Android 7.1.2 Nougat beta available for Pixel and Nexus phones

Google on Monday announced a new incremental Nougat update, version 7.1.2. The new release is "just around the corner," which means anyone looking to beta test it can do so. You still need to have a compatible device to do so, and that means you need a supported Pixel or Nexus devices.

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"Android 7.1.2 is an incremental maintenance release focused on refinements, so it includes a number of bugfixes and optimizations, along with a small number of enhancements for carriers and users," Google said in its announcement, without actually detailing any new features.

The final Android 7.1.2 build will be available in a couple of months, and it'll work on variety of devices, including the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. In other words, if you own older Nexus hardware, don't expect to run either the beta or final releases.

To try out the beta, you have to enroll your device in the beta program, if it's not included in it already, and wait for Google to roll out the update over-the-air. Simply head over to android.com/beta and register for the update.

However, if you don't want to wait for the OTA, Android Police points out that the factory images are already live at this link.

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Source: Android 7.1.2 Nougat beta available for Pixel and Nexus phones

ZTE considers cancelling Project CSX 'Hawkeye' smartphone after poor response

ZTE continues to trip over its own proverbial feet by assuming that a crowd knows what it wants.

The crowdsourced, crowdfunded ZTE Hawkeye, which in just under three weeks has raised only $35,000, has come under fire for ostensibly thinking that its potential audience would be willing to concede to a mid-range spec sheet after lobbying for the device to be a pie-in-the-sky project from the get-go.

Despite the fact that two features — eye-tracking and an adhesive back — won out over the rest of the votes, ZTE's naivety in not anticipating the backlash exposes the company's biggest flaw when it comes to attempting to expand further into the U.S. market: it just doesn't compare to the rest of the world.

"We are already fourth in terms of market share [in North America]," said Jeff Yee, Vice President of Technology Partnerships and Planning for ZTE North America, in an interview with Android Central. "We sold 18 million devices, and many of those were by connecting directly with consumers."

"We've heard lots of negative things from consumers after receiving direct feedback. We honestly didn't foresee this happening."

In 2017, the company aims to continue that momentum, according to Yee, by "moving upmarket with flagships" that people truly care about. Project CSX, or Crowd Source X, is ZTE's first attempt to appeal democratically to an audience that, cumulatively, would have a final say in how a phone turns out.

But Project CSX, or Hawkeye in its finished form — another questionable crowdsourced decision — has been met with almost no response by a buying public that traditionally falls all over itself for such things. The Nextbit Robin, for instance, raised over $1.3 million back in late 2015 on the promise of a well-designed phone with a few gimmicks.

"The whole Hawkeye process was interactive — it was designed to be," said Yee. "We were committed to not just source the idea, but also the branding, material choices and colors. This information has been invaluable." ZTE subsequently issued an apology for minimizing the importance of what, in retrospect, was one of the device's most important decisions, the choice of SoC, offering to change the Snapdragon 625 to a Snapdragon 835 at the risk of delaying the phone's release date and significantly increasing its $199 price.

"We've heard lots of negative things from consumers after receiving direct feedback. We honestly didn't foresee this happening." The team behind CSX thought that it could create a single SKU (version of the phone) that would appeal to a worldwide audience. That's how they settled on a device running a light version of Android with a spec sheet that wouldn't have been out of place in the early months of 2016. But for a phone shipping in late 2017, even with a $199 price tag, those looking for a high-end device — one that had their actual input in the heart and soul of the finished product — were sure to be disappointed.

Yee says that ZTE is more than willing to change some of the fundamentals of the phone if it will lead to increased sales — the Kickstarter campaign of $500,000 has largely stalled at just under $40,000 — but he and his team are committed to bringing the phone to market in some form. "We would definitely make some changes in response to a majority vote. If everyone wanted a Snapdragon 835, we would definitely try to make that happen. If everyone wanted a removable battery, we'd try to make that happen."

ZTE has acknowledged that the Hawkeye Kickstarter campaign isn't working.

But Yee understands that there were mistakes made in the initial voting process that led to a diffusion in the actual decisions made. "The challenge with running some of these polls is that we get so much feedback, it doesn't allow us to do line-item voting. If we could restructure some of the polls from the beginning, we would have broken it down to more specifics: Do you want a Snapdragon 625 or 835. Do you want a fingerprint sensor on the front or the back? We'd also have been able to tell people, when voting, your decision will have this impact on price."

Yee also acknowledges that the Kickstarter campaign isn't working. "We're already rethinking our strategy around selling the device, and Kickstarter just wasn't the right place to sell this phone. We're reconsidering the platform on how it goes out." There's also the possibility that Hawkeye will be canceled entirely, and though Yee says ZTE is committed to bringing the two core tenets of the phone — eye-tracking and rear adhesion — to market, they may instead be integrated into a future Axon flagship.

"This whole process has been a learning experience for us and because it is an industry first, we've learned so much from the program. If we choose to do it again, we now know how to break it down and learn from our past — and learn from our mistakes."

Yee also says that the next time around, he would try to find a way to give royalties to those who submitted ideas. He says that some people remarked on how they refused to disclose their Project CSX proposals because ZTE has no mechanism for compensating individuals.

Before any decisions are made about the future of Project CSX, the company's current flagship, the Axon 7, is poised to get updated to Android 7.0 Nougat in early February. Yee says that Google has received the final Nougat build, which includes long-awaited Daydream support, and is going through the process of certifying the release for public use. That process should wrap up in the coming days, and users of the sold-unlocked device can look forward to an update in the next two weeks or so.

Good news for a company that hasn't been in the news much over the past few months, overshadowed by the release of the Huawei Mate 9 in the U.S. and Xiaomi's ultra-modern Mi Mix in China. But ZTE appears to have big plans for 2017, and even if Hawkeye never makes it to market in its currently-proposed form, there are plenty of good ideas left — both crowdsourced and otherwise.

Source: ZTE considers cancelling Project CSX 'Hawkeye' smartphone after poor response

Behold, Samsung Galaxy S8 to be launched on March 29

Manchester United knock out Hull City on AggregateAgainst Hull on Thursday, I played Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, the game before I played Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. We need to do more, we need to be pushing for more trophies'.

Presidency releases more photos of Buhari in LondonThe President had on Thursday, January 19, 2017, left the country for London, United Kingdom, for what the Presidency described as "a short leave".

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Sutton celebrate 'biggest achievement in our history' against LeedsI stand by all the decisions I make. "We didn't want that to happen to us, but we have to take it on the chin". Boss Paul Doswell said: "I've been talking about making more modern memories and it's brilliant".

George, Harden square off as Pacers host RocketsTurner had his sixth double-double in 13 games and added four blocks - the 12th time this season he's had at least four in a game. Former Hoosier and IN native Eric Gordon has missed the last two games (lower back), and is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Curry (stomch flu) out for game at PortlandCurry is traveling with the team but stayed back at the hotel rather than go to Portland's Moda Center for the game. The two-time reigning MVP is averaging 25 points, 6.1 assists and 4.3 points in 47 games this season.

Struggling HMV Canada goes into receivership, set to close storesAccording to the affidavit, HMV would require a $2 million emergency injection of funds to keep basic operations going. An Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved an application to place the company into receivership on Friday.

Some Republicans suggest narrowing Trump refugee banThe order contains an exception for religious minorities, meaning it effectively applies only to Muslims. Charlie Dent , a moderate Republican from central Pennsylvania, was more blunt.

Australian Open: Roger Federer thrilled by Grand Slam win over Rafael NadalHis reward for the win is another duel with 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer, the only man with more major titles than he has. Together, they've won 31 Grand Slam titles.

