Oppo Find X Lamborghini Edition arrives on August 10 for $1,500

Oppo Find X Lamborghini Edition was listed on the company website for pre-order until August 10, when shipments will begin.

The Oppo Find X Lamborghini Edition shares key specs with the regular Oppo Find X - 6.42” AMOLED panel with practically no bezels, Snapdragon 845 and 8 GB RAM.

It is the phone is the first device with Super VOOC said to charge the smartphone from 0 to 100 in 30 minutes. This comes at the cost of a slightly smaller battery compared to the regular Find X - 3,400 mAh vs 3,730 mAh. 

It has a Black rear panel that imitates carbon, while the Oppo and the Lamborghini logos are in golden color.

The phone is officially listed with the stunning CNY 9,999 price tag which is equal to $1,500 or €1,300 and comes bundled in the package with O-Free Bluetooth headphones that cost CNY 700 if purchased separately. For comparison, the regular Oppo Find X with 128 GB is half the price - only CNY 4,999.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 might be announced on September 15

Mi Mix started the concept of notches ( Sharp of course was the first one - technically).The poster below, we have every reason to be hyped.

The upcoming Mi Mix 3 will have a tough time competing with the impressive screen-to-body ratios. But with that thin lower chin, it might still stand a chance.

Other important info that we could gather from the poster is the announcement date - September 15. It's in line with the first leaked poster pointing at September launch and periscope-style slider camera. If the top bezel is just as thin as the side ones and the chin, this is the only place the front-facing camera will have to go.

Source : Androidpure

September 12 emerges as likely announcement date for new iPhones

Two new OLED iPhones and a 6.1-inch LCD model with minimal bezels and Face ID capabilities, the rumor mill is legit spinning out of control.

The iPhone X (2018), iPhone X Plus, and iPhone 9, but those very names are far from etched in stone, every new video and fresh batch of pictures allegedly depicting dummy units shows a different angle, while speculation is ramping up over Apple’s launch dates.

Based on the company’s “rather consistent” schedule in recent years, as well as other speculative factors, September 12 seems like a very reasonable guess for the timing of a no doubt glamorous event this year.

Historically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays have proven popular days for formal iPhone introductions, but with Labor Day celebrated on September 3 in the US, history also appears to rule out the 4th and 5th as likely candidates for a keynote next month.

There’s no plausible reason we can think of why Apple would want to put off the announcement until September 18 or 19, and if everything turns out as suspected, in-store sales and shipments of online pre-orders could begin as early as September 21. It remains unclear if all three 2018 iPhones are supposed to make their commercial debut around that date, or if the lower-cost LCD version will be a little late to the market, as recently rumored.

source: CNet

iOS 12 reveal tips the future of the iPad

Old vs new iPad icon in iOS code

After a tip that the upcoming iPad Pro 2018 won't be sporting an audio jack, and a CAD file depicting a mysterious elliptical element on the back of the tablet, we now have the first direct evidence, straight from Apple, about the new design and features. The iOS 12 beta 5 code has been the gift that keeps on leaking, and eagle-eyed developers have spotted a brand new icon there, depicting what seems to be a stylised iPad with very thin bezels all-around, but no notch or home key.

Let's not forget that the new iPad Pro that is supposed to land in September is heavily rumored to sport minimum bezels and Face ID but without the unsightly notch, as there will be plenty of bezel area to incorporate a second generation of the TrueDepth camera still. 

Sure enough, the same dev that has gotten many Apple scoops in the past from source code, including the new iPhone design from the HomePod software, found iPad Face ID reference in the beta 5 as well. Brace yourselves, a new Apple tablet design is coming, and we can't wait to hear more next month, the lineup is shaping up to be staggering.

via 9to5Mac

Google is developing a censored search engine for China

Google is said to be working on project Dragonfly which aims to bring the search back in China. The company is developing an engine that will blacklist websites and terms about human rights, democracy, religion and protests - all of them really sensitive topics in China. The project has been underway since the fall of 2017 and has been demonstrated to Chinese officials at CES in January.

According to internal documents, acquired by The Intercept, the final version could be launched in the next six to nine months, pending approval from the Chinese government. If the project goes through, the Mountain View company will bring its search back to China for the first time. Since more than 95% of people accessing internet in China use mobile devices, Google will launch the new product as an app before it arrives as a desktop platform.

