3GB of RAM Again Rumored for Next iPhone, Likely 5.5-Inch Model Only

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has twice claimed the next 5.5-inch iPhone, tentatively referred to as the iPhone 7 Plus, will carry 3GB of RAM for improved performance, and now DigiTimes says the same in a new report.

Increasing built-in memory capacity at next-generation smartphones, including new iPhone devices, will further ramp up demand for memory products in the third quarter, said sources, noting that the mobile DRAM capacity of the next-generation iPhone is expected to increase to 3GB from 2GB previously.

The report stops short of specifying whether the 4.7-inch, 5.5-inch, or both iPhone 7 models will have 3GB of RAM, but in general it will mark an increase over the 2GB of RAM in the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE.

DigiTimes has a mixed track record at reporting on Apple’s upcoming product plans, but its supply chain sources have provided accurate information on occasion in the past, and the rumor is backed by the more credible Kuo. The increased RAM should prove valuable given the camera improvements expected with the new iPhones, including a dual-lens system on the 5.5-inch model.

Deutsche Bank has also thrown its weight behind the 3GB of RAM rumor, although its prediction is likely based on Kuo rather than independent sources.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: digitimes.com, RAM
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Astropad’s iPad App Updated With Speed, Performance, and Battery Efficiency Improvements

Astropad today launched version 2.0 of its iPad app, which transforms a compatible iPad into a drawing tablet for a connected Mac. Once connected, Astropad mirrors the Mac’s display onto the iPad to let users take advantage of the tablet’s touch controls for drawing and editing photos in various Mac apps. The new update follows last year’s introduction of support for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

Free for any existing Astropad user, version 2.0 of the app brings a “high-performance Liquid upgrade” to the connected drawing app in order to triple its performance speeds and “massively” reduce any pixelation. The rest of the update adds similar performance-enhancing features to Astropad, including improved image quality and latency, lessening the strain on the iPad’s battery, and making the actual drawing performed within the app more naturalistic.

High-performance Liquid upgrade: Powered by Liquid core technology, now running three times faster with massively reduced pixelation
New Velocity control: Analyzes network conditions dozens of times per second to balance image quality and latency
Uses 3x less CPU and 4x less memory: Allows longer work sessions and extended battery life
Refined pressure curve: Hand-tuned by artists for a more natural drawing feel
Enhanced software compatibility: Supports panning and zooming gestures across more programs, including: Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, Art Rage, Clip Studio Paint, Lightroom, Mischief, Autodesk Sketchbook
Hidden cursor: Settings option to auto-hide the cursor while drawing
Updated UI: Sleek new look and feel

Otherwise, Astropad retains its general, high-quality drawing performance, with touch feedback at 60fps “for super smooth drawing” that results in interesting, diverse pieces of art. Users can connect their iPad to a Mac both via Wi-Fi or USB, with equally solid results, although compatible iPad devices must be running iOS 8 or later, while any Mac with Mavericks or later is required to use Astropad.

For users who have yet to purchase, Astropad Drawing Tablet is available for $29.99 on the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: Astropad
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Should you upgrade to the Galaxy Note 7 from the Galaxy S6 edge+? A comparison

Turns out the Galaxy S6 edge+ has aged really well. Nevertheless, the march of smartphone progress continues, and twelve months on it’s about to be replaced by the Note 7.

The Galaxy Note 7 is the successor to not only the Note 5, but also the S6 edge+. There’s no Galaxy S7 edge+ this year, as the Note line incorporates the best of both 2015 models. So if you’re rocking Samsung’s last edgy phablet, is this new one worth the upgrade? Read on for our first impressions.

On paper, we’re looking at a generational leap in internal hardware, with standout differences being a yearly bump in CPU, the fancy new 12MP low-light camera that we’ve already used in the Galaxy S7, and the addition of IP68-rated water and dust resistance. Both phones stick to a 5.7-inch screen size — the norm for Notes going all the way back to 2013 — with Quad HD resolution. The Note 7’s is probably a superior panel, but the S6 edge+’s was already exceptionally good — both in daylight and darker conditions — and beyond a certain point it’s really hard to tell. We’ll have more to say on the Note 7’s display when we’ve used it out in the wild.

The Note 7’s battery also gets a welcome bump up to 3,500mAh — even discounting for a second that the Note 7 probably has more efficient internals, that’s a decent bump in battery life. (Less than the S7 edge’s 3,600mAh, but within striking distance.) Water resistance is also a huge deal, not so much because you’re going to be taking the Note 7 scuba diving with you, but more for the peace of mind if it’s dropped in the sink or caught in a rainstorm.

