Final Fantasy 9 headed to PC and smartphones

Final Fantasy 9 is set to make its debut on Android, iOS and Windows PC, Square Enix announced today.

No release date has been confirmed for the ports as of yet, but the publisher did share a trailer for the upcoming re-release. You can check it out above. Final Fantasy fans might appreciate that the game doesn't look a whole lot different from the original, unlike the recent, revamped Steam and smartphone ports of Final Fantasy 6.

As the last Final Fantasy title for the original PlayStation console, the game first launched in November 2000. It's since been made available as a downloadable classic on the PlayStation Store, but this marks the first time it will be available on a non-PlayStation platform.

Source: Final Fantasy 9 headed to PC and smartphones

Phones in 2016 to be more powerful

New Delhi: Chinese technology major Letv, the new entrant in the Indian smartphone space, is to introduce in 2016 its superphones that promise incredible speed, stunning graphics and ultra-fast connectivity.

Letv could be a refreshing new arrival (in India) with an array of products and a vision to create an entire ecosystem consisting of platform, content, device and application, a company release said on Tuesday.

The Chinese technology company had earlier announced that it would be launching at disruptive price points more than one phones in January next year.

According to industry sources, the company could be launching its superphones in January 2016, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon and Mediatek Helios X10 processors that support incredible speed, stunning graphics, ultra-fast connectivity and longer battery life so you can do more of the things you love.

The Mediatek inside the Le Superphones enhances the performance of the phones by 10 percent, which enable users to enjoy a superior 3D gaming experience.

The devices are seen as a game changer in the premium and value phone categories in India.

The company promises to equip its phones with industry best RAM to ensure zero lag even with intensive multi-tasking.

The company is currently holding interactive meetings in multiple Indian cities to give a hands-on experience to fans and tech enthusiasts of Le products that are to be launched soon.

Source: Phones in 2016 to be more powerful

Samsung Galaxy S7 News: Low Smartphone Sales Might Urge Company to Release Newest Flagship Earlier than Expected

Posted by Staff Reporter (media@realtytoday.com) on Dec 29, 2015 09:37 AM EST more big

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 07: Samsung Galaxy S 6 edge launch in New York City on April 7, 2015 in New York City. (Photo : Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Samsung)

Samsung might release its new Galaxy S7 phone sooner than expected as an attempt to increase sales figures come 2016.

The South Korean tech giant reportedly plans to launch two versions of its upcoming smartphone. One is a 5.2-inch flat-screen version and the other is a 5.5-inch curved-screen version called the "Galaxy S7 Edge." The company is preparing an introductory production run of around 5 million units -- 3.3 million units and about 1.6 million units of the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge, respectively, according to Mirror.

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The device is set to be released in February 2016. The Galaxy S phones traditionally have been announced before the annual event in Barcelona called the Mobile World Congress (MWC) before going on sale in April.

Yet, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have not made as much profit as the company expected. In addition, reports say the announcement of the Galaxy S7 came much earlier this time compared to the preceding years.

There have been some suggestions to unveil the new devices in January 2016 following the series of announcements at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas. If this happens, the new devices will be part of Samsung's sales figures for its Galaxy range for the first quarter of 2016.

According to analysts, the sales figures of the Galaxy series would otherwise be lower than last year. It's not a first for Samsung to use this kind of tactic. Earlier this year, the company brought forward the announcement and release of the Galaxy Note 5.

The company's tradition for unveiling the new Note would be announcing it in September at Berlin's IFA event. Yet, this year the Note 5's announcement came in August. This means the sales of the newest Note could be included in the company's results for third quarter.

The new Galaxy S7 units are said to come with a new processor, enhanced camera, and longer battery life but still look similar to the S6. The devices may also use a feature found in Apple's iPhone 6s -- a pressure-sensitive screen.

On the other hand, features of the rumored Galaxy S6 Mini include a 4.6-inch display, a 15-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera, as well as a fingerprint sensor.

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Source: Samsung Galaxy S7 News: Low Smartphone Sales Might Urge Company to Release Newest Flagship Earlier than Expected

New Year Offers on Samsung Unlocked Phones at Cellhut

Unlocked cell phones help us accomplish various daily tasks, which make our lives much easier. They have come beyond the point of just communication, and now can assist us in various other things as well. They have given us the opportunity to access all sort of information right within our palms.

Glen Cove, NY, December 28, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Unlocked phones have always been evolving further and further. The latest evolution phase we have come across has turned our phones into smartphones. Smartphones, as the name suggests, make our phones do tasks, which they were not able to do before. They have essentially become smart for our assistance. It is a long leap from the time when the first mobile phone was released a decade ago.

Due to this, purchasing a phone has become essential for everyone. They can help us in communicating with each other, look up the latest information, browse the internet, read newspapers, book online tickets, check reservations and much more.

Unloc ked CellphonesTo interact with other mobile phones, a phone needs to access a network emitting signals. Two phones on different networks can also interact with each other, and to access a network, one needs to put an authorized SIM into the cellphone's body. This SIM can be of a network company, which will let the phone access that specific company's network. In this regard, there are two types of phone variants, which are locked and unlocked cell phones.

Locked cellphones come with a contract, and can use only one company's network inside of them. While unlocked cellphones provide the user with the flexibility of swapping the SIM on the go. Unlocked cellphones are not bound to use network of any one company. They can use the SIM cards of any company, as long as it is authentic and working. Moreover, the SIM can be easily inserted manually by the person by either removing the back cover or by putting in a SIM tray. It is essentially useful for people who tend to travel o ften to different countries.

If you are looking to buy unlocked cellphones this holiday season, you can visit the various online portals, such as Cellhut, that has made their presence on the internet.

CellhutCellhut is an e-commerce portal, involved in the selling of unlocked cellphones and mobile accessories, using its website as a platform. They contain of a great number of smartphones at their websites, all of which are readily available for sale. All of the products listed on the website are generic and authentic products. They hold smartphones of all the major companies, including Apple, Samsung, HTC, Sony etc.

This holiday season, Cellhut will be offering various deals and offers on devices from all major companies. If you wish to purchase a Samsung mobile this new year, it can serve to be the best place to buy from.

Samsung PhonesSamsung has been one of the leading brands of the smartphone industry. They have proved this by continuously releasing high- segment as well as mid-segment on regular intervals, throughout several years. They are known for making smartphones of premium design, outstanding features, new technologies and much more. Each year, they release a series of phones, and the one that stands out the most is their S series of phones. In 2015, they released the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, which were incredibly successful, due to their high-end specifications and the Edge's curved display, which brought a new level of creativity.

On Cellhut, you will be able to view all of Samsung's catalogue of phones. Whether it be an old phone or a new phone, Cellhut have them all listed on their website, so people can easily choose the one they like. Moreover, due to the several offers offered by the company, people can be ensured that they will be able to purchase their desired device at a discounted rate, without cutting deep into their pockets.

Offers, Deal and CouponsCellhut offers a great varie ty of deals on their smartphones. They acknowledge the demands of their customers, and provide several deals under their offers section. Under this section, one can find different menus such as daily deals, sales corner, phone bundles etc.

In the daily deals menu, one can find various smartphones, which are currently on an offer period. These smartphones are available at a discounted price, and their respective coupon codes are mentioned below the product. These deals are updated and the smartphones are shuffled each day, so that people can have more variety of phones to choose from. Sales Corner menu shows the user a list of all the most-selling smartphones, and it is a great place for people who still have not made up their mind in purchasing something. For people who want to gift a smartphone to someone, it is the best place. Phone bundles can also be purchased at a discounted price, in case one wants more than one smartphone, or wishes to present someone with a bundle.

