Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge has the world’s best smartphone camera, according to DxOMark
In our full review, we were extremely impressed with the 16MP rear-facing camera on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, and it turns out the folks at DxOMark seem to think so as well. After extensively testing the rear camera, the Galaxy S6 Edge has become the top-ranked device in popular camera tester DxOMark’s database. In fact, that means Samsung holds the top two spots on the list, with the Galaxy Note 4 coming in second place.
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DxOMark’s scores are based on an extensive list of tests, including noise, exposure, artifacts, color and autofocus for both photo and video modes. And out of a total score of 100, the S6 Edge achieved a combined score of 86. As far as Android devices go, the Note 4 comes in a close second with a score of 83, the Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z3 and Z2 in 5th place with a 79, and Google’s Nexus 6 handset holds the 8th place spot with a respectable 78. Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus currently hold the 3rd and 4th place spots.
The overall score of 86 is a combination between photo and video capabilities, in which the handset achieved an 88 in photography and an 84 in video. On the photo front, the device lost points because there was a noticeable amount of noise in low-light shots, and the mixing of flash and tungsten light resulted in a slightly yellow/green white balance. The device lost points in the video department due to the strong “jello” effect, slight color shading in low-light conditions, and slight flare in bright lighting conditions.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge camera shootout
When it comes to the positives, the GS6 Edge boasted fast autofocus, good exposure and nice white balance in all conditions. The pros on the video side consisted of good exposure and white balance, and fine detail with little noise when shooting in both bright and low light.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Galaxy S6 Edge’s awesome camera, we urge you to check out the full report on DxOMark’s website. Also, be sure to find out our thoughts in our full Galaxy S6 Edge review.
Apple Pay hits Best Buy’s app, coming to stores later this year
Best Buy, one of the largest Apple Pay holdouts, is changing its mind. Apple CEO Tim Cook just announced during its earnings call that Best Buy stores will support Apple Pay later this year. It’s also available starting today within Best Buy’s mobile apps. The news comes only a few hours after we learned the service will soon be supporting Discover cards, making it compatible with the top four biggest credit card companies int he U.S. Best Buy’s reversal is especially interesting since its a member of MCX (Merchant Customer Exchange), a joint initiative between big retailers like Walmart and Target to support their own mobile payments app, dubbed CurrentC. None of the MCX members supported Apple Pay when it launched last fall (though Target’s mobile app does support it now), so Best Buy’s flip-flop might be a sign that we’ll see wider support eventually.
[Photo source: Getty Images]
Google makes nice with European news publishers
European publishers have long chastised Google for allegedly hurting their bottom line, but the internet giant is now trying to meet them half way. It’s launching a partnership with eight news outlets (including the UK’s Financial Times and Guardian) that will develop publisher-friendly products and create a €150 million ($163 million) “innovation fund.” The hope is that the collaboration will keep journalism viable in an era where you can sometimes get the gist of a story through a simple web search.
Of course, whether or not this makes a practical difference is another matter. The team-up only includes large news organizations, and it’s not certain that indies will reap any benefits. Also, there’s a big gap between throwing money at a problem and getting a practical, mutually acceptable solution. It won’t be surprising if there’s a deadlock at some point. Still, this beats the frequently antagonistic relationship that Google and publishers have had before — even if it probably won’t do much to ease the minds of EU antitrust investigators.
[Image credit: Adam Berry/Getty Images]
Source: The Guardian
Meet Fonkraft, the world’s first crowdsourced modular smartphone
The Fonkraft
Earlier today, Fonkraft Technologies revealed information via its Indiegogo campaign of the world’s first crowdsourced modular smartphone, the Fonkraft. Here is a YouTube video about the device.
The front of the device’s chassis has a 5-inch display, which is slideable once a mechanism is activated. With the screen off, pins and mountings for the phone are exposed. This is true also for the Fonkraft’s back. You can see where the modular part comes in. Here, these pins and mountings on the device and the individual modules can be attached together. The pins provide the electric signals, and the mountings allow the modules to stay secure, even during impacts or falls.
Four Tiers
Fonkraft Technologies realizes having so much customization can be confusing for some users. Therefore, it has preconfigurations that consumers can choose from.
