Huawei India Releases Android 5.0 Roadmap For Honor Devices

Huawei has been releasing rather interesting smartphones for the last year or so. The company has unveiled a number of devices made out of metal, like the Mate7 phablet which was announced last year, three Huawei P8 devices, or the Honor 7 which was announced quite recently. The company has pushed out quite a few handsets, and it seems like they're nowhere near done with that for this year. Huawei is still expected to unveil the 2016 edition of their Mate phablet, and they've also teased a new Android Wear-powered smartwatch which is supposed to launched during IFA in Berlin in a couple of days.

That being said, this China-based company has just released some info regarding Lollipop updates in India. Huawei has announced that they'll roll out Android Lollipop to some of their devices starting next month (September). According to Huawei's Facebook post, Honor 4C, Honor 6 and Honor 6 Plus devices will be getting the update this September, and Honor 4X will follow in October. The Honor 4C will get the update on September 21st, the Honor 6 will follow on September 25th, and the Honor 6 Plus will get the update 4 days later, September 29th. Those of you who own the Honor 4X in India will have to wait until October 20th, when Huawei will start rolling update for that handset. All of these devices will get Android Lollipop update with Huawei's EMUI (Emotion UI) 3.1 installed on top of it. EMUI 3.1 actually brings quite a few improvements to Huawei's skin, including performance boost (lead by ART), UI redesign, security enhancements, etc.

There you have it, the Android Lollipop update will be landing on a number of Huawei-branded devices in India very soon. As a side note, Huawei has been rather active when it comes to releasing devices recently, the company has unveiled the Honor 7i handset which sports a flip-up camera, and the Honor 7 was also launched in Europe. This Chinese smartphone OEM clearly has big plans for the future, and it will certainly be interesting to see their next move. Stay tuned for more info, IFA is right around the corner, and Huawei will be announcing the new 'Mate' device, and a new Android Wear-powered smartwatch at the show.

Source: Huawei India Releases Android 5.0 Roadmap For Honor Devices

Sony Xperia Z5 UK release date, price & specification rumours: Three new Sony Xperia Z5 phones tipped for IFA 2015

Sony Xperia Z5 UK release date, price & specification rumours The Sony Xperia Z4 (known in the UK as the Sony Xperia Z3+) was something of a disappointment, but the Sony Xperia Z5 is on its way. Sorry - the Z5s (plural) are on their way! Here we round up the rumours to bring you the latest on the Sony Xperia Z5 UK release date, price, specification and new features. The Sony Xperia Z4 was something of a disappointment, but the Z5 is on its way. Sorry - the Z5s (plural) are on their way!

By Marie Brewis | 28 Aug 15

The Sony Xperia Z4 (known in the UK as the Xperia Z3+) was something of a disappointment, but the Sony Xperia Z5 is on its way. Sorry - the Z5s (plural) are on their way! Here we round up the rumours to bring you the latest on the Sony Xperia Z5 UK release date, price, specification and new features. Also see Best smartphones 2015 and Best Android phones 2015.

Sony is holding a press event prior to Berlin's IFA 2015 show on 2 September (also see: What to expect from IFA 2015). The Sony Xperia Z5 is hotly tipped to make an appearance - along with a Sony Xperia Z5 Compact and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium! (We forgive you for the Z3+ now, Sony.) The firm accidentally revealed the details, according to Phandroid and leaked images come via Xperia Blog.

We'll be bringing you full details of the new phones on Wednesday (2 September), but come back before then for news of how to watch the Sony press conference live.

Sony Xperia Z5 UK release date and price: When is the new Sony Xperia coming out?

Even before the Xperia Z3+ arrived, there were rumours that another phone would arrive from Sony this year and it, in fact, would be the real flagship device for 2015. With a Z4 already available, this new handset will be the Xperia Z5 and it is thought that the device will be announced in September at IFA 2015 – a technology trade show which takes place in Berlin Germany.

IFA 2015 is scheduled for 4-9 September and the press conferences where all the announcements are made typically happen just before. Sony's IFA 2015 press conference will be held in 2 September.

Of course, there will be no official price for the Xperia Z5 until it's announced but we expect it to fetch around £500 SIM-free when it does arrive. We predict it will go on sale sometime in the second half of September following IFA 2015. Also see: Best new phones coming in 2015.

Sony Xperia Z5 specification and feature rumours: What to expect from the new Sony Xperia phone

After moderate upgrades over the last few flagship Xperia Z phones, it looks like the Xperia Z5 will be the biggest jump for a long time – and it's much needed.

It seems the Z3+ is suffering from overheating issues due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor but the Xperia Z5 will come equipped with the new Snapdragon 820 and it will have a whopping 4GB of RAM matching the OnePlus 2.

Furthermore, it's rumoured to have a huge 4500mAh battery which should provide excellent battery life (the LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S6 have 3000- and 2550mAh batteries respectively for comparison). The main camera on the Xperia Z5 is expected to be the latest 23Mp Sony Exmor RS IMX230 CMOS sensor, which will support 4K video recording and HDR capabilities.

Other details are a little hazy with a Quad HD resolution (1440x2560) rumoured for all three models (see below) - but we think that's unlikely - and a Qualcomm Ultrasonic Sense ID fingerprint scanner found on the Ultra.

We've not seen any really decent leaked images yet but a few reports suggest that Sony is going back to the drawing board on design so we could have a fresh new look for the Z5 range. USB Type-C is an unsurprising rumour and we expect Sony to continue to offer waterproofing.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: Three new Sony phones on the way

Not only is Sony rumoured to be launching the Z5 at IFA, it looks like there may well be three models coming at once (insert joke about buses).

Sony has proven itself as the best smartphone maker of 'mini' versions of flagship phones – we love the Xperia Z3 Compact so it's great to hear that we'll be getting an Xperia Z5 Compact for those whose want a smaller but still premium smartphone.

The Xperia Z5 range will also see the return of the Ultra model, in a way, following the 2013 launch of the Xperia Z Ultra with a huge 6.4in screen making it one of the biggest phablets around. We can expect something similar this year but the Z5 Premium will be 5.5in and although Quad HD is rumoured this could be the first 4K phone on the market.

We'll update this article as and when we hear more details on the Xperia Z5 range but let us know what you think below - in the poll and the comments.

Sony Xperia Z5 poll
Source: Sony Xperia Z5 UK release date, price & specification rumours: Three new Sony Xperia Z5 phones tipped for IFA 2015

Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Release Date 2015: September 9 Official Launch, New Features, Full Specs, Pricing, iOS 9 & More

The Cupertino tech titan Apple Inc., has just announced its traditional fall smartphone– iPhone 6S and 6S Plus — launch, throwing out invitations to the press and media as well as handful of tech bloggers for an event on September 9th at 10:00 AM PST.

The iPhone 6S launch will get underway at the San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. That's significantly a new one for the most valuable technology company — and it's a massive venue with a 7,000-person seating capacity, so expect a lot of news from Apple.

Apple is widely expected to reveal a new pair of high-end premium smartphones: the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Nothing much is publicly known regarding what the new smartphones might offer in the way of incremental upgrades, but it's safe to say that the upcoming devices' displays will incorporate Force Touch — an Apple technology that allows for force-sensitive touches and has already appeared on the Apple Watch and newer MacBooks. It is also expected that the firm will upgrade its iPhone's camera, which has also been rumored, so we'll be looking for that.

There are also rumors on a new iPads might be in the work, including a rumored larger iPad Pro, and a fully revised Apple TV which will be shipped with iOS operating system. And of course we'll be seeing the iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, and watchOS 2.

Source: Apple iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Release Date 2015: September 9 Official Launch, New Features, Full Specs, Pricing, iOS 9 & More

Apple New iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Official Release Date 2015: Sept. 9 Launch, iOS 9, Features, Specs, Price and More

The Cupertino tech titan Apple Inc., has just announced its traditional fall smartphone– iPhone 6S and 6S Plus — launch, throwing out invitations to the press and media as well as handful of tech bloggers for an event on September 9th at 10:00 AM PST.

The iPhone 6S launch will get underway at the San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. That's significantly a new one for the most valuable technology company — and it's a massive venue with a 7,000-person seating capacity, so expect a lot of news from Apple.

Apple is widely expected to reveal a new pair of high-end premium smartphones: the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Nothing much is publicly known regarding what the new smartphones might offer in the way of incremental upgrades, but it's safe to say that the upcoming devices' displays will incorporate Force Touch — an Apple technology that allows for force-sensitive touches and has already appeared on the Apple Watch and newer MacBooks. It is also expected that the firm will upgrade its iPhone's camera, which has also been rumored, so we'll be looking for that.

There are also rumors on a new iPads might be in the work, including a rumored larger iPad Pro, and a fully revised Apple TV which will be shipped with iOS operating system. And of course we'll be seeing the iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, and watchOS 2.