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Derrick Rose: Derrick Rose (ankle) ruled out for SundayThe Knicks couldn't get a win run going after a win over the Charlotte Hornets, absorbing their 28th loss in 49 games. Rookie Ron Baker is also in line for more minutes, after recently falling back out of the rotation.

Naga Chaitanya and Samantha engagedSamantha and Naga Chaitanya first shared the screen in Gautham Menon's Ye Maya Chesave, which was a beautiful love story. On the special occasion, while Samantha wore a specially designed sari by Kresha Bajaj, Chaitanya was suited up.

Trump, Kellyanne Explain Need for Refugee Executive OrderPriebus has said publicly that Trump will work with Congress to get a "long-term solution" on the issue. "These seven countries. On Saturday, a federal judge granted an emergency stay on implementation of Trump's executive order.

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Crowds flock to temples in China as celebrations mark Lunar New YearShicken feet snacks shop owner Leung Kin-kung (L), and his wife Leung pack chicken feet takeaway for customers in Hong Kong . In that case, you'd be a Monkey, as most 1992 babies are, since the lunar year technically hadn't changed yet.

Source: Behold, Samsung Galaxy S8 to be launched on March 29

Sony Xperia XA (2017) Outed Ahead Of MWC? Video Leak Shows Familiar Phone Design, Android 7.0 Nougat OS

Loyal Sony fans who have been waiting for the Japanese company to drop more details about its upcoming smartphones are in luck this week. One of the devices that Sony will be showcasing at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona has already made an appearance online ahead of the February exhibition. The Xperia XA gave a good impression to consumers despite its mid-range status last year. Hence, Sony is planning to impress more people this year with the release of the Xperia XA (2017).

Just this Friday, YouTube channel TechLover HD shared a video showing what appears to be a prototype for the new Xperia XA. Based on its appearance, consumers shouldn't expect a drastic change in the form factor of the handset. The large top and bottom bezels are still there to irritate people who are more invested in bezel-less phones.

The prototype that TechLover HD got has the model code G3121. It isn't clear if Sony is debuting the device with this code. The leak doesn't mention anything about the specs and features of the smartphone, but the video title claims the upcoming Xperia XA (2017) is sporting a 23-megapixel back camera. Should this be the case, Sony is doing a big jump from the 13-megapixel rear shooter of the original Xperia XA.

The handset in the video appears to be running on Android 7.0 Nougat, and it even has the Jan. 5, 2017 security patch installed. This means either the prototype is a recent one, or that it's a old prototype with an updated software. When the original Xperia XA was launched, it debuted with Android OS v6.0.1 Marshmallow, so it won't be surprising if the successor will run the latest OS available at present.

According to Android Headlines, the phone in the video leak seems to have more of a matte color on the sides and at the back. The tech news site pointed out that this is the trend Sony is embracing this year for its Xperia X series of devices.

Sony is expected to unveil five new devices at MWC this year. The company's press conference is scheduled to happen on the first day of the trade show. It's quite likely for Sony to only introduce smartphones and tablets at the exhibition, for it has already outed its other products at CES 2017 this January.

Source: Sony Xperia XA (2017) Outed Ahead Of MWC? Video Leak Shows Familiar Phone Design, Android 7.0 Nougat OS

LG Files Patent Applications for Foldable Smartphones

Foldable smartphones will be the next big thing in the mobile market and many companies are already working on their own versions of such devices. Recent reports say that foldable smartphones will go into mass production later this year or in early 2018.

Many tech giants are said to be working on prototypes of foldable smartphones, in a race to be the first company to release such a device to the market. However, companies are also prudent when it comes to foldable devices, as the goal is also to provide a reliable and appealing that works accordingly.

Therefore, smartphone makers would rather wait and properly test out their device, before making a big announcement. For quite a while now, LG has been rumored to be working on a foldable device. A patent application surfaced earlier this month, revealing how a foldable LG smartphone could transform into a tablet.

LG filed two patent applications for foldable smartphones

The latest patent applications from LG carry the registration numbers US D777,13 S and US D 777,132 S, and were filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, according to TrendyTechz, They show the same concept as the previous applications, a foldable smartphone that can transform into a tablet. The sketches that accompany the latest applications aren't as detailed as the previous ones, but they reveal a similar concept.

Samsung is another smartphone maker that's been working on a concept of foldable device, a smartphone that could become a full-fledged tablet. Samsung's patents reveal a device that folds in like a book and has two sides comprised of display materials when it is closed.

Samsung's Galaxy X have been expected to be announced for quite a while now, but the South Korean smartphone maker has taken its time with this device. Samsung also patented multiple biometric ID forms for new foldable smartphones, which would be used to authenticate the user on the phone and grant access to apps that contain sensitive information.

It's worth noting that devices featured in patent applications don't always make it to a commercial release and some ideas are ditched in favor of others.

  CHECK OUT THE GALLERY  (7 Images)

Source: LG Files Patent Applications for Foldable Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy S8 Expected To Launch On March 29

Samsung is expected to reveal two models of its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8, on March 29.

According to a report from Evan Blass at VentureBeat, both models of the Galaxy S8 will feature a larger display than Samsung's Galaxy Note phablets due to the edge to edge display, which will see physical navigation buttons replaced with on-screen buttons.

Alongside technical details of the new smartphone, Blass also revealed the first image of the Galaxy S8:

This is the Samsung Galaxy S8, launching March 29 https://t.co/lQZ0K0q2MA pic.twitter.com/dlusRMX4YH

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) January 26, 2017

The smartphones are expected to feature new processors, either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Samsung's Exynos depending on region, which are 11% faster and 20% more energy effecient than the Galaxy S7.

A QHD Super AMOLED display, measuring either 5.8-inch or 6.2-inch, will cover 83% of the front of the smartphone, with an 'edge' that curves downward on the side. Battery capacity remains similar to the Galaxy S7 at 3000mAh for the 5.8-inch and 3500mAh for the 6.2-inch.

Since there is no physical home button, the fingerprint sensor has been moved from the front to the back sitting alongside the rear camera. The 12-megapixel rear camera adds visual search functionality, while the front-facing 8-megapixel camera adds iris-scanning from the Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy S8 models worldwide on April 21, with prices set reportedly €100 ($140) higher than the Galaxy S7.

Source: Samsung Galaxy S8 Expected To Launch On March 29

ZTE BA602 Smartphone spotted on TENNA with 5.5” Display and 3GB RAM

At the Consumer Electronics Show, we have seen ZTE unveiling its Blade V8 Pro and also announced its Project CSX or Hawkeye has officially made its way to the crowdfunding stage for the release later this year. Now another device has been spotted from the company on TENNA which is the Chinese version of the FCC. With the model number ZTE BA602, the handset will be targeted towards the budget segment and is expected to be unveiled at the MWC scheduled next month.

According to the list, the ZTE BA602 will be coming with a 5.5-inch touch screen HD (1280 x 720 pixels) display, and we can also expect Corning Gorilla Glass protection on top to protect it from minor drops and scratches. Under the hood, there is an unknown quad-core processor with a clocking speed of 1.25GHz and will come in 1GB, 2GB as well as a 3GB variant with the storage options of 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB respectively.

On the camera front, there is an 8MP sensor on the rear accompanied by 2MP camera on the front for video calling and selfies. On the back, there is a 3000mAh battery which should be enough to charge the device for an entire day on normal usage. The device measures 153.3 mm x 77 mm x 8.6 mm and will be available e in Phantom Grey, Quiet Blue, Quicksand Gold, and Black color variants. It will be competing against many other companies like Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, Oppo and few other smartphone makers which also make budget-friendly handsets.

