Samsung’s next Tizen phone may be more upmarket
The Tizen OS powered Samsung Z1 has been selling rather well in the few markets where it is available. Therefore would shouldn’t be too surprised to hear that a successor could be in the works, and industry insiders are suggesting that the next Tizen smartphone, tentatively named the Samsung Z3 (SM-Z300H), will feature slightly more upmarket hardware specifications.
According to the report, the Samsung Z3 will feature a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, 1.5GB of RAM and will be powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core Spreadtrum SC7730S SoC, which is a decent jump that should put the handset closer to the middle tier of the market.
Other internals include 8GB of storage space, an 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 5MP front facing camera, a 2,600mAh battery, and dual-SIM compatibility. The Z3 apparently sizes up at 141.5 x 70 x 9.5 mm and will weigh approximately 140 grams. The phone is also said to feature an updated Tizen 2.4 operating system.
Recently, Samsung announced that it would be releasing a Gold Edition of the Z1 smartphone, to celebrate over 1 million units sold so far. The smartphone was also the best-selling phone in Bangladesh back in Q1 and has continued to exceed sales expectations thanks to its low price point.
Pricing details for the Z3 were not included in the rumor, but we can probably expect a slightly higher price point to accompany the improved specifications. We’ll have to see if this new handset can continue to appeal to the entry-level market. The next Tizen smartphone is expected to launch sometime in the second half of 2015.
Samsung starts rolling out the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Note 4 in Russia
Samsung has finally begun rolling out the much-anticipated Lollipop update to all unlocked variants of its flagship phablet, the Galaxy Note 4, located in Russia. As for as added functionality goes, this upgrade transports the latest build of the Android operating system to the handset, in addition to a truckload of bug fixes and stability improvements.
All the changes you’d expect to find in the Lollipop software are bundled into this upgrade, including support for multiple accounts, improved notifications, stronger 256-bit encryption, a smoother multitasking experience and the recently-announced Material Design guidelines.
As usual, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device to hit your unit, you could always search for the update manually.
To do so simply open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Once done, the upgrade will start downloading from Samsung’s servers.
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts rolling out the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Note 4 in Russia
Google launches its first Android One smartphone in Pakistan
Earlier today, Google launched its latest Android One smartphone in Pakistan. The QMobile A1 is available to purchase right now from the Play Store in either black or white for 11,500 PKR ($110).
With regards to internals, the handset packs a 4.5-inch IPS display, a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable internal storage, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1,700mAh battery.
Straight out of the box, the QMobile A1 runs the latest version of Android (Lollipop 5.1.1), so users have access to the new Material Design user interface, smarter notifications and quick access to data controls.
If you’re based in Pakistan, like the sound of the QMobile A1 and would like to pick one up — hit the source link below.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google launches its first Android One smartphone in Pakistan
T-Mobile pushes out Lollipop update for the LG Leon & G Stylo
T-Mobile is now distributing the long-awaited Android 5.1.1 update to all LG Leon’s and G Stylo’s in the United States. This upgrade transports the functionality of Lollipop, an improved battery life and better performance to the handsets.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the most timely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
As is customary with all manufacturer updates, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device to hit your unit, you could always search for the update manually. To do so simply follow the four steps below:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”
- Hit “System Updates”
- Tap on “Check for update”
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile pushes out Lollipop update for the LG Leon & G Stylo
Samsung UK announces that the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 will not receive the Lollipop update
Samsung UK took to its Twitter account over the weekend to confirm rumors that it has no intention of rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to the Galaxy S3’s and Note 2’s in the region. The handsets will, instead, remain on Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
Unfortunately, the South Korean company has not given a reason for its decision, but we assume it’s because it’s been struggling to make the operating system run smoothly on the somewhat outdated hardware theses devices pack.
It’s important to note that this tweet does not cover other markets. Samsung has already confirmed that owners of the Note 2 will receive the Lollipop update in Finland and Poland in the not-too-distant future.
