Samsung starts rolling Galaxy S6 edge+ Nougat update in India and Sri Lanka

Samsung is finally bringing the Android Nougat 7.0 experience to its Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ users in India and other Asian markets. Samsung had started rolling out the Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6 edge+ users in Europe earlier this month, and the update is now being rolled out in India and Sri Lanka.

According to SamMobile, the Android Nougat 7.0 update comes with added Android security features in the latest Samsung software update version G928GDDU3CQC7. The update is being rolled out over the air (OTA) to Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ users in India and Sri Lanka. It seems to be a gradual update, and in case you have not got the notification yet, you should be very soon. Alternatively, you can manually check for the update in the Settings menu.

The latest update is about 1GB in size, and thus users are recommended to download the file over Wi-Fi. Also, before you begin the software installation, check the battery level and ensure it is over 50 percent. Android Nougat on Samsung Galaxy 6 edge+ would bring new features like split-screen for multitasking, personalized quick settings, improved Google keyboard with fixes, enhanced notifications along with Double Tap to switch quickly between two recent apps and ‘Doze on the Go’ battery saver mode. 

Galaxy S6 edge

Microsoft Windows 10 Creators Update available for early download on April 5; here’s everything you need to know

Microsoft’s next update to its Windows OS is set to be rolled out on April 11. However, if you have the itch to get your hands on the creation and gaming-focused Windows 10 Creators Update, then you can manually download it on April 5. The update will be made available through Microsoft’s Update Assistant and anyone who is using a licensed version of the Windows 10 can install the update a week ahead of the official rollout.

In a new blog post, Microsoft has announced that all users with licensed Windows 10 software will be able to manually download the Windows 10 Creators Update through its Update Assistant from April 5. For those who want it even before that date, you can join the Insider Preview program and experience the Windows 10 Creators Update right away.

Although you can still get access to the Creators Update by downloading and mounting an ISO file from Microsoft servers, but for that you need to be a member of the Windows Insider Program that lets developers and enthusiasts test out the update and give feedback to help improve the software. Eligible users can then locate files for the Windows 10 build 15063, which is generally considered to be the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) build number for the finished Creators Update, The Verge explains. For others, using the Update Assistant is the way to get access to the latest update.

Like the Anniversary Update, the Creators Update will also be delivered in a phased fashion. In the first phase, it will be targeted at newer devices and then expanded to additional devices. The process will be iterated over a period of several months until all compatible devices running Windows 10 worldwide are offered the Creators Update. Windows Phone will also follow the same approach with the rollout scheduled to start from April 25. Furthermore, the availability of the latest update for the Windows Phone will vary depending on the manufacturer, model, region, operator, software, hardware limitations, etc.

Unlike past versions, Microsoft is offering users more control on getting the update. As Microsoft explains in its blog, users will be asked to make privacy settings choices before the Creators Update is installed. Users will be able to specify a convenient time to install the updates; they can also pause updates for a week and extend their ‘active hours’ time window.

To sum up, the new Windows 10 Creators Update is focused on engaging users with augmented reality, virtual reality, and 3D design. One of the highlights following the roll out of the update will be the upgrade to the decade-old Paint with Paint 3D. This will allow users to create 3D objects or turn a 2D picture into 3D using the basic tool.

The update further introduces Beam which is a platform for Xbox One players and other gamers to stream their game play and interact with others in the community. Other features include an updated Microsoft Edge browser which will include the ability to purchase e-books from Windows Store  and read them across Windows 10 devices. The browser will further support Netflix content in 4K Ultra HD resolution. Furthermore, there will be more security and privacy features with the update. 

On the sidelines of the Windows 10 Creators Update rollout, Microsoft also announced the availability of multiple devices from its portfolio including the Studio all-in-one PC, Surface Book, and Surface Dial. The company also announced the availability of what is called as the world’s first Windows mixed reality-enabled headset. It will be available later this year, priced at $299 (Rs 19,500 approximately).

Samsung DeX Station price revealed, to cost approximately Rs 9,700, shipping starts in late April

At its Unpacked 2017 event, Samsung not only ‘officially’ revealed the Galaxy S8 lineup, but also introduced some cool accessories to make the flagship smartphones even more desirable. Amongst others, the Dex Station garnered the most interest from the user community. The Frisbee-shaped dock essentially allows you to connect the new Galaxy S8 smartphones to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse set, and use it like a full-fledged desktop. Today, Samsung revealed more details on the DeX Station.

It is currently listed on the official product page with a price tag of $149.99 (approximately Rs 9,730). It will start shipping in late April, around the same time as the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ hit will the shelves. It is already available for pre-order on the Samsung website and eligible for financing with the purchase of the two smartphones.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8 is the first smartphone with Bluetooth 5.0

The Dex Station comes equipped with two USB-A 2.0 ports, a LAN Ethernet port, an HDMI output, and a USB-C charging port. Other than being a docking station to convert the smartphone into offering a desktop PC experience, the DeX Station also charges the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+, while its built-in fans keep the device cool during extended usage in PC mode.

In order to use the smartphones for PC experience, all you need to do is dock the Galaxy S8 into the DeX Station. This will launch a special DeX mode on the connected peripherals where the apps can be opened in multiple separate windows for more ease-of-use. As of now, only the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are compatible with the docking station, but we could hope for future compatibility with more devices. 