From the image, we can see a ring on the rear under the camera which could be the fingerprint sensor. This ensures that the device will be unveiled soon by the company, but nothing is confirmed yet. We'll need to wait few more days to see this device, and it might get official at the MWC 2017. Stay tuned to PhoneRadar, and we will be back with more news and updates. Comment in the section below if you have more queries.

Related

Source: ZTE BA602 Smartphone spotted on TENNA with 5.5" Display and 3GB RAM

Waterproofing options for smartphones in 2017

Following the release of flagship devices such as the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 in 2016, water resistant handsets are now the fastest growing segment in the smartphone industry. But, what does this mean for handset design in 2017?

Let's take a look at recent research from IDC and explain how hydrophobic nano-coating technology can support OEMs when looking to incorporate this increasingly sought after feature.

Consumer Expectations Are Invariably Changing

In 2016, we saw mobile handset design change dramatically. Two of the leading manufacturers, Samsung and Apple, finally incorporated liquid ingress protection into the design of their flagship models and consumer expectations have never been clearer. YouGov also discovered that, when choosing a device, after battery life and shatterproof screens, water resistance was the most important feature influencing consumers decisions.

IDC discovered that liquid damage is now the second most common cause of handset damage, after shattered screens -- accounting for a third of repairs (35 percent). This is not a surprising figure; for the normal every day user, accidental splashes and spills can happen easily, so it is easy to see why water resistance has very quickly become an expected feature on smartphones.

Only One in 13 Manufacturers Protect Against Liquid Damage Despite Demand

Astonishingly, IDC also estimates that over 900,000 smartphones are damaged by liquids every day. For a number so high, why do only 27 out of the 360 manufacturers tracked in the report offer some type of liquid resistance? Improving smartphone resistance to spills, sprinkles and perspiration is clearly one of the key solutions to customer satisfaction.

Consequently, the number of manufacturers offering this resistance needs to rise in-line with consumer demand, and I fully believe 2017 will be the year this happens. To ensure customer satisfaction, loyalty and in turn revenue growth, some level of water resistance needs to be more than just a feature on high-end devices.

Shipments of smartphones that offer some level of protection against water or other liquids rose in the first 6 months of 2016, increasing by 45 percent, while shipments of devices without such resistance declined by 17 percent in the same period. This only confirms what 2017, 2018 and maybe 2019 could have in store for manufacturers who do not incorporate this technology.

Two of the pioneering handset manufacturers that have been offering water resistance as standard have been Motorola and Sony. Now that Samsung and Apple have followed suit on their latest high end devices, the percentage of liquid resistant devices on the market is growing in share year over year, and the next twelve months will be no exception.

The iPhone 7 announcement has had a particularly big impact on the market and we have seen the level of interest and enquiries from other manufacturers looking for water resistant solutions sky-rocket at P2i, as manufacturers recognize that the status quo in the industry has shifted.

What Is the Solution?

Manufacturers need to be weighing up their options sooner rather than later, for how they will approach the future of handset design. Commonly, there are two main categories they can consider to add protection from liquid smartphones today. Most manufacturers are turning to mechanical solutions such as gaskets and seals to offer complete protection. But, issues such as heat retention and the fact that they increase the cost and complexity of handset design mean that mechanical sealing is not necessarily the silver bullet when it comes to liquid protection.

Physical seals and gaskets are great for brand new devices; covers and ports can provide a high level of protection against liquid damage. However, any drop or bend can compromise the seal and thus their ability to maintain the advertised levels of water protection that is delivered. Any covers also need to be intact and closed at all times to prevent liquids or dust getting into the device, so there is no room for forgetfulness.

How About Hydrophobic?

Surface-coating is another option that more and more manufacturers are beginning to take advantage of. When the wetting angle in a test environment is more than 90 degrees, the surface-coating is defined as hydrophobic. Liquids simply roll off the hydrophobic coating, due to the low surface energy a coated device will generate. The coating is basically invisible and it can be applied to any type of device without impacting the electrical circuitry or components such as the speaker or microphone.

Offering hydrophobic nano-coating creates a repellent surface and maintains higher levels of protection when compared to standard coatings. Nano-coating is a more financially viable option compared to physical mechanical seals, enabling mass-scale application and integration with the production cycle, perfect for manufacturers who do not have the resources or the time to deliver a fully tested physical liquid barrier.

This option also keeps costs down for consumers when they buy their new mobile phone, by not significantly increasing the cost of manufacturing a handset. For the trials and tribulations of everyday life, it can withstand the day-to-day accidents that most people experience, caused by rain, condensation, sweat and running water.

Those looking for a much higher level of protection for use in harsher environments and terrains, a ruggedized device is still probably the most sensible option, putting aesthetics and design on the back-burner.

Conclusion

To me, IDC's research demonstrates the huge market opportunity for this type of technology. Motorola handsets already offer a level of water resistance on every device now available in their product line, showing that it can be achieved in a way that is cost effective to both manufacturers and consumers alike.

A relatively inexpensive solution that provides a strong return on investment, with use cases at multiple product price points, hydrophobic nano-coating is the mass market answer to making large segments of the smartphone market water resistant very quickly. From a purely aesthetical point of view, there is now little to differentiate any number of smartphone devices from one another, so features and functionality will increasingly come into focus and water resistance will be an essential part of a smartphone's DNA in 2017.

Ady Moores is Group CEO of liquid repellent nano-coating developer P2i. Having previously served as CFO, Ady supported P2i's fast growth from start-up to substantive, profitable business.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Future plc Publication. All rights reserved.

Source: Waterproofing options for smartphones in 2017

Samsung expects AI and flexible displays to drive smartphone growth in 2017

Samsung made over $45 billion in revenue last quarter, and that was without the Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung's mobile division, despite the ignominious death of the Galaxy Note 7, performed well enough in the fourth quarter to buoy the company's results to its best in over three years.

While much of the $7.92 billion USD equivalent in profit (9.22 trillion KRW) was due to success of Samsung's less public divisions, such as V-NAND memory and OLED displays, strong sales of the Galaxy S7 series and higher margins for its Galaxy A and Galaxy J series, played a role.

This year, it's all about AI.

The company noted that people keep buying larger, more expensive UHD televisions, and it also expects to make gains in its semiconductor business in 2017. All good things, despite slower growth in mobile going forward.

But Samsung is also making big predictions about where mobile is going in 2017 and, as we've already predicted, it's all about AI. "Although the growth of the global smartphone market is expected to slow this year, new services such as artificial intelligence (AI) will be a differentiating factor," the company said in a press release. It also promises to "[introduce] AI-based services on premium smartphones."

It also notes that the "mid-to-low end" of smartphones will improve its sales by doubling down on premium features like fingerprint sensors and waterproofing usually reserved for the more expensive portions of the market. We've already seen that with the Galaxy A 2017 series, and Samsung will be looking to bring the features to its budget Galaxy J series as well.

Finally, relying on momentum from the comprehensive Galaxy Note 7 battery fire report, Samsung says its priority in 2017 will be to "ensure consumer safety and product quality by enhancing product assurance processes, implementing new preventive measures and augmenting a dedicated team of experts."

With just over two months until the reported early April unveiling of the Galaxy S8, Samsung may be up against an even bigger challenger than LG or Apple: its own reputation. Measures taken to ensure customer safety, along with what the company calls "innovations in smartphone form factors" like flexible panels, will boost the company's cache in the coming months, but it first has to win back the trust of the average smartphone customer. A Galaxy S8 with a bezel-free design, embedded fingerprint sensor, AI assistant and curved design may be exactly what is needed.

