Samsung Galaxy Note 8 passes through the FCC, ahead of August 23 launch

Official launch of the Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 is around the corner but there is still no stopping the everyday rumors and leaks. The company has already sent media invites for an ‘Unpacked’ launch event to be held in New York City on August 23 and based on the past leaks, we already have a fair idea about the specifications and features of the upcoming phablet. Now, in the latest development, the smartphone has cleared FCC certification, which brings it another step closer to the launch.

It is to be noted that the FCC clears a device only if it finds it to be ready for the customers. Meanwhile, Samsung has also put up a pre-registration page on its Australia and India website for the Galaxy Note 8. However, the page doesn’t allow you to register for the upcoming handset nor does it reveal anything about the Note 8 except for its tag line “Do bigger things.”

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has been spotted at the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where the smartphone has received certification. Four variants of the Galaxy Note 8 – SM-950U, SM-950U1, SM-950XU and SM-950W – have received the FCC certifications in the US. Out of the all four models, the SM-950U is believed to be the base unit.

While the smartphone has been certified by the FCC, however, the listing doesn’t reveal anything about the smartphone’s specifications, nor does it shows the images that would have given us a closer look at the impending device. Though Samsung has only confirmed the launch date as August 23, the company also leaked the date to pre-order the Galaxy Note 8 in Australia. Evidently, Samsung posted some details about a Note 8 screen replacement program, which stated that the promotion will begin on August 25, two days after the device’s launch in the US.

Samsung, however, pulled the documentation from the site. This shows that Samsung could start accepting the Galaxy Note 8 pre-orders on the same date in other parts of the world, including the US, Europe, and Asia in particular. The Galaxy Note 7 was a disaster, but the company is ready to move ahead by releasing the Galaxy Note 8.

While there have been plenty of leaks surrounding the upcoming phablet, nothing is more believable than information coming from the horse’s mouth. Samsung’s media invite  gives away a few key details about the phablet. The said invite, hints at narrow top and bottom bezels with no side edges, clearly indicating the Galaxy Note 8 will retain the same 2:1 Infinity Display, which was introduced the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ launched earlier this year.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 specifications, features

In terms of specifications, the Galaxy Note 8 is most likely to come with a 6.2-inch Infinity Display. As reports suggest, Samsung had to ditch plans of an in-display fingerprint scanner and instead stick to the traditional fingerprint scanner on the rear panel. Under the hood, the smartphone is likely to be powered by Exynos 8895 chipset, considering the company had tweeted an image of the chipset from its official Exynos Twitter account.

In addition to the Exynos variant, the Galaxy Note 8 is expected to come in a Snapdragon 835 SoC variant as well. The chipset could be paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage along with a microSD card slot for storage expansion. The Galaxy Note 8 is speculated to house a dedicated Bixby button on the side to launch the voice-controlled assistant.

For photography, the smartphone is speculated to feature a dual camera setup with a combination of 13-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor. The dual-rear camera setup is also said to come with optical image stabilization. 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to run Android Nougat 7.1.1 out-of-the-box and come fueled with a 3,300mAh battery with support for Quick Charge. The phablet is also likely to boast an improved rating for waterproofing and dust resistance. Furthermore, it is expected to arrive in Deep Blue, Black, Coral Blue, and Gold color options. 

Lenovo K8 Note camera samples possibly hint at dual camera setup

Lenovo India is aggressively promoting the upcoming Note series smartphone, the K8 Note. While earlier expectations were around the Lenovo K7 Note (Lenovo announced the K6 Note December 2016), Lenovo seems to have ditched the number seven and jumped directly to eight. The phone will arrive on August 9, and Lenovo has been teasing a few details of the upcoming smartphone via social media. Now, the latest set of teasers hint at the K8 Note’s photographic chops.

The photos shared by Lenovo include a sample from all major modes of shooting – Macro, Landscape, and Portrait. The one shot not seen is that of low-light photography. The Portrait mode does show a blurry back, revealing that the phone will support the Bokeh effect. Considering the launch invite shows the number ’8′ in a metal frame, it could hint at a dual camera setup. 

The Landscape, Macro, Nature and City Shots show other features like the colors and exposure of the smartphone. The images are in landscape and not portrait mode, thus confirming they are only teasers and will not be actual wallpapers on the smartphone. The ‘Killer’ tag is applied here too, with ‘Killer Photography’ features highlighted. 

Lenovo K8 Note was recently spotted on GeekBench, revealing some of its key specifications. These include a 1.39GHz deca-core MediaTek Helio X20 chipset, 3GB of RAM, and Android Nougat 7.1.1 OS out-of-the-box. In the benchmark test, the smartphone managed to achieve a score of 1,659 for the single core and 4,844 for multi cores. No other details were revealed by the benchmark listing. 

Samsung Pay could come to non-Samsung Phones

In a bid to tap India’s transition to digital payment solutions, Samsung earlier this year launched its Samsung Pay service in the country. What sets Samsung’s service apart from rest of the digital payment solutions is that it lets you make payments at traditional PoS machines without needing to physically swipe the card. Since a lot of PoS machines in India aren’t NFC enabled, Samsung Pay resolved a big issue. But the challenge with Samsung Pay and its stripped down version Samsung Pay Mini has been that it is restricted to Samsung phones only. Samsung now is looking to further tap the digital payment market by making its Samsung Pay available to non-Samsung smartphones, according to a report.

After pushing the service across its range of devices, Samsung is now looking to partner with other brands to integrate the Samsung Pay service on their smartphones, Gadgets360 reports. According to the report, the South Korean company is already in talks with major OEMs regarding the same. Though the report does not reveal the names of specific brands it is currently in talks with, it will be interesting to see whether brands like LG and Apple, which also offer similar services, will embrace Samsung Pay.  It is worth pointing out that the rivals like Apple Pay and LG Pay are lagging behind as Samsung has gained the first mover advantage in several markets, including India. 