The platform will work in quite a simple way, the documents say. Once the platform detects controversial keywords, it will filter and block websites that are currently prohibited from visiting in China, like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and effectively all adult entertainment content. There will be a disclaimer stating “some results may have been removed due to statutory requirements.”

An inside source said only a few hundred members of the 88,000 employees know about this project and they are not authorized to contact the media. They revealed the reason for reaching out is moral and ethical concerns about Google’s role in censorship, which is being planned with no public scrutiny.

Source

Oreo for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Fan Edition begins rolling out

Samsung has started rolling out the Oreo update to the Galaxy Note7 Fan Edition smartphone. The update is currently hitting LG Uplus and SK Telecom units in South Korea. Other carriers are also expected to roll out the update soon.

The Galaxy S7 series should now be next in line for Oreo.

Via

Motorola Moto E5 Plus official render leaks ahead of launch

The image spills the beans on lots of the specs - an 18:9 display, a dual-camera on the back, and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. It also confirms one of the paintjobs - Light Blue.

It's uncertain if those dots at the front stand for one selfie camera and a LED flash, or two snappers without a flash. Or maybe all three of those?

The Plus model should pack a 5.5" or more big screen but with low 720p resolution, and some power-efficient chip. We'll know more once the E5 Plus goes official with the rest of the new Moto phones sooner rather than later.

Source • Via

The biggest iPhone yet may have 1,242x2,688 resolution, A12 chip, gold color option

Apple is going to launch three new iPhones this fall, all with a design very similar to that of the iPhone X from last year. One model will keep that device's screen tech and size, another is apparently coming with a 6.5" OLED panel, while the third model will be a more affordable 6.1" handset with an LCD display and lower resolution.

Today a report from Bloomberg basically confirms all of that, adding a few new bits and pieces of intel allegedly coming from "people familiar with the products".

The biggest iPhone yet is to have a screen "close to 6.5 inches", while design-wise it will act like a Plus version of the successor to the current iPhone X, keeping the overall shape, the notch, and the stainless steel frame and glass back. Its display's resolution could be 1,242x2,688, since at least one prototype is boasting that. If so, it would be the highest-res iPhone ever. The body will be about the same size as that of the iPhone 8 Plus, with the extra screen real estate made possible by cutting the bezels.

Furthermore, Apple is reportedly thinking of releasing it and the iPhone X successor in a gold color version. This was planned for the X but abandoned in the end because of production problems. The two premium 2018 iPhones are to be powered by the upcoming A12 chipset.

The larger iPhone may also have dual-SIM functionality for the first time in Apple's history, to appeal to travelers in some markets. That said, the company may simply forego this and wait for eSIM to become more accepted by carriers.

The lower-cost model (don't read that as "cheap") will have the same edge-to-edge screen design as the premium offerings, complete with notch and Face ID support (and no Touch ID). Its cost will be cut by using the cheaper LCD technology and an aluminum frame. It was also rumored not to pack 3D Touch.

Source | Via

Samsung expects the Galaxy S9 to sell more than the Galaxy S8

Samsung has been a smartphone giant for a while now and every year, Samsung expects to out do itself with every next big thing it releases. DJ Koh, the CEO of Samsung's mobile division has said that Samsung expects the Samsung Galaxy S9 to outperform the Galaxy S8 in the market. For reference, the Samsung Galaxy S8 has sold an estimated 37 million units since its release back in April 2017.

The Galaxy S9 will be released earlier in the year than the Galaxy S8 was, and as we plan to release various marketing strategies to beef up demand, I believe overall numbers will be better. - DJ Koh

Koh adds that initial feedback of the Galaxy S9 is better than expected. Samsung's marketing strategy for the Galaxy S9+ will position it as "reimagined" which is a direct reference to the new smartphone's new dual camera setup with variable apertures and super slow-motion capabilities, not to mention - Samsung's new AR Emojis.

Something also worth noting is that the Galaxy S9 has been announced a few weeks earlier than the Galaxy S8 was, which skipped out on an MWC announcement in 2017. Samsung does get an early start in the year so maybe it will be able to outsell the S8.