Water resistance, a welcome battery bump and all the great camera stuff we remember from the GS7.

And of course it’s a Note, so unlike the S6 edge+ you’ve got the S Pen stylus, contained in a silo on the right edge of the phone. If you’re out of the loop on stylus input (and since Samsung didn’t sell the Note 5 at all in some countries, you may well be), the S Pen may not be something you use every day, but it does allow for more precise text selection, a bunch of fun creative possibilities. This time around the S Pen enables new software tricks like the ability to turn any area of the screen, be it a video or an app, into a GIF.

Externally, the Galaxy Note 7’s design heritage is clear. As much as it’s a Note, with the blockier, more angular aesthetic that usually entails, it’s also a close relative of the Galaxy S7 edge, which gives it soft curves and a thoroughly organic feel. That’s in stark contrast to the S6 edge+, with its sharper corners, more pronounced metal accents and entirely flat back. And although it is more boxy than the S7 edge, you can still see glass blending into metal and back into glass as you turn the Note 7 in your hand. It’s a more coherent look and feel, though just a tad more slippery in the hand.

Spec sheets aside, there’s little noticeable difference in weight between the two, though you benefit from significantly trimmed down bezels this time around. The black Note 7 in particular gives the illusion of almost nonexistent horizontal borders, in contrast to the slightly thicker bezels of last year’s phone.

In terms of cameras, it’s a re-run of the old GS6 versus GS7 battle, with the S6 edge+ using a standard 16-megapixel sensor with OIS, behind an f/1.9 lens, while the Note 7 uses a 12-megapixel sensor — lower resolution, but with larger pixels for better low-light shots — behind a brighter f/1.7 lens. It’s literally the same camera hardware as the S7 series, so the comparison is pretty obvious by now.

As we said earlier in the year:

Again, as we discussed in our full reviews, there are certain semi-rare situations, in daylight or in HDR mode, where the GS6 will produce a better-looking shot than its successor. You’ll have to take side-by-side comparison shots to tell, but it can happen.

With this caveat out the way, the high-level summary is this: Both phones have excellent cameras, but the GS7 pushes ahead with a substantial improvement in low-light photography, especially in really dark scenes. The new f/1.7 lens can also produce some absolutely gorgeous macro shots, though the GS6 was highly skilled in this area too.

The biggest difference we’ve noticed between the two is in HDR mode. Whereas the GS6 tended towards almost over-lightening areas in HDR shots, photos in HDR mode from the GS7 appeared darker and less appealing overall, though arguably more true to life.

Bottom line: The S6 series’ camera is still great by the standards of late 2016 — and occasionally gets a better photo in daylight — but Samsung’s latest shooter is more versatile in darker conditions.

Samsung has long included biometric security in its phones, and the Note 7 is no different, including the same single-touch fingerprint scanner from the S7 line. This time it’s augmented by iris scanning technology, in the form of a second camera (and IR LED) around the front. In our limited time testing the feature, it seems to work pretty well. As for whether it’s any more convenient than using your fingerprint on the phone you’re holding in your hand — well, probably not. But it’s a handy alternative.

On the software side, Samsung’s taken the opportunity to freshen up its TouchWiz UI, while remaining on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (we’re on the brink of 7.0 Nougat at the time of writing, but that’s yet to officially launch). Major changes include refreshed icons, a re-tooled notification shortcut area, and a lighter, brighter settings area with more intelligent groupings. Samsung also brings new S Pen features into the mix, the coolest of which lets you turn videos or other content into GIFs through the magic of WACOM-powered drawing. Neat!

So that’s that. A generational leap takes you from a great phone to a really great phone. It’s worth underscoring how well the S6 edge+ has stood the test of time, and if Samsung keeps up its pace with software updates, it’ll be a solid bet for the coming year too. And while not a huge upgrade for regular buyers, tech enthusiasts will see plenty to look forward to when jumping from last year’s edgy phablet to its successor.

Galaxy S6 edge+ owners, will you upgrade to the Note 7 this year? Shout out in the comments!

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

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ZTE is now taking submissions for its first crowdsourced device

Earlier this year, ZTE announced plans to release a crowdsourced “mobile product” in 2017, dubbed Project CSX. The manufacturer is soliciting ideas and feedback from the community over the hardware, design, and overall development of a phone, tablet, or even a smartwatch. The idea is to get customers involved in every stage of the development process, with ZTE offering early access to the finished hardware, as well as a chance to attend the Consumer Electronics Show.

