Tuesday 31 July 2018

Superior quality headphones at a fraction of the original price

Snag a pair of the TREBLAB Z2 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones while supplies last. At 69% off, these headphones will only cost you $78.99.

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/treblab-z2-wireless-noise-cancelling-headphones

Fortnite for Android device list, iPhone X Plus video & more – Pocketnow Daily

Also on today's show, more Samsung gloom, a deal for the Lenovo Smart Display and a big WhatsApp update for groupies who like to talk.

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/fornite-android-iphone-x-plus-pndaily

Google sets down ground rules for notch support on Android P

In the lead up to the launch of its Pixel 3 smartphone line-up (which allegedly includes a notch-sporting Pixel 3 XL), Google has posted a Developers Blog entry detailing its rules for display cutouts and how they will be supported on its upcoming Android P operating system.

According to Android System UI product manager Megan Potoski, Google's rules for cutouts were drawn up in an effort to ensure that developers' apps would be cutout-ready, asking them to consider such things as how their "content is displayed relative to the cutout."

The good news for those developing for Android P is that by default, "the status bar will be resized to be at least as tall as the cutout and your content will display in the window below." Google states that "the app's window is allowed to extend into the cutout area if the cutout is fully contained within a system bar."

For developers, this means that all app windows "will be letterboxed so that none of your content is displayed in the cutout area," regardless of whether they're in landscape or fullscreen mode.

Hard rules for hardware

In terms of hardware, Google has declared that "devices must ensure that their cutouts do not negatively affect apps," stating that "devices may only have up to one cutout on each short edge of the device." 

This will ensure that we "won't see multiple cutouts on a single edge, or more than two cutouts on a device," and that we "won't see a cutout on the left or right long edge of the device."

Another rule set by Google states that "In portrait orientation, with no special flags set, the status bar must extend to at least the height of the cutout."

Aside from these stipulations, Google has stated that hardware manufacturers "can place cutouts wherever they want" on their devices.

We’re sure most people would agree that multiple notches sounds horrible, so we’re quietly glad that Google is limiting the number that Android P will officially support.



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/google-sets-down-ground-rules-for-notch-support-on-android-p

Apple likely to include dual-SIM support in upcoming iPhones

Best Portable DACs: The best external DACs to replace your phone's awful amp

On paper, reproducing sound should be simple. There's a source that has music and a speaker that generates noise. Press play on the player and audio should be spit out on the other end as crisp and clear as the day it was recorded. Right? 

Wrong. Oh, so very wrong.

It turns out there is a TON of work that goes into reproducing sound. From the way the music is recorded to how it's stored, from what headphones or speakers you use to the source's DAC and amplifier, everything in the chain affects how music sounds.

That being said, if your music is sounding quite as spectacular as it should - and the only thing you've changed recently is the source - it's likely that your new device (a new laptop, desktop, phone or tablet) has a poor quality DAC.

A DAC, or Digital-to-Analogue Converter, is the device that takes the bits and bytes stored in a music file and converts it into something a headphone or speaker (analogue devices) can play back. 

The advantages of using an external DAC

So why use a DAC if the device you use has one built-in? The first advantage of using an external DAC rather than the DAC that already exists in your device is simply that – most of the time – the performance you get out of an external system will be better than your phone's internal one. Why? Your phone's internal DAC may be lacking either for reasons of cost, or else a desire to keep the phone as compact as possible.

The second reason to shell out for a better system is the fact that some of the more premium headphones on the market are 'high-impedance' headphones, which require more power through the headphone jack on your music source in order to work properly. (Impedance, for the record, is measured in a unit called ohms, and less than 50 ohms is considered to be low-impedance.)

The general consensus is that the harder a pair of headphones is to drive, the better they will eventually sound when paired with the right equipment.

An external DAC helps with these headphones as it can work as a headphone amp to provide the extra power needed to drive a high-impedance pair of 'phones.

Now that you know how the technology works, let's talk about which devices you can get your hands on to amp up your audio.

What is the best DAC?

Chord Mojo

The Mojo is one of the larger DACs we've tested as a result of the onboard battery that needs to be charged before you can use it with your iPhone.

