Tech News

If you are in the US and are planning to purchase the HP Elite x3 Windows 10 Mobile smartphone, here's a deal for you: a bundle containing the handset and desk dock is currently going for $599 in the country. HP has the bundle listed on its website for that price, down from the $799 price tag it usually carries. A quick look at Microsoft's online US store reveals that the software giant is selling the bundle for $799. So, purchasing from HP will actually save you $200. The offer ends December 3, so those interested in availing it do not have much time at hand. Source

Soon after Samsung announced the Gear S3 smartwatch, Here confirmed that it’s going to update its navigation app to provide more features to Gear S3 users. It has been three months since it made that promise and it’s finally following through now. The new Here WeGo navigation app has been released for the Gear S3.

The app is going to bring a comprehensive mapping experience to the Gear S3 with search functionality, the ability to plan a route by car, by public transit or on foot. It happens to be a standalone mapping app which doesn’t need to be synced with Here app for Android like previous iterations.

The new app can also cache data which will provide a boost in performance. Its user interface has been tweaked to perfectly fit the Gear S3′s circular display. Features like bike navigation and offline access are being developed and will be released for the app soon.

Here WeGo navigation app is now available for download for the Gear S3 from the Galaxy Apps Store through the Gear Manager app. This new and improved app is eventually going to make its way to the Gear S2 as well.

T-Mobile subscribers in the United States should keep an eye out today for notification which is going to inform them that an over-the-air update is available for their Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 edge. The carrier is finally rolling out the November security patch update for last year’s flagship smartphones even though in just a few days from now Samsung will release the December security patch. Better late than never, wouldn’t you agree?.

Since it’s a minor update it won’t add any new features to the handset. The Galaxy S6 series won’t really receive any major new features until Nougat arrives and who knows how long that’s going to take. Aside from performance and stability improvements, this update is all about the November security patch which Samsung detailed a few weeks ago. Firmware version G920TUVU5EPK5 is now being rolled out for the T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and G925TUVU5EPK5 for the Galaxy S6 edge.

T-Mobile subscribers will be able to easily download this update on their devices over-the-air. The update file for the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge can also be downloaded for free from our firmware section.

It has been over a month since Samsung issued the final recall for the Galaxy Note 7 and even though most customers have since returned their units, there are still those who are holding on to one. Samsung has been trying to get everyone to return their Galaxy Note 7, it has tried coaxing them with incentives and tried twisting their arm with a software update that limits battery charge to 60 percent. The company is working with carriers to cut off network access to the Galaxy Note 7 as a last resort. It has already done that in New Zealand and it’s now doing this in Australia.

In a statement released on its local website today, Samsung Australia says that it’s working with local mobile carriers to discontinue network services for the Galaxy Note 7 units that are still being used in the country. It confirms that the network discontinuation will commence from December 15, reiterating that this step is part of its ongoing safety measures to recover all Galaxy Note 7 units. Samsung adds that Galaxy Note 7 customers in Australia have “responded well” to the recall and that only a “small number” of devices remain in use.

Galaxy Note 7 users will be informed of this step with on-going communication and updates about the discontinuation over the next three weeks so that they have adequate notice. The company reiterates its call that Galaxy Note 7 users should power down their devices immediately and return it to the place of purchase for an exchange or a full refund.

Once network access is cut, the Galaxy Note 7 is essentially going to be a very expensive paperweight since it won’t support any mobile network in the country. Granted, Wi-Fi can be used to communicate via a plethora of VoIP apps but that just won’t cut it for most people. Samsung is yet to confirm if it’s going to take this step in some other markets across the globe but you certainly can’t rule it out at this stage.

According to a new report, Sony's Nougat-based Concept for Android firmware for the Xperia X will soon get support for VoLTE. The support will come in form of an update, and the Japanese company is currently working with operators for the new feature. To begin with, the update containing VoLTE support will be rolled out to eligible units on three of the largest German mobile carriers including Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefonica/02. After Germany, units in UK and Spain will also get the update. Via

Samsung released a new update for Game Launcher last week and today the company has detailed what this update brings. It designed the app to provide a more user-friendly and fun gaming experience on its mobile devices. Game Launcher 2.0 brings a couple of new features as well as a new user interface.

