Android One program announced at Google I/O

They keynote address at Google I/O 2014 has just begun, and after an introductionthat was basically about how great Android is doing, Sundar Pichai introduced a new program that I’m very excited about – the Android One project

Super Mario Run will start running on Android in March 2017

Three months after it made a massive splash on iOS, Nintendo’s mobile side-scroller game Super Mario Run finally has a release time frame on Android. The company confirmed, via its Twitter account, that the game will be released sometime in March 2017 in the Google Play Store.

Sony Xperia Z5 Series Starts Getting Android 7.0 Nougat

Sony has pushed out the Android 7.0 Nougat on its new series of Xperia Z5 handsets. This update brings bug fixes and battery enhancements, as well as several new features in its folds. (Photo : Maurizio Pesce | Flickr)

Sony smartphone users have reason to celebrate as the company has started rolling out the Android 7.0 Nougat for the Xperia Z5

Samsung Gear S3 Used to Increase Productivity in SATS’ Tech Ramp Operations

Samsung Electronics Singapore recently worked with SATS Ltd. (SATS), Asia’s leading provider of gateway services and food solutions, to provide Samsung Gear S3 smartwatches for use in technical ramp operations – a world first.

With all 130 of SATS’ technical ramp-handling staff receiving a Gear S3 smartwatch, productivity and workplace safety have been enhanced via the Internet of Things (IoT), helping to streamline on-ground processes and enhance communication, allowing SATS to reallocate resources for greater efficiency.

Google To Launch Two Flagship Android Wear 2.0 Smartwatches In Q1 2017: Here's What We Know About Them

Google is set to launch two new flagship smartwatches in the first quarter of 2017. The devices will be the first ones to be powered by Android Wear 2.0, but they will not be carrying Google or Pixel branding. (Photo : Android)


Google is set to launch two new flagship smartwatches, both to be powered by Android Wear 2.0, in the first quarter of 2017, according to Google's Android Wear product manager Jeff Chang.


Chang's statement confirms reports which surfaced in October regarding Google's plans for two Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches that were said to be coming early next year.


Google Android Wear 2.0 Smartwatches Confirmed


The confirmation of the upcoming Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches is said to be part of the wider initiative to convince consumers that smartwatches, and wearable devices in general, are still in demand.

The new smartwatches will be the first devices to launch with Android Wear 2.0, which is currently in its fourth developer preview. Once the two new smartwatches are out, all other devices powered by the operating system will receive the update to the latest version.


In September, it was reported that Google has postponed the launch of Android Wear 2.0 to 2017, despite the operating system being announced in the company's I/O conference in May. It was said that the cause of the delay was that there were still bugs that were being found, but now we also know that Google was planning to launch Android Wear 2.0 alongside flagship smartwatches.

What We Know About The Upcoming Google Smartwatches

Aside from being the first Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches, it was previously revealed that the codenames of the two devices are named Angelfish and Swordfish. This complements the codenames of the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, which were known as Sailfish and Marlin, respectively.


Angelfish is said to be the larger one, with three hardware buttons, LTE connectivity, GPS capability, and a heart rate sensor that will allow it to operate as a standalone device without the need to be paired to a smartphone. Swordfish is a smaller, more budget-minded version, with no LTE and GPS and likely also no heart rate sensor with only a single hardware button.


The upcoming smartwatches, despite being Google's first smartwatches, will not have any Google or Pixel branding, and will instead be branded by the company that will manufacture them. Chang did not reveal the company that will manufacture the smartwatches, but did state that it has previously produced Android Wear-powered devices.


Chang likened the partnership between Google and the smartwatch manufacturer to the company's Nexus program, with the two companies collaborating on both the software integration and hardware design for the devices

Huawei Mate 9 review

Huawei Mate 9 review: Positives Compact size for a large phone Porsche Design Mate 9 has a great display Excellent performance Feature-rich hardware Dual...

Attention, Android Users: Don't Download And Sideload 'Super Mario Run' Unless You Want Malware

Nintendo's "Super Mario Run" app is only available for iOS devices on Apple Store. Android users are warned against sideloading the game's APK database due to potential malware and virus spread. (Photo : Nintendo of America | Twitter)

Nintendo's Super Mario Run is now available for free download on iOS devices. Meanwhile, Android users are being warned against the download and sideload of APK databases because they turn out to be malware or viruses.

Nintendo's gaming app Super Mario Run was based on the gaming company's popular computer game, Super Mario Bros. The app was released last Dec. 15; however, it remains exclusive to Apple devices run by iOS.