Samsung

Samsung is a massive South Korea-based multinational company that makes some of the best-selling phones, tablets and mobile accessories, but also spans industries such as televisions, appliances and semiconductors (like memory and processors). Samsung is the largest Android device manufacturer worldwide.

Source: Samsung expects AI and flexible displays to drive smartphone growth in 2017

Samsung Elec won't unveil Galaxy S8 smartphone at MWC show - exec

Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Monday it will not unveil its Galaxy S8 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show this year, suggesting the flagship model's launch may be later in the year than its 2016 version. People are silhouetted as they pose with mobile devices in front of a screen projected with a Samsung logo, in this illustration picture taken on October 29, 2014. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo SEOUL: Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Monday it will not unveil its Galaxy S8 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show this year, suggesting the flagship model's launch may be later in the year than its 2016 version. Samsung mobile chief Koh Dong-jin said the phone would not get a launch event at the MWC event in Barcelona, which begins on Feb. 27, unlike the previous Galaxy S smartphones. Koh did not comment on when the company planned to launch the new handset, the first premium model Samsung is due to release since the failure of its Note 7 flagship device in October over safety issues. The firm showed off the Galaxy S7 on the sidelines of MWC in February 2016, and started selling the phones in March. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; writing by Se Young Lee; Editing by Stephen Coates) - Reuters
Source: Samsung Elec won't unveil Galaxy S8 smartphone at MWC show - exec

New Nokia smartphone sold out in a minute after release in China

However, insiders told PC Advisor that the "Nokia 6" is sold at 1699 CNY, or about UK£201.66, EU232.07, and US$245.38. At the same event, Nokia is also expected to announce the global rollout schedule for the Nokia 6, which now is China exclusive. While this should be taken with a pinch of salt, as we have no idea how many units HMD Global made available for the flash sale, it is surely a positive sign for Nokia's grand comeback. The exact number of units sold wasn't revealed, and the date of the next flash sale has yet to be announced. "China is the world's largest smartphone market".

As posted by HMD, "The decision to launch its first Android smartphone into China is a reflection of the desire to meet the real world needs of consumers in different markets around the world". The report also added Nokia P1 will sport a 5.3-inch IGZO display protected by the Gorilla Glass 5. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor powers the device, which is coupled with 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage (expandable to 128GB via microSD).

There are also assumptions surrounding the specs for Nokia's latest flagship phone. It has 16MP back camera with f/2.0 aperture, phase detection auto focus, and dual-tone flash, as well as an 8-megapixel front camera with f/2.0 aperture, which supports wide-angle selfies. Other features include a 3,000 mAh battery capacity and Dolby Atmos audio codec.

HMD Global or Nokia have not confirmed any details on the purported tablet. The company stated that it guarantees "superior craftsmanship and design quality".

The device is powered by Android and can be concluded as a mid range device. It is expected that Nokia will launch at least three phones this quarter. All needed for now is solid confirmation from HMD Global. So far, the company has not given a timeline of when smartphone users in the United States can get their hands on the popular Nokia 6.

Despite being one of the biggest mobile phone companies, Nokia lost out to Apple and Samsung during the boom of smartphones.

Source: New Nokia smartphone sold out in a minute after release in China

Smartphone Screen Protector Market - Opportunities, Regional Outlook, Competitive Insight and Market Overview 2024

Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/20/2017 -- Smartphones are used by an enormous number of people around the globe. Their rising usage have led to the development of various additional products which enhance the overall functioning of the smartphone device. One such product is the smartphone screen protector which, as the name suggests, protects the mobile phone screen from scratches and related damage.

Get Sample Report Copy : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18203

Different types of smartphone screen protectors offer different functions beyond protection from scratches. The ultra-clear smartphone screen guard is "glass like" and transparent with no clarity loss, thereby providing a perfect view. Scratch-resistant covers, UV protection, and backing of a non-resinous silicone are the salient features of an ultra-clear screen protector. The anti-glare smartphone screen shield, on the other hand, is beneficial to those who often us e their devices outdoors. These are equipped with anti-reflective coating (AR) which eliminates the reflection of light. Some anti-glare screen protectors also provide anti-fingerprint covering.

The privacy variety shields the user's information from others while s/he happens to be looking at it. Text and images are only visible when seen from a straight angle – when viewed from any other direction, the screen appears black. Mirror smartphone screen shields are yet another type of smartphone screen protectors that are useful and attractive, as they entirely transform the screen into glass when it is not being used.

This market is driven by the increasing smartphone sales specifically in developing economies such as India and china which exhibit escalating disposable incomes among consumers. Emergence of low-cost screen protectors in regions such as Asia Pacific is expected to create immense opportunities for this market. Rising demand for refurbished and pre-used smart phones is another important indicator of the overall market expansion.

The smartphone screen protector market can be segmented on the basis of raw material used into the following categories: polyethylene terephthalate (PET film), tempered glass, multi-layered, and thermoplastic polyurethane. PET films comprising polyester are films with a scratch-resistance matt coating on one side and a silicone adhesive on the other. Thermoplastic polyurethane is a chemically enhanced plastic displaying properties such as scratch resistance, oil and grease resistance, toughness, and elasticity. Tempered glass (TG) screen protectors are multi-layered and carry shock absorbent features, with their bottom layer made of silicon. Multi-layered screen protectors are usually patented and are an advanced variety made of different types of materials so that they can effectively absorb shocks. However, in-built screen protectors in smartphone might restrict this market. Today, various smartphones ava ilable in the market are already equipped with efficient screen guards which might impact the demand for stand-alone smartphone screen protectors.

Browse Market Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smartphone-screen-protector-market.html

The market comprises a number of mid-sized manufacturers largely due the fewer barriers they face while making their entry and the affordability of raw materials. Key players include 3M Company, Bodyguardz, LLC, Zagg Inc., Belkin International Inc., Jiizii Glass, Clarivue, Corning Inc., FeYong Digital Technology Limited, AZ Infolink Pvt. Ltd, Shenzhen Yoobao Technology Co. Ltd., and Free S Speed International Co. Ltd.

About Transparency Market ResearchTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking ins ight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

Source: Smartphone Screen Protector Market - Opportunities, Regional Outlook, Competitive Insight and Market Overview 2024

Xiaomi could release new Redmi 4 with thin bezel

Xiaomi is quietly releasing a set of new Redmi 4 units with reduced screen bezels, afters considering users' complaint over the size of large black borders that surrounds the Redmi 4's screen.

Photo: Gizmo China

Launched in November, the Redmi 4 features black border surrounding the smartphone's screen found in almost all low-priced Chinese smartphone. According to a report by Gizmo China, the firm is dispatching new Redmi 4 units with trimmed black borders.

To recall, the Xiaomi Redmi 4 comes with a 5-inch HD display, is powered by Snapdragon 430 processor, coupled with 2GB/3GB of RAM, and sports 16GB/32GB of memory storage. The smartphone is equipped with a 13MP rear sensor and a 5MP front sensor. It is fuelled by a 4100mAh of battery.

Xiaomi is releasing the Redmi Note 4 in India today. The event will go live from 11.30 am today. Fans can watch the live streaming of the event by clicking here.

Source: Xiaomi could release new Redmi 4 with thin bezel

Nintendo Debuts New 'Fire Emblem Heroes' Smartphone Game [Update: Coming February 2]

I really want to get info about Animal Crossing!If this is a real Fire Emblem game, then I'm really willing to pay for it.

It's ironic that Nintendo made a game that should have been free to play and charged $10 after a demo for it, but then they made a real game that should only have a free demo and made it all free to play.