Are you disappointed with Samsung’s decision to skip Lollipop on the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 in the UK? Please let us know your thoughts in the section below.
Source: Samsung UK (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Samsung UK announces that the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 will not receive the Lollipop update
UK’s Dixons Carphone enters USA with Sprint
UK retailer Dixons Carphone has struck a deal with Sprint to expand into the USA and will open and manage 20 Sprint-branded stores as part of a pilot programme that could see up to 500 US stores opened. If the pilot is successful, Dixons Carphone will invest up to $32m (£20m) for a 50% stake in the joint venture during the second stage of the programme.
The deal is the first major expansion programme since Dixons and Carphone Warehouse merged to form Europe’s largest retailer in Dixons Carphone last year. Sprint is the third largest wireless provider in the USA and the partnership is expected to see Dixons Carphone expand heavily into the USA for the first time in several years.
Andrew Harrison, Dixons Carphone deputy chief executive, said:
“This is a very exciting venture for us, and is a significant step in growing our business in the US.
We bring specialist knowledge and skills to this partnership and will be looking to deliver innovation and outstanding customer service under the Sprint brand.”
News of the deal saw Dixons Carphone shares increase 1.5% to 465.10p at close of play on Friday but the move into the USA does come with historical risks the company needs to be wary of. Both companies have previously attempted to expand into the USA and while Carphone Warehouse had some success, Dixon’s last efforts failed spectacularly.
Sprint Phones in Video:
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Dixons bought US electrical store chain Silo for £210 in 1987 but within a few years, it was losing £22.4m per year and was eventually sold to Detroit-based Fretter for $45m (£29m) in 1993. In comparison, Carphone Warehouse had a successful partnership with Best Buy through Best Buy Mobile, which ended in 2012 when the latter bought out Carphone’s stake for $1.3 billion.
While Best Buy Mobile was a success, the joint venture between the two in Europe failed miserably, with all 11 Best Buy stores in the UK shutting down once it became apparent that the big store format just wasn’t going to work. With Dixons Carphone now the largest retailer in Europe, it’s hoped that the company’s size and scope will allow its latest attempts to crack the US market to be a success but this remains to be seen.
Android One QMobile A1 arrives in Pakistan
Android One may not have shot to success, but Google isn’t giving up on its long term plan for the project. Responding to requests from social media, Google has announced that the new QMobile A1 smartphone is now available to purchase in Pakistan.
In a bit of a change from previous Android One releases, the QMobile A1 will be available in retail stores up and down the country, rather than placing a heavy emphasis on e-commerce. The lack of a shelf presence is suspected to be one of the reasons why Android One hasn’t been able to grab a notable market share so far.
Hardware wise, the handset’s specifications remain firmly in the budget category, but that’s what we should expect for Rs. 11,500. The QMobile A1 comes with a 4.5-inch 854×480 display, unspecified 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, 2MP front facing camera, and 8GB of storage with a microSD card slot for a further 32GB.
There’s also dual SIM support, a 1,700mAh battery and Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box. Sadly the A1 is not 4G compatible, but the phone still matches up with other handsets at this price point.
The QMobile A1’s selling point is being touted as lightning fast updates to the latest version of Android as soon as they are available. A promise made with previous Android One phones. We’ll just have to see if updates appear faster this time around.
In other Android One news, a second wave is rumored to be heading to India. Local smartphone company Lava is expected to unveil a new smartphone on July 14th.
Do you think that the QMobile A1 will help Google shift more Android One smartphones this year?
LG G Pro 3 could have pupil recognition and 4GB RAM
LG is widely tipped to launch its LG G Pro 3 phablet later this year and ahead of the launch, several leaks have revealed the specs of LG’s upcoming flagship big-screen smartphone. Over the weekend, two leaks revealed the specs list of the G Pro 3 along with a feature that will have every tech lover salivating at the mouth.