Having to charge an extra device – even if that charge lasts for 10 hours – before listening to music out and about is hardly ideal, but that's the price you have to pay for the Mojo's more power-hungry innards.

Thankfully the Mojo puts that power to good use, delivering a much rounder sound than the stock iPhone jack. Without the Mojo the treble and bass frequencies tend to take over, but introduce the external DAC into the mix and the mids are much more present and full.

The device's size means it's a bit cumbersome, and not exactly an inconspicuous accessory. I ended up carrying the Mojo in my front pocket (where I could easily access the device's volume controls), with the USB cable leading to my phone in my back pocket.

This probably won't be your ideal setup, and that might mean leaving the Mojo behind when you're going out on the town. Using the device at work, where I'm able to leave both my phone and the DAC on the desk, is a lot more user-friendly.

Other features include a second headphone output and a cool lighting feature whereby the volume buttons change colour based on the quality of the music file being received.

It is a very close call between the Chord Mojo and the RHA Decamp L1 which one we like more. While the Mojo offers a more compact form factor, the Decamp caters to iOS users with a dedicated USB input. That being said, the Decamp is a bit longer than the Chord Mojo and a fair bit heavier if you're the kind of person who doesn't mind hauling their audio gear around with them.

While it definitely fights for space in our already overcrowded backpacks, we genuinely love the Decamp - it makes playback sound smooth even when playing music from some less-than-ideal sources and the adjustment knobs on the side allow you to do simple, subtle tweaks to the sound. The knobs might not offer the most robust of changes (moreso than a software EQ, for example) but we appreciate their existence all the same.

It comes in a very close second here, but RHA's Decamp L1 is one of the better DACs to cross our desks and comes highly recommended.

Audioquest Dragonfly Red

Audioquest basically invented the USB DAC with the original Dragonfly back in 2012, but until now the the device's power demands limited its use to desktop use thanks to the iPhone's 100mAh limit on power draw through its lightning port.

But Dragonfly's latest devices, the Red and Black models, completely change that. By using an all-new USB microcontroller, Audioquest's Dragonfly Red/Black's DACs now consume closer to 25mA, and can now be used happily with any iOS device.

This makes the Dragonfly a pretty compelling iPhone DAC. With a total size smaller than most USB sticks the Dragonfly fits easily into a pocket alongside an iPhone.

So what's the difference (other than color) between the two flavors? Dragonfly Red is the more premium offering. It contains a better DAC chip, and outputs 2.1 volts of power as opposed to the Black's 1.2 volts. That mean the Red is a better choice for driving high-impedance headphones.

With my headphones plugged directly into my iPhone I was comfortable listening to music with the volume set halfway, but with the Red I could listen at just a quarter and with the Black this was strangely reduced to just one volume bar.

In effect this means that you have a lot less control over the listenable volumes – turning the Black up just one volume notch meant that music was too loud, and turning it down one muted the iPhone completely.

Both versions, however, added a good amount of heft to the bass without sacrificing the clarity of mid frequencies. A playthrough of Daft Punk's Get Lucky didn't shimmer in the same way without the DAC than with it.

Whether you'll want to pay extra for the Red version depends entirely on how difficult your headphones are to drive. If you're looking for a personal anecdote, with my standard portable cans I could barely tell the difference between the two DACs. But, when I switched to a more power-hungry set of over-ears, the Red delivered a much punchier bass.

Neither the Dragonfly Red or Black can match the refinedness of the Chord Mojo, but their budget price and much more practical form-factor make for a far better portable listening experience.

Creative Labs is a name you've heard before. It was the company that started the sound card craze in the late '90s and became king of the audiophile crowd for a short period of time. In the time since, Creative has been hard at work crafting extraordinary triple-driver in-ear headphones and an 11.2.4 soundbar while simultaneously working on a portable DAC for more ... uh, affordable price points.

The result of all that hard work is the Creative Sound Blaster E5 - the middle child in a large line-up of DACs that offers wireless connectivity options for those of us that can't be bothered with a cord.

While the idea of wireless is a great one, it's not without its limitations - Bluetooth can't transmit music at CD-quality without the help of more advanced codecs like LDAC or aptX HD. Because of that limitation, music over wireless just sounds OK. Sure, Creative can upscale it after it's been received, but it never sounds quite as good as native Hi-Res audio. Still, if wireless convenience is what you're looking for to power those powerful headphones in your closet, the E5 is far from the worst choice you could make.