It is also unclear how Samsung will go about integrating the Samsung Pay platform to other smartphone brands and also whether it will be for just Samsung Pay or Samsung Pay Mini as well. Currently, Samsung plans to bring the Samsung Pay service only to top-end and premium flagship phones in the market. Whether Samsung Pay Mini will soon come to other mid-range and budget smartphones from other brands is unknown. 

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch set for August 23 Unpacked event

According to the report, Samsung is now looking at bringing the complete Samsung Pay experience even to mid-range and budget smartphones. But does this mean that Samsung is doing away with the Payn Mini? Samsung is already producing mid-range smartphones with high-end chipsets to support the complete Samsung Pay platform, suggests the report. The devices are expected to ship out later this year or in early 2018. In order to support the functionality, the smartphones need to come with a special chip that supports MST and Samsung is talking to OEMs to enable the functionality in their smartphones. 

For more budget smartphones, Samsung is also looking at creating a separate accessory that can support the Pay service when connected to the smartphone. However, having an accessory beats the initial purpose of the platform which requires the user to carry nothing but the smartphone in order to make payments. The plans Samsung has are only tentative and it will be over the period of a few months that Samsung will finalize the strategy for the Samsung Pay service – in India and in international markets.

Lenovo K8 Note launch in India on Aug 9

Lenovo has been teasing the launch of a new smartphone for a few days now. While it was initially expected to be the K7 Note, the latest teaser suggests the upcoming smartphone could be called ‘K8 Note’ instead. The device was also spotted on Geekbench, and the list reveals a few of its specifications and features.

Lenovo’s teaser on Twitter features a mathematical equation, which upon solving results in the ’8′. This is in line with a few reports suggesting that the device could be called the K8 Note. Lenovo’s teaser on Twitter leave the rest behind! Ready to see it uncage on 09.08.17. The Lenovo K8 Note will be launch in India on Aug 9.

As per the benchmark listing, the upcoming smartphone is likely to be powered by a 1.39GHz deca-core MediaTek Helio X20 chipset paired with 3GB of RAM. Apart from that, the smartphone will run on Android 7.1.1 Nougat out-of-the-box. In the benchmark test, the smartphone scored 1,659 and 4,844 for single and multi cores respectively. At the time of filing this story however, other details about the smartphone are unknown.

ALSO READ: Lenovo K6 Power, K6 Note Start Receiving Android 7.0 Nougat Update in India

The Lenovo K8 Note seems like the successor to the K6 Note, which was launched in India last December with a price tag of Rs 13,999. The K6 Note came with a 5.5-inch full HD display, Snapdragon 430 octa-core chipset, 32GB storage with 3GB of RAM, and 64GB storage with 4GB of RAM. The smartphone also came with a 4,000mAh battery, 16-megapixel rear camera, 8-megapixel selfie camera, and it ran on Android Marshmallow 6.0 out-of-the-box.

Motorola Moto Z2 Force with dual-rear cameras, shatterproof display launched: Price, specifications and features

After several leaks and rumors, Lenovo-backed Motorola’s Moto Z2 Force is finally official. The smartphone sleek, slim and more powerful version of the predecessor, the Motorola Moto Z Force. While Motorola has made minor design changes to the smartphone along with the bump in specifications, the company has retained some of the strongest features of the Moto Z Force. The modular trend has continued with the Moto Z2 Force and the smartphone comes with a brand new Moto Mods family. The smartphone has been launched in the US, but there is no word on India launch yet.

Motorola introduced the shatterproof display with the Moto Z Force smartphone and the same display is back in the Z2 Force as well. While everyone is jumping on the bezel-free edges bandwagon, with the Moto Z2 Force, the company has retained the traditional display with side bezels and ditched the aesthetics for strength. The ShatterShield display comes with a plastic top covering lending it more durability. The smartphone is considerably slimmer and comes in a brushed metal finish at the back. In terms of specifications, the US Edition has watered down specs, but the internal versions are expected to get the more premium variants.

ALSO READ: Moto E4 Plus with 3GB RAM, 5,000mAh battery launched in India, priced at Rs 9,999: Specs and features

Moto Z2 Force specifications, features

The Moto Z2 Force comes with a 5.5-inch Quad HD (1440p) Super AMOLED ShatterShield display. The smartphone comes encased in a sturdy aluminum body. Under the hood runs a Snapdragon 835 octa-core chipset clocked at 2.35GHz coupled with an Adreno 540 GPU. The US edition of the smartphone comes with 64GB internal storage with 4GB RAM, whereas many of the Asian regions are expected to get the 128GB internal storage variant with 6GB RAM. The smartphone is not water-resistant but comes with a water repellent nano-coating to keep it safe from accidental splashes. 

On the camera front, there is the dual-rear camera setup. Both the rear camera sensors come with a 12-megapixel resolution – one is a monochrome (black and white) sensor, and the other is RGB (color) sensor. Both work together to capture photos with better details, and minimize noise in low-light conditions. Additionally, the smartphone also supports in-camera editing like selective blur where the user can choose and blur either the subject or the background defocus effect after the image is shot. Apart from the auto mode, the smartphone features a Pro Mode which lets the user manually adjust settings such as shutter speed, exposure, and more. The front camera is a 5-megapixel snapper and comes with an LED flash. The aperture is ƒ/2.2 and it is a wide-angle lens. 

On the connectivity front, the smartphone comes with Moto Mods connectivity, USB-C port for headphones, charging and data transfer (adapter included), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G VoLTE, and dual-SIM features in specific regions. The device comes with a 2,730mAh battery with Turbo Charge which Motorola claims can help the device stay charged for a full day. The smartphone comes with Android Nougat out-of-the-box with a promised Android O upgrade once announced. The smartphone is priced at $799.99 (approximately Rs 51,536). The smartphone also features a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication, and it is embedded inside the home button, just below the display.