On special occasions and festivals, special coupon codes and a greater number of deals are offered to customers. This Christmas and New Year, Cellhut brings users a variety of deals and great discounts on all products. With better smartphones, also come a better price tag, due to which they become a hard purchase, especially smartphones of companies like Samsung, who have high-end specifications and technology inside them.

If you are going to purchase a new smartphone in the near future, or are saving to purchase a phone, you need not look anywhere else, as Cellhut is the best place to buy any unlocked cellphone. They come with 100% satisfaction guarantee, and have a large user database. They also offer an interactive interface on their website, which makes browsing their website easier. Moreover, they have a dedicated staff, which is available to help you 24/7. They will ensure that you get the best deal on your favorite smartphone, and that you do not regret your buying e xperience.

Source: New Year Offers on Samsung Unlocked Phones at Cellhut

BlackBerry Releases Video To Show How The Priv Is Built

It took BlackBerry a lot of time to see the writing on the wall: that it needed to start making Android-powered smartphones if it wanted to stay alive in the very tough global smartphone market. It launched its first Android smartphone earlier this year and many believe that it's too little and too late. Nevertheless the company continues to focus on everything that's good about the Priv and has even released a new video which shows us how the Priv is actually built.

Many have praised the Priv's design, it features the signature robust BlackBerry build as well as the company's iconic full QWERTY keyboard. Sliders are no longer common and yet BlackBerry decided that the Priv was going to have a sliding mechanism and it coupled that with flagship-level specs to come up with a device that's unlike anything it has ever made before.

Customers have responded but perhaps not in the way BlackBerry would have liked them to. The company recently confirmed that only 700,000 units of the Priv were sold in Q3 2015, sales were lower than expected, and perhaps that's one big reason why BlackBerry is now considering a price cut come February 2016.

It's going to continue operating the hype machine to get more and more people to switch to its first Android handset, perhaps if people see how the Priv is built they would be interested enough to check it out. If everything goes as planned then the company does intend to release another Android powered smartphone by mid-2016.

Filed in Cellphones. Read more about BlackBerry and blackberry priv.

Source: BlackBerry Releases Video To Show How The Priv Is Built

iPhone 6C Release Date In April 2016, Says China Mobile

The iPhone 6C release date is happening in April 2016, according to Apple's carrier partner China Mobile.

Apple Insider reported that a product launch calendar of the said carrier revealed that the rumored 4-inch smartphone is making a comeback next year.

The rumors was sparked when MyDrivers spotted a product presentation from China Mobile. The characters mentioned Apple and April. Moreover, the upper right box of the chart showed on-screen mentions of Apple's new handsets.

KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who has high credibility when it comes to Apple rumors, think that Apple will release the iPhone 6C to cater to the mid-range market. The analyst claimed that the handset's screen will include a 2.5D cover glass with a slightly curved same with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S.

It is believed that the iPhone 6C will be a low end smartphone similar to iPhone 5C, but with a more premium feel thanks to a metal chassis that is iPhone known for. Aside from the 4-inch screen display, the smaller iPhone will include a A9 processor and Apple Pay support.

One of the missing features in the iPhone 6C is the 3D Touch pressure sense present in the iPhone 6S series.

iPhone 7, on the other hand, will reportedly revamp its sensors saying that the device will include a screen more sensitive to touch and will yield to easy controls. Other purported features of the handset are DSLR-quality camera, light field imaging, iOS 10 software and A10 processor.

Reports are saying that the tech company is following its patterned release date and will launch the new iPhone in the fall. Meanwhile, other publications state that Apple will hold an earlier release of the handset this summer.

Meanwhile, there is no official word whether Apple will release an iPhone 6C much less its release date.

Source: iPhone 6C Release Date In April 2016, Says China Mobile

The secret to Uber's success: Be everywhere all the time

Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesUber CEO Travis Kalanick See Also Soon you'll be able to summon an Uber from other apps — without ever opening Uber There's an app war on the horizon — and Uber is playing the field Lyft spent an entire year redesigning its app — here are all the changes it made to steal customers away from Uber

Wherever you are, whatever you do, whatever device you own, Uber wants to give you a ride.

You can call an Uber car from your Apple Watch, Pebble smartwatch, or Microsoft Band 2 fitness tracker. 

Facebook Messenger has an Uber app built right in. If you work in an office, you can grab an Uber from right within Microsoft Outlook, Slack, or Atlassian HipChat. You can call an Uber from Microsoft Windows 10, or price one up via Google Maps. 

Not to mention the Uber apps for iPhone and Android. 

For comparison, Uber's leading competition Lyft is doing a fair job of it, forming partnerships with companies like Slack and Starbucks while improving its own iPhone and Android apps. But it just can't hang, app for app, with Uber and its wide reach.

It's an underrated factor in Uber's massive success — and another sign of just how aggressive the company is willing to get in its march towards world domination. 

We can build it

Building an app and getting into the Apple App Store or Google Play market isn't exactly easy to begin with. You need the time, tools, and talent to bring it from concept to execution. 

From there, the work just compounds in on itself.

Adding new features takes considerable effort, from concept to design to engineering. And then you basically have to do the work twice to make sure that they work the same way on iPhone and Android. 

Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / GettyThe Uber app for iPhone.

And that's just the beginning. Given that Apple and Google are the undisputed kings of the smartphone world — the Apple iPhone at the high end and Google Android at the low — there's not a lot of incentive to develop for anyone else's operating system. 

This has created a real problem for would-be smartphone competitor Microsoft: It can't sell more Windows phones without more apps, and it can't get developers to make more apps without selling more Windows phones. Indeed, developers have left the Windows Store entirely rather than commit to the energy and expenditure of supporting those apps.

But Uber rushed in where others stayed out, building a super-deluxe app for Windows 10 computers, tablets, and smartphones. In fact, it's the first Uber app for the desktop computer.

Before that, Uber was one of the very few to officially support an app on the older Windows Phone 8.1, even when nobody else cared.

Business InsiderUber on an Apple Watch.

Accelerating matters was this year's release of the Uber API, letting developers work the ability to call a car straight into their own apps. It's not the same kind of work as Uber building maintaining a zillion more apps, obviously, but it also means that Uber has to put the time and effort in to keep developers happy. 

So while other startups would love to do what Uber does and release apps for every single operating system and platform out there, each new release is basically committing to a lot of hard work, in perpetuity. 

It's neither cheap, nor easy, especially considering the engineering miracles that Uber probably has to perform just to get everything working in the first place. This kind of all-apps-everywhere strategy only historically really works if you're a big, huge tech company like Amazon, Google, or Microsoft, and even then they get gun-shy.

But if you want to make sure your service gets out in as many customers as is humanly possible, it's necessary. 

It means that Uber is practically impossible to avoid, no matter what app, operating system, or device you're using. Meanwhile, users have to do more work seek out Lyft or any other upstart who wants to challenge it.

It's just one more way Uber tries to move fast and crowd out the competiton. 

