Oppo could be working on a stunning bezel-less smartphone
Chinese manufacturer Oppo is no stranger to unique designs and cutting-edge features, having put out devices like the 4.8 mm-thick R5 or the swiveling-camera N3. But if rumors out of China are true, Oppo’s next device could be its most striking yet.
Published by MyDrivers, the two images below allegedly show a new Oppo smartphone with an edge-to-edge screen in the vein of the Sharp Aquos Crystal. Unlike the Sharp phone from last year, this device features ultra-thin bezels only on its lateral sides, with large “bezels” at the top and bottom.
Though it’s hard to tell from these frontal shots, the phone seems to feature a metallic frame and a thin profile, suggesting this will be a high-end offering. The Find 7 was released a little over a year ago, so this device could be its successor.
In seemingly related news, GSM Arena recently reported on a patent requested by Oppo in China, that details a method of creating the illusion of a “bezel-less” display. The schematic below shows how the beveled side of glass can refract light, creating the illusion that the screen is larger than in reality and concealing the margin (marked 22) that houses electronic components.
It’s the same trick that Sharp used on the Aquos Crystal to hide the bezel, but it’s not clear if that constitutes prior art for Oppo’s patent application.
To be clear, there’s a chance we’re looking at some well-made fakes. But given that Sharp has already done something similar and the fact that a new Find device should be coming soon, we are fairly confident that this images are the real deal. Plus, their original source, MyDrivers.com is one of the more reliable sources when it comes to Chinese tech leaks.
If and when this design translates to reality, it remains to be seen whether Oppo found a way to mitigate the main drawback of “bezel-less” designs – fragility and unwanted touches on the sides. Thoughts?
Cyanogen rakes in $80 million in funding from Twitter, Qualcomm, Telefónica, and more
Developer Cyanogen is taking on a quite a bit new funding in their quest to develop an alternative version of Android that’s not as reliant on Google.
In a round of Series C financing, Cyanogen has raised $80 million in funding for their alternative Android OS, CyanogenMod. The company intends to use the influx of cash “to hire talent and accelerate the development of its open OS platform.
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Don’t be surprised if the LG G4 lacks a metal body
This news is hard to believe based on the trend we have been seeing. According to ZDNet Korea, although LG is committed to using metal in their flagship smartphones, they might not be ready to make that move with the G4 even though it was previously reported that they would.
According to their sources, LG wants to manufacture their own metal cases, which is obviously a huge undertaking since it would require space, new equipment, and planning. The G4 is likely to be announced in May or June, and that is too close to get anything done.
Now if there is any good news out of this, it appears the G4 Note will sport metal since that is due out later this year.
Will this effect your decision on buying the G4? I personally don’t think metal is the be all end all as long as the quality is there. The G3 was made of plastic, but it had a metal feel and I was personally happy with it. However, with all the press that metal is getting these days, the perception of not having metal on the G4 could be very bad. I guess we will have to wait and see how this pans out.
source: ZDNet Korea
via: G4Games
Come comment on this article: Don’t be surprised if the LG G4 lacks a metal body
Samsung to borrow from Xiaomi, adjusts Asia strategy to online marketing
Samsung introduced a few beneficial changes with its new Galaxy S6 smartphone and appears to be turning a new page across its broader mobile business this year as well. According to industry sources, Samsung is looking to adjust its marketing strategy for budget handsets, in a bid to compete with rival Chinese manufacturers in low cost markets.
Contractors and components suppliers state that Samsung is to borrow from Xiaomi’s successful strategy of marketing and selling smartphones through e-commerce partners located in specification regions, alongside its own online presence. India, Vietnam and China specific focuses are said to be in the works, and this strategy is unlikely to apply to Western markets.
“If Samsung sells more of its smartphones via its online channels, then it can save a huge amount in costs. This is also good for consumers as Samsung may provide handsets with more of a discount,”
It has become increasingly clear over the last twelve months that Samsung needs a new strategy to tackle the growth of brands like Xiaomi, which are impacting Samsung’s own sales levels and market share. Samsung saw profits tumble last year due to weakening global sales, although net profits are expected to level off this year, according to early estimates. The Asia market accounted for 53 percent of global smartphone shipments in 2014, but Samsung only took a 13 percent share, behind Apple’s 16 percent, which is lower than the company’s global average share.
“Xiaomi only sells its handsets via its official websites. Samsung management believes this strategy was one reason that helped the Chinese smartphone producer improve its bottom line in such a short time,”
However, this shift in strategy would not be without risk. Bang-for-buck in the hardware department is the other half of Xiaomi’s dominance in the online retail market, as is an extensive brand line-up and broader eco-system.
Samsung would be underestimating Xiaomi it believe that online marketing was the only major aspect of its business’ appeal. The company will have to match hardware, price and send the right consumer message if it wants to seriously compete with the low-cost brands. The move is also likely to cut profits from local carries, which could damage Samsung’s existing retail relationships in the region. This could be quite the gamble.