Talking about new Moto Mods, Motorola has unveiled five new Mods: Moto 360 camera mod for 360-degree videos and photos. The Moto Gamepad which turns the smartphone into a gamepad, JBL SoundBoost 2 for music, Moto turbo-power pack for extra battery life and a new Moto style shell with wireless charging. All the Mods will be available with the smartphone. The Moto 360 camera mod is priced at $299.99 (approximately Rs 19,500), Moto style shell with wireless charging comes for $39.99 (approximately Rs 2,600) while the JBL SoundBoost 2 comes for $79.99 (approximately Rs 5,100). The pricing for the Moto Gamepad and the Moto TurboPower pack is yet to be revealed.

Moto Z2 Play

Meizu Pro 7, Pro 7 Plus with dual screens, dual rear camera launched: Price, specifications, features

Meizu Pro 7 and Meizu Pro 7 Plus, the much rumored Meizu flagship smartphones of 2017 have finally been unveiled in China. Setting the devices apart from the flagship crowd is the dual display – one large display on the front and a small display at the back, below the cameras. While a dual display is not new, smartphones like the YotaPhone as well as LG V series have seen such additions. However, this is the first time a global smartphone maker has added dual AMOLED displays to the device.

It is not only the display that makes the Meizu Pro 7 and Pro 7 Plus special. Both the smartphones do pack quite a few surprises despite the extensive leaks. In terms of design, both the devices seem to mirror each other. However, the Pro 7 Plus sports a larger display and better hardware. The front of both the phones houses the fingerprint scanner under the main display, the back has brushed metal finish, and both smartphones come with dual-rear camera setup right below which is the secondary display. The volume rockers and the power button is on the right-hand edge of the smartphones.

Meizu Pro 7, Meizu Pro 7 Plus specifications

Meizu Pro 7 comes with main a 5.2-inch full HD (1080p) Super AMOLED display whereas the Meizu Pro 7 Plus comes with a larger 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display. The Meizu Pro 7 Plus display is also considerably brighter. Coming to the secondary display, both the smartphones come with a 2-inch Super AMOLED display. The display is a full-color display and opens up a range of possibilities for the user like accessing notifications, clicking selfies with the rear camera, and more. Some of the functions the rear display will be used for highlighted by Meizu are weather, clock, notifications, simple gaming as well as photography. 

Coming to the internals, the Meizu Pro 7 Plus debuts MediaTek’s latest Helio X30 deca-core SoC. The chipset is built on 10nm fabrication process having three clusters. Out of the 10 cores, two are high power Cortex-A73 cores with clock frequency of 2.6GHz, four are Cortex-A53 cores with clock speed of up to 2.2GHz, and the remaining four are Cortex-A35 cores with clock speed of up to 1.9GHz. Compared to Helio X20, the Helio X30 offers 35 percent improved performance, while offering 50 percent power efficiency, MediaTek says.

The chipset takes on Snapdragon 835, the latest Snapdragon processor to power most flagship smartphones. The smartphone comes with 6GB RAM and two internal storage options at 64GB and 128GB. The smaller Meizu Pro 7 will run a Helio P25 SoC. The RAM here is also downsized to 4GB and 64GB internal storage. However, the smartphone also comes in a second variant with 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. 

Both the smartphones come with 12-megapixel Sony IMX386 dual sensors – one RGB and one Monochrome. The front camera is a 16-megapixel selfie shooter. However, users can click selfies with both the cameras and the dual rear camera can be used to achieve the Bokeh effect in selfies or click monochrome selfies. The Meizu Pro 7 comes with a 3,000mAh battery whereas the Meizu Pro 7 Plus comes with a 3,500mAh juicer. The larger of the two comes with mCharge, which helps achieve nearly 67 percent charge in 30 minutes. 

Both the smartphones are set to go up for sale in China starting August 5 and the smaller Pro 7 will be priced at RMB 2,880 (approximately Rs 27,500) for the base variant whereas the 128GB/4GB storage option comes for RMB 3,380 (approximately Rs 32,300). Meizu Pro 7 Plus, on the other hand, is priced at RMB 3,580 (approximately Rs 34,200) for the base variant and RMB 4,080 (approximately Rs 39,000) for the more advanced version.

Both the variants also come in different color options with the Pro 7 in black, gold and red options while the Pro 7 Plus in space black, matte black, amber gold and crystal silver. It is unclear if Meizu will announce the smartphones for an international launch.

Microsoft Kaizala smartphone app for large mobile group and work communications launched in India

Microsoft today launched a new smartphone app called Kaizala. Microsoft Kaizala is meant for organizations and businesses to conduct group communications and manage work easily. Microsoft Kaizala is available for both iOS and Android users for free. Additionally, Kaizala Pro, the paid version for enterprises was also launched yesterday.

To start using Microsoft Kaizala, one needs to register using their mobile number, which will act as their primary unique ID. It comes with security too as it is powered by Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform. Within Microsoft Kaizala, users in groups can share documents such as Excel sheets, make action cards to perform different tasks and also conduct polls, surveys and announcements.

Every file shared within the group, particularly action cards can be commented on, liked, and shared by users. Groups created in Kaizala have a unique feature of adding members in bulk. Also, the limit of members in one group can go up to millions, as said by Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India. 

Aimed at a mobile-centric world, Maheshwari clarifies that Kaizala is different from existing platforms like Microsoft Teams and Office 365. Both of these products are desktop friendly, and aimed at businesses respectively. Keeping India’s poor internet connectivity in mind, Kaizala is optimized to work offline and on 2G network as well. Maheshwari also says that this is a ‘Made for India’ product, and there are no plans for a global launch yet.

Speaking about Microsoft Kaizala Pro, it can be purchased at a price of Rs 130 per month. It comes with more features like user and group management, system integration and automation using Microsoft Kaizala APIs. Users can also perform advanced reporting and analytics, publish custom actions, create public groups and more.