SEE ALSO: Maybe Microsoft's weird app strategy is working after all NOW WATCH: The insanely successful life of Uber billionaire Travis Kalanick Please enable Javascript to watch this video
Source: The secret to Uber's success: Be everywhere all the time

Mid-Range Lumia 650 Windows 10 Mobile Smartphone Confirmed By Microsoft Marketing Exec

Microsoft's first-party Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones are the first smartphones to ship running the company's brand new Windows 10 Mobile operating system (check out Marco's review of the Lumia 950 right here). Unfortunately for those with legacy Lumia devices, the wait for Windows 10 Mobile will be a bit longer, with Microsoft recently stating that it will not send out the over-the-air (OTA) update until next year.

In the mean time, Microsoft is working on a new mid-range smartphone that will slot in below the Lumia 950. The Lumia 650 has been rumored for quite some time, but Microsoft has never made any official comments on the device. However, the existence of the Lumia 650 has been confirmed by Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela.

Capossela, speaking with Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrott on Windows Weekly, was asked when the device would be released. And instead of ignoring the question or giving a boilerplate "we don't comment on announced products" statement, Capossela confirmed that the Lumia 650 hasn't been given a definite release date at this point.

The Lumia 650 is rumored to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 processor (1.3GHz quad-core with integrated X5 LTE modem) paired with a meager 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD slot, 5-inch 720p display, 8MP rear camera and 5MP front-facing camera.

Although Capossela was reticent to giving any launch details for the Lumia 650, it's possible that we could see an announcement at the Mobile World Congress, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain in late February. The Lumia 640/640 XL were announced at the same event last year, so it's within the realm of possibility for Microsoft to announce its successor around the same timeframe.

Regardless of when the Lumia 650 actually makes an appearance, we expect it to be priced significantly less than the Lumia 950, which is priced at $549 off-contract. For comparison, the Lumia 640 is priced at $59.99 off-contract direct from Microsoft.

Source: Mid-Range Lumia 650 Windows 10 Mobile Smartphone Confirmed By Microsoft Marketing Exec

Best high-end flagship smartphones released in India in 2015: iPhone 6s, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and more

Best high-end flagship smartphones released in India in 2015: iPhone 6s, Galaxy S6 Edge and moreApple Inc.

The premium smartphone race was taken to a whole new level in 2015. Major advancements in terms of specs were made to lure consumers. While companies like Apple, Samsung, Sony, Google and others launched their respective flagship devices with premium price tags, others like OnePlus and YU launched their affordable premium smartphones this year.

Here's a list of top flagship releases throughout 2015 and their impact on the market:

Apple iPhone 6s series

Apple launched the new iPhone 6s series in India this year, succeeding the highly-successful iPhone 6 series. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were launched with surprisingly high price tags, which resulted in lower-than-expected sales in India. The company later realized and slashed the prices of its 2015 flagship devices by up to 16 percent in order to take advantage of the holiday season. As per the new pricing, iPhone 6s 16GB variant sells for between Rs. 52,000 and Rs. 55,000 and the price cut was exercised across all variants.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge

Samsung advanced on several levels to make its 2015 flagships worthy and attractive. Everything from a new and most advanced processor to a lavish new design helped set a new standard in the flagship race. Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge was well-received for its dual-curved display, first in the industry to feature a curved screen. The glass back and metal body design was a long departure from the usual plastic build Samsung favoured over the years. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge received their share of popularity but did not perform exceptionally well in terms of sales due to iPhone 6's popularity.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+

Samsung's Galaxy Note series is a successful lineup and the company launched its Galaxy Note 5 along with Galaxy S6 Edge+ with same dual curved screen as the Galaxy S6 Edge but with a bigger screen. The Galaxy Note 5's S Pen feature, its fine camera, incredible display really made a lasting impression on consumers and critics alike.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Touted as the world's first smartphone with a 4K display, Sony Xperia Z5 Premium was a great improvement from its predecessors. With a great camera, good fingerprint sensor and an improved battery, Xperia Z5 Premium appealed to a wide range of audience. But the buyers were not taken by the extremely high price tag, which might have affected the sales of the handset. It is still one of the best premium devices out there.

Google Nexus 6P

If you love stock Android with high-end smartphone experience, Nexus 6P is the go to device. It offers great camera, good quality build, stock Android and not-to-mention timely software updates. The handset's Indian debut was a bit delayed compared to U.S. launch but managed to arrive just in time for holidays. Nexus 6P is available in 32GB and 64GB variants with a recent price drop on both models costing Rs. 37,999 and Rs. 40,999, respectively.

YU Yutopia

If you are skeptical about spending your savings on a high-end phone, YU offers a similar experience at a much affordable price point. YU Yutopia packs industry's leading specs with a great camera and design, reliable battery, Cyanogen OS and lot more for Rs. 24,999. Yutopia was launched just this month but has the potential to make up for the lost time with the combination of finest specs offered in a smartphone in this price range.

OnePlus 2

OnePlus established a trustworthy brand for itself in India. The company's latest flagship, OnePlus 2, made some waves in the market. Complete with premium features such as good design, great camera and battery, fingerprint scanner and lot more, OnePlus 2 helped the company grow fonder in the hearts of its fans in the country. Started off with invite-only sales, OnePlus 2 is available freely without invites through Amazon India. The 64GB variant is priced at Rs. 24,999 and challenges some of the industry's biggest rivals.

Source: Best high-end flagship smartphones released in India in 2015: iPhone 6s, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and more

Google Releases Interactive YouTube Video In Experiment For New Entertainment Medium (VIDEO)

In Spotlight Stories, Google works with high-profile artists and animators to create short films that viewers can interact with.

By Chris Loterina | Dec 22, 2015 11:37 AM EST

Instead of virtual reality goggles, Spotlight Stories uses a smartphone's sensors to navigate a 360-degree environment. (Photo : Twitter/Tutto Android)

Google released a short video today called "Special Delivery" on YouTube. The animation does not appear to be extraordinary at first glance, with its colorful, retro visuals inspired by the Pink Panther. But if the viewer is using a smartphone, he or she then experiences what is "special" about it - it is an interactive video that is part of Google's Spotlight Stories developed by the company's Advanced Technology And Projects (ATAP) group, which is supposed to trail blaze a new form of interactive entertainment.

"This is not a gimmick, this is not a sort of gamey thing that we're doing," said Rachid El Guerrab, technical project lead for Spotlight Stories, according to The Verge. "This is actually real animation, just in a different way."

When the viewer tilts the smartphone, the video moves, revealing a 360-degree scene. Aside from the narrative that transpires involving the protagonists, which in this case include a janitor and Santa Claus, the viewer can choose to look at another scene or snippets of life happening at the same time in the entire apartment block.

"In the full interactive experience, you'll encounter 10 subplots, three potential ways to view the ending, and 60+ moments where you can decide to follow the story in different ways," El Guerrab said in an official statement. "Each viewing is unique. We don't want to spoil the ending, so that's all we'll say for now."

The "Special Delivery" short film was not created merely to entertain - it is part of Google's experiment to develop a new entertainment medium. There are also those who say that it is similar to virtual reality but without the VR goggles.

"Special Delivery" was created by Aardman Animations of Wallace and Gromit fame, reported Engadget. Try it below:

Tags: google, Spotlight Stories, Special Delivery, interactive video, Google ATAP, Rachid El Guerrab, virtual reality, Advanced Technology And Projects, ATAP, Aardman Animations, Wallace and Gromit
Source: Google Releases Interactive YouTube Video In Experiment For New Entertainment Medium (VIDEO)

Things to do while you wait for Star Wars: The Force Awakens to release

From using your phone as a lightsaber to virtual reality, here are a bunch of geeky things you can do while you wait for the movie.

