LG V30, V30+ with 6-inch OLED FullVision Display, dual cameras announced

As expected, LG V30 has officially debuted ahead of the IFA 2017 tech show in Berlin. The latest flagship smartphone by LG is a successor to the V20 and boasts OLED display, dual cameras, and B&O PLAY audio support as some of its highlights. The smartphone will be available in home country South Korea starting September 21 and will be followed by key markets in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. There are four color choices of Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue and Lavender Violet.

LG has not officially announced the price of the V30, but we can expect it to be announced as and when the smartphone is launched locally. However, what it did reveal is that there will be two variants. The V30 will include 64GB of internal storage while the V30+ will include 128GB of internal storage. The higher model will be available in limited markets.

LG V30 specifications, features

To begin with, the LG V30 is said to be the first smartphone to boast an OLED FullVision Display. It packs a 6-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio, which is same as the LG G6. The display offers quad HD+ resolution of 2880x1440p. In terms of dimensions, the LG V30 measures 7.3mm at its thickest and weighs 158g. LG says it is the lightest smartphone in the 6-inch and over category.

Under the hood, the LG V30 packs Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage with support for storage expansion up to 2TB via microSD card. The higher model, features the same amount of RAM but with 128GB default storage and expansion support up to 2TB via microSD card.

Talking about the USP of the smartphone, there is a 16-megapixel standard angle camera at the back combined with a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera. The standard camera is supported by OIS, EIS, and Hybrid Auto Focus with Laser Detection Auto Focus and Phase Detection Auto Focus. Up front, there is 5-megapixel f/2.2 aperture lens with 90-degree wide angle.

It is fueled by a 3,300mAh battery, and runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat out-of-the-box. The smartphone is Google Daydream ready, which means it will support all compatible games, apps, and experiences. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0 (3.1 compatible). Other features include IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, crystal clear lens, 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, HDR10, Google Assistant, Voice and face recognition, fingerprint sensor, and support for Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging.

LG V20 (Rs. 29,930)

LG G6 (Rs. 40,950) 

LG Q6 (Rs. 14,990) 

Moto X4 may launch on September 2

The Moto X4 finally gets a launch date for September 2, hopefully. Ever since May this year, Motorola was expected to launch the Moto X4 with the last presumed date being August 24. The smartphone has leaked several times with its design and specifications being revealed. And now, Motorola has teased the launch of an X series smartphone on its Philippines Facebook page, which is most likely the Moto X4.

Motorola’s Facebook Live event (via Droidholic) is titled “hellomoto X” and will be hosted by Filipino actors Nadine Lustre and James Reid. The teased event is scheduled from September 2. While that’s about all the teaser reveals, recently the phone’s possible pricing was also tipped. According to a tweet by leakster Andri Yatim, the Moto X4 is said to be priced at $350 (approximately Rs 22,500) for the 32GB variant, and the 64GB variant would retail at $400 (approximately Rs 25,700). This price doesn’t stray too far from previous reports of the Moto X4 priced at €350, which translates to approximately Rs 26,500.

ALSO READ: Motorola Moto G5s Plus and Moto G5s launched in India, Price starting at Rs. 13,999: Specs and features

As far as specifications are concerned, the Moto X4 could feature a 5.2-inch full HD AMOLED display, with Gorilla Glass 3 on top for protection. The smartphone is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 octa-core processor, and an Adreno 508 GPU for graphics. As mentioned, the smartphone is believed to come in a 32GB and 64GB storage variant, both of which will be accompanies by 4GB of RAM. Also, the storage would be expandable up to 256GB via a microSD card. 

In the photography department, the Moto X4 will most likely feature a dual-camera setup, which will be a pair of 12-megapixel cameras, with one being an RGB sensor, and the other a monochrome one. For selfies, the smartphone could sport a 16-megapixel wide-angle camera. Fuelled by a 3,000mAh battery, the Moto X4 is likely to support 25W Turbo Charging feature. On the software front, the smartphone could run Android 7.1 Nougat out-of-the-box. 

Moto G5s Plus

YouTube has a new design and changes its logo for the first time in 12 years

YouTube has announced a major redesign for its desktop version and mobile app. The highlight of YouTube’s latest redesign is the logo, which has been changed for the first time in 12 years. In the new logo, YouTube is simply spelled out in black text with its iconic red play button. Also, the red in YouTube’s logo is now brighter so that it “will be seen more easily and read more clearly”.

Starting with the mobile app, the new redesign is available on both iOS and Android, and features are slowly rolling out for both the platforms. The header on the YouTube app now has a white background along with the new logo visible on the left. The navigation tabs have been moved to the bottom of the app which is already available on the iOS version. There’s a new Library and Accounts tab as well.

