HTC U ‘Ocean’ specs and features revealed in huge new leak

With the Samsung Galaxy S8, LG G6 and Sony Xperia XZ Premium announced the runway is now clear for HTC’s true 2017 flagship – the HTC U, or the ‘HTC Ocean’ as it’s previously been known. Until recently details of the phone – which is expected to be the HTC 11 in all but name - had been thin on the ground, but now we might know almost everything about it.

The highlight is definitely the Edge Sensor, which has been highlighted in an image obtained by Android Headlines. The feature lets you activate different functions with a short or long squeeze of the sides of the HTC U.

You can adjust how hard you have to squeeze, in order to avoid triggering things just by holding your phone, and according to the site you’ll be able to launch the camera, Google Assistant and more with these gestures.

Another image, which can see in the gallery below, mentions that the HTC U will have four microphones, allowing for immersive 3D audio recording, which aims to create a surround sound effect, and Hi-Res audio, for more detailed, lossless sound recording.

BoomSound and big specs

As usual for a HTC flagship, the Ocean will also apparently feature BoomSound and two speakers, as well as an HTC U Sonic feature, which will customize the sound profile to your ears and hearing. However, as with the HTC U Ultra there won’t be a 3.5mm headphone port.

And another image reveals ‘HDR+ Scene Detection’, which isn’t fully explained in the shot, but likely means that you can see the effects of HDR before you take a photo.

An almost complete specs list for the HTC U has also leaked from the same source. Supposedly the phone will have a Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4 or 6GB of RAM, a 5.5-inch QHD screen, a 3,000mAh battery which supports fast charging via USB Type-C, 64 or 128GB of built-in storage, Android Nougat 7.1 and a fingerprint scanner in the home button.

None of that sounds unbelievable, in fact they’re fairly standard flagship specs and largely match up with what we’ve heard before.

What doesn’t quite match up is the design of the phone in these images, as earlier leaks showed it without a home key on the front, so, as always, take this with a healthy helping of salt until we know more.

• Can't wait for the HTC U? These are the best phones you can buy now

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/htc-u-ocean-specs-and-features-revealed-in-huge-new-leak

Apple sets up future iPhones for VR and AR

Apple has confirmed to a partner company it no longer requires its services, as the Cupertino-based firm is working on its own independent graphics chip design.

Apple told British chipset designer Imagination Technologies - a company Apple has been using for GPU tech since the first iPhone - that it will stop using its tech at some point in the next two years.

The statement confirmed Apple is “working on a separate, independent graphics design in order to control its products and will be reducing its future reliance on Imagination’s technology.”

That may mean we’re about to see a big improvement on the iPhone when it comes to gaming. Apple bringing graphics chip production in-house will give it more control over what the innards of the iPhone or iPad can do.

The dates suggest Apple will stop using the technology in the next 15 to 24 months, which would mean it could be ready for the new iPhone we see in September 2018.

Another reality

This may also suggest Apple is readying itself to jump into the world of virtual or augmented reality tech.

Tim Cook has made clear his intention to bring AR technology to the iPhone in the future and this could be the major step forward the firm needs to make it happen.

Apple had previously considered taking over Imagination Technologies, about a year ago, but this news seems to confirm the acquisition is no longer underway. 

Apple has been designing its own CPU for a number of years, so being able to reconfigure GPU tech within Apple itself will likely be a major benefit to the company and hopefully iPhone users too.

Imagination Technologies is uncertain Apple will be able to make the chip technology without breaking patents owned by the former though.

The statement from the firm says, "Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate its assertion that it will no longer require Imagination’s technology, without violating Imagination's patents, intellectual property and confidential information. This evidence has been requested by Imagination but Apple has declined to provide it.

"Further, Imagination believes that it would be extremely challenging to design a brand new GPU architecture from basics without infringing its intellectual property rights, accordingly Imagination does not accept Apple’s assertions."

Whether Apple will be able to do it without ensuing a major court case is yet to be seen, but this move may make certain that the iPhone is the best mobile gaming device in a few years time.