Source: Apple New iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Official Release Date 2015: Sept. 9 Launch, iOS 9, Features, Specs, Price and More

Sony to release the world’s first 4K display smartphone?

With manufacturers pushing ahead in the mobile display pixel density race, a new report suggests that #Sony might be the first to push the limits even further. According to a new leak, the company will be the first to release a 4K display smartphone in the market. It is said that the Japanese manufacturer will release a phone called the Xperia Z5 Premium, in addition to the #XperiaZ5 and the #XperiaZ5Compact.

The Xperia Z5 and the Z5 Compact will supposedly pack 5.2 inch displays with a 1080p resolution while the Z5 Premium is said to be sporting a 5.5 inch display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, or in other words Ultra HD a.k.a 4K. This will give the handset a remarkable pixel density of 808 ppi, which is beyond what the human eye can discern, but will be massive for the company's PR campaign.

This is assuming the company will actually go ahead and release the device, which is hard to tell at this point knowing how it's still a leak. But if Sony were to release a flagship smartphone to make a striking comeback in the mobile industry, this would be it.

Source: Facebook (link down), @evleaks – Twitter

Source: Sony to release the world's first 4K display smartphone?

The bane of your existence: Smartphones and ‘technostress’

If you feel stressed out by your smartphone, it might be down to your personality as well as your phone, a new study suggests.

Writing in the journal Behaviour & Information Technology, Yu-Kang Lee and colleagues explored the relationship between four key personality traits, the types of phones people used and the levels of 'technostress' they experienced.

The first trait they studied was 'locus of control', which the authors defined as 'the extent to which people believe that their actions determine their rewards in life'. As smartphones blur the line between home and work, encourage multi-tasking and constant checking, the authors found them unsurprisingly to be a greater source of technostress than traditional phones. 'This has been called the "helpful-stressful cycle," in which one purchases a smartphone to help manage the workload only to have it induce stress and become the bane of one's existence,' they observe.

The second trait the authors explored was 'social interaction anxiety' (SIA). As people with high SIA are more likely to depend on the internet for social networking, they are also more likely to suffer the negative side effects of excessive use including stress caused by repeated smartphone checking and internet addiction.

The third trait was the 'need for touch', which can be satisfied in many people by constantly fiddling with their smartphone touch screens -- a problem users of traditional phones don't have. However, the fact that touching a smartphone becomes almost compelling is yet another source of technostress for their users.

The final trait, materialism, was the only one that seemed to cause more technostress in users of traditional phones than smartphones. The reason why isn't clear, but the authors suggest that perhaps users of snazzy smartphones have already reached a 'ceiling' in terms of their own material desires and therefore how much stress it can cause them.

So we now know that certain personality traits can make people more prone to suffer technostress, and health professionals may be able to identify and treat people who fall victim to technostress. And finally, this new work can also help individual users: the authors recommend that people with high levels of technostress -- and the 'attendant psychological characteristics' -- reduce their mobile usage, which is probably good advice for us all.

Story Source:

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Taylor & Francis. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Source: The bane of your existence: Smartphones and 'technostress'

Microsoft Discusses Smartphone 3D Imaging Using MobileFusion

Microsoft have been working on more projects than making Microsoft Bing a useful search engine and the release of Windows 10, as one of their research teams is working on a technology designed to produce high quality 3D images of ordinary objects, using ordinary mobile 'phones. The technology does not require an add-on gadget or special camera of any description and takes only a few seconds longer than taking an ordinary picture. This Microsoft Research is summed by in the words of Peter Ondruska, a Ph.D. candidate at Oxford University, who worked with Microsoft as an intern: "What this system effectively allows us to do is to take something similar to a picture, but it's a full 3D object." The system is called MobileFusion and does not rely on anything over and above the software running on the device – there is no Internet connection or access to a cluster of cloud computing servers. It means that should you find yourself in Blair Witch territory, you could stop to tak e a 3D image of something unusual you discovered in the woods.

MobileFusion's scans are considered to be of good enough quality to be used for 3D printing and augmented reality video games, or for taking a 3D image of an ordinary object spotted on vacation and sharing it with friends and loved ones. It could also be used by product vendors to take an image of their product and sharing it with potential customers, instead of the more conventional picture or video. The Microsoft Research team are planning to present MobileFusion in early October at the International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality show.

Several of the team originally worked on a similar Microsoft project, Kinect Fusion, which allowed customers to build 3D models of their environment (such as houses, offices or even loved ones) but required a computer plus other accessories – it is not portable in the same way an ordinary smartphone is.

One of the key enablers to this technology is how powerful a smartphone's technology has become in a few short years. Kinect Fusion was limited by the necessary components to build the model environment but modern – or in the case of the video, a less than current iPhone – smartphones have the necessary processor and camera power for the 3D imaging technology. The cornerstone of MobileFusion is an algorithm that allows the camera to act as a 3D scanner by taking multiple images described as "similar to how the human eye works." The technique involves the RGB, Red Green Blue, functionality of the camera and requires images taken from different angles. The team are tentatively planning to release the technology for Android, Windows Phone and iOS devices although at this juncture there are no firms plans.

Source: Microsoft Discusses Smartphone 3D Imaging Using MobileFusion

The Huawei Nexus Got Leaked Again In A Case

As you may already know, Google will apparently release two Nexus smartphones this year, one created by LG, which is supposed to have a 5.2-inch display and belong to the mid-range and a larger model created in a partnership with Huawei, being the first time they use a Chinese manufacturer to create a Nexus device. There are several rumors that mention the specifications of the Huawei Nexus, but today we got a clear look at the alleged hardware of this device as some hands-on photos were leaked. The front looks fine, but some details on the back made us question if that is, in fact, the device that will be unveiled along the final release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Case manufacturers typically get some renders or dummies of new devices in order to have their accessories available by the time they get released. This time, pictures of a case for the Huawei Nexus have surfaced covering the device, so some aspects of the smartphone can be confirmed. It seems to be one of those rugged cases that protect the device against most accidents, that's why it looks rather thick and the bezels surrounding the screen look very large as well. Still, on the front we can see some cutouts for the camera and what looks like the ambient light sensor as well as for the front facing stereo speakers. On the back, there are cutouts for the circular fingerprint scanner, the camera and the Dual-LED flash module, which seems to be larger than the flash itself, so the camera may feature laser auto-focus. The cutout on the bottom confirms that it will sport a USB Type-C port, as it is now supported by Android 6.0 and the cutout on top will probably be for the headphone jack.

Some of the rumored specs include a 5.7-inch display, although there is no way to confirm its resolution. As for the processor, it will still use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, as it will be the best offering by the time it gets released. The amount of RAM is not confirmed either, being 3 GB or 4 GB two possibilities. The hardware seems to be made out of metal and we could expect this device to be officially announced on September or October.

Source: The Huawei Nexus Got Leaked Again In A Case

Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 battery life compared, mixed results

The Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 is a recent budget smartphone release that offers some value for money specs such as an octa-core processor. It packs a 2500 mAh battery, and if battery life is important to you in a smartphone you might like to take a look a look at the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 battery life compared with other handsets. The testing showed it achieved rather mixed results.

You can check out our launch article on the Xpress 2 to see more on specs and the price of the phone, but for many people battery life is now a real consideration when purchasing a new device. Fone Arena has put this new Micromax Canvas handset through its paces with battery testing, and the results are split into four categories. They are Talk Time, 3G Browsing, WiFi Browsing, and Video Playback.

The results are then compared on tables showing the position that the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 achieved against numerous other smartphones on the market. Just a few of the other handsets shown are the Lenovo K3 Note, Meizu M2 Note, Xiaomi Mi 4i, Xolo Black, and Gionee Elife S5.1.

In the Talk Time testing (image directly below) the Canvas Xpress 2 managed a time of 12 hours and 30 minutes. That's pretty poor and put the phone right at the bottom of the table. The Meizu M2 Note and Lenovo A7000 attained top spot in this testing, both with a time of 33 hours and 19 minutes, illustrating the below-par result of the Xpress 2 in this respect.

For the 3G Browsing test the result was a complete reverse. This time around the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 was in first position on the table with a time of 6 hours and 39 minutes. The Lenovo A7000 and Xiaomi Mi 4i this time were in equal second spot with a time of exactly 5 hours. Surprisingly perhaps, the K3 Note and Elife S5.1 were at the bottom of the phone, both on 3 hours and 42 minutes.

Moving on to WiFi Browsing the Xpress 2 excelled again (image below). Once more it reached the top of the table, with a time of 8 hours and 19 minutes. The Xolo Black and Meizu M2 Note were in joint second place with a time of 6 hours and 39 minutes, while the Elife S5.1 was in last place again on 4 hours and 10 minutes.