Honor Band 3 with 50 meter water resistance, heart rate sensor launched in India at Rs. 2,799

Along with the Honor 8 Pro, Honor had also unveiled the Honor Band 3 for the Indian market. Weeks after the announcement the wearable will be going on sale from today via Amazon India. Priced at Rs 2,799, the smart band comes in dynamic orange, navy blue, and carbon black color options. 

The Honor Band 3 first debuted at the Honor 9 event in Berlin and fans have been waiting for its release ever since. In terms of design, the fitness band features a vertically aligned 0.91-inch PMOLED display offering a resolution of 128×32 pixels. The display shows notifications such as the time, heart-rate, and steps count. It has a 16mm wide strap made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

ALSO READ: Honor 8 Pro with 6GB RAM, 4,000mAh battery, 12-megapixel dual rear camera launched in India, Priced at Rs. 29,999: Specs and features 

The Honor Band 3 also doubles up as a heart rate monitor while it performs other regular fitness functions such as record sleep patterns, steps, calories, distance and run. It has an infrared sensor and 3-axis accelerometer. The Honor Band 3 boasts of 5 Atm water resistance and can survive up to 50 meters under the water. It can be paired with smartphones running Android OS versions 4.4 and above or iOS 8 and above. Honor Band 3 users can view the recorded data via a companion app on their smartphone.

Also, when paired with the smartphone, the Honor Band 3 can also view their smartphone notifications on the fitness band itself. As the company claims, the Honor Band 3′s battery can last for up to 30 days on a single charge. It weighs 18 grams, so it is ultra-light. The Band 3 come with 12-month service warranty while Honor also promises best-in-class after sale services to the consumers.

Honor Band 3

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch set for August 23 Unpacked event

Just as the rumor mills hinted at, Samsung has made it official that it will be unveiling the Galaxy Note 8 phablet on August 23. The Galaxy Note 8 launch event is being held at New York City.

The invitation doesn’t really reveal much, except the two slim top and bottom bezels of the Galaxy Note 8 with no edges. This is a clear hint that the upcoming phablet will retain the same 2:1 Infinity Display, which was introduced with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Apart from that, the invite shows an S Pen stylus, and a tagline — ‘Do things bigger.’

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 has been in the rumor mills for quite some time now, and we already have a fair idea about the specifications and features of the upcoming phablet. From what we have come across so far, the back of the Galaxy Note 8 seems to be quite exciting. Unlike what was widely rumored before, Samsung is continuing with a fingerprint sensor placed beside the rear camera module. The difference this time around seems to be more space between the sensor the camera module. In terms of pricing, reports suggest that the phablet could retail around Rs 72,200 approximately.

Apart from that, the Galaxy Note 8 is expected to be armed with a 3,300mAh battery with support to Quick Charge. The phablet is also rumored to be launching with an improved rating for waterproofing and dust resistance. The Galaxy Note 8 can be expected to launch in black, blue, and gold color options.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 leaks in new renders showing its front

In terms of specifications, Galaxy Note 8 might be powered by Exynos 8895 chipset, considering the company had tweeted a image of the chipset from its official Exynos Twitter account. Some variants are also likely to be launched with a Snapdragon 835 SoC onboard. The rest of the features likely to be included are 6GB of RAM, 128GB internal storage, microSD card slot, and a dedicated Bixby button on the side.  The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to run on Android Nougat 7.1.1 out-of-the-box.

ALSO READ: Samsung accidentally reveals Galaxy Note 8

As of now, the Galaxy Note 8 will launch for the US market on August 23. Rumors suggest that the US market will be followed by Korea, and the UK, after which the phablet will hit other global markets, including India.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 with 6.44-inch display, 5,300mAh battery, Snapdragon 625 SoC launched in India, priced at Rs 16,999

A successor to the large-faced Mi Max, Xiaomi has now launched the Mi Max 2 in India. Though the phablet was launched in China back in May, the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 debuted in India only today, boasting a price tag of Rs 16,999. Xiaomi has also announced that Reliance Jio users buying the Mi Max 2 will be entitled to 100GB extra 4G data.

While the Mi Max 2 boasts the same display size and resolution as its successor, it does bring in some incremental upgrades. For one, compared to the 4,850mAh battery on the Mi Max, the Mi Max 2 goes a step ahead and bundles a massive 5,300mAh battery. The battery, Xiaomi claims, can easily survive for two days on a single charge, it can run 18 hours of video on one charge, and a music playback for up to 10 days. You can also play games up to nine hours, and get talktime of up to 57 hours. In fact, Xiaomi claims that the Mi Max 2 boasts a battery life greater than the Nokia 3310 feature phone.

Additionally, the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0, wherein one can charge the battery up to 68 percent in one hour. The battery also comes with reverse charging support, and per Xiaomi, on a full charge, one will be able to charge an Apple iPhone 7 twice before the battery depletes.

As for design, the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 sports a metal unibody design with a rear fingerprint sensor, and a USB Type-C port for power and data transfer. The phablet retains the 3.5mm audio jack. What’s interesting to point out about the device’s design is that the antenna bands that run along the top and bottom edges, are of the same color as the body of the phablet, so they don’t really stand out.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 specifications, features

The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 features a 6.44-inch full HD (1080p) display, and under the hood is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625 chipset, which is accompanied by 4GB of RAM. The Mi Max 2 comes with 64GB storage, which can be further expanded using a microSD card. Unlike last year’s device, the Mi Max 2 also boasts dual power amplifier stereo speakers. Along with the fingerprint sensor at the back, the phone also comes with an IR Blaster at the top of the device.