The idea behind an accessory like the DeX Station arises out of the growing trend of working on-the-go. Right now, one can download work-related apps on a smartphone, work on them at convenience, and open their web-based versions to continue working on a particular project. As noted during Samsung’s presentation, the DeX Station makes this entire process a lot easier and seamless. The concept is clearly inspired by Microsoft’s Continnum for Windows which allows users to work across compatible devices with a seamless, adaptive interface.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ with Bixby virtual assistant, Infinity display, Samsung aims to reclaim the glory

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S8 lineup is aimed both at enterprises and consumers, and hence comes with a set of brand new accessories other than the DeX Station. The company also introduced a new Gear VR headset, next-gen Gear 360 hand-held camera, and earphones tuned by AKG by Harman.

Amazon Mobile Carnival: Big discount on OnePlus 3T, iPhone 7 Plus available at Rs 10,000 off and more

It’s raining discounts on smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S8 debuted yesterday, but if you can’t wait for the beautiful flagship to make it to India, you can ‘make the switch’ to some readily available options on Amazon India. The e-commerce platform is hosting yet another mobile carnival where it offering exciting discounts and exchange offers on popular smartphones along with mobile accessories. Amazon India is hosting a mobile carnival from March 29 to March 30 offering various deals and discounts on several smartphones. Before the carnival ends tonight, here are some of the enticing deals you could consider on smartphones such as the OnePlus 3T, iPhone 7, and Xiaomi Redmi 4A, Honor 6X among others.

Android smartphones available with up to Rs 2,500 off include the Samsung Galaxy On8 and the Moto G4 Plus. These are now available at Rs 12,990 and Rs 11,499, respectively. There is a special offer on the Moto G4 Plus, which include Rs 300 e-book promotion credits along with the Jio Happy New Year offer (It is to be noted that the free access to voice calls and data ends on March 31).

Samsung Galaxy On8

  

Moto G4 Plus

Another smartphone from the Moto lineup to fetch you a good discount is the Moto X-Force. With a shatterproof display, the Moto X Force (Black, 32GB) is originally priced at Rs 34,999. However, under the Amazon offer, you can get the smartphone at a price of Rs 26,999. The Moto Z smartphone (with Style Mod), which comes with modular capabilities, is priced at Rs 39,999 for 64GB variant. Under the Amazon deals, there are a host of special discounts on accessories for the smartphone. For example, you can get up to 50 percent off on the JBL Soundboost Moto Mod if you purchase it along with the Moto Z or Moto Z Play in the same cart. You also get a free Style CAP Herringbone Nylon Fabric when you purchase the smartphone. If you buy the Moto Insta-share projector mod along with the Moto Z or Moto Z Play, you can save up to Rs 4,000. You can check the full list of special offers here. 

Moto X Force

Moto Z

OnePlus 3T, the latest offering from the China-based manufacturer is available with a set of special offers which can fetch you up to Rs 1,250 back as Amazon pay balance if you make the purchase through Credit card-based EMI. You can further avail Rs 500 as e-book promotion credits. Additionally, Vodafone is offering 14GB of additional data with every 1GB recharge, while Amazon is offering Rs 250 as Amazon Pay Balance if you stream the Prime Video app on the OnePlus 3T. You further save Rs 100 on the OnePlus 3 Karbon/Sandstone case if you purchase one or more OnePlus 3T units by Rocket Kommerce LLP. Don’t forget to go through the terms and conditions before making the purchase here.

OnePlus 3T

The Lenovo Z2 Plus (64GB model) is available at a discounted price of Rs 14,999 following a discount of around Rs 5,000. Under the special offers, you can avail up to 80 percent off on Kindle e-books. If you opt for the 32GB model, you can buy it for Rs 11,999 and save up to Rs 6,000. If you are mulling an upgrade to the Apple iPhone 7 lineup, you can fetch up to Rs 10,000 off under the Amazon deals. The iPhone 7 Plus 128GB, Jet Black version is available at a price of Rs 71,999; down from Rs 82,000. If you buy the 32GB model in Black, you can save up to Rs 10,000 and get the smartphone for Rs 61,999.

Lenovo Z2 Plus

iPhone 7  & iPhone 7 Plus 

If you don’t fancy the dual camera setup, you can switch to the iPhone 7 which is also available with a massive discount. The 128GB Gold variant is available at Rs 59,999; down from Rs 70,000, while the 256GB variant can be bought for Rs 68,549 after a 14 percent discount. The 32GB model is also available with up to Rs 10,000 in discount and can be purchased for Rs 49,999. If you fancy the black color option, the same discounts apply to all storage variants, except for the 256GB model which is available at Rs 71,199 after discount. 

Amazon is offering similar discounts on older iPhone models as well. The iPhone 5s is available at Rs 18,990 (16GB model) after discount, while the iPhone 6 (32GB) is available at Rs 28,744, following a discount of around Rs 1,956. The 128GB, Space Grey variant is available at a steep discount of up to Rs 13,500, bringing the final cost down to Rs 58,500. 

iPhone 5s 

In the affordable category, you can buy the Samsung On7 Pro, which is available at Rs 9,240, after a discount of about Rs 1,950. The Coolpad Note 5 Lite is available at Rs 8,199 under the deal and Idea is offering 28GB 4G data and unlimited on the purchase. From the newest launches, Amazon will also be bringing the Xiaomi Redmi 4A back in stock along with some offers. Priced at Rs 5,999, the smartphone will be available with an offer from Idea where it is giving 28GB of 4G data and unlimited calls to all buyers. Amazon too is offering Rs 100 in Kindle promotion credits. Other budget options include the InFocus Bingo 10 which is available at Rs 2,999 following discount, and the Micromax CG666 which is available at Rs 1,099.