ALSO READ: Motorola Moto G5s Plus and Moto G5s launched in India, Price starting at Rs. 13,999: Specification and features 

YouTube had introduced a gesture for fast forwarding or rewinding by double tapping the left and right side of the video. YouTube says that a new swiping gesture will be rolled out in a few months. Soon you will be able to swipe left to watch a previous video, and swipe right to watch the next one. Another cool feature arriving on YouTube soon is different video formats. At present, watching videos in full screen mode would change the orientation to horizontal format. YouTube will introduce square and vertical formats for watching videos, which basically means you will be able to watch videos in full screen mode in both square and vertical formats.

Playback speed for YouTube videos was earlier available on the desktop version. This feature is now available on the mobile app and can be found on the settings menu. The row of suggested videos which appears while watching videos on full screen is also being experimented on. YouTube says that new features on this will be rolled out soon. 

On desktop, YouTube now has a cleaner and simpler look with content being more visibly portrayed. YouTube had announced this redesign back in May, and rolled out to select users. It is now available to all YouTube users across the globe. YouTube’s much sought after dark mode is now officially rolled out to desktop users. You can tap on your profile icon located on the top right corner to activate dark mode. This feature is gradually rolling out to all users.

Samsung Galaxy J7+ leaked in live images, video; shows off dual cameras, design and more

Samsung finally made its way into the dual-camera segment with its phablet, the Galaxy Note 8 last week. It looks like Samsung is prepping for another smartphone with a dual-camera setup, called the Galaxy J7+. Reports suggest that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy J7+ in Thailand soon. Recently the smartphone’s alleged promotional material was leaked showing its design. More images, details, and a live video of the Galaxy J7+ have been leaked, revealing almost everything about the smartphone.

The live video of the Galaxy J7+ comes from a Cambodian YouTube channel, Cambo Report. The smartphone sports the same look as seen in its leaked promotional image. Clad in a metal body, smartphone’s front panel houses a Home button, and what appears to be a 2.5D glass on top of the display. At the rear, the dual-camera module is placed vertically with the LED flash below. The Samsung logo is visible on the centre, and two antenna lines on top and bottom. The power button is placed on the right, with the volume rocker on the left.

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Images and specifications of this Galaxy J7+ were posted on Weibo. Making it more believable, the Galaxy J7+ is photographed with the display on, and the lock screen as well. According to the post, the Galaxy J7+ features a 5.5-inch Full HD display. The smartphone comes with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. In the photography department, the dual-camera module is a pair of 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras. Up front, it houses a 16-megapixel camera. Lastly, the smartphone is fuelled by a 3,000mAh battery. 

The details are at par with past reports on the Galaxy J7+. In addition, the 13-megapixel camera is said to be the primary sensor of f/1.7 aperture and the 5-megapixel depth-sensing sensor of f/1.9 aperture. The 16-megapixel front camera will come with f/1.9 aperture and LED flash. Rest of its rumored specifications include a 2.39GHz octa-core processor running under its hood, dual-SIM support, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat. The Galaxy J7+ is also expected to feature facial recognition for biometric authentication and Bixby support. The color options for the Galaxy J7+ are expected to be Black, Gold, and Pink. 

Galaxy J7 Pro (Gold)

Galaxy J7 Pro (Black)

Galaxy J7 Max

LG Q6+ tipped to launch in India on September 5

LG launched the Q6 in India earlier this month for Rs 14,990. In other markets, LG has launched three variants of the smartphone – LG Q6 mini, Q6A, and Q6+. The company seems to finally bring the ‘Plus’ variant in India. Going by the recent reports, LG is now set to launch the bigger variant, LG Q6+ in India next month.

According to Mumbai based mobile retailer Mahesh Telecom, the smartphone will be launched in the Indian market on September 5. The report further claims that the LG Q6+ will be sold offline only. In terms of pricing, reports suggest that the LG Q6+ might be priced at Rs 17,500, and is also said to come with various launch day offer just like the Q6 smartphone.

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One feature that the LG Q6 was criticized for was the fingerprint scanner. While the LG Q6+ also does not come with a fingerprint scanner, the security feature is well compensated with  ‘Face Recognition’ for unlocking and other security purposes. Just like the Q6, the Q6+ will also sport a metal body with “H Beam” frame which the company says offers much better endurance impact.

LG Q6+ specifications, features

In terms of specifications, the LG Q6+ will feature a 5.5-inch Full HD+ display offering a resolution of 2160X1080 and pixel density of 442pp. The display carries minimal bezels on edges and the body has been carved out of 7,000 series aluminum. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 435 SoC. Further, the LG Q6+ differ in terms of memory and onboard storage. It comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage. The LG Q6 features 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. 