In terms of optics, the Mi Max 2 sports a 12-megapixel rear camera with a Sony IMX386 sensor, which is also seen on the flagship Xiaomi Mi 6 smartphone. The rest of the camera features include auto-focus, LED flash, PDAF support, and HDR. Up front, the phablet offers a 5-megapixel camera for selfies and video calling. For connectivity , the phablet includes dual-SIM support, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB Type-C support. On the software front, it runs Android Nougat 7.1.1 wrapped under MIUI 8. The company however promises a MIUI 9 update soon.

Lenovo rolls out Android Nougat update for its Z2 Plus and P2 models

Lenovo has been consistent when it comes to rolling out new updates for its range of smartphones. All smartphones under the Lenovo brand announced in 2017 have now received the Android Nougat upgrade. Lenovo Z2 Plus and Lenovo P2 are the latest devices receiving the Android Nougat update, whereas the Lenovo K6 power and K6 note received the update last month.

ALSO READ: Lenovo K6 Power, K6 Note Start Receiving Android 7.0 Nougat Update in India

The updates bring all the Android Nougat features to Lenovo smartphones. As mentioned by Lenovo in a statement, the Z2 Plus also gets additional features apart from the standard Android Nougat ones, including manual camera mode, screen recorder, video over LTE, and the ability to launch apps directly via the fingerprint scanner. The Lenovo Z2 Plus in India is a re-branded version of the original ZUK series ZUK Z2 smartphone announced in China. While Lenovo will be discontinuing all smartphones under the ‘Lenovo’ tag, the company might retain the ZUK series, CEO Chang Chen has hinted.

With the new updates, the most important change comes in the form of multi-window support. Android Nougat brings the ability to multitask via splitting the display into multiple windows. With the new feature, two apps can be operated simultaneously. Additionally, the update also improves reading on the smartphone. The text on the display can be resized for better reading. The entire display size too can be changed. Decreasing the font automatically fits more information on a page and makes viewing large elements easier. 

The notifications panel is also updated and users can now respond to messages directly via the notifications bar. There is no need to open the message by tapping it or visit the app specifically to respond. Double tapping the recent apps button can help the users effectively toggle between multiple apps running on the smartphone. The update also brings changes to the way data is consumed. When on a Wi-Fi network, the data-saver mode can be switched on, and will restrict background data usage. The mobiles now support ‘Doze’ mode, which helps save data by halting the auto-sync when apps are not in use.

Talking about the update to the entire portfolio, Lenovo mentions in a statement, “Lenovo has completed rolling out the latest Android 7.0 Nougat update to the entire 2017 range of Lenovo smartphones with Lenovo Z2 plus and P2 smartphones also getting this now. Last month, the update was also rolled out on K6 power and K6 note devices in the popular K series.”

The Android Nougat OTA update is already rolling out to all the Lenovo smartphones announced in 2017. In case the update hasn’t arrived on your devices, you can try searching for it manually. Make sure that the smartphone has enough charge and also enough internal memory before starting the update. Take a backup of all data on the device in case the update is not successful.

Lenovo Z2 Plus 

Nokia 8 first look out, could be first Android phone to come with Carl Zeiss camera lens

Earlier this year, Nokia made its much-awaited comeback with three Android smartphones along with the iconic feature phone, Nokia 3310. While all three smartphones have made it to the Indian shores recently, they are placed under Rs 20,000 segment, and a real powerful smartphone had been missing. However, if rumors are to be believed, the Nokia 8 with dual-rear cameras is likely to be announced on July 31. The press render of the smartphone has also leaked, revealing the Nokia 8 in its full glory.

The Nokia 8 render comes from reliable leaker @evleaks, showing off the smartphone’s front and back. As we can see, the front is dominated with a display with 2.5D curved glass. The display is rumored to be 5.3-inch, and running at QHD resolution. Just above the display, you have the earpiece and front camera module, whereas the physical home button and capacitive Android navigation buttons are below it. The home button is also expected to house a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication. 

ALSO READ: Nokia 6 registrations begin in India, to go on sale on Amazon India on August 23

Turn to the back, and you have the cylindrical camera module — housing two cameras, laser auto-focus module and an LED flash. Now, the interesting bit here to focus on is the use of ZEISS optics. Earlier this month, HMD Global announced its partnership with ZEISS to use its camera expertise on Nokia smartphones, just like the old days. While both cameras are expected to have 13-megapixel sensors, other details about the setup are missing. Nokia could either go for a monochrome + RGB sensor or a standard and telephoto lens, or a standard and wide-angle lens. 

ALSO READ: Nokia 2, Nokia 7, Nokia 8 and Nokia 9 processors details leaked

Nokia 8 specifications, features

The Nokia 8 is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest flagship Snapdragon 835 octa-core SoC paired with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. It is also expected to come with 64GB of onboard storage along with a microSD card slot for further expansion. The leaked render shows off the smartphone in blue color, but it is also expected to be available in copper, steel and gold color options. 

While there is no word on the battery capacity of the smartphone yet, it is expected to feature Quick Charge 3.0 for fast charging. On the connectivity front, the Nokia 8 could come with USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, 4G LTE with VoLTE HD voice calling support, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth and GPS. On the software front, the smartphone is likely to run on Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.

Google Now new translucent design appears to be rolling out to some Pixel devices

Google Feed is soon going to replace Google Now and back in June, the first images of the upcoming Google Feed pane emerged. However, back then, the new Feed page was spotted by just one user and as no other developments were seen, it was assumed that the update was still a while away and would eventually roll out to all users. While the original image showed a transparent new Feed, the latest leaks hint at something slightly different.

The new update has started rolling out to multiple users and many have been able to access it from the Pixel launcher. The previous launcher replaced the white background with a transparent background of the smartphone wallpaper with a black overlay. However, the latest images show more of a translucent design with a white background. However, it is a lot less transparent than the initial images that cropped up online. The wallpaper is hardly visible except for a tiny update. 