The G Pro 3 is the successor to last year’s G Pro 2 phablet
If both reports are correct, the LG G Pro 3 will be equipped with a 6-inch display offering 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution (QHD), which works out to be a pixel density of 490 pixels per inch. The handset is expected to be one of a raft of devices powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 820 chipset and should include 4GBR AM, 32GB internal storage and a microSD card slot to expand the storage.
On the back, the LG G Pro 3 is expected to have a 20.7MP rear camera with laser autofocus, dual-LED flash and possibly the color spectrum sensor from the LG G4. Presumably, the handset will also include Optical Image Stabilisation and 4K video recording although this is yet to be confirmed. On the front, the LG G Pro 3 will have an 8MP camera, which should capture outstanding selfies and will be one of the highest on current flagship smartphones.
The G Pro 3 could be inspired by LG’s G4 flagship
The first G Pro 3 rumor suggested that LG would include a fingerprint scanner while the second rumor confirmed the fingerprint scanner before adding that the handset could also support pupil recognition. The addition of pupil recognition would make the G Pro 3 the first smartphone to support iris detection as manufacturers try different methods of providing smartphone security.
If these rumours are correct, the G Pro 3 will represent a significant upgrade over last year’s G Pro 2 with the G Pro 3 expected to have a better display, faster processor, fingerprint sensor, better camera, iris scanner and a lot more. While some manufacturers opt for incremental updates, LG is seemingly set to offer the best features possible in the G Pro 3, which is likely to cost $760 USD once it does launch before the end of the year.
Now watch: LG flagships in video:
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No Android Lollipop for the UK Samsung Galaxy S3 or Note 2
Samsung has issued many an Android Lollipop update this year, but Samsung UK has stated that the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 smartphones in the UK will remain absent from the update list.
The news was issued via the Samsung Mobile UK’s Twitter account, but no reason has been given for the lack of an update. This news is even more curious as a Lollipop update for the Galaxy Note 2 has already been confirmed for release in Poland, Denmark and Finland. Although last month Samsung Gulf announced that it won’t be releasing Lollipop for the Note 2.
@WesoLabeshnai We don’t like to give out bad news Rohan but the Note 2 and the Galaxy S3 won’t be receiving the Lollipop update.
— Samsung Mobile UK (@SamsungMobileUK) July 4, 2015
It appears that regional branches have their own control over updates, at least when it comes to some of Samsung’s older handsets.
Back in late June, Samsung UK also declared that the Galaxy Ace 4 would be left out from any Lollipop updates. However, this was expected to have something to do with incompatible hardware.
Samsung was never likely to be able to bring Lollipop to all of its smartphones. Fortunately with updates scheduled for other regions, there’s always the possibility that custom ROMs could bring Samsung’s Android Lollipop to the UK Galaxy Note 2 and S3.
Amazon offers £20 Prime discount for its 20th birthday
Not content with holding traditional retail sales events, Amazon’s decided to make up one of its own. “Prime Day,” as it’s known, starts on July 15th and will let the company celebrate 20 years of selling things on internet by selling you more things on the internet (if you already have a Prime subscription). Amazon knows that people will want in on its upcoming discount day, so it’s marking down its yearly subscription for those who haven’t yet signed up. Between now and midnight on July 8th, Prime will cost £59, saving you £20 for your first 12 months.
Of course, Prime Day is another way for Amazon to bait people into handing over more money, but the company has added more perks to the program over time. Just last week, the company debuted one-hour deliveries in certain parts of London, which will roll out to more UK cities before the end of the year. That’s on top of the 15,000 movies and TV episodes, unlimited photo storage and access to the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library already included in the subscription.
If you’ve been deliberating over whether to stump up the cash for Prime but came unstuck over the price, Amazon’s gesture might be worth taking up. However, know that there’s every chance you’ll cancel out that saving should you decide to get involved when Prime Day comes around later this month.
Source: Amazon’s Prime Day
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