The final testing involved Video Playback and the Canvas Xpress 2 was in the bottom half of the table. It managed a time of 8 hours and 19 minutes, the same as the Lenovo K3 Note. By comparison the Coolpad Dazen X7 and Xiaomi Mi 4i were in top spot with a time of 11 hours and 7 minutes. In last place was the Elife S5.1 again, this time on 6 hours and 15 minutes.

You can see the full results, other tables, and Fone Arena's One Charge rating for the phone at the source below. It's disappointing that the Xpress 2 achieved such a poor showing in the Talk Time testing. However, this is balanced somewhat by the impressive results it attained in the browsing tests. What are your thoughts on the battery life of the Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 as shown in this testing? We always appreciate your comments.

Source: Fone Arena

Read more about: Micromax   Mobile Phones  

Source: Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 battery life compared, mixed results

Can You Guess the Fastest-Growing Smartphone Vendor (Hint: It’s Not Apple or Samsung)

Source: Gartner

For those following the smartphone markets, research firm Gartner's quarterly report serves as a great reality check against the constant spin perpetuated by market participants. After all, the true barometer for corporate success is units sold, not great website reviews or ratings, so Gartner's quarterly worldwide smartphone sales figures are a highly watched barometer for the entire industry.

As for the overall market, Gartner's report casts a bearish shadow on future smartphone growth. Although worldwide smartphone sales increased on a year-on-year basis, growing to nearly 330 million units in 2015's second quarter from 290 million in the same quarter last year, the increase of 13.5% was the lowest growth rate since 2013.

Unfortunately, Gartner pointed to China's poor performance, which actually reported a year-on-year decrease of 4%, as a big reason for the sluggish worldwide figure. This is a negative sign considering China is the world's largest smartphone market, 30% thereof, and — until recently — figured to be the growth catalyst for the immediate future. Not surprisingly, vendors that were still able to perform well in China were those that did well in Gartner's report.

Samsung continues its fall When it comes to smartphone market share, it's becoming increasingly apparent Samsung (OTC:SSNLF) is becoming a "paper champion." Although the South-Korean electronics conglomerate is still No. 1 in terms of market share, the lead continues to narrow. For perspective, in Q2 2014 Samsung commanded 26.2% of the overall smartphone market and shipped 76 million smartphones. Despite since releasing a well-reviewed Galaxy S6 flagship unit, the company continues to struggle and experienced a market share drop to 21.9% this quarter.

But perhaps the most interesting data point for Samsung was how they lost market share. This 4.3-percentage point drop for the company was due to the fact the company shipped fewer phones this period than it did in last year's corresponding quarter. Under pressure from a host of vendors in China — Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Xiaomi, and Huawei, among others — Samsung shipped 72 million smartphones this quarter, 5.3% lower than they did last year.

The fastest-growing smartphone maker wasn't Apple If you're an Apple shareholder, you have to be happy with this report. Gartner's data really doesn't cover new territory on a units sold basis, as it is similar to the figures Apple disclosed in its recent earnings release, but the data is valuable when compared to the overall industry. And, on that basis, Apple did rather well — Cupertino grew 36% on a year-on-year basis, according to Gartner's data, selling 48 million units in the second quarter versus 35.3 million in last year's period.

When compared against the overall growth rate of 13.5%, Apple's performance looks rather strong. However, Apple's outperformance in China is the real story — while the overall smartphone market contracted by 4% there, Tim Cook announced iPhone unit growth of 87% in the Middle Kingdom last quarter. On the back of China's performance, Apple increased its worldwide smartphone market share from 12.2% to 14.6%.

However, the real performer this year is Chinese-vendor Huawei. On a worldwide basis the company jumped from 17.7 million units sold in 2014's second quarter to 25.8 million this year, good for a year-on-year growth rate of 46%. Gartner credits strong 4G sales in China and increased overseas sales as reason for this performance.

Huawei grew an astonishing 46% on a year-on-year basis. Source: Huawei

A few years ago the company decided to transition to a higher-end smartphone strategy and it's clearly paying dividends. The company appears to be going from strength to strength, as it also won the manufacturing contract for Google's next Nexus unit that should further increase its unit sales numbers going forward. For years, Xiaomi has dominated the conversation as it pertains to Chinese smartphone manufacturers, perhaps it's time to shift that attention to Huawei.

The next billion-dollar iSecretThe world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something at its recent event, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here.

Jamal Carnette owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Gartner, Google (A shares), and Google (C shares). The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google (A shares), and Google (C shares). Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Source: Can You Guess the Fastest-Growing Smartphone Vendor (Hint: It's Not Apple or Samsung)

Rumour: BlackBerry to release Android smartphone in November

According to an image posted to Twitter by famed tech leaker Evan Blass (better known by his handle @evleaks), BlackBerry is really hoping you miss tapping away on a smartphone with its own physical keyboard.

The image shows a rendering of BlackBerry's long rumored Venice smartphone. Based on the render, the phone will have a curved screen that cascades off its sides (similar to Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge) and a slide-out keyboard.

That slider design is reminiscent of older Android phones, such as Motorola's older Droid smartphone, which had a keyboard that slide out from its side. The Venice's keyboard, however, slides out from the phone's bottom, which should make it feel more like a classic BlackBerry.

Based on the image, the Venice phone will run a full version of Google's Android, which means you'll get access to all of Google's goods and services including the Google Play Store.

The new phone is expected to hit the market this November and (Blass says) will eventually make its way to all four major U.S. carriers.

Via Yahoo Tech

Source: Rumour: BlackBerry to release Android smartphone in November

New GIS 2go release at INTERGEO: Mastering mobile GIS on tablets and smartphones

INTERGEO 2015 in Stuttgart sets new benchmarks – so does Disy with its stand at the industry's leading trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. New GIS 2go client for mobile GIS on Smartphones and Tablets, extended functionalities for GIS users, practice-orientated demonstrations by Disy clients and expert presentations are just a few of the many highlights during this three-day event.

As in previous years, Disy Informationssysteme GmbH will be on hand at INTERGEO (15-17 September 2015), delivering lectures and showing its latest range of GIS solutions at stand F6.015 in hall 6. "We are looking forward to presenting our Cadenza software suite designed to visualise both geodata and attribute data, including efficient result presentation.

A special focus will be on the new version of our mobile solution Cadenza Mobile GIS 2go offering a variety of new features. Be it tablet or smartphone – GIS users can now easily use their maps while on the go," explains Claus Hofmann, Managing Director of Disy. "INTERGEO, which attracts more than 17,000 visitors from all over the world, is the number 1 trade show in the geo business. And we will of course also be there. This year, we will be looking very closely at reporting, geodata integration, environmental information systems and precision farming."

Offline maps for smartphones One of the highlights presented at INTERGEO will be the new version of Cadenza Mobile GIS 2go, which allows GIS users to transfer their maps from Cadenza or ArcGIS for Desktop to their mobile devices and use them offline. Moreover, they can make them available to other users via the cloud. In addition to tablets, Cadenza Mobile GIS 2go now also supports smartphones (iPhone or Android). This way an extended GIS workstation is created – and instead of a laptop, users can take the more handy tablet or smartphone with them to the field. The mobile GIS app also impresses with faster exporting and optimised use of land registers for geometry and attribute editing in the field.

Those interested in testing Cadenza Mobile in combination with Cadenza Desktop can get a fully functional demo DVD for Cadenza at www.gis2go.com (Select Free Trial tab) Presentations by Cadenza users Disy has invited some of its customers to show INTERGEO visitors how Cadenza supports their daily operations, covering a multitude of application areas. Visitors can thus get first-hand information from other users on Disy products and services. Moreover, experts from renowned organisations will be at Disy's stand to present their specific solutions using Cadenza and Cadenza Mobile GIS 2go. Plenary sessions at INTERGEO Conference "We will also be actively involved in the INTERGEO Conference: On 16 September 2015, we will outline our vision for the geo world of tomorrow, focussing on 'Spatial Big Data – Changes and Challenges'," announces Claus Hofmann, (16 Sep 2015, 4.00 – 5.30 pm, C5).

Those who would like to meet Disy experts at INTERGEO, register for a session or request a free 1-day ticket, may contact Disy by email at kontakt@disy.net or phone at ++49 721-16006-000. Further information - Go to www.gis2go.com for more detailed information on Cadenza Mobile GIS 2go - Test GIS 2go for free at www.gis2go.com - Visit Disy at INTERGEO 2015

Source: New GIS 2go release at INTERGEO: Mastering mobile GIS on tablets and smartphones

Rumors point to new beginning at HTC, starting with the HTC O2 flagship smartphone

There are rumors HTC will release a new phone to replace the One M9, a device which may also mark the end of its awkward One Mx approach to nomenclature. Although the phone has been leaked as the M10, it's also possible the phone will be called the HTC O2. It makes sense really, as it ties in with the One name used on older models, but ensures we all know it's a sequel. However, we're not sure what UK network O2 will make of it.