Users had also seen an interesting dual-pane setup previously, something Google seems to have ditched. The Google Feed page will now show the most important updates and link it to the users’ daily activities. The page, in terms of design, looks better put together and more compact than Google Now. Right on top are the Google logo and the Search bar. Below appear a host of information starting from the weather to reminders and upcoming flight/shipment updates (if any). If there’s nothing of importance, the page stays bare.

ALSO READ: Google Pixel 2 XL imagined with refreshing design in latest render video

There is also a short-cut to the ‘upcoming’ section on the page. Right below the search, the user is presented with a host of search options ranging from weather, Eat & Drink, Entertainment, Food, Calculator and others. The actual Google app hasn’t changed though Google might integrate it with Google Feed with upcoming updates and for newer smartphones. The voice element in Google Now has been completely taken away from Feed and handed over to Google Assistant.

Google is yet to make an official announcement regarding the new update but as more and more features are rolling out to users, the announcement might not be too far off. As there have been discrepancies in the updates, Google has targeted the issue in the statement. Talking to Android Police, Google mentioned in the past, “The addition of Feed and Upcoming are now launched to a wide array of Android and iOS devices but is not currently available for a small subset of devices that have swipe access to the Feed from the home-screen. We look forward to sharing updates on this point soon.”

Google Pixel 

Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant tipped to launch on July 18

Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 earlier this year in global markets along with Bixby digital assistant. Samsung Bixby, the much-talked about a feature on the flagship smartphone also comes with voice-assistance support. The voice support on Bixby has been limited to South Korean markets only and now a recent report reveals a specific launch date for global markets.

To extend the voice control on Bixby to other markets, Samsung has been working on it before and after the Galaxy S8 launched. However, Samsung has not been able to enable the voice control on the assistive feature in the US or in other markets. Now, according to a Reddit user who supposedly got hold of Samsung’s internal discussions, tips that the Bixby’s voice control will be enabled on Tuesday, July 18. The tipster posted a screenshot which also reveals that the South Korean company will be hosting an online seminar for Samsung executives to train with Bixby.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 leaks in new renders showing its front

As per reports in past, the company has been facing challenges and thus subsequent delays. Once introduced in global markets, Bixby will allow users perform tasks on their smartphone with voice commands. Like it is usually done with touch navigation. To recall, ever since Bixby debuted in March on Galaxy S8 and S8+, only image recognition feature was enabled on the AI-based digital assistant.

Bixby has been earlier reported to be used for banking and transactions in Korea just by voice commands. It is unclear if the same will be extended in India. If indeed, the Bixby voice control is activated on the aforementioned date, Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ users will finally be able to use the dedicated Bixby button and perform the task with simple voice commands. Although Bixby was introduced to consumers with the Galaxy S8 series smartphones, the digital assistant is now also available on the Galaxy Note 7 Fan Edition. Samsung Bixby is also expected to be featured on a couple of upcoming Samsung mid-range and premium smartphone including the Galaxy Note 8.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 leaks in new renders showing its front

Samsung’s upcoming flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note 8, is still a little over month away from the rumored unveiling, but that hasn’t stopped leaks and rumors from pouring in. While Samsung hasn’t mentioned anything about the launch date, rumors hint at August 23 event in New York. Now, a latest leaked render reveals the front panel of the flagship smartphone in all its glory.

According to the image leaked by a tipster IceUniverse on Twitter, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will continue to feature the company’s proprietary Infinity Display, as seen on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. However, the phablet appears to be slightly wider than the Galaxy S8 series smartphones.

Unsurprisingly, the design has been leaked a couple of times in the past as well. The same tipster, earlier this week also leaked two possible display panels that could be seen on the Galaxy Note 8. As per the claims made by the tipster, the design showcased in the latest image leak will be making to the final unveiling. So far, the Galaxy Note 8 is said to sport a dual-rear camera setup and fingerprint scanner will be mounted next to it as well.

ALSO READ: Samsung accidentally reveals Galaxy Note 8

To recall, when Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 series smartphone with rear-mounted fingerprint scanner placed closely next to the primary camera, it received some rave criticism for the ‘awkward’ placement. However, images that surface in the last couple of weeks hint at a different placement of the camera housing and fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner is now said to be separated from the purported dual-camera setup with the LED flash place in between. This would minimize the chances of smudging the camera while reaching out the scanner for biometric authentication.

As mentioned earlier, Samsung is likely to launch the premium phablet next month as it aims to take lead in the market ahead of Apple’s 10th Anniversary iPhone launch. Reports suggest Samsung is observing flat lines in terms of Galaxy S8 sales due to rising competition from other Chinese manufacturers. Although the South Korean giant has not yet made an official word on the declining sales of the Galaxy S8.

LG sends out invites, hinting at V30 launch on August 31; might ditch secondary display

LG V30 has long since been leaked and the smartphone was expected to arrive sometime in late August or September. LG has finally confirmed the date of the launch and invites for the LG V30 have started rolling out. The smartphone will be announced on August 31, in Germany. Considering IFA 2017 is set to kick off in Berlin on September 1, the smartphone could be one of the early IFA launches. The invites for the smartphone do not reveal any details except that the announcement will be regarding the next LG V series smartphone.

The invite shows a cut-out of an all-black smartphone. The invite just shows a large ‘V’ right on the display which hints at the smartphone being the next V series device – the LG V30. Nothing else apart from the date and the time of launch is mentioned. The phone will be announced at 9.00AM CEST (12.30PM in India). Interestingly, the invite shows the cutout of the smartphone without any bezels on the sides, hinting that LG V30 might come with no side bezels. Also, the text is stretched right to the bottom of the screen, with hardly any gap and shows that the smartphone might further slim down the top and the bottom bezels too.

Further, the invite comes with a 2880 x 1440 pixel resolution, hinting at the display quality as well as confirming that LG V30 will keep up the LG G6 trend and come with the 2:1 aspect ratio. The display is likely to be further stretched and be as big as a 6-inch phablet. Multiple renders and leaks have often suggested that LG will follow the Samsung ‘Infinity Display’ trend and feature a larger AMOLED display with an edge-to-edge screen. And looks like the GG invite has just about confirmed the news. The leaks have slowed the top bezel to house only the earpiece grille, with the front selfie camera, as well as the sensors, being a part of the display.