Are you excited about the new star wars movie but you hate spoilers and you're looking for a way to enjoy the thrill that is Star Wars before the movie release. If your answer is yes, there are a few geeky ways you can enjoy star wars before the movie releases on Christmas without faffin up the story with spoilers.

Google and Disney have pulled out all the stops to promote the 7th instalment of the popular series. Your desktop PC, Smartphone, and even virtual reality can be used to tingle your star wars taste buds.

Go to Google.com/StarWars to get started. You must choose between the staff wielding Rey or lightsaber wielding Kylo Ren. Rey is used to represent the Light side and Kylo Ren is used to represent the dark side. Upon choosing a side, all Google apps will follow your path with star wars related themes. Gmail will get a blue or red lightsaber depending on how pure of heart or evil you are, you will turn into a spacecraft on Google Maps, even YouTube's volume control gets a facelift with a blue or red lightsaber.

When you get bored of watching a bunch of lightsaber floating around then check out Lightsaber Escape, an online game developed by Google. You need two things to run this game, an Internet browser (preferably Google Chrome) and a smartphone. After a little calibration that shouldn't take more than five minutes, you turn your phone into a lightsaber as you battle your way through hordes of stormtroopers. Apart from this, there are also a few games you can download on your smartphone.

If you happen to have a Google Cardboard Virtual Reality headset lying around then check out the 'Jakku spy' app on iOS or Android. Like mentioned earlier, you will need a Google Cardboard Virtual Reality headset that retails for as little as Rs. 230, and the Jakku Spy app on your iOS or Android. The VR episodes lead directly into the movie.

Be sure to download the Force Block: the Star Wars spoiler blocker on Google Chrome so that nothing (besides your own persistence) can ruin the movie for you.

Source: Things to do while you wait for Star Wars: The Force Awakens to release

Next BlackBerry Android Smartphone Will Be Cheaper

Earlier this year BlackBerry released its first ever Android-powered smartphone, making the inevitable shift over to Google's mobile platform in a last ditch effort to plug the losses of its hardware business. The BlackBerry Priv appears to be performing better than its BlackBerry 10 OS powered counterparts did last year and the company makes it clear that it's not done yet. Not only will it release another Android-powered handset, but the upcoming device will be cheaper than the Priv.

The Priv is priced right in the flagship territory, around $699 for an unlocked model, though there are deals to be had at retailers which can knock down the price a bit. It does have the specification to match but customers may not want to spend so much money on a device that BlackBerry has never done before, as far as the operating system goes.

During its latest quarterly earnings report BlackBerry revealed that more than 700,000 units of the Priv have been sold during the quarter and that it's going to release the handset in 31 additional markets over the next few months.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg the company CEO John Chen was asked about BlackBerry's future hardware plans and if Android would figure in them. Chen mentioned that a new handset is in the pipeline which is going to be running Android, and also said that it's going to be priced much more attractively as opposed to the Priv, so we're probably looking at a mid-range handset.

Filed in Cellphones. Read more about Android, BlackBerry, blackberry priv and John Chen.

Source: Next BlackBerry Android Smartphone Will Be Cheaper

Spice Debuts Nexian Android Smartphone In India At Rs 3799

The Nexian smartphone, designed with high-utility technology, has a majestic 4.5-inch display with DragonTrail glass offering six times superior protection than normal glass. The handset series is making its debut in the country with the release of this model, as it had first appeared under Google's Android One initiative in Indonesia. With the new NV-45 smartphone, it wishes to target the growing customer support in India which relishes the new pocket-friendly gadgets. The Nexian NV-45 has a 3.2 MP on the front for selfies. It weighs 141 grams and feels bulky measuring 10.6 mm thickness. There is 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage along with a MicroSD card slot that can accept up to 32GB.

The dual-SIM Spice Nexian NV-45 comes with Android 4.4.2 KitKat and is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Spreadtrum SPRD7731 processor coupled with a Mali-400 MP2 GPU. The phone allows connectivity-on-the-go with features like Bluetooth and HSPA+. The Nexian NV-45 also includes sensors such as an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.

Apart from YU, XOLO is the another Indian manufacturer that had launched its own sub-brand called Black and now Spice had announced a new global brand called Nexian. The 1,650mAh removable battery on this device can give up to 7 hours of talk time and lasts up to 250 hours on standby.

Nexian NV-45 Smartphone: A mobile phone service provider in India, Spice has finally launched its global smartphone brand "Nexian" in India. and Launched a new affordable smartphone at a price of Rs. 3,799 - Nexian NV-45.

The Director of Flipkart, Vignesh Ramakrishnan expressed his ecstasy on the partnership with the India's leading mobile firms, Spice Mobiles. We are happy to introduce an worldwide smartphone brand "Nexian" by Spice mobiles exclusively on Flipkart which is globally popular amongst youngsters.

Source: Spice Debuts Nexian Android Smartphone In India At Rs 3799

Digitimes Research Release Q3 2015 Market Share Data

Digitimes Research have released their latest market share figures and these show that almost 332 million smartphones were shipped across the world in the third quarter of 2015, showing a 10.5% increase over the previous quarter and 7.7% over the third quarter 2014. Whilst these two growth figures are interesting, it's the year on year increase that is more relevant as the third quarter is traditionally busier than the second quarter: an 8% increase in smartphone sales across the world is significant headline growth. In terms of market share, Apple and Samsung have around 40% of the global smartphone sales, but this is split between 25.6% Samsung and 14.5% Apple. One in four smartphones sold in the third quarter wore a Samsung badge, which despite Samsung's difficulties, still represents a considerable number of devices. Once Samsung are able to realize their Samsung Pay objectives, this could create a massive market force, but the mobile payment technology is not yet implemen ted on the majority of Samsung devices.

The next largest market share is Huawei at 7.4%, followed by Lenovo with 4.8%, LG at 4.5% and Xiaomi at 3.8%. BBK and TCL show 3.55 and 3.3% respectively, with Oppo's market share at a creditable 3.2%. The remaining companies consist of ZTE, Sony, Microsoft Mobile, Meizu, Coolpad and ASUS – with the top fifteen sellers showing a little over 81% of the market share. Of these fifteen, nine are Chinese, two are North American, two Korean, one Japanese and one Taiwan. Looking forward, Digitimes are expecting fourth quarter sales to increase to just under 400 million units, bring the total for 2015 to 1.325 billion smartphones, a healthy 10.1% increase compared with 2014.

Picking through the data, Huawei are the clear leader of "the rest" after Apple and Samsung. This strong showing represents their 2015 charm offensive, which has seen them working hard to increase their exposure and market awareness outside of China. Earlier in the year, Huawei released a beautiful Android Wear smartwatch and this was later followed by the higher end Google Nexus 6P smartphone. Much lower down in the pecking order we find Sony, which despite producing some very desirable Android-based devices, their market share of 2.0% is disappointing. Not as disappointing as Microsoft Mobile's 1.7%, although here Microsoft have seemingly given up on Windows Phone (although watch this space with regard to a Windows Surface Phone).

Source: Digitimes Research Release Q3 2015 Market Share Data

Android, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone: Which smartphone operating system is right for me?

Choosing a smartphone isn't easy - there's just so much choice out there and no right answer to which phone will suit you best.

The easiest way to compare phones is by their operating systems – the software that underpins the operations of any phone or computer.

There are four major smartphone operating systems to choose from, and once you've started buying  and installing apps for one, you'll probably be reluctant to switch platform and have to buy the same apps again for another phone.