From ZTE USA’s CEO Lixin Cheng:

This is the first time a phone manufacturer is stepping out and crowdsourcing something entirely new, from start to finish. It’s a bold approach for the industry that demonstrates how ZTE keeps consumers at the heart of everything we imagine, design and deliver. Project CSX is taking our core value to the next level.

Have a great idea that you think can make a difference? Here’s what you need to know:

Submissions are held to three rules: it must be a mobile product, the technology must be realistically possible by 2017, and the final product must be affordable for the general population.

Winning ideas and popular submissions will be awarded with small cash prizes throughout the process and the chance to win a trip to the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. Participants will have the opportunity to say they helped create an innovative mobile device that friends, family, and acquaintances will be able to purchase. In addition, participants registered on Z-Community will have early access to the final product.

The process is split into two stages: you can submit your ideas until August 31, following which there’s a voting period from September 1 – 10. Concept submissions are from September 12 – 30, and those in the community get to vote on the concepts from October 1 through October 19. Once the design is finalized, ZTE will begin the development, with an announcement slated for early 2017. More information about the voting and selection process here.

Want to get started? Head over to the Project CSX site from the link below.

ZTE Z-Community

BlackBerry brings its Hub and other apps to more Android phones with Hub+ suite

BlackBerry has announced the launch of the BlackBerry Hub+ suite of Android apps, which will be made available with a new software licensing program for mobile devices.

The BlackBerry Hub inbox is included in this app bundle, which also includes a calendar, password keeper, contacts. notes, a launcher and more. BlackBerry is offering a free 30-day trial for the BlackBerry Hub+ suite, via the Google Play Store. After the trial is over, customers can continue to use the BlackBerry Hub+ suite for free, with ad banners, or get rid of them for $0.99 a month, which also includes access to additional apps. The apps are already preloaded on the BlackBerry Priv and the upcoming DTEK50 Android phone.

The BlackBerry Hub+ suite is currently only available for Android 6.0 Marshmallow devices. The Inside BlackBerry blog says that the company is looking to expand its reach to Android 5.0 Lollipop phones in the future.

Press release

BlackBerry Launches Software Licensing Program for Its Mobility Solutions Business

BlackBerry delivering on its smartphone software strategy, BlackBerry Hub+ gives Android users the quintessential BlackBerry productivity experience

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Aug. 3, 2016) – BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB), a global leader in secure mobile communications, announced today the launch of a software licensing program for its Mobility Solutions business by introducing the BlackBerry® Hub+ for Android. A suite of BlackBerry applications, BlackBerry Hub+ makes productivity and communication on Android 6.0 Marshmallow smartphones effortless.

BlackBerry’s Mobility Solutions unit manages the BlackBerry smartphone business and development of device software offerings that includes maximizing the best of BlackBerry 10 software features and making them accessible on other platforms.

“An important initiative of the Mobility Solutions unit is a software strategy that combines BlackBerry’s strength in security, engineering savvy and device experience. The result – the ability to extend the best of BlackBerry’s secure communications and productivity features to any Android M consumer, enterprise or government customer,” said Ralph Pini, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, Mobility Solutions, BlackBerry. “Our customers have always raved about the unique experience of our proprietary productivity apps such as the BlackBerry Hub, calendar and contacts, amongst others. I’m excited that we’re now able to offer these amazing features to all Android users that demand the most out of their smartphones.”

The Best of BlackBerry…on Android

BlackBerry Hub+ for Android is a suite of applications that includes the BlackBerry Hub, calendar, contacts, notes, tasks, device search, launcher and password keeper applications for Android smartphones.
Users can download a free trial from Google Play and access BlackBerry Hub+ from any Android device running 6.0 Marshmallow. The trial includes a suite of applications, including the BlackBerry Hub, calendar and password keeper. After a 30-day trial, users can continue using the apps for free with an ad-based experience, or subscribe to the entire suite of apps for 99 cents a month, which will include additional features: contacts, tasks, device search, notes and launcher. Additionally, users can choose to download the full suite from Google Play or just pick their favorite apps.

For users on BlackBerry 10, PRIV and DTEK50, all of these apps come fully integrated for a seamless out of the box experience.

Key features of the BlackBerry Hub+ include:

• Hub: A unified inbox that allows you to:
• compose email messages and social posts
• respond directly to messages and calendar invitations
• snooze items so that you can view them at a later date, time or location
• quickly select recipients for email messages using suggested contacts
• file email messages and manage all your folders

• search for messages or contacts saved directly on your device or on the email server and more.

