Advertisement

Get a DIY Google Cardboard kit for just $3.66, free shipping too

By
Frank Tu
-

cardboardWhile virtual reality is far from mainstream at this point, we’ve been hearing about it more and more in the news. VR doesn’t always mean expensive devices like the Occulus Rift, or even Samsung’s mobile-oriented Galaxy VR. Back at I/O 2014, Google showed off “Cardboard” a do-it-yourself kit that utilizes a piece of cardboard with a magnet, a rubber-band and a couple pieces of plastic.

Though it is a Macgyver-style contraption, Cardboard actually works, though Google doesn’t sell the device, instead only offering up instructions for building your own and giving developers an SDK kit so they can make their own VR experiences. For those that would like to try Cardboard without having to source your own pieces, however, there have been a number of places that have offered a DIY kit with all the necessary components but a new deal from TinyDeal gives you Cardboard for the cheapest price to-date, $3.66 with free shipping.

For those wondering a bit about what devices work with Cardboard and what app experiences are out there, you’ll find a list of apps and other details over at Reddit. As for devices, the only handsets discovered to be fully compatible with the cheap VR headset are the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Moto X, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5 or Galaxy Nexus, but there’s a number of handsets that at least partially work with the low-cost tech.

Special Debut to Elephone’s G6 on 23rd September

By
Frank Tu
-

QQ图片20140923173116Since its establishment, Elephone has always had one goal in mind: to make affordable phones that have high Specifications that meet individual needs. Indeed, this has become evident over the past several months. The P-Series brand that we recently released has received an overwhelming positive feedback from all our agents and customers around the globe. This, one would say, is a tremendous achievement, yet to us, we are just getting started! There is still a need for us to think into the future and return with immense surprises to the world of technology.

For reasons such as those mentioned above, we hereby announce the “Debut of G6” that is slated for the 23rd of September. The G6 has a whole lot of surprisingly new features such as Fingerprint scanner, a resiliently strong Octa-Core processor that runs at supersonic speeds and a strong internally built 13 Mega Pixels Camera. The plan is that 3(three) Elephone agents will initiate this huge pre- sale globally between September 23rd to October 15th this year. We are proud to announce these agents as Coolicool, Focalprice and Eternal Team. The normal market price of a G6 is around USD 149.99 but the price during this debut has been slashed to USD 146.99 and a free 16GB TFCard with every single purchase!

Photos: the launch of the quad-core 4G ZTE Q802D/Q508D

By
Frank Tu
-

2014092312271487194

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312273799099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312274340416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312274627454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As cellphone manufacturer, ZTE Mobile has released many 4G smartphones at the right time and place. Among them are the ZTE Q802D and Q508D. How are these phones?

2014092312275115731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding hardware, the ZTE Q802D uses a 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor, sports a 5-inch 720p display screen, supports China Unicom/China Mobile dual-4G networks, and has 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM.

2014092312275449569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for camera specs, this phone sports a 5mp/8mp dual-camera.

2014092312275886366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312280174964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312280621121

 

 

 

 

 

 

Besides the Q802D, ZTE also introduced another entry-level phone, the Q508D. This phone runs on the Qualcomm MSM8916 quad-core processor which has 1.2GHz. It also sports a 5.5-inch 854 x 480 display screen and has 512MB RAM and 4GB ROM.

2014092312281014239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This phone also has a white panel which goes well with the silver body. This phone’s main camera has 5mp. It also supports China Mobile/China Unicom dual-4G. It is powered by a 2300mAh battery.

2014092312281390196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312281911233

 

 

 

 

 

2014092312290305725

Xiaomi invests $25M in smartphone compatible health devices of iHealth Inc.

By
Frank Tu
-
Xiaomi iHealth Partnership
Xiaomi iHealth Partnership

With changing time, it is becoming important for smartphone companies to explore something diverse and unique. This is the reason for enhanced interest of these companies towards smartphone compatible health devices. Health devices like heart rate monitors and glucose meters have already been started being explored by the companies. These are the advanced and modern technologies which is need of the hour.

The most famous and successful smart health device maker is iHealth Lab Inc. The company is very innovative and do a great amount of research in this field of smart healthcare devices. Now, the company have revealed that they have received and secured around $25 million as a venture investment from the China’s leading smartphone maker, Xiaomi Ventures. Xiaomi has invested in the very first round of institutional funding. Xiaomi Ventures has made this great move a few days back only. The smart health device maker, iHealth, will be using this capital to amplify its global network. With this much amount of investment they can really advance their innovation. The company is anticipated to invest some capital also in sales and marketing resources.

Yi Liu, chairman of Andon Health Co. Ltd., the parent company of iHealth, said that this massive venture and collaboration is definitely going to facilitate the innovation at global level in the smart mobile healthcare category. He also mentioned that this venture will provide new directions and abilities to pick up the pace for growth.