Armed with a 3,000mAh battery, the smartphone has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type 2.0 and NFC. The LG Q6+ smartphone will run Android Nougat 7.1.1 out-of-the-box. On the camera front, the Q6+ comes with a single 13-megapixel camera at the back, paired with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.

LG Q6

Modified Pixel launcher now available with Android Oreo features

Google officially released Android Oreo a week ago, and it’s known that non-Google smartphones generally get the update to the latest Android version weeks or months later. The Nexus and Pixel lineups get priority for the latest updates. While some Android phones are still under-process to receive the update, the new OS iteration has already started rolling out for the Pixel and Nexus devices. 

With the latest Android update, there have been a few enhancements to the Pixel Launcher. Thanks to the folks at XDA Developers a modified Pixel Launcher updated with Android Oreo features is now available for non-Pixel users as well.

Back in June, AmirZ and DeleteScape created a modified Pixel Launcher APK that allowed the Google Now pane, and other Pixel-exclusive features to work on any Android device, without needing to root the device or use a mod.

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The modified Pixel Launcher APK has now hit version 2.1, and it brings a ton of improvements such as colored notifications dots, ability to swipe down for notification panel from anywhere on the screen, and the ability to change system icon shapes without having to turn on developer options. There are improvements such as the appearance of current data on Google Calendar app icon, pinch to overview, and pressing the date widget opens the default calendar app, among others.

Besides these, there are a lot of additional work added into this release, which include:

Pull down for notifications
Oreo theme backported to older OS versions with Pixel Blue accent colour
Notification dots backported to Marshmallow
Automatically prompts for notification access so you won’t have to dig through settings menus
Fix Android 8 checks so Nexus devices can use all new features
Show icon shapes on Android 8 without developer settings enabled
Pressing the date widget opens the default calendar app
Keyboard properly closes when returning to the home screen from any app
Symmetrical hotseat
Filter Google Now Launcher from the apps list
Pinch to overview
Samsung Secure Folder compatibility
Backport of circle icons

Similar to the previous version of the modified Pixel Launcher released in June, this one too has been built using the Android Open Source Project’s Launcher3, modified by the developer. In order to get this port on your device, ensure you don’t have the laucher already installed. If you try to install this package over the Pixel Launcher, you’ll get a corrupt package error. This is because this port uses the same package name as the original Pixel Launcher and that was done in order to get the weather widget to work properly. 

Links:

Modified Pixel Launcher downloads

Source code

Apple Pencil could soon work with iPhones to take on Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Apple could possibly bring the Apple Pencil support to iPhones next year and not keep it only for the niche iPad users. The company is reportedly working to make the input technology available on other Apple devices, a new patent suggests. Apple introduced the Apple Pencil in the year 2015 and added support to iPad Pro last year.

According to PatentlyApple, the company’s patent titled “Noise Correction for a Stylus Touch Device” explains that soon smartphones will be supporting the Apple’s proprietary stylus. The patent also enlists iPhone as one of the products that could support Apple Pencil. That being said a patent doesn’t confirm when the technology will be introduced by the company but it does imply of the idea under work.

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Notably, the recently announced iOS 11 is also said to expand support for the stylus for users to create annotations on websites or make edits to screenshots. This hints that Apple might bring the Apple Pencil support to 2018 iPhones or later ones to follow. With reports suggesting iPhone 8, iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus already in mass production, it seems late to expect such a feature on the iPhones expected to launch at the September 12 event. 

Going by market stats of recent year, the tablet computer product category has been observed struggling to cope up to smartphones getting way smarter with every passing year. However, companies like Apple and Samsung are still banking on their line-up of iPad and Galaxy Tabs, respectively. However, with the Galaxy Note 8 launch this month that comes with much ‘advanced’ S-pen stylus than its predecessor, the need for a tablet computer takes a backseat. If indeed Apple brings Apple Pencil support to iPhone, it will go head on with Galaxy Note 8 and other premium Samsung phablets to follow.

Google Pixel XL 2 will sport 5.99-inch OLED display, arrive on October 5: Report

Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel XL 2 are no strangers to the rumor mills. It is known that HTC will manufacture the Pixel 2, while the Pixel XL 2 will be made by LG this year. Latest rumors suggest that the design language of both the smartphones will be very different. While the smaller of the two is expected to retain the much disliked chunky bezels on the top and bottom, the larger smartphone might come in a new bezel-less avatar.

As per the leak by PhoneArena, the Google Pixel 2 XL will be more in keeping with the latest flagship smartphone trends in the industry. The smartphone will reportedly come with a large 5.99-inch QHD OLED display – a change from the previously reported 5.5-inch display. The device won’t really be bezel-free, but will instead come with extremely slim bezels, making the Google phone look more like the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Note 8. The smaller Pixel 2, on the other hand, will come with a 4.97-inch FHD (1080p) OLED display. The report also mentions that both the Pixel phones will do away with the 3.5mm headphone jack.