Samsung declined to comment on the matter, so we will have to wait and see exactly what the company has planned for Asia this year and whether or not it can rise to the low-cost competition driving the booming Asian smartphone market.
Fashion magazine Elle offers tips for looking good with the Apple Watch
April’s issue of fashion magazine Elle will not only feature the Apple Watch, but provide guides on looking good with the smartwatch.
The Apple Watch has yet to go on sale, but that hasn’t halted fashion sources from prepping helpful tips and guides as to how purchasers can integrate their upcoming investment into their personal style. The smartwatch starred in a photo shoot with Elle fashion editor Sara Smith. Various styles are covered, including fashion for the workplace, as recommended by Smith herself:
“Wear a sexy silk Equipment shirt, buttoned down low with a black silk camisole underneath, and add a sharp tailored blazer and man-style pants. Mean business with a power bag from Saint Laurent and sharp flats from French legend Céline. For added glam, a subtle pair of Tiffany & Co. silver earrings and a fine diamond tennis bracelet will complete the boardroom look and have all the execs talking.”
Whether you’re planning to rock a tux in the evening or a lavish dress, the Apple Watch is being pushed as a unique accessory, something smartwatches and wearables have mostly failed to achieve thus far.
The Apple Watch goes on sale on April 24, with pre-orders kicking off on April 10. Three editions will be available – Sport, Watch and Edition – priced from $349, $549 and $10,000 respectively. See the Elle website for more tips from Smith.
Source: Elle
Samsung announces Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge release date and pricing for India
As the release date of April 10th gets closer and closer, the Samsung marketing machine ramps up the publicity accordingly. Today Samsung held an event to officially launch the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets in India to detail their off-contract prices and confirm the release date.
As you can see from the prices below, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets have a premium price tag and will be part of the initial 20 country launch on April 10th.
Galaxy S6
- 32GB version: Rs.49,900 ($801)
- 64GB version: Rs. 55,900 ($898)
- 128GB version: Rs. 61.900 ($994)
Galaxy S6 Edge
- 32GB version: Rs. 58,900 ($946)
- 64GB version: Rs. 64,900 ($1042)
- 128GB version: Rs. 70,900 ($1139)
Come comment on this article: Samsung announces Galaxy S6 & S6 Edge release date and pricing for India
Say goodbye to bloatware #2: The Galaxy S6 allows you to remove (most) pre-installed apps
One of the things that users frequently complain about smartphones is the amount of pre-installed apps, or bloatware if you will. It’s something that is present on many handsets, with Samsung’s offerings being one of the worst offenders thanks to its own suite of Galaxy Apps that come pre-installed. There are signs though that users will be able to say goodbye to bloatware from the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets thanks to a post on the XDA Forums by Jeshter2000, who has managed to get his hands on a Galaxy S6 Edge running pre-release firmware.
Again, it should be emphasized that the Galaxy S6 Edge that Jeshter2000 has access to is running pre-release firmware, this means that the ability to uninstall the pre-installed apps could be missing from the final release. That said, being able to manually remove Samsung apps such as S-Voice and S-Health among others, the included Microsoft apps such as Skype, OneNote and OneDrive as well as various Google apps can only add to the user experience. If, indeed, Samsung keeps the option to manually remove the pre-installed apps without the user having to resort to rooting the device, but simply via a couple of taps on the screen, it would surely win over some of Samsung’s most vocal critics.
What do you think? If Samsung were to keep the ability to remove bloatware in the final firmware release, would you be suitably impressed? If bloatware was a deal breaker when looking at purchasing a Samsung smartphone, would the ability to remove the offending app or apps with just a couple of taps on the screen tempt you to give Samsung your hard-earned cash?
Source: XDA
Via: TechnoBuffalo
Come comment on this article: Say goodbye to bloatware #2: The Galaxy S6 allows you to remove (most) pre-installed apps
Galaxy S6 pre-orders starting today in India from Rs. 49,000
Samsung announced today availability details for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 in India.
The Galaxy S6 will be available in India in all three storage configurations, for Rs. 49,000 (32GB), Rs. 55,900 (64GB) and Rs. 61,900 (128GB) or $787/$898/$994 in USD. The more striking (and arguably more “premium”) Galaxy S6 Edge will be even pricier, costing Rs. 58,900 (32GB), Rs. 64,900 (64GB) and Rs.70,900 (128GB) or $945/$1042/$1140 respectively.
Likewise, all color options will be available: the shared white, black and gold, and the “exclusive” blue (S6) and green (S6 Edge).
The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will be available in India starting with April 10 (the same day as in other 19 markets from around the world), with pre-orders beginning today on Amazon and Flipkart.
For pre-order customers, Samsung is throwing in some freebies, including a free one-time screen replacement in the first 12 months since purchase and a potential payback in case Samsung discounts the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in the first six months of availability.
To learn all the key details about the Galaxy S6, check out our extensive review, and stay tuned for the Galaxy S6 Edge to receive the same treatment. Also, you may want to take a look at our international Galaxy S6 giveaway.
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So, Indian readers. Are you pre-ordering the Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge? Why? Why not?
AIVAnet 