Arcam MusicBoost

The Arcam MusicBoost S is the most practical portable DAC, as it's built straight into an iPhone case, but the downside is that the MusicBoost S is slightly limited by its form factor – it's built for just two models of phone, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6S. Owners of the 6S Plus or the iPhone SE need not apply.

Like the Mojo, the MusicBoost is a power-hungry DAC that will need to be charged, but the added benefit is that it can use its extra battery life to power your phone as well as itself.

Arcam claims that the 1200mAh battery has the capacity to hold 120% of an iPhone's charge, which could potentially be a lifesaver if you're using the DAC to listen to music on a long flight.

Disappointingly, however, similar to the previous Arcam MusicBoost we tested, I found the MusicBoost made the smallest difference out of all the DACs. I really wanted to hear more of an impact, but the difference was only audible with a more demanding set of cans.

That said, the potential market for Arcam's portable DAC is probably small, limited to those with a specific model of iPhone and a pair of high-end headphones that can benefit from more power.

The positive news here is that the device doesn't suffer from the same volume issues as the Dragonfly – the volume slider has more freedom to move around before your portable music player becomes an ear canal-destroying rock show.

If you're in the market for a battery pack and protective case, and dig the idea of an enhanced audio experience, the Arcam MusicBoost S might be the accessory you've been searching for.



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/if-iphone-7-ditches-the-audio-jack-these-three-dacs-will-keep-the-music-spinning-1321629

First trillion dollar company? Apple closes in on title with strong third-quarter earnings

Apple third quarter earnings were never supposed to be exciting – it hasn't had a big hardware launch in months and we don't expect new iPhones until September.

However, a mix of strong revenue today and a market valuation that's closing in on $1 trillion are hyping Apple's stock price to record levels in after hours trading.

To become the first $1 trillion company (and beat Amazon to the title), Apple's stock price needs to cross $203, which is 3% above its its current price, notes 9to5mac

The company stock price currently sits at $190.30 and reached an all-time high of $195.96, which would put Apple at $990bn when the stock market opens tomorrow.

Apple's revenue gains mark the company's best June quarter ever, according to CEO Tim Cook, noting that it's the fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth.

iPhone sales, services, and China

What's propelled Apple's June earnings high and its ability to defy the challenges faced by rival tech stocks this quarter? iPhone revenue was higher than estimated.

Analysts had predicted that the average iPhone price would be $693. Surprise, actual iPhone revenue on average was $723, according to Apple. During the conference call, Cook noted that the iPhone X was the most popular iPhone in the third quarter.

Apple's success with the iPhone X contrasts with Samsung, which is struggling to sell the Samsung Galaxy S9 compared to its prior Android phones. People aren't upgrading, and that's something Apple's iPhone has struggled with in previous quarters. 

Cook dismissed the need for record revenue during the call, saying that because the smartphone market is so vast, it doesn't matter if revenue dips or goes up 10%. Of course, he's almost certainly hoping for the latter result when the iPhone 9 and iPhone 11 launch (likely in September). 

The biggest momentum for Apple continues to be 'Services', which includes iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Care. It makes sense if more people are insuring that pricey iPhone X (and for a downpayment than last year to boot). Apple has also hit what Cook called a pocket of success with the Apple Watch, though the company doesn't break down smartwatch revenue. 

Finally, while Cook expressed opposition to new trade tariffs between the US and China, noting how they're anti-consumer, he said that Apple is continuing to see double digit growth in China along with other major markets.



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/apple-third-quarter-earnings-analysis

You can finally easily set a Spotify song as your alarm on Android

No need to sideload songs or use weird apps to have a song from your favorite Spotify playlist start your day. Google's native Clock app has it.

The post You can finally easily set a Spotify song as your alarm on Android appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/spotify-song-google-clock-alarm-android

Honor Note 10 announced with turbo, turbo, turbo

CPU Turbo, GPU Turbo, everything's gotta be fast and cool for the Honor Note 10 with a 7-inch screen. It's a big deal for mobile gamers in China.