First, there is the $99 Fonkraft Pilot, which the company has as its budget-friendly configuration. It is built with battery life in mind. In standby, it can last for up to 550 hours, and users can get up to 30 hours of talktime and up to 90 hours of music playback.
The $199 Fonkraft Resolution comes equipped with a 20MP camera-module that the company says allows for professional shots with its sophisticated optics. In addition, it has a 64GB module for storage to allow for many such photos and other files, of course.
Next, the $199 Fonkraft HiFi comes with a 192kHz HiFi module made out of wood for high-fidelity audio playback. It also has a 64GB module to hold many lossless files.
Finally, we have the Fonkraft Elements for $299. It includes all of the modules of the three aforementioned smartphones that you can use to mix and match with the chassis. Fonkraft Technologies states that it currently is developing new modules and configurations for the future, as well.
Here’s a table listing the specs between the Pilot, the Resolution, the HiFi, and the iPhone 6.
You can pre-order the Fonkraft now from the Indiegogo campaign link above.
The post Meet Fonkraft, the world’s first crowdsourced modular smartphone appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Instagram update version 6.20.0 brings three new filters and emoji hashtags
Instagram has just announced a new update to its Android and iOS applications that brings three new filters and the ability to use emojis in hashtags.
The three new filters available in the app are called Lark, Reyes and Juno, and are quite subtle compared to the multitude of other filters currently available. Here’s how Instagram describes each new addition:
Lark desaturates reds while punching up blues and greens to bring your landscapes to life. Reyes brings a dusty, vintage look to your moments. And finally, Juno tints cool tones green while making warm tones pop and whites glow for vibrant photos of people.
In addition to the new filters, Instagram is also gaining the ability to use emojis in hashtags. Just like with any other hashtag, simply type in a ‘#’ followed by the emoji you’d like to use.
The version 6.20.0 update is now live in the Google Play Store, so follow the link below to grab it!
SwiftKey announces ‘Greenhouse’ experimental software hub alongside new Clarity keyboard
In what seems like a never-ending stream of updates, the SwiftKey team has just introduced a new plan that aims to bring experimental ideas to the masses earlier than usual. Dubbed the SwiftKey Greenhouse, the new experimental software hub gives the keyboard company a place to introduce new, innovative ideas without the need to update its existing standard and beta applications.
Alongside the introduction of the Greenhouse, the SwiftKey team has launched its first experimental keyboard called Clarity Keyboard Beta. The new app aims to eliminate distractions and help you focus on what you’re writing. It features multi-word autocorrect, the automatic learning of slang and nicknames, and the ability to undo autocorrections by pressing backspace. Gone are the autocorrection suggestions on the top of the keyboard; Clarity aims to do it for you in the background.
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Before you switch to Clarity full-time, remember that it’s still a beta application. But if you’d like to be one of the first to try it out, you can download Clarity Keyboard Beta for free from the Google Play Store. If you do decide to jump in and use the keyboard, the SwiftKey team urges you to give as much feedback as possible, as it could help shape SwiftKey apps in the future.
Apple Forecasted to Report Double-Digit Growth in Second Quarter as Sales Remain Strong
Apple will report its financial results later this hour for the second quarter of the 2015 fiscal year, a three-month period spanning January through March that directly followed the holiday shopping season. Apple has offered guidance of between $52 billion and $55 billion in quarterly revenue, while the average of all analysts combined forecasts the company’s revenue during the quarter marginally higher at $56.84 billion.
Philip Elmer-DeWitt at Fortune has compiled a pair of charts that aggregate all predictions by independent and professional analysts for Apple’s revenue, EPS, gross margin and number of iPhones, iPads and Macs sold during Q2 2015, and it’s believed that Apple will report double-digit growth year-over-year as sales remain strong and the company’s momentum continues in 2015.
Amateur analysts are bullish, predicting average quarterly revenue of $58 billion and sales of 60.1 million iPhones, 13.6 million iPads and 4.7 million Macs, while professional analysts remain more conservative with an average estimate of $55.69 billion quarterly revenue and sales of 55.7 million iPhones, 14.2 million iPads and 4.6 million Macs. Apple is also forecasted to have a gross margin of 39.4% based on the average of all analysts.