• iPhone 8 could steal a cool screen trick from the iPad Pro

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/apple-sets-up-future-iphones-for-vr-and-ar

The best Chromecast deals in April 2017

The Google Chromecast is not only one of the most useful and innovative gadgets of the last few years, it's also dazzlingly cheap. And if you're looking to pick one up for the cheapest possible price, you've come to the right place! We usually see some decent discounts at this time of year too.

Chromecast is a Wi-Fi HDMI dongle that you plug directly into your TV. From there you can use your smartphone or tablet to 'throw' video at your TV over Wi-Fii, whether it be Netflix movies, live football matches from the major broadcasters or simply just a funny YouTube video. On this page we'll find you the best prices for the Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast 2 (or just Chromecast now) and Chromecast Audio and explain how they differ.

What is a good Chromecast deal?

This one's easy. The standard price for a Chromecast 2 is $35 in the USA and £30 in the UK. You should never, ever pay more than that because you can always find one for that price.

Chromecast 2 deals

The Chromecast 2, or 'new Chromecast' as it's also known, is very similar to the now discontinued 2013 Chromecast. Sure, it looks a little different. And it's got slightly faster network performance and a few other tweaks such as coming with a dangly cable instead of as a rigid stick. But essentially the same product in a different shape - that's why the prices were basically the same. If you can find one for the same price, get this new one.

Update: Tesco is running a promo at the moment where you can save £5 and get the 2015 Chromecast for £25.

Chromecast Audio deals

While it doesn't offer true multi-room streaming at the moment (fingers crossed that comes soon), this easy-to-use and affordable device modernizes any trusty set of wired speakers you already own with wireless capabilities. In doing so, it also opens them up to features that will grow and get even better over time. Got an old set of speakers or an ancient iPod dock? Turn it into a wireless speaker with Chromecast Audio!

Chromecast Ultra deals

The 4K Chromecast Ultra is the newest member of the Chromecast family. If you have a 4K TV or are planning on getting one, it's certainly worth picking one of these up. The Chromecast Ultra is a cheaper alternative to Amazon's Fire TV or the US-only Roku 4 for getting 4K content on your TV. Chromecast Ultra deals are usually around £69/$69, so anything cheaper is an added bonus.

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/television/chromecast-deals-1302163

Android Wear 2.0 updates head out to Nixon, Michael Kors and more Fossil smartwatches

Google's Android Wear 2.0 rollout is still far from ideal, having been delayed a few times, but the number of watches getting the update is growing.

The post Android Wear 2.0 updates head out to Nixon, Michael Kors and more Fossil smartwatches appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2017/04/03/android-wear-2-0-updates-nixon-michael-kors-fossil

No, it doesn’t look like the Galaxy S8 will work on Google’s Daydream VR platform

It's probably futile to try to pair a Galaxy S8 or S8+ handheld with a Daydream View headset, as Samsung bets big on the Gear VR.

The post No, it doesn’t look like the Galaxy S8 will work on Google’s Daydream VR platform appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2017/04/03/samsung-galaxy-s8-lack-support-google-daydream-vr

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6: which Android phone is better?

Our all-important Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6 comparison is ready give you further insight into which South Korean phone maker’s new handset is better for 2017.

Sure, they look different in terms of design and internal specs, but the dimensions, weight and and many key features are exactly the same. Android phone buyers have a tough choice on their hands.

Here’s how the Galaxy S8 and bigger S8 Plus stack up next to the LG G6, which been forgotten by some during Samsung’s dominate coverage last week.

Design

Samsung and LG are competing with phones made of glass wrapped around thin metal frames. The material is similar, but the actual designs differ to the eye and the hand.

The LG G6 has a brushed aluminum look and coats its glass back in order to make it less slippery. The Samsung Galaxy S8 looks and feels like slick glass.

They’re beautiful-looking phones, with designs that nearly eliminate the top and bottom bezel. Samsung’s curved display goes further by bending the screen around the left and right sides. 

Samsung also moves the fingerprint sensor to the back, but it's offset by the camera. LG has a dual lens camera and reserves the fingerprint sensor for a center spot on the back of the phone – further away from the camera lens.

LG G6 measures out to be 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm at 163g, and the Samsung is a tad taller and wide with dimensions of 148.9 x 71.9 x 7.9mm and weights the same 163g. Samsung’s flagship phone grows when you look at the Galaxy S8 Plus: 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm at 173g.