The post Honor Note 10 announced with turbo, turbo, turbo appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/honor-note-10-china-launch

Motorola One specs include RAM range from 3GB to 6GB

Motorola's next big phone may not be a "flagship" in the traditional sense if we look back on our rumor coverage. So, what's up with the Motorola One?

The post Motorola One specs include RAM range from 3GB to 6GB appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/motorola-one-specs-tenaa

PlayStation rules, mobile drools at Sony for 1Q18 earnings

Sony Mobile is now generating operating losses and is expected to continue digging its own hole. Meanwhile, look at how that PlayStation flies...

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/playstation-mobile-sony-1q18-earnings

Here’s what you need to play Fortnite in your Android phone

Find out if your Android Phone is going to let you play Fortnite or not with the complete list of the compatible devices and minimum requirements

The post Here’s what you need to play Fortnite in your Android phone appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/play-fortnite-android-phone

10″ Lenovo Smart Display is already getting a good discount

Here's how you can get a $50 discount when you buy a new Lenovo Smart Display that can can be a good alternative to other smart devices for your home

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/lenovo-smart-display-discount

Now there’s a hands on video of the iPhone X Plus and LCD iPhone dummy units

Videos have surfaced that show us the new 6.5" iPhone X Plus and the 6.1" LCD iPhone in dummy versions that seem like the real deal

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/video-iphone-x-plus-dummy

Mint Mobile now offering money-back trial of its network

The prepaid carrier runs on T-Mobile's network and sells plans by the quarter or by the year for a lump sum fee. A free trial is darn important.

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/mint-mobile-free-trial

Ofcom wants mobile operators to notify customers at end of contract

Mobile operators would be required to inform customers when their minimum contract term is close to concluding under proposed rules from Ofcom.

Under existing regulations, providers of mobile, broadband, landline and television services are under no such obligation. This means that consumers whose introductory offer has expired or who  can get a cheaper deal elsewhere after paying off a handset might be unaware of their options.

Ofcom estimates there are more than 20 million communications customers outside of their minimum term and 10 million whose deals will become automatically more expensive thereafter.

Out of contract

The proposals would mean customers get a notification via their medium of choice – SMS, letter or email – between 40 and 70 days before their contract expires.

“We’re concerned many people are paying more than they need to – particularly those who are out of contract,” said Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom Consumer Group Director.

“Customers have told us they want to be alerted when their phone, TV or broadband contract is coming to an end, and get advice on their options. Under our plans, providers would have to do exactly that.”

To appeal to consumers concerned about paying too much for their mobile contract, a number of operators offer ‘flexi’ tariffs that separate the cost of the handset from the airtime. Once the handset portion has been paid off, customers only pay for the airtime component.

However research published by uSwitch earlier this month suggested that these tariffs were still more expensive than a comparable SIM-Only deal. uSwitch said that Ofcom’s proposals on minimum term notifications “couldn’t come soon enough”.

The regulator will consult on the proposals until 9 October.



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/ofcom-wants-mobile-operators-to-notify-customers-at-end-of-contract

iPhone 9 Plus release date, price, news and leaks

HubblePhone is an insane, dual-screen, folding smartphone that will arrive in 2020

You won’t believe the prices of foldable smartphones. Xiaomi and OPPO to join the party

Xiaomi and OPPO have both initiated their plans to develop foldable smartphones, joining Samsung and Huawei. Prices are also rumored.

The post You won’t believe the prices of foldable smartphones. Xiaomi and OPPO to join the party appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/many-foldable-smartphones-coming

Kirin 980 chip to be unveiled by Huawei at IFA 2018 keynote

The next-generation Kirin 980 chip is expected to see the official light of day at IFA 2018, with invites already going out to Huawei's keynote.

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/kirin-980-ifa-2018

The HTC U12+ takes terrific selfies with bokeh

Instagram is without a doubt the hottest social network, recently surpassing a billion users. When you keep in mind that Instagram is completely focused on photos and videos, most of which are shot using mobile phones, it makes sense to buy a phone with a fantastic camera.

One particular trend that has emerged with photos is the “bokeh” effect, which utilises two lenses - one to focus on the subject and the second to blur the background. Take a look at this image below- the bokeh effect is applied on the right image where you can see the background is blurred.