The company has already proved its competence by launching wireless technologies like BP monitoring device and blood glucose measuring device.

ZTE says – it is all set to take on LG in American market

By
Frank Tu
-
ZTE USA
ZTE USA

ZTE has massive plans in its head for grabbing the U.S. market. ZTE has openly challenged Xiaomi, the leading and most popular Chinese smartphone maker. According to Lixin Cheng, the CEO of ZTE U.S. operations, the company has a target of increasing the sale twice than before, this year. The next plan is to bypass and go one step ahead of LG. LG has been at number 3 position in U.S. market. ZTE wants to dethrone LG and wants to fetch that number three spot.

The current position of ZTE in smartphone market is a bit confused. ZTE says that they are just a step down than the LG, i.e. they are at number four in U.S. smartphone market. But the data and market analysis by ComScore data in July didn’t include ZTE even in the top five positions. LG was at third position in this list. Reports suggests that ZTE is facing a dark phase in China as it has been removed from the top 5 smartphone companies of China. The CEO of US operations, Cheng mentioned that the ZTE has set up milestone by selling 10 million ZTE smartphones in the U.S. market during last year and now the company has aim to reach the target of 20 million. To achieve its goal, the company has planned to launch a diverse range of mixed range products, like ZTE cool, ZTE Nubia 5S Mini, etc.

A few months back, ZTE was thinking of increasing its advertising and marketing budget in the U.S. to $120 million. For this, the company has signed a deal with a well-known basketball team – Houston Rockets.

Meizu to soon launch a competitor of Xiaomi Redmi – Maybe Meizu MX4 Mini

By
Frank Tu
-
Meizu MX4 Mini
Meizu MX4 Mini

The smartphone market is all flooded with Chinese brands. These China based mobiles have proved their potential in the global market. Everyday there is some new smartphone in the market. The competition has increased like anything. Xiaomi is one of the leading smartphone makers from China.  Meizu is also one of the potential companies from China in smartphone domain. Meziu and Xiaomi are at a tough face off competition. This competition has now taken a shape of comments and words. These word fights have given important and interesting news to users. This news is about the Meizu’s future brand new mid-range series of phone.

The China based player, Meizu have already released Meizu MX4 in the market. The phone has accepted well by the users because of its premium features. But the company has promised its fan that they will release at least four android smartphones in the year. But till now only one has been launched. People are eagerly waiting for the rest. Rumours are there that Meizu is all set to release its next sensational phone, Meizu MX4 Pro. This will be the most amazing flagship smartphone from the Meizu.

The higher officials of Meizu have recently posted on Chinese website, Weibo, about a device which is low-price range smartphone. They have given a clue that the work for this device is at its pace. This device is anticipated to be a a competition to popular Xiaomi Redmi range. The device is anticipated to be the Meizu MX4 Mini. The device is expected to be a dual Sim phone.

It will be very interesting to see the fight of Meizu MX4 mini vs Xiaomi Redmi.

OPPO N3 to use metal frame

By
Frank Tu
-

Today, OPPO announced in their official Weibo account that the new OPPO N3 flagship phone will use a metal frame. Specifically, they said that it will use a “new type of aerial-level metal.”

 

OPPO also said that this metal will not only protect the phone but also cut down its weight. It has been understood that the OPPO N3 will come out in October. According to the pattern followed by the N series, this should have a revolving camera.

s_44a2e087ddd3447fbc0ff8e070ea79f4 9717b4138ddb48138d561d31b87cddf9

Xiaomi Mi Talk Reaches 70 Million users. App to get an update soon

By
Frank Tu
-
Xiaomi MiTalk 2015
Xiaomi MiTalk 2015

Xiaomi has updated its messaging app, MiTalk also known as Mi Liao. The update is known as MiTalk 2015. The very first mobile messaging app from Xiaomi, MiTalk was launched four years back in November 2010. This MiTalk was launched way before than WeChat by Tencent. These messaging apps from China based companies like WeChat by Tencent, MiTalk by Xiaomi, Kouxin by Qihoo have proved a real threat to the well-established messaging apps like Kik and Talkbox.

WeChat was the most dominating app in China’s smartphone market before the launch of MiChat. Lei Jun, CEO and co-founder of Xiaomi in an event, mentioned that if Tencent would release its messenger WeChat 6 months later than the MiTalk then definitely the Xiaomi’s MiTalk would be a hit. But Tencent released WeChat within two months of the launch of MiTalk.

Xiaomi never felt under confident and always tried hard to be the best in the field of instant messaging. MiTalk managed to survive in the presence of WeChat. Xiaomi has claimed that MiTalk has got 70 million users out of which 7.5 million are active every day. Last month company has confirmed this news of 70 million users all over the world.