Anyone who wanted a flat Samsung Galaxy S8 may find everything they need in the LG G6. They both have an IP68 rating, making them dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5m down for 30 minutes.

Screen

You’re getting a taller screen when you upgrade to the LG G6 or the Samsung Galaxy S8. LG uses a 18:9 display ratio, while Samsung goes a bit further with 18.5:9.

The Samsung has two sizes available, the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch Galaxy S8 Plus. LG G6 keeps it a bit smaller with a 5.7-inch screen and a flat display.

Seeing more screen is great on both – a real boon for smartphone multitasking, but all of your 16:9 movies will throw up black bars on the left and right. It’s not a dealbreaker on either phone, but something you should know.

Samsung continues to impress with its Super AMOLED displays and this one has  better contrast ratio and Mobile HDR. LG also supports HDR10, but sticks with an IPS LCD touchscreen that looks pretty good on its own, even if Samsung has the better display technology. 

Samsung’s Super AMOLED screen is more suited for the Samsung Gear VR, while LG doesn’t even support Google Daydream. Both have always-on display that we really like.

OS and power

One of the best things about upgrading your Android phone is getting the latest version of Google’s operating system: in this case Android 7.0 Nougat.

Here’s where the two phones could differ down the line. Samsung uses a more powerful chipset in its phones: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 in the US and Exynos 8895 everywhere else, including the UK.

LG also uses a fast chip, too, but not the newest one available. It’s the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 – the same chipset found in the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL.

Both are powerful phones right now, but Samsung’s handsets may go the distance two or three years from now and whenever mobile VR gaming more boldly ventures into real 3D graphics.

The LG G6 has 32GB of RAM, while the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus gets 64GB out of the box. Both have expandable storage via a microSD card slot and contain 4GB of RAM.

Camera

It’s always been a close debate between the Samsung vs LG camera quality, and the 12MP Samsung Galaxy S8 and 13MP LG G6 are sure to make the debate close once again.

Here’s a key difference: the LG G6 uses a dual-camera setup. One 13MP is for normal shots, while the other takes wide-angle shots to capture more in the photo (albeit with a bit of fisheye).

Samsung skipped out on the dual-lens approach being used by many Android phones as well as Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus. In fact, the S8 uses last year’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge sensor.

Maybe we’ll see a dual-lens camera in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

Battery life

The LG G6 battery capacity falls right in between the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, with a 3300mAh battery. The S8 has a 3,000mAh battery, and the S8 Plus gets 3,500mAh.

You’re going to have to check our incoming full reviews of both phones to see our pending battery life tests. But, rest assured, Samsung promises neither the S8 or S8 Plus will blow up. Our tests are forthcoming.

We can tell you some good news right away: both phone feature fast charging technology to juice back up more quickly as well as wireless charging, something  last year’s LG G5 lacked.

Price

The LG G6 wins this battle with a cheaper smartphone that’s nearly as powerful as the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus.

In the US, LG G6 costs anywhere from $600 to $712 at full price through US carriers and LG will begin selling an unlocked version in the future. It may cost the normal $649 in the end. 

Samsung is charging $724 for the Galaxy S8 and $824 for the Galaxy S8 Plus.

In the UK and Australia, the LG G6 price is cheaper, too – £649 SIM-free and AU$1,008 from Telstra, according to an Ausdroid report. 

Samsung Galaxy S8 costs £689 in the UK and AU$1,199. The Galaxy S8 Plus is even more money: £779 and AU$1,349.

Takeaway

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the more futuristic phone, from looks to performance. Its newer chipset is better equipped for multitasking and VR gaming, and so is its taller, curved Super AMOLED screen.

However, the LG G6 has perks like a dual-lens camera and center-aligned rear fingerprint sensor. It’s also cheaper than Samsung’s phone in all regions and many people want a flat, non-curved smartphone.

You can’t go wrong with either Android – they’re going to be among the best phones you can buy in 2017. But, as you can see from our Samsung Galaxy S8 vs LG G6 comparison, there are small differences in key areas.

from TechRadar: Phone and communications news http://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s8-vs-lg-g6-which-android-phone-is-better

The best iPhone 6S Plus deals in April 2017