You may have seen this kind of setup in many high-end phones, but only on the back cameras. But look through your Instagram feed and there’s a good chance that you’ll find an equal number of selfies as you would of pictures taken from the camera on the back. So why not have dual cameras on the front that create a similar effect?

For starters it’s definitely an engineering problem. With bezels shrinking on the top and bottom of phones, there’s only so much space for a phone manufacturer to cram all the required sensors, and adding two cameras in that precious space can prove to be really difficult. HTC was the first manufacturer to put two lenses on the back of a phone, so it comes as no surprise to see two cameras not only on the back of the HTC U12+ but also on the front. 

Both front cameras have 8MP sensors with an f/2.0 aperture and 1.12µm pixel size. For comparison sake, the selfie camera on the iPhone 8 (and iPhone X) is 7MP with an f/2.2 aperture and there’s only one of them. Not only are both the HTC U12 Plus’ front cameras capable of taking higher resolution shots, but they also allow more light in through the front camera than Apple’s flagship with a single camera.

There’s another advantage to the HTC U12+ that HTC first introduced with the HTC U11 last year, and that’s the touch-sensing side bezel called Edge Sense. The frame of the phone can be squeezed to perform multiple actions, which include launching apps or voice assistants as well as controlling music playback. 

One particular function of Edge Sense is to launch the camera app and while you’re in the camera app you can squeeze the sides again to take a picture. This makes it extremely easy to take selfies as you don’t have to worry about finding a particular button on the side of the phone or on the screen to take a picture. 

HTC has also added a timer so you don’t accidentally move your hand while squeezing the phone to take the picture. Squeeze once to turn on the camera app, and squeeze the second time for the 3 second timer to kick in and take that perfect selfie.

We were interested in testing the bokeh mode in particular with the HTC U12+ and decided to test it out against the iPhone X. Here are some shots that compare the front camera on both these phones. The top picture is from the HTC U12+ while the bottom picture is from an iPhone X with both cameras set at default automatic mode.

The first thing to notice in the picture above is how the shot from the HTC U12+ is wider giving you a better story to tell from your selfie. Also notice how the iPhone just blends the hat into the sky whereas the HTC U12+ can clearly separate the two. Last, the background on trees in the picture have a lot more detail that the iPhone even with the bokeh effect. 

Again, you see the bigger picture with the HTC U12+ than the iPhone but what is more striking on the HTC U12+ is that it managed to capture the hues of the sky beautifully whereas the iPhone X simply produced a flat white sky.

Our next shot moves from outdoors to indoors in a standard office environment. Again, the HTC captures a lot more around you and with more natural colors. The shirt is not as vibrant as the iPhone X is making it looks like but slightly washed up as the HTC U12+ correctly captures. You can also clearly see the texture in that shirt on the HTC U12+ image.

As you can see from the photos above, the HTC U12+ does a fantastic job at taking selfies using the dual cameras on the front. You get a natural and realistic effect and a much wider frame that looks much better than the selfies taken with the iPhone X. 



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/the-htc-u12-takes-terrific-selfies-with-bokeh

Huawei growth static despite smartphone success

The last 12 months may have seen Huawei cement its position as the world’s third biggest smartphone manufacturer and finally crack the UK market, but it wasn’t enough to give the Chinese firm a significant boost in growth.

For the first half of 2018 revenue rose 15 per cent to 325.7 billion Yuan (£36.3 billion), the same rate at which it grew last year.

However, the company isn’t too disappointed, stating that it expects to finish the year in a “strong financial position.”

  •   Want to find out more about 5G? Check out our dedicated 5G hub   

Huawei finances

It hasn’t broken down these figures any further, but it has enjoyed considerable success in the smartphone arena thanks to the critically acclaimed Huawei P20 flagship smartphone. According to Gartner, Huawei shifted 40 million handsets in Q1, giving it a 10.5 per cent share of the global market.

Meanwhile, it is one of the world’s biggest telecommunications network equipment manufacturers and will likely receive a boost from mobile operators rolling out 5G. Earlier this week, rival Nokia and T-Mobile reached a $3.5 billion ‘multi-year’ agreement for 5G equipment, indicative of the sums on offer.