Also ironic is that Nintendo is putting Fire Emblem: Warriors, which despite the title isn't a Fire Emblem game, on the Switch, while iOS at least appears to maybe be getting a real Fire Emblem game.

Edit: Oh... wait... I just realized that grid size is tiny... all of the characters seem to only be able to move one space at a time? This seems like a disappointingly simplified version of Fire Emblem...

FTP = PTW
Source: Nintendo Debuts New 'Fire Emblem Heroes' Smartphone Game [Update: Coming February 2]

Samsung to Release All-Screen Galaxy Phone

Samsung's new flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone will have the biggest screen in the series to date. It is slated for release in April.

IT media on Monday speculated based on strategically leaked pictures of the phone that the screens of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus will be 5.7 and 6.2 inches.

Boffins expect the screen to be curved at all four edges and come without a home button at the bottom.

SamMobile predicted that the front camera will be vastly improved for selfies. The phone is also expected to have iris recognition.

Samsung was supposed to unveil the new phones at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Feb. 27 but had to delay the release amid uncertainties following the debacle with the combustible Galaxy Note 7.

"The products will be launched in March or April," a company spokesman said. "We can't confirm details of the specifications."

Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com

Source: Samsung to Release All-Screen Galaxy Phone

Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date Rumored To Be Scheduled For April 15

This week, purportedly leaked 3D renders of the Samsung Galaxy S8 surfaced online, followed by an alleged real-life image of the forthcoming flagship spotted in the wild.

Fanfare for the next handset is progressively rousing, and reasonably so. The Galaxy S8 isn't just Samsung's beefy, top-tier offering — it's also possibly symbol of recovery; of braving a post-Note 7 smartphone market, a fiasco the company itself started.

When Will The Galaxy S8 Be Released?

As promised, the handset will be unveiled and released this year, and according to a report by ETNews, a Korean publication, Samsung will ship the devices April 15.

Additionally, the report suggests that Samsung is beefing up its devices' front-facing shooters, with the Galaxy S8 leading the pack. The report indicates that the Galaxy S8 will have an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with auto-focus technology, which lines up with another rumor. There could also be a front-facing iris scanner on the Galaxy S8, a feature it'll borrow from the Note 7.

The release date, however, is something of note. Samsung typically launches flagships on Fridays, but April 15 is a Saturday.

The Galaxy S8 is veering away from the iPhone 7 in terms of one critical feature, the report says. Both the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 7s are rumored to come rocking dual cameras when they're released this year. The Galaxy S8, however, will not sport the same configuration, as the report says that the idea was supposedly dropped during the handset's development stages.

Galaxy S8 Rumors

So much has been tipped about the Galaxy S8 that trying to keep track of every single thing is something of a tall order. But as usual, anything that the rumor mill churns out should be questioned generously, as rumors usually have the habit of rousing people's expectations and then letting the down when official word breaks.

Anyhow, a longtime industry insider recently revealed key metrics about the forthcoming handset. As reported by BGR, citing Eldar Murtazin, a Russian blogger and Samsung insider, the Galaxy S8 has already been shown to partner carriers back in December in preparation for the launch.

Just as recent leaks have purported, Murtazin also suggests that the Galaxy S8 will come in two variants: a base model and a larger model featuring a screen, the size of which eclipses all screens from the Galaxy S lineup. The body, however, will not be larger, as the screen-to-front panel ratio will be adjusted.

The phone will allegedly come in 5.7- and 6.2-inch models, both of which allegedly rocking a new AMOLED display technology that delivers a larger color gamut, better color accuracy, and improved energy efficiency.

Murtazin says that under the hood, the handset will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or a Exynos 8895 chip — Samsung loads different chips for different countries — and that these CPUs will be built under the 10-nanometer manufacturing process. It'll come packing with a Mali-G71 GPU, 6 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of internal storage, according to Murtazin.

Other rumors tip the handset to have a beast mode, support Bluetooth 5.0 technology, rock Harman speakers, and — thankfully — include a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The Galaxy S8 follows the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, and by extension, the Note 7. It comes out, if reports are correct, on April 15.

© 2016 Tech Times, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date Rumored To Be Scheduled For April 15

Samsung to release results of Galaxy Note 7 probe January 23

LG will be looking to capitalize off Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 missteps. According to XDA Developers, the absence of the physical home button has further led to a conclusion that Samsung is serious in doing away with it for their next flagship.

The reinforced safety measures come on the heels of battery-related explosions of smartphones made by its rivals Samsung and Apple, and safety concerns among consumers. Apparently, Apple will be skipping the iPhone 7S and instead jump to the iPhone 8 as far as names are concerned.

The videos also extol the benefits of Samsung's AMOLED display technology, and we'll undoubtedly be hearing much more about this when the phone is officially launched.

Other new features on the iPhone 8 could include a redesigned body that features a stainless steel band sandwiched in between two sides of curved glass.

The new Galaxy S8 looks to feature a attractive edge-to-edge display that is sure to be the best display ever on a smartphone when Samsung releases its new handsets, with renders of the phone showing we have next to no bezel, and no physical buttons. As it is, this screen will no longer be an LCD panel, instead, Cupertino will finally make the long-awaited switch to OLED panels.

A new report out of the Korea Herald, citing several sources, say the next iPhone - iPhone 8, 10th-anniversary iPhone, or whatever courageous name Apple decides to call it - will feature a water and dust resistance rating of IP68, which is the highest level of weather resistance for a mobile device. That was nice and all, but Apple is ready to improve on that figure already.

Source: Samsung to release results of Galaxy Note 7 probe January 23

Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) Vs BLU Advance 5.0

I constantly get confused between selecting BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone and Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished). It appears that, a lot of folks get confused too. So, let's get the basics straightened now.

From experience, most consumers make buying assessment dependent on value. Is price the most significant aspect in choosing what we procure? Or do we look out for features and invest our monies based on what we actually need or want rather than because it was economical of luxurious?… I am one puzzled buyer and have not decided my answer on that one yet.

In the meanwhile, fair enough, both BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone and Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) are very high-quality product. There is no doubt about that.

BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone Features

Unlocked Dual SIM smartphone, with Android 5.1 Lollipop Mediatek 6580 Quad Core 1.3 GHz Processor with arm Mali-400 GPU 5.0″ IPS display: 5MP Main Camera with LED flash and 2MP Camera with LED flash 4GB Internal memory 768MB RAM Micro SD up to 64GB GSM Quad band 4G HSPA+ (850/1700/1900): US compatibility Nationwide on all GSM Networks including AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS, Straight Talk, Pure Talk USA and others

Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished)

Anytime it comes to very good and affordable product, you definitely ought to take a look at the Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished).

Many customers have said many positive things about Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished), hence we made the decision to take a overall look at it and emphasize what makes this product fantastic.

The Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) is an awesome product, nevertheless, that doesn't signify it's not without its problems. Keep reading to uncover whether or not this is the right product for you!

If it's okay with you, I'd like to simply just cut right to the chase of consumer reports.

Features and Specifications

Hugely powerful. Enormously efficient. Built on 64-bit desktop-class architecture, the new A8 chip delivers more power, even while driving a larger display. The M8 motion coprocessor efficiently gathers data from advanced sensors and a new barometer. And with increased battery life, iPhone 6 lets you do more, for longer than ever.

Security. Right at your fingertip. The breakthrough Touch ID technology lets you securely access your iPhone with the perfect password: your fingerprint. You can also use it to approve purchases from iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store without having to enter your password.

The biggest iOS release ever. iOS 8 is the world's most advanced mobile operating system. And with incredible new capabilities and features designed to make the most of a larger display, iOS 8 doesn't just work seamlessly with iPhone 6. It makes every experience feel bigger and better.