ALSO READ: LG Q6, Q6+ Q6a mid-range smartphones with FullVision display launched: Specs and features

Interestingly, another thing that the invite hints at is the lack of a secondary display. LG V series smartphones have traditionally come with a small secondary display on top, which made reading notifications and keeping track of quick settings easier. The display was extremely functional and helped set the series apart from the rest. But looks like LG has finally caved into market trends and will focus more on a single large display than continuing the dual display trend. Once again, the invite confirms what leaks have long been suggesting.

Leaked renders have shown a glass back with a dual rear camera setting for the LG V30. The fingerprint scanner also rests on the back of the device. However, there has been only the one render seen so far and it might be wise to take it with a pinch of salt. The render also showed pretty thick edges and no curved display. Though LG is expected to come with a dual rear camera and fingerprint scanner, the actual design might vary from that shown in renders. In other specifications, the smartphone is most likely to feature Snapdragon 835 SoC and 64GB internal storage.

ALSO READ: LG releases official product video for the G6+

LG has traditionally used a removable battery for its smartphones, but that changed with LG G6. It is unknown if the LG V30 will meet with the same fate and along with no secondary display, the device will also sport no removable battery. With the launch date now nearing, more and more leaks are soon expected. But with a little over a month and a half to go for the official announcement, it might be wise to just await the actual launch on August 31.

Samsung accidentally reveals Galaxy Note 8

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to arrive on August 23, before IFA 2017 kicks off in Berlin and leaks surrounding the smartphone are in full swing. With a little over a month to go, it’s time for Samsung to start dropping ‘official’ hints and tease the smartphone on social media platforms. This year, the South Korean company seems to have gone one step further and instead of teasing, just given us the first glimpse of the actual handset. And the first look of the smartphone, unsurprisingly, is not very different from what the leaks suggested.

Samsung just tweeted out an image of the latest Exynos 8895 chipset from its official Exynos Twitter account. The chipset powers the latest Samsung flagship smartphones – the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, and is also rumored to power the upcoming Galaxy Note 8. And while that may not be very interesting to many, what is interesting is the smartphone that accompanies the chipset in the image. It is neither the Samsung Galaxy S8 nor any other Samsung flagship from the past. The smartphone, in fact, looks eerily similar to the recently leaked Galaxy Note 8 renders.

The device in question comes with the new Infinity Display that debuted with the Galaxy S8 series. Only the front of the smartphone is seen with the top bezel. The picture also shows the extremely thin top bezel. Unfortunately, the bottom bezel isn’t revealed in the image, keeping the curiosity of the physical scanner and the home button alive. Neither has Samsung shown the back of the smartphone keeping the most exciting features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – the camera and the fingerprint scanner placement a mystery. 

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8 Mini with Snapdragon 840 SoC leaked

Leaked renders and even Samsung Galaxy Note 8 cases listed online have already revealed that Samsung has ditched the in-display fingerprint scanner and instead, opted for a rear mounted scanner. The placement is not right next to the camera setup, but rather, the LED flash and the laser sensor offer a break. Though the official image does not reveal the specifics, it will definitely be interesting to see whether the Galaxy Note 8 does debut with a design similar to the leaks or will Samsung make some changes to the smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will take on the Apple iPhone 8 and the Google Pixel XL 2, both smartphones which have recently cropped up in CAD renders and leaks. The smartphone war in the second half of 2017 seems to be interesting with all the three battling it out with similar features and specifications. Samsung reportedly faced issues with the in-display fingerprint scanner and had to ditch the plan last minute, something which Apple is said to have mastered for the iPhone 8. On the other hand, the latter is known to be facing issues in integrating the facial recognition scanner and wireless charging, which are Samsung’s forte.

Interestingly, the image has not been pulled down from Twitter or the tweet deleted telling that the move was not an ‘accident’ but rather, a deliberate reveal by Samsung. With the first look out, additional teasers are expected in the coming week and the official invite rollout for the (rumored) August 23 event might not be too far off.

Nokia 6 registrations begin in India, to go on sale on Amazon India on August 23

If you’re a Nokia fan waiting to get your hands on the Nokia 6, you now have the opportunity to register for the flash sale on Amazon India. Priced at Rs 14,999, the smartphone will be sold via Amazon India flash sale to commence on July 23. In May 2017, HMD Global announced the Nokia 6 smartphone along with the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 Android smartphone. 

According to the Amazon India listing, the sale will only be open to registered users on the e-commerce platform. Both Nokia and Amazon India have also bundled a couple of schemes with the purchase of Nokia 6, for users to reap benefits out of it. As part of the sale, Nokia 6 buyers will get Rs 1000 cash back as Amazon Pay Balance. However, the offer will be applicable for registered Amazon Prime members only. In addition, Nokia 6 buyers will also get a discount of up to 80 percent on purchasing e-books from Kindle.

Alongside, Vodafone India is giving away 45GB of 4G data for a period of 5 months to all Nokia 6 buyers who are already using a Vodafone connection. Nokia 6 buyers with wanderlust are also in for a treat, as Make My Trip is also giving away a total of Rs 2500 off which comprises a Rs 1800 discount on hotel stay and Rs 700 off on flight tickets.

ALSO READ: Nokia 6 and Nokia 5 sales in India delayed, likely to happen in Mid-August
Nokia 6 Features and specifications

Nokia 6 Features and specifications

The Nokia 6 smartphone has a 5.5-inch full HD (1080p) display with 2.5D Gorilla Glass. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core SoC clubbed with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The storage can further be expanded up to 128GB via microSD card. The smartphone has a fingerprint scanner on the front panel placed below the display.