ALSO READ: Google Assistant app for iOS starts rolling out in Europe

Google announced Android Oreo last week, and the upcoming Pixel smartphones will run on the new OS out-of-the-box. There will be a few tweaks that the latest Android version will bring to the devices in terms of aesthetics and functionalities. Though there has been no official confirmation yet, rumors point at October 5 being the day Google will unveil both the smartphones. The first-generation Google Pixel phones were announced on October 4 last year, and Google seems to be following the timeline this year too. Competitor iPhone 8 is expected to arrive earlier, on September 22.

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Apart from confirming the date, recent reports hint that the next-generation Google Pixel smartphones will come with Snapdragon 836 chipsets onboard. Along with the Pixel phones, Google will also launch a slew of other gadgets like Chromebooks, Google Home 2, and more at the event on October 5. There isn’t much known about other features, and specifications of the smartphone yet. However, the smartphones are likely to come with dual-front mounted speakers along with a squeezable frames for taking selfies à la the HTC U11. 

The camera is expected to be the highlight of the smartphone. However, different leaks have hinted at different camera features. While recent renders flaunt a dual rear-camera setup on the larger of the two, there are some leaks which maintain Google will stick to a single rear camera format but instead, use high-end technology to improve the photography. The RAM on both the phones is likely to be 4GB. These are only rumors for now and the launch is still over a month away – hinting at more concrete information surfacing in the coming weeks.

Google Assistant app for iOS starts rolling out in Europe

Months after launching the Google Assistant for application iOS in the United States, Google on Saturday announced that the standalone assistant app would be rolling out for iOS devices in the UK, Germany and France. According to reports, users were unable to assign Google Assistant to the Home button in order to replace Siri.

However, they could add Google Assistant widget. As we noted in our recent Google Home breakdown, Assistant utilises Google‘s search smarts, so it can help you find what you want faster, says a report in Engadget. The company says the app is designed to operate on devices running iOS 9.1 and above which is likely to cover the majority of iPhone and iPad users. 

ALSO READ: Amazon India Apple Fest on Aug 28 and 29: iPhone 7 starting at Rs. 44999: case back, exchange and no cost EMI offers on iPhones, iPads, Apple watch and Macbooks

The tech giant offers an Assistant widget that can be accessed from the widget panel of Apple’s notification centre. It works as a next best option for having Assistant available from anywhere in iOS. Earlier this year, Google said its voice-powered digital assistant is available on more than 100 million devices.

Amazon India Apple Fest on Aug 28 and 29: iPhone 7 starting at Rs. 44999: case back, exchange and no cost EMI offers on iPhones, iPads, Apple watch and Macbooks

Amazon India today started Apple Fest, its two-day sale on Apple products, including iPhones, Apple Watch, Macs and more. It is offering some great deals on iPhone 7, iPhone SE, Apple Watch and exchange offers and no cost EMI offers on Macbooks and iPads.

Amazon is also offering flat Rs. 1,500 cashback (as Amazon Pay Balance) on AMEX Credit Cards on purchase of Apple products. This limited period offer is available only today, August 28th and tomorrow, August 29th or till stocks last.

• iPhone 7 32GB – Rs. 44,999 (Rs.  11,201 off) –  Product link

The iPhone 7 sports a 4.7-inch display and is power by an A10 Fusion chip. In a photography department, the iPhone 7 features a 12MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), Quad-LED True Tone flash. On the front camera, the iPhone 7 sports a 7MP front facing camera with Retina Flash. 

iPhone 7

• iPhone 7 Plus (Black, 128GB) – Rs. 73,999 (Rs. 2,301 off) – Product link 

The iPhone 7 Plus sports a 5.5-inch display and is power by an A10 Fusion chip. In a photography department, the iPhone 7 Plus features a dual 12MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), Quad-LED True Tone flash, optical zoom at 2x, digital zoom up to 10x. On the front camera, the iPhone 7 sports a 7MP front facing camera with Retina Flash. 

iPhone 7 Plus

• iPhone 6s 32GB – Rs. 35,999 (Rs.  10,901 off) –  Product link

• iPhone 6s Plus 16GB – Rs. 35,999 (Rs.  10,901 off) –  Product link

• iPhone 6 32GB – Rs. 25,330 (Rs. 4,170 off) –  Product link

• iPhone SE 32GB – Rs. 18,999 (Rs.  7,001 off) –  Product link

• iPhone 5s 16GB – Rs. 17,450 (Rs.  7,550 off) –  Product link

• Apple Watch Series 2 – Rs. 33,900 (Rs.  1,000 off) –  Product link

• Apple Watch Series 2 Nike+ – Rs. 33,900 (Rs.  1,000 off) –  Product link

• iPad Tablet (9.7 inch, 32GB, Wi-Fi) – Rs. 24,910 (Rs. 3,990 off) –  Product link