Back to the phone. Several leaks from Chinese sources have painted an almost complete picture of the HTC O2. Mobile-Dad refers to the phone has the M10, and states it'll have a massive 6-inch screen with a 2K resolution, which we'll take to mean 2560 x 1440 pixels. Apparently two versions will be released, one with 64GB of memory and the other with 128GB. A pair of camera are mentioned, 20.7 megapixels on the rear and 5 megapixels on the front, plus a 3500mAh battery — considerably more capacious than many other HTC phones.

Related: HTC's new Desire phones are here to win the hearts of the budget-minded

The HTC O2 name comes from a MyDrivers report, which repeats speculation the phone will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor. This is where the release timeline gets sketchy. Qualcomm has said 820-powered phones won't be available until the first half of next year, yet there is talk of the O2 coming before the end of 2015. If it's the sequel to the One M9, then it's more likely to arrive at MWC in 2016, which would make the presence of the 820 chip a better bet.

Both Chinese sites have published concept images of what the HTC O2/M10 may look like. The pair agree an almost bezel-less screen is possible, with the MyDrivers render showing a 2.5D curved glass display.

If all that sounds a little to neat and tidy for early rumors, talk of a smaller version of the phone has been circulating, just to confuse us. Mobile-Dad mentions a 5-inch HTC phone for 2016 that may also feature the Snapdragon 820. Which one will be the O2? We don't know yet, and it may end up that neither exist at all, so treat all the above as speculation for now.

Source: Rumors point to new beginning at HTC, starting with the HTC O2 flagship smartphone

Boost Mobile Releases ZTE Warp Elite Smartphone

Boost Mobile and ZTE USA today released the latest addition to the Warp family, the Warp Elite by ZTE, offering several notable upgrades and features that matter most to consumers. Available online at www.boostmobile.com/elite/ for $179.99 (plus tax), the ZTE Warp Elite boasts the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system, a large eye-catching display, and an upgraded camera, all packed in a beautifully designed, sleek black smartphone body with gold accents. Here's more info:

With a 5.5-inch touchscreen display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Warp Elite allows consumers to watch the latest movie, play games and view pictures all with crystal clear quality.

Capturing and sharing life's latest moments in sharp detail has never been easier with a 13MP rear and a 5MP front camera. Whether capturing the latest birthday party or taking a selfie, consumers will enjoy capturing quality images no matter the situation.

Consumers can talk, text and play longer with a 3,000mAh battery, and with Quick Charge 1.0 technology integrated within, charging the Warp Elite has never been faster.

Additional features to enhance the consumer experience include:

-Android 5.1, Lollipop-3G/4G LTE/Enhanced LTE-16GB ROM/2GB RAM-64GB microSDHC(TM) card slot (sold separately)-1.2GHz quad-core processor

For more info visit www.boostmobile.com

-----------------------------------------------------

Check out our latest smartphone reviews:

Mi crosoft Lumia 640 XL ReviewSamsung Galaxy S6 Active ReviewAsus ZenFone 2 ReviewHTC One M9 ReviewLG G4 ReviewSamsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge Review

-----MTR News

Source: Boost Mobile Releases ZTE Warp Elite Smartphone

Lenovo-backed ZUK unveils a smartphone prototype with a transparent display

ZUK, the startup backed by Lenovo has taken wraps off its prototype Android smartphone that sports a stunning transparent display. The prototype was showcased along with the ZUK Z1, which the company launched last week.

The concept of transparent display that once seemed futuristic is now for real. While manufacturers are focusing on smartphones with premium materials, slim profile and elegant design, the startup coming up with a working prototype of a transparent display is something not many would have expected.

Just like any other smartphone, this transparent screen allows images and text to be displayed on the screen. However, due to transparent nature, it offers a very cool see-through effect. At this point, the supposed real-world use of this transparent display is still unclear, but augmented reality could be something apt for this technology.

At the event where this prototype was displayed, it was tethered to a dock, which means the working hardware could be hidden inside the box and what you're seeing is purely the display. Given the fact that it's just a working prototype, it may not officially release anytime soon. But who knows, ZUK might just spring-in a surprise by launching a transparent display smartphone, someday.

At the event where this prototype was displayed, it was tethered to a dock, which means the working hardware could be hidden inside the box and what you're seeing is purely the display. Given the fact that it's just a working prototype, it may not officially release anytime soon. But who knows, ZUK might just spring-in a surprise by launching a transparent display smartphone, someday.

Source: Lenovo-backed ZUK unveils a smartphone prototype with a transparent display

Claimed Huawei Nexus 6 gets early debut in render video

Last year's Nexus 6 met lukewarm reception, but can this year's Google phablet redeem the smartphone series?

While we can't say for sure, a new render video that purports to be the Huawei-built Nexus 6 could give us some clues about what to expect.

The video comes courtesy of prolific – and generally reliable – rumour spinner OnLeaks.

"The renders are based on detailed blueprints of the device sent out to third-party accessory manufacturers ahead of the phone's release," writes comparison site uSwitch, an official partner of OnLeaks.

It continues: "According to our sources, Huawei tested two models, one with a 5.5-inch display and another 5.7-inch screen, either of which might be the one that makes it to market."

Check out the video below:

So what does the video actually reveal?

For a start, it appears that there's a fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device.

There's also what looks like a USB-C port on the bottom of the device.

That's a burgeoning USB standard that looks set to take over ports on future mobile devices.

USB-C offers faster transfer rates and a reversible cable tip, and has already appeared on a number of devices, including Apple's new 12-inch MacBook.

Related: Best Android Smartphones 2015

Of course, both Google and Huawei have yet to reveal anything about the new phone, so take this report with a pinch of salt.

It's also worth mentioning that Google is also tipped to be working with South Korean tech giant LG on a new Nexus 5 device for 2015.

Both handsets are expected to launch in October or November this year, but we don't have a release date confirmed at this point.

Don't forget that the phones will also mark the debut of Android M, Google's next mobile operating system.

What do you want to see from Google's next Nexus handset? Let us know in the comments.

Check out our smartphone group test video below:

Source: Claimed Huawei Nexus 6 gets early debut in render video

Samsung releases jumbo phones ahead of iPhone

Samsung Electronics Co. also said its Samsung Pay mobile payment service will debut in its home country of South Korea this month. Testing in the U.S. will begin then, with a formal launch in September.

Although there's competition from Apple Pay and Google's upcoming Android Pay, Samsung is hoping its payments system will catch on with the inclusion of a technology that mimics the old-school, magnetic signals from credit-card swipes. That allows it to work with a wider range of merchants.

The new phones announced Thursday seek to play to Samsung's strengths.

GALAXY NOTE 5

Though it appeals to a niche audience, the Note is popular for including a stylus to take notes and annotate images on the screen. The update provides quicker access to apps and features that use the stylus. A clicking mechanism makes the stylus easier to pull out.

One new feature ends the need to print out and rescan electronic forms to sign or fill out. Just write on the PDF document directly before saving and sending.

Screenshots can get annoying when you're just snapping what's visible on the screen. An article you're trying to save might take four or five shots. A new feature called scroll capture combines all those shots into one image, though you still need to snap them one section at a time.

GALAXY S6 EDGE PLUS

The screens on Samsung's Edge phones are curved on both sides. This spring's S6 Edge used one of those sides for quick access to friends and other frequent contacts. Now, you can use it for quick access to favorite apps, too.

There won't be a stylus, though, as last year's Note Edge phone had.

COMMON TO BOTH PHONES

The new phones incorporate the improved camera technology found in this spring's S6 phones. Added is live streaming of video you're capturing, a practice made popular by Meerkat and Twitter's Periscope apps. The front cameras take sharper selfies, at 5 megapixels rather than 3.7.

The new phones also borrow design elements from the S6. They sport aluminum frames and glass backs rather than plastic. The back of the Note 5 is slightly curved for a better grip, while the Edge gets its curve on the front. Either way, it doesn't feel as boxy as the regular S6.

Borrowing another page from Apple's playbook, the phones are coming out just a week after they are announced. It used to take Samsung a month or longer.

Source: Samsung releases jumbo phones ahead of iPhone

Samsung Gear S2: Release date, price, and more

Samsung looks set take another run at the smartwatch category with the Samsung Gear S2. Here's what we know so far, including the Gear S2 release date, price, features, and specs.

You have to hand it to Samsung. It's certainly tenacious. We've lost count of the number of underwhelming smartwatches the tech giant has churned out in recent years, yet still they come.

In the Samsung Gear S2, the Korean company will be hoping for a dramatic about-turn to its fortunes after a number of smartwatches in a short space of time including the Android Wear-based Samsung Gear Live and Samsung Gear S.

Given the radical overhaul the company has given to its smartphone line in 2015, with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge+, there's plenty of reason to believe it will succeed here too.