We guide you through the different features you should look out for, and help you decide…

Features to consider

Keyboard – physical or touchscreen?

Most smartphones are touchscreen now to give you more room for a larger screen. If you prefer physical buttons, BlackBerry is still accommodating in that area, most recently with the PRIV.

Connectivity

Most smartphones still use 3G in the UK for connecting to the internet, but most new phones support 4G now too, which offers faster mobile web connections. Check out our feature 3G VS 4G: Which phone network is right for you.

Storage

Ensure the phone has enough storage for your apps, photos, music and more.

Many smartphones accept microSD cards which are a great way to expand the amount of storage you have – but some don't.

An option you could consider for phones without microSD support is cloud storage, such as BT Cloud. Your photos and documents are backed up in the cloud, so you don't have to store them on your device.

Battery life

Battery life is also important – if you use your phone regularly to surf the web or use apps, expect to charge it on a daily basis.

A good phone used for a variety of tasks ought to last you eight hours before needing to be recharged. Check reviews rather than taking manufacturers' claims at face value when it comes to battery life.

Read more tips to make your smartphone's battery last longer here. 

Screen

Most smartphones offer large screens these days. If you want pocket-sized and easy to handle, don't go beyond the 5 inch mark. Screens 5 inch and above (known as 'phablets') are ideal for entertainment.

Operating systems

Android

Android, developed by Google, is the world's most popular operating system.

Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC and Huawei are some of the notable smartphone makers who use Android on their handsets, each adapting it slightly to their specifications.

Over time, newer versions of Android will be rolled out with new features, but they may not reach your phone straightaway. It depends on the manufacturer or network.

Each year Google pairs with a hardware manufacturer to release its own phones, branded 'Nexus'. The most recent version is the Nexus 5X . They are guaranteed updates for at least two years, so, to ensure you get the latest features, opt for a Nexus device.

Android has the biggest app store, so you'll never be short of choice - although there are many useless apps, and some have also harboured viruses in the past. Only stick to apps you think look trustworthy.

As Android is run by Google, many of their existing services are already installed on your phone. This includes Google Maps, YouTube and Gmail.

Android offers the widest choice of phones and screen sizes and you should easily find a handset that fits your budget too. 

iOS

iOS is exclusively available on Apple's own products – in smartphone terms, this means the iPhone.

The choice of apps on iOS is wide and they are very secure because of Apple's strict guidelines.

Built-in apps include Music, Mail, the Safari web browser, iCloud backup and wireless transfers to your PC, iPad or Mac.

Everything on the iPhone is managed through iTunes with direct links to the iTunes Store, where you can buy music, rent or buy films, buy apps, games and iBooks. You can also take out digital subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.

Windows 10

Windows 10 is Microsoft's mobile operating system, formally called Windows Phone.

Most existing Lumia smartphones running on Windows Phone 8.1 will be upgraded to Windows 10 mobile, making the user interface and features similar to what you would expect on a Windows 10 PC, including mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

The choice of apps isn't on a par with iOS or Android - for instance we've noticed some banking apps are missing.

Many of the high-end Lumias are strong in the camera department. The latest Lumia handset, the 950 XL, features a 20 megapixel camera with OIS (optical image stabilisation).

You can read more about Windows 10 mobile in our feature here. 

BlackBerry

BlackBerry currently has two operating systems. BB10 is found on the BlackBerry Passport while BlackBerry OS is found on older phones like the BlackBerry Curve 9320.

BlackBerry phones were the darlings of teenagers a few years ago because you could use BBM (BlackBerry Messaging) to chat privately with your friends without using your text message allowance or having parents snoop on your personal conversations.

If you want a dependable phone for email, messaging and calls, plus web browsing and music, a BlackBerry will suit you very well.

Blackberry recently released its first Android phone, the Blackberry PRIV, which has been well received.

Which smartphone have you chosen? Share your comments below.

Updated December 2015

Source: Android, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone: Which smartphone operating system is right for me?

Rumor Mill: iPhone 6C to be Announced in January, Official Release in February

It is not the first time stories of Apple's planned release of iPhone 6C are coming up.

In fact, the rumors have grown in numbers in the recent past such that it is even becoming harder to believe whether this device is a real product or just an imagination.

The latest revelations, however, look a little more like it that Apple will soon be releasing a budget 4-inch smartphone. However, the report says that the phone will first be announced in January and the release to come later on in February. Apparently, Chinese website G for Games reports that the new iPhone 6C will not feature the same design materials as those on the older iPhone 5C. Rather, it seems Apple is working on a metal body, and the phone will come in various color variants.

Less features for a reduced price

As far as pricing is concerned, the site reveals that the pint-sized 6C will be a lot cheaper than the current flagships, costing between $400 and $500. Even though this device will come at a reduced cost, Apple will equip it with fewer features as compared to its major premium phones.

One major distinctive feature between the iPhone 6 and 6S is the 3D Touch feature. However, it seems Apple will be releasing the new phone without this pressure-sensitive feature.  According to the latest reports, Apple will equip the iPhone 6C with the Touch ID feature as well as support for Apple Pay.

As mentioned earlier, it is not the first time news about a possible smaller iPhone 6C coming soon is doing rounds on the web. This has been here for months now, with some of them even claiming that the device would be released in September this year. However, things did not materialize as Cupertino only rolled out the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. It seems as if these rumors are just coming out of experts' wishful thinking or are they actual manufacturing Intel?

What remains to be a rear happening of for Apple to roll out a smartphone during the low-season (after holiday). Nonetheless, it seems the company wants to find ways of keeping sales at the top even during this post-holiday period by rolling out a budget and smaller iPhone for lovers of 4-inch devices.

Would you prefer the nip-sized 4-inch iPhone if it is unveiled this coming Q1 2016? Have your say in the comments below.

Source: Rumor Mill: iPhone 6C to be Announced in January, Official Release in February

Divine Viewer Launches Virtual Reality Goggles and Controller Compatible with Android and iOS Smartphones

Toronto, ON -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/15/2015 -- Divine Viewer has released a premiere Virtual Reality Headset just in time for the holidays. Divine Viewer makes virtual reality an accessible and affordable possibility by harnessing the power of your smart phone.

For years virtual reality has been the goal in entertainment technology. The main barrier to this was accessibility. Both the hardware and software are difficult and expensive to produce and distribute. All of this has changed with the release of the Divine Viewer. By utilizing your smartphone the Divine Viewer Headset allows anyone to experience virtual reality technology.

As entertainment technology moves forward the audience becomes further and further immersed into the medium. VR technology is the next step in this long line of advances providing the greatest level of immersion available. It is no longer enough to read or watch your favorite stories or games now you can live it and be right there in the action. Ex perience the exhilaration of flight or visit a place you've dreamed of with stunning detail using our Divine Viewer VR Headset.

The Divine Viewer is simple to use and isn't as bulky or heavy as other virtual reality headsets. Simply place your smartphone in the tray and adjust the lenses. Their distance from the screen and their distance from one another can be personalized. This level of customization and the 360 degree head tracking technology will give you the optimal VR viewing experience.

The Divine Viewer is compatible with a wide variety of operating systems and screen sizes. For iOS this includes; the iPhone 5, 6, 6s, 6 plus, and 6s plus. For Android it includes: Samsung's S5, S6, S6 edge, and the Galaxy Note 4 and 5. Any phone with a screen size up to 5.5 inches is also compatible with our VR headset.

The number of downloadable apps and videos that can be experienced in virtual reality is growing at a rapid rate. There is a great deal of content available simply through your browser but we still recommend downloading apps for the full experience.