The company has now decided to revamp the MiTalk. The new updated version MiTalk 2015 will have some new features for instant mobile messaging and a supercool feature of integrated music streaming services. The app will also have Xiaobing, Baidu Maps, etc.

This new app will also have some social networking angle in it. So, on the whole, Xiaomi MiTalk will be presented to users with complete makeover.

The Lenovo Vibe X2 goes on sale in China; has 5-inch 1080p screen, MT6595M processor, and costs 2499 RMB (406.95 USD)

By
Frank Tu
-

Winning “Best Flagship Smartphone” at the 2014 IFA, the Lenovo Vibe X2 goes on sale in China today for 2499 RMB.

 

Because of its 7.72mm height and dazzling frame, it has a very trendy feeling. It comes in many colors like gold, white, and red. There is even a special bamboo version.

 

As for specs, the Lenovo X2 sports a 5-inch 1080p display screen and 5mp/13mp dual-camera, uses the MTK MT6595M octa-core chipset, and has 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM. It is powered by a 2300mAh battery and runs on the Android 4.4.

20140916_174450_88 20140916_174450_589 20140916_174449_576

Lei Jun announces release of the Mi 4 China Mobile Version

By
Frank Tu
-

On September 9, Xiaomi launched the Mi 4 China Mobile 4G Version. Since then, they have not made any announcements about a China Unicom Version…until today. Lei Jun announced in his Weibo account that a China Mobile 4G version of the Mi 4 is currently undergoing tests. So, it looks like this new version will come out soon.

According to reports on the Mi 4, the China Unicom 4G version will use a frame made of stainless steel, sport a 5-inch 1080p display screen, and use the Snapdragon 801 processor. It will also have 3GB RAM, support TD/FDD-LTE networks, and also run on the MIUI 6.

20140922_201033_710

Huawei Mate 7’s wallpaper available for download

By
Frank Tu
-

       On September 12, in Shanghai, Huawei announced the Chinese price of the new Mate 7. The standard version would cost 2999 RMB (488.37 USD) while the high-end version would cost 3999 RMB (651.22 USD). Later, the Huawei Mate 7 went on sale and proved popular with many users. Today, an enthusiastic user decided to share with us the Mate’s buit-in wallpapers including the ones for the lock screen and desktop. Those interested can download them here.

Note: When you click the link, you can download the original wallpaper without watermarks. The desktop wallpaper has a resolution of 2160 x 1920, while the lock wallpaper has 1920 x 1080.

20140922_204142_471 20140922_204137_593

Lei Jun: Over 1 million Mi 4 phones should be in stock by the end of the month

By
Frank Tu
-

The Xiaomi Mi 4 has been on the market for a while. Now, there is the issue of how much is in stock. This afternoon, Xiaomi CEO, Lei Jun, said in his Weibo account that over 1 million Mi 4 phones should be in stock by the end of the month. Not only that, he expects 1.5 million phones to be finished by next month. He said that since the Mi 4 is made using stainless steel architecture, the production process is easier.

36_1411369268.png_600x600

Vivo to release sapphire screen version of “King of Karaoke” X5 for 2998 RMB (488.37 USD)

By
Frank Tu
-

Today, Vivo announced in its Weibo account that it will release a sapphire-screen version of the “King of Karaoke,” the Vivo X5. Pre-orders may start a few days from now and a limited number of devices will be sold only. It will not be expensive and cost only 2998 RMB.

003266269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The regular only costs 2498 RMB, so adding a sapphire screen has result in making it about 500 RMB more expensive. This is much better than the Huawei P7 sapphire-screen version (4688 RMB/763.67 USD) which is almost twice as expensive as the original.

 

The Vivo X5 sapphire version goes on sale on October 15.

OnePlus developing own ROM, might come out next year

By
Frank Tu
-

It was revealed yesterday that OnePlus is developing their own operating system and that the Beta version will come out early next year.

Why? Leaker 王自如 revealed in a review of the OnePlus One that the experiences between many ROMs are very different and that many users do not have the time or energy to keep on installing OS’ from other companies. Furthermore, many users said that the Color OS is not compatible with the OnePlus One, saying that “it’s like wearing a suit with rubber shoes.”

292106_f8957

Red Mi update: Are these the specs of the new Red Mi phone?

By
Frank Tu
-

It was reported earlier that Red Mi and Xiaomi are planning to release a new flagship phone this Christmas. Today, a nosy netizen posted what are purportedly the specifications of the new 1499 RMB Red Mi phone.