Game Discovery is one of the new features in this app. It provides customized game recommendations based on the user’s gameplay history and preferences. The My Diary feature documents and analyzes gameplay records.

Samsung has also introduced a new and simplified user interface design with this update. The design makes use of a more opaque background so enhance icon and menu legibility. Non-game app foldering enables users to utilize Game Tools and Game Launcher features even in non-game applications by simply adding them to the Game Launcher folder.

The Game Launcher app is supported by the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S6 series, the Galaxy Note 5, the Galaxy A8 as well as the Galaxy C series. It’s available for download right now in more than 185 countries from Galaxy Apps. You can also download Game Launcher version 2.0 for free via our APK archive.

Lenovo has given its IdeaPad 500 laptop a price cut in the United States. The 15.6-inch device is currently available for $349.99, down from $549.99 price tag it usually carries. You'll have to use the e-coupon DAILYPROMO10 to avail the discount. The laptop is powered by Intel Skylake Core i3 processor and features a full HD display. It comes with 6GB RAM and 500GB storage, features JBL stereo speakers, and is claimed to offer up to 4 hours of local video playback. Source

The Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) - which was launched back in September this year and has only been available for purchase in China so far - has now gone on sale in South Korea as well. Major South Korean carriers are now offering the handset - in black and gold color options - for KRW 399,300 (around $340). To refresh, the device is powered by an octa-core processor and sports a 5.5-inch full HD display. RAM is 3GB, while internal memory is 32GB. The phone features a 13MP/8MP camera combo, packs in a 3,300mAh battery, and runs Android Marshmallow out of the box. Via

Samsung has pushed out a new update to its Gear S3 smartwatch in the US. Weighing in at over 14MB and carrying a version number of R760XXU1APK6/R760OXA1APK6, it's a minor update that brings just a couple of changes, including improved GPS performance. Specifically, GPS performance for the S Health and Golf Navi apps has been improved. In addition, the update also includes changed Time Zone settings in World Clock app for Russia. Source | Via

A number of Google Pixel owners have reported that the Pixel's camera (Pixel XL is affected too) having an issue. And no, this is now about the ‘halo effect' or sun flare that Google has already addressed. The issue is more intrusive and pertains to the camera's app. A member of the Pixel User Community first started a thread on October 27 regarding the issue he's been having with the Pixel's camera. It freezes up with "pink/purple vertical lines very regularly although not all the time." Fox writes. He was instructed to clear the cache, data, and factory reset his device to no avail....

2017 will be the year of the Nokia brand's re-entry into the smartphone space. This has already been confirmed multiple times by the Finnish company itself, most recently a couple of weeks ago. One of the first new Android-powered devices to bear the Nokia name is set to be the D1C, which we've so far seen leaked in three different benchmark databases. And while one of those pegged its screen size at 13.8", the reality is that this will in fact be a phone, according to a new rumor on the matter. Well, not one phone, but two actually. Apparently we're set to see a lower-end 5-inch Nokia D1C...

Let’s be honest. The Galaxy Note 7 was an absolute disaster for the company. Before the big release, the Note 7 was one of the most anticipated handsets of 2016. However, things went downhill pretty fast for Samsung. Following initial reports of overheating plus the subsequent recall and the arrival of the  so called “safe units”, the company’s PR team had come up with an inescapable issue. The company did what’s best and ordered a full recall of all units, while the handset was never released in some parts of the world.

To put it in short, the Galaxy Note 7 was Samsung’s worst nightmare. But what does that tell us about the future of the company? Well, we’re already hearing about the lineup being permanently discontinued following September’s debacle. While this would make sense to some degree, I personally don’t think such a decision is warranted.

Let’s have a look through the history books. About six years ago, Apple’s iPhone 4 suffered from what was known back then as “Antennagate”. The issue was so widespread that Apple had to offer a free bumper case for the handset to avoid any network connectivity related problems. What was the successor like? Well, it sold like hot cakes, obviously. This was but a minor glitch in Apple’s grand plans for the future, a company that makes the most profits in the mobile industry. The issue is definitely not comparable to the Galaxy Note 7, which had to go through a recall on account of being a safety hazard.