• MacBook Air 2017 (13.3-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, MacOS Sierra) – Rs. 58,900 (Rs. 18,300 off) –  Product link

• MacBook Air (13-inch, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, MacOS) – Rs. 75,009 (Rs. 21,891 off) –  Product link

Samsung Galaxy J7+ to Sport Dual Camera Setup, Facial Recognition, Bixby Support: Report

Samsung's recently launched Galaxy Note 8 was the first for the company to sport a dual rear camera setup and going by recent reports it looks like the company is working on its second smartphone with dual cameras. Samsung has appears to have confirmed a Galaxy J7+ mid-range smartphone is in the works that will sport a dual camera setup and the Bixby assistant, among other things, according to a report out of Thailand.

The Samsung Galaxy J7+ has been detailed by ThaiMobileCenter, which cites Samsung, as a mid-range smartphone that is an upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017). It is said to feature a vertical dual camera setup on the back comprising of a 13-megapixel camera with f/1.7 aperture and a 5-megapixel camera with f/1.9 aperture. Samsung will reportedly also be bringing the Galaxy Note 8's Live Focus feature to the Galaxy J7+ for Bokeh shots. The front will see a 16-megapixel camera with f/1.9 aperture.

The report details that the Galaxy J7+ will feature a metal unibody design similar to the Galaxy J7 (2017). However, going by the images posted, the Galaxy J7+ looks to feature straight antenna lines on the back rather than the curved ones seen on Galaxy J7. It will run on Android 7.1.1 Nougat and will sport a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) Super AMOLED display. The handset will be powered by a octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM. It will be offered with 32GB of internal storage, which will be expandable up to 256GB.

Apart from the cameras, the Galaxy J7+ will also support Samsung's virtual assistant Bixby, a fingerprint sensor likely embedded in the home button, and facial recognition. The upcoming smartphone will support dual-SIM and will pack a 3000mAh battery. As of now there's no word on when the Galaxy J7+ will be launched, but the report mentions that it will be available in Black, Gold, and Pink colour options when it launches in Thailand.

Galaxy J7 Pro (Gold)

Galaxy J7 Pro (Black)

Galaxy J7 Max

LG Q8 with secondary display, dual-camera module goes on sale in Korea

The LG Q8 is now available for purchase in South Korea. The smartphone was quietly unveiled in July, and it has gone on sale for the first time. Touted as an affordable version of the LG V20, the LG Q8 sports a similar look and retains the secondary display and dual-camera setup. The smartphone is priced at KRW 616,000 (approximately Rs 35,100), and comes in two color options of Urban Titan and Sweet Pink.

In terms of design, the LG Q8 flaunts a metal body with a secondary display (160×1040 pixels) placed next to the front camera. The secondary display is always on and shows basic information like time, battery status, and notifications. Like the V20, the LG Q8 also features a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC that is said to reduce noise by up to 50 percent.

On launching the LG Q8 in South Korea, Lee Sang-gyu, MD of Korea Mobile Group at LG said, “We will continue to show a variety of Q series with key features of premium products at reasonable prices.”

LG Q8 specifications and features 

The LG Q8 features a 5.2-inch Quad HD display with a Quantum IPS panel. At the heart of the smartphone runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM. The smartphone comes with 32GB of internal storage, which is further expandable up to 2TB via a microSD card. In the photography department, the dual-camera module is a pair of 16-megapixel sensor, and an 8-megapixel wide-angle 135-degree sensor. Up front, it houses a 5-megapixel 120-degree wide angle camera for selfies and video calling. Some features include camera expert mode, video expert mode, and shake correction.

On the software front, the LG Q8 runs Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box. Its connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and USB Type-C for charging and data transfer. It also features a rear fingerprint sensor, Quad DAC for audio, and an IP67 certification for water and dust resistance. The smartphone is fuelled by a 3,000mAh battery, along with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0. 

LG Q6

LG G6

Google Pixel 2, Pixel XL 2 with Snapdragon 836 SoC tipped to arrive on October 5

Google Pixel 2 is one of the much-anticipated high-end smartphones expected to go official this year. While we have begun to see other premium flagship smartphones coming to the forefront with finer details than ever, it is the Google Pixel 2 that is now said to go official on October 5. The information has been parted by Evan Blass and considering that Google unveiled the first generation Pixel smartphones last year on October 4, the word might just come true.