Samsung On7 Pro

In the accessories category, you get major discounts on Bluetooth headsets, screen protectors, back covers, and tempered glass. A Kickstand Back Case By Heartly for the Moto G4 is available at a discounted price of Rs 399 while a tempered glass for the Apple iPhone 7 Plus is available at Rs 219 under the deal. In powerbanks, you can get the Intex IT PB-11K 11000mAh at a discounted price of just Rs 899. A 10400mAh powerbank by Lenovo is offered at Rs 1,092 following discount.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is the first smartphone with Bluetooth 5.0

Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones and they look good. While not surprisingly, both smartphones boast top-of-the-line specifications and features, there’s one aspect that is worth noting. Both Samsung smartphones feature Bluetooth 5.0. Launched back in June last year, it is the successor to Bluetooth 4.2.

Bluetooth 5.0 offers two times the speed, and up to four times more range compared to previous Bluetooth standards. It will also increase the connectionless data broadcast capacity by eight times. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ also boast dual audio feature. What this means is, you will be able to stream music to two sets of wireless speakers at the same time, as well as control volume on each peripheral independently.

Apart from that Bluetooth 5 isn’t just about being faster and longer-range than before – it’ll also help facilitate additional location-based functionality. It also results in significantly improved indoors navigation. Bluetooth 5.0 reduces the time required for transmitting and receiving data, and helps in reliable over-the-air firmware updates for mobile devices and fast upload.

The smartphones will be offered in five different color variants – midnight black, arctic silver, orchid gray, maple gold and coral blue. Pre-orders begin tomorrow in select markets, and will go on sale starting April 21. However, there is no word on Indian availability yet.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ with Bixby virtual assistant, Infinity display, Samsung aims to reclaim the glory

Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ specifications and features

The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution and 586 ppi. The bigger Galaxy S8+ comes with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution and 531 ppi. Both devices are protected by Gorilla Glass 5.

Both the smartphones are powered Samsung’s Exynos 8895 processor and Qualcomm’s top-end 835 processor, depending upon the market. The two smartphones also feature 4GB of RAM, and 64GB storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB using a microSD card. Both the smartphones run on Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box with TouchWiz UI on top. For power, the Galaxy S8 draws juice from 3,000mAh battery, while the bigger one gets a larger 3,500mAh battery.

For photography, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ come with an 8-megapixel smart auto-focus front camera, and 12-megapixel dual-pixel rear camera with f/1.7 aperture. Both the phones come with Alway On display and IP68 water and dust resistance capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ can now also connect to the new Gear 360 to create 4K 360-degree videos and 15-megapixel photos. Samsung has also introduced a Samsung Dex accessory allowing users to transform smartphone into a desktop. The company says the accessory allows users to display and edit data from their devices. With Samsung Connect, users can now connect to IoT-enabled devices through a three-step configuration process and manage all the devices through a single app.

Samsung is also offering earphones “tuned by” AKG by Harman. “These earphones will have a comfortable hybrid canal fit for better noise cancellation and will be made from anti-tangle metal-fabric material,” says the company. Both the S8 variants will come with high-end AKG headphones, also sold separately for $99, which is Rs 6,400 approximately.The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ can now also connect to the new Gear 360 to create 4K 360-degree videos and 15-megapixel photos. Samsung has also introduced a Samsung Dex accessory allowing users to transform smartphone into a desktop. The company says the accessory allows users to display and edit data from their devices. With Samsung Connect, users can now connect to IoT-enabled devices through a three-step configuration process and manage all the devices through a single app.

Samsung is also offering earphones “tuned by” AKG by Harman. “These earphones will have a comfortable hybrid canal fit for better noise cancellation and will be made from anti-tangle metal-fabric material,” says the company. Both the S8 variants will come with high-end AKG headphones, also sold separately for $99, which is Rs 6,400 approximately.

Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ with Bixby virtual assistant, Infinity display, Samsung aims to reclaim the glory

The wait is finally over! Samsung’s highly-anticipated 2017 flagship smartphones – the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are finally official. The new smartphones are a step-up from last year’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, and bring a lot of notable changes rather than simply bumping the specifications otherwise. The smartphones will be offered in five different color variants – midnight black, arctic silver, orchid gray, maple gold and coral blue. Pre-orders begin tomorrow in select markets, and will go on sale starting April 21. However, there is no word on Indian availability yet.

For Samsung, a lot is at stake at the moment. It not only needs to recover millions of dollars wasted on the Galaxy Note 7, but also win customers’ trust that it can still deliver quality and reliable flagship smartphones. And not to forget, Samsung’s long-held title of delivering the best Android premium smartphone is also being challenged by Google’s Pixel range. And of course, Apple’s iPhone 2017-series is also expected to be a spectacular one, if the recent leaks are to be believed.
Many pundits will expect Samsung to stick to the basics and play safe, but evidently that’s not the case as the company’s new series is an upgrade in true sense over the predecessors. It also brings a slew of new features as it prepares for a new round of battle with Google and Apple. If you ask me, Samsung or Apple are perhaps the only companies who could have survived a Galaxy Note 7-like fiasco, and still bounce back with something better and more promising.