Super Mario Run On iOS

Nintendo partnered with Apple for the exclusive release of the gaming app. Mario's creator Shigeru Miyamoto introduced the game last September when the iPhone 7 was launched. The game required always-on internet connection. The first three levels are free and in order to unlock 24 courses, players need to pay for a one-time in-app purchase amounting to $9.9

Warning Against APK Download

Some APK databases are preying on the vulnerability of Android users desperate to try the game. Experts reiterated that the game is not yet available on Android devices, therefore sideloading is discouraged.

"As Nintendo's second foray into mobile gaming with one of their lead franchises, Super Mario Run is immediately going to be a prime target for attackers trying to exploit its code — especially with the number of users which will be downloading this game," app security company Axran vice president of research, Aaron Lint said. "Just as with the previous smash hit Pokémon Go, we anticipate the appearance of corrupted fake apps used to spread malware," Lint added.

The Game

Super Mario Run can be played with just one hand. Tapping the screen will make Mario jump, tapping the screen longer will make the character jump higher. Mario will automatically dodge small enemies but the user may score additional points by synching a jump while he evades an enemy. Also, a Super Mario game will not be complete without coin collecting. There are three parts in the game, namely: the World Tour mode, Toad Rally challenge and the Kingdom builder.

No matter how fun a game is, nothing is worth compromising a whole lot of data on someone's smartphone. Downloading a fake Super Mario Run APK may compromise existing data and may spread malware on devices. This means that there is one option left and it is best for Android users to wait for the official release of Nintendo's Super Mario Run app on Google Play Store

Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime

specifications

• Dimensions 151.7 x 75 x 8 mm (5.97 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
• Weight 167 g (5.89 oz)
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
• Type PLS TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
• Size 5.5 inches (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio)
• Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density)
• Multitouch Yes
• Protection Corning Gorilla Glass (market dependent)
• OS Android OS, v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
• Chipset Exynos 7870 Octa
• CPU Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53
• GPU Mali-T830MP2
• Card slot microSD, up to 256 GB (dedicated slot)
• Internal 16/32 GB, 3 GB RAM
• Primary 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm, autofocus, LED flash
• Features Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, HDR
• Video 1080p@30fps
• Secondary 8 MP, f/1.9
• 3.5mm jack Yes
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth v4.1, A2DP, LE
• GPS Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (region dependent) microUSB v2.0, USB On-The-Go
• Sensors Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
• Java No
• Non-removable Li-Ion 3300 mAh battery
• MISC Colors Black, Gold
• Available. Released 2016, September

ZTE Nubia Z11 and Nubia N1 launched in India; registrations open December 16

         About six months ago, ZTE announced the Z11 and N1 smartphones under its Nubia sub-brand. Now, the company has said that it’s bringing both of the devices to Indian consumers. The Nubia Z11 will be available for Rs 29,999, while you’ll be able to get the Nubia N1 for Rs 11,999. Both of the devices will be sold exclusively through Amazon India, with registrations for the first sale starting on Friday, December 16.

As you’re able to tell by looking at the price, the Nubia Z11 is the more powerful of the two. It features a 5.5-inch Full HD edge-to-edge display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 processor, and 6 GB of RAM. The device also has 64 GB of storage, a 16 MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture, and a front-facing selfie snapper with an 8 MP sensor. It runs Android Marshmallow and comes with a 3,000 mAh battery.

If you’re looking for a more affordable device, the Nubia N1 might be more up your alley. It comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p display and is powered by Mediatek’s Helio P10 processor along with 3 GB of RAM. The device also boasts a 13 MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture, a front-facing camera with a 13 MP sensor, 64 GB of space, and the same version of Android as the already described Nubia Z11. But the biggest selling point of the device just might be its large 5,000 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy S8 Display May Use Note 7's Ultra Thin Y-OCTA Display Technology

Samsung s8

Samsung is reportedly planning to use a feature it first introduced on the Galaxy Note 7 with its upcoming Galaxy S8. The company will reportedly use the same Y-OCTA display technology from the Note 7 in the Galaxy S8, which allows for an ultra thin screen. (Photo : Samsung)

The leaks just keep on flowing for Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy S8 series, which will be released in early 2017. A new report claims the company will use the same advanced Y-OCTA display technology that debuted on the now recalled Galaxy Note 7 in its next-generation flagship smartphones.

The initial launch of the Galaxy Note 7 appeared to be a resounding success, and Samsung reportedly had built 5 million of the devices for release in August. Soon after the Note 7 went on sale, it completely sold out and customers placing an order for the phablet faced up to a three-week delay.