Service Compatibility: GSM Unlocked This phone is compatible with GSM service providers worldwide (T-Mobile, AT&T, and more) DOES NOT WORK WITH CDMA Carriers. Your service strength and speed depend on the frequencies available by your service provider and your location.

Compatible with All GSM Carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Ultra Mobile, Simple Mobile, Cricket, Etc..)

Will NOT Work With Any CDMA Carriers (Verizon, Sprint, Boost Mobile, Page Plus, Etc..)

Retina HD display

4.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology

Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front

Chips: A8 chip with 64-bit architecture with M8 motion coprocessor

8-megapixel iSight camera with 1.5µ pixels

1080p HD video recording

1.2-megapixel Front FaceTime CameraThis Certified Refurbished product has been tested and certified to work and look like new, with minimal to no signs of wear, by a specialized third-party seller approved by Amazon. The product is backed by a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic brown or white box. Accessories may be generic and not directly from the manufacturer. Factory unlocked iPhones are GSM models and are ONLY compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as other GSM networks around the world. They WILL NOT WORK with CDMA carriers like Sprint, Verizon and the likes. The phone requires a nano SIM card (not included in the package).

Get further details and buy now on Amazon.com >>>

Customer Reviews

BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone vs Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) Comparison Review

Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished)

S/No Product Features Order From Amazon 1

BLU Advance 5.0 – Unlocked Dual Sim Smartphone

• Unlocked Dual SIM smartphone, with Android 5.1 Lollipop • Mediatek 6580 Quad Core 1.3 GHz Processor with arm Mali-400 GPU • 5.0″ IPS display: 5MP Main Camera with LED flash and 2MP Camera with LED flash • 4GB Internal memory 768MB RAM Micro SD up to 64GB • GSM Quad band 4G HSPA+ (850/1700/1900): US compatibility Nationwide on all GSM Networks including AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS, Straight Talk, Pure Talk USA and others 2 Hugely powerful. Enormously efficient. Built on 64-bit desktop-class architecture, the new A8 chip delivers more power, even while driving a larger display. The M8 motion coprocessor efficiently gathers data from advanced sensors and a new barometer. And with increased battery life, iPhone 6 lets you do more, for longer than ever.

Security. Right at your fingertip. The breakthrough Touch ID technology lets you securely access your iPhone with the perfect password: your fingerprint. You can also use it to approve purchases from iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store without having to enter your password.

The biggest iOS release ever. iOS 8 is the world's most advanced mobile operating system. And with incredible new capabilities and features designed to make the most of a larger display, iOS 8 doesn't just work seamlessly with iPhone 6. It makes every experience feel bigger and better.

Service Compatibility: GSM Unlocked This phone is compatible with GSM service providers worldwide (T-Mobile, AT&T, and more) DOES NOT WORK WITH CDMA Carriers. Your service strength and speed depend on the frequencies available by your service provider and your location.

Compatible with All GSM Carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Ultra Mobile, Simple Mobile, Cricket, Etc..)

Will NOT Work With Any CDMA Carriers (Verizon, Sprint, Boost Mobile, Page Plus, Etc..)

Retina HD display

4.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology

Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front

Chips: A8 chip with 64-bit architecture with M8 motion coprocessor

8-megapixel iSight camera with 1.5µ pixels

1080p HD video recording

1.2-megapixel Front FaceTime CameraThis Certified Refurbished product has been tested and certified to work and look like new, with minimal to no signs of wear, by a specialized third-party seller approved by Amazon. The product is backed by a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic brown or white box. Accessories may be generic and not directly from the manufacturer. Factory unlocked iPhones are GSM models and are ONLY compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as other GSM networks around the world. They WILL NOT WORK with CDMA carriers like Sprint, Verizon and the likes. The phone requires a nano SIM card (not included in the package).

Which one to Pick?

Like i said before, both BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone and Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) are Wonderful product. You can not go totally wrong with the option of getting any of the two product. If you truly want value for your money, then you will really enjoy any of these product.

I found out that both BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone and Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) has over 84 customer reviews at the time of writing and customers had awarded the Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) 4.4 stars out of a possible 5 on average, while BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone is awarded 4.4 stars rating too.

The customer reviews on both products are positive overall. In short, it feels like BLU Advance 5.0 Smartphone and Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) were designed with different audiences in mind. Both are just good.

Source: Apple iPhone 6 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone, Gold (Certified Refurbished) Vs BLU Advance 5.0

Samsung Foldable Smartphone 'Highly Likely' To Launch In Third Quarter Of 2017

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch runs at 1080p when dockedIf you're picking them up on Switch then they'll be better than ever, with new tracks, characters, courses and weapons to enjoy. The console was first teased in a video this past October, but more in-depth details were revealed Friday morning in Tokyo.

Senate passes measure to kick off Obamacare repeal processThe bill now directs four committees - two in the House and two in the Senate - to write the legislation to repeal the ACA. The ACA, signed into law in 2010 by President Barack Obama, has expanded health coverage to more than 20 million Americans.

FAST FACTS: Did Fiat Chrysler cheat on emissions tests?Regulators were not yet defining the software as so-called "defeat devices " meant to cheat on government emissions tests. It added that Fiat Chrysler might be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief.

President Obama's Inauguration Day PlansThe interview would be Obama's last network interview before he leaves office on January 20, after a two-term as president. Finally, when the crowd started chanting "four more years", Barack Obama smiled and said that he just can't do that.

Controversial Michael Jackson Comedy 'Urban Myths' Pulled Following Criticism From FamilySky has pulled its Michael Jackson "Urban Myths" episode after the King of Pop's family expressed concerns with the comedic take. Urban Myths , an eight-part series that recreates rumored stories about celebrities, premieres on Sky Arts Jan. 19.

Express Scripts Holding Company (NASDAQ:ESRX) Vs. Industry Vs. Sector Growth AnalysisResearch analysts covering WestRock Co (NYSE:WRK) are projecting that the shares reach $51.333 within the next 12-18 months. Express Scripts Holding Company (ESRX) is in Deutsche Bank's research list so their analyst rating change is noteworthy.

Predicting the Academy Awards based on the Golden Globes winnersIn addition to " Atlanta ", the cable network's triumph was propelled by its powerful miniseries, "The People v. It takes seven honors , a record for the Globes, including best picture in the comedy or musical category.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM)Analysts had expected MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) to post net income of about $0.14 per share on $2,394.64M in revenue. Finally, Gabelli restated a "buy" rating on shares of MGM Resorts International in a research report on Monday, October 17th.

Flooding possible in North Texas; Oklahoma bracing for ice stormParts of the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City, are under an ice storm warning until Sunday morning. But for now, they're predicting freezing rain along the Highway 60 and I-44 corridors through at least mid day.

Bank of America Corp (BAC) Earnings Highlights: What to Know About Q4The only negative we see here are the higher provisions for net charge-offs, which grew by $400 million year on year. The company's distance from 52-week high price is -2.01% and current price is above +111.82% from 52-week low price.

White House criticises Trump's treatment of CNN reporterSmith notes that CNN's report was "distinctly different" from BuzzFeed's and defended the network against Trump's comments. During the conference on Wednesday, Trump did not allow the reporter to ask him a question saying "You are fake news".

Cameco upgraded to Buy at TD Securities, as uranium may have bottomedAnalysts are also projecting an Average Revenue Estimate for Cameco Corporation as $602.71 Million in the Current Quarter. The company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.08.