One of the biggest features and most probably worth talking about is the Bixby assistant. With AI rapidly becoming the ‘next big thing’, Samsung wants to mimic Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant with its own Bixby. The digital assistant works coherently with the native apps. The AI is not only contextually aware, it lets you perform a range of interactions, including app launch to a task within an app. As you would expect from a matured AI in 2017, Bixby is able to interpret your natural language rather than making users memorize a set of phrases. Understanding of natural language is something that made Amazon’s Alexa popular. There’s no reason to believe that Google Assistant and Siri will not reach there, but Samsung has an upper hand, thanks to a wide range of devices across points it offers.

“As the Bixby ecosystem grows, it will connect across devices, apps and services as a ubiquitous interface, and open up new experiences and scenarios to simplify life,” says Samsung in a post.
Another major change in the Samsung flagship smartphone is the absence of the home button up front. The button is now embedded below the display, while the fingerprint sensor has been moved to the back alongside the cameras. While Samsung isn’t really getting into the bezel-less smartphone war, but with no flat display versions, it allows users to make most of the extra real estate. With no Galaxy Note 8 in sight, Samsung is also compensating for the missing link in the new flagship range. The Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch display, whereas the S8+ variant has a 6.2-inch display — in what appears to be an effort to reach out to the Note phablet lovers and those liking the usual sized smartphones.

As I mentioned earlier, there are tons of changes like inclusion of the iris scanner and facial recognition technology, USB Type-C support for fast charging and modern USB standard. The Galaxy S8 series marks Samsung’s serious evolution over the years. Putting the Galaxy Note 7 behind, Samsung is looking at resurrection with another promising high-end and perhaps setting a new benchmark for the flagship smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ specifications and features

The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution and 586 ppi. The bigger Galaxy S8+ comes with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution and 531 ppi. Both devices are protected by Gorilla Glass 5.

Both the smartphones are powered Samsung’s Exynos 8895 processor and Qualcomm’s top-end 835 processor, depending upon the market. The two smartphones also feature 4GB of RAM, and 64GB storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB using a microSD card. Both the smartphones run on Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box with TouchWiz UI on top. For power, the Galaxy S8 draws juice from 3,000mAh battery, while the bigger one gets a larger 3,500mAh battery.

For photography, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ come with an 8-megapixel smart auto-focus front camera, and 12-megapixel dual-pixel rear camera with f/1.7 aperture. Both the phones come with Alway On display and IP68 water and dust resistance capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ can now also connect to the new Gear 360 to create 4K 360-degree videos and 15-megapixel photos. Samsung has also introduced a Samsung Dex accessory allowing users to transform smartphone into a desktop. The company says the accessory allows users to display and edit data from their devices. With Samsung Connect, users can now connect to IoT-enabled devices through a three-step configuration process and manage all the devices through a single app.

Samsung is also offering earphones “tuned by” AKG by Harman. “These earphones will have a comfortable hybrid canal fit for better noise cancellation and will be made from anti-tangle metal-fabric material,” says the company. Both the S8 variants will come with high-end AKG headphones, also sold separately for $99, which is Rs 6,400 approximately.The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ can now also connect to the new Gear 360 to create 4K 360-degree videos and 15-megapixel photos. Samsung has also introduced a Samsung Dex accessory allowing users to transform smartphone into a desktop. The company says the accessory allows users to display and edit data from their devices. With Samsung Connect, users can now connect to IoT-enabled devices through a three-step configuration process and manage all the devices through a single app.

Samsung is also offering earphones “tuned by” AKG by Harman. “These earphones will have a comfortable hybrid canal fit for better noise cancellation and will be made from anti-tangle metal-fabric material,” says the company. Both the S8 variants will come with high-end AKG headphones, also sold separately for $99, which is Rs 6,400 approximately.

Samsung Galaxy S8: launch time, live stream, prices leaked by Vodafone, specifications, and everything else you should know

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones today at 11am EST (8:30pm IST) at an event in New York, finally ending months of speculation about its first flagships since the fateful Galaxy Note 7. The company has been teasing the two smartphones, dropping hints about its slick design and improved camera. Last week,it even went so far to confirm that Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 will come preloaded with an AI-based digital assistant called Bixby.

ALSO READ: Samsung store catches fire ahead of Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ launch

The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2017 event will be live streamed on the company site. Alternatively, users can watch the live stream on the Samsung Mobile and Samsung Electronics Facebook pages. Finally, users can also choose to download the Unpacked 2017 app for Android and iOS, with the option for 360-degree live streaming.

While we have seen multiple leaks in the past, additional details have surfaced online on the eve of the launch. thanks to tipster @evleaks. From the top bezel, the rear panel to the wallpapers, Evan Blass shared all details over Twitter. 

Comparing the top bezels of Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, there’s not too much of a difference between the two except that Samsung Galaxy S8+ seems to be slightly wider. Right in the center of both the devices is the earpiece grille. On both sides of the grille are multiple lenses and sensors, and there is definitely a whole lot of clutter on the top bezel.

