lenovo (which includes its Motorola business). Huawei is not in the top five key vendors in India despite being the third-largest smartphone maker in terms of shipment globally with an ambition to catch up with Samsung and Apple, the top two global leaders.

Huawei may finally have realized the role India could play in getting it up the chart globally and has recently shifted attention to India. Within the last couple of months, the tech giant has launched a number of smartphones including models by the Honor brand in India. The company recently introduced the Honor 9i with a massive 5.9-inch display, dual cameras at the front and rear, 4GB RAM and slammed a subtle price tag on the device- just 17,999 rupees ($275.91)! With such deal breakers, Huawei may be on the way to knocking its way into the top three vendors in India in the next few years. Who knows, the Chinese phone maker may even give Samsung a run for their money in India and with a strong growth in Inda, it could catch up with Apple and maybe Sammy. Don’t forget Huawei did disclose last year that it would start manufacturing smartphones locally in India and that could help it sell at affordable price points just like the Honor 9i’s price.

(source)

Google Engineer Confirms Both Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL Work With 27W Chargers

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 6, 2017

You might not remember Benson Leung, the Google engineer that tasked himself with examining USB Type-C cables and who did uncover tons of sub-standard USB-C cables. Leung is actually an Engineer on the Pixel team and has just revealed a stunning feature of the Pixel 2 and bigger Pixel 2 XL. Both flagship models have now been tested and confirmed to be capable of receiving a charge of up to 27-watts from third-party compatible chargers.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are known to have fast charging onboard, Leung says the two phones come with 18W Type-C + PD power adapters in the box. What Leung’s latest disclosure means is that the charger with which the second-gen Pixel phones ship with do not actually offer up to the full capacity of what the devices can handle. This is perhaps done intentionally as an additional safety precaution. But if you own a Pixel 2 or plan to buy one in the near future, just know you can get even faster charge speeds by picking up a compliant charger.

Given Benson Leung’s antecedents, the phones must be able to withstand a faster 27 W charger in a safe manner to warrant the recommendation. But if you choose to stick to the 18 W fast charge the phone ships with, you get an efficient charger that delivers up to 7 hours of battery on 15 minutes of charging.

(source)

Nokia 3310 4G Releasing to Rival JioPhone?

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 6, 2017

HMD Global has recently launched a 3G edition of Nokia 3310 (2017) for some markets like Australia, Singapore, Canada and the U.S. However, it seems India that has already received the 2G version of Nokia 3310 (2017) will not be getting its 3G version. Instead, the Finnish firm may debut a new 4G feature phone for Indian markets. Hence, the rumor mill is speculating that the 4G edition of Nokia 3310 will arrive to rival with JioPhone feature phone in India.

In a recent interview, Ajey Mehta, the Vice President of HMD Global has strongly suggested that the company is considering launching a 4G feature phone in India. However, he has not confirmed whether the 4G feature phone would be another variant of Nokia 3310 (2017).

Reliance Jio has recently launched JioPhone 4G feature phone with a pricing of Rs. 1,500 (~$23) in India. Since the JioPhone is expected to impact the market for feature phones, HMD Global is monitoring is its market response. If it is received well, it will also consider releasing a feature phone with 4G connectivity. Initial reports have revealed that the Reliance Jio will be shipping 6 million JioPhone units by December 2017.

Micromax is already working on a competitor phone for JioPhone. Micromax will be teaming up with BSNL service provider to launch a handset called Bharat One that will carry support for 4G VoLTE. Another Indian carrier Airtel, is also getting ready to debut a 4G smartphone with a price tag of Rs. 2,000 (~$30). This shows that competitor phones for JioPhone will be also available in the market soon. As far as HMD Global is concerned, it also seems to be very keen on taking on the JioPhone with its own 4G phone.

The recently launched Nokia 3310 3G edition is heading to those markets where its 2G variant is unusable. It has already launched in Australia and it is coming to Singapore in this month. Canada and the U.S. are the other markets that are rumored to get the 3G Nokia 3310.

Do you think that Nokia’s upcoming 4G feature phone will disturb sales of JioPhone? Share us your views by commenting below.

(source)

Microsoft Edge’s iOS and Android Version Arriving Soon, Preview Version Now Available

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 6, 2017

Microsoft has released a preview version of its Edge browser for iOS and Android smartphones. The preview version is now available as a beta testing program for users who have subscribed as Windows Insiders.

Microsoft Edge has a cleaner interface and works fast with HTML5 content. It includes a Reading View mode which presents an uncluttered version of a webpage. The Hub View contains a collection of all the bookmarks, reading list, history and downloads. It can sync favorites and reading list between devices. Microsoft will be soon adding support for syncing passwords and purchases on Microsoft Store.

In order to try the preview version of the Microsoft Edge on an iOS or Android device, users need to join Windows Insider Program. It is only available for the users in the U.S. In order to install the preview edition of Microsoft Edge on an iOS device, users will have to undergo an intricate process.