Via

Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact pricing in Germany revealed

The big XZ2 will cost €800 while the XZ2 Compact will be €600. Compared to the prices of last year's XZ1 models, the launch price of the big one is €100 higher, but the Compact model price is unchanged. Still, keep in mind that these are among the first phones with Snapdragon 845 to be unveiled this year so they come with cutting-edge hardware.

  
Sony Xperia XZ2 • Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

Both phones will be available in Q2. Maybe by the time pre-orders start, there will be a promo bundle unveiled – the XZ1 duo had a deal with free h.ear wireless headphones. And even if we don’t, the XZ2 Compact is currently the cheapest S845 phone.

Source (in German)

Apple launches “Shot on iPhone X” ad campaign in Australia

Last month Apple released its first “Shot on iPhone X” adverts when it introduced selfies made with Portrait Lighting. Now the series were continued in Australia where the local Apple division showcased the iPhone X video recording capabilities during the first dance at a handful of different weddings.

The total of four videos include three 15-second clips and one full-minute video for TV purposes that celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia last December.

The marriage between the couples Meg and Ann-Marie, Nick and Rob, and Antony and Ron are set to the song “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS, covered by Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barrett. The videos are not expected to hit other markets, so if you like to see them all, just head to Apple’s YouTube page.

The videos look amazing from a technical point of view, but there is a disclaimer “Additional app and hardware used”. What goes without saying is the producers used proper lighting and specifically selected subjects and backgrounds, and probably even threw in some Motion or FinalCut editing.

Source

Here's the first TV ad for the Samsung Galaxy S9

You can now pre-book a Galaxy S9 or S9+

Samsung has already started taking pre-orders for the newly introduced Galaxy S9 and S9+ in the UK and Canada, the same unfortunately can't be said for India.

In the subcontinent, the Korean company has instead chosen to start a pre-booking phase for its latest flagship smartphones. This is open at its online shop for India, and will guarantee that you are among the first people to receive the S9 or S9+.

All you have to do is shell out INR 2,000 as an advance payment for the model you want, and enter your contact details and the color you fancy (the options being Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, and Coral Blue). On launch day you will get an email and SMS with the official prices - these are still a mystery for India. Then you can choose to continue with the purchase and apply your pre-book coupon - that will subtract INR 2,000 from the final price you need to pay.

The official prices are due to be unveiled at the special launch event for India, which is going to take place at some point during the first week of March.

Via

Sony Xperia XZ1 drops to $495 in US

Sony is all set to officially unveil the Xperia XZ2 today, but if you are in the market for the Xperia XZ1, you'll be glad to know the device is currently available for $495, down over $200 from its price at launch, which happened in September.

Amazon is offering the handset (black and blue variants) at this rate. Other color options line pink and silver are currently in the range of $530-$540. No information on when the discount ends, so those interested in availing it may have to act fast.

Source

Watch Sony unveil the Xperia XZ2 live here at 8:30 CET

It’s Sony’s turn on the big MWC stage. The company is expected to unveil the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact, although there’s a chance there will be a surprise – a third device.

We’ll be up early in the morning to attend in person – the event starts at 8:30 CET – but you can watch the unveiling online. Beyond Sony’s presentation, you should expect our first-hand impressions of the new flagships.

Deal: Unlocked LG V20 (refurbished) is on sale for $215, the lowest price to date!

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iOS 11.3 will let you disable battery-related throttling

iPhone 6 (and later) users will regain control over the performance of their phone. iOS 11.3 will add more detailed info on the battery’s health and whether or not the chipset is throttled. If it is, there will be an option to return it to full speed.

This new version of iOS came out in beta today, but the battery toggle has not been implemented yet. It will be added in a later beta release.

Some of the other additions in iOS 11.3 are available, though. New animojis for one: dragon, bear, skull and lion bring the total of available characters to 16.

Business Chat will go into beta when iOS 11.3 comes out. It allows consumers to interact with businesses like Discover, Hilton, Lowe’s and Wells Fargo. You can chat with a representative, make an appointment and even make a purchase with Apple Pay.

 
Business Chat (new in iOS 11.3) will connect users with businesses

ARKit will be bumped up to version 1.5, allowing it to recognize vertical surfaces as well (walls, posters on those walls, doors, etc.). It will also do a better job at tracking irregular horizontal surfaces (say, a round table).