Apart from the standard selfie camera (which might come with a front flash), there’s also the rumored Iris scanner placed on the top bezel. Samsung’s Iris Scanner first debuted with Galaxy Note 7, and was the highlight of the device. The scanner will add an additional layer of security to the device. Coming to the colors, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ will both be available in three colors in the US at launch — black, silver and grey. Samsung seems to have done away with the gold trend for their flagship devices.

ALSO READ: LG releases first G6 TV commercial on a day before Samsung Galaxy S8 launch 

Samsung Galaxy S8 will not feature the dual-camera setup but rather, the leaks suggest a single rear end camera with a single LED flash and added sensors on the back panel. On the right of the camera is the rectangular fingerprint scanner. Blass has also shared the stock wallpapers Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, and they all but confirm that the devices will feature dual-edged displays.

As per earlier reports, the Samsung Galaxy S8 series is expected to be more expensive than last year’s Samsung Galaxy S7 series. Now adding more weight to these claims is Vodafone Czech Republic, which has accidentally revealed the prices of both the upcoming smartphones. The Galaxy S8 will be priced at 21,977 CZK, while the Samsung Galaxy S8 + would be available at a price of 24,977 CZK, Samsung Magazine reports. If converted into Indian currency, these come up to Rs 58,000 and Rs 66,000 respectively. To put things into perspective, the Galaxy S7 is currently available in India for Rs 43,400, while the Galaxy S7 edge is available for around Rs 50,900.

At this point, we would like to remind that these are averagely estimated price and might differ for different markets after the official launch. Hence, this piece of information should be taken with a pinch of salt until an official word comes from the horse’s mouth itself. Undoubtedly, the alleged pricing of Samsung Galaxy S8 series is higher and it would be interesting, how customers would react.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8 power bank with 5,100mAh capacity, DeX Station leaked

Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ features, specifications

Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ will both run Android Nougat out-of-the-box, and come with IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The devices will feature the Samsung Pay digital payment app. On the display front, both the phones will feature a Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440×2960 pixels with a size of 5.8-inch for Samsung Galaxy S8, and 6.2-inch for Samsung Galaxy S8+. Samsung Galaxy S8 is pegged to have a dual-edged curved display with almost negligible bezel and 18:9 aspect ratio; the display may be named 'Infinity Display'.

Under the hood both devices will be powered by a Qualcomm octa-core Snapdragon 835 SoC, but some markets will get the home-grown Exynos 8895 chip as well. Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are expected to come in two internal memory variants — 64GB and 128GB with up to 256GB expansion through memory card. The RAM will be 4GB. Samsung Galaxy S8 will be powered by a 3,000mAh battery, while Samsung Galaxy S8+ gets a bigger 3,500mAh battery.

Micromax Dual 5 with 13-megapixel dual rear cameras, 13-megapixel selfies camera, 128GB storage launched in India, priced at Rs 24,999: Specifications, features

Micromax today unveiled its first big smartphone of the year, and has also joined the growing trend of launching devices with dual-cameras. The new Micromax Dual 5 features three 13-megapixel cameras — two at the back, and one at the front. Priced at Rs 24,999, the Dual 5 will be available starting April 10 on Flipkart, and Micromax’s offline stores. Registrations for the new smartphone start today.

The new Dual 5 can be considered a comeback phone for Micromax, which has been virtually absent from the smartphone segment with no major launches since last quarter. The Indian manufacturer not only lost its second market position to Chinese players such as OPPO and Vivo, but also suffered decline in online sales owing to demonetization in the country. Launch of the Dual 5 is expected to help Micromax get back into the game and also regain consumer interest.

Talking about the design, the Dual 5 comes with a arc design, and is created with a single slab of aluminum with ultra thin bezel. It boasts a metal unibody design with 3D antenna technology, and weighs just 164 grams. On the left hand-side, the phone features a customizable physical key. Users will be able to assign a specific function to this key. On the right-hand-side you have the volume rocker and the power button.

The talking point of the new Dual 5 however is its photographic chops. At the back is a dual-camera setup which includes a pair of 13-megapixel snappers. Up front too there is a 13-megapixel snapper for selfies. Apart from that, the smartphone can also capture 4K video and 3D videos.

Micromax Dual 5 specifications and features

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Micromax Dual 5 features a 5.5-inch full HD (1080p) AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla glass protection on top. The smartphone is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 652 processor paired with 4GB of RAM. It further includes 128GB of internal storage that can be expanded using a microSD card.

It is fuelled by a 3,200mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0, which allows for up to four hours of usage with charging of only 10 minutes. Additionally, the smartphone also supports intelligent power saving mode and freezer mode which helps your phone work better without any lag. Connectivity options include 4G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hybrid-SIM slot, USB Type-C and fingerprint scanner.

Besides all these, another highlight of the new smartphone is an independent secure chip under the hood. The chipset saves all the password on this chip. The company also claims that this is the first smartphone to launch with such a chipset to protect data and password from getting hacked. Explaining the level of security, Rahul Sharma also said that such technology has been used only on VISA and Master cards uptil now. Sharma also said that the smartphone is “theft proof” and any attempt to remove SIM card will block the smartphone in the just 30 seconds. It also comes with Panic Button Support as mandated by the Indian government.

LG releases first G6 TV commercial on a day before Samsung Galaxy S8 launch

LG has a lot riding on its flagship the G6 after the G5 failed to garner profits. LG G6 was launched at this year’s MWC 2017, and the company went for a complete change, keeping its focus on the 5.7-inch display with tiny bezels. LG G6 has launched its first ever TV commercial, and the timing of it is anything but a coincidence. The advertisement was released a day before Samsung unveils its most anticipated Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones.