However, it has struggled in some territories, most notably the US, due to perceived national security concerns. Huawei has continually denied such allegations and its products are used by several UK telcos, including BT.

Earlier this month a British government report found it could only offer “limited” assurance that Huawei kit was safe to use because of a lack of progress in resolving previous concerns, such as the safeguarding of its supply chain. Huawei said it is committed to addressing these issues.



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/huawei-growth-static-despite-smartphone-success

Samsung confirms 'slow sales' for Galaxy S9 and a 'reasonable' price for Note 9

OnePlus 6 screen flickering issue reported in bright light

A OnePlus 6 screen flickering issue has been reported by owners who observed the behavior in bright light with the adaptive brightness mode turned on.

The post OnePlus 6 screen flickering issue reported in bright light appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/oneplus-6-screen-flickering-issue

Lenovo says it'll be the first to launch a 5G smartphone

Lenovo says it will be the first smartphone manufacturer to launch a 5G smartphone, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 chipset.

A VP for the firm, Chang Cheng, took to Chinese social media site Weibo to reveal the plans. 

No other detail about the handset was provided and Lenovo will have stiff competition from a number of rivals as they all try and push their 5G devices out towards the end of this year and into 2019.

December at the earliest?

The likelihood is though we won't see this device before December. That's because the Snapdragon 855 - that's said to be powering the handset - hasn't been officially launched yet.

Qualcomm is hosting its Snapdragon Summit during the first week of December where we expect the chip to be revealed. 

This would be earliest the phone would realistically be announced, and if Lenovo leaves it any later then it would be in danger of missing out on the world first. 

While 5G capabilities are likely to be heavily touted in smartphones launched from December onwards, it's unlikely you'll be able to take advantage of the new network generation right away. 

It will take carriers and those in charge of the mobile infrastructure a little while to get their services up and running, so initially 5G will be a future-proofing feature rather than something for the here and now. 

Via PhoneArena & MySmartPrice



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/lenovo-says-itll-be-the-first-to-launch-a-5g-smartphone

Charge up to 4 devices simultaneously from this portable battery pack — now 60% off

Get your very own Extreme Boost 20,000mAh Back-Up Battery today for just $35.99. That's 60% off the original price.

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/20000mah-back-up-battery-deal

OPPO Vice President resigns to focus on new brand Realme

Former OPPO Vice President and head of OPPO's overseas business department, is resigning his position within the company, to become global CEO of Realme.

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/realme-brand-kicks-off

Samsung shifts focus to flexible OLED panels, as company reports 4% revenue loss

Samsung has made its financial figures public for the second quarter of the year, with a 4% decline in revenue, and a shift in focus to flexible OLED panels

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/samsung-reports-revenue-loss

WhatsApp group calls are now live for Android and iOS

Up to four people can now chat at once using WhatsApp for Android and iOS. The new group call feature is rolling out to both platforms at the same time, and lets app users set up multi-way video or voice calls.

To use it, start a call with just one person, then tap the 'Add participants' button in the top-right to invite more friends. The new participant will receive a notification, and can choose whether to accept or decline.

You can only invite one new participant at a time, and you can't invite a fourth caller until the third has joined. Only the host can invite more people to join a call.

Speak easy

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced group calls for WhatsApp and Instagram (both of which are owned by the social media behemoth) at the F8 2018 developer conference in May. Zuckerberg said that people already make two billion minutes of voice and video calls on WhatsApp every day, and this new addition could add to that number. 

All WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted, and are engineered to work well even with a poor internet connection, which makes them particularly useful in countries with patchy mobile data coverage – including India, where the feature was trialled before its global launch.

Via The Verge



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/whatsapp-group-calls-are-now-live-for-android-and-ios

The Android Go powered Nokia 2.1 releasing soon in the UAE

We knew the new Nokia 2.1 (2018) was coming soon, but now we know exactly when and how much it will cost you - at least in the UAE, where the phone is confirmed to be landing on August 8.