Avs acquire Girard from Preds for McLeodMcLeod, 32, has put in his time with the Avs, having played his National Hockey League career with the team since 2007-08. But the forward is better known for his enforcer skills where he's racked up more than 50 penalty minutes this season.

Nintendo Switch to be released on 3 March, will cost £279.99The company also said that one of the game titles for the console features Super Mario , the company's most iconic game character. Keep the focus on fun by using parental controls to manage how your family interacts with Nintendo Switch .

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA)Analysts are also projecting an Average Revenue Estimate for Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.as $730 Million in the Current Quarter. Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNS) last exchanged hands at a price $1.4/share, registering a gain of 26.13%.

'81 Clemson QB: We'd have beaten this Tigers teamAfter a day to reflect on the game, it's pretty evident that the world could use more of these Alabama-Clemson type of rivalries. He was sacked four times Monday night and took some cringe-inducing shots from All-Americans Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster.

Swanger: Free tuition proposal boldHundreds of thousands of NY students would be able to attend college for free under a proposal announced by Gov. With pro-workforce initiatives seemingly stalled at the federal level, it's refreshing to see that Mr.

How to watch the Nintendo Switch live Treehouse eventOr, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a new, expanded version of what we called "the best Mario Kart ever", will be released on April 28.

Tom Coughlin: Coughlin will 'oversee all facets' of JaguarsDoug Marrone, on the other hand, was promoted from interim coach to full-time head coach, replacing Gus Bradley in that regard. Coughlin has made it abundantly clear that nothing short of turning Jacksonville into a successful franchise will be accepted.

Ben Stokes: England all-rounder puts himself forward for the IPLIn the event of Stokes securing an IPL contract, he said he was comfortable with being asked to cut short his league commitments to report for the ODIs.

Officials to release report on Chicago policeThe talks will happen after President-elect Donald Trump has taken office, and his attorney general nominee, Sen. The instruction was also inconsistent with police department's own use-of-force policy, the report said.

Upcoming Titanfall 2 Update To Add New Game Mode And More MapsTheir stated goal is to "allow players to create their own "mixtapes" and choose which modes they want to be matched in". Along with Live Fire, two new maps made specifically for the game mode are included in Content Update 2.

Alabama, Florida State lead Way-Too-Early 2017 Top 25The Tigers have commitments from two three-star offensive tackles, Noah DeHond and Blake Vinson, for their 2017 recruiting class. Georgia was never quite at the top of the sport, but it will take a lot for Smart to equal the success that Richt had.

Weekend forecast includes rain, floodingThis weekend, Saturday looks to be clear and a high of 41 again while Sunday should be 40 with a chance of snow and rain. For next week, there is a chance of rain Tuesday and rain likely Tuesday night through Thursday.

Recent Storms In California Will Help With State's DroughtOver the past week, California has been pummeled with the roughest, wettest storms it has experienced in six years. Thanks to the powerful storms that have drenched Northern California, 42% of the state is no longer in a drought.

Source: Samsung Foldable Smartphone 'Highly Likely' To Launch In Third Quarter Of 2017

Samsung Foldable Smartphones Can Expand Into Tablet, Tipped For Q3 Release

Samsung Electronics is well on its way to release a string of fold-out smartphones this year.

The company has reportedly been working on a foldable smartphones line-up since and now reports suggest that Samsung will have the fold-out devices ready for commercial launch by Q3 2017. 

The latest information comes courtesy news publication The Investor, which cites reliable sources.

"Samsung is expected to roll out more than 100,000 units of fold-out devices in the third quarter," revealed the publication. 

The site's sources also let on that the foldable Samsung handsets, which are anticipated to have outward facing panels upon folding, could be deployed as a tablet when unfolded. The fold-out smartphones will apparently be able to convert into an 18 cm tablet upon being unfolded.

The development of the fold-in Samsung smartphones - as opposed to the fold-out ones - is reportedly finished. The screen of the fold-in devices apparently get tucked in when folded.

Samsung reportedly finished the creation of these fold-in smartphone in August 2016. The company began the fold-out smartphone development in the same month. This process was made simpler for the company as it already had worked on fold-in devices and, therefore, the shift to fold-out technology was not major challenge per sources.

Why Samsung Has Fold-Out Smartphones In The Works

Even though Samsung developed fold-in technology for its devices, the company realized that users could potentially find it tough to unfold a smartphone every time they wished to use it. Therefore, the South Korean smartphone maker gravitated towards the more practical fold-out smartphone technology, which would simplify usage.

Benefits of A Foldable Smartphone

The arrival of a foldable smartphone - be it one deploying fold-in or fold-out technology - will usher in a new era for mobile devices. The inclusion of a foldable display would make smartphones portable and while they could be slightly thicker than current-gen smartphones, the handsets would be a delight for multimedia users. Imagine watching movies on a bigger screen or playing your favorite game on such a display!

Samsung's rival LG is also rumored to have a similar technology in the works, which it may deploy on its flexible OLED display. The technology being used by LG is believed to be far more advanced than that used by Samsung as the former has been working on the fold-out concept since the past two or three years.

The latest report also reveals that LG is also poised to manufacture over 100,000 foldable devices in Q4 2017.

LG, however, is reportedly not going to keep the fold-out technology to itself. Rumors have been rife that it may partner with Apple and Huawei on developing the foldable screen technology. 

A study from market research firm Strategy Analytics predicst that the foldable display market will appreciate from 2.7 million units in 2017 to 163 million units by 2022.

© 2016 Tech Times, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: Samsung Foldable Smartphones Can Expand Into Tablet, Tipped For Q3 Release

Moto G5 Plus Smartphone hands-on images and specs leaks, Expected to be unveiled at MWC

The upcoming Moto G5 Plus leaks through an online marketplace in Romania, which reveals its specifications and expected release date. There was also some hands-on images as well as few renders, and it will also be the successor of the G4 Plus. There are reports that this new device can also be sold as Moto C. It is said that this device is allegedly coming in March, indicating that it may be announced at the MWC which is going to start late February.

According to the leaks, the Moto G5 Plus will come with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen display and will be protected with Corning Gorilla Glass. There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset coupled with 4GB of RAM and will also come with 32GB of built-in storage. It is not mentioned if it will come with the microSD card support or not. On the back, there is a 3,080 mAh battery to power the handset and will come with quick charging feature. It will also feature all the required sensors as well as the connectivity options.

It will run on the latest Android 7.0 Nougat and will also feature the fingerprint sensor on the front below the display screen. The model number mentioned is XT1685, and Moto G5 Plus is listed for RON 1,650 (approx $387 or 366 Euros) in Romania. The upcoming Moto X 2017 also looks similar to this leaked device from the bottom. Well, we need to wait and see what the Motorola has planned and unveil these devices officially.

Recently, Motorola Moto E3, E3 Power, Moto Z Force and few other devices were announced by Motorola. What do you think about this new leak? When can you expect the Moto G5 Plus to be unveiled? Do comment in the section below and stay tuned to PhoneRadar for more similar news and updates.

Related

Source: Moto G5 Plus Smartphone hands-on images and specs leaks, Expected to be unveiled at MWC

Galaxy S8 release date leaked and jacked

A report this week suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S8 flagship smartphone is well on its way. After an introduction in part at Mobile World Congress 2017 at the tail end of February, the next Galaxy smartphone would be released soon thereafter. If the device sticks with the schedule laid out by this report, it'd match those of the previous couple of smartphones before the Samsung Galaxy S7.

Heading back to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 scheduling for the Galaxy S smartphone line would put the device closer to the release of Apple's next flagship. At this point we'd be surprised if anyone was still debating between the two, but there it is. The war between Samsung and Apple seems to be forever unending.