The LG G6 has already gone on sale in South Korea with 20,000 units sold on the first day itself. LG will launch the G6 on March 30 in the US, while the Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to go on sale globally on April 28 with pre-orders likely to start by April 10. Considering the timeframe for both the LG G6 and the Galaxy S8 are similar, it will surely be a battle of the fittest.

Coming to the LG G6’s TV commercial, the smartphone’s key features are boasted in a 30 second video clip. The commercial begins with the smartphone’s screen peeling off showing the new display design of the LG G6. The LG G6 features a 5.7-inch QHD+ display with resolution of 2880×1440 pixels, aspect ratio of 18:9, and pixel density of 564ppi. LG calls it a FullVision display using the tagline, “The Big Screen that fits in your hand.” LG shows off the G6’s water resistant capability along with the weather report displayed on the screen. The LG G6 comes with IP68 certification making it both water and dust resistant. Continuing with its display, the ad shows one purchasing an item on online shopping website Gilt and playing Temple Run while easily rejecting a phone call at the same time.

ALSO READ: Samsung store catches fire ahead of Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ launch

The ad continues with showing the Dolby Vision technology of the smartphone for which LG worked with the company to bring HDR on the G6. The camera of the G6 is also shown for a split second which is another highlight for the smartphone as it sports a dual rear-camera setup. The LG G6 features a pair of 13-megapixel rear cameras — one being a wide-angle lens with field of view of 125-degrees, and the other is standard lens with field of view of 71-degrees, aperture f/1.8 and OIS. Up front, the smartphone houses a 5-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture. The last segment of the ad shows the LG G6 held in different hands so as to show that it “actually fits in your hand.” 

LG G6 specifications and features

As for the remaining specifications, the LG G6 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM. The smartphone comes with 32GB and 64GB onboard storage, with an option to further expand it via a microSD card. Keeping the smartphone ticking is a 3,300mAh battery along with Quick Charge 3.0 technology. Connectivity options available on the smartphone include 4G LTE with VoLTE support, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi and GPS. The smartphone also features Google Assistant and a fingerprint sensor which is placed below the rear camera lens. On the software front, the smartphone runs on Android 7.1 Nougat out-of-the-box with a layer of UX 6 on top.



Official LG G6 TV commercial here.

Samsung store catches fire ahead of Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ launch

It’s quite clear by now that Samsung has the worst of lucks when it comes to fire. Where Samsung has done everything to escape from the shadows of the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, the demons of fire seem to be following it till now. Just hours ahead of the launch of Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ today, a Samsung store in Singapore has caught fire.

A Samsung Experience store in Singapore caught fire, which caused neighboring shops in the mall to close temporarily for safety and cleaning, CNET reports. Samsung also confirmed the event by issuing a statement on the incident. “We were alerted to a fire at the Samsung Experience Store at AMK Hub in the early hours of Tuesday morning before store opening hours,” the statement said. “The fire was extinguished by water sprinklers in the store and no one was injured during the incident. We are currently assessing the property damage and working closely with the authorities to determine the cause of the fire.”

Probably, had it not been for Samsung’s recent history, this fire incident would have gone unnoticed. However, now even a spark associated with the brand or its product becomes big news. Just last month, a fire broke out at the Samsung SDI factory in Tianjin, China, where Samsung manufactures batteries. While Samsung confirmed that the fire was caught in discarded batteries, the issue became quite prominent, because this time, not only fire was involved, but there were batteries involved too. 

Reuters had noted that the fire was caused by faulty lithium batteries that were being discarded along with other waste. Which means, these weren’t new manufactured batteries. Now in the statements, there was a slight discrepancy, while Samsung says the fire broke out not on the production line itself, but in a part of the facility used for waste, including faulty batteries, the local fire department, said that the fire was caused by batteries inside the facility.

While the past is constantly trying to catch up with Samsung, the company is making sure the dementors of Galaxy Note 7 do not suck the happiness out of its flagship Galaxy S8. Samsung is holding strict new quality assurance protocols, which include an 8-point battery safety check that will address safety of batteries right from component level to their assembly and shipment of devices. Others include a durability test, a visual inspection, and also an X-Ray test to look for abnormalities inside the batteries. Lastly, the company will also conduct a large scale charge and discharge tests.

Emoji 5.0 update to add 137 new emojis

Last year, Unicode decided to release the Emoji 4.0 update that consisted of 16 new emojis based on different professions representing both genders. These emojis were proposed by Apple, Google, and other members of the Unicode Consortium, and included professions from a judge to an astronaut. Now, the Emoji 5.0 update is on its way, and it is scheduled to bring along 137 new emojis along with it. This includes star struck emoji, woman with headscarf, face with raised eyebrow, exploding head, crazy face, face with monocle, face vomiting, shushing face, face with hand over mouth, and breastfeeding emoji.

This new Emoji 5.0 version will be released on June 30 and may look different depending on the operating system. While the emojis introduced are from varied categories like food, animals, and expressions, there are a few emojis that push diverse representation of women. Last year, while introducing more professions, Unicode ensured that the major sexes were well represented in all occupations. Furthering that effort, Emoji 5.0 brings a male and female magician on board as well.