The said launch date goes in line with Google hardware lead Rick Osterloh confirming earlier this year that a follow up for the Google Pixel smartphone will arrive this year. According to Blass, the second-generation Pixel smartphones are said to be powered by Qualcomm’s  yet to be announced high-end Snapdragon 836 SoC. The noted tipster has a reliable past of predicting important details from the world of smartphones and we can’t deny, the information seems pretty legit.

Google will certainly be placing all its bets on the Pixel 2 smartphones as the battle of flagship smartphones intensifies with yesterday’s launch of the Galaxy Note 8 and the upcoming launch of the Apple iPhone 8. With the market being heavily dominated by high-end smartphones featuring Snapdragon 835 SoC, getting the next-generation processor on board will certainly be a game changer for the Pixel 2 smartphones. Interestingly, the Snapdragon 836 SoC was expected to power the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 but clearly, it didn’t. 

So far, Google Pixel 2 has been seen in renders but details remain sketchy. If rumors are anything to go by then the second-generation Pixel smartphone promises upgraded camera, slimmer design, and revamped aesthetics. Last year, Google Pixel was ranked as the first smartphone camera ever to hit a DxO Mark score of 89. HTC U11 clocked a score of 90 this year beating Google Pixel, which, interestingly has been manufactured by HTC itself. Reports suggest HTC is on board with Google again to manufacture Pixel 2 smartphones as well. Google Pixel 2 has earlier been spotted in leaks featuring HTC U11-like squeezable frame and Android Oreo 8.0. 

Apple iPhone 8 may launch on September 12, new 512GB variant could be introduced this year

Right on the heels of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch, information on the next set of anticipated smartphones of the year has arrived. Apple is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its iconic iPhone with a radically designed model, along with successors to its current iPhone 7 lineup. Now, a new report claims that Tim Cook will take the stage on September 12 to announce the iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, and iPhone 7s Plus.

According to Mac4Ever, the new iPhones will go on sale a week and a half later, on September 22. If this report is to be believed, potential Samsung Galaxy Note 8 buyers might want to hold on to their decision for a little while to see what Apple has in store for them. However, as there is no official confirmation by Apple on the supposed launch, this information needs to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.

If one looks at the possible dates, then first week of September is more apt as the company’s financial quarter ends on September 30. Launching the new iPhone earlier in the month would give Apple enough time to show growth in sales figures, thereby helping it end on a positive note. Macrumors suggests that for this reason, September 6 could be an option for the launch, with sales to potentially go live on September 15. If Apple’s past records are anything to go by, then the first two weeks have been most preferred by the company to announce the device, with sales beginning towards the later half of the month. The iPhone 5 was announced on September 12, while sales began on September 21. The iPhone 7, on the other hand, was announced on September 7, and released on September 16.


A separate leak from Chinese leaker GeekBar suggests that the iPhone 8 is tipped to come in a new 512GB storage variant. Through past rumours we already know that Apple could launch a 64GB and 256GB variant of the iPhone 8. Furthermore, the tipster hints that this year iPhone's flash storage could be varied. The 64GB and 256GB could have Toshiba and Sandisk's flash while the 512GB could house chips from Samsung and Hynix.

Irrespective of which date Apple chooses to release the next iPhone, consumers are in for a range of improvements on the anniversary edition smartphone, along with other new products including a 4K Apple TV, Apple Watch 3, and some more updates on Apple software.

As for the iPhone 8, Apple is likely to introduce a glass and metal design, similar to the iPhone 4. There is also a likelihood of a dual-camera setup at the back, albeit improved in output. Additionally, we could also witness a on-screen fingerprint sensor, 3D facial recognition, and possible support for wireless charging. The iPhone 7s and the iPhone 7s Plus will be evidently successors to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus with improvements under the hood.

The Apple Watch 3 has been rumored in the past with features such as improved dust and water resistance. While some report that there will be an LTE version of the Apple Watch, others suggest it will not be able to make calls independent of the iPhone. 

Samsung confirms that a new Gear smartwatch will be announced next week

At the Galaxy Note 8 launch event, Samsung announced two new devices. Samsung confirmed reports of working on a smart speaker which will be launching ‘soon’. It also said that the company would be launching a new smartwatch at the upcoming IFA trade fair in Berlin scheduled to begin on September 1. This smartwatch would be successor to Samsung’s Gear S3. This also goes in line with Samsung’s custom of launching the Gear lineup at IFA. The new Gear S will be launch on August 30 at Berlin. 