But the customers, whether neutral or biased, need to understand that a mistake like this will not be repeated. Samsung has lost billions on the Galaxy Note 7, and to jump to conclusions that every subsequent Note flagship will see the same fate is a tad premature. Sure, it won’t be easy for Samsung to come back from this. The upcoming Galaxy S8 flagship will give us a better understanding of how the public sees the company. But come September 2017, I would still like to see a Galaxy Note 8 with state of the art hardware on board. Basically, I would like to see all the features that made the Galaxy Note 7 a fantastic device, barring the obvious.

In times like these, it’s quite hard to remember the good things about a failing device. That’s human nature, after all. But if we get to see an attractive flagship with the new Grace UX and a collection of Samsung-specific features that you cannot find elsewhere, we’re sure the market will only respond positively. There will be skeptics, of course, and there should be, but the perfect answer to any critic is a comeback. A recent poll has shown that the company’s reputation hasn’t been damaged much by this particular issue, so things don’t look that bleak for Samsung just yet.

If you’re currently looking for a decent alternative for the Galaxy Note 7 without giving up on the Samsung ecosystem, you might want to check out this list.

A few weeks ago, OnePlus promised that the first beta build of Android Nougat for the OnePlus 3 would be out by the end of this month. And today the Chinese company has made said build available, narrowly adhering to its self-imposed timeline. Nougat comes to the OnePlus 3 in the form of OxygenOS Open Beta 8, which can be downloaded by going to the Source link below. Note that if you've been using previous beta builds for the OnePlus 3, you will not get an over-the-air update to this one. If you want to give it a go, you will need to manually install it. Aside from the new things...

Following its recent launches in Hong Kong and Poland, Android Pay is now available in New Zealand, more than four months later than for neighboring Australia. So Google's mobile payments system is continuing its excruciatingly slow worldwide rollout unfazed, one country at a time. Android Pay can be used in New Zealand everywhere contactless payments are accepted. This includes shops and restaurants such as The Warehouse, Domino's, BP, BurgerFuel, and McDonalds. As always, you only need to wake your phone and place it near the contactless terminal in order to make a payment using Android...

Youtuber Neil Potgieter, leaked out a video of the slick Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017 version). The video starts out by showcasing the A5′s AnTuTu benchmark score of 59598 and its 36th placing in the ranks. Next, he leaks out the specs which are shown clearly on the device itself through the benchmark.

According to the leaked video, the Galaxy A5 (model SM-A520F) is running Android Marshmallow 6.0.1, has an 8-core ARMv8 processor, a 1080 x 1920 resolution, a 15.9-megapixel rear and front-facing camera and 3GB of RAM. The benchmark did not indicate the exact battery capacity, but Neil Potgieter did state that the Galaxy A5 has pretty decent battery life and that users should get good standby time out of it. In the video, the device had 32GB of internal storage and Mr.Potgieter also indicated that it has expandable memory.

As always, take these leaks with a grain of salt. Previous leaks indicated that the Galaxy A5 packs a 5.2-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, an Exynos 7880 processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable memory (up to 256GB via microSD), a 13MP rear-facing camera and a 3,000mAh non-removable battery.

As you may know, the Lenovo Phab2 Pro is the first smartphone ever to ship with Tango augmented reality (AR) technology on board. Tango has been in development at Google for a few years now, and the Phab2 Pro recently became available to buy. To work its magic, Tango needs some specific hardware like motion trackers and depth sensing cameras. While that can be built into a new device of course, Motorola is apparently planning a different course of action. The Lenovo-owned company's CEO, Aymar de Lencquesaing, said at a press event that Tango might be on its way to the Moto Z. The AR tech...

Compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 7 Plus comes with a more refined design, it packs even more processing power, and ups the game with a new dual-camera setup on the back.

Welcome to the latest edition of Wallpaper Wednesday. This week we’re focusing our attention on ten light blur wallpapers. All images are available in a FHD resolution, which is a perfect fit for the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5 and other flagships, but they can, of course, be used on different smartphones too.

If any of the following images float your boat and you want to download and set one as your wallpaper, simply tap on a photo to maximise it, then click and hold to save it. Once the picture is stored locally, open up Settings, locate and select Wallpaper, then just tap the newly-saved image to set it as your background.

Alternatively, you can download a ZIP file containing all of this week’s backdrops by hitting the Download button at the very bottom of this post.