In terms of optics, the Nokia 6 has a 16-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. It houses a 3,000mAh battery and runs Android Nougat 7.0 out-of-the-box. Connectivity options on the smartphone include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Micro USB. The Nokia 6 comes in Matte Black, Blue, Silver, and Copper color variants.

Nokia 6

Nokia 2, Nokia 7, Nokia 8 and Nokia 9 processors details leaked

HMD Global has already launched the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, and the company is expected to launch a couple of more Nokia-branded smartphones by the next half of the year. While Nokia 8 and Nokia 9 have been subjected to many leaks in the past, a new report now reveals details about the processors of the upcoming Nokia smartphones.

The folks at NokiaPowerUser citing a Baidu tipster, state that HMD Global will introduce Nokia 2, Nokia 7, Nokia 8 and Nokia 9 smartphones in the market later this year with Nokia 2 being the ‘ultimate’ budget smartphone. So far, it is known that Nokia 9 will be the flagship smartphone to take on the other premium smartphones in the market. While Nokia 8 and Nokia 7 will be mid-ranger smartphones.

Further, the report reveals that Nokia 2 will be powered by a MediaTek processor, contrary to the earlier claims of it being powered by the Snapdragon 212 SoC. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 212 SoC is an upgrade to the chipmaker’s Snapdragon 210 SoC, which powers Microsoft Lumia 550. To recall, the current budget smartphone by HMD Global, Nokia 3 is powered by a MediTek MT6737 SoC. Notably, the Nokia 2 is expected to be cheaper than the Nokia 3, which currently retails at Rs 10,299 in India. Nokia 3 is strictly offline in India and can be purchased from brick and mortar shops.

ALSO READ: Nokia 6 and Nokia 5 sales in India delayed, likely to happen in Mid-August

The Nokia 7, Nokia 8 and Nokia 9, on the other hand, are said to be powered by Snapdragon 630 SoC, Snapdragon 660 SoC, and Snapdragon 835 SoC respectively. The NPU report claims that the smartphones are currently under testing. To put in perspective, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 are both powered by Snapdragon 430 chipset and have already been launched in India along with other select global markets. 

Samsung Galaxy S8 Mini with Snapdragon 840 SoC leaked

Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 earlier this year along with the larger Galaxy S8+. Shortly, after the two premium smartphones hit the market, rumors regarding a scaled down variant started to surface. A recent report has revealed that such a version is indeed in the works, and it could be called the Galaxy S8 Mini or the Galaxy S8 Lite.

Spotted by German blog, winfuture.de on a benchmarking website, the smaller Galaxy S8 will be powered by the yet-to-be-announced quad-core Snapdragon 840 chipset. It is worth mentioning that a Snapdragon 840 chipset on Galaxy S8 Mini feels a little out of place. To recall, Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ ship with Snapdragon 835 SoC in the US. This makes the smaller smartphone more powerful and specced up on paper than the flagship devices. In India, the premium smartphones ship with company’s Exynos 8895 chipsets. 

Unfortunately, the benchmark listing doesn’t offer any further details on the purported Galaxy S8 Mini. From what we know so far, the smartphone will run on Android Nougat 7.1.2 out-of-the-box. Also, benchmark spotting doesn’t necessarily confirm an actual device launch, and it could merely be a prototype being tested. Also, a Samsung tipster from China earlier this month claimed that the South Korean giant will not be announcing the alleged Galaxy S8 Mini smartphone.

If indeed Samsung aims to launch a Galaxy S8 Mini, then the smartphone could only hit the market towards the end of this year. For now, Samsung already has Galaxy Note 8 in the pipeline, which is could be launched on August 23.

Asus Zenfone AR with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, Project Tango, Daydream support launched in India, priced at Rs 49,999: Specifications and features

After an uninspiring attempt by Lenovo at wooing consumers with its Google Project Tango-enabled PHAB2 Pro, another manufacturer is now aiming to get people thinking about the new found interest in Augmented Reality (AR). The Asus Zenfone AR was first announced at CES 2017, and today marks its debut in the Indian market. Asus’ smartphone is priced at Rs 49,999 and is exclusive to Flipkart. It will start selling starting 4PM today and will be available in black color.

Augmented Reality, best understood as an amalgamation of the real and virtual worlds, reached epic heights of popularity with the mobile game called Pokémon GO. The game used real surroundings with the help of a phone’s camera, and showed virtual characters on the screen. Manufacturers like Lenovo and now Asus have attempted to bring the same experience using Google’s Project Tango. The USP of the Asus Zenfone AR is that it houses 8GB of RAM, and it is also compatible with Google’s Daydream View VR headset. This enables a user to put the Asus Zenfone AR into the virtual reality headset, and experience immersive content.

ALSO READ: GST effect: Asus ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Max get cheaper by up to Rs 3,000

Asus Zenfone AR specifications, features

The Asus Zenfone AR features a distinct leather-finish rear panel which gives it a very premium appeal. It houses a horizontal camera module. It is also equipped with a fingerprint sensor which is embedded into the home button. Talking about the specifications, it packs a 5.7-inch wide quad HD Super AMOLED (2560×1440p pixels) display. Disappointingly though, the smartphone is powered by a dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage that can be expanded via microSD card up to 2TB. However, the SoC has been optimized for Tango AR and Daydream VR.

As for the AR-capabilities, the smartphone comes with a TriCam system featuring a 23-megapixel camera along with motion-tracking and depth sensing technology. There is a dual tone LED flash at the back. The camera is capable of recording 4K ultra HD videos @30fps, and also supports RAW files. Up front, there is an 8-megapixel camera supported with screen flash.

On the software front, it runs on Android 7.0 Nougat wrapped under ASUS ZenUI 3.0. It is fuelled by a 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and BoostMaster Fast Charging, which is claimed to take the power up to 60 percent in 39 minutes of charge. Connectivity options include dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB-C.