MacRumors will be providing live coverage of Apple’s financial results as they are reported around 1:30 PM Pacific (4:30 PM Eastern), including the subsequent earnings conference call with CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri at 2 PM Pacific (5 PM Eastern). At that time, we’ll have a clearer picture of just how well Apple managed to perform in the quarter.
Apple Reports Record March Quarter Results of $13.6B Profit on $58B Revenue, Boosts Dividend and Buybacks
Apple today announced financial results for the second fiscal quarter and first calendar quarter of 2015. For the quarter, Apple posted revenue of $58 billion and net quarterly profit of $13.6 billion, or $2.33 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $45.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $10.2 billion, or $1.66 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.
Gross margin for the quarter was 40.8 percent compared to 39.3 percent in the year-ago quarter, with international sales accounting for 69 percent of revenue. Apple also declared an increased dividend payment of $0.52 per share, payable on May 14 to shareholders of record as of May 11. The company currently holds $193.5 billion in cash and marketable securities.
In addition to the increase in the dividend payment, Apple said it will once again expand its share repurchase authorization to $140 billion from $90 billion and the company says it expects to spend over $200 billion in cash under its capital return program by the end of March 2017. Since the start of its capital return program in August 2012, Apple has returned over $112 billion to shareholders, including $80 billion in share buybacks.
Apple sold 61.2 million iPhones during the quarter, up from 43.7 million a year earlier and a new March quarter record, while Mac sales were also strong with 4.56 million units sold, up from 4.1 million units in the year-ago quarter. iPad sales were down, however, falling to 12.6 million from 16.35 million.
“We are thrilled by the continued strength of iPhone, Mac and the App Store, which drove our best March quarter results ever,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’re seeing a higher rate of people switching to iPhone than we’ve experienced in previous cycles, and we’re off to an exciting start to the June quarter with the launch of Apple Watch.”
Apple’s guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 includes expected revenue of $46-48 billion and gross margin between 38.5 and 39.5 percent.
Apple will provide live streaming of its fiscal Q2 2015 financial results conference call at 2:00 PM Pacific, and MacRumors will update this story with coverage of the conference call highlights.
Conference call live updates – No need to refresh 
App Store Sees Record Performance in Q2 2015 With 29% Increase in Revenue Year Over Year [iOS Blog]
During today’s Q2 2015 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the App Store saw its best quarter ever, with 29 percent growth year over year. The entire services category, which includes the iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, iBooks Store, AppleCare, ApplePay, licensing, and other services also reached a record quarterly revenue of $5 billion, up 9 percent year over year, with growth largely coming from the App Store.
According to Apple CFO Luca Maestri, the App Store remains “incredibly popular” with customers around the world, and in the March quarter, it saw 70 percent more revenue than Google Play.
Apple also an update on HealthKit-based apps, which are part of Apple’s recent health and fitness initiative, aggregating all of a user’s health and fitness data. According to Cook, HealthKit has been highly successful, and there are now 1,000 HealthKit-based apps in the App Store.
Along with HealthKit, Cook also touched on apps for the Apple Watch. There are now 3,500 Apple Watch apps available for download. Cook said customer response to the Apple Watch was “overwhelmingly positive” and that Apple “can’t wait to see more inspiring apps” for the Apple Watch as we creep closer towards the 2015 Worldwide Developers Conference.
MCX Member Best Buy Begins Accepting Apple Pay in App, In-Store Support Coming [iOS Blog]
On an Apple Pay update shared during today’s second quarter earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Best Buy will begin accepting Apple Pay in its iOS app today, with full Apple Pay support coming to Best Buy stores later in 2015.
Best Buy’s move to adopt Apple Pay is notable because Best Buy was previously a member of MCX, the Apple Pay competitor that’s pushing the CurrentC payments service. CurrentC, which uses barcodes rather than NFC for payments, remains in testing and will launch later this year.
Best Buy follows MCX member Meijer in offering Apple Pay to customers, and while both companies signed exclusivity agreements, MCX CEO Dekkers Davidson has said that there are no penalties or fines for leaving the MCX program. MCX members are not able to accept both CurrentC and Apple Pay at the same time, so it remains unclear if Best Buy remains a part of MCX.
Apple also announced that the number of locations accepting Apple Pay has now tripled since the service first launched in October of 2014.
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