Amazon Man

Glacier

Icicle

Lantern

Night Sky

Snowy Road

Download

Note: We’ve tried our best to identify the creators of all of the wallpapers featured in this week’s column. However, the images appear to lack copyright information, artist signatures or any real trace of origin. If you created a wallpaper we’ve posted and would like credit, or would rather we remove the image, kindly contact us.

In a sad year for Galaxy Notes, a Mi Note could shine brighter than it otherwise would have been allowed to - the Xiaomi Mi Note 2, that is. It's easy to see the Xiaomi dual-curved flagship as a Galaxy Note7 clone, but for all the similarities, the Mi Note 2 is the natural evolution of the Xiaomi high-end lineup - Galaxies, or no Galaxies (the latter, as luck would have it). Anyway, the Mi Note 2 is in the office, finally, and we're wasting no time and sparing no effort to put it to the test. We figured we'd just share a few thoughts on the design, while that initial 'new phone is...

Samsung is pushing forward with its 10nm FinFET technology for the upcoming Galaxy S8, but a new report out of Samsung’s home country says the Korean giant may face a setback.

According to The Korea Herald, the US-based Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (or KAIST, for short) is suing Samsung over FinFET patent infringement. The report claims that KAIST developed FinFET, but was stolen by Samsung when the Korean giant invited FinFET developer Lee Jong-ho, a Seoul National University professor whose institution partnered with KAIST, to do a presentation on the technology to Samsung’s engineers. Intel is using FinFET but has obtained licenses from KAIST to do so, while Samsung has not.

Samsung is not alone in the lawsuit: California-based Global Foundries and processor chipset maker Qualcomm are also facing the lawsuit, as Global Foundries has secured a license agreement with Samsung. KAIST says it will go after TSMC once it has the proper evidence to proceed.

Netflix has introduced a much-requested feature on its mobile apps: the ability to download content for offline playback. Currently being rolled out, the latest update for the iOS and Android app will let you download any of the supported movies or television shows from their catalogue. Not all of the content is available for download but from a cursory glance it seemed like most of it was there. When a movie or TV show supports downloading, you will see the download button in the description of the movie or next to the episode title of the TV show. In the settings, you can...

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has changed the way that we look at the company’s products. The manufacturer has been under fire continuously since September over the Note 7, and the only ray of hope has been the anticipation of the Galaxy S8. There was talk that the handset will be released by January 2017 instead of February.

But will this be a burden too big for Samsung to carry?

Well, I don’t think so. We have seen time and time again that Samsung is capable of surprising one and all. There is talk that Samsung will use a crisp VR compatible 4K display on the Galaxy S8. Given the work that has been done by Samsung in the VR segment, this will no doubt be one of the highlight features of the device.

Other rumors have suggested that the smartphone could feature 6GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Further, the company’s new artificial intelligence based voice assistant will supposedly be capable of processing wireless payments on its own. This feature hasn’t been tried by any manufacturer before, which will make it one of a kind.

Several other hardware rumors like the presence of a force touch display, a front facing camera with autofocus, and an enlarged display size to appeal Galaxy Note lovers has been rumored already. It’s hard to ascertain which of these features will actually be implemented with the Galaxy S8, but there’s no denying that the Galaxy S8 will manage to surpass our expectations.

Of course, this is just one Samsung fan hoping against hope that the company does manage to impress. And we’ve been disappointed plenty of times before. But I personally feel that when a company is under pressure, its true grit and ability comes to the fore. Internal rumors have indicated that Samsung might ditch the Galaxy Note flagship lineup altogether. So it behooves the company to put all its focus on the Galaxy S8 and the S8 edge. It’s still not confirmed if there will be two variants of the S8 flagship or if the company will settle for just one curved-display flagship like the Galaxy S7 edge. In any case, 2017 could be a big year for the Korean manufacturer.