As mentioned, there's also an emoji of a woman in a headscarf (which looks more like a hoodie), and a woman breastfeeding a baby. There's also the addition of a hedgehog, a T-Rex, a Sauropod, and a cricket in animal emojis; and a pretzel, sandwich, and pie in food emojis.

Emojipedia notes that "the emojis displayed have been created in an Apple-like style; as an indication of how they might be displayed when released by vendors," but are in no way the final version. It also notes that this update is not final and is subject to change over the course of time. Here's the full list of emojis.

Moto G5 to launch in India on April 4 exclusively via Amazon India: Specifications and features

Lenovo-owned Motorola launched the Moto G5 Plus smartphone in India earlier this month. Now the company is gearing up to launch the more affordable Moto G5 in the country as well. The company has sent media invites for a launch event in Delhi on April 4, where it will launch the Moto G5.

The Moto G5 was unveiled at MWC 2017 alongside the Moto G5 Plus. Like last year, the Moto G5 shares the design and most specifications and features with the Moto G5 Plus, albeit with subtle differences. Last year’s Moto G4 was launched for Rs 12,499, and the upcoming Moto G5 too is expected to be priced in the similar range. The smartphone will be exclusively available via Amazon India, and the e-commerce portal has promised a few special offers for Prime members. The Moto G5 will go on sale via Amazon India on the midnight of April 5.

ALSO READ: Moto X (2017) leak hints at Snapdragon 625 SoC, dual-camera setup and more

“We understand the needs of our customers and design our products to give them a better mobile experience. The Moto G5 is a perfect blend of performance and entertainment so customers don’t have to compromise on either. We are glad to partner with Amazon.in to launch this and look forward to helping our customers, have all they need in a smartphone,” Sudhin Mathur, Managing Director-Motorola Mobility Pvt. Ltd India said. 

Moto G5 specifications and features

The Moto G5 smartphone flaunts a 5-inch full HD (1080p) display. At the heart is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 430 processor. The smartphone comes in three different variants — 2GB of RAM with 16GB onboard storage, 3GB of RAM with 32GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM with 32GB storage. It will be interesting to see what variants are launched in India.

In the photography department, the Moto G5 sports a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. On the software front, the smartphone runs on Android 7.0 Nougat.

The Moto G5 is backed by a 2,800mAh battery, and unlike the Moto G4, it does come with a fingerprint sensor. Connectivity options offered are dual-SIM support, 4G LTE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Moto G5

Google Pixel, Pixel XL use camera software originally developed for Google Glass

Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones have received a lot of compliments for their camera prowess. In fact, DxOMark called Pixel cameras as “the best smartphone cameras ever made.” With the Pixels, Google offered users with a powerful camera, something that was missing from the Nexus line of devices. Now, a new piece of information sheds light on how Google worked to make the most out of the Pixel and Pixel XL cameras.

Both smartphones feature a 12.3-megapixel rear camera (Sony IMX378 sensor) of aperture f/2.0, with electronic image stabilization (EIS) and phase-detection auto-focus. The sensor as 1.55μm large pixels to let you capture good photos in low-light conditions. The smartphones also feature an 8-megapixel (Samsung S5K4H8/Omnivision OV8856 sensor) front-facing camera for selfies and video calling.

During the Pixel and Pixel XL launch event, Google extensively talked about the special software that it has used. Now, according to The Team at X post, spotted by 9To5Mac, the software was originally developed for Google Glass. Google had made an interesting start by luring doctors, photographers and other casual users, but the search engine giant bumped into a minor issue — the size of Google Glass camera sensor. 

Google wanted to have a smartphone like camera on the Google Glass, but the smaller sized sensor resulted in poor photos. To deal with the issue, Google engineers came up with a new solution called Gcam. As there was no option to change the hardware, Google worked on the image processing software to solve the sensor issue. The lens blur feature in Google’s camera app was also developed by the Gcam team.

Gcam software is similar to high dynamic range (HDR) that captures multiple shots of the same image that is snapped consecutively and then merged together. Theoretically, the final picture offers the best of each photo that is clicked. On the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, the feature is called HDR+. The feature first debuted on Google Glass in 2013, and was then introduced on Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 smartphones.

It’s not just the Pixels camera software, the technology is making its way to other Android devices and on apps such as Google Photos and YouTube. BlackBerry’s recently launched smartphone, KEYone also includes the same Sony IMX378 sensor as the one on the Pixel and Pixel XL.

However, as the Gcam software is exclusive to Google’s Pixels, it will be interesting to see how BlackBerry has fine tuned the smartphone’s camera for better results. A camera shootout between Pixel and KEYone cameras would also give an idea on how the technology adds to high quality photos on Google’s premium smartphones. 

Moto X (2017) leak hints at Snapdragon 625 SoC, dual-camera setup and more

Lenovo-owned Motorola’s Moto X (2017) has been a much rumored device and we’ve seen the phone leaked quite often in the past. While those leaks have proved to be false leads, this time around, images and a few alleged specifications of the Moto X (2017) have surfaced online courtesy of tipster hellomotoHK. At the time of filing this story though, the Google+ page has been taken down. 

The upcoming Moto X (2017) design reminds one of the recently launched Moto G5 Plus, and it is seen sporting an all-metal body. At the rear of the device are the antenna bands, dual-camera setup, and the Moto logo below it. The front houses the selfie shooter with flash, the different sensors, and the physical home button that doubles up as a fingerprint sensor.