Virtual reality is no longer science fiction it is now more accessible and affordable than ever. For a limited time the Divine Viewer is available for the low price of 64.95 USD. Virtual reality is where entertainment is going and for the Divine Viewer it's already there.

About Divine ViewerThe creators of Divine Viewer a small team of Virtual Reality enthusiasts. As developers themselves they demanded a high quality headset to work with and use for pleasure. They developed and brought Divine Viewer to market in December 2015. The team at divine viewer is excited for the future and how Virtual Reality will play it's part.

Media Contact:support@divineviewer.comSean Hoffman702 - 100 Western Battery Rd.Toronto, Ontario, M6K 3S2Canadahttp://www.divineviewer.com/

Source: Divine Viewer Launches Virtual Reality Goggles and Controller Compatible with Android and iOS Smartphones

iPhone 7 release date, features, design: What we know so far about iPhone 6s successor

iPhone 6s deals in India: Apple offering up to Rs 34,000 discounts, Snapdeal launches assured buybackApple Inc Press Release

Apple is tight-lipped on its upcoming flagship smartphone dubbed as the iPhone 7 but leaks have revealed several details, including a possible release date, features and design.

The Cupertino giant has the tradition of releasing its iPhones in September but the upcoming next-generation device is expected to come earlier than expected. AppleInsider has reported citing reliable sources that the device will be launched early. 

Display and design: The iPhone 7 is expected to sport a 4.7-inch LCD display and measure between 6.0 and 6.5 mm in thickness. A patent filed by Apple has sparked off reports that the device may have a new design with ports for speaker and microphone to come with shutters to prevent intrusion of contaminants inside the device. It was earlier reported that the new iPhone will not have the iconic Home button. 

Hardware: The iPhone 6s successor is expected to be powered by A10 chip and come packed with 2 / 3 GB RAM.

Camera and connectivity: A report by CNet has claimed that the iPhone 7 will have camera much more powerful than the one seen in the iPhone 6s. The upcoming smartphone is expected to have a 10 MP camera or a two-lens DSLR-style camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). It is also reported that Lightning connector will replace the 3.5mm headphone jack. 

Source: iPhone 7 release date, features, design: What we know so far about iPhone 6s successor

Microsoft Lumia 550 release official, available now

It actually was designed for users who are willing to use a smartphone that is running Windows 10 Mobile and which is available at an affordable price. The $139 (£92) handset, which will come in Glossy White and Matte Black, is initially introduced in Europe with others markets in the target list in the coming weeks.

Moving away from the ordinary stuff, Microsoft has brought over the Lumia 540 to India and for price of Rs 10,199 there's a lot of Nokia-element to this device. And because it's a Windows Phone, it also ships with Office 365, OneDrive, and Cortana.

This is a budget handset, though, so do not go expecting insane processing abilities or performance. The Lumia 550 is Microsoft's answer to the budget-minded buyer, retailing at far less than the previously released flagships. Officially available starting today, it is first being released in Europe, with other major markets across the globe to follow shortly.

If you were hoping to get a phone that runs Windows 10, but aren't willing to shell out for a brand-new flagship Lumia 950 or 950 XL, then you're in luck.

Although the three phones all share Windows 10 features, the Lumia 550 doesn't have Continuum and Windows Hello functions.

The handset is powered by a hexa core Snapdragon 808 processor from Qualcomm and it also comes with 3GB of RAM. It also includes 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel selfie camera, 2,500mAh battery, and connectivity options like dual-SIM card slots, 4G LTE support, and it runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop.

The new Lumia 550 sports a 4.7-inch display with a pixel resolution of 1280 x 720pixels. Therefore, if you are curious regarding the changes introduced in the new mobile OS developed by the Satya Nadella's company, this might be the most affordable way to try it. The Lumia 550 has the usual WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities.

On the back of the Lumia 550, there's a 5-megapixel camera with f/2.4 aperture and a single LED flash, which is capable of recording 720p video at 30 frames-per-second.

Source: Microsoft Lumia 550 release official, available now

Microsoft releases Cortana to iOS and Android platforms

After inviting beta testers on rival platforms for its digital personal assistant Cortana, Microsoft has now released both Android and iOS versions of the app. Cortana is now available for download via their respective app stores, and can also be downloaded via Windows 10 Phone Companion app.

Previously, only Windows phones had Cortana but Microsoft has expanded Cortana to various platforms such as Windows 10 computers and smartphones that run on Android and iOS. It'll just be able to handle the basics such as track flights, packages, weather, interests, and reminders. Termed one of the best features of Windows 10, Cortana has now arrived on Apple's iOS and Google's Android operating systems.

For OnePlus One owners excited to try out the app, PC Mag's report noted that Cortana will be available for download on the smartphone via over-the-air (OTA) update. It even allows users to make changes to any of their devices and these changes will be reflected on their other devices.

Some of the new features include setting of location-based reminders on one device and seeing it on another device when the user closes in on the destination.

Cortana Group programme manager Marcus Ash said: "While the Cortana app is fully-featured, there are some things Cortana can do on Windows phones that aren't now possible with iOS or Android".

Some portion of the task continuation thought incorporates its capacity to answer to miss calls with an instant message on Windows 10 and Android gadgets. "With the Cortana app, get a missed call alert on your Windows 10 PC and let Cortana send a text back letting them know you'll call them later - all without leaving your PC", Ash revealed.

"The company claimed that the all-new Cortana app "...comes with the same intelligence as Cortana on your PC, with the ability to look up information and give helpful suggestions. The Cyanogen integration likewise permits Cortana to toggle system modes, power of a gadget, enable quiet mode, and other system highlights.

Furthermore, Cortana on Cyanogen devices allows users to ask Cortana to turn off the smartphone and toggle network modes.

Devices must run either Apple iOS 8 or Android 4.1.2 for Cortana to work. Meanwhile, Microsoft is touting even greater functionality for Cyanogen devices when an updated version of Cortana is rolled out for the OS early next year.

Source: Microsoft releases Cortana to iOS and Android platforms

BLU Life One X smartphone with a 1080p display launched for $99.99

U.S. based #BLU Products has just released the budget ranged #LifeOneX smartphone carrying an incredible price tag of $149.99. The smartphone packs a rich hardware specs sheet which makes it a very attractive offering given the pricing.

What's more is that if you get the handset before December 12 (tomorrow), you stand to gain a $50 rebate, bringing the cost down to just $99.99. The company is also bundling a leather flip view case as well as a pair of stereo headphones along with the smartphone, making the deal even sweeter for prospective buyers. The handset is an exclusive via Amazon in the U.S. and is sold in black or white color variants.

As for the hardware, the BLU Life One X comes with a 5.2 inch 1080p display, a 64-bit 1.3 GHz quad core Mediatek chipset, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 4G LTE, a 2,900 mAh battery and Android 5.1 Lollipop with a Marshmallow update on the horizon.

Source: Amazon

Via: Android Central

Source: BLU Life One X smartphone with a 1080p display launched for $99.99

TeenShield Releases Discreet Parental Monitoring System for a Dangerous Online World

TeenShield Releases Discreet Parental Monitoring System for a Dangerous Online World

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --�Retina-X Studios, the provider of child monitoring solutions since 2003, announces a sophisticated new service TeenShield for parents to track their child's iPhone and Android smartphone and tablet activities to protect them from a dangerous online world. The system is used to combat cyberbullying, sexting, dangerous meet-ups, tech addiction and sextortion.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151209/294617Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151209/294618LOGO

The system allows parents to discreetly monitor their child's incoming and outgoing text messages, iMessages including deleted messages, GPS locations, photos, contacts, browser histories and more from a secure online control panel. Parents can also block applications and websites from being accessible on the monitored device. This gives parents the tools they need to ensure their child's safety from a plethora of high-tech dangers.