DJ Koh, the president of Samsung’s mobile division said that the next Gear S series smartwatch would be launched at IFA 2017. Koh did not specify on the details of Samsung’s next smartwatch, but he stressed on health care applications being a driver for the growth of wearables in the market. In the interview Koh told CNBC, “If we can put in place properly a smartwatch that can monitor everything for your health and provide the information, then the market will grow.”

Otherwise, there isn’t any information on the next generation Gear S series smartwatch. The naming of the product is also not confirmed but it could either be Gear S4 or Gear S3 Pro. Samsung launched two variants of its smartwatch last year – the Gear S3 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier. Recently, there have been reports of another wearable by Samsung called the Gear Fit 2 Pro. 

The smartband is expected to come with IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and 5 ATM water resistance for usage during activities like swimming. The Gear Fit 2 Pro could also support Speedo On app, offline Spotify, subscription to premium Under Armour services, GPS, and a heart rate sensor. A preview of the Gear Fit 2 Pro is expected at IFA 2017. 

Samsung’s launch of its smartwatch at IFA comes ahead of its rival Apple’s rumored Watch Series 3 expected in September. According to IDC’s report, Samsung has a 5.5 percent market share in wearables, and Apple occupies over 14 percent of market share. The Apple Watch Series 3 will possibly launch in September along with the iPhone 8, iPhone 7s, and the iPhone 7s Plus. 

Gear S3

HTC Vive VR price cut by Rs 16,000 in India; now available at Rs 76,990

After HTC announced a $200 price cut of the Vive VR headset in the US yesterday, the company has now reduced the price of the headsets by Rs 16,000 in India as well. Which means, starting today, the HTC Vive VR headset will be available for Rs 76,990.

Additionally, on purchase of the Vive headset, you will get a free trial to Viveport Subscription, which is priced at Rs 399 per month in India. Under this subscription, you can choose up to five titles per month, and copies of other VR apps like Google’s Tilt Brush, Everest VR, and Richie’s Plank Experience. The HTC Vive VR system includes VR controllers, room scale movement, and a head mounted display that features a built in camera.

“Our goal at Vive has always been to offer the best and most advanced VR system and drive mass market adoption for VR across the globe,” said Cher Wang, Chairwoman, HTC. “We’re continuing to deliver on that commitment with this new price for Vive, making VR more accessible to a broader audience and driving the entire VR industry forward. Vive’s game-changing technology, best-in-class content and unmatched global partners are fulfilling the promise of VR like never before. With highly anticipated titles, and the upcoming launch of Vive Tracker, there has never been a better time to embrace Vive, and enjoy the most immersive VR experience available.”

Launched in April 2016, the headset was launched in India almost a year later. You can probably tell from the price tag of the headset, which even after a Rs 16,000 discount, is by no means easy on the pocket. Compared to the HTC Vive, Sony’s PS VR, which is available in the country, is priced far cheaper at Rs 41,990.

Just yesterday, HTC cut Vive VR headset’s prices by $200 (Rs 12,900 approximately) in the US, after which the VR gear costs $599 (approximately Rs 38,500). The price drop is currently applicable in select markets only, and will soon come in effect in other global markets including, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.

HTC Vive VR

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 to launch today: How to watch live stream and exclusive on Amazon India

It's a big day for Samsung as it gears up to unveil the Galaxy Note 8 smartphone to the world. The South Korean giant is hosting a Galaxy Unpacked 2017 event in New York at 11am EDT (8.30pm IST) on Wednesday, August 23. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a lot to redeem, given its predecessor Galaxy Note 7 was recalled due to faulty batteries that posed a fire hazard. The Galaxy Note 8 will be available on Amazon India exclusive. We are just a few hours away from the official launch and Amazon India website show a page about Galaxy Note 8 but this page don't see any specification details.

As mentioned, the Galaxy Unpacked 2017 event will begin at 8.30pm IST (11am EDT in New York), and it will be live streamed by Samsung for the global audience to see. All of you can refer to this link for streaming the live. In case, you are more comfortable with a website in hindi, you can also refer Samsung Bharat website. Additionally, like all other major events, Samsung will also be streaming the launch on its official YouTube channel.

An Orchid Gray variant of the Galaxy Note 8 has leaked, along with a possible 256GB storage variant of the phablet. The leaked render of the Galaxy Note 8 was shared by Evan Blass on Twitter, and only confirms past speculations. The design language of the Galaxy Note 8 has become quite evident now with almost no bezels on the sides, and thin bezels forming the top and bottom parts. The phablet doesn’t house a home button, and features a rear fingerprint sensor like the Galaxy S8 duo. The Galaxy Note 8 will possibly come with dual-camera module at the rear, according to leaks.