Here are some of the main rumours, leaks, and projections made regarding the Samsung Gear S2.

Samsung Gear S2 release date

Alongside the launch of the Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung used its latest Unpacked event to finally make the Gear S2 official, though aside from a flurry of pictures confirming its design, we didn't learn anything more about the device.

We do know however that it will be properly announced during Samsung's press conference at IFA 2015, which takes place in Berlin in September, so we'll get a full look at all its goodies then.

It's round

We mentioned that Samsung was prepared to rip up the design book when its products weren't striking a chord, and the Gear S2 will certainly look completely different to the Gear S and the SmartWatch 3.

Samsung is finally done with the square form factor, and the Samsung Gear S2 will be its first round smartwatch. Even though the rumours had suggested this, Samsung confirmed its next wearable will boast a circular design on stage at the Unpacked event that saw the release of the Note 5 and the S6 Edge +.

It also looks, from the first batch of teaser images, that the watch will be constructed mostly out of metal. Samsung's favourite new material, it seems.

Related: Apple Watch vs Pebble in-depth comparison

Tizen, not Android Wear

The Samsung Gear S2 will run on Samsung's own Tizen OS rather than Android Wear.

It's a bold move, given how poorly received the Samsung Gear 2 was last year - in part due to its half-baked Tizen OS and lack of meaningful applications.

It looks like Samsung will be debuting an all-new, specially designed UI with the Gear S2, though we still don't know exactly how it will function and what it will do. During the product tease, a video slide showed off some of features of the wearable including a heart rate monitor, a Nike+ running apps and of course, smartphone notifications. There was also a bunch of nice looking watchfaces.

Rotating bezel

Tied in with the shift to a more rounded shape is the news that the Samsung Gear S2 will feature an innovative rotating bezel ring.

At the aforementioned Tizen conference, Samsung revealed that the movable ring would represent a "new interaction type."

Early speculation seems to suggest that this screen-surrounding mechanism will act a bit like the Apple Watch's digital crown, allowing you to scroll through content with a physical twist.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Note 4: What's new

Gear S2 specifications

There have been rumours as to the Samsung Gear S2's internal specifications. Apparently, it'll be powered by a 1.2GHz Exynos 3472 dual-core processor with 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and a 250mAh battery.

We're not sure how big the Gear S2's display will be just yet, but the resolution is predicted to be 360 x 360. That'd be a step up from the 320 x 320 SmartWatch 3.

The Gear S2 is also tipped to feature Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity, Wi-Fi, a gyroscope, GPS, a barometer, and a heart rate sensor. That's pretty much a full complement of smartwatch components, then, aside from one omission.

We don't see any sign of NFC in there, though we'd be surprised if the Gear S2 didn't support Samsung Pay. Such an omission would leave the company's new flagship smartwatch trailing the Apple Watch in a pretty major way. That doesn't seem like Samsung's style.

Remember, though, that Samsung Pay in the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ makes use of LoopPay mobile payment technology, which works on traditional card readers as well as NFC payment points. Maybe that technology doesn't scale down to smartwatch size just yet.

Check out our 'Apple Watch Race Across London' video below:

Source: Samsung Gear S2: Release date, price, and more

Samsung Introduces New Phones and Mobile Payment System

Photo The Samsung Note 5, right, includes a digital pen. The S6 Edge Plus, left, has a curved screen that wraps around the sides of the phone.Credit Samsung

Heavy lies the crown for any leader in the smartphone market, and Samsung's plan to stay in the lead is to introduce new phones alongside a new mobile payments system.

The South Korean manufacturer on Thursday introduced two big-screen Galaxy phones: the Note 5, which includes a digital pen, and the S6 Edge Plus, which has a curved screen that wraps around the sides of the phone and skips the pen.

The Note 5 is slightly thinner than its predecessor, the Note 4, and has some software twists. For one, you can jot down notes with the pen even when the screen is off. You can also scribble notes on digital documents before sending them.

The S6 Edge Plus can be customized so that the curved edges can quickly show your favorite apps or contacts by swiping from the sides.

Both phones have 5.7-inch screens and support wireless power charging. While the phones are now available for ordering online, pricing and official release dates have yet to be announced.

The new devices follow Samsung's April release of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, which will soon get price cuts after the company reported earlier this month that its profit had declined for the seventh quarter in a row.

Analysts say that Apple's introduction last year of big-screen phones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, as well as competition from Chinese handset makers like Xiaomi, are chipping into Samsung's profit.

Samsung on Thursday also introduced its mobile wallet system, a rival to the Apple Pay system and Google's Android Pay. The new wallet, Samsung Pay, is similar to Apple and Google's offerings, and will work with a handful of previously released Samsung devices.

Samsung Pay has a few advantages over competitors. The wallet uses a technology called magnetic secure transmission, or MST, to transmit a user's credit card information to merchants at the register. It should work with many, if not most, existing credit card terminals by waving the phone over the card reader. Apple Pay uses Near Field Communication technology, which is slowly being adopted by retailers but is far from being widely accepted.

But Samsung Pay also requires a few extra steps compared to Apple Pay. And in the end, Samsung, Apple and others face challenges convincing consumers to change their behavior by using the mobile payments systems instead of their regular plastic credit cards.

To win over consumers, Samsung is promoting the security features of Samsung Pay. It uses a technology developed by credit card companies called tokenization, which does not require transmitting a person's credit card numbers when paying for things. (Both Android Pay and Apple Pay use this technology as well.) The company is also promoting its integration with retailer loyalty programs that Apple and Google plan to offer in their payments systems, too.

Samsung unveiled the new phones and Samsung Pay ahead of the lucrative holiday shopping season — and, perhaps more important, before Apple is expected to release new iPhones. Apple has traditionally introduced new smartphones in September.

Source: Samsung Introduces New Phones and Mobile Payment System

Rumor: Sony’s Xperia Z5+ smartphone to use a 4K display

Since Sony is facing a tough time in the mobile industry, there's enough doubt about whether the company will emerge on top again. While the company is yet to release the Xperia Z4 globally, a new report is already talking of the Xperia Z5+. A user agent profile for the smartphone has supposedly leaked, carrying the model number E6833.

What's more interesting is that the UAProf is talking of an Ultra HD or 4K resolution display on the handset. There's no word on the screen size though. The handset is also said to be packing a Snapdragon 810 SoC underneath as well, which has already become old news in anticipation of the Snapdragon 820 chipset, so take this with a relatively large grain of salt for the time being.

Sony's next major release is the Xperia Z4v on Verizon Wireless, which is expected to officially hit the U.S. tomorrow. Barring that, the company is also expected to launch a couple of new devices at next month's IFA event in Berlin.

Via: Xperia Blog

Source: Rumor: Sony's Xperia Z5+ smartphone to use a 4K display

Samsung looks to get a head start on Apple with its next jumbo smartphone

This article, Samsung looks to get a head start on Apple with its next jumbo smartphone, originally appeared on CNET.com.

View gallery

.Samsung will show off its newest jumbo smartphones, including a likely follow-up to last year's Galaxy Note Edge, during an event in New York. Juan Garzón/CNET

Samsung hopes to get the jump on Apple. But will it be enough?

On Thursday, Samsung will host its second Unpacked event of the year to introduce its newest phablets, the jumbo-sized hybrids between smartphones and tablets. The company is expected to release the Galaxy Note 5, which will include a metal back instead of plastic and an improved stylus, as well as the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, which is believed to have a 5.7-inch screen that curves over the sides of the device.

Samsung has traditionally unveiled its latest marquee phablet smartphone at the Berlin-based IFA electronics trade show in early September. But this time around, it moved the date up by a couple weeks and shifted its event to New York in what some believe is an attempt to get an even earlier jump on Apple's next iPhone introduction -- which likely will take place in early September.

The bigger screen iPhone "creates pressure on Samsung to get out there earlier than it would have done to stimulate sales overall," said Jackdaw Research chief analyst Jan Dawson. It's "a way of saying, if you're ready for an upgrade, here's a device."

The move speaks to the root of Samsung's troubles: It's no longer the only game in town when it comes to big-screen smartphones, and it now faces stiff competition in a market that has never sold in huge volumes. Consumers aren't willing to pay the premium prices Samsung's asking when there are many similar, cheaper Android devices available. Add to that the general malaise in the smartphone market, and Samsung has a problem.

The company didn't respond to a request for comment.

For the first time ever, Samsung's Note line is launching with a bigger screen iPhone -- the 5.5-inch 6 Plus -- already on the market and its follow-up -- likely called the iPhone 6S Plus -- coming soon. Last year's Galaxy Note 4 had a short run as the sole high-profile phablet smartphone, even if the iPhone 6 Pl us was one of the worst-kept secrets in technology.