It requires users to link their smartphone to PC which involves a Microsoft account, a phone number and an installation of at least one app. The iOS version of Microsoft Edge is based on WebKit rendering engine by Apple whereas the Android version is based on Chromium. The Edge browser for these operating systems simply feature Edge skin over their respective default web browser. Hence, it is unlikely to deliver better browsing speed. However, Microsoft aims to offer a different browsing experience on Edge.

In related news, Microsoft has renamed its Arrow Launcher as Microsoft Launcher. The updated app has been redesigned slightly and sports a cleaner appeal. The Redmond giant has added “Continue on PC” feature to it which will allow users to conveniently send an image or link from their phone to Windows 10 PC.

Have you tried the Microsoft Edge on your iOS or Android device? How about the new Microsoft Launcher? Share us your experience by adding your comments below.

(source|via 1, 2)

BlackBerry Motion Render Leaked; AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Likely to Carry it

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

-

Oct 6, 2017

The rumor mill has been talking about the upcoming BlackBerry Krypton phone since the past few weeks. Fresh information that has been leaked by well-known tipster Evan Blass reveals that the upcoming Krypton phone may debut as BlackBerry Motion. He has also shared an image of the BlackBerry Motion. Another leakster Roland Quandt, has revealed the U.S. carriers that will be selling the BlackBerry Motion.

During the IFA 2017, TCL that owns BlackBerry Mobile confirmed that it would be releasing a new all-touch phone with a large-sized battery and a durable body in October. Since then the rumors are claiming that the BlackBerry Krypton would be the phone that will be arriving in this month.

Around two weeks ago, BlackBerry Krypton was also seen in leaked images which revealed that the phone features a brushed metal bar that houses the rear camera. The images did not show the frontside of the phone. However, the following tweet from Blass shows what to expect on the design of the BlackBerry Motion.

Goodbye, Krypton.

Hello, BlackBerry Motion pic.twitter.com/lBsdpORHW4

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 5, 2017

The above tweet suggests that Krypton could be the codename of BlackBerry Motion phone. The image shows that the smartphone that is designed and built by TCL will indeed feature an all-touch design at the front. The smartphone is unlikely to feature a physical keyboard. Speculations have it that the BlackBerry Motion would be coming with an IP67 rated chassis.

The BlackBerry Motion seems to feature a metallic frame. Below the large display is the physical Home button that may be embedded with a fingerprint sensor. It also includes a 3.5mm audio jack.

Previous reports have revealed that it may feature a huge 4,000 mAh battery that will deliver an impressive battery life of 26 hours. It is also pegged to arrive with BlackBerry’s enterprise-friendly software and security features that will make it an ideal phone for business-centric consumers.

Another reason why it seems that the BlackBerry Motion’s arrival could to be close at hand is that has been certified by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Wi-Fi Alliance. The device is expected to feature a 5.2-inch or a 5.5-inch FHD display. The Snapdragon 625 chipset along with 4 GB of RAM is pegged to power the BlackBerry Motion. It is expected to arrive preinstalled with Android 7.0 Nougat OS.

TCL is also rumored to be working on another smartphone is allegedly codenamed as BlackBerry Juno. This phone is likely to arrive with a physical QWERTY keyboard.

BlackBerry Motion’s Launch

The launch date of BlackBerry Motion is not known. However, Quandt has revealed that it will be available through AT&T, Verizon and Sprint are likely to carry it in the U.S. In some markets like China, TCL will be selling its dual-SIM variant.

(source 1, 2)

Yet Another Case of iPhone 8 Plus Swollen Battery Reported

By

Jed John Ikoba

-

Oct 6, 2017

Cases of iPhone 8 Plus which burst open possibly due to battery failures are piling up by the day. Not too long ago, we only reported two cases but not, there has been a total of six different cases reported with pictures showing the damaged devices. The latest report comes from a MacRumors reader, Anthony Wu based in Toronto, Canada who claimed to have bought his units on Sunday but had to return it after the display burst open. The burst up is fingered to be as a result of a defective battery inside the iPhone that swelled and placed pressure on the assembly.

The burst up is fingered to be as a result of a defective battery inside the iPhone that swelled and subsequently placed pressure on the assembly. Another report was logged in by iRepair, an Apple products repair shop based in Greece. The unit (pictured below) was left to charge overnight on the night after purchase and by the morning, the deed was done, iPhone was gone. What makes this case spectacular is that the owner was supposedly using only an official Apple power adapter and Lightning to USB cable.

These latest reports bring the total number of cases of iPhone 8 Plus battery failures to six, following reports in Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong last week. Apple had earlier reacted to the reports that it was aware and that an investigation was underway to determine the possible cause. But since then, there has been no update.

However, with millions of iPhones coming off the production line overseas, and thereby millions of lithium-ion batteries being manufactured, it’s common in the industry for there to be a very low percentage of defective units. So far, there have been no case of exploding battery to warrant comparing this to the Galaxy Note 7. Moreover, we are still in the early days, six cases of suspected iPhone 8 Plus battery failure out of millions of devices probably isn’t much cause for full-blown concern at this point. We’ll keep you updated if more cases are reported.

(Source)