Galaxy Note 7 Features Live On

When Samsung saw that Apple's new iPhone 7and iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black color option was extremely popular, it announced plans to offer the Galaxy Note 7 in a new "Black Onyx" color option that would be released in October. The Black Onyx Galaxy Note 7 would never get released because of a global recall of the device. Instead, Samsung just released a similar hue for its flagship Galaxy S7 edge. Now, the company is about to bring another Note 7 feature to its flagship Galaxy S series, specifically 2017's upcoming Galaxy S8

One of the features reviewers and smartphone fans pointed out during their time with the Galaxy Note 7 was how gorgeous and thin its curved display was. It was the first device from Samsung to use Y-OCTA display technology, which has its touch sensors attached to the display while it is being manufactured, allowing for an overall slimmer display. The company is now reportedly using the same technology in its upcoming flagship Galaxy S8.

Galaxy S8 To Boast Thin Y-OCTA Display From Note 7

ETNews is reporting that Samsung will use the same Y-OCTA display technology it used in the Galaxy Note 7 with at least one of the Galaxy S8 variants. The source claims it will be limited to the smaller Galaxy S8 model, which will reportedly feature a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with an embedded fingerprint scanner, while the S8 Plus is rumored to pack in a larger 6.2-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen.

Samsung has already confirmed a slick new design for the Galaxy S8, which is expected to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in February 2017. We'll keep you posted on any new Galaxy S8 details as they become available.

Huawei Mate 9

Huawei Mate 9 Availability: Phone Rumored To Launch In The US On Jan. 6

The Huawei Mate 9 is reportedly getting unleashed in the United States in the morning of Jan. 6. This falls right in the middle of CES 2017 so it will likely debut in that event. (Photo : Huawei)

The Huawei Mate 9 has been making waves after its launch last November due to its premium build and tech muscle but it has so far avoided the United States after initially rolling out in other parts of the world.

This is about to change after the much-touted flagship killer is reportedly hitting the U.S. shores on Jan. 6.

The information was first leaked by noted mobile phone tipster Evan Blass, who posted the specific release schedule on his Twitter account. It must be noted that he only referred to the base Mate 9 model, which probably means that the limited edition Porsche Design variant will not be included in the shipment.

Note 7 Alternative

At first glance, the Huawei Mate 9 will immediately recall the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 due to its screen real estate. It has a massive 5.9-inch QHD AMOLED screen packed with 1,080 x 1,920 pixels, a fraction larger than the display of the now-defunct Samsung device.

Under the hood, the Mate 9 is outfitted with the Kirin 960 processor, which Huawei trumpets as the highest-performing mobile chipset in world.

"The CPU delivers the best multi-core performance among all smartphone SoCs, while reducing power consumption by 15 percent," Huawei said during the Mate 9's launch. "The GPU boasts a 180-percent performance uplift and a 40 percent improvement in energy efficiency compared to its predecessor."

Leica Dual-Camera Technology

Huawei is also careful to consistently push for the Mate 9's 20 megapixel dual-camera technology. This is the same technology that the Huawei P9 is rocking and was developed in collaboration with Leica. It is set apart from the competition by the monochrome lens outfitted in one of the dual camera sensors.

It effectively trounces cameras based on the Bayer filter, a technology that organizes light according to red, green, and blue streams before it hits the sensor. This process filters out a good amount of light, resulting to a diminished image quality.

The monochrome sensor eliminates the Bayer array so that the lens is now hit by a higher amount of light, leading to an impressive 100 percent increase in light sensitivity.

Mate 9 Pricing And Other Details

At this point, Huawei could still be struggling to find a carrier partner in the United States based on previous experience. The Mate 9 is, hence, expected to hit retailers unlocked.

There is no information yet on U.S. pricing but one can just turn to its value in other markets for insight. It is being sold for €700 in Europe, which should be about $750. The price tag should put the device in direct competition with Google Pixel handsets and Galaxy S7 edge.

One should remember that the Mate 9's release date coincides with the CES 2017 happening in Las Vegas

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) Renders Leak,

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) Renders Leak, 360-Degree Video Shows Smartphone In Action

         Renders of the next-gen Samsung Galaxy A7 smartphone - the 2017 model - have leaked online, offering a peek into the upcoming device. The 360-degree video of the renders shows off the handset in black, sporting a metal and glass body. (Photo : @OnLeaks | GearIndia)

Samsung has been rumored to be working on the successor on the Galaxy A7 (2016), dubbed the Galaxy A7 (2017), and now renders of the impending phablet have leaked online, offering a peek into the device.