Apple has announced a Product Red version of its Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 7. One of the few acceptable reasons to get the hump-back case, Apple will donate a portion of the proceeds from the case towards fighting AIDS in Africa. Other than that, it's nothing more than a red version of the case already available in either black or white. Price is the same - $99 in the US. It's still not listed on the Apple website, but that'll probably change in the coming days. Meanwhile, you can scroll through the other Product Red items. Via | Product Red page at Apple.com

After launching the ZenFone 3 and ZenFone 3 Max, ASUS is now launching the ZenFone 3 Deluxe and ZenFone 3 Ultra in India. The ZenFone 3 Deluxe is the company's flagship smartphone. The phone will be available in two configurations, with the Snapdragon 820 variant having 64GB storage and the Snapdragon 821 model having 256GB storage. Both models will have 6GB of RAM. Other common features include a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, 23 megapixel Sony IMX318 rear camera with f2.0 6-element lens and 4-axis OIS (only for stills), 8 megapixel front camera with f2.0 lens, fingerprint...

For at least the last two years, Samsung has been heavily investing in Quantum Dot TVs, and said earlier this year that it would bring 14 new Quantum Dot TVs to market. Samsung is now seeing the fruit of its labor. A new German consumer review has given Samsung’s Super Ultra High-Definition (SUHD) Quantum Dot TV the top grade in a contest involving 935 TVs.

Quantum Dot TVs match the brightness of OLED TVs while staying more inexpensive on price. OLED TVs have fantastic color but cost much more, making them a no-go for manufacturers looking to profit in the consumer electronics market. Samsung’s 10-year, burn-in warranty for its Quantum Dot TVs will only add to the company’s success in the TV business.

The Korean giant’s Quantum Dot TVs are making a splash worldwide, with the SUHD TV with Quantum Dot display being named the United Kingdom’s “TV of the Year” last month. Just last week, Samsung confirmed its acquisition of US-based Quantum Dot display company QD Vision, with an investment in Quantum Dot display manufacturer Nanosys a year ago.

Samsung’s Quantum Dot investment extends to gamers as well, with the company having announced the global launch of its Quantum Dot curved gaming monitor a few weeks ago.

Coolpad has launched two new budget smartphones in India, the made for India Coolpad Note 3S and the triple-SIM Coolpad Mega 3. The Coolpad Note 3S has a 5.5-inch 720p display with 2.5D glass, Qualcomm Snapdragon 415 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, 13 megapixel rear and 5 megapixel front camera, dual SIM, fingerprint sensor, 2500mAh battery, and Android 6.0 with Cool UI 8.0. The Coolpad Mega 3 has a 5.5-inch 720p display, MediaTek MT6737 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB expandable storage, 8 megapixel front and rear cameras, triple SIM support, 3050mAh battery, and...

Now that Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and some other video services are offering streaming 4K content, it’s a good time to invest in an excellent 4K television. If you are planning to get one this holiday season, have a look at this 55-inch curved 4K TV from Samsung. It is currently being sold for $847.99 on Amazon, which is a $200 discount over its regular price.

The UN55KU6600 from Samsung is a 55-inch curved Smart 4K TV with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is compatible with HDR videos and comes with three HDMI inputs so you can hook up a UHD Blu-ray player, a 4K set top box, and maybe a PlayStation Pro or an Xbox One S with this TV. Moreover, it also has a couple of USB ports for local media playback.

It comes with a smart remote control with a touchpad and Samsung has even included Sony’s PlayStation Now game streaming service into this TV. It’s a solid choice if you want a 4K TV at an affordable price. So, grab one before stock runs out!

Samsung has started rolling out the latest security update to its Galaxy J7 (2016) smartphone. Weighing in at under 190MB and currently hitting units in Europe (the Netherlands to be specific), the update brings along Android security fixes for the month of November. Some performance and stability-related improvements as well as generic bug fixes are included as well. Given that the update - which arrives as firmware version XXU2APK2 - has just started rolling out, it may take time for the update notification to pop-up on your device's screen. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can...

In its latest report, market research firm IDC has revealed its numbers on the smartphone landscape in 2016. According to the firm, Android's market share for this year will stand at 85%, after achieving an year-on-year growth of 5.2%. iOS, on the other hand, will claim 14.3% of the market, having seen its shipments decrease by 11%. In total, Google's and Apple's mobile operating systems will claim over 99% of the market, leaving just 0.4% share for Windows Phone and 0.3% for others. The combined share for Android and iOS will reach nearly 100% by 2020, the report notes. "It is no...

A patent application, filed by Samsung last May but published recently, shows a Gear VR headset with extended tracking capabilities. The documentation reveals that not only the headset’s position can be tracked, but also movements of the wearer’s eyes and their facial expressions.