Sold across major retailers in the UAE, the Nokia 2 is powered by Android Oreo Go edition that has optimized for low spec phones with lower prices. The phone will cost you just 389 Dirhams in the UAE

Besides Android Go, the other highlight of the Nokia 2 (2018) is the large battery life. Equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, the new Nokia 2 is expected to last for two full days on a single charge. 

Nokia 2 (2018) specs

The Nokia 2.1 is powered by the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor with 1GB of RAM, 5.5-inch 720p screen, 8MP rear camera and 5MP front-facing snapper.

Like other Nokia handsets released in this year, expect premium craftsmanship and design. There’s only 8GB of built in storage but you do have a microSD card for additional space.

You’ll be able to grab the phone in three colors when it arrives August 8- Blue/Copper, Blue/Silver and Grey/Silver. 



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/the-android-go-powered-nokia-2-releasing-very-soon-in-the-uae

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 After The Buzz: Still worth it?

Watch today's episode of After The Buzz as we discuss how the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has aged since its original release in 2017

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from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-after-the-buzz

Huawei announces 15% revenue growth for the first half of the year

Huawei has made its financial results public and announced a 15 percent revenue growth over the same period of last year.

The post Huawei announces 15% revenue growth for the first half of the year appeared first on Pocketnow.



from Pocketnow https://pocketnow.com/huawei-revenue-growth-h1-2018

Monday 30 July 2018

Insurgent OnePlus now has a key win in India

The fight has been among Samsung, Apple and Xiaomi for a period, but OnePlus has launched a rocket in India and has ridden it up into the premium space.

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WhatsApp group calling for voice and video is now live, supports up to four people

As of today, WhatsApp group calls are possible both for voice and video, and you can talk to as many as three other people at the same time.

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Google Pixel 3 XL leaked! iPhone X Plus dummy photos & more – Pocketnow Daily

Also on today's show, we've got a big Pixelbook deal for back to school work and shrunken iPad bezels at the cost of a headphone jack!

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BlackBerry KEY2 Lite actually has a different name

Documentation filed at the FCC shows off the go-to-market name that TCL is planning on using for this lighter version of the KEY2.

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Executive talks about second Amazon phone, gets backtracked severely

Another Fire Phone? Not really, Amazon says. But the executive leading original content production at the company might have let something wrong loose.

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Why the extra thickness on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition?

A display of impressive circuitry that can be seen through the glass back of the Mi 8 Explorer Edition is not a sticker. It's far, far worse.

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The best Verizon Wireless plans in July 2018

The best power banks of 2018: portable chargers to keep your gadgets going

New additions to our best portable charger list in 2018 include the recently launched Mophie that uses a lightning connection for iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 7. 

All of the power banks below have one thing in common: they're always there for you when your smartphone battery dies at the end of the day. It's the 21st century version of a lifesaver.

The problem with portable chargers in general? There are a lot of them. Some are better than others, with many of our recommendations balancing battery capacity, safety, and a svelte size for ample power.

We've got a list of the top portable chargers broken into compact, high-capacity, and even laptop-compatible portable chargers. Never fall to 0% battery life again.

Best power banks for capacity

You've likely heard of Anker, and this is one of the company's best portable chargers. It comes with a huge 20,100mAh battery inside, meaning this will be able to charge up your phone or tablet multiple times before it needs a recharge.

It also comes with high-speed charging for your devices if they use PowerIQ or VoltageBoost. It won't be able to use Qualcomm's QuickCharge technology, but it'll still boost your device when you're on the go.

The powerstation plus XL is the best portable charger designed for the iPhone and iPad, and we say that for several reasons: It contains an embedded Lightning cable you can't lose, it charges via a lightning cable (the same one that came with your phone), and you can charge it wireless with any Qi charger (just like you can charge the iPhone 8 and iPhone X), so you may already have one.

This 10,000mAh power bank has a soft fabric finish and can charge two deices at once, one via the 10W USB-A port and another via the integrated lighting charger. You won't find as much use from this portable charger if you're on Android, though it's still possible to use that USB-A port to top off a friend.

If the Anker isn't right for you, our next choice is the Aukey 20,000mAh battery pack. It features two ports so you can charge both your phone and your tablet at the same time and also has a light to show you how much battery charge is leftover.

The blocky design may not be for everyone, but this portable charger should be able to charge your phone and other gadgets a few times over with such a high capacity cell inside.