See also

Tune into CNET's live blog for Samsung Unpacked

Samsung sets Unpacked event for August 13 in NYC

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+: Do we really need a bigger curved-screen phone?

Samsung Galaxy Note 5: The specs, release date, price we're likely to see

Galaxy S6 fails to bring back Samsung's mojo

But a two-week lead -- or even a month, depending on when the devices go on sale -- likely won't be enough to turn things around for Samsung. Apple is reportedly set to hold its own iPhone event on September 9.

The South Korean company has reported seven straight quarters of declining profits, and it's cutting prices on its three-month-old Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge devices to boost sales. Its smartphone market share has tumbled over the past year -- from controlling about a third of the sector with the Galaxy S3 and S4 in 2012 and 2013, to sharing the title of No. 1 smartphone vendor with Apple in the fourth quarter of 2014. Both companies controlled about a fifth of the market in that period, the first full quarter of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sales, according to Gartner.

Samsung created the phablet market with its 5.3-inch Galaxy Note in 2011. Though the device initially was mocked for its large, almost comical display, the bigger screen size g radually attracted consumers. Carriers liked it because the Note tended to attract more affluent power users who preferred to spend their time staring at a larger screen.

By the time Samsung released the Note 3 in 2013, phablets had plenty of fans, including among other device makers who released their own big-screen phones. With that in mind, Samsung last year unveiled two phablets, the Note 4 and its first smartphone with a display that curved around the side, the Galaxy Note Edge.

But Apple's new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus took away the one big advantage Samsung had -- bigger screens. For Apple, that has turned out to be a goldmine. In the June quarter, it sold 47.5 million iPhones, up 35 percent from the previous year.

iPhone 6 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (pictures)

View gallery

.

The Apple iPhone 6 Plus (left) vs. the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (right). Two similarly sized devices, but with very different looks.

View gallery

.

On its back, the iPhone is mostly a clean, smooth slab of aluminum -- betrayed only by the slight protrusion of the camera lens. The Note 3, meanwhile, has a faux-leather plastic back that is also quite comfortable.

View gallery

.

The iPhone is notably thinner and also features far less flair, but overall placement of buttons and controls is quite similar.

View gallery

.

Nothing at all up top on the iPhone, while the Note 3 features the headphone jack up here.

View gallery

.

The power button on the iPhone 6 Plus has shifted to the right from its traditional position on the top. Thankfully.

View gallery

.

Speaker grilles and cable connectors on both. The iPhone 6 Plus puts the 3.5mm headphone jack down here. The Note makes room for a stylus.

Apple's entry into the phablet business helped shine a spotlight on the category. In the US, 13 percent of smartphone sales in the second quarter were devices with 5.5-inch screens or larger, up from 5.5 percent in the same period in 2014, according to Kantar Worldpanel, with Apple quickly taking the lead in a market Samsung once dominated.

"If you look at the overall number for 5.5 (inch displays) and up, the market has grown, the percentage of sales is higher than it used to be," said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Kantar Worldpanel. "But it's basically just the Apple piece that has led the market to grow versus consumers having strong demand on the Android side."

Samsung surely hopes the significant changes it's making in its Note line -- including the hardware redesign that give its phones a more premium feel -- will be enough to attract buyers, especially in a year Apple likely only tweaks its iPhones. The Cupertino, California company tends to do major redesigns every other year, opting instead for more subtle changes in the off "S" year.

But until consumers get excited about smartphones again -- if they ever do -- Samsung will likely continue to struggle, no matter how flashy its new phablets look.

"The competitive forces are brutal right now," said Current Analysis analyst Avi Greengart.

Consumer Discretionary

Samsung

Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy

Source: Samsung looks to get a head start on Apple with its next jumbo smartphone

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu To Launch Xiaomi's First Made In India Smartphone

Hi! Could you share your feedback about our News section to help us improve?

Q1) What kind of news do you like reading the most?

 

Q2) What can we do to improve your reading experience?

Q3) What other news and features would you like us to cover?

Q4) Which other Indian content sites do you use?

Forward this news to your friends & colleague

Monday, 10 August 2015, 04:09 Hrs

HYDERABAD: Under the 'Make in India, Made in Andhra Pradesh' programme, state Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will launch the Xiaomi's first India-manufactured phone in Visakhapatnam.

At the event, Xiaomi will also make announcement about its expansion plan in India, an official release said here on Sunday.

Xiaomi, a Chinese low-cost smartphone manufacturer, is the third largest smartphone-maker in the world.

Following the Chief Minister's visit to China earlier this year, Xiaomi has come to Visakhapatnam to launch its first made-in-India smartphone and announce its plans for the country, the release said.

Given that global smartphone sales are estimated to grow from 1.5 billion in 2015 to 1.7 billion by 2017 and India will become the second largest smartphone market by 2017 after China, Xiaomi is looking to expand its presence and increase its market share in the country, it said.

During the programme in Visakhapatnam tomorrow, Manu Jain, CEO Xiaomi India and Hugo Barra, VP Global Xiaomi will remain present, the release added.Read Also:STK Accessories Launches 12000mAh Power Bank At 32998 Best Smartphones With 13MP Front And Rear Camera

Source: PTI

All form fields are required.

Source: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu To Launch Xiaomi's First Made In India Smartphone

How The Next Xiaomi Smartphone Will Look

Let the crowds decide. Yes, the crowds.

That's Xiaomi's innovation model, which places the customer at the center of its universe.

"We continued to move forward," stated Xiaomi's Vice President Hugo Barra, in a recent interview with Wall Street Journal."For example, we have introduced a crowdfunding model in China for some of our ecosystem products. We launch a project to the community, and decide whether they want to back it. If enough people back it, then we manufacture the project."

Xiaomi's customer-centric innovation is certainly a great leap forward from China's decades old central planning model, which placed government bureaucrats rather than consumers at the center of the economic universe.

Different rating organizations have taken noticed. In 2014, Xiaomi was ranked number 3 in Fast Company's list of the most innovative companies. In 2015, Xiaomi rose to the 2nd position in MIT's 50 smartest companies list, up from 30th position last year, while Apple climbed to the 16th position, up from nowhere last year.

Xiaomi's customer-centric innovative drive, which churns several new smartphone models every year, has helped the company end up with 18% of the Chinese smartphone market for Q2 – leaving foreign competitors in the dust, including Apple and Samsung, according to IHS Technology.

Xiaomi's gains in the Chinese market come at a time when the company steps up its global expansion with the manufacture and launch of a new $160 device for the Brazilian market.

As of the third-quarter of 2014, Xiaomi's sales accounted for 5.2% of the global smartphone market, according to IDC research data.

That's more than double the 2013 market share and five times the 2012 share.

Innovation and international expansion have helped Xiomi transform itself from a start-up to a $45 billion company – in less than five years – while gaining market share from Apple and Samsung.

Xiaomi has been riding a fast growing market for less expensive smartphones in China, learning a lesson or two from Google GOOG -0.32%, and Apple AAPL -0.89%, and Amazon.com.

From Google, Xiaomi has adopted an open operating platform that has won consumer enthusiasts. From Apple, Xiaomi has learned how to master brand buzz. From Amazon, Xiaomi has learned to compete on razor thin profit margins.

To be fair, Xiaomi has added its own marketing and technological touch to smartphones, with crowdfunding, flush sales, and the introduction of new smartphones for emerging markets.Last August, for instance, the company introduced the Mi4 smartphone–a high-end product – which has helped with Xiaomi's sales in emerging Southeast Asian markets.

Last month it introduced the Redmi 2 into the Brazilian market. And on August 13 it may release its new flagship Mi5 smartphone, together with the popular MIUI software.

Source: How The Next Xiaomi Smartphone Will Look

Huawei Nexus smartphone revealed in video: Fingerprint reader, USB-C and more

The Huawei Nexus smartphone appears to be the next major handset release from Google, following rumours. Now a video has leaked.

The video, which claims to show off the Huawei Nexus, was shared by serial leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer, also known as the editor of nowehereelse.fr. So this could be the real deal.

The video shows off the rear of the handset first, which appears to reveal a fingerprint reader. With plenty of fingerprint authenticated payment systems up and running, and Google set to push in that area, this makes sense.

At the bottom of the handset it looks like a USB Type-C connector. This should mean both high speed charging and data transfer are coming with the next Nexus.

The design of the handset appears to reveal a plastic rear. There were rumours of a metal unibody. Perhaps there will be a metal frame with rear covers that can be swapped out.

Based on other rumours we can expect the Huawei Nexus to come with a 5.7-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 810 or 820 processor, 21-megapixel rear camera and wireless charging.

Google is not expected to reveal its next Nexus smartphone for a few more months. The lack of leaks so far supports this assumption. Here's hoping Google manages to keep the price low thanks to working with Huawei.

READ: Huawei Nexus: What's the story so far?