• Calendar: View and respond to meeting invitations directly from the BlackBerry Hub. When you create or change events, you can avoid double bookings by viewing when you’re busy. Using the “Join Now” feature, you can instantly dial into your meetings directly from your event reminder. And with Google Now voice commands, booking meetings has never been easier.

• Password Keeper: Stores all your passwords, log in information and important records safe in one highly secure spot that is encrypted with a password of your choice.

• Contacts: Stores all your contact info in one location for convenient management. You can interact with your contacts using a variety of methods such as phone calls, text and email messages, or calendar events directly from the Contacts app. You can also create and manage contact groups.

• Tasks: Increase your efficiency at work by creating tasks, setting due dates and reminders to help you stay focused and meet your deadlines.
• Device Search: Easily find a contact, a meeting, a file, an email, a song by searching in one universal search bar.
• Notes: Keep track of to-do lists or your bucket list, notes for a presentation, action items from a meeting, gift ideas for your family or groceries you need to pick up after work.
• Launcher: Turn multi-step actions like sending an email or calling a friend into a one-click task. BlackBerry Launcher lets you organize apps, widgets and shortcuts on customized home screen panels for instant access.

Chrome for Android now loads videos faster, consumes less battery

Chrome for Android has been updated to version 52, bringing faster load times to videos while reducing the battery consumption. Google states that over a billion hours of video is played on Chrome every week, and with a majority of content viewed on mobile devices, the search giant is working to make the overall experience suck less.

The update also lets you view videos with Data Saver mode enabled. The videos will be compressed, but if you’re worried about running out of data on your cellular plan, it is a decent alternative. From the Chrome blog:

With the release of Chrome 52 on Android, video playback has been improved for speed and power efficiency. This means you will see smoother playback and faster load times. Videos will now start playing sooner, instead of pausing briefly before loading, and your battery will last longer.

The Chrome team made a video highlighting the differences in loading times, noting a 5x increase:

The update is rolling out now (it’s live in India), but as is the case with such things, if you don’t see it yet, hold tight. It’s coming.

HTC’s Q2 2016 revenue down by 44% YoY, losses at $133 million

HTC posted its Q2 2016 earnings, recording revenue of $598 million (NT$18.9 billion). That’s up 27% from the disastrous first quarter, but a drop of 44% from the same period a year ago.

The Taiwanese vendor recorded a net loss of $133 million (NT$4.2 billion), with the HTC 10 failing to turn things around. Looking ahead to the latter half of 2016, HTC is placing its bets on its flagship device and the Vive VR headset, creating a “robust VR ecosystem through regional and channel expansion and collaboration with developers to create contents in diverse categories and verticals.”

In a statement, CEO and chairwoman Cher Wang said:

In the space of one year, we have reimagined the company, reclaimed our top spot for innovation, and demonstrated solid execution across our major product lines. I believe that HTC has regained its innovative zeal and is looking ahead with confidence and ingenuity.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: What’s the difference?

Bush has announced a budget smartphone that will be available exclusively through Argos for £200, called the E3X.

It’s got some pretty decent specs under its hood for its price tag, but how does it stand up to the kings of the budget smartphone world – the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus?

We have put the Bush E3X up against the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus to see how the three devices compare and which is the budget handset to buy, based on the numbers.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Design

The Bush E3X offers a solid build quality with all metal edges and a chamfered finish. It has a textured non-removable rear plate and looks similar to last year’s OnePlus 2.

The E3X measures 148.5 x 74 x 8.8mm and hits the scales at 186g. There is a fingerprint sensor on the rear, situated beneath the protruding camera lens and above the rather large Bush logo.

The Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus also both feature a good design that is better and bolder than their predecessor. They opt for a metal frame with a removable polycarbonate rear and textured metal buttons on the sides.

Both measure 153 x 76.6mm with a curve from 7.9mm to 9.8mm, meaning they are larger and thicker than the Bush E3X. They are lighter however, weighing 155g, and they also feature a P2i protective coating making them water-repellant enough to stop damage if you drop them down the toilet.

The Moto G4 doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor but the G4 Plus does, situated on the front.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Display

The Bush E3X has a 5.5-inch TFT LED display that offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 for a pixel density of 401ppi.

The Motorola Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus also both have 5.5-inch displays, again with a Full HD resolution, resulting in the same 401ppi pixel density. Motorola opts for IPS LCD.

Our first impressions of the Bush E3X display was that it look good, although its viewing angles weren’t as good as some other devices we’ve seen.

We didn’t think the G4 and G4 Plus offered the brightest or most dazzling display in terms of colour when we reviewed them but viewing angles were good.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Camera

The Bush E3X has a 21.5-megapixel rear camera, coupled with an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. Bush hasn’t revealed a great deal of information regarding aperture or features, but we know there is a dual-flash and 0.03-second autofocus.