"A smartphone is not the phone parents had in their bedrooms as a teenager. Online predators and pedophiles preying on teenage children also use smartphone apps to try and find their next victim," said Sean Featherstone, COO of Retina-X Studios. "Parents have a right to monitor their minor child of whom they have legal guardianship, with or without their child's knowledge. It is sometimes the only way a parent can protect their child by making sure their child is not performing illicit activities or risky behavior."/p>

Today's teenagers are subject to new electronic dangers which their parents did not experience. Cyberbullying and harassment online can affect a child's well-being and one in three children surveyed at a middle school in the Midwest have suffered from cyberbullying. Online predators preying on teenage children also use smartphone apps to try and find their next victim. Sexting is also prevalent and can ruin a child's future. As parents themselves, TeenShield's team aims to help other parents protect their children from these dangers, among many others.

TeenShield is a culmination of over 12 years of parental control software by Retina-X to keep kids safe while using technology. After introducing the world's first parental monitoring software for iPhone, iPad and Android, Retina-X Studios continued innovating and released the first software for parents to monitor iOS devices without needing to jailbreak the device. Over a decade of technology has gone into creating TeenShield to ensure parents have a dependable way to protect their child.

"The immense power a child holds in their hands with a smartphone is uncanny," said Craig Thompson, Spokesperson for Retina-X Studios. "With great power comes great responsibility. With great responsibility comes the need for oversight. A parent should not allow their child unfettered access to the Internet and smartphone apps. There are many dangers which will find their child, no matter if their child is looking for the dangers or not. It's better to be protected beforehand."

While TeenShield can work discreetly, Retina-X Studios recommends that the parent communicate with their child to explain rules about the smartphone or tablet and let their child know they are monitoring for their safety before giving their child a device. TeenShield takes about 10 minutes to setup and uses 256-bit encryption on a SSL secured website. There is no app needed on iPhone and iPad devices. For Android, a small app is installed by the parent. The service is priced at $13.95 per month at http://www.teenshield.com. �

About RXS: Since 2003, RXS has helped hundreds of thousands of parents protect their child from the dangers of the Internet on electronic devices. What started with computer monitoring software has since evolved into a mobile world of protecting children on computers, smartphones, tablets and networks. RXS has won five consecutive Gold Awards at TopTenREVIEWS since 2012. RXS products have been mentioned in a positive light by USA Today, Newsweek, Forbes, NPR, Reader's Digest, and other media outlets.

�

Contact:Craig Thompson�Email�904-437-2078

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teenshield-releases-discreet-parental-monitoring-system-for-a-dangerous-online-world-300191102.html

SOURCE Retina-X Studios

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Source: TeenShield Releases Discreet Parental Monitoring System for a Dangerous Online World

Microsoft releases Cortana for iPhones, now available on all major platforms

Microsoft's digital personal assistant, Cortana, was introduced along with Windows Phone 8.1 to take on Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now. With Bing running on the backend utilizing all of Microsoft's machine learning magic, Cortana was intended to provide a real competitive advantage for Microsoft's smartphone platform. By many accounts, Microsoft succeeded, with Cortana offering some personality and features that neither Siri nor Google Now could replicate.

Flash forward to today, however, and Cortana has become just another cross-platform tool meant to solidify Microsoft's presence on every mobile platform. The company's "cloud-first, mobile-first" and productivity platform strategies demand that Microsoft support iOS and Android along with its own Windows 10 Mobile, else the company risks irrelevance in mobile computing.

Today, Microsoft announced on the Windows blog that Cortana is now available for all of the major platforms, including iOS, Android, and the Cyanogen fork of Android. This isn't a surprise–the company let us know that Cortana would be coming to iOS and Android, along with the Phone Companion app that helps manage iPhones and Android devices with Windows 10 machines. And Cortana has been available on Android for a few months now and as a beta on iPhones for a little over a week.

While Cortana doesn't provide the deep integration with iOS and Android that it provides on Windows phones, such as toggling settings and opening apps, Microsoft's personal digital assistant can still accomplish some interesting things. Reminders that sync across all devices, missed phone notifications with the ability to respond via SMS (on Android devices and a Windows 10 PC version 1511 and later), and travel and package tracking are just a few of the cross-platform features.

Cortana offers a wide range of functionality on different platforms, from missed call notifications to shared reminders to tracking.

The "Hey Cortana" voice activation functionality, which is supported on certain Windows phones, will also work on Cyanogen devices given the deeper integration with that platform. Other custom Cyanogen integrations include toggling networks, powering off a device, and Cortana's Quiet Mode. Cyanogen will receive Cortana later this month.

Cyanogen support with deeper integration will be coming later this month.

We reported recently that the "Hey Cortana" feature on Android, which works on the Android home screen and when the Cortana app is open, causes issues with Google Now's similar functionality and can cause a device's microphone to fail. And so, Cortana still needs some work.

Nevertheless, this is big news overall. Microsoft recently released their flagship Windows 10 Mobile devices, and rumors abound about an upcoming Surface phone sometime in 2016. But Microsoft remains committed to their cross-platform strategy, and while Cortana remains most powerful on Microsoft's own Windows 10 devices, the personal assistant offers some value on other platforms as well.

Time will tell if this strategy works to keep Microsoft relevant in mobile while the company fleshed out its long-term strategy. In the meantime, check out Cortana on your iPhone or Android device today, and get yourself more closely integrated with your Windows 10 machines. Remember that you can use the Windows 10 Phone Companion app to install Cortana on iPhones, and Android devices on Windows 10 devices.

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

AndroidCortanaCyanogeniOSiPhoneWindows 10Windows 10 Mobile

Source: Microsoft releases Cortana for iPhones, now available on all major platforms

Microsoft Lumia 850, 750 coming after 550? Release date, specifications, other details

Lumia 550 price and availability: Affordable Windows 10 smartphone hits store shelvesFacebook / Microsoft Lumia

Microsoft appears to be gearing up to release its mid-range smartphone the Lumia 850, and perhaps the rumoured Lumia 750 too following the steps of the Lumia 550 which has become a reality having hit the stores in Europe.

The Lumia 850 was in the news in July suggesting that Microsoft would launch it along with Lumia 750 and Lumia 550 before reports claimed that the mid-range smartphones were scrapped. The Lumia 850 has surfaced again after a lull following the release of the Lumia 550.

A device codenamed Honjo, believed to be the Lumia 850 has been spotted on Chinese website Tieba (via VMPowerUser). It comes with a 5.7-inch display with 1080p resolution and a Snapdragon 615 SoC processor.

It was earlier reported that the Microsoft Lumia 850 would sport a 5-inch display with 768p resolution and protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Under the hood, it was rumoured to have Snapdragon 410 processor clocking at 1.4GHz, 16 GB internal storage (expandable memory), 1 GB RAM, 10 MP ZEISS main camera, 5 MP front snapper and a 2,650 mAh battery.