Health Records will show your data from hospitals and clinics, organized in one easy to browse view. You’ll also receive regular notifications with your lab results. All data is encrypted and protected with a passcode.

  
Health Records show information from hospital and clinics and will notify you when lab results arrive

A few more features include music videos in Apple Music, Advanced Mobile Location for emergency services.

Source

Xiaomi Mi 6X allegedly leaks in hands-on photos

Xiaomi is apparently working on a successor to last year's Mi 5X, which will unsurprisingly be called Mi 6X. This model is allegedly pictured in the hands-on images you can see below, which come from two different sources. Although overall the design seems similar between the gold and black units depicted, don't take any of this for granted just yet.

The Mi 6X is going with an iPhone X lookalike vertical dual rear camera arrangement, whereas its predecessor 'emulated' the design of the iPhone 7 Plus in this regard. The phone obviously sports an 18:9 touchscreen, possibly a 5.99" panel.

Xiaomi might actually unveil (or at least showcase) this handset at MWC next month, and it may be powered by the company's own Surge S2 chipset. This will have an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at up to 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at up to 1.8 GHz. The GPU employed is the Mali-G71 MP8.

Interestingly, the Mi 5X was also launched as the Mi A1 in some markets (part of the Android One program). It's unclear if the Mi 6X will have the same fate and turn into a Mi A2 outside of China.

Source 1 (in Chinese) | Source 2 | Via 1 | Via 2

Samsung will officially unveil the Galaxy S9 on February 25

Invitations were sent to the media to attend Samsung's Press event in Barcelona, where the South Korean phone maker will announce its newest flagship: the Samsung Galaxy S9 (and S9+).

The invitation itself offers only a number 9 and the words: “The Camera. Reimagined”. So it’s safe to say we’ll be expecting some serious upping of Samsung’s camera game.

So far, based on leaks. We’re expecting the phones to look pretty similar on the front: 18.5:9 Infinity displays with slightly reduced bezels. On the back we’re looking at a redesigned camera setup with the fingerprint scanner migrating towards the center of the back, just below the camera sensors.

  
Unofficial leaked renders of the Galaxy S9 and S9+

Speaking of cameras, we’re also expecting Samsung to offer two different camera experiences on the Samsung Galaxy S9: a single sensor on the S9 and a dual-camera sensor on the larger S9+ model.

Leaks have also suggested that we might see higher frame rates in slow motion on the Galaxy S9: 480 fps @ 1080p. Sony has already been the first to adopt nearly 1,000 fps on the Xperia XZ Premium so if Samsung delves into higher frame rates, we may see more smartphones with frame rates higher than 240 fps.

We can also expect a bump in performance and somewhat faster wireless charging. The 15W fast-charging model isn’t expected to change this time around, though.

The phone is also reportedly going to open for pre-orders starting the day after the event: February 26 with units shipping to customers on March 16.

New Motorola Moto X4 variant coming next week

Motorola has announced that it'll launch a new Moto X4 variant next week. The company's India subsidiary took to Twitter recently to make the announcement. Take a look:

Motorola India

✔@motorolaindia

Strap in to soon experience speed like you wouldn’t believe. We’ve reconstructed perfection to give you the all new #MotoX4 that just got that much faster, smarter and sharper. And is still as stunning as ever. Arriving on 1st February.

12:27 PM - Jan 23, 2018

•  7777 Replies
 
•  130130 Retweets
 
•  1,3051,305 likes

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While the tweet as well as the video accompanying it doesn't specifically reveal the key selling point of the new model, given the emphasis on speed, it's likely that the variant will have higher amount of RAM.

23 Jan

Abhay technical@Abhaysi66949480

Replying to @motorolaindia

Let me guess it will Moto x4 6gb ram varient or Moto x4 Android one edition.

Motorola India

✔@motorolaindia

Hey Abhay, stay tuned to our social media pages for upcoming details! You never know you might have guessed it right ;)

9:39 PM - Jan 23, 2018

•  Replies
 
•  Retweets
 
•  likes

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Reports say the device will come with 6GB RAM, compared to the 3GB and 4GB models already available. Announcement is set for February 1. No word yet on pricing though.

Source