 

According to the netizen, the new Red Mi phone seems to have better specifications than the Meizu MX4. It uses the MT6595 chipset, has 3G RAM, and sports a 5.5-inch FHD display screen and 20.7mp camera. It is also said to be powered by a 3500mAh battery. The prices for the 16G, 32G, and 64G are supposed to be 999 RMB (162.70 USD), 1299 RMB (211.56 USD), and 1499 RMB (244.14 USD) respectively. The prices do not seem to fit this phone’s specs so there is some doubt on whether this is true. The netizen even admitted that he was pulling numbers out. Even though this information seems almost impossible to be true, it looks like the Red Mi is trying to steal the MX4’s thunder, so it should not be surprising if its specs are very high.

1-14092209502H94 1-14092210045J93

Xiaomi and Red Mi to release new phone this Christmas

By
Frank Tu
-

Today, insider analyst, Bo Jiutang, revealed that this Christmas, Xiaomi and Red Mi will release a new first-gen phone. Suppliers say that the design and specs are more appealing for both.

 

Furthermore, Bo Jiutang emphasized that Xiaomi still has a lot of things that are still development. It is just that sales for all their products have been too high right now, (Sales for one device may be second only to Samsung and Apple’s devices) and that they are much more careful now in releasing new products.

s_1db597b9757349c7b10fdbb3bd2d615a

Huawei launches Honor Changwan 4 China Telecom Version; has 2000mAh battery, uses 64-bit processor, and costs 799 RMB (130.16 USD)

By
Frank Tu
-

This morning, Huawei formally launched the first China Telecom-customized 4G dual-SIM phone in its Honor series—the Changwan 4 China Telecom Version.

 

This phone sports a 5-inch 720p display screen, uses the 1.2GHz 64-bit Snapdragon 410 quad-core chipset, and has 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM. It also sports an 8mp/2mp dual-camera. It also has smart beauty enhancement, HDR, and even taking photos by voice command. It is also powered by 2000mAh battery that cannot be changed. It also supports LTE Cat4 and dual-SIM.

 

The Changwan 4 China Telecom Version only costs 799 RMB. According to official reports, it should go on sale tomorrow at 10:08 AM in Huawei’s official stores.

s_29689b9824964df0b21e42ef935aabf7

OPPO begins its advertising campaign in Australia

By
Frank Tu
-
OPPO Australia
OPPO Australia

OPPO became the first Chinese smartphone manufacturer to enter Australia. This happened last month when OPPO announced 4 handsets for the Australian market.

And now when OPPO is trying to be familiar with the Australian smartphone market, it started its advertisement campaign to gain interest and to reach masses. This was clear from this awesome picture which has been captured by the OPPO Find 7. With a 13 megapixel camera and great camera quality, OPPO is confident about their Find 7 in Australia.

Apart from China, OPPO is also spending a large amount of money for its branding in India where it has sponsored a popular TV show on a good Indian TV channel and the Champions Cricket Tournament.

Let’s see if OPPO gets a good response to these advertisement strategies in India and Australia.

Xiaomi Redmi 1S tagged as 4th best selling smartphone in the world

By
Frank Tu
-

Xiaomi is a top contender in smartphone market, having a vision of  producing  high quality phones at low cost, maintaining low margins are their plus. This lad from China is world’s fifth largest smartphone purveyor. In China it accounts a 14 percent share of the smartphone shipments. Xiaomi’s ultra affordable mid ranger  Redmi 1S, is now  world’s 4th best-selling smartphone.10650004_764198950306349_6038598036905889510_n

According to new research from Strategy Analytics Country Share Tracker (CST), in Q2 2014, the Redmi 1S was, by volume, more popular than most of the other smartphones in the world. Being just 4 years old Xiaomi has maintained a standard which took its phone to this level. In India alone they are selling about 40,000 units per week through flash sales which lasts only for few seconds.

     Standard Specifications of Redmi 1S

  • 1.6 GHz MSM8228 Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad Core Processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • Dual SIM
  • 4.7 Inch HD IPS Touchscreen Display
  • 8 MP Rear Camera With LED Flash
  • 1.6 MP Front Camera
  • 3G
  •  WiFi
  • Bluetooth
  •  FM Radio
  •  USB OTG
  • 2000 MAh Battery.
[source]

Oppo R5 gets leaked

By
Frank Tu
-

A certificate for the Oppo R5 has just appeared on the Indonesian Postel website, insinuating forthcoming release of the company.2014091810471850481

Postel is the telecommunications regulator in Indonesia, similar to the FCC in the United States and TENAA in China. May be the company may launch this phone along with much hyped N3 which is getting leaked now and then suggesting near release of the product.2014091810521879612

The listing didn’t confirm anything more except for the LTE radio and the R8106 model designation. Other details are unknown.

 

Source: Sogi

1...4,9444,9454,946...5,185Page 4,945 of 5,185
Gizmochina
Gizmochina brings you the best of tech from China and around the globe!
© 2025 Gizmochina | All rights reserved | If you buy something via one of our affiliate links, Gizmochina may earn a commission.