If you're looking for an even larger capacity charger than the option above you may want to go for the iMuto Ultra High Capacity portable charger. It offers a 30,000mAh capacity that will be able to charge your average smartphone over six times and still have some charger left.

It can also charge some MacBooks and laptops too, but you may want to make sure it will be compatible with your computing option before you buy it. Considering the price though, you'll struggle to find a 30,000mAh charger for this little.

Another high capacity portable charger here for you and this time it's from RAVPower with a 22,000mAh option. The design is similar to the Anker and Aukey made options above, and while it doesn't include as much capacity as the iMuto one it does have a much slimmer design.

You have three ports here so you can charge multiple gadgets at the same time and it'll have enough capacity to be able to charge both a mobile and an iPad or tablet from 0% too.

Best slim power banks

Xiaomi has a hand in some unexpected sectors of technology, including audio and portable chargers. But don't sleep on either, as it's onto something worth checking out. 

During our testing, its 10,000mAh Power Bank provided good results, both in terms of its portability and charging potential. While not the fastest charger out there, it was able to charge our Google Pixel 2 in a little over two hours. Thankfully, it's discreet enough that you can bring it with you just about everywhere to plug in when necessary.

It's not rare for a power bank to come with a charging cable, but we appreciate that this one has been built with care to suit both micro USB and USB-C users with the same cable, as seen in the above gallery.

With 10,400mAh inside, two USB outputs and fast charging technology the Pebble P1 Pro may be one of the best all-round power banks you can buy right now. This doesn't have anything to do with the defunct watch brand, but instead it's called the Pebble for its curved edges design.

This should be able to recharge most phones at least two and a half times from a single charge, plus this power bank can be charged up by either microUSB or USB-C so you won't need to have a specific cable with you to pump it up again when it's out of juice.

Poweradd also offers a great slim portable charger, and it's one of the cheapest options on this list yet boasts a substantial 10,000mAh cell inside.

It may be quite heavy, but this is only 1.3cm thick, making it a great device to slip into your back pocket when you're out and about. You'll want to grab a cable to go with it though as unlike the Iceworks choice above it doesn't come with one built in.

We love this little guy. The Anker PowerCore II 10,000 power bank is perhaps the most portable option on this list and allows you to have at least two full charges for your phone in your back pocket ready to go.

At only 209g and 1.5cm thick, you'll be able to take this around with you and not feel weighed down while still having 10,000mAh of extra power for any of your devices. Plus it comes with Anker's own fast-charging tech that should mean you won't be plugged into it for too long.

Like a lot of the chargers on this list, it doesn't come with a cable attached so you'll need to take your own out and about with you.

This is the cheapest option for a portable charger we have on the list, but this option from RAVPower should suit you for recharging your mobile phone while on the go.

It has a capacity of 6,700mAh, which should recharge your average smartphone at least once and maybe even twice. There are three color options here with the choices of either pink, bright blue or silver. 

The LEDs on the side of the device also show you how much charge is left and there's fast-charging tech built-in too.

Best power banks with lots of ports

This may not be the most portable charger on our list, but it features a lot of ports, so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. It'll even charge laptops as well as your phone and tablet.

You can charge six devices at once, and with a 50,000mAh capacity it has the juice to do that, so if you're usually surrounded by a lot of tech this is possibly one of the best chargers to buy.

Looking for a another option with lots of ports on it? This may be a good choice for you, as there are four ports and you can charge up your MacBook as well as USB devices such as your phone.

There's a quick charge port too, which will fast charge compatible devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S7.

Best power banks for both laptops and phones

RAVPower's portable charger is a great choice if you need a device that can charge both your laptop and your phone. It features USB-C and normal USB outputs as well as an AC output, so you can plug your laptop charger directly in.

There's also a 20,100mAh capacity battery inside, so this will be able to juice up your phone or tablet multiple times before you need to put it back on charge.

The picture above may be deceptive, as this isn't a small charger and is capable of charging up your laptop or tablet as well as your phone simultaneously.

You can charge up to three devices at the same time and it comes with a 23,000mAh capacity, so it should last long enough between recharges.



from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/top-portable-chargers