SEE: Galaxy S8 detailed leaked in top-end renders

The Samsung Galaxy S8 has been tipped to be coming in a bit later than the schedule inflicted by the Samsung Galaxy S7. As mentioned by Android Authority, it would make sense for Samsung to spend some extra time on quality assurance checks for the next Galaxy S smartphone given the calamity that was the Galaxy Note 7.

With the Samsung Galaxy S8 comes the response to the call of the iPhone's most recent ditching of the headphone jack. If Samsung keeps the headphone jack, there's a far greater chance that the rest of the smartphone universe would keep their jacks too. If Samsung gets rid of the headphone jack, the rest of the Android smartphone world would quite likely follow suit.

Word from Korean business newspaper The Investor, an anonymous tip from an industry insider says Samsung's release date for the Galaxy S8 will come during the third week of April. If we see one more smartphone without a headphone jack before then, I swear, I'll cry tears made of pure concentrated acid. Cross your fingers that April 18th will come with even more features on the Galaxy S8 than were released on the Galaxy S7 – not less!

Source: Galaxy S8 release date leaked and jacked

Samsung targets to sell 60 million units of Galaxy S8 smartphone, report says

Samsung targets to sell 60 million units of Galaxy S8 smartphone, report says

Samsung Galaxy S8 is still a few months away from being released but surprisingly the company is already targeting to sell around 60 million units of Galaxy S8's around the world market. Can you believe it? However, it doesn't matter what we believe or not but the truth is the South Korean tech giant Samsung requested its partners to supply raw material of the Galaxy S8 targeting around 60 million shipment goal, according to a close industry source.

The Korean Herald

Well, South Korea's largest English newspapers called "The Korea Herald" published a report that an investor on the condition of remaining anonymous told that "The tech giant has requested its partners to supply (parts) based on the tech giant's 60 million shipment goal." He also said Samsung has affirmed that the release plan has been put off to mid-April, a month later than the standard March release.

60 million units

I think setting a 60 million units' target is a giant number compared with its previous two generations as the Galaxy S6 and S7 which sold apparently 45 and 48 million of units around the world in 2015 and 2016. However, if we look back to the selling record Samsung's S series smartphone then the record shows that the highest number of mobiles Samsung sold was in 2013 with its Galaxy S4 though its previous version Galaxy S3 sold 65 million units in 2012.

According to the industry source, we can guess that this year Samsung has a huge ambition around its upcoming flagship Galaxy S8 as the sours said that "As the release date of the S8 has been postponed to mid-April, Samsung seems to have set a more ambitious goal than before to make up for the loss caused by the Note model, which has so far led Samsung's smartphone business every first quarter."

There is no doubt that Samsung Galaxy S8 has something magical to blow the consumer's mind, therefore, the South Korean company is confident to take the challenge with a huge number, though last year they had a nightmare with its Galaxy Note 7 series.

However, we are looking forward to the event where Samsung Galaxy S8 is supposed to be launched in April.

Source: Samsung targets to sell 60 million units of Galaxy S8 smartphone, report says

First Nokia-branded Android smartphone aims for Chinese market

First Nokia-branded Android smartphone aims for Chinese market

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January 8, 2017 —HMD Global (HMD), the Finnish technology company formed in May of 2016 to develop phones under the Nokia platform, announced via press release on the company's website the launch of its new smartphone, the Nokia 6. The phone, which will be available only in the Chinese market, is the first Nokia-branded smartphone running on Google's Android platform. While Nokia was once the most popular mobile phone producer, it has struggled in recent years and was subsequently purchased by Microsoft in a costly $7.2-billion deal. That deal, geared towards revamping the company's mobile department in an attempt to close the gap between itself and Apple and Android in the highly competitive

Source: First Nokia-branded Android smartphone aims for Chinese market

HMD Global announces the Nokia 6; its first Android Smartphone for the Chinese Market

While this year's Consumer Electronics Show is just about wrapping up, HMD Global has decided to unveil some rather exciting news – its first Nokia-branded Android smartphone. The company has issued a press release and promotional footage of the Nokia 6, giving us the first sneak peak of what HMD Global has been working on since they acquired the exclusive brand licensing rights from Nokia. There's only one catch – the smartphone will be launched only in China.

HMD Global cites the strategic importance of launching in the Chinese market given the potential growth of smartphone users expected in 2017. Furthermore, the company is banking heavily on the Nokia brand to bring success. They expect consumers to latch on to the premium build quality expected of a Nokia-branded phone and have also priced the device competitively within the Chinese market.

A new Nokia 6 smartphone is seen in this handout image released by HMD to Reuters on January 7, 2017. HMD/Handout via Reuters.

The device features a 5.5″ FHD screen with a layer of 2.5D Gorilla Glass. Internally, the smartphone is running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor with an X6 LTE modem, 4GBs of RAM, and 64GBs of storage. There are also dual amplifiers on the device which are coupled with Dolby Atmos audio technology. The rear camera is a 16MP sensor with phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) and an f/2.0 aperture lens, while the front facing camera is a 8MP sensor. Finally, the phone is running on Android Nougat, which HMD Global states is "the latest version" so we'll have to assume that it is on Android 7.1.

Further details regarding the device can be gleaned from the promotional video posted on Nokia's website. We can't say much about the build quality until we can actually hold the smartphone with our own two hands, but we did notice that the device features a micro-USB port (clearly visible at 00:35 in the video) rather than a USB Type-C port as we've grown accustomed to lately. But given the fact that this device is a Chinese-exclusive, it makes sense for HMD Global to opt for the older USB port. In addition, it appears the phone will feature capacitive navigation buttons rather than on-screen buttons, while the physical home button doubles up as the fingerprint scanner.

HMD Global will be selling the device through its exclusive online retail partner, JD.com, for 1699 CNY sometime "in early 2017". This converts to approximately 250 USD, though we are unlikely to see the device priced exactly like this if, or when, it launches internationally.

We do hope that HMD Global eventually brings this device, or hopefully a device with better specifications, to other markets. Although many of us Android enthusiasts here at XDA have questions regarding whether or not HMD Global will commit to frequent updates or will not get in the way of development, there are also many people eager to see the revival of the Nokia brand and the design quality that has been missing in their absence.

Source: HMD Global announces the Nokia 6; its first Android Smartphone for the Chinese Market

Huawei planning their own take on a Project Tango smartphone

Lenovo was the first manufacturer to actually release a Tango smartphone to the public with their Phab2 Pro, but it was only a matter of time before we started to see other companies try to get in on the action. Huawei has announced that they're stepping up to bat with their own augmented reality Tango device in the pipeline.

That's pretty much where the good news ends, unfortunately. Huawei is leaving everyone hanging by not announcing anything at all about the device, including specs, a name, a price, or a release date. It's supposed to be released in the "near future" but that's pretty vague when we're talking about brand new tech like this.

Tango is hopefully going to take off soon, and now that more manufacturers are dedicating time and resources to it, things are looking bright. It's still not exactly a booming market, especially compared to virtual reality devices, but there's still plenty of time and room to keep growing.

For everything else that's happened at CES this year, check out our full coverage.

source: Android Authority

Born in southern Alabama, Jared spends his working time selling phones and his spare time writing about them. The Android enthusiasm started with the original Motorola Droid and an unhealthy obsession with fixing things that aren't broken. This accidentally led to being the go-to guy for anything more complicated than a toaster, which he considers more of a curse than a blessing. Jared is enrolled in online classes at the University of Phoenix, and spends his spare time on video games and listening to music.

Source: Huawei planning their own take on a Project Tango smartphone