An important limitation of the current Gear VR is the fact that, unlike in non-mobile VR headsets, there is no position tracking. It should, therefore, come as no surprise to hear that Samsung looking for ways to fix this. A patent application published in South Korea, titled Image Processing for Head Mounted Display Devices, provides a glimpse of just that, and more.

In fact, the patent itself is not directly about position tracking for the Gear VR, but rather about using various sensors to model the user’s face. Such a model can help make social interaction in virtual reality more personal. However, the patent does offer a glimpse of various tracking features that can greatly improve all types of VR experiences.

405: computer model of wearer’s head, 110: head mounted device, 115a: tracking camera

First, we see that Samsung would like to track both position and facial features using an external camera device. Using LED lights on the Gear VR, its physical position can be determined. That same camera can also identify some facial features left uncovered by the headset, such as the mouth.

Next, there is the Gear VR itself, which is shown equipped with a plethora of additional sensors. Embedded inside the headset are electrooculographic (EOG) and infrared (IR) sensors that can track eye movement and facial expressions.

1630: optical sensor, 1635: LED light for position tracking, 1605: EOG sensor, 1610: IR LED, 1615: IR sensor

As with any patent application, it is important to point out that there is no telling if and when all these tracking features will make it to a commercially available version of the Gear VR. Also, none of what is shown is particularly new or unique. What this patent does show, however, is that Samsung is indeed thinking about adding additional sensors and tracking capabilities to its popular mobile VR headset.

There is a small chance (small being the operative word) that all of the above is much less theoretical than assumed. After all, an unknown camera device dubbed SM-R210 was recently spotted heading to an R&D facility in India. Should that device turn out to be the tracking camera described above, we could see a much-improved position tracking Gear VR already in 2017. Still, we suggest you don’t hold your breath for this one.

Just as previously promised, Meizu held a conference today and announced a pair of new devices. The Chinese OEM also officially released the new 6th version of its Flyme OS. That all sounds great, however, there is still shockingly little info on the new software. Even the basics, like the underlying Android version are still unclear. However, judging by the "Make 6 great again" slogan and a few leaked screenshots, we can only assume Marshmallow is running under the hood. What we do know, however, is that Flyme OS 6 comes with a refreshed aesthetic, that users will be able to...

SamMobile has come a long way since our humble community got its start as a one-stop destination for Samsung firmware. Since launching back in December 2011, SamMobile has seen monumental growth over the past couple of years and our readers have been an integral part of our success. We are firm believers in the fact that there’s always room for improvement which is why we constantly improve whatever we can as well as launch new initiatives such as the APK archive to provide a better experience to our diverse readership from across the globe.

We’re very proud of the millions of members who form our robust community. Some of you have been with us since the very beginning and we couldn’t be more grateful for your continuing support. We’re working hard to take SamMobile to the next level and we want your help. We would appreciate it very much if you could send in your suggestions about what you’d want to see more of on SamMobile and what you miss on the site. Please email your comments, suggestions and ideas to support@sammobile.zendesk.com.

We look forward to hearing from you, and once again, thank you for your support!

After launching the Gear S3 in the US, Samsung has now rolled out a minor firmware update for its smartwatch. The update brings improved GPS performance for the S Health and the Golf Navi apps on the Gear S3. The update also brings some changes to the time zone settings in the World Clock app for Russia.

The update with version number R770XXU1APK6/R760OXA1APK6 has a file size of 14.06MB and is being rolled out now. Samsung released the Speedometer for Gear app yesterday for the Gear S3. The app shows the speed of a user in real-time using the smartwatch’s GPS capabilities.

Meizu unveiled both the Pro 6 Plus and the Meizu M3X - a flagship and an upscale mid-ranger, both running the new Flyme 6.0. Meizu Pro 6 Plus Bigger than both the Pro 6 and 6s, the Meizu Pro 6 Plus is like a Galaxy S7 that Samsung never gave us. Meizu crafted a metal body and filled it with 5.7 inches of flat Super AMOLED goodness - complete with QHD resolution (1,440 x 2,560px) and Always On functionality. It aims for 430nits of brightness and is pressure sensitive (Meizu calls it 3D Press) to boot! All this requires plenty of power, so the phone uses the Exynos 8890 (same as S7 and...