Source: Huawei Nexus smartphone revealed in video: Fingerprint reader, USB-C and more

BlackBerry Releases Passport Silver Edition Phone

BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) continues to plug ahead in the smartphone business despite seeing its market share drop to negligible numbers.

CEO John Chen even made it clear in remarks from the most recent earnings report that handsets are not the company's future:

I am pleased with the strong performance of our software and technology business. This is key to BlackBerry's future growth. Our financials reflect increased investments to sales and customer support for our software business. In addition, we are taking steps to make the handset business profitable. We believe these actions are prudent and necessary to grow the business and we believe the remaining milestones in our strategic plan are achievable.

They are not the future, and they do not make money, but BlackBerry cannot seem to quit making smartphones. Chen says he believes the company can serve a niche, but that has so far not proven to be the case.

Trying to buck that tide, the company, which only shipped just over one million handsets in the last quarter, is back with another new model.

Not that newThe BlackBerry Passport Silver edition is a new take on the oddly shaped phone the company released to good reviews (and limited sales) earlier this year. Describing the new handset in a press release as "a premium device built for business professionals who want a smartphone with the mobile tools they need to get things done -- without sacrificing style or portability," the Silver is an attempt to win back the business niche that the company served in its heyday.

The new phone has a silver finish with "refined, curved corners, a square touchscreen display, and reinforced stainless steel frame for extra strength and durability." Of course, it has the traditional BlackBerry QWERTY touch-enabled keyboard as well as battery power that lasts more than a full day of mixed use, according to the company.

"We strive to deliver products that combine cutting-edge technology with purposeful, globally recognized design, and the BlackBerry Passport Silver Edition is the latest manifestation of this vision," said Scott Wenger, Global Head of Design at BlackBerry.

Too little too lateIf there is any niche that BlackBerry might win back, it is business customers. The company's devices were practically standard issue for businesspeople during its heyday, but those users have moved on.

The original Passport was an elegant phone, and had it come out a few years earlier, it may have stopped the company's slide. Now, it is hard to see the once-mighty brand reclaiming a significant piece of the handset audience. Simply too much time has passed, and its former customers have found new brands.

This $19 trillion industry could destroy the Internet One bleeding-edge technology is about to put the World Wide Web to bed -- and if you act soon, it could make you rich. Experts are calling it the single largest business opportunity of our time. The Economist is calling it "transformative." But savvy investors could someday call it "how I made my millions." Don't be late to the party -- click here for one stock to own when the Web goes dark.

Daniel Kline has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Source: BlackBerry Releases Passport Silver Edition Phone

Blurry video reportedly shows off Huawei’s upcoming Nexus smartphone

Ian Hardy

August 6, 2015 11:02am

It's long been rumoured that Huawei is set to become the first Chinese smartphone manufacturer to take part in Google's Nexus program.

An initial rumour indicated that Huawei is working with Google to release a smartphone with a 5.7-inch QHD display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor and a fingerprint scanner.

A new video, courtesy of Steve Hemmerstoffer of @onleaks, has surfaced that gives us the first look at the possible design of Huawei's Nexus-branded device, which carries the codename "Bullhead". The video is incredibly blurry, but it's still possible to make out a fingerprint scanner on the back, as well as a back-facing camera camera with flash.

All other details—such the device's battery life, its processor and RAM setup—are unknown. However, the next Nexus device is expected to be announced sometime later this year.

Source: Blurry video reportedly shows off Huawei's upcoming Nexus smartphone

KPHONE Launches with High-End Unlocked Android Smartphone, the K5

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- KPHONE is introducing its first unlocked smartphone for the U.S. market, the slim, robust K5. Specifically designed to match today's mobile lifestyle, the K5 brings together sleek design and best-in-class technology to meet the most demanding user's requirements at an affordable price. Unlocked phones, common around the globe, are gaining popularity in the U.S. because they give users access to the latest technology and the flexibility to switch between supported networks – with no termination fees. Key features of the K5 include:

5" HD IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass

Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system with Google Play

Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor

13MP auto-focus back camera and 5MP front-facing camera (full 1080p video)

Built-in dual SIM card slots

Networks supported: All GSM networks, AT&T and T-Mobile

"With the growth of 'bring-your-own-device' plans from cellphones carriers, KPHONE's first smartphone, the K5, is uniquely positioned to quickly become a leader in the unlocked smartphone market," commented Scott Robbins, VP of Sales, Retail Channels. "Being one of the largest cellphone manufacturers in China means that the team at KPHONE understands what it takes to succeed in this competitive market: great design, high-quality products, strong manufacturing capabilities and a focus on your customers."

The K5 unlocked smartphone allows consumers to manage and simplify their lives. Whether sharing photos on their favorite social network, surfing the Internet or visiting international destinations, it is a must-have for any user. With the Google Play store a touch away, users can access their favorite apps, games, music, books, movies and more, as well as sync content between all their devices using standard Google apps.

Terrific FeaturesThe K5 comes with an advanced Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 processor designed for high-volume mainstream applications, and provides a powerful combination of features, performance, and battery efficiency. It runs on the powerful Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system.

Its 5" high-definition (1280 x 720) IPS display provides sharp images and supports full 1080p video, while a GFF 10-point touchscreen makes operating a snap. The unlocked K5 comes with a Lithium-Ion 2920 mAh battery with quick-charge capability, providing plenty of power to talk, text, or surf the web.

Additional Features

Choice of connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, G-sensor, P-sensor, L-sensor, Ecompass, and GPS as well as an optional gyro

Dual microphones provide noise reduction and enhanced voice quality

Enhanced digital signal processing (DSP) with lower power usage and greater ability for multimedia processing

2GB of RAM memory and 16GB of storage

High-power flashlight

microUSB charging port

Pricing and AvailabilityThe new K5 unlocked smartphone from KPHONE will be available at an aggressive price in October 2015.

About KPHONE USAAs a part of the third largest smartphone manufacturer in China, KPHONE is uniquely positioned to develop innovative products and scale its production to meet the demands of the North American market. With design centers and R&D facilities located in Beijing and Shenzhen, KPHONE is building its own brand that will let users connect to the world seamlessly using its unlocked smartphones.

KPHONE USA is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. For more information, visit www.KPHONEusa.com or call toll free 855-589-5996.

Media Contact:Nicole FaitCopernioTel. 714-891-3660nfait@copernio.com

All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies.

©2015 KPHONE USA. All rights reserved.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150804/255406Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150804/255407LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kphone-launches-with-high-end-unlocked-android-smartphone-the-k5-300123886.html

SOURCE KPHONE USA

Source: KPHONE Launches with High-End Unlocked Android Smartphone, the K5

Apple falls to third in China smartphone rankings, while Xiaomi vaults ahead

Xiaomi regained its position as China's leading smartphone vendor in the second quarter, while Apple fell to third place despite increased sales of its iPhones.

Xiaomi took 15.9 percent of the Chinese market in the April-to-June quarter, according to research firm Canalys, followed by Huawei, which had 15.7 percent and was the fastest growing vendor.

It's an impressive feat for both Xiaomi and Huawei. China is the world's biggest smartphone market and competition is more fierce than ever, with Apple, Samsung, and dozens of smaller local vendors all fighting for a bigger piece of the pie.

All of this is happening as the rapid growth in China's smartphone market is starting to fizzle out.

Samsung, once the top smartphone vendor in China, has seen its market share tumble. The Korean electronics giant ranked fourth last quarter, even though it launched its newest flagship phone, the Galaxy S6.

Apple apparently struggled compared to its rivals, falling to third place. And this despite reporting strong growth in China in its recent earnings report. Canalys didn't release its estimate for Apple's market share; it's full report on the China smartphone market is due later this week.

Chinese consumers are buying more phones from homegrown vendors such as Xiaomi, Huawei and Lenovo. Many of their phones are cheaper than an iPhone or a Galaxy but come with similar specs.

Xiaomi has grown quickly by selling feature-packed Android phones at low cost. It made an art of marketing itself through social channels, building a strong fan base among young Chinese and keeping costs down by selling its phones online.

However, in China's slowing market even Xiaomi might struggle to reach its sales goal of selling 80 million phones this year.

"Competition among major brands has never been so intense," Canalys analyst Wang Jingwen said in a statement. "Xiaomi is under immense pressure to maintain its top position in the quarters to come."

Rival Huawei nearly toook the top spot itself in the second quarter. The company's higher-end phones are taking off, and not only gobbling up market share, but generating more profit.

Source: Apple falls to third in China smartphone rankings, while Xiaomi vaults ahead

Apple no longer China’s top smartphone maker

Apple is no longer the leading smartphone maker in China. On the back of more affordable devices, Chinese device maker, Xiaomi took back the top spot from Apple reporting a 15.8% market share in the second quarter of 2015. Huawei came in second with a 15.4% share, according to Counterpoint Research. Apple is now number three in the world's largest smartphone market with a 12.2% share.