ALSO READ: Moto G5 to launch in India soon; Specs and features

Moto X (2017) features, specifications

Based on what has been leaked so far, the Moto X (2017) seems to be a mid-range device, and in fact, it is quite similar to the Moto Z Play. The upcoming smartphone is expected to feature a 5.5-inch display, but the leaks don’t really give any idea on its resolution.

The Moto X (2017) will run on Android Nougat OS out-of-the-box, and it is rumored to be powered by Qualcomm’s capable Snapdragon 625 SoC. This chipset is seen powering some popular smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 among others. The leaked variant comes with 32GB storage with 3GB RAM. However, there might be other variants in the making. 

The dual-camera setup is the highlight of Moto X (2017). The resolution is unknown. Below the camera is the dual-LED flash. Not only the rear end camera but the front cam too comes with LED flash for selfies. Dual rear cameras are only what set the device apart from Moto Z Play.

Google Play Store adds new ‘free app of the week’ section

In an effort to highlight the recently announced sales on Google Play store, the platform has added a news section categorized as ‘Free app of the week’. As the name suggests, every week, the section would have a new app listed under it, and for those seven days, the paid app will be available to download for free.

Although, the Indian Google Play Store still does not reflect the section, according to an Android Police article, ‘Card Wars – Adventure Time’ is presently the app of the week in the US. Otherwise priced for $2.99, right now the app is available for free. Although, it isn’t clear how the featured selection is done or what happens after the week is over, it’s likely to return to its original pricing, and a new app gets listed under the category. The feature was first rolled out last week, with ‘Ultimate Guitar Tabs & Chords’ to be the first app to go up under the section.

The ‘recently announced sales on Google Play store’ that we mentioned earlier, were announced last month. Google started testing a few new sale features on the Play Store, wherein, select developers were able to set sale prices that showed up on the purchase button, and paid listings could be temporarily free. And the ‘free app of the week’ category looks like an extension of the same.

However, it is important to understand that this sale system works on a Pricing and Distribution concept. When setting a sale, a developer can choose between one and eight days. Each app can only be placed on sale once every 30 days. Developers have always been able to change their pricing before, but these tools include proper support in the way prices are displayed in the Play Store. With the 30-day policy, the method behind selecting the ‘free app of the week’ can somewhat be understood.

Whenever this section rolls out in India, it is likely to be very popular among users in the country. According to analytics firm App Annie, India edged past the US to become the top country that registered 6 billion downloads from Google’s Play Store in 2016. “India’s app market grew massively outpacing the US to surpass it as the #1 country by Google Play downloads, from around 3.5 billion downloads in 2015 to over 6 billion downloads in 2016,” the report read.

Samsung Galaxy S8 accessories range with price details leaked ahead of official launch

After the Note 7 fiasco, Samsung chose to skip the MWC expo for its new flagship smartphone launch this year. The company later revealed it will be showcasing the smartphone at an ‘Unpacked event’ on March 29. Ahead of the official launch, details about the Samsung Galaxy S8 have leaked multiple times, leaving little to our imaginations. Now that we are just a couple of days away from the event, details about Samsung’s new range of accessories have leaked online.

ALSO READ: Samsung to completely disable charging on remaining unreturned Galaxy Note 7 

The new range of accessories is rumored to be launched alongside the new Galaxy S8 series. According to a German website, the range includes new earphones and a power bank with 5,100mAh capacity. The range also includes covers, chargers and even screen protectors, exclusively for the Galaxy S8.

The Samsung Battery Pack with fast charging support is priced at 69.99 Euro whereas the DeX Station, a Microsoft’s Continuum-like device, will be priced at 149.99 Euro. Other accessories include Samsung Clearview Standing Cover (59.99 Euro), Samsung LED View Cover (59.99 Euro), Samsung Keyboard Cover (59.99 Euro), Samsung Alcantara Cover (44.99 Euro), Samsung Silicone Cover (29.99 Euro), Samsung Clear Cover (19.99 Euro), Samsung 2-Pieces Cover (19.99 Euro), Samsung Screen Protector (12.99 Euro) and Samsung Wireless Charger Convertible (79.99 Euro).

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ battery capacity, color options revealed in fresh leaks

Do note that the price details have been released via a few screenshots took from several European retailers who will sell these accessories. Samsung could change the price on the launch day.

As mentioned earlier, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is turning out to be the worst kept secret. According to rumors and leaks we have come across so far, the smartphone will be available in two variants – Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus – with two devices sporting 5.8-inch and 6.2-inch display respectively. According to reports, the Galaxy S8 will be powered by Qualcomm’s top-end chipset along with 4GB of RAM and internal storage up to 128GB. 

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8 power bank with 5,100mAh capacity, DeX Station leaked

The smartphones will sport 12-megapixel dual-pixel rear camera with LED flash whereas the front will have an 8-megapixel autofocus selfie camera. The smartphones will be powered by a 3,250mAh battery. In terms of software, the Galaxy S8 will run on Android 7.1 Nougat.

Samsung has already announced the Bixby digital assistant that will debut with the Galaxy S8. Among other important feature the smartphones are expected to come with are fingerprint scanner beneath the display, iris scanner and USB Type-C-based audio support.