Meizu and Samsung have quite a history together. The former’s high-end smartphones have been using Samsung’s Exynos processors for quite some time. Now, the Chinese smartphone brand has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the Pro 6 Plus, and it uses Samsung’s latest Exynos 8890 chipset.

The Meizu Pro 6 Plus features a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED display, an Exynos 8890 processor, 4GB RAM, 64/128GB of internal storage, a 12-megapixel primary camera with OIS and 4K video recording, a 5-megapixel secondary camera, a fingerprint sensor, LTE, USB Type-C, and a 3,400 mAh battery. It runs Meizu’s Flyme 6 UI with “AI Engine” called One Mind and 400 new features on top of Android Marshmallow.

The Meizu PRO 6 Plus is powered by the flagship @SamsungExynos 8890 processor! http://pic.twitter.com/Stf0FeQ5ef

— MEIZU (@MEIZU) November 30, 2016

The specifications of the Pro 6 Plus are quite similar to that of the Galaxy S7 edge, but its AMOLED display isn’t curved on its sides, and there’s no dual-pixel phase-detection autofocus tech in its rear-facing camera. Its 7.3mm thin metal body looks gorgeous, though. What do you think about the Meizu Pro 6 Plus?

For those in the UK who are eagerly waiting for Samsung to release its Samsung Pay mobile payments service in the country, there's bad news: the service's launch has been pushed back to next year. "Following successful launches of Samsung Pay around the world, we are planning to launch the service in the UK in 2017," the South Korean tech giant said. Samsung had earlier said that the service will be launched in the UK this year. As for the reason behind the delay, while there's no official word on it, reports say it's due to negotiations with banks, which is taking longer than...

Samsung launched its revamped Galaxy On series a couple of months ago. It was a complete overhaul compared to what Samsung launched last year with the Galaxy On5 Pro and Galaxy On7 Pro. The Galaxy On5 (2016) and Galaxy On7 (2016) were initially launched in China only but the company in now going to sell at least one of these handsets outside the People’s Republic. Samsung today announced the launch of the Galaxy On7 (2016) in South Korea.

Fashioned out of metal, the Galaxy On7 (2016) features a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a 1.6GHz octa-core processor under the hood coupled with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. It also features a 13-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front camera, both have an aperture of f/1.9. There’s a fingerprint sensor onboard as well which easily lets users control access to their device. Aside from 4G LTE support, the Galaxy On7 (2016) comes with a 3,300mAh battery. It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box.

Customers in South Korea can purchase the Galaxy On7 (2016) in black and gold colors from major carriers in the country starting today for 399,300 won ($340).

Samsung Electronics’ much-awaited response to the corporate restructuring proposal put forward by minority shareholder Elliott Associates finally came through yesterday. While the company has given itself six months to decide whether or not it would want to split Samsung Electronics into two, it announced some eagerly anticipated measures to boost shareholder value in the short-term. Investors are happy with Samsung’s decision so far. Samsung Electronics shares have hit a record high today, adding $9 billion to the company’s market value in a single day.

The company has said that it plans to dole out up to $3.6 billion in dividend payouts this year which roughly boils down to around $256 dividend per share. The amount earmarked for dividends in 2016 is 36 percent higher than it was last year. Samsung Electronics has also committed to returning 50 percent of its free cash flow in 2016 and 2017 to shareholders through greater dividend payouts and buyback of treasury shares. Samsung has already spent $10 billion from its reserves to buyback shares and improve shareholder value.

As a result of its announcement yesterday, Samsung Electronics shares surged by 4.2 percent to hit a record high of 1.747 million won or just under $1,500. Samsung Electronics is the cash cow of the Samsung Group conglomerate that’s controlled by the founding Lee family.

The LG V20 will be available for purchase in India starting today. This was revealed by Mumbai, India-based retailer Mahesh Telecom in a tweet. The post also revealed that the device will carry a best buy price tag of INR 54,999 (around $800). New Launch #LGV20 - Best buy Rs.54999/- ( MRP Rs.60000/-) check the below image for exciting Buyback offers.(stocks by tomorrow) http://pic.twitter.com/6Klac6OqE8— Mahesh Telecom (@MAHESHTELECOM) November 29, 2016 This comes around a month after the device launched in Canada. It is already available for purchase in the United States where LG managed...