Meanwhile, the Lumia 750 may also not be scrapped and become a reality like the Lumia 550. According to reports, the smartphone will come with features like a 5-inch display with 720p resolution, Snapdragon 410 that clocks at 1.2GH, 8 GB internal memory (expandable storage), 1 GB RAM, 8 MP main camera, 5 MP secondary snapper and 2,650 mAh battery.

Microsoft is yet to reveal the release date of its Lumia 850 and 750 but it may not be far off as the Lumia 550 has already hit the stores. It wouldn't come as a surprise if these mid-range smartphones are launch this month or early next year.

Source: Microsoft Lumia 850, 750 coming after 550? Release date, specifications, other details

LG Zero Release Date & Specs: Mid-Range Device At Its Best, To Launch In Taiwan

By Charmaine Montes , Christian Post Contributor

December 7, 2015|11:01 am

South Korean electronics company LG is set to release their latest flagship mid-range smartphone called as the Zero. According to a report by GSM Arena, the company has already announced the global rollout of its first metal-clad smartphone.

@PhoneDog/Twitter

LG Class is a metal-clad #Android phone with a 5-inch display. Phone Dog Twitter image. Sept. 21, 2015.

The mid-range device will first launch in Taiwan. After its release in Taiwan, it will be launched in the key markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Fans outside Taiwan will have to stay tuned for the announcement of the specific date of release. Those living in the U.S. may not have the chance to pick up the new phone yet though as the source cited that it is still unknown if and when the phone will be available in the U.S. area.

The price of the device is not yet revealed as well, although there are rumors going around saying that the LG Zero may cost somewhere around $300 to $400, depending on the location.

What makes this particular model unique is that even though it's a mid-range smartphone, it comes with impressive specs. As cited in  Pocket-Lint, president and CEO of LG Mobile, Juno Cho said, "At LG, we do not believe in limiting our best technology to just our flagship devices."

The device is even designed with an all-metal body to give it a premiere look, just like how it is with flagship smartphones nowadays. Sporting a 5-inch 720p HD display, the LG Zero runs a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 1.5GB of RAM. It also supports LTE and carries 13-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera. Giving it power is a 2050 mAh nonremovable battery which is said to have been slimmed down in order to fit perfectly with the slim design of the handset. It will be running with Android 5.1 Lollipop.

The LG Zero isn't actually anything new though as an international variant of the LG Class launched in Germany, Korea, Russia and Singapore. The LG Class was first launched in September this year in South Korea.

Source: LG Zero Release Date & Specs: Mid-Range Device At Its Best, To Launch In Taiwan

HTC One M10 release rumors: When does the HTC One M10 coming out? Could it be the HTC O2 or?

A new rumor appeared indicating that  HTC One M10 launch will most likely take place in early 2016 together with the HTC's newly designed smartwatch "One Watch".

After insufficient amount of sales of the HTC One M9, HTC might consider to shift to a new name – perhaps HTC Two (as reported) to try to avoid comparisons with the frustrating One M9. HTC can somehow develop a QHD screen that is just as gentle on the battery as a 1080p one.

It has also a no brainer that it will have a more rapidly processor, probably the Snapdragon 820. Other speculation suggest hard drive options will consist of 64GB and 128GB, combined with 4GB of RAM. The One M9 dealt with the criticisms about a microSD slot, and provided that HTC is twisting on upwards to serve people what they want.

HTC One M10 is also supposed to bunch progressive and some unique features that's never seen before in a leading smartphone such as at least 5inch HD display screen, microSD slot of up to 2TB, TV like 4K pixel image resolution, dual SIM support and 4GB of RAM.

The camera will also be better than HTC One M9 and some reports said that it will use a 27Mp rear end with a 5Mp front end camera. They also point out a smaller, thinner 5-inche model will arrive in 2016.It would not even be surprising if screens stay at QHD – (2560×1440). No-one really requires a greater pixel density than 2560×1440, on a sub of around 6-inch screen.

The previously launched One M8 had a list price of £550 and that enhanced to £579 for the One M9.It is expected that the One M10 will cost a similar amount too. It may be too early to say for sure, particularly if HTC does something entirely unique with the One M10, but as it will definitely be another flagship android smartphone, it will surely have a price to match.

SOURCE

Source: HTC One M10 release rumors: When does the HTC One M10 coming out? Could it be the HTC O2 or?

Microsoft Surface Phone updates: Flagship given the green light for Q2 2016 release?

Microsoft Official

Microsoft Lumia 950XL

Windows Central has word that a fully Microsoft-made handset called the Microsoft Surface Phone is being prepared for development, with the company's head of devices and Surface VP Panos Panay and the team behind the Surface devices in charge of building the smartphone.

Not much is known about the smartphone, although the aforementioned publication reports that the handset led to the cancellation of the development of the so-called Intel-powered metal Windows Phone, which was apparently designed by Nokia.

It looks like Microsoft has decided to develop its own mobile offering instead, giving birth to the Microsoft Surface Phone. A prototype of the smartphone was allegedly spotted in the software giant's test beds not too long ago.

Intel is apparently still involved in the project. In fact, word on the street is that the manufacturer will develop an x86 chipset for the upcoming handset out of Redmond as the company is finding ways to be able to top Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which are used in most flagships today.

With this, the Microsoft Surface Phone will not only be able to run Windows Store apps but also Win32 apps, making the device a real pocket-sized computer. However, those are mere speculations at the moment as the handset remains shrouded in mystery.

It would not be impossible though. For years, it was anticipated that Microsoft will someday release its own laptop and this materialized this year in the form of the handsome and premium Surface Book. Along with the expectation of a Microsoft laptop was the hope that it will be out with a handset too.

The Microsoft Surface Phone is speculated to be out and about by the second quarter of 2016, although there's word that by August or September, the first full-fledged mobile offering from Microsoft will finally turn up.

At the moment, the Redmond-based company continues to promote its flagship smartphones Lumia 950 and 950 XL, the first Windows 10 phones.

Source: Microsoft Surface Phone updates: Flagship given the green light for Q2 2016 release?

Xiaomi Mi 4, Mi Note Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to release soon

By Sambit Satpathy on Dec 4, 2015 at 3:17 PM Email @some_bit comments News

If you are wondering when your Xiaomi smartphone will be updated to the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow, turns out you won't have to wait long. A Xiaomi official has taken to Weibo to reveal that the Mi 4 and the Mi Note will be among the first smartphones to get the update.

The official, a MIUI operations manager, however says that the Marshmallow update will be based on MIUI 7, and Xiaomi won't be releasing a new iteration of the UI, GizmoChina reports. He says that a closed beta for the Marshmallow-based MIUI 7 will soon be launched for the two aforementioned smartphones. The update could be released as early as next week.

The Mi 4 maybe more than a year and half old, which in the current industry reads ancient, but Xiaomi seems to be working on keeping the smartphone relevant. Besides the forthcoming Marshmallow update, Xiaomi also released the Windows 10 Mobile-based ROM for the smartphone earlier this week.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi Mi 4 gets Windows 10 ROM, here's how you can install it

In the meantime, many are awaiting the launch of the Mi 5, which has been in the rumor mills since the beginning of the year. Recent reports claim that the flagship smartphone will be launched sometime in early 2016, when Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset will be made available for commercial devices.  Xiaomi seems quite bullish about the Mi 5, and CEO Lei Jun recently went on record to say that the smartphone is 'worth the wait'.

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Tags: Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Xiaomi, Xiaomi Mi 4, Xiaomi Mi Note Source: GizmoChina Previous Next

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Source: Xiaomi Mi 4, Mi Note Android 6.0 Marshmallow update to release soon