Apple initially took over the top spot in China in the last quarter of 2014 riding the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. With no new products released this quarter from Apple, its more affordable local competitors are taking advantage.

The report attributed Xiaomi's performance to the company's release of new LTE models and clearing out older inventory.

"The China smart phone market continues to mature, remaining stagnant quarter-on-quarter," analyst Jingwen Wang said in a press release. "Competition among major brands has never been so intense. Huawei recorded the highest smart phone shipments in its history without compromising its product margin or profitability."

China is becoming increasingly important to Apple as the country recently passed the U.S. as the biggest consumer of iPhones. Even with this slippage in market share, Apple is on track to add almost $60 billion in overall revenue from China this year, according to Counterpoint Research.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook has already acknowledged the complexity of the Chinese market, saying he expects some "speed bumps" due to China's saturated market. Research firm, IDC China, predicts the Chinese smartphone market will remain stagnant throughout the rest of 2015.

Samsung came in fifth in Counterpoints rankings behind Vivo, another growing Chinese manufacturer, which reports 250% growth over last year.

Source: Apple no longer China's top smartphone maker

Exterior of Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is 3D Printed, Based On Leaked Drawings

As Samsung's market share within the smartphone industry continues to slide, being absorbed mainly by Apple and Xiaomi, this could be a very important and telling month for the Seoul, South Korean company, as they are scheduled to release two new smartphones later this month. For those of you who are Android fans, these two phones should make up the majority of Android smartphone sales over the next few quarters, as Samsung's popular Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines are scheduled for an update on August 13th.

As you may recall in the past, specs and dimensions of various smartphones usually tend to leak in the weeks leading up to their release. Because of this, designers are able to model near-replicas of the phones in 3D, and then print these models out using thermoplastics or resins. We saw this in May of 2014 when MacRumors 3D printed a model of the much anticipated iPhone 6, and this week we are able to get a sneak peek at the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 via a 3D printed model as well.

Recently there have been some substantial leaks within Samsung, where 3D CAD drawings, along with cases which have been rendered to showcase the new oversized smartphone, have become publicly available. Once this information was released, we knew it would only be a matter of time before a designer would take advantage of it all, and thats just what one mechanical engineer who admits to being "addicted to CAD modeling, 3D printing and rendering smartphones before they are released," has done.

Ivo Marić, who is known for his renders of smartphones, including his recent iPhone 7 rendering, has put out multiple images and a short video clip of a 3D printed version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, based on the leaked information..

As you can see from the images, the 3D printed model certainly allows one to get an adequate idea of the overall dimensions of the new Note 5, and is a great comparison tool. The new device will have a thickness of 7.9mm, but according to Marić, it feels much thinner than that because of the curved edges on the back.

"I just 3D printed the Galaxy NOTE 5 CAD model. I'll compare it with the Note 4 and S6. Full youtube video coming soon," wrote Marić on his Instagram page. "It feels thinner than the Note 4 and is almost 1 mm narrower."

If this isn't enough to get you excited about Samsung's latest new devices, then all you have to do is wait another week and a half and you can order one yourself.

Let us know your thoughts on Marić's 3D printed Galaxy Note 5 and if you plan on purchasing one later this month. Discuss in the 3D Printed Samsung Galaxy Note 5 forum thread on 3DPB.com.  Check out the brief video clip of the 3D printed model below:

Source: Exterior of Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is 3D Printed, Based On Leaked Drawings

OnePlus 2: First impressions of the £239 smartphone claiming to be better than the iPhone 6

These days, very few smartphone launches excite people enough to queue up for hours in the street. Apples iPhones are pretty much the exception to the rule.

Yet on a warm, sticky day in central London, more than 200 people snaked around the streets outside the SwiftKey offices near London Bridge just to get a glimpse at the OnePlus 2, a smartphone few have even heard of.

Key Features

5.5in display (1920 x 1080)

Snapdragon 810/ 4GB RAM

9.85mm/175g

USB-C port

OxygenOS (based on Android 5.1)

13MP/5MP cameras

Dual SIM

Fingerprint sensor

Price: £239

Release date: 11 August (with invite)

The long queue – and the one million-plus people who have registered interest in the OnePlus 2 online – is testament to the hype the company generated on the back of the surprising success of the OnePlus One, which launched 15 months ago and sold 1.5 million units.

OnePlus 2 is selling its second smartphone (as it did its first) as a flagship killer, and not only the flagship models from Apple and Samsung out now but the ones coming in 2016 too.

In the long run, this is not the greatest marketing gimmick and the company should simply sell its new phone on its merits and its incredibly low price –because the OnePlus 2 is simply superb.

OnePlus 2: Design

Bulky and heavy were my initial thoughts when I saw the specs announced for the OnePlus 2. At 9.5mm and 175g, is it heavier and thicker than the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy S6. But holding it, the first thing that came to mind was how solid it felt.

OnePlus has added a touch of premium-build quality with a metal frame around the edge, but the rear cover remains plastic – though there are alternative covers you can get with various finishes such as wood and sandstone, which is a bit like a fine sandpaper.

The phone has a large 5.5in screen but it is significantly shorter than the cumbersome iPhone 6 Plus as well as being narrower, which makes it much easier to use one-handed, though it is still a pretty big phone.

OnePlus 2: Screen

Speaking of the screen, the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution has been held up by some critics as a sign that this is not a true competitor to the flagship models from Apple and Samsung. However, from my time with the phone, I found the screen to be perfectly adequate. I known that may sound like damning with faint praise, but it is not – I found the screen sharp and at 600 nits, it is brighter than pretty much anything else on the market.

At £239, there are going to be compromises and I am not sure many people would really notice the difference between a 2K screen and this one.

OnePlus 2: Fingerprint sensor and USB-C

The OnePlus 2 has a number of selling points, with one being the fingerprint reader that it claimed before launch was faster than the iPhone. I was sceptical but having tested it out, I am seriously impressed.

Setup was simple and it never once failed to work in any orientation I tried. Even better, you do not even need to turn on the screen to get it to work as you do with the iPhone, and you do not need to swipe like you do with some other sensors.

Other unique features include the USB-C connector for charging and data transfer, which means no longer having to figure out which way you need to hold the connector when plugging it in. Obviously the iPhones lightning connector already has this functionality but it is impressive to see OnePlus embrace it so early compared to its Android rivals.

OnePlus 2: Performance and camera

In the brief testing I did with the phone, I found it to be fluid and responsive. There was no lag in switching between apps or launching apps. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chip, which received a lot of negative press for overheating issues.

At the London launch, OnePlus Eric Zarshenas who heads up its European operation said the company had been working day and night to make sure the chipset was working perfectly and wont suffer from any overheating issues.

That included tweaking the OxygenOS software to avoid running two adjoining cores on the chip at the same time to avoid overheating and including a copper element to help dissipate heat. Only time will tell if the company has been successful.

The camera on the phone has a 13 megapixel sensor and comes with optical image stabilisation (OIS), 4K video recording, fast-forward and slow motion capture as well as a laser-focusing system.

In my tests, I found the camera to be fast and responsive and handled the harsh lighting in the demo room well. Obviously we will need to test the camera more but, considering it has the same sensor as the 2014 model (which I found to perform well) with added OIS and laser focus, I am optimistic for the results.

OnePlus 2: OxygenOS

OxygenOS is the skin OnePlus puts on top of Android and for the most part, this is something I particularly dislike on Android smartphones. However, version 2.0 of OxygenOS actually adds functionality to Android while keeping the look and feel of Googles software.

Customisation is key to OxygenOS and everything from easily arranging the quick settings menu to giving you granular access to each apps permissions – something that is native to iOS but not Android.

It also adds the ability to quickly launch certain functions such as the camera or flashlight by drawing on the screen, even when it is locked. It works brilliantly and is a simple solution to quickly launching certain features.

OnePlus 2: Price and release date

The phone will go on sale on 11 August in the US and across Europe. Initially, only the 64GB model will be available costing £289, with Zarshenas saying phones should be arriving with customers around two weeks later. The 16GB model costing £239 will go on sale later in the year.

The company is once again employing an invite system for customers looking to buy the phone, meaning only those with an invite can access the store online. Invites were given out at the fan event in London and will be distributed on social media channels and the companys very active community forums.

OnePlus 2: First impressions

Having read the OnePlus 2 press release earlier in the week, I did not think the phone would be as impressive as it was. From the understated design of the OxygenOS to the fast fingerprint reader and fast performance, the OnePlus 2 is an incredibly impressive smartphone when you consider its price.

I do not think it will be for everyone the way the iPhone appeals to the masses but, as the long queues in London attest to, the phone has certainly got a lot of appeal and I expect it to be a huge success.

Source: OnePlus 2: First impressions of the £239 smartphone claiming to be better than the iPhone 6