If you are in the UK, and are planning to purchase the Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming console, here's a deal for you: the 500GB Xbox 360 console (that also includes Forza Horizon 2 game download) is currently going for £129.99. Microsoft's online UK store has the console listed on its website for that price. For those doing the math, that's a discount of £70, given that the console usually carries a price tag of £199.99. The deal runs through January 6 2017, so those interested in availing it have sufficient time at hand. Source

After Sprint and T-Mobile, now US Cellular has also started pushing out the Nougat update to LG G5 units on its network. Arriving as build version US99223A and weighing in at around 1,546MB, the update brings Android version 7.0 as well as some other changes. Given that the update has just started rolling out, it may take time for the update notification to pop up on your device's screen. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu. Via

Samsung has started rolling out a new software update for the Galaxy J7 (2016) in Europe which brings the November security patch. The update weighs in at just under 190MB. Aside from bringing fixes and patches for bugs and vulnerabilities identified in the November security patch, the update also includes stability and performance improvements.

Software version J710FXXU2APK2 is now rolling out for the Galaxy J7 (2016) in The Netherlands and it will soon be released in other countries across Europe as well. Samsung detailed the November security patch about three weeks ago. It brings countless fixes from Google aside from patches for 14 vulnerability and exposure items identified by Samsung. The company has gradually been rolling out updates for some of its most recent devices to bring them into the fold.

Those who happen to own a Galaxy J7 (2016) in the aforementioned market can keep an eye out for an over-the-air firmware notification. They should have received one by now. Those who didn’t can also try manually pulling the firmware by heading to the Settings app followed by About device to download it manually.

A couple of days before the Gear S2 was due to be released in The Netherlands, Samsung announced a collaboration with fashion brand BALR, which was founded in 2013 by professional football players Demy de Zeeuw, Eljero Elia and Gregory van der Wiel. It’s a brand that’s focused on football players. You might have seen this luxury brand’s products being used by famous Dutch DJ’s like Hardwell and Nicky Romero among other celebrities. The BALR edition Gear S2 came with an exclusive watch strap and watch face.

The collaboration must have paid off the first time around because Samsung has decided to work with the brand again to offer the BALR Gear S3 edition. It’s more or less the same smartwatch with a different band and a couple of new watch faces. While the Gear S3 classic and Gear S3 frontier are priced at 399 euro, the BALR edition costs 499 euro but it does include the BALR. leather watch band and the BALR Braided Bracelet worth 125 euro. Two exclusive watch faces are included as well.

Samsung is going to release the Gear S3 in The Netherlands on Friday, December 2.

LeEco has been very busy this past year with its slew of new razor-thin ecotvs and its acquisition of TV company Vizio. Just in time for the holiday season, LeEco is announcing that its TVs and smartphones will be available at Best Buy (in-store or online) Target.com, and Amazon.com. Likewise, you can purchase these devices or appliances from LeMall.com in the US where the company has already held a few flash sales, a successful marketing tactic in China. When customers buy any ecophone or ecotv, they will be eligible to get up to a full year subscription of DIRECTV NOW if bought...

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime, which has been available for purchase in India and a couple of other Asian markets so far, has now been launched in the United States as well. Amazon has the black colored variant listed for around $285 - the model is compatible with all GSM providers in the country. Specs-wise, the phone is powered by Exynos 7870 SoC and sports a 5.5-inch HD display. RAM is 3GB, while internal memory options include 16GB and 32GB. In terms of camera, the handset offers a 13MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. It runs Android 6.0.1, packs in a 3,300mAh battery, and...

Speaker company Sonos has also jumped on the discount bandwagon, offering most of its products at reduced rates. For example, PLAY:1, PLAY:3, and PLAY:5 have received a $30 price cut, while PLAYBAR and SUB are available for $50 less than their usual price. There are discounts on other products as well. The 5.1 Surround Sound Package (which includes a PLAYBAR, a SUB, and 2 PLAY:1s) is currently going for $1,636, down from $1,796, while the 3.1 Home Theater System is (which includes a PLAYBAR and a SUB) has received a $100 price cut. For more information, head to the Source link...