The leak comes courtesy of online publication GearIndia and offers a 360-degree view of the handset.

"Just hours after we posted our exclusive story of Samsung's new affordable Android powered handset - the Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017), we have received some details about yet another upcoming Samsung handset. We are talking about the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) edition - which is set to succeed the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) currently being sold in several markets across the globe," notes the publication.

What Do The Renders Reveal?

The 30-second video of the renders of the Galaxy A7 (2017) shows off the handset in black. The device sports curved edges and a metal and glass body as rumored. It is difficult to distinguish from the video if the 2017 model of the Galaxy A7 has a bigger 5.7-inch display, or the same the 5.5-inch one sported by the 2016 model.

A speaker grille can be espied on the top right of the device and two volume rockers on the top left. The rear of the handset shows off a camera - possibly the rumored 16-megapixel one - with the flash next to it. The renders show off a svelte and sleek handset that bears a resemblance to its predecessor.

Rumored Specs And Features

The next-gen Galaxy A7 is widely expected to sport either a 5.5-inch or 5.7-inch 1080p display per leaks and benchmark appearances.

Earlier in September, the specs of the Galaxy A7 (2017) sporting the model number SM-A720x were listed on GFXBench. The handset has also received Bluetooth and FCC certification, suggesting that its U.S. release is around the corner.

The impending Samsung handset is rumored to be powered by an octa-core Exynos 7870 chipset and house 3 GB of RAM. The Samsung smartphone will likely offer 32 GB or 64 GB of storage, which will be expandable. The handset is also said to be 4G LTE- and NFC-supported and will possibly offer support for a fingerprint scanner on the front, a first for the series. It could also benefit from a USB Type-C port like sibling Galaxy A3 (2017).

An IP68-certified 3,500 mAh battery is expected to power the Android-powered handset, making it water- and dust-resistant. The Galaxy A7 (2017) is also rumored to tout 16-megapixel front- and rear-facing cameras.

Release

The Galaxy A7 2017 is expected to debut on Jan. 2, 2017 per reports. However, it could be a while before the phablet hits U.S. shelves.

Facebook for Android quietly adds support for uploading HD video

Facebook sometimes makes some unannounced changes and updates to its Android app. A new report says that the company has quietly added a new toggle in its settings that finally allows Android users to upload HD video to their accounts.

The new HD video settings option was first reported by Android Police, which adds that the feature is apparently rolled out to most, but not quite all, of Facebook’s Android users. The report also says other new video features are appearing for some users as well, but they are not yet available for everyone. They include picture-in-picture video, the ability to download clips to watch offline later, and specific resolution upload options (from 72p all the way up to 360p).

Finally, up and down arrows are showing up for some Facebook users in the app’s notifications view. This will allow users to check their notifications in either direction, as opposed to going back to the top view all the time.

Again, not all of these features are available yet for all Android Facebook users, but they appear to be in testing for a wide release sometime in the very near future. Do you plan to use the new HD video upload option for your clips?

source

ASUS Zenfone 3 Zoom with dual camera

The Zenfone 3 Zoom is the company's first smartphone with a dual camera setup. The device packs 16 MP dual rear cameras and a 13 MP selfie snapper.

You'll find Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625 processor clocked at 2.0 GHz under the hood, alongside 2, 3 or 4 GB of RAM. There are also three storage options available, so you’ll be able to get your hands on a 16, 32 or 64 GB version of the device.
The device is made of metal and packs a large 4,850 mAh battery in its 7.99 mm thick body. It runs on Android Marshmallow with ZenUI on top, but we expect that Asus will upgrade it to the latest and greatest Android Nougat eventually. It also has a fingerprint sensor located on the back of the device, which will keep your data safe.

Galaxy Note 7 was recalled by Samsung due to risk of malfunction and fire.

In case you've missed it — which I highly doubt — the Galaxy Note 7 was recalled by Samsung due to risk of malfunction and fire. Although the tech giant has been trying hard to get users to return their Note 7 devices, some of them decided to take the risk and keep using the smartphone.
         "As of December 15th, Samsung will modify the software to prevent the Galaxy Note 7 from charging. The phone will no longer work"
In Canada, around 90 percent of users have already returned their Galaxy Note 7. And to make sure that the rest follow suit, Samsung is opting for a strategy it has already used in New Zealand and Australia. The company will soon disable the radios of the remaining Note 7s in Canada, which means that the devices won’t be able to make and receive calls, send text messages, and access the internet.
Starting December 12, Samsung will first turn off the phone’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality. On December 15, the remaining Note 7's will be barred from connecting to any Canadian mobile network, which will make them effectively useless. The devices will, however, still be able to call 911 in case of an emergency.