The Motorola Moto G4 has a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. The rear snapper has an aperture of f/2.0, while the front is slightly narrower at f/2.2. There is a display flash on the front, while the rear has a dual-LED flash.

The Motorola Moto G4 Plus ups its rear camera resolution over the G4 to 16-megapixels. It also brings both phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus too, but the front snapper sticks with 5-megapixels.

It’s worth remembering that it isn’t all about megapixels when it comes to smartphone camera performance. Both the G4 and G4 Plus deliver good results with not much between them.

The Bush E3X may have a higher resolution sensor on both the front and rear, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will produce better results than the Motorola options.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Hardware

The Bush E3X has an octa-core MediaTek processor under its hood, supported by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of flash memory. There is a microSD slot available for storage expansion, while a 3000mAh battery capacity keeps things running, with fast charging via USB Type-C. There is no NFC however so no Android Pay capability.

Both the Motorola Moto G4 and G4 Plus opt for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, supported by at least 2GB of RAM. The G4 Plus also has an option of 4GB of RAM. The G4 comes in 8GB and 16GB models, while the G4 Plus comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models, all of which have microSD.

The two Motorola devices also come with 3000mAh battery capacities like the Bush E3X. Neither have USB Type-C, though they do have Turbo Charge and the G4 Plus comes with the fast charger in the box. Both devices offer good performance and solid battery lives.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Software

The Bush E3X features Android Marshmallow but unlike some other Android handsets, it goes light on software overlay. That means you get a pretty close to vanilla Android experience with the device.

The Motorola Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus also both run on Android Marshmallow and they too over very little software overlay, again meaning a close to pure Android experience. The Moto’s do have a couple of preloaded apps but it’s a minimal disturbance and a couple of them are quite useful.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Price

The Bush E3X is available exclusively from Argos for £199.95, putting it in the middle of the Moto’s.

The Motorola Moto G4 starts at £169, while the Motorola Moto G4 Plus starts at £229.

Bush E3X vs Moto G4 vs Moto G4 Plus: Conclusion

The Bush E3X is not only slimmer and smaller than the Moto G4 and G4 Plus, but it also has a fingerprint sensor, which is something only the more expensive Moto offers.

It also has the same size and resolution display and the same battery capacity as both Moto devices, as well as a higher resolution front and rear camera. You miss out on NFC which is a shame, but USB Type-C is on board, which it isn’t on the Moto devices, and there is also 4GB of RAM as standard.

Based on the numbers, the Bush E3X beats the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus in several areas, though its design isn’t perhaps as charming as the Moto’s, nor can you customise it like you can with Moto Maker. For the price though, the Bush E3X gives the Moto’s a run for their money.

BlackBerry makes its awesome Hub available to download on all Android Marshmallow phones

BlackBerry has released its Hub to the Play Store, bringing arguably its best software feature to any user running Android Marshmallow on their device.

For those unaware, BlackBerry Hub is an awesome unified inbox that brings all of your messages, emails, calendars and the like in to a single list. It integrates services like Instagram, Slack, SMS and WhatsApp, enabling you to respond to and check notifications from multiple sources all without leaving the hub. 

BlackBerry Hub arrives on the Google Play Store today as part of a suite of apps that the company is launching for Android. The suite, called BlackBerry Hub+ Services also includes the calendar and Password Keeper apps which come pre-installed on every BlackBerry smartphone. 

From today you can download a trial version of Hub+ from Google Play. After using it for 30 days, you can then either use it for free and have an ad-supported version, or you can choose to subscribe to the entire suite of apps. UK pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but it will cost 99 cents per month in the US. We’d imagine it will cost 99 pence per month, but have reached out to BlackBerry to confirm this. 

The entire suite of apps includes the three aforementioned apps as well as Contacts, Tasks, Device Search and Notes as well as the BlackBerry Launcher. All of which are already installed on devices like the PRIV and the DTEK50 we recently got our hands on. 

To download, head to the Google Play Store on your device and search for “BlackBerry Hub+”. Once you’ve done that, you’ll get an app icon on your home screen. Tap on the icon, then hit “Apps by BlackBerry” to install all the applications available in the suite, or just select the ones you want to download. If you don’t see the suite available in the Play Store yet, hang tight, it should be available within the next few hours. 

Although it’s only available for devices running Android Marshmallow for now, the company is looking in to expanding it to Android 5.0 Lollipop users and trying figure out a way to bring something of BlackBerry to iOS as well.