ALSO READ: Nokia 6 set to go on sale for the first time on Amazon India at 12PM

Tipster extraordinaire Evan Blass recently suggested that the Galaxy Note 8 will be made available for pre-orders starting August 24, just a day after its launch and will be released by the company on September 15. Additionally, Blass suggests that the users who pre-order the smartphone will get an option of either a free 256GB SD card and wireless charger or a free Samsung Gear 360 camera. In Europe, the pre-orders will come with a free DeX dock.

Lately, the internet has been flooded with Galaxy Note 8 speculations and teasers. Just yesterday, a report claimed to have the alleged official pricing of the new phablet. According to the leak, there will be three variants of the device, all of which will be equipped with 6GB of RAM. Reportedly the Galaxy Note 8 will come with 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options. Prices are likely to start from RMB 6,288 (approximately Rs 60,500), RMB 7,088 (approximately Rs 68,200), and RMB 7,988 (approximately Rs 76,900) respectively. 


Although if we compare, these prices are a tad lower than what was speculated by leakster Evan Blass. He suggested the Galaxy Note 8 will be priced at RMB 7,455 (Rs 71,800 approximately), but he didn’t specify which variant.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 specifications, features

As for the rest of the specifications, the Galaxy Note 8 is expected to feature a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display with Quad HD resolution. It will possibly be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC or Exynos 8895 SoC, depending on the region it is being sold. 


Its expected dual-camera module could be a either a pair of 12-megapixel and 8-megapixel cameras, or 12-megapixel sensors. The setup is said to of one with a wide-angle lens and f/1.7 aperture, and the other a telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture, and 2x optical zoom capabilities. The phablet is rumored to be fuelled by a 3,300mAh battery, and run on Android 7.1.1 Nougat out-of-the-box. 

Galaxy S8

Moto G5s Plus to unveil on August 29, will be an Amazon India exclusive

The launch of the Moto G5s Plus has long been anticipated, but the final date of release has been a blur. However, the carousel on the Amazon India website now reveals the date of unveiling of the device. According to the image on the e-commerce platform, the Moto G5s Plus will be unveiled on August 29 at 12PM, and will be an Amazon India exclusive.

While we are still awaiting the official launch of the smartphone is India, the Moto G5s Plus was launched in Europe earlier this month, where it was the Moto G5s Plus was priced at €299 (Rs 22,700 approximately). The Moto G5s Plus was launched along with Moto G5s, which was priced at €249 (Rs 18,900 approximately). That also gives the idea of how much will the devices be priced in India. In Europe, the smartphones were launched in Lunar Gray and Fine Gold color options.

ALSO READ: Micromax Canvas Infinity with 5.7-inch 18:9 Display, 16MP front camera launched in India, Price at Rs. 9,999: Specs and features  

Moto G5s Plus specifications and features

As for the specifications, the Moto G5s Plus will feature a 5.5-inch full HD display. It will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor. It comes in two variants, one which has 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage, and the other with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. In terms of optics, it features two 13-megapixel camera sensors at the back, and an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera with LED flash up front. The Moto G5s Plus is fuelled by a 3,000mAh battery along with TurboCharge support, and will run on Android 7.1 Nougat. The smartphone also features a fingerprint sensor which is embedded on the Home button up front.

Moto G5 Plus

Micromax Canvas Infinity with 5.7-inch HD+ display, 16MP front camera launched at Rs 9,999: Specifications and features

Moving beyond offering just a large screen, Micromax today launched its Canvas Infinity smartphone, which boasts a higher screen ratio of 18:9. Popularized by Samsung Galaxy S8 and the LG Q6, a higher screen ratio aims to enhance the display experience with an edge-to-edge illusion. Micromax Canvas Infinity is priced at Rs 9,999, and will be available exclusively via Amazon India initially, with offline availability scheduled for later. The registrations for purchase on Amazon India opens today, while the sale will begin starting 12PM on September 1, 2017.

The USP of the Canvas Infinity is that Micromax is bringing a higher screen ratio at an affordable price. It is also said to be the first Micromax smartphone to boast a narrow-bezel display. Other than the larger screen ratio, the smartphone boasts entry-level specifications.

Micromax Canvas Infinity specifications, features

The smartphone boasts a 5.7-inch display with HD+ (720×1440 pixels) resolution, which Micromax calls the Infinity display. Under the hood, the smartphone packs, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset with 3GB of RAM. There is 32GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSD card. There are dedicated slots for microSD card and dual SIM cards.

For photography, the Micromax Canvas Infinity is equipped with a 13-megapixel rear camera, along with a 16-megapixel camera on the front. The rear camera is supported with single-tone LED flash. 

Keeping things ticking is a 2,900mAh battery. On the software front, the smartphone runs Android Nougat out-of-the-box. It is further equipped with a fingerprint sensor at the back.