sony Xperia XZ hands on & specification

Sony Xperia XZ

• Dimensions (mm) 146.00 x 72.00 x 8.10
• Weight (g) 161.00
• Battery capacity (mAh) 2900
• Removable battery No
• Colours Mineral Black, Platinum, Forest Blue
• DISPLAY
• Screen size (inches) 5.2
• Resolution 1080x1920 pixels
• HARDWARE
• Processor 1.6GHz quad-core
• Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
• RAM 3GB
• Internal storage 64GB
• Expandable storage Yes,microSD up to 200 GB
• CAMERA
• Rear camera 23-megapixel
• Flash Yes
• Front camera 13-megapixel
• SOFTWARE
• Operating System Android 6.0
• CONNECTIVITY
• Wi-Fi Yes
• Wi-Fi standards supported 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• GPS Yes
• Bluetooth Yes
• NFC Yes
• Infrared No
• USB OTG Yes
• Headphones 3.5mm
• FM Yes
• Number of SIMs 2
• SIM 1
• SIM Type Nano-SIM
• GSM/CDMA GSM
• 3G Yes
• 4G/ LTE Yes
• Supports 4G in India (Band 40) Yes
• SIM 2
• SIM Type Nano-SIM
• GSM/CDMA GSM
• 3G Yes
• 4G/ LTE Yes
• Supports 4G in India (Band 40) Yes
• SENSORS
• Compass/ Magnetometer Yes
• Proximity sensor Yes
• Accelerometer Yes
• Ambient light sensor Yes
• Gyroscope Yes
• Barometer No
• Temperature sensor No

Samsung galaxy s8 leaks

Samsung Galaxy S8

Hottest leaks:

No flat version
A 4K display5.1-inch and 5.5-inch sizes, or 5.7 and 6.2-inch sizes
likely highlights include a 4K screen, a Snapdragon 830 processor, 6GB of RAM and a massively improved camera.

A dual-lens camera
A 30MP rear camera
An 8MP front-facing snapper
A 4200mAh battery

A 3GHz Exynos 8895 processor in some regions
A 3.2GHz octa-core Snapdragon 830 chip in the US
6GB of RAM

An iris scanner
An AI assistant
A fingerprint scanner in the screen
A mini projector

Facebook wants Messenger to 'reinvent the inbox' with a new Home screen

By Ashley Carman on June 16, 2016 10:07 am 5

Facebook is updating its Messenger app today to create a new homepage that will act more or less like an inbox. It’ll place recent conversation threads and users' most frequently contacted friends on the launch screen, which is now called "Home." Messenger currently displays threads like most other texting apps — in chronological order with the most recent conversation at the top of the screen.

"Up until now, most inbox experiences haven’t kept up with the new ways people connect," the company wrote in a blog post. "So, we’ve been thinking about how we can make it simpler and easier to find what you want to start a conversation."

\

David Marcus, VP of messaging products at Facebook, said the company is "reinventing the inbox," when he described the project at the WiredBusiness Conference today. In addition to a "Favorites" section, which shows the friends users message most frequently, there will be birthday reminders and an "Active Now" feature that shows who's online.

HUAWEI P9

HUAWEI P9 REVIEW

Huawei’s P9 is ready to rumble with it’s incredible Leica camera tech and sleek metal body.

The Huawei P9 is going to change smartphone photography forever — at least, that’s what Huawei says. It’s a serious claim, so how does Huawei hope to accomplish this revolution? The P9 has a dual-lens camera co-engineered by photography experts Leica. Although we’ve seen dual-camera setups before, and industry partnerships aren’t new, either; Huawei took its partnership with Leica to the next level. The two companies worked closely together to build the P9’s cameras and the app experience.

 

+Amazing camera

+Beautiful design

+Compact metal frame

+Strong battery life

+High performance processor

+Smooth software

 

-Quite slippery

-Some UI niggles

see more

ANDROID WEAR 2.0

Android Wear 2.0 won't convert haters, but it's a good 

step forward for watches

It’s no secret that Android Wear has been in need of a major makeover for some time. The card metaphor that runs through all of Google’s products looks out of place on circular smartwatches, and Google has finally recognized the need for a redesign in Android Wear 2.0. The interface is darker, sleeker, and easier to navigate. It also holds a number of new features like complications on the watch face, a keyboard for typing, handwriting input, and more.

see the first